Surprisingly, the "value conscious" Red States -- you know, the folks preaching independence and self reliance -- are the biggest hogs at the federal trough.

"The report shows that of the 32 states (and the District of Columbia) that are "winners" -- receiving more in federal spending than they pay in federal taxes -- 76% are Red States that voted for George Bush in 2000. Indeed, 17 of the 20 (85%) states receiving the most federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid are Red States. Here are the Top 10 states that feed at the federal trough (with Red States highlighted in bold {CAPS}):

States Receiving Most in Federal Spending Per Dollar of Federal Taxes Paid:
1. d.c. ($6.17)
2. NORTH DAKOTA ($2.03)
3. new mexico ($1.89) (flipped Red in 2004)
4. MISSISSIPPI ($1.84)
5. ALASKA ($1.82)
6. WEST VIRGINIA ($1.74)
7. MONTANA ($1.64)
8. ALABAMA ($1.61)
9. SOUTH DAKOTA ($1.59)
10. ARKANSAS ($1.53)

In contrast, of the 16 states that are "losers" -- receiving less in federal spending than they pay in federal taxes -- 69% are Blue States that voted for Al Gore in 2000. Indeed, 11 of the 14 (79%) of the states receiving the least federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid are Blue States. Here are the Top 10 states that supply feed for the federal trough (with Blue States highlighted in bold {CAPS}):

States Receiving Least in Federal Spending Per Dollar of Federal Taxes Paid:
1. NEW JERSEY ($0.62)
2. CONNECTICUT ($0.64)
3. new hampshire ($0.68) (flipped Blue in 2004)
4. nevada ($0.73)
5. ILLINOIS ($0.77)
6. MINNESOTA ($0.77)
7. colorado ($0.79)
8. MASSACHUSETTS ($0.79)
9. CALIFORNIA ($0.81)
10. NEW YORK ($0.81)

Note that Florida, which had previously received exactly $1.00 in federal spending for each $1.00 in federal taxes paid, has since seen a windfall; Federal largesse was dramatically boosted in the post-Hurricaine, pre-election."

-- Modified on 11/11/2004 3:31:01 PM

red states support this redistribution of wealth? It makes the red states appear hypocritical, while the blue are supporting their convictions.
                     Bob

that's Congress.

Of course it's hypocritical, this is politics. PLEEEEEZZZZ don't tell me the Dems would'nt do the same.....

BK

-- Modified on 11/11/2004 6:12:09 PM

So what. You sound like a sore loser. You lost! Deal with it!

the Red States would rather roll back taxes, but the Blue States are insistent that we pay as much as possible and will fight any attempt to lower them. Since the Blue States are going to insist on higher Taxes, the Red States will penalize them by insuring that they do not get as much back. The Red States can do that because they are the MAJORITY!!  

Man, the Blue States really suck at this politic stuff