Under Trump, red states are finally going to be able to turn themselves into poor, unhealthy paradises

[smilesammich 10,727]

In 2004, the journalist and historian Thomas Frank wrote an insightful and prescient book, “What’s the Matter With Kansas?", in which he tried to puzzle out why voters in his native state backed Republicans whose policies undermined their own economic interests.

Watching the apocalyptic response to Donald Trump's victory in the liberal precincts I inhabit, I’m struck by a similar quandary: Why are voters in states that pay a disproportionately large share of federal taxes, and benefit from a disproportionately small share of federal spending, so upset about the prospect of a cut in taxes and federal spending?

Data compiled by the Pew Charitable Trust found that 10 states that receive less than a dollar back for every dollar they send to Washington: Delaware, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. And here are the states that get more than $2 back for every $1 in taxes paid: Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia, Hawaii, South Carolina, Alabama, Maine, Montana, Alaska, Virginia, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky and Vermont. You don’t have to be a political scientist to see the blue state/red state pattern here. Red state voters may talk a good game about small government and low taxes, but in reality they are socialist moochers.

Rather than wallowing in the hypocrisy of all this, however, Democrats should see the opportunity here — an opportunity to turn the Republican program to their selfish advantage and create the kind of society where people look out for each other and business interests are not allowed to run roughshod over workers and consumers.

After all, if Republicans cut taxes — in particular, taxes on investment income — then the biggest winners are going to be the residents of Democratic states where incomes, and thus income taxes, are significantly higher. Governors and legislatures in those states — home to roughly half of all Americans — will now have the financial headroom to raise state income and business taxes by as much as the federal government cuts them — and use the additional revenue to replace all the federal services and benefits that Republicans have vowed to cut.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/12/04/democrats-can-look-forward-to-the-coming-republican-era-being-a-disaster-for-republican-voters/?utm_term=.743a12896835

excellent question and point.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Tweetsolini will be a one termer (possibly less if he fails to get out of his businesses but perhaps the Republican House and Senate let his conflicts of interest slide,) when his economic "development" plans kick in.

[smilesammich 10,727]

latest gag..his labor department pick is despicable.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

latest gag..his labor department pick is despicable.

The word is deplorable.

[smilesammich 10,727]

The word is deplorable.

good call, we should all practice limiting our vocabulary and keeping all statements under 40 characters. lots of work to do.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

latest gag..his labor department pick is despicable.

We raised the min wage in 2009 , it's only been 7 years and the MDL wants the peasants to get another. Free grog and mush for all

[smilesammich 10,727]

We raised the min wage in 2009 , it's only been 7 years and the MDL wants the peasants to get another. Free grog and mush for all

you've got jokes now, we'll see what tune you're singing in a few years..

[Teddy B 17,251]

We raised the min wage in 2009 , it's only been 7 years and the MDL wants the peasants to get another. Free grog and mush for all

7 years is too long for minimum wage to remain stagnant without at least a cost of living increase. Annual cost of living raises can range anywhere from 1-5% depending on where you live, minimum wage should also adjust accordingly.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

7 years is too long for minimum wage to remain stagnant without at least a cost of living increase. Annual cost of living raises can range anywhere from 1-5% depending on where you live, minimum wage should also adjust accordingly.

you did not have your sarcasm meter turned on

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

you've got jokes now, we'll see what tune you're singing in a few years..

you were not able to tell the difference in sarcasm and a joke. I thought the serve the peasant's thing was a dead give away, but you seem to be in a mood today.

Yes I totally agree 7 years is way to long . 15 bucks an hour for fast food is absurd, but it definitely needs to slide into the 9's somewhere . Maybe 50cents and hour over 4 to 5 years or something like that

[Teddy B 17,251]

you did not have your sarcasm meter turned on

And you didn't use the special VJ sarcasm font. I forget which font it is, Val knows.

All this joking around you've been doing is making me change the way I view you.

[smilesammich 10,727]

you were not able to tell the difference in sarcasm and a joke. I thought the serve the peasant's thing was a dead give away, but you seem to be in a mood today.

Yes I totally agree 7 years is way to long . 15 bucks an hour for fast food is absurd, but it definitely needs to slide into the 9's somewhere . Maybe 50cents and hour over 4 to 5 years or something like that

cosmic sands yo.

you support trump and seem to be cool with the donkey hats that he's lining his cabinet soo, i'll need you to use the correct font if you want me to know what's up.

And you didn't use the special VJ sarcasm font. I forget which font it is, Val knows.

All this joking around you've been doing is making me change the way I view you.

nb is the extreme middle of the road guy who lives on a sit and spin. font adjustments are mandatory.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

And you didn't use the special VJ sarcasm font. I forget which font it is, Val knows.

All this joking around you've been doing is making me change the way I view you.

Now I see what you did there, my goal is to never be taken seriously

[eieio 1,594]

Tweetsolini will be a one termer (possibly less if he fails to get out of his businesses but perhaps the Republican House and Senate let his conflicts of interest slide,) when his economic "development" plans kick in.

Another prediction?

What are you 0 for 95 or 96 now?

Stay strong, never quit the fight and never let your failures get you down!

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Another prediction?

What are you 0 for 95 or 96 now?

Stay strong, never quit the fight and never let your failures get you down!

Wrong

He predicted a meltdown and lots of butt hurt after the election in chest.

Give credit where credit is due

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