BlackThought: If you take the number of Federal workers into account here, Maryland IS a welfare state. If it weren't for the Federal paychecks, this State would be a basket case.
As it turns out, of course, it is blue state taxpayers who are bankrolling the education of their less well-off red state cousins.
As a quick glance at the NCES data shows, the Badger State did indeed get $669.6 million in education funding from the federal government in 2008, dollars which represented about 6.4% of Wisconsin's $10.49 billion school budget. Unfortunately for Jeffrey, Texas - a state with about four and a half times as many people - got $4.57 billion from Washington, funds which paid for 10% of its $45.6 billion in total education outlays. Alabama, with about a million fewer residents than Wisconsin, pocketed more education money from Washington. The $744 million in aid makes up 9.7% of its $7.69 billion in primary and secondary school spending.
The table below shows why the right-wing attack on federal funding for Wisconsin's schools and teachers will boomerang. Republican-dominated red states simply get much more.
Of course, there isn't anything untoward or inappropriate in the underwriting of red states by blue ones. After all, many of these Republican states are disproportionately home both to key defense contractors and military bases which help ensure U.S. national security. More important, most Americans nationwide want to provide the funding and resources for the education, health care and anti-poverty programs their red state brethren badly need - and deserve
As a 2007 analysis of 2005 data (above) of federal spending per tax dollar received by state shows, the reddest states generally reaped the most green. Eight of the top 10 beneficiaries of federal largesse voted for John McCain for President; all 10 backed George W. Bush four years earlier. Unsurprisingly, all 10 states at the bottom of the list - those whose outflow of tax revenue is funding programs elsewhere in the country - all voted for Barack Obama in 2008.
Nevertheless, the dynamic of red state socialism is one Republican leaders predictably refuse to acknowledge.
Another WAY of LOOKING at the MOST SOCIALIST STATES is MAPPED out HERE:
Nevertheless, the dynamic of red state socialism is one Republican leaders predictably refuse to acknowledge.
Red States Feed at Federal Trough, Blue States Supply the Feed
The Tax Foundation has released a fascinating report showing which states benefit from federal tax and spending policies, and which states foot the bill. [ http://www.taxfoundation.org/ ]
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):
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) 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):
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) 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)
Two states -- Florida and Oregon (coincidentally, the two closest states in the 2000 Presidential election) -- received $1.00 in federal spending for each $1.00 in federal taxes paid.
...........Keep in mind that everything would be WORSE NOW, since the great WALL STREET Robbery of 2008..So California is simply o.k. .. NO, not the best by any means .. BUT way far away to be the "Biggest WELFARE STATE" ... as YOU so stated ..