Reply #12: Florida panhandle

[lazarus]

By all rights, the Alabama state border with Georgia should continue south to the coast, and the Florida panhandle should be part of Alabama.

Economically, they get most of their money from Alabama (tourism, shopping, etc.). Most people living in southern Alabama find it easier to run down to Pensacola/Ft Walton Beach/etc. than to go north to Montgomery.

Politically, the panhandle is much more conservative, fitting with Alabama. Also, the panhandle tends to feel a bit ignored, since so much of Florida is focused on Orlando and Miami.

I think the Florida capital should just shift on down to Orlando, or that area, and the panhandle be given to Alabama. But Florida would never do it. Too much money coming in from Alabama.

California really should split into at least two states, north and south. People who don't live here don't realise how bloody huge this state is. Not just geographically (I know Texas is huge, but it's empty) but culturally, this state is immense. San Diego County is the size of several counties in Alabama, the last place I lived.

While we're at it, instead of just splitting states up, how about combining some? Instead of worrying too much about geographic size, let's go more to population. Some of those empty midwest and western states could be merged. That would also bring the Electoral College and Senate demographics more in line with the national demographics. (Did you know that, by population, Democratic Senators represent over 55% of the US, but less than 50% of the Senate?)