Are We Still The United States Of America - Or the Barley held Together Associated States of America?1

In todays America, States want the federal benefits but not the fed oversight. They seem not to acknowledge federal; jurisdiction. Also states are not closely bound in a common cause anymore, they are polarized by politics or by socialists views or any number of things. The citizens no longer share a common ideology or purpose. We used to be united in a national identity and a common purpose or an ideology. I see that all falling apart.We used to call ourselves Americans, now it seems more like 350-400 million people who Just live in America. I certainly hope that is not true.I am a big Fan of the Country rock band Blackberry Smoke. The Lyrics to their song “There Ain’tMuch Left of Me” The chorus strikes what I see as a parallel to my thoughts on todays podcastWell I've been rained on, rode hard and put up wetDanced with the devil 'til I'm in debtTook all I got and there ain't much left of meI've been knocked down, drug out and left for deadBarely held together by a few old threadsAnd I'm still here there ain't much left to see,Well I'm still holding on But there ain't much left of me.Those words could very well describe the current state of our Republic.