[Vision2020] Feeding Habits in Red and Blue States

[Nick Gier]

Dear VisionHeads:

Pat Kraut has told us at least twice that people live in Blue States 
because of the hand outs, so here is your answer, Pat.  I've sent the 
following letter to local papers:

To the Editor:

A recent book “The Great Divide: Retro vs. Metro” by John Sperling puts the 
lie to comments that people live in Blue States because of government 
handouts there.  Contrary to widespread belief, no more than six percent of 
Americans were ever on Aid to Dependent Children, the main federal program.

Here are some of Sperling’s points:
·       The Red States have 35 percent of the population and 50 senators, 
while the Blue States have 65 percent of the population and 50 senators.
   ·     Subsidized industries (agriculture, oil, gas, etc.) dominate in 
the Red States and nonsubsidized manufacturing, financial and information 
services dominate in the Blue States.
        ·        The Reds pay 29 percent of federal tax while the Blues pay 
71 percent.
        ·        From 1991 to 2001 the Reds received $800 billion more in 
goods, services, and cash from the feds than it paid in taxes, while the 
Blues paid the feds $1.4 trillion.
        ·        The Reds have produced 23 Nobel Laureates in science and 
economics, while the Blues have given us 235.
        ·        In 2004 39 states gave Kerry 1.5 million more votes than 
Bush, while 11 states (the heart of the Confederacy) gave 5 million more 
votes to Bush.
        ·        Check this graphic that shows the 2004 vote adjusted for 
the size of Red and Blue populations: 
users.moscow.com/ngier/home/red&blue.htm.

John Edwards was correct to speak about two Americas, one that feeds at the 
federal trough and one that thanklessly fills the trough.

Nick Gier, Moscow

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