I think there is also a prevailing sense of impotency and apathy. The capital is so far away from most people (geographically and culturally) that they don't feel like they can change things. American politics are very divided on party lines, and neither party addresses these issues.

I don't know what country the parent commentator is from, but US states are the size of most countries. At a local level there may be vigorous debate, but the only other comparable governments are the EU and maybe China. I imagine that the citizens of those governments also feel like they have very little voice?

(edit, the EU is not a country)