By the way... I didn't realize this before, and I don't think it is a direct relationship in any way, but Utah is pretty much the opposite of California -- a very conservative state with a slightly larger imbalance in political affiliation. And while California is going bankrupt and rift with high unemployment, Utah has among the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and one of the stronger economies (GDP is 0.74% of the US while their population make up only ~0.2%)... it has also been one of the fastest growing states over the last several decades.
I am of the opinion that balance is better... but it is interesting to note such a difference between states so extremely opposite of each other.