The Problem With the USA's Borders
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- čas přidán 22. 04. 2021
- It's been over 60 years since a change to the American map has occurred. While that all might change with the recent DC and Puerto Rico statehood movements, this opens up the possibility to re-examine the internal divisions of the country and see if there are any better ways to break up the country.
Send me your state maps over on twitter @theatlaspro
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Music: / around-the-world-in-54...
Sources / Links
www.loc.gov/item/2007628250/
www.loc.gov/item/98688513/
www.loc.gov/item/2014589396/
www.loc.gov/item/2019360437/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_r...
www.smithsonianmag.com/smiths...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
www.brookings.edu/research/am...
www.texasmonthly.com/articles...
www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...
statchatva.org/2014/03/13/ance...
you can tell the map is well made because the lines are very squiggly
Map map map men men
Map men map men map map map men men men men
Map men fan. Very good
'So well just draw the line here disregarding all ethnic borders and divisions, can I _please_ have a sandwich?'
@@meatilicious1900 'We should've never drawn that straight line, I can assure you the man who drew that line has been shamed'
*mustache gets ripped off*
As a West Virginia I founded very offensive that you said we always find our way to the bottom of the list, when it comes to overdoses and obesity we are at the top
Lol
This kinda reminds me of the u.s as a whole but the opposite. We’re number one in everything either good or bad. Number one in COVID cases, infant mortality rate, space travel, technology, medical research, gdp, amount of people vaccinated, biggest House sizes, amount of guns, amount of money brought home, strongest military, cost of healthcare, technological innovation, artificial intelligence, robotics, media, movies, billionaires, Olympic sports, higher education (I guess?), we’re the most generous people (wtf since when?), amount of roads, amount of dogs, beef and cheese production, natura gas output, oil production, nuclear power output, cosmetic surgery (eww), fast food, obesity. Basically number one in everything. Btw I got most of this from google lol
Funny,...but also sad.
As a New Mexican, we're right there with you... On both ends of those lists... Plus in our case, first in car thefts. But, our home is our home!
Both New Mexico and West Virginia have Majority GOP-Church parties running things. The reason for the poor conditions in both states is that the GOP-Church gave the Rich, the well heeled tons of tax breaks and reduced greatly welfare programs that help people. This is also why the GOP-Church Party will not go for the fewer states unless they are allowed to control the elections in each state. An example for you, Atlas Pro, is Dakota. Dakota had originally been slated to be admitted as one state. The GOP, thinking having 2 states would help them ironclad their iron hold on the senate, voted to split Dakota up to north and south. The GOP WILL NOT be willing at all to give that up....
To me, as a Canadian, this whole video feels like "12 Creative Ways to Start another Civil War."
Or not
"12 creative ways to save the USA in the long-term"
Yup. You see very clearly.
They want power, and they believe they are entitled to it.
tbh redrawing state boundaries will be a huge mess for sure but making sure every state government has control over various necessary resources like rivers and flat land etc will ensure better long term stability.
@@ishathakorbut doesn't take all of the settlement distribution. Chicago, for example. It sits on top of the divide between the Mississippi and Great Lakes watersheds. In fact it was founded because it was an easy portage between the two.
Then there's the political division which can't be ignored. Chicago is what keeps Illinois blue. And any division of Texas that had Houston as its largest city would have a lot of conservatives freaking out. It would be messy
The water based map would be amazing, dividing by bio-regions would also be cool, honestly your map you made or the water based map I think would be much better than what's currently being used
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Congressional Representative's Name]
[Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear Representative [Last Name],
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen to advocate for a unique approach to addressing some of the complex issues surrounding the management of our national borders. I believe that it is crucial to reconsider our border boundaries in a way that takes into account the natural divisions created by watershed districts, as declared by the United States Geological Survey.
Our national borders hold immense significance, shaping our identity, security, and the way we manage our resources. By aligning these borders with watershed districts, we can harness the power of nature to promote sustainable resource management, ecological preservation, and environmental conservation.
Watersheds are not merely geographical boundaries; they are vital ecological units that transcend political divisions. They delineate areas where rainfall and snowmelt flow into common streams, rivers, and eventually the sea. By redefining our borders along these lines, we can better manage and protect our natural resources. This alignment can ensure the preservation of fragile ecosystems and promote sustainable practices that benefit our environment.
One of the key advantages of adopting watershed-based democracy is its potential to strengthen American democracy. By engaging local communities in the management of their natural resources within these watershed districts, we empower citizens to actively participate in decisions that impact their environment. This fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership, enhancing our democratic fabric. It encourages citizens to become stewards of their local ecosystems, which in turn, contributes to the broader goals of ecological sustainability and resource management.
I kindly request that you consider this proposal and explore its feasibility with fellow members of Congress. While I understand that redrawing borders is a complex and sensitive matter, I believe that it merits serious consideration due to its potential long-term benefits for our nation, including improved resource management, ecological sustainability, environmental preservation, and the strengthening of American democracy.
Thank you for your time and dedication to serving our community and our country. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this proposal and any actions you might take to explore this idea further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Agreed.
We’d have to name the southeast state Howdy Arabia and I absolutely would not stay here.
As a german i can say that we redrawn a lot of borders at municipality level. As a european i can only say that trying to move a border usually results in a few decades of war
Lesson learned...well, by some.
✌️😎
Well, the US is already due for a good old civil war.
@@Xergecuz how can we fight the good fight if they take all our assault rifles!
@@kitkat47chrysalis95 Ez, use a trench mace
after all germany was just trying to be effective
I think the biggest news here is we're going to have Dust Bowl 2.0 coming up in the 2030s. Fitting
Funny how that works right? Just in time for its 100 year anniversary
Don’t forget about the civil war in the next couple decades
Interstellar told us this too
@@alexsigmon3158 Couple of years.
History repeata itself
West Virginia was actually very successful at one point in its history. No, it's never been near the richest of the country, but people lived well, we had industry in timber and manufacturing. We were growing rapidly along with the rest of the country.
We never seemed to fully recover from the great depression. The areas that did, mostly along the Ohio River, dried up after manufacturing left after the 80s (that area is like an extension of the rust belt).
West Virginia was also heavily dependent on non-sustainable practices, providing raw materials for now outdated processes and technologies. 31:10
I think states like West Virginia would benefit from attracting remote employees that aren't tied to the big cities.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Congressional Representative's Name]
[Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear Representative [Last Name],
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen to advocate for a unique approach to addressing some of the complex issues surrounding the management of our national borders. I believe that it is crucial to reconsider our border boundaries in a way that takes into account the natural divisions created by watershed districts, as declared by the United States Geological Survey.
