m*****e
发帖数: 789 | 1 http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2012/
In a video posted yesterday, Mitt Romney slammed the people who support
President Obama, saying they are most likely "dependent on government."
Romney's comments were recorded as he spoke at to an exclusive group of
donors at a private meeting. Obama's fans think of themselves as "victims,"
he said. They believe they are "entitled to healthcare, to food, to housing,
to you name it." He added, "My job is not to worry about those people. I'
ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and
care for their lives."
Many on both left and right have criticized Romney for his lack of empathy
and rejection of the social contract. However, it's easy to understand why
Romney might view America this way. After all, Republicans supposedly
represent those with more money, and Democrats supposedly represent those
with less—sometimes much less. It's plausible that Romney's supporters
would pick up the tab (through their taxes) for social programs that benefit
Obama's supporters. For the same reason, it's plausible that Red states
would subsidize Blue states, and Red counties would subsidize Blue counties
where the poor people live.
[See a collection of political cartoons on Mitt Romney.]
But, although it's plausible, it's completely wrong. When Romney says his
job isn't to care about those who depend on government for healthcare, food,
and housing, he's talking about his base. Across America, Obama's
supporters actually subsidize Romney's supporters.
Blue States Subsidize Red States
Studies show that states that elect Democrats contribute the most in federal
taxes relative to what they consume in government services. Conversely,
many states that elect Republicans contribute the least in taxes relative to
the services they consume. This is true even though many Democratic states
contain large, poor, urban populations of color.
[Take the U.S. News Poll: Will the Leaked Romney Videotape Sink His Campaign
?]
Here's the evidence: The 10 "Tax Producing States" listed below, left,
contribute the most in tax revenues relative to the services they consume.
They usually vote Democratic. The ten "Tax Dependent States" listed below
consume the most in government services relative to the taxes they pay. And
they usually vote Republican. (Each state's name is shown in blue if voters
there lean toward Obama, and red if they lean toward Romney, as per Nate
Silver's 538 blog.)
More detailed analysis confirms this pattern. Even the libertarians at the
journal Reason acknowledge this so-called "Red/Blue Paradox."
[See a collection of political cartoons on the 2012 campaign.]
Blue Counties Subsidize Red Counties
The same imbalance prevails within states, at the county level. The Blue
counties contribute the most state taxes relative to the services they
consume. The Red counties consume the most services relative to the taxes
they pay. For example, a recent study documented the pattern in Washington
state. King County, the solidly-Democratic county that surrounds Seattle,
provides "nearly 42% of the state's tax revenues, yet receives only 25% of
the money spend from Washington's general fund." Conversely, five counties
that require the most in services relative to the taxes they pay are largely
Republican.
California shows a similar pattern. Republican Modoc and Tulare Counties
consume the most in taxpayer-funded services from the state on a per-capita
basis. Says San Francisco Chronicle writer Kevin Fagan: "The prevailing
attitude among the right-wing ranchers and modern hippies who define Modoc
County is of fierce self-reliance—but more people here than just about
anywhere else depend on welfare checks of some kind to get by." In contrast,
famously liberal San Francisco and Marin Counties generate the most tax
revenues for the state on a per capita basis.
[See a collection of political cartoons on the budget and deficit.]
Why Red States Need Blue State's Tax Dollars
Why do people in Red states and counties resent government spending so
passionately even as they need so much of it? The central problem is poverty
. Many of the residents of these counties are poor. They are ill-prepared to
make a decent living no matter how hard they tug on their own bootstraps.
For example, in California's conservative Modoc county only 12 percent of
adults over 25 have a bachelor's degree. Nearly 20 percent live below the
poverty line. Many Modoc residents can't afford to send their children to
college. They need government programs to survive, let alone improve their
financial outlook.
Without government support it's hard to see a way to break the cycle of
poverty and dependence. At least so far, the formula of small government,
limited services, low investment, and low taxes that conservative states
have implemented for themselves hasn't helped their economies much. (See my
earlier column.)
[See a collection of political cartoons on the economy.]
This situation would be funny if it weren't so tragic. When a tax protester
yelled "Keep your goddamn government hands off my Medicare" many scoffed at
that one person's ignorance. But most Americans who rail against taxes and
the size of government are profoundly unaware that taxes they hate fund the
programs they want and need. And they are unaware that the states and
counties inhabited by "welfare queens" and "freeloading illegals" are
actually sending them the money that keeps them fed, cared for, and educated
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