>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 11/28/2004 1:50:48 PM >>>
In today's NY Times, Thomas Frank reviews a number of books that
attempt
to come to terms with the USA's recent political evolution, especially
around the question of "blue states" versus "red states."
<<<<<>>>>>
boston globe/msnbc pundit mike barnicle calls so-called blue states
'sense of entitlement' states and so-called red states 'family values'
states...
barnicle's 'entitlement' phrase suggests that states won by kerry (and
gore in 2000) receive largest amount of federal monies relative to
federal tax revenues...
reality is actually opposite - bush has won most of states benefitting
from federal spending, kerry/gore won most of states that pay for
federal spending...
northeastern and midwestern states bankroll southern and plains
states...
2/3rds of 30 states receiving more from washington than they pay in
went to bush in both 2000 & 2004...
2/3rds of 19 states that pay in more than they receive from washington
went dem in both elections...
florida is zero sum state - receives amount of federal dollars that it
pays in...
part of explanation for why 'rugged individual' & ' traditional' states
receive more than they pay in military related (what what ann markusen
- in play on term sunbelt - has called 'gunbelt' areas)...
interestingly, however, receiver ('red') states benefitting most from
non-defense spending (retirement, farm subsidies, highways, and, yes,
welfare) are strongest for bush...
states with highest per capita federal tax burden have voted dem,
states with lowest such burden have gone for bush...
thus, bush has carried states that are both net receivers of federal
funds *and* have low per capita federal taxes...
part of explanation may be legacy of new deal funding allocations,
southern states have long been net beneficiaries,
change has been from 'solid' dem south to solid rep one...
likes of barnicle and others in 'liberal' media mislead people into
thinking that 'blue' states get disproportionate share of federal
monies... michael hoover
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