Have people always looked at the individual states in a strictly political way?

I live in San Francisco, CA. It is ridiculously expensive. But there is a compensation, I live walking distance from my job. I walk to work, 30 minutes each way. This saves me a huge amount on transit costs, and gives me some healthy exercise. I don't own a car which saves me a ton of money. When I do need a car I use rentals and car shares. This is the advantage of urban density.

There is good public transit here, so most people living in San Francisco don't own cars.

Nature doesn't care. And when someone's in it they usually don't care either. That said, I live in CA where hikers/backpackers don't openly carry to prove a point and assuage their fear. So things do creep in. But a great thing about the wilderness is it can provide solitude so the individual calls the shots. And no individual is more powerful than nature. So if you're doing it right everything else moves to the background. A healthy place to be. Humility is our friend.

Born and raised here in CA and lived here all my life. I agree... we spend way too much on politics and generalization of "the other respective side", both personally and geographically. We get back what we put out. Both of my former rural neighbors either side of me were strong liberals/progressives. In fact, I was told by one couple I was the only "Republican/conservative" friend they had. Yet we got along great and they were also good friends and periodically asked how I was doing after I moved to where I am now. We'd politely discuss politics, yes, but never arguments or name calling. We spent more time talking California history, hobbies, etc. There is a lot of wonder in each of our states indeed!

unfortunately that is what we havebecome. very polarized.

When I was growing up states were mostly recognized for their features, Texas was desert and prairie. California was supposed to be like an oasis. The Midwest was corn and wheat fields. There was never any talk about states political leanings. Getting into the 1990, California because the "land of fruits and nuts", Texas became the red state full of right wingers, and the political descriptions started.

Good call on Big Bend, have two weeks in the National Park scheduled for next spring. Absolutely beautiful country.

and there they go....... proving your point. LOL

As an outside observer Americans seem to turn everything into an Us versus Them dynamic from football teams to political parties, to individual states.

It is very tribal and clannish behavior but kind of silly in most cases.

As a friend of mine from Massachusetts put it. "The US is the only country on earth that thinks it is normal trying to be 50 different countries and one country at the same time."

When I think of California I think of how ridiculously expensive it is to live there. And Texas is full of frightened hateful nazi hillbillies with guns.

I don't think so. I don't even think that's the case now. It is possible to think of things in multiple ways though. Perhaps that is what is causing your confusion.

It's all part of the 'fundamental transformation' Obama had in mind.

They're fake countries. Murka absolutely refuses to look there.