Our national borders hold immense significance, shaping our identity, security, and the way we manage our resources. By aligning these borders with watershed districts, we can harness the power of nature to promote sustainable resource management, ecological preservation, and environmental conservation.
Watersheds are not merely geographical boundaries; they are vital ecological units that transcend political divisions. They delineate areas where rainfall and snowmelt flow into common streams, rivers, and eventually the sea. By redefining our borders along these lines, we can better manage and protect our natural resources. This alignment can ensure the preservation of fragile ecosystems and promote sustainable practices that benefit our environment.
One of the key advantages of adopting watershed-based democracy is its potential to strengthen American democracy. By engaging local communities in the management of their natural resources within these watershed districts, we empower citizens to actively participate in decisions that impact their environment. This fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership, enhancing our democratic fabric. It encourages citizens to become stewards of their local ecosystems, which in turn, contributes to the broader goals of ecological sustainability and resource management.
I kindly request that you consider this proposal and explore its feasibility with fellow members of Congress. While I understand that redrawing borders is a complex and sensitive matter, I believe that it merits serious consideration due to its potential long-term benefits for our nation, including improved resource management, ecological sustainability, environmental preservation, and the strengthening of American democracy.
Thank you for your time and dedication to serving our community and our country. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this proposal and any actions you might take to explore this idea further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
id call it part of the rust belt
From the 60s-80s, Charleston had one of the highest median incomes in the nation. The Kanawha Valley was extremely economically-diversified, with government (state capital functions), the coal and chemical industries, manufacturing and the service industries these sectors fed--all thriving. It wasn't always a victim of its geography.
Dividing states by rivers means that many cities will lie in two states, which can be problematic, when it comes to finances.
The irony of combining Nevada with Utah can't be overstated. Las Vegas: the casino capital of America. Utah: gambling is still illegal there.
The Utah would rather create a Mormon theocracy then merge with Nevada, that’s the problem with this vid in theory it would work, but you can’t ignore that watch state has its own cultural and rivalry.
@@notchuckproductions5029 I used to live in Utah years ago and I couldn’t agree with you more lol
Also, I’m waiting for Utah to legalise polygamy again on the basis that if two men or two women can get married then one man and 3 wives should be legal. If the definition of marriage is no longer 1 man and
1 woman then who’s to say its limited to just 2 people. From a legal standpoint the case can be made without much effort.
The Mormon thing is slightly overstated in these comments, speaking as a Non-Mormon Utahn. It is a real and present force, but it's not all-encompassing unless you're in some rural areas. Also, Nevada has a heavy Mormon population. The reason why Utah wouldn't want Nevada is because it would instantly be a huge strain on our economy and tax funds. Nevada has a terrible economy outside Vegas and lots of reliance on welfare, Utah has a very good one. Also, Vegas relies on a pretty permissive government, while Utah has a heavy handed conservative government in regards to gambling, alcohol, tobacco, prostitutiøn, and m@rijuana (yes, influenced by, but not controlled by, Mormon culture).
the use of water for pretty is how people in Las Vegas can afford to be alive in Las Vegas. without Bellagio fountains, stupid golf courses, and water parks, we would have no source of water but having it shipped in in exchange for whoring us out in the literal sense rather than the much more metaphorical sense. much of upper Nevada is farming and mining. the new cutting up would destroy my people
@@prepperjonpnw6482
Damn, legal polygamy? 😳 😏
"Leave border drawing to geographers, not politians"
-Kyle, Geography King
*laughs in european*
That goes with most things tbh, leave most things to the decision of a professional not a politician.
@@alfredorotondo laughs in Canadian... eh lol
and anthropologists
Are you kidding. Any division of the United States would be at It's core highly political.
I think following the natural terrain is a great idea. Not just for boundaries but for building the electrical grid, irrigation technology and roads ways.
The sweeping birds-eye visuals in this are amazing. I don't know whether it's stock footage or where you got it from but it was fkn perfect
As a former Nevadan, I find it hilarious that in 2014 we scored 51 out of 50 in education.
Wait HOW?!
@@ziraydejesus8108 The District of Columbia (D.C) is my guess. It's not a state but it's not a part of any state either.
@@ziraydejesus8108 They let Nevada do the math. :)
As a product of the Nevada education system I am not at all surprised in the slightest.
Most of these problems are due corruption
I love how all these states combine, and then there’s just CALIFORNIA.
The configuration of our mountains makes it so that it really doesn’t make much sense to include anyone else. 🤷🏻♂️
Yeah California is it's own drainage basin. It made me laugh too tho lol!
They did this on purpose. They made sure all their water resources were within the state boundaries during their admission to the union
Its strange because a large part of eastern California is part of the great basin but the USGS still put those parts in the "California" and not the "Great Basin" resource region.
Thats because California isnt America put a part of China.
The only way I could see something like this happening would be due to some sort of SEVERE decades long drought. State borders won’t changed until every other possibility has been exhausted
You can also just get a bunch of people to call their representatives
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Congressional Representative's Name]
[Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear Representative [Last Name],
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen to advocate for a unique approach to addressing some of the complex issues surrounding the management of our national borders. I believe that it is crucial to reconsider our border boundaries in a way that takes into account the natural divisions created by watershed districts, as declared by the United States Geological Survey.
Our national borders hold immense significance, shaping our identity, security, and the way we manage our resources. By aligning these borders with watershed districts, we can harness the power of nature to promote sustainable resource management, ecological preservation, and environmental conservation.
Watersheds are not merely geographical boundaries; they are vital ecological units that transcend political divisions. They delineate areas where rainfall and snowmelt flow into common streams, rivers, and eventually the sea. By redefining our borders along these lines, we can better manage and protect our natural resources. This alignment can ensure the preservation of fragile ecosystems and promote sustainable practices that benefit our environment.
One of the key advantages of adopting watershed-based democracy is its potential to strengthen American democracy. By engaging local communities in the management of their natural resources within these watershed districts, we empower citizens to actively participate in decisions that impact their environment. This fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership, enhancing our democratic fabric. It encourages citizens to become stewards of their local ecosystems, which in turn, contributes to the broader goals of ecological sustainability and resource management.
I kindly request that you consider this proposal and explore its feasibility with fellow members of Congress. While I understand that redrawing borders is a complex and sensitive matter, I believe that it merits serious consideration due to its potential long-term benefits for our nation, including improved resource management, ecological sustainability, environmental preservation, and the strengthening of American democracy.
