If we need more refuation of the myth that the Republicans don’t believe in government assistance, an article on the TaxProf blog blows it to smithereens. It appears that 76% of the 32 states that receive more federal money than they pay in federal taxes are “red states” — states that voted Bush in 2000. Of the 16 states that pay more in federal taxes than they receive, 69% are “blue states” (the voted for Gore in 2000, natch). So the blue states are filling the trough at which the red states feed.
I’m sure the Republican voters in these states have no idea this is happening. How can they? The Republicans are supposed to be all about smaller government, reducing taxes big government and our dependence on them. Obviously they haven’t a clue.
Or they’re all lying about what they espouse vs. what they actually do.
Link: “http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/1169123″
3 Comments
Viewing this based on ‘State’ area seems a bit simplistic. For instance, I’m from Michigan, which voted Democrat. I’m quite sure I pay much more in taxes and other federal fees than I get or will get from them.
That seems to support the theory that Democrates are providers while Republicans are takers, right? Only problem is that I’m not a Democrate.
I imagine if you viewed that chart on a individual basis you you find much different results. That, of course, would be quite hard to do. Anyone know if this was done on a district level?
To quote benbakelaar in a comment to the original article:
“It’s also interesting to note that often the most “fascinating” facts come from the most generalized/simplified data. Reality is much more complex and analysis-averse.”He summed up what I was thinking after reading this better than I could. Also, why do members of either party write things like this:
“Or they’re all lying about what they espouse vs. what they actually do.”
This was a very poorly thought out article. I hope that these knee-jerk musings to not start to take over “writing on your palm.”
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