I’ve heard some conservatives say that “red” states can support decentralization and help reduce the power of the Federal government. Some overly-excited types even talk about things like Texas “seceding.”
Yeah. Right.
Step one for states declaring “independence” and the “return of Federalism” at any level might be doing something about pulling themselves off the Federal tit. State governments just love them freshly-printed Federal dollars. They can’t print money themselves. They get the credit for passing goodies to state voters, and they don’t have to raise their own taxes. What’s not to like?
Something like a third of state spending now comes from the Federal government.
The Federal government just sits, smiles, borrows more money, and accumulates the power. The state governments, red and blue, pass out the “free” candy and ignore the chains creeping up on their feet.
You remember the 60s. We were all living in yurts and gathering nuts and berries for food.
And yeah, in case anyone’s wondering, it ain’t just those liberal ”blue” states either. In fact…
Note that there is no number on that chart less than 25 percent. The “Free Republic of Texas” is a nice shade of deep blue.