Red- and blue-state America was already divided before the coronavirus epidemic hit. Globalization had enriched the East Coast and West Coast corridors but hollowed out much in between.
The traditional values of small towns and rural counties were increasingly at odds with postmodern lifestyles in the cities.
There were, of course, traditionalists in blue states. And lots of progressives live in red states. But people increasingly self-segregate to where they feel at home and where politics, jobs, and culture reflect their tastes.
The ensuing left/right, liberal/conservative, Democrat/Republican divide not only intensified in the 21st century, but it also took on a dangerous geographical separatism.
The coasts vs. the interior divide reflects two Americas — often in a manner similar to the old Mason-Dixon line that geographically split the U.S. for roughly a century.
As always, it's great writing. Read it all!
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