It is somehow poetic and very appropriate that the state of
Florida
should be the center of the confusion and controversy surrounding the presidential election. Florida is a state unto itself. Geographically, it juts out from the other contiguous 47 like a nozzle from a
two gallon supermarket water container and in terms of climate and terrain is more like a caribbean island than the other states.
Socially, the northern part of Florida has only recently emerged from the antebellum traditions of yesteryear. The central part of the state which includes
Disneyworld
and Tampa is dominated by a staight laced conservative establishment culture.
And then there is south Florida. This is the
Everglades,
the wonderous tropical jungle that makes manmade civilization look like a children's game. In the southeast corner of this
jungle sits one of the great engineering feats on earth, a great modern city in the middle of this tropical rain forest. Miami is like Los Angeles and
New York, a de facto city state with its own unique laws, mores, and way of life. Miami has evolved over the last two
generations into the gateway to latin and South America, a region which is sure to grow in influence and
importance as the 21st century progesses. It is altogether fitting that Florida should decide who will be the first president
of the new century.
