If only Red States had enough education and thus critical thinking skills to understand this article, maybe we could get somewhere with them! However, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. They will go to their graves, blaming us all the way to the end.
Of course you know her comment is directed toward the Republican leaders & the maga believers, who just in general have no curiosity or motivation to try to understand what is wrong with their state’s economy.
Exactly. I’m a blue state native. After 40 years we moved to a red state. The difference in governing is large. Cost of living is low. Financially our retirement will be comfortable. But … as the article points out the infrastructure isn’t important, the streets are deteriorating, medical field as well as teachers are not valued.
You can tell who is a native based on overheard conversations. They are about their guns, distorted Christianity views and are fox entertainment dependent. But the biggest to me is the lack of empathy and compassion.
I say let them live on their own taxes. Maybe they will do better in their chosen leaders
Oh, the Republicans and Maga believers have no motivation to understand what’s wrong with their state economy?? Did you just say that? Look at California… the most liberal policies have destroyed the prettiest state, and now everyone is moving away from California if you haven’t heard……… deal with the facts, or bury your head in the sand, it might taste better than your foot anyway…
Run for something! State your ideas simply. Red state people feel the problems in their lives; help them see immediate causes and effects. Please do something where you are
…ahh… the hen and egg dilemma 😜 and yet we are here, which makes inevitable other point - we are still the same country and with regime in power it renders that fact irrelevant, all those imbeciles who think that “their guy” is in WH and we will be taken care of, are for a big surprise - regime is not good for anyone since there will be no elections they are not a constituency, we are sharing all shit we produced or let happen as a country
Yeah, the Democrats are fucking hysterical.. I mean they all thought Donald Trump was gonna ruin the world first time right? Oh wait that was actually Joe Biden trying to start World War III with over $200 billion that we gave to Ukraine and the war has fizzled out. That was our money. Good job.!! 🙄🤯😳
Ah, with the election of Trump I am over it. As far as I am concerned, the only problem with Trump’s wall is that it is in the wrong place. I want it on the old Mason/Dixon line.
If they hate us and they do, let them leave. We will be so much better off without them. Those states are a drag on the rest of us. We could have a six month period in which people who want to leave there can. After that, we lock the door , and they will be a separate country. See you later honey. Sink or swim.
Neither is the way they treat us. I am tired of coddling them as “uninformed “. No doubt some are, but not all of them. Some are just nasty pieces of work. Every bit as smug as they say Democrats are. I do understand that no one has the corner on that market and I would certainly appreciate it if someone from that bunch would own their disdain for us. As in Democrats are not “real “ Americans. We certainly are and have the tax bills to prove it. I guess no one told them not to to bite the hand that feeds them.
So on that note, I hope I made clear why I am over being polite to people who feel no such sentiment on the right.
That’s what happened to California right?? Too red!! I guess all them Democrats had figured out, that’s why everyone is moving to California, right?? Because the liberal policies are so good that everyone is moving to California… oh wait…
“Almost everything you believe is a LIE!” Well, I ‘m SO glad you cleared that up for me, Dawgg. You sound like the very best kind of conspiracy theorist - the kind that runs around screaming about “Lies!!!” Thanks, but no thanks, I’ll pass.
Oh, you wanna talk about the truth?? do you know what the deep state is, do you think the Democrats were pushing socialist ideas and also fascist ideas? I mean, what do you think they were doing making the government smaller no of course not they were making it bigger and that’s why Donald Trump is shrinking it because he is anti-establishment.. he’s a real American and you’re just bitter !
You are HIS-terical, Dawgg. You don’t know jack about me, you just know your Orange Hero is acting like the a$$ that he always was, always is, and always will be, and that’s good enough for you. That’s not “bitter”, that’s just plain facts. Why do you think even Fox “Entertainment” was reporting how low his poll numbers are, because he’s such a fu€kwit. But you just keep on worshipping him, there’s a good boy. I am sure you know what you’re doing! Right???
You’re right. If only…..but that’s not really their fault. This article states that there is a conscience effort to keep red states impoverished. I live in a very red part of Missouri. Is it the residents fault that they vote for those politicians? Yes. However, it is not their fault that they are given subpar education from k-12. Could they increase their own education? Possibly but with what resources?
We don’t have public transportation, many don’t have cars and believe or not there is a massive amount that still do not have internet. There are also numerous schools that still have k-12 in the same building. Graduating classes average anywhere from 15-20 people. Total. We don’t get education resources
Rural America often votes red because red are the only ones who talk to them and don’t call them worthless pieces of shit at every corner…..until after the elections of course. It’s truly the whole abusive parent scenario.
Red beats the fuck out of us. Blue totally ignores us. If you know anything about child psychology and family psychology you will know that many people will chose shitty attention over no attention at all. Honestly, this rural red is totally the Dems fault for ignoring us for decades.
As you’ve noticed, rural folk vote. We may not be as populated as blue places but we vote in bigger numbers. I may only live in a small county but almost 70% of our residents voted. Whereas the KC area, only 44% voted. Does KC have a bigger population? Yes. But when a shitton of rural counties have 70% voter turnout compared to the 3 blue cities, dems have no chance. Because they don’t put the work in. FYI, MO is purple and not red. We vote progressive policies but, unfortunately, red politicians to implement. Want blue people in? Then they need to get their asses to red areas and give them the education that they need and that many don’t have access to
This whole situation has made me see a side of Dems that is truly absolutely no different than Repubs. You just try to wrap it up in a cute little bow. It’s repugnant.
Once this is done and we hopefully get shit straight, I’ll never vote dem again. I’d rather not vote. And yes, I’ll shout that from the trees too. Just like I’m currently shouting about the shit that is going on with 🤡.
No shit. I live in Missouri. I know what’s happening in red states. As for my voting