Originally posted by Wildbob77
Interesting post.

I'm curious but it seems like the states with the highest populations are the ones that receive the lowest per capita payback where as states with low populations ie. North Dakota get more back. If a state with a low population gets federal dollars to say build a highway, then it will appear like they are getting more per capita then a state with a higher population that gets similar federal money for a job.

What would the charts look like if the dollars were shown rather than the dollars/population?

California would top the charts...since they have the largest population, but they also contribute the most tax dollars...thus the need to break out the numbers on a "per capita" basis, so you can figure out what those dollars mean per person...both in tax and federal spending (dollars returned) for each state.

Earlier I linked a Brookings Institution (Conservative) doc that breaks it down even further into Social Programs and Welfare per state..per capita (which removes the population and infrastructure arguments)

1. D.C. ($6.17)

Wait what?

Just what are they doing in this city with the money?

It's a city for god sake, don't they have their own taxes?

Talk about wasteful spending.

Originally posted by tw0330

1. D.C. ($6.17)

Wait what?

Just what are they doing in this city with the money?

It's a city for god sake, don't they have their own taxes?

Talk about wasteful spending.

Well one thing is true...Red or Blue, politicians like their city to be shiny and seeing the homless on the street on the way to work just makes governing depressing! Yes DC gets the most per capita...go figure.

Originally posted by Indigo5
We might not be able to agree on definitions here...

"Recieved" means that the states "recieved" the funding.

The Defense Department does not write checks to states. That is Defense Spending...that is why Area 51 is not tourist destination, it doesn't belong to the State, it belongs to the Fed. Gov. US soldiers stationed in a given state do not get paid by the state, the contractors that build the base do not get a state check, they get a federal check etc. etc. etc.

Defense spending is Federal spending. The study you presented is about Federal spending. I am impressed that you have separated two intertwined circular logics and then put them inside each other again, though.

Originally posted by METACOMET

Originally posted by Indigo5
We might not be able to agree on definitions here...

"Recieved" means that the states "recieved" the funding.

The Defense Department does not write checks to states. That is Defense Spending...that is why Area 51 is not tourist destination, it doesn't belong to the State, it belongs to the Fed. Gov. US soldiers stationed in a given state do not get paid by the state, the contractors that build the base do not get a state check, they get a federal check etc. etc. etc.

Defense spending is Federal spending. The study you presented is about Federal spending. I am impressed that you have separated two intertwined circular logics and then put them inside each other again, though.

edit on 20-1-2012 by METACOMET because: fx

Federal Spending on STATES, NOT DEFENSE.

Of course it is the Red States mostly getting more than they pay in back. It is quite the irony these are the same folks that whine and cry about welfare, religion and family values and lead the nation in welfare funds received , consumption of porn, and divorce rates. They like to talk about personal responsibility, as long as it is them telling someone else to be responsible. They don't like the Federal Government spending money, but forget that fact when the next big hurricane or twister rips through the region. Or that if it weren't for Federal spending they would still be riding on dirt roads and walking to the outhouse with their flashlights because guys like Newt, Mitt, Rick and Ron couldn't find a profit in getting electricity and running water to their homes.

This has got to be about the fourth or fifth time this very topic, and research, has been posted in the last few years.
Gee, the most populous areas pay the most taxes, go figure.