Thank you for your time and dedication to serving our community and our country. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this proposal and any actions you might take to explore this idea further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
@@avatarsingularity4088But nobody is wants this for the US
@@angelaburress8586 yes we do
There's no need to go as far as redrawing the states when, while it may not be easy, better cooperation between states & watershed areas would solve all the problems drawing new states would accomplish. It seems much more practical than hacking up the states.
This was very very interesting. You covered a lot of well thought out bases. I look forward to watching more of your videos. I love this stuff!
It's pretty wild that your Great Basin state is almost exactly what the Mormon pioneers proposed as their State of Deseret (not to be confused with 'desert') around 1849-ish, if I remember correctly. It was never officially recognized by the United States Government but it existed theoretically for about two years while they created settlements all over the damn place. From Canada to Mexico, Oregon and California to Colorado. (The first permanent year-round inhabitants of Las Vegas: Mormons!) The water situation in the Great Basin is pretty friggin worrisome, that's for sure. Oof . . .
19:06, **Texans screaming internally as Missouri becomes twice the size of former Texas**
Funny thing is this Texas would still have a much larger population than Greater Missouri
Im less likely to scream at the loss of size and more likely to scream at the loss of our 4 largest rivers and sharing every one of our aquifers with other states. Theres no way we would be able to sustain the San Antonio-Dallas-Houston triangle on such a small amount of water. Houston and Dallas are in the US largest 5 metropolitan cities. San Antonio is our 23 largest and the 2nd fastest growing metropolitan city in the nation. As of 2030 they are expecting the population to reach 24 million. And that number does not take into account the population outside of the triangle.
@@santanas1879 that is way too many people in one place. Lol the idea of living in a big city with other people disgusts me.
@Southeastern777 Learning disorder girl here. I'm not seeing the connection between the original comment Texas and Alaska???
The entirety of the video I’m sweating with anger when he messes with Texas’ borders
Other Countries : "Smooth Curvy and Aligned to Geography"
USA: "square"
Yep and most landlocked countries (barring Africa, UK map drawing skills) are mountain countries ontop of it. So it makes sense for most to be landlocked. It was their own choice since they got chances to join Spain, Italy, Germany etc. but decided to be on their own. The US went: Mhm this square here is 90% barren and landlocked, I shouldn't but... IT'S NOW A STATE! New state: Help we need help! The only place in Europe with daily water regulation and where buyign water can be expensive compared to the rest of the countries is Spain, but that former island has alot of history of explaining why (platetectonics). And considerign their mergign with Europe created a mountain anyhow so it would be ankward for them to merge with France. Aside from complety different culture.
Well Canada and Australia did much the same and have similar problems with unnatural internal borders.
Even the county lines can be just squares - Iowa, for example
@@Dave_Sisson One of the examples of a good border of a country colonized by the british is New Zealand, you never hear any problems coming from New Zealand :)
@@rrb101567 Damn, all those Kiwis must’ve been lying.
As a land surveyor this would be an absolute nightmare to accomplish
very interesting perspective, I enjoyed this! I liked the water-basin map the best and it made the most sense, however, I would still prefer more states than that. like those should be districts, but then several states within them separated by major rivers, so we can still have a more localized-government system that is more in-touch with it's constituents
no one:
atlas pro: *sees a straight line on a map*
Yeah we are going to have a problem with that
No one? You might be surprised how many people have problem with straight line borders.
@Alexa Tri Yeah, that's what British and French thought as well.
They are the bane of my existence.
Mistakes were made! The boundary between Massachusetts and Connecticut was intended to be straight, but the surveyors were off and the settlers wouldn't move so there is an adjustment, the Southwick Jog, and it only took 150 years or so to make a peaceful agreement!
@@martinsriber7760 And the Spanish. And the Portuguese. And the Dutch. And the Belgians. And the Germans. And the Italians. And the Swedish. And the Danish. And the Russians. Am I leaving anyone out? Courland (Latvia) maybe? Edit: I guess Scotland gave it a go with the Darien Scheme now that I think about it...
Hawaii: a kingdom vibing in the middle of the ocean
US: *They're mine, mine, mine, mine, MINE!*
First reply
Supreme Ruler, what the H E C K *(no swearing on my Christian Minecraft server, even tho I’m not Christian)* are you doing here?
Based US 😎
Hawaii: *category 9 bruh moment*
Sup Kim
I realise this video is mainly a thought experiment, just wanted to add one anecdotal point as to why the Ogallala/Big State method wouldn't be as cut and dry as it was presented. Namely, this is just because the Great Plains states are far from one and the same.
Even though they're often panned together as "the flyover states" and do have similarly structured economies, the values of the state's vary greatly.
Nebraska for example has a relatively high tax rate which has fed back into it having good scores for education, infrastructure, etc. while the same can't be said for nearby Kansas, South, or North Dakota (e.g. the Kansas Experiment)
Additionally the map included Denver in this state which has a wildly different cultural landscape than the Ogallala/Missouri/Great Plains at large.
Ultimately I think, perhaps unfortunately, the time has passed for any major state remaps like this; as each state has it's own culture and state laws that vary greatly even between neighboring states.
Borders are beautiful and important invisible divisions to tell someone where you live and you can identify with.
> Starts talking about Rivers borders
"Ah he must be near the end of the episode"
*Checks Timestamp*
👀
lol
I find it interesting how the 20-some states map is roughly similar to a native US tribes map. Just goes to show how rivers, climate and geography shape languages and cultures in the long run.
Agreed. I was hoping to hear more about that in this video.
The absence of this topic makes this thought experiment disconnected from history, let alone any defensible notion of justice.
@@byrongsmithI understand the sentiment but I disagree. A video like this is more like a platform on which to stand and get a discussion rolling. You can't achieve justice without an understanding the factual, historical context.
Great observation, this pattern is even more noticeable at the state/county level.
@@loganwilcox4037 "You can't achieve justice without an understanding the factual, historical context."
Agreed. And it's the glaring absence of this that makes this video so disappointing.
5:27 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀.
Taking a break from the morning news, I actually enjoyed my coffee more by starting the day off with this video. Very interesting and nicely done.
🏆 Informative!
Watersheds: *exists*
Canada and the US: *STRAIGHT LINE*
Mississippi River watershed covers 42% give or take of a continental United States
look up the mess that is the northwest angle
Sounds like it's time for Canada's annexation ;)
@@stvdagger8074 And Elm point or whatever its called. Just...why.
blame Britain
This looked like so much work
I could definitely use some of your edibles after this 😅
@@AtlasPro1 a scoop of special coconut oil in your coffee might be a little more up your alley for this kind of work.
@@AtlasPro1 LMAOOOOOIO
@@dhayes907 just dosed today;)
@@AtlasPro1 😌😌😌🌿🌿🤪
One problem I saw with the USGS water map was that northern NYS, specifically Clinton and Essex county were part of the Atlantic basin and not the Great Lake basin. So while it’s true that half of southern Essex County might be part of the Hudson River much more of it drains into Lake Champlain and thus into the Great Lakes system. But then it was a tiny map and the actual map could be correct.
Fabulous video. I agree with your river/mountain border design with perhaps the federal government managing disputes regarding sharing those border resources. The only other map I found interesting is creating borders related to trade hubs, usually with cities as the nucleus.
Why? Itd change nothing for those still living in challenging climates. Even if West Virginia started calling itself Virginia again... it wouldnt change the reality of anything for those living in current west virginia! It still be that same challenging landscape impossible to build a city on. West Virginians already have the ability to freely travel and do commerce through all states! This brain dead academic believes words change reality just like the rest of them. And to think that these are the "professional" deciding on things in America is quite frightening. Why do it? Seriously? Where is your brain?
Some old men: draws straight line on map
Atlas pro: *and i took that personally*
old man: Hey Sykes! Got this fresh new idea to spice up our border drawing.
another old man: Mmm, yeah Picot? Hit me with it.
old man: *pulls out ruler, seductively*
As a European, reading the comments is fascinating because I had no idea that state loyalties ran so deep. We get this outwards perception of an overtly nationalistic US, proud of the flag, anthem, all the pomp and ceremony of being American - not of being a Minnesotan, or an Ohioan, or so on.
As an Ohioan I look forward to our inevitable future expansion. Be ready, be prepared, be scared, because we are coming.
As a Minnesotan I feel called out 😂 but yeah as detailed in the video states are to the US as countries are to Europe in many ways.
@@All.Natural.Dirt. i heard that Ohio almost went to war against Michigan? I dont remember well but i happened in the 1700s or 1800s. The reason? Border problems.
@@adrian_hook How can you still live there? all the social problems,poverty, hunger, etc JESUS CHRIST!
We are both its like a family my room your room touch my shit i mess with yours but if you mess with one of us and your not family we will unit together under one cause... mostly
I think that a combination of the "Few States" and the "More States" models would work great if they were redrawn with the focus on water seen in Powell's proposal. Here's why.
• Combining states like those in the Great Plains and Great Basin regions would allow them to function better, as shown in the video.
• Splitting up populated states or states with very diverse landscapes and/or cultures would help to limit: 1. political influence; 2. delineate the uniqueness of the regions.
• By using Powell's watershed concept map to split them up, we can allocate the arguably most important resource in better ways like regulation of use and distribution. The country is, above all, a place where we must survive in order for there to be a country, so why not prioritize the things needed to keep us-and it-going?
Do you realize that foreign businesses and governments are the number 1 exporter and user of our water.
China, and many desert nations have bought huge sections of land, using it to grow water intensive crops which are exported to their countries.
International companies such as Nestle take from local sources millions of gallons of water a year and ship it out of the water basin it's drawn from. What do they pay for the water, zero.
It drops the water tables causing wells to go dry forcing farmers, towns, cities, counties to drill deeper and deeper wells.
Think about that next time you buy bottle water.
There are several docs online covering the overuse of our water supplies.
Until this practice of removing water from the basins it was pumped or used from the water was able to return to it's source to be used again, not anymore.
The federal government has helped cause this and until people wake up to what's going on it will be the greatest threat we will face.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Congressional Representative's Name]
[Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear Representative [Last Name],
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen to advocate for a unique approach to addressing some of the complex issues surrounding the management of our national borders. I believe that it is crucial to reconsider our border boundaries in a way that takes into account the natural divisions created by watershed districts, as declared by the United States Geological Survey.
Our national borders hold immense significance, shaping our identity, security, and the way we manage our resources. By aligning these borders with watershed districts, we can harness the power of nature to promote sustainable resource management, ecological preservation, and environmental conservation.
Watersheds are not merely geographical boundaries; they are vital ecological units that transcend political divisions. They delineate areas where rainfall and snowmelt flow into common streams, rivers, and eventually the sea. By redefining our borders along these lines, we can better manage and protect our natural resources. This alignment can ensure the preservation of fragile ecosystems and promote sustainable practices that benefit our environment.
One of the key advantages of adopting watershed-based democracy is its potential to strengthen American democracy. By engaging local communities in the management of their natural resources within these watershed districts, we empower citizens to actively participate in decisions that impact their environment. This fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership, enhancing our democratic fabric. It encourages citizens to become stewards of their local ecosystems, which in turn, contributes to the broader goals of ecological sustainability and resource management.
I kindly request that you consider this proposal and explore its feasibility with fellow members of Congress. While I understand that redrawing borders is a complex and sensitive matter, I believe that it merits serious consideration due to its potential long-term benefits for our nation, including improved resource management, ecological sustainability, environmental preservation, and the strengthening of American democracy.
Thank you for your time and dedication to serving our community and our country. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this proposal and any actions you might take to explore this idea further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
@@TheDragonRelicThank you, it’s sad that I’ll probably be the only one sending this to my representative. I’ll be using “state” over “national” in the letter though.
Just Loving this since I recently was researching all these issues with Armenia and the Caucasus area.
32:50 Rivers: I can tell you that this (Nevada) does not work for CA. This brings me to ask you to consider "Common movement (traffic) and commerce" to make states. If this were so, then San Francisco and Reno / Tahoe, and all ski areas in California would be in the same state.
1. Commerce: Basically, people travel from L.A. to S.F. areas all the time. People like skiers and campers have cabins in the mountains, but live on the coast (2 homes). This is the same in Michigan where people have cabins in the north. Same with Colorado where everyone in Denver (including visitors) cross the Great Divide to go ski and recreate.
So what other patterns in commerce or travel do we see? Where does that data come from?
2. Rivers, Basins and Mountains are moot in a modern world. Used to be that rivers and mountains divided people because they were hard to cross and easy to identify, but that is no longer the case.
