The traditional map is more reflective of electoral power. This one is by population which would be critical in a republic, but traditional map where each count is colored by their majority shows how being the majority in lightly populated areas gives outsized power.

Cities tend to be Blue, but cities don’t get a unified vote, plus are subject to state laws. Look at Houston: they don’t have a chance

But yes, we do federalism. Speaking for Massachusetts:

• as close to universal healthcare as you can get in the us
• healthcare “sanctuary” state
• consistently the best or near the best education system
• free tuition at state universities
• minimum wage over $15, among the highest
• strong emphasis on transit, walkable cities
• strong anti pollution and anti climate change laws
• strong wetlands and coastal protection
• among the first states to be entirely rid of coal
• immigrant protections
• first state to legalize gay marriage
• among the first to legalize marijuana
• by some reviews, highest quality of life in the US

But we’re affected by everyone else:

• not allowed to make air pollution rules. All we can say is we agree with California
• we had forced EPA to regulate Midwest polluters where downwind pollution affected us. Worked for a few decades but recent Supreme Court ruling says EPA can’t regulate interstate pollution, wtf
• strong gun control laws, partly invalidated by recent Supreme Court. I know I’m not surrounded by “good guys” with concealed weapons ready to blast away when they get uncomfortable

When I read about some places attempts to prevent voting, I am so happy none of it is relevant. My state has good outreach to make it easy to register, easy to vote in whatever manner you choose, and has sufficiently funded voting center ps that everyone has a convenient one with little to no waiting. I can walk to mine. When there’s been a line, it’s short and in air conditioning. There’s always a school fundraiser bake sale if I want a treat

So yes, believe me, we look down on all those dystopias between free cities as we fly over. They may have been misled and manipulated but they chose their poison