Sorry to bust your bubble, but the rest of the US does NOT revolve around New York City. Truth be told, most of us wish it would succeed from the US.
I'm sorry that you inferred that I believed that the rest of America revolves around NYC. That's not what I meant at all. Although I have lived in NYC and it was a great learning experience and I still believe that NYC is a great place in many ways, I now live someplace else.
I agree that many of the people who live on both coasts think or feel that "flyover" country doesn't matter, I know otherwise. What matters is where you are and how satisfied or happy you are where you live. The rest of the country has much to offer.
But like it or not, NYC is vital to the cultural and financial life of not just America, but much of the rest of the world. It's not necessarily better, but it's certainly important. And after 9/11, NYC is definately part of America. If you attack LA, Chicago, Portland, Fargo, North Dakota or smalltown America, you attack me and you.