Red states are net tax consumers, blue states are net tax contributors.
Agriculture is a great example of the way the blue-state tax payer subsidizes the rural political economy. Something on the order of 80% of subsidies go to the biggest 20% of farm operators. In fact, most "farmers" don't even get the subsidies -- they get passed on to landowners either directly or in the form of higher farmland rents (lots of ag subsidy checks go to Manhattan). It's shameful -- paying de facto welfare to some of the richest people in America.
And please, the idea that ag subsidies are needed to make sure there is enough for everybody to eat doesn't even pass the laugh test.
Agriculture is a great example of the way the blue-state tax payer subsidizes the rural political economy. Something on the order of 80% of subsidies go to the biggest 20% of farm operators. In fact, most "farmers" don't even get the subsidies -- they get passed on to landowners either directly or in the form of higher farmland rents (lots of ag subsidy checks go to Manhattan). It's shameful -- paying de facto welfare to some of the richest people in America.
And please, the idea that ag subsidies are needed to make sure there is enough for everybody to eat doesn't even pass the laugh test.
Comment