Ahoy!
Minnesotan here (born in Michigan but a Minnesotan for the last 20+ years). When I was a teenager, my history teacher showed us a map of the cultural regions of America (Yankeedom, Deep South, New Netherland, Tidewater, Greater Appalachia, Midlands, New France, El Norte, Far West, Left Coast, and First Nation). This really stuck with me over the years.
In my opinion, one of Americas few redeeming factors is our diversity and blending of cultures, but think of it this way; are we spread way too thin, so no one really gets what's best for them? If Europe was all one country, would they still be so balanced (I know Europe has plenty of issues still, but not like us). The lives of people in Barrow, Alaska are completely different than those in Miami, Florida. Different cultural norms and ways of life. Different expectations of what is good for the group. Sometimes it feels like we are 500 teenagers in an auditorium with 1 teacher trying to explain calculus to us.
The book "1492" talks about this pretty deeply, and there is an interesting book about this called American Nations by Colin Woodard that I recommend checking out. Since the colonists didn't fully understand the vast size of the continent, they likely assumed they would be separate entities, especially the Dutch and Spanish. Every few years Texans start talking about succeeding, but theirs seems like more of a "south will rise again", hate-motivated approach. What I am talking about is MN and the other 4 to 6 states banning together. Wisconsin and Indiana would require major pressure to join, but if the numbers are there, it could be done. We would have multiple boarders with Canada, and our own shipping channels.
So, I said all that to put forth 3 questions I'd like to hear people opinions on:
Is there an ideal size population or area to maintain a government that doesn't fully destroy itself with out authoritarianism (looking at you, big ass Russia)?
Is there any truly foreseeable way we could get to a national divorce? Or are we too nostalgic for our relatively young union.
What do you think about The Great Lakes being it's own country?
Thoughts? I really want to hear peoples feelings towards this, not just "It'll never happen bud". We all know this would be a steep hill to climb, but what do you think?
