It's not your imagination that politics has gotten much more ideological then years ago, as most Americans now live in a state run by single political party.
But it wasn't always that way. There was a time 30 years ago when most Americans lived in a state that was governed by a governor and state legislature of different parties.
60% of Americans lived under divided state government in 1992, by the year 2023, that percentage dropped 19%.
For a long time, more Americans lived in states governed by solely Republicans then Democrats. But that changed in 2023, Democrats alone govern slightly more Americans in states then Republicans 41.5% to 39.2% but that's almost just a rounding error.
Will single party-states remain the norm in American politics? My guess is probably not because single-party run states are inherently unstable in a democracy. Single-party states tend enact unpopular policies which result in incumbents getting voted out of office. Even very blue states often elect Republicans to the governorship, such as Maryland. Likewise, very red states often elect Democrats to the governorship, such as Kentucky's governor. And houses can flip back forth, like happened in Alaska not that long ago.
While it's unusual to find a deep red, highly educated county, blue counties tend to range the span from highly educated like Falls Church City, Virginia (79% college graduates) to very few college graduates like Taliaferro County, Georgia (5% college graduates).
This cartogram shows in area the approximate count of votes versus results by county in New York State. New York City dominated the voting process, with other large urban areas in the state also having disproportionate impact on the total votes.
He’s also not likely to be the greatest president ever, but probably will do okay in the job. I think Joe Biden might be a better choice, but I’m willing to accept whoever the voters chose come next November.
Trump has been excellent on the second amendment and appointing pro-gun and conservative judges throughout the judiciary. He’s been a brash voice for change, not stuck in the old ways of doing things in Washington DC. He represents a new way of thinking, not all good, but different then the mindset that has dominated national politics for much too long. He would be a good check on Congress, especially if the Democrats control one or both houses. He would slow or roll back some of the over-reach of the Biden administration.
That said, I hardly am a fan of his over the top rhetoric and his lawlessness both as President and thereafter. You would would hope the President would have respect for the law and institution, choosing to obey long-standing social norms, rather then breaking them without pause. I also think a second term of Trump would undermine much of the progress at least temporarily on climate change, most notably the Clean Car Standards, though I doubt the auto companies would slide too far backwards, as everybody knows electrification is the future and climate change remains a real threat, even if the temporary occupant of the White House is in denial.
If anything, I think this world is coming to an end rhetoric around the upcoming election is harmful. Do vote, if convenient as it’s your chance to make a difference around the edges of politics. But don’t take the election personally, and don’t act like the world is coming to an end regardless of who ultimately ends up in the White House come 2025. Chances are if you don’t turn on the television, you won’t even know who is in White House that year, and whoever the occupant is that year in the White House, chances are the worse they’ll give you is indigestion watching the news after dinner.
