Do you actually care about your State?

[Superwoman Prime]

One thing I learned while living in Kansas every year of my life, is that it was never the moral epicenter of America. We rarely smile, rarely eat apple pie, and most of us argue with our mothers all the time.

About the only conception of Kansans that is true is that we're laid back. Once I find a job, raise enough money, I'm out of here.

 

[GhostPoet]

I like my state (Washington) but I don't have a ton of pride in it.

 

[cryptic name]

This is a question mostly for Americans though folks from other countries with states or provinces are more than welcome to answer as well.

Recently I watched an interview with Stephen Fry about his travels across the United States, and in his view Americans identify very much with the state in which they live. In my personal experience this is not the case, except maybe with Texans. Reading old documents and speeches from around the civil war era and earlier makes it seem like Fry's point of view was at least one point in time correct. I dont know I have heard talk about their homestate, and politicians certainly pay lip service to the "The Great State of _____" but for the most part do people really care?

For me personally, I really couldn't give a rats ass for Illinois, at least in terms of identifying with it. A large part of that I guess comes from living in the metropolitan area of St. Louis and more often identifying with the city, which is also where I was born. But I also don't give much thought to Missouri.


What do you think?

I'm a big believer in states rights and old school republicanism. And love my state of California. One of the few places in the world you can go to the mountains and the beach in one 3 hour trip. And I can't really complain about the weather either.

 

[Manic]

I see my fellow Californians love our amazingly brilliant and excessively expensive state.

 

[Anubis]

As far as I'm concerned my state starts and ends with Chicago. Everywhere else in Illinois is just farmland.

 

[Marvolo]

North Carolina!!! Yes, I love my state. Beautiful scenery (Blue Ridge Mountains), lots of history, and we have four perfect seasons. I like the city, but give me some land in the mountains miles from civilization and I am happy. There is an area 40 minutes from me that makes you feel like you've gone back in time. No walmarts, no shopping centers, or cars just valleys and hills and mountains. Its my drug.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

I hate the south.

 

[enterthemadness]

I like the Carolina Panthers, and Pine Trees in NC. About it. But yes, more so than Hawaii (where I was born) and northern states. NC will always be home, better or worse, but I need a 2nd job and crap and get on with live.

 

[Marvolo]

I hate the south.

Lol, NC is as far south as I can go. The further south I go the more I find that aggravats me. Its best I stay out of florida. We get so many tourists from florida who can't drive that I have a personal vendetta against them. I don't think all of florida can't drive, but all of them up here suck at it. It must be our roads. The hills and curves, I guess. And they all drive so freaking slow. I swear you can spot a florida driver without ever seeing their tag. I had one nearly hit me the other day.

 

[enterthemadness]

Only thing I like about Florida is the Florida Marlins and the weather. Been down there once in Safety Harbour...went to Hell I mean Disney World.

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

I feel a sense of pride for my home state (California). I don't really feel a sense of pride for my current state of residence (Tennessee).

Most people I meet out here have a very strong sense of pride for their state, or the state that they are originally from (living in Tennessee, I know many people from all over the south, particularly Florida, Georiga, or the Carolinas).

I am not a big fan of Tennessee, or the south in general. After I graduate college, I very much plan on moving back to California. Unfortunately, I have family out here, as well as friends who will be moving to the area (Atlanta) who are going to try to make it difficult for me to leave (already planting the seeds of future guilt trips)

 

[Marvolo]

Only thing I like about Florida is the Florida Marlins and the weather. Been down there once in Safety Harbour...went to Hell I mean Disney World.

Lol, yeah the heat is brutal.

 

[Bunker]

I don't feel any loyalty toward my state but I have great pride for my country.

Why would you feel proud about something you had no control over?

 

[Ultra Lantern]

50% like
50% dislike

I live in California.

 

[Hobgoblin]

I think another large part of my apathy toward Illinois is that Illinois is split up into two very distinct parts. Chicago and its surrounding area, and the rest of the state. Neither of which do I identify with. Chicago is, well its Chicago, and as a native St. Louisan I just kind of have to hate them on basic principle right? lol. As it happens I've actually only been up that way once, for a single day.

As for most of the rest of the state, its mostly just kind of rural and filled with corn (and soy beans). Despite Illinois's reliable Blue State status, the truth is, outside of Chicago, Illinois is a very conservative place politically. I am neither a farmer, a conservative or a Cubs fan (nor the Sox for that matter).

It doesnt help that the our state government make its lack of interest in the south end of the state blatently obvious. While I'm sure Chicago has plenty of problems to focus on, East St. Louis has been left to rot.

I'm at the other end of the state of Illinois and I can generally agree with what you said. The Chicagoland/Downstate divide is totally obvious. One of my dad's friends is from Downstate and he once said that southern Illinois is "the real Illinois." I didnt say anything but I always thought of Chicagoland as the "real Illinois" while Downstate was really a part of the South. I dont mind my state and get irritated when others say its so corrupt (which it is, but is any other state really so innocent? I doubt that.) but I'm not super loyal to it either. I think its very possible that when I get a real job I will move out of state.

 

[Anubis]

Good decision, just make sure it's a place that wont tax the hell outta you like Illinois.

 

[Hobgoblin]

Good decision, just make sure it's a place that wont tax the hell outta you like Illinois.

Thats a big reason why I'm thinking of getting out. That and the lack of jobs. Low taxes takes Wisconsin out of the running. I dont care for Indiana, so maybe Iowa or Missouri. Kansas City was nice.

 

[Prison Mike]

Why would you feel proud about something you had no control over?

What do you mean "no control over"?

 

[Mace Bloodstone]

Born in Florida and lived her my whole life. No state income tax so that's a plus... A lot of transplants from other states down here though, eff'm all!! All they talk about is how great their home city is..

Oh really, If it's so great then why the hell are you down here then?? So many new yorkers GO HOME!! Canadians Driving is ridiculous with these tourists clogging up the roads, not everyone is on vacation here!