Nils (why do I always think of Bohr when I see this name?) ... curious as you and he apparently drink from the same bottle of Absolut
I think your observations on American social factions is a bit simplistic. So may I suggest the following comments. I suspect (and have observed in a non-scientific fashion) the growth of these factions through time in the South (where most of my ancestors passed through). I suspect farming is inherently conservative (or risk adverse) in nature vis a vis electronic entrepreneurs who are probably in main more liberal (less risk adverse). Religion played a huge part in the migration across the South with a more conservative interpretation of the Bible for example. Slavery is another example with major social impact. Often overlooked is migration as a factor in itself in developing a political perspective.
I suspect geographical divisions are only of secondary importance and only because of migratory patterns.
