The Decision Making Perspective

This much is clear: the United States is a severely polarized country; polarized between political affiliation, economic wellbeing, and fundamental moral values. It is likely that a pundit will sum up the intricate, nuanced social trends of contemporary America in just one phrase: Red v. Blue. This Red state v. Blue state mentality, sponsored by triumphant conservatives and defeated liberals alike, seems to be based not just on socio-economic background, race, gender, or education but on the priorities dictated by geographical location. Though I do not concede to this gross oversimplification, it is necessary to accept that differences in priorities (and potentially demographics) of certain geographical regions create remarkable political gaps between those who live on the east and west coast and those who live in the Midwest; just like it manifests a gap between the so-called “urban elite” and those who dwell in agrarian based communities.

This leads me to a mere observation; make what you want of it. The truth of the matter is: it is New York State (and maybe California) which is most affiliated with the gay community, just as it is New York State which is the most susceptible to terrorism. That’s a fact. However, New York State decided, on November 2nd, overwhelmingly to support one course of action for those issues, while it was the Midwest, almost entirely disconnected from those hot button issues of the election, who dictated the course of action that we take with both homosexuality and terrorism. North Dakota is as vulnerable to a terrorist attack as I am vulnerable to death by flying monkey! Yet, it was states like North Dakota and Oklahoma who are responsible for the course of action which New York is bound to.

Don’t get me wrong, in no way am I degrading the status of non-Northeastern states, and in no way am I questioning the authority of the electorate within the Midwest. I am merely observing that people in the West can legislate issues which they are uneffected by, just as the Green party in the Northeast can regulate how loggers in the Midwest carry out their occupation. Geographical distance from political reality often skews the perspective.