Speaker to Animals wrote:
Half of that budget is going to entitlements, which people paid for throughout their lives, across many states over the course of 60+ years.
Another 15% goes to defense. That's not gibs for rural residents unless they own a small business dependent immediately upon the base, but lol, that's not state dependency on anything.
You have 9% going to Medicaid subsidies. You could make an argument that is benefiting residents. But also consider the population differential. I guarantee most of that 9% is going to urban states. Out of discretionary spending probably comes interstates, national parks, and so on.
Honestly, I am really scratching my head here as to where you think rural state residents are making off with your tax dollars. It's really quite laughable that you believe this.
You keep saying 'bases.' Firstly, all your base do indeed belong to all of us, but defense contractors do not. That's a big chunk of the budget. Operations and maintenance (the largest expenditure) is obviously a huge economic boon to the most 'connected' states. If defense wasn't major gibs then the associated committees and senators wouldn't be so powerful - those senators are elected because they bring home the bacon. This has nothing to do with the value of the military as an institution or it's essential role in our country - I'm speaking of how it accrues economic benefit to certain favored states.
BTW, most people don't cover their entitlement benefits, especially at the lower income levels. It's another way the richer states pay for the poorer ones. We make more money and thus pay more taxes, plus we collect proportionately less and don't qualify for many entitlements.
