Red, Blue, and Purple

Feeling bewildered about all this Red America/Blue America stuff? 

If you want to know whether you live in a blue zone or a red zone?  Just answer the following simple questions:

Do you live closer to (A) a Pottery Barn or (B) a Wal-Mart?

Do you live closer to (A) a Thai restaurant or (B) a Bob Evans?

How hard is it to get the New York Times delivered to your home?
          (A) So easy I sometimes get two
          (B) I can get it but I have to make a few calls 
          (C) I can only get it by mail three days after the publication date

How often do you see a rainbow bumper sticker?
            (A) Daily          (B) Every once in a while          (C) Never

How many TV ads have you seen for Bush and Kerry so far?
            (A) None         (B) 14,678

If you answered (A) to each question, there’s little doubt that you live in Blue America. If you answered (B) or (C) to the first four questions, and (A) to the fifth, you are firmly ensconced in a Red Zone.  But if you answered (B) to the last question, you live in Purple-land, and since you are reading this blog, you’d better make damn sure you vote this year!

If you want to know whether you yourself are Red or Blue, I have found the single question that captures the essence of redism and blueism.  Simply answer the following:

Have you ever vacationed in -- or thought it would be "fun" to vacation in -- Branson, Missouri?

Still not sure?   Take the Slate quiz. 

David Brooks’ Atlantic article on the subject is here.  Brooks recently came out with a book-length version, On Paradise Drive. Michael Kinsley’s review of it is also worth reading.