| As one who travels around the country...alot, I get to see and hear what the people of America (in general) are thinking. The events of Sept 11th had the country feeling a strong sense of patriotism. But, after a few weeks, unless people were affected economically or by a death of someone close to them, alot of people were "Bin Laden out". The "war" has moved at a very slow and academic pace. This is a "McDonald's Society" and people wanted action fast. But now, economically, people around the country are really suffering. Layoffs are coming fast and furiously and as much as people want to be patriotic, they are also trying to survive...economically and lifestyle-wise. I'm going to give you a general view of how people feel region by region: The East: Obviously the site of the attack, has the most anger and nerves there are very raw. There is, however, an amazing calm in the city. It has united the city as much as N.Y.C. can be united. The economy has suffered tremendously! Many people have been laid off and have had very little opportunity for an early recovery. Mayor Rudy Giuliani has become a hero. New Yorkers feel like New York was attacked...not the United States. Patriotism runs very high! But, people continue to be very concerned about economy. The Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, North and South Dakota, and Missouri are very patriotic...manufacturing and farming have taken very hard hits... before and after the events of Sept. 11th, people in these states were fighting for their economic and lifestyle survival. World War Veterans live in these areas. Love of America is very strong! The climate is very close to that of the "Great Depression" in these states. The Rust Belt: Pennsylvania, Upstate N.Y., Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, are among the areas in the country that have had decreasing population counts for awhile. These states have never shared in the economic boom of the last few decades. Burnt out on Bin Laden, other areas close to the "Depression Era Climate" include the Southeast: Florida, Georgia, Virgina, Maryland, North Carolina...state with lots of transplants. Many government workers, high tech people, very white collar, North Carolina also has farming...tobacco... tobacco still big in U.S. but bigger internationally. Highly-educated areas, except for the outskirts of Atlanta and the rest of Georgia, as well as, parts of North Carolina. People are working, but not making the money or realizing any of the advancement opportunities they expected when they graduated from college. Retirees in Florida have been losing money due to interest rates cuts. A "nice" feeling of Patriotism exists in Miami...Cubans in Miami are the most patriotic group in America. The South: Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, South Carolina, Arkansas. Manufacturing, and textiles are finished!! Low wages are a staple of this area -- but yet they remain very patriotic, Confederate and American flags fly side-by-side. The Southwest: Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico etc. etc. These states have very diverse economies...high tech...energy (Enron), and military. All have taken financial hits, but are still still sputtering. "Good! "Patriotism! However, economic fears still abound. The Far West: California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Hawaii, and yes, Mexico-- cheap labor from Mexico is hurting because of new security at boarders. It's needed labor...maids, farm workers, and day laborers. Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, and California are the most affected in the tourism industry. I don't think it's coming back. Nevada and Hawaii: (I hope I'm wrong) could become semi-ghost towns. Despite deep discounts in airline prices, people are unwilling or financially unable to fly. With new security measures in place, flying is very inconvenient and intrusive. Folks in Washington State have been crushed by tech lay- offs and Boeing not winning airline contracts. Utah has been tremendously affected by tech lay- offs. Even though they're aware of 9-11 and think it's horrible...Northern California (S.F. San Jose, Seattle, and Oregon ) feel Americans should be more tolerant. They believe the new anti-terrorist laws are a violation of an individual's civil rights and that the government will abuse their power, keep in mind American Taliban member Jon Walker is from this area. Newspapers, like the S.F. Chronicle have repeated Jon Walker's father's word's, "He's just a wacky kid, he'll wake up twenty years from now and say,'What the hell was I thinking?'" Steve Lopez, of the L.A Times said, "The Bush Adminstration has gone positively medieval." They also feel that some of the United States policies may have even lead to the attacks. The people here have taken a "wait and see" attitude. The Big Sky Country: Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho: I really haven't been to this region so I don't have much of an opinion. The American people, while not negating the horror of 9-11, are much more concerned about their own economic and lifestyle ... Self Persevation. |
