A legislator in Washington is proposing to split the state into two separate states, given the difference in the nature of largely agricultural Eastern Washington vs. the industrial and commercial Western Washington. The differences were underscored greatly in the recent election during which the two candidates duked it out over three recounts before the winner, a democrat, was chosen (the republican contender won the first two recounts).

While this would, on the surface, appear to be a solution, it doesn't solve the problem. Michigan, for instance,  is divided politically between the Upper Peninsula (da Yoopers) and lower Michigan, and Wisconsin is divided between liberal Madison and Milwaukee and the largely conservative remainder of the state. Illinois residents would similarly be hard pressed to find a similarity of values between residents of its own capital, Springfield, and the population center of Chicago that exerts the most political control on the state. California residents, as well, will be quick to point out the vast differences between NORTHERN and SOUTHERN California (don't confuse the two. Trust me on this).

The answer, dear friends, is not in separating states. It's not in secession, but in a unity that celebrates the diversity of culture and lifestyle that make up this great country. So gays want to marry in San Francisco? LET them. So a small Texas town wants to outlaw the sale of alcohol within city limits? It should be THEIR choice. By creating stronger and stronger federal and state governments, we've created an ever tightening noose on individual values and freedoms in this country. The only answer is to take power from the federal and state governments and return it to local communities, where the best decisions can be made for the population of those communities.