3. Fine Tuning Idea: Start with obvious cases such as giving the NW Angle and Point Roberts back to Canada. Trade that for a Canadian Island in New England that only has a road bridge from the U.S. Major Cities and Metro areas like Kansas City, St. Louis should be in the same state. ND and SD combine to Dakota. Divide the "Arizona Strip" in NW Arizona between Nevada and Utah. There is practically no way to travel to the "Strip" from Arizona.
I love how in almost every scenario, New England was it's own entity. If I had Twitter I would send you a map of the two United States. New England and Not New England.
That's pretty much how New Englanders see it.
and New York State's North Country must be included in New England
New England and New Europe perhaps? LOL
@@gildedbear5355 New Brexit 😂
@@maninredhelm
Can confirm, even in CT (the closest New England state to the rest of the country) going beyond New York (the only state neighboring New England) is extremely rare... and usually is done via plane. We even call Philadelphia the south up here!
Chapters/Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:35 Example 1: West Virginia
6:06 Example 2: Nevada
9:14 Example 3: Ogallala
13:47 Part 1: The Fewer States of America
21:48 Part 2: The More States of America
24:29 Part 3: The African States of America
29:57 Part 4: The Natural States of America
32:21 Outro
(you could put these in the description and it will split up the like timeline bar at the bottom of the video)
13:47 FSA
This is amazing.
Good idea
Not all heroes wear capes
thats's how the segments work?! woah
Honestly I doubt ANY state would be willing to give up ANY land in their state borders.
Edit: the States are all very much, uh prideful and don't like each other very well.
Keep up the good work bro!
I think you made this thought experiment fun. I personally favor the watershed divisions because fresh water is the most underappreciated yet irreplaceable natural resource.
Except when you get sea level rise and create a new type of salt river. That freshwater might not be fresh anymore.
Northern states might have a better sources than southern states because ppl are also dealing with temperature and things around the coasts.
Regardless, mountains are safer bet.
I think the mountain ranges that divide drainage basins make better political boundaries than trying to use the rivers themselves as the border. A lot of the time, economic and social communities exist across both sides of a rivet. Plus you avoid the whole issue of changing the boundary line when the river changes its course if both sides of the river are in the same political unit.
bro u ever heard of rain, all we need to replace freshwater reserves is a fuckton of fresh rain
+1 This!
Soil?
Atlas Pro has gone on to making full length documentaries by this point...
As you implied during some part of the video, a pragmatic division of the common area of the states will almost certainly depend upon sustainability. The primary components of this constraint would probably be access to fresh water, access to energy generation capabilities, and access to international transportation facilities. Those are optimal for economic sustainability but recent divisions between urban areas and rural areas show that to ensure social and political sustainability, each state needs a diverse mixture of demographics as well.
When states only consist of primarily urban areas or primarily rural areas, they develop short-sighted political views that do not include considerations of all groups. Since economic sustainability requires the contributions of many disparate groups, these groups need to have interconnected dependencies that favor holistic interests instead of myopic policies that advocate only the opinions of the majority.
I loved this. Also, The last part # 4, makes sense. Thanks.
Can we get a downloadable version of your "Natural States of America" map? It's very neat.
EDIT: Nevermind, I just saw it on your Twitter profile.
I posted it over on Twitter @theatlaspro
@@AtlasPro1 aawwwa...................
DON'T SPAM
😂😂😂
@@waitwut.2749 the hell-
Not gonna lie, it is pretty funny to hear (at around 30 min mark) how praire people/mountain people/etc are all very different when you show pictures of what basically amounts to the same city with a different matte painting in the background.
Yeah I kinda noticed that. Like a city like Nashville honestly has more in common with a city like Jacksonville than it does another mountain city like Denver. Where Jacksonville is also more similar to Nashville than another coastal city like Seattle.
I think something left out is that we created regional identity. Both Nashville and Jacksonville are southern even if their topography is so different. And so their cultures like food, religion, and music are very similar.
@@jbach2002 yeah we’re in the south have I blanket identity I’m proud of, and it makes our states quite brotherly.
@@ander936 agreed, I live in the south too. I’m originally from the Midwest though. And both regions have regional identities. We’ve also made state identities. Good luck trying to merge any part of Ohio and Michigan or Florida and Georgia.
Salt Lake City and the Great Plains looks unbelievably different to me. That much flatness looks like an alien world.
@@gg-eo6ez I made it a mountain city considering it’s elevation and the fact it’s at the foot of the Rockies..
Nothing but respect to the amount of effort put into these videos, well explained, beautifully designed and really interestingly put
The midwest states are different states because we were settled at different times, have different cultures, different people, and different politics. It's like saying all the Balkan countries should unite because they're in the same area
Having lived there I can say that since 85% of Nevada is Federal Land that no one can live on anyway it's really not a concern.
Yeah they would literally test nukes
@@sumreensultana1860 gotta test them some where! I'm kidding of course nuke testing destroyed or rendered useless thousands of acres of wilderness. That being said I would love to see a hydrogen bomb like Castle Bravo or Tsar Bomba tested and recorded in 4K. If we could manage to not wreck shit but alas reality exists
Makes it a great place for astrophotography and star gazing.
You might even see the occasional TR3-B flying triangle that's in the news nowadays.
@@jeffreyhill1011 Right!? I agree on both counts.
Also we already are forbidden by law to plant a lawn we literally recycle everyone’s pee and drink it
In Southern Nevada, we recycle our water. So yeah, our tap water is our toilet water. Also here in Vegas, the city pays you not have grass. So we got a lot of R O C K S
Don't have to worry about mowing the lawn. just put down some nice soft surface to play on like sand. Or artificial turf.
@@A.Martin We normally just put rocks and dirt, it fits the aesthetic easily instead of putting turf. We will put turf in our small backyards though
I like the rocks personally
In Tucson Az we don't have anything remotely resembling grass anywhere. We also don't have real trees. I may hate it but it is better than being like Phoenix who is just wasting all of our state's limited water
If everyone uses rocks then you can still have a good looking neighborhood in the town
Brilliant. I think we all would agree. Thank you.
No matter what you do, if you redraw the borders of Colorado too much you'll break what makes it work. The plains in proximity to the mountains are what makes it work, and even if you go quite far into the rockies, you still get people who identify with the state and are similar to others in the rest of the state. Same thing if you go East of Denver for a while, down south to Colorado Springs, or north to Fort Collins (Even Cheyenne, if we're feeling bold). These people would all agree we're more similar than anywhere around us, and none of the proposed borders acknowledge that fully.
