They use the welfare system as mechanism to keep the sheep in the circle, build a power base etc.
All the states in the West have straight boundaries. They were made that way to break up Bringham Youngs vision of controlling the mineral wealth of this area. The divisions are geo- mineral so that silver are in Nevada, gold, and copper in Ut. etc.
When Joseph Smith controlled the militia in the western territory, the death of the then current president would have made Smith top dog.
