You should of tried to form Desert or... desert..a? The Mormons.
You should use the Mormons as a human shield of sorts to protect against the states.
Although nothings better than playing the United States of Central America and unifying Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guiana, U.S.C.A, Mexico and the Caribbean under one Country.
The shear amount of wealth you produce in Bananas, coffee.. raw goods in general.
Really makes you a wealthy and powerful nation late game.
If you allow citizens to buy from your stockpile, most of your nation hits that luxury goods point.