I'd say the main problem with these hypothetical border changes would be less representation in Congress and literally everyone in the state would need to be fine with being forced into a different state.
@@SerErryk huh
I think it would still be better. A full reset of the state governments with a more logical area to govern and a more cohesive state identity.
@@aaron-yw3ck
Nah.
get rid of the ancient absurdly complex indirect voting system and just use proportional voting system with small voting districts divided by population (that you cannot change politically without waiting 10 years to avoid gerrymandering).
@@ajuc005 Ellectoral College avoids mob governing, so do no remove it.
A lot of cities that are located on rivers suffer because one part of the city is in another state (Omaha, Kansas City) so a map, based on metro populations and geographic features would be an interesting one to see
Yeah that's what I though when he suggested splitting Texas in two along the Colorado river. Austin would have to be some kind of trans state unitary authority or perhaps it's own district like the District of Columbia is now
Agree. So part 1 is the best option. The only problem was the great basin has too low of population. The solution is make it part of California.
Divided by rivers it is classist
It could actually help, because all states that have part of the CSA see visitors, who spend money and produce tax revenue.
Just make two cities - see Albury-Wodonga
I'm completely dorking out on this channel!
I wish you could make some of these maps available to purchase
The Germans came in several waves. In colonial times when the King of the UK was also King of Hanover, many Germans came over founding places like “Germantown” PA and others became the Pennsylvania”Dutch”
Later, after the revolutions of 1848 they went to both the cities like St Louis, Milwaukee… New York even had a neighborhood call Klein Deutschland on the west side and the farm lands
As an Ohioan I’ve never in my life felt such dread as when you floated the idea of combining with West Virginia
as a kentuckian, id hate to share a state with either of you
As an Oregonian I really don’t care
as a Californian, *inhales* you tryna hit this?
As a Floridian I don’t care *now get along*
as a wvian... please
Sounds like we should just go with about 13 districts... Then we could set up some type of annual games and have the districts compete with each other.
I think that ended horribly in the books tho...
Agenda 2030....
And then out of nowhere a girl from the measly West Virginia District 13 starts the revolution
Lol, winner!
And change Capitol to being much more centralized
I disagree with the thinking that California wouldn't want to split. Many people I know that live in other than the SW coastline would LOVE to split sheets with southern Cal.
The same goes for New York state! Northern New Yorkers that I know HATE being associated with NYC! They are all quick to identify as Upstate New York.
The map I like the most is the one based on the US geological survey. I am DEFINITELY going to look more into that map to see, for example how the new borders would coincide with the major population centers.
Which brings me to my idea (or at least the one that was not covered that deserves consideration, and that is one adjusted to more evenly distribute population across the fifty (or however many) states there would be. To put it simply, split up the most populated States: California into four, Texas into three and both Florida, and New York into two. Then have the least populated (or geographically smallest) States either joined together, such as: Vermont and New Hampshire, the Dakotas, Connecticut and Rhode Island, Montana and Wyoming, Idaho and Nevada, Mississippi and Alabama, Delaware and Maryland,
I do really like the idea though, of having fewer States! And the side of the political aisle that is for less government should be for such a thing, if in fact that is a genuine value to them and not just a political talking point.
17:15 Never let Ohians see this map of "Greater Ohio" - it'll get to their heads.
They lost Toledo though and Michigan still kept the UP 😂
@@jbach2002 ohio didnt even lose toledo look at a map
@@imadeyoureadthis9124 the map on the time stamp. Toledo is the coast of Lake Erie close to the Michigan border. In that map that I’m talking about they did loose it.
@@jbach2002 atleast it has kfc
@@imadeyoureadthis9124 true
Just a little thing: the US bought alaska in 1867 and it joined the union in 1959. there is no way the ussr could have done that in 1959
Annexed means it was added to something. When he said it was annexed he is saying it was added to the Union as before it was a territory.
@@Mohojo Yeah, I thought the use of annex sounded a bit out of place for a legitimate purchase of land because today it's almost always used when referring to countries taking land without permission.
@@golden_gloo it is normally used for that, so I totally understand.
@@golden_gloo Annex as a term is intended for any form of land acquisition, and in my experience at least, the entire point of the word is to have a term that is completely neutral regarding the method of acquisition. It doesn't say it was right, it doesn't say it was wrong, it just says it was. Very useful for something that will by it's very nature almost always be a sensitive topic.
Russia punching the air cos they had a chance to conquer Seattle
First watch of yours. Good work, great information. Keep it up.
Why? Itd change nothing for those still living in challenging climates. Even if West Virginia started calling itself Virginia again... it wouldnt change the reality of anything for those living in current west virginia! It still be that same challenging landscape impossible to build a city on. West Virginians already have the ability to freely travel and do commerce through all states! This brain dead academic believes words change reality just like the rest of them. And to think that these are the "professional" deciding on things in America is quite frightening. Why do it? Seriously? Where is your brain?
The 20 watershed states is the best idea in my opinion! Water is a serious problem across the country and if the state bordesr are going to be rearranged, I think this is the best way to do it.
As a louisianian id be happy with anything that could potentially give us some protection from hurricanes. Bonus if it could help diversify our economy which is over reliant on oil and gas.
"I redrew the borders based on rivers and mountains"
Me: Ok, ok, this sounds good
Florida: *gains all of former Georgia*
Me: This is absolutely terrible, horrible idea
I don't wanna be in Florida :(
You don’t like Florida man?
@@NCC1371 He's like a polar bear, fun to look at, absolutely horrible to share a pen with
@@LeavingGoose046 lol
@@LeavingGoose046 As a Northern Floridian, all you really need to do is avoid South Florida in order to avoid the Florida Man.
As a person who is from a country that has grappled with changing a major part of their identity for a while. I can't see any State in the union willingly giving up their statehood to merge with one another or to split into smaller states. The one thing I was thinking while watching this video is - that states would get up in arms and harp about their history and significance to the union. Even if it meant being still suffering from the many issues you highlighted. Add into the account that some people in those states already feeling powerless as is (just look on how extreme their views are getting) and suggesting a map change (even if it for their survival), would most likely earn you a passionate rant 'at best'.
There's one thing I'm certain of, is that people are afraid of change.
Which country?
