It certainly is an odd place and odd people. Going through the political history of the region, one comes away with the feeling that big government isn’t alien to them. And never has been.
The cradle of American civilization doesn’t trust liberty. Maybe they wanted independence from Britain so THEY could assume the heavy hand?? Really makes one think.
Take Yankee-as-they-come Coolidge for example. As president he governed as a small government conservative, but as a governor, he was in favor of workers on corporate boards, more regulation, minimum wage legislation, etc.
Very strange dichotomy.
“Maybe they wanted independence from Britain so THEY could assume the heavy hand??”
Or maybe they didn’t want independence at all.
I know lot of New England colonists were loyal to the Crown - the American Revolution happened in spite of them.
The fact that they still proudly call themselves “New England”, and name a lot of their towns after English towns - might be an indication of how they identify.
Heck, the Boston accent sounds more British than it does American.