Ok, now someone superimpose the areas where the most crime, the most pollution, the worst schools etc...etc Hmmm? could it be?
That map is totally beautiful... As a Texan I will point out that our only blue areas are the Mexican Territories and the Austin enclave that we kinda consider the crazy old Aunt we keep locked up in her bedroom.
A good Chicago friend of mine, where handguns are completely banned and hunting rifles greatly restricted, has told me that the violent crime rate close to double that of Houston (the closest city to Chicago in size and demographics in the country.) Texas has much more sensible gun laws, so you figure the why out.