@@oliverrainer5771 Probably Australia given the name
True
I'm from the Northwest of America and I'd definitely prefer if our states (washington and oregon) had merged. I'm not the only one with that opinion either from what I've seen. (granted I live in what is essentially a border town, so a bit biased I guess)
@@brandon9172 I can see as the generations move further from historical events, younger generations, and especially the people who move around, that there will be less ties to their "home state". idk if we'd ever change our borders, but i love changing things up, i'd like to see a map that takes into account what borders the native americans would prefer too. either to claim as their own or share it with all
The problem with this is that every state doesn't agree with the other on almost anything and this let alone the federal government which is actually the Country. Something this major would have to go through a long process of negotiating and voting, and maybe even some court sessions. Which would all most likely result in something way different than planned from the start or might even start another Civil War as many would not agree. Even though something like this would make the Country better and would allow these states to improve so much. I think another problem with this is that people think higher numbers mean better. So 50 states probably sounds way better than 20 states.
For a realistic version, you could divide the country based on the corporations controlling it. Of course, that would result in multiple borders running through Santa Clara County, California, King County, Washington and Harris County, Texas, much less Manhattan in New York City, and a huge swath of the country controlled from Bentonville AR.
and what about Georgia? Big business is something that the state relies on heavily especially Atlanta.
Michigan: “Can I have Toledo?”
Ohio: “No.”
Keep it.
Toledo belongs to the Glorious Buckeye State and will for all time. We stole it fair and square from crazy ass Michiganders.
@@nikburton9264 stole it try stabbed a guy for it and Michigan was like we don’t want those problems
Holy toledo! The fire in this comment section
Why would anyone want Toledo. The only way I'd be more confused is if someone wanted Youngstown.
People are like "The USA is weird. They have weird laws."
It's because every state has its own government and laws. And every state can tell the US government to "go pound sand" on a lot of issues. There is a lot of independence in this Union. Lol
In a weird way the U.S is closer to feudalism or HRE with how powers are delegates between Federal (Kingdom) and states (duchies)
That doesn't in any way excuse the weird laws.
@@beaverones41 I will plow my fields with an elephant if I damn well please, thank you very much.
@@MrKrumpetz I am guessing that is supposed to be a demonstration of freedom? The thing is that the weird laws are often a restriction of freedom.
In Canada it's similar. Each province regulates its own healthcare system, its own education system, its own natural resources, its own infrastructures, etc. The Federal government basically only controls the country's military, foreign relations and navigable rivers and bridges
Very interesting perspective. Never considered this before. Interesting thought. However, I believe entrenched attitudes will not change.
Your main point is well stated. Cooperation between states over resources must begin ASAP. Our time is running out with regards to our precious resources.
I wouldn't say that Alaska was "annexed" in 1959. It entered into 'statehood' having already been a U.S. Territory since just after the Civil War.
Bingo! Russia sold Alaska to the U.S.A. in the 1860's. Video maker guy must have slept during 5th grade Geography / History class. After many decades as a U.S. Territory, the citizens in Alaska VOTED to become a U.S. State.
I work in WV and its absolutely remarkable how non-flat that state is. Ive done a lot of traveling and there is just NO flat land there at all.
Every kid walks uphill and down hill in snow to get to school
Yeah we just living on stilts out here
Yeah it’s crazy
@@jonathanmartin3767 No, That's "Uphill both ways".
"I work in WV" ... great, it's nice to know there's still at least one.
The obvious issue in this purely academic exercise is that none of the elected officials in these state governments would willingly give up any of the power they have. Once a politician is elected into office, their main and seemingly only focus is getting re-elected and staying in power.
Actually if you broke up California they would get more delegates and be able to have a more fair say on political elections. I mean how is it that a few small states dominate the narrative 50% of the population lives in New York and California?
@@RobinSentell New York and Cali together only have 18% of the total population
@@PresidentFlip I’m not going to doubt the voracity of your number. My statement was made by seeing maps like this.
So perhaps 18% may be accurate, but it certainly misrepresented the density of blue votes and why more representation of dense states is required for fairness.
@@RobinSentell I agree, and the electoral college so badly distributes these votes. It’s a fair point to make, though, when people (conservatives) speak in favor of diluting these dense votes by saying elections would be swayed by CA and NY (which they wouldn’t)
@@PresidentFlip They’re already diluted. My vote is worth very little compared to North Dakota due to population size.
Cool video any chance to do one for Canada?
Tennessee seemed very happy with your final version, bouncing and glowing there in the middle...
"Now all the land on the continent was claimed by someone." I mean... that never stopped them before.
Edgy.
@@RK-cj4oc its a literal fact? All of americas land had people living there before European colonizers arrived, and if you want to exclude that as it wasnt technically America yet, "Hawaii bacame a state" is reeeally leaving a lot unsaid.
@@RK-cj4oc Dude, even ignoring the indigenous peoples, 1/3 of the US is land they stole from Mexico in a war. Plus, y'know, Hawaii...
@@andrewcleary9952 Owh mexico's land? that Mexico stole from natives? Yeah it is almost like every civilization steals land from each other.
@@RK-cj4oc that's an extremely shody excuse for genocide
Eh, I really really wouldn’t suggest combining Ohio and Michigan. You might start a civil war.
Go blue
@@Gigika313 muck fichigan.
He combined Pittsburgh into Ohio. Michigan? OSU Michigan is overrated. Pittsburgh-Clwveland? World War 3.
See? ☝
@@NCC1371 up your.
Large population states would never give up their power in the House. Small states would never give up their power in the Senate. Neither would ever allow the partition of any one or small set of states. It's not about resources or natural barriers. It's always about political divisions (even with drastic changes over decades).
Small states also have disproportionate power in the House. Each state is guaranteed at least one Representative. Well, some of those low-population states have their single Rep representing fewer people than a Rep in a state like California or Texas, so once again, small-population states get to dominate politically.
🎉I have often thought about realignment of our State borders. Thank you
Hey, don't mock West Virginia's geography
Mountain Mama will remember your sins
I've been told the song is more western Virginia as opposed to West Virginia
As someone who lives in WV he's not wrong...
@@pansagi can agree as well (former west virginian here).
Shenandoah only flows along the eastern most point of the eastern panhandle ending at Harpers Ferry, WV.
Pansagi dammm now my idea of the song is corrupted
Is she a god of some cult?
The borders have become as much a part of politics as any geographical feature. Most people I know that have moved out of state did so primarily to find a more desirable political climate.
7/10 states/governates
State of German America....
State of British Americans.....
Plus Land factoring
Do an equation factors all of it then you can efficiently Draw borders
There are many factors
Although Asian states might secede
Really? You must be from someplace warm and sunny.
@@user-ns2vc4rn6j I don't think we'd want borders that would change when enough people of a given ethnicity move to modify that distribution. You'd also have to be careful not to turn it into another version of segregation.
Oof, I felt that sentiment in my soul
Could you do something similar with Asia? That would be fun to watch.
Are you going to do a similar video on Canada’s provinces and territories?
Not that it matters, but when you kept pointing out the straight lines, I kept thinking of Canada.
I keep saying Denver is at the intersection of like, all the natural systems. We're somewhere in that mess where three watershed borders happen; we're on the border of desert and not-desert; we're on the border of mountains and prairie. It's no wonder our weather is just "HAHAHAHA hold my beer" so often.
You have to remind people that live near Pittsburgh and Philadelphia that we are actually part of the same state. We're so separated we are completely different in every measurable way for people that live within the US. You'd think we'd have some great rivalry, but we deal with each other so little and don't want to pay to travel the 5 hours between us that we each have stronger rivalries with other cities much closer to us.
Yes, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are as different as night and day.
For example, here in Pittsburgh are the Steelers, winners of six Super Bowls.
Philadelphia has won only once.
We rule, they suck!
@@jjjjquest9999 Really? Football is your measuring stick? Like you had anything to do with the success or failure of a sports team.
@@larrybrophy4681 They are joking.
“people” from Pittsburg shouldn’t even be considered human, much less Pennsylvanian
@@fort809 says the "human" that can't even spell correctly?
Could you help me out with your map and where my hometown, Roanoke, Virginia (currently) would be?
There's that small sliver of far northwest North Carolina that looks to include Roanoke; But then again if you used the Roanoke River to form the border between the new Virginia and the new North Carolina then Roanoke would be split between both new states.
As a Michigander, knowing that we basically have our water situation figured out as-is is really comforting.
Alaska was not "annexed" Alaska residents voted to become the 49th state. I know, I was there :P
really? i thought that Russia sold Alaska to the US and then it became a state?
your comment just made me realize how little i know about Alaska's history, but i'm curious now
@@jonmanriquez310 It was sold to the US but was a territory before becoming a state, like most other states in the US.
However, Hawaii was, indeed, annexed/stolen by the profit-minded descendants of missionaries.
Becoming a part of something else is by definition being “annexed”
@@RyguyK456 That may be the broad dictionary definition, but when talking about political science and international relations or law, annexation has a narrower, more nuanced definition that generally implies the use of force. When we say a territory was annexed by a country, we almost always mean it was taken unilaterally. Annexation is specifically differentiated from cession, which is when territory is given up voluntarily, as by treaty, which is most certainly what occurred in the case of Alaska. In any case, and with any definition, these words refer to the transfer of territory from one country to another and as such are completely unrelated to *statehood*. Alaska transferred from Russia to the U.S. in 1867, and whether it was annexed or ceded, that was more than 90 years prior to the 1959 proclamation of statehood referred to in the video where the word "annexed" is used.
31:20 uhhh... Tennessee? You doing okay there bud?
Probably where he is from 😀
@@greenearth9945 nah.. probably a late minute fix of some sort
@@Yurinsm yes, you can see a blurred white text behind it. Most likely just a typo/mistake or a name change.
Tennessee wilding
Haha! Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed! Tennessee is just a little antsy, should be fine.
I love watching this Atlas Pro creator. He is such a good narrator and his scripts are extremely well written. I am enjoying watching his videos very much!
Hey idk if it’s too late for you to see this but in your final map you created i think you should take interstates already built into account when drawing the smaller connecting lines
The main issue with redrawing these borders is you have to do it in a way where you don't politically disenfranchise half the country. Which truthfully is exactly what either side would seek to do with these borders.
If the state borders were to be redrawn, we would need to collect teams of geographers, economist, and sociologist to scientifically draw the new borders. However, politicians must not be allowed to interfere.
This already happens with the electoral boundaries. Very few countries do as much gerrymandering as the US to deliberately redraw counties into electorates. This is partly because if the electorates were kept to their original boundaries, key swing areas in or near cities would turn blue and the Republicans would be unlikely to get a House or Senate majority.
@@brucemccall370:
Under no circumstance should politicians, or former politicians,
be allowed active participation in ongoing discussions.
@@NicolaiParsons yep. The land of freedom is obsessed with making sure as few peoples vote actually matters
@@NicolaiParsons It works both ways. If you split coastal California from the central valley, there may never be another democrat president in your lifetime. If you split Texas along the Smith-Sanchez line, there would never be another republican president in your lifetime.
Im from Pittsburgh and I fully support using a shot of our city for "forest people"
I personally call us the "Hill Folk" but there are so many woods covering such a comparably high percentage of the region that the connection to forest people really works.
Nice to see I'm not the only one who immediately noticed it! LOL
Is it true that folks call Pittsburgh "The Paris of Appalachia"?
Nah that was just a Seth Myer's joke. Everything else in that bit was spot on though
As someone well versed in US economics, census history, geography, geology, etc, YOUR map, the one you introduce in section 4 makes so much sense, it's stupid. I'd make some very small tweaks to it, but you basically nailed it. When I saw it, I kinda screamed and laughed at the same time because it's basically the way I've always said I would subdivide the country. The sad thing is we'd NEVER get America on board. Everyone would just instantly politicize the issue instead of looking at why it just makes all the sense in the world, and would end up benefiting literally everyone. This is good work, brother. I am very, very impressed!
Your new state layout is giving Panem vibes, definitely neat tho.
Atlas Pro: "Now we know better."
Me "Is this a crossover?"
I wish!
"It's time for the US to begin a new era of optimization" Have you seen what our politicians are doing?
Government is the most inefficient thing possible.
Its not meant to be efficient, just read the Constitution.
@@TheSkyGuy77 I've read it plenty of times, sounds like they wanted a small, strong, and efficient government. You must be an anarcho-capitalist.
Makes me want something smaller :/
@@tylerwhaley4872 they wanted radical change to be difficult. Just depends whether you call that inefficient.
@@d_all_in i wouldn't call that inefficient
Nevada is basically the Monaco to California's France. It's a convenient way to keep businesses out of the reach of California's government while still dealing relying on its population economically.
The difference is that Nevada does everything on the cheap and has nowhere near the hospital capacity for either its population or for the number of people in the state at any given moment (tourists). If there were a major health disaster in Las Vegas, especially, people would probably be transported to California and Arizona for longer-term treatment.
The Colorado-Kansas border has caused the Arkansas river to be cutoff from western Kansas.