two states that never existed but should have

[freepcrusher]

the state of paleoconservistan and manufacturia

The state of paleoconservistan is the area that includes IN 3, IN 5, IN 6, OH 8, OH 5, OH 4,  OH 7, OH 3, OH 1, OH 2, OH 6, OH 18, OH 12, and OH 15. This area probably gave McCain 55-56 percent of the vote. The state capital would probably be Columbus. This area has always been conservative, but unlike the southern states, was always republican. This area was always at odds with the New England republicans (like Weicker or Jeffords). This place is home to many well known republicans/conservatives like Dan Coats, Dan Quayle, Mark Souder, Dan Burton (what's with all the Dans?), John Boehner, Mike Pence, Mean Jean, Steve Chabot, and Robert Taft. While this was never confederate territory, it also gave the union the most lukewarm support and was not abolitionist country.

In the 1920s, this area had a population that was around 97 percent white and people here were strict prohibitionist protestants (although Cincinnati has a huge German population). I believe the area in Dan Burton's district had the highest KKK membership per capita in the 20s. When driving around through the rural areas here, one has to put up with the fetus worshiping "abortion stops a beating heart" billboards. This area will only vote for a democrat if it is a landslide. I believe this area only voted for a democratic three times in recent memory (1932, 1936, and 1964). What makes this area so unique is that it is right next to the big cities of Chicago and Cleveland, which have always been strongly democratic. The reason is that this area didn't have the things those three cities did (strong labor union presence, African Americans, and ethnic European/catholic immigrants). The western part of this state was huge into basketball. The type of enthusiasm for basketball here is up there with football in Texas. In the eastern part of this state, football was king. Located in this state was the Ohio State Buckeyes, who have always been the staple of traditional old school football.

Woody Hayes was coach here from 1951-1978 and exemplified the staunch conservative and jingoistic attitude of the place and era. This place personified Nixon's silent majority as did Woody Hayes. Ohio State always has the most fire-breathing type fans like the 40 year old man who still completely paints himself for the game and always talks about how they're gonna win it all this year. This is the type of America people are referring to when they talk about "the good old days". The state capital would be Columbus. This state would be the largest state with an all GOP delegation and probably would have a republican senator streak comparable to Kansas

[freepcrusher]

the next state is Manufacturia. This state would have PA 14, PA 3, PA 4, NY 27, NY 28, OH 14, OH 17, OH 13, OH 10, OH 11,OH 19, MI 5, MI 14, MI 3, MI 2, MI 13, MI 6, MI 7, MI 10, MI 5, IN 2, IN 1, IL 2, IL 1, IL 3, IL 4, IL 7, IL 5, IL 9, IL 10, IL 8, WI 1, and WI 5.

This takes in Chicago, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Buffalo. This is probably one of the most democratic states in the country not voting for a democrat since 1972, maybe even 1956. Manufacturing was the biggest industry here as evidenced by the name. This state has a lot of diversity with ethnic European Catholics, steelworkers, white intellectuals; all living close together. In the 1960s, there were many race riots in these areas. This is also home to the University of Michigan, which was the birthplace of SDS style leftism of the 1960s. Michigan (as well as Notre Dame for the catholics) were the big football teams in this area. People also were big fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears. This is Barack Obama's home turf and he easily got 65-70 percent in this state. This area was republican from the time of the party's founding near the civil war, all the way until about 1932, when it became part of FDR's new deal coalition.

What's interesting about this state is that it borders "Paleoconservistan" and could not be more different. The state capital would probably be Chicago or Detroit. This would be the "third coast" of America as it was on the great lakes.

[Antonio the Sixth]

That's very interesting.

In some way, it reminds me of my Alternate US States project. The State of Manufacturia is more or less a combination of the States of Erie, Chicago and Michigan, I guess, while Paleoconservativistan takes Ohio and Indiana.

[feeblepizza]

That's some nice insight. I would love to be a Paleoconservativistani citizen .