Well, to the thread title.
There is nothing to pull us together. That is the point of Federated Democracy. You are free to be among those you choose. And those you choose are free to not like it. But, they are limited somewhat, with what they can do about it. And with 13 colonies and no mass transit, you were basically where you were to stay from birth.
Each State is a Sovereignty. (most forget that, more later) Each State is represented by 2 Senators. And all WE are represented by Congress. Get it? The Senate has nothing to do with the people of the State. They are elected for 6 years to guard the Rights of their State.
The President is not a people person, either. He is the Chief of Law ENFORCEMENT. The Supremes are the distance players to keep it balanced. Not what you call human friendly.
The House is the People. Ever two years we get to kick them all out and start again. So, after my big revelation of the fact that the Che-ist struggle goes on everyday in our System, I can relax about it.
OK, States rights. The struggle also is between good of the States and the universally recognized necessary EVIL of Federal Law. The concept was there but no money is given for it. WE through the budget, control with our representatives, the Federal existence. They just want us to forget that. Why? Power? Confusion?
There are many many that flock now, in the modern age to the cities. Paved streets. Services. Tiny appt with the entire city as the front yard.
Govt rules the life of Cities. So, there is the problem, right there. And if there was no Senate, I think it would have been over a long time ago. The House would get enough votes to abolish States. Goodbye USA.
It might be very shitty, but the City is the model for world govt. And that just shows how stupid and shortsighted these city dwellers are. There have been cultural revolutions that forced the city folks back to the farms for a seriously needed re-education. And that would be the very far side of unpractical, but interesting in my viewpoint.
So, the latested lash of the struggle is the city vs the wide open. Air tubed dinner from the deli down the street, for when there is snow. Ban the cars. Bike everywhere. Cover them with domes to control the weather.
Or is your life 2 hrs of commute to the cube walls? Or is it any part of all outdoors?
The point is, the Founders saw that we could not be one big happy family. The Revolution was also Civil War 1.
So we set it up in layers of freedom. IT, a beauty of pot soaked wisdom, that is being attacked inside and out, this system of ours. States Rights can't bring us together. It just balances the divide.
I have lived in the Northeast for a few weeks. But, I am not that stupid, to stay. I live in many areas of the US, without a work and travel visa like Russia. Find what you like and go there. Stop the worry. That's my advice.