Headlines this week continue to illustrate the growing de facto secession taking place in the “United States” in 2025.
As Tom Knapp pointed out, many States that are labelled red or blue are not reliably so. But the big urban areas drive the train. Smaller communities in the rural and frontier areas (outside the big metro zones) are dragged along, often kicking and screaming but unable to make any impact.
State boundaries are easy to use to emphasize differences, but it is too easy. Still, we see the divide growing. Somebody in Ferndale, California or Milford, Oregon may be disgusted by what the politicians in Sacramento, supported by San-San denizens, or in Salem, supported by Portland and much of the Willamette Valley do, but have no choice. The same for the inner urban cores of Houston and Dallas and El Paso (and even Austin itself) when the numerous smaller cities are less blue: Odessa, San Angelo, Waco, etc.
There are many issues over which to divide: let us look at just two.
On the matter of Second Amendment protected rights: to keep and bear arms, our right to defend ourselves, we see this contrast. In New Mexico, the Senate has voted to ban semiautomatic firearms on a 21-17 partyline vote. (Thank Albuquerque and Santa Fe.) Those voting for this had publicly stated that the bill is unconstitutional. But they obviously do not care. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, their House has voted toend bans on firearms on campuses of institutions of higher education. Again on a partyline vote of 188-165. (Manchester and Nashua just don’t have the votes.) The argument? Self-defense is a God-given right that cannot be banned in some places regardless of the reasons.
In other words, although the States are contrasted, within those States there is a significant fracture, not just in the issue of keeping and bearing arms, but in the understanding of fundamental human rights. And the gulf between the various factions is growing larger.
Not just between States, nor even just between different areas inside the States. The divide extends to cities, towns, and even frontier areas. The entire fabric of society seems to be falling apart.
Another example? On the entertainment side of things? The NFL’s Woke no-English halftime show for Super Bowl LX was watched by as many as 135 million people, but the competition: the Turning Point USA “half-time” show; was apparently watched by 20 million. But that means that more than half of Americans didn’t watch either of the shows, or the football game. (Spoiler: none of TPOL’s folks did: but we did assemble with other people to edify and encourage one another.) But it still means that a lot of people, while claiming to be christians, still chose one of America’s most popular alternative religions. Sadly, we know of some who chose the Super Bowl and “forsaked the assembly.” We don’t yet know breakouts by State or urban versus rural, but will not be surprised to find a similar divide as in the case of Second Amendment rights.
There is some sense of sanity but it seems to be held by a very tiny minority: we have to squabble over halftime shows? They brand it as silly, juvenile, and disheartening. Still, the dispute reveals the growing divide.
We point out, as lovers of liberty, while we may believe people are wrong to choose football over their God, it is their choice. As long as they do not force others to conform, let them alone!
However, to us it appears that this is not all that common an understanding: more and more people seem to take the tact that those who disagree with them are enemies to be destroyed. That attempts to persuade them and change their minds are a waste of time and energy. In other word, widen the gap, not attempt to bridge it.
Most people, on all sides of issues, seem to be limiting their ire and venom to the internet and talk shows. But a tiny, tiny number do take action: often violent aggressive action. We fear that will grow worse.
Your thoughts?
About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.
The Price of Liberty 
The growing divide among the States
Headlines this week continue to illustrate the growing de facto secession taking place in the “United States” in 2025.
As Tom Knapp pointed out, many States that are labelled red or blue are not reliably so. But the big urban areas drive the train. Smaller communities in the rural and frontier areas (outside the big metro zones) are dragged along, often kicking and screaming but unable to make any impact.
State boundaries are easy to use to emphasize differences, but it is too easy. Still, we see the divide growing. Somebody in Ferndale, California or Milford, Oregon may be disgusted by what the politicians in Sacramento, supported by San-San denizens, or in Salem, supported by Portland and much of the Willamette Valley do, but have no choice. The same for the inner urban cores of Houston and Dallas and El Paso (and even Austin itself) when the numerous smaller cities are less blue: Odessa, San Angelo, Waco, etc.
There are many issues over which to divide: let us look at just two.
On the matter of Second Amendment protected rights: to keep and bear arms, our right to defend ourselves, we see this contrast. In New Mexico, the Senate has voted to ban semiautomatic firearms on a 21-17 partyline vote. (Thank Albuquerque and Santa Fe.) Those voting for this had publicly stated that the bill is unconstitutional. But they obviously do not care. Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, their House has voted toend bans on firearms on campuses of institutions of higher education. Again on a partyline vote of 188-165. (Manchester and Nashua just don’t have the votes.) The argument? Self-defense is a God-given right that cannot be banned in some places regardless of the reasons.
In other words, although the States are contrasted, within those States there is a significant fracture, not just in the issue of keeping and bearing arms, but in the understanding of fundamental human rights. And the gulf between the various factions is growing larger.
Not just between States, nor even just between different areas inside the States. The divide extends to cities, towns, and even frontier areas. The entire fabric of society seems to be falling apart.
Another example? On the entertainment side of things? The NFL’s Woke no-English halftime show for Super Bowl LX was watched by as many as 135 million people, but the competition: the Turning Point USA “half-time” show; was apparently watched by 20 million. But that means that more than half of Americans didn’t watch either of the shows, or the football game. (Spoiler: none of TPOL’s folks did: but we did assemble with other people to edify and encourage one another.) But it still means that a lot of people, while claiming to be christians, still chose one of America’s most popular alternative religions. Sadly, we know of some who chose the Super Bowl and “forsaked the assembly.” We don’t yet know breakouts by State or urban versus rural, but will not be surprised to find a similar divide as in the case of Second Amendment rights.
There is some sense of sanity but it seems to be held by a very tiny minority: we have to squabble over halftime shows? They brand it as silly, juvenile, and disheartening. Still, the dispute reveals the growing divide.
We point out, as lovers of liberty, while we may believe people are wrong to choose football over their God, it is their choice. As long as they do not force others to conform, let them alone!
However, to us it appears that this is not all that common an understanding: more and more people seem to take the tact that those who disagree with them are enemies to be destroyed. That attempts to persuade them and change their minds are a waste of time and energy. In other word, widen the gap, not attempt to bridge it.
Most people, on all sides of issues, seem to be limiting their ire and venom to the internet and talk shows. But a tiny, tiny number do take action: often violent aggressive action. We fear that will grow worse.
Your thoughts?
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About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.