I am a Tenderfoot in Boy Scout Troop 191 of Hopatcong.
I am working on a merit badge for communication, and I would like to offer a brief overview of the social and political divide in the U.S. and how it affects my state.
The divide traces its roots back to slavery and how, generally, the North was more industrialized than the South. The divide in its current form also appears in politics, as the generally more conservative Republican Party dominates in the Deep South and Texas, where it is less industrialized.
However, there are exceptions to this as states like Pennsylvania tend to be more conservative. The opposite effect applies to Florida, which tends to be more liberal.
Generally, New Jersey has always stayed more liberal with few exceptions. However, counties like Sussex are more rural and less industrialized, where the GOP holds the majority.
I am more liberal than conservative; however, many of my friends are Republicans.
I don’t think that social lines should create political divides, as it just creates more disunity between the states.
Just because a person is part of a specific political party or faction doesn’t mean you should hate them as they may be just as friendly and considerate as anyone else.
James Barrett
Troop 191 member