For every dollar your state sends to DC, here's how much u get back in spending!

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

Again, rural states have small populations and lower costs of living so federal monies stand out higher. California could take over all the ICBM silo's in the Dakota's if that would make you feel better? Put them in the vineyards of Sonoma wine country!

Another dynamic is that every state has 2 senators so they can wield their vote for pork.

Lastly, you assume that the red states get too much aid? Um, couldn't another interpretation be that the blue states pay too much tax? Seriously, think about that one for a little while. (The AMTI certainly does impact some of the high cost of living states more than others)

I didn't say "too little" or "too much". I just said it was interesting. We're a union. I think the federal monies are often necessary and well-deserved, and I don't mind paying. I live in one of those donor states. I just think it's funny that some of the people who complain about taxes are benefiting from them while many people who believe in taxes and the social contract are subsidizing those efforts.

[Evlevo]

It is very fun to point out the 'Red states vote Republican for tax cuts, and then take the taxes from Democrats' Irony, but it is somewhat a comparison of economies and demographics. It is interesting that rural=Republican while urban=Democrat.

Rural economies have low populations but high amounts of agriculture (which of course means agricultural subsidies) so that tends to 'over-represent' in terms of taxes. I personally don't agree with our farm subsidies (and you can debate the effectiveness--separate issue), but the nation as a whole yields the results of a subsidy.

I would wonder what the results of a comparison of tax dollars spent per state would be? Blue states are more populous and it is possible that every area has a steady base-line of "recipients" and cities just have many more "non-subsidy" folks to help pay for it all.

Sorry if I am a bit rambly.. I'm on the 4th glass of booze and all...

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

I didn't say "too little" or "too much". I just said it was interesting. We're a union. I think the federal monies are often necessary and well-deserved, and I don't mind paying. I live in one of those donor states. I just think it's funny that some of the people who complain about taxes are benefiting from them while many people who believe in taxes and the social contract are subsidizing those efforts.

The case can not be made that there is any subsidy going on given the simple set of numbers available. This has been addressed in earlier posts and no one has challenged the examples like having ICBM silos, federal prisons or nuclear waste repositories.

I do agree with you that everyone wants their PORK regardless of political affiliation. I'm certainly aware that politicians can be two-faced and that there are quite a number of dumb sheep that just vote for a party irregardless of what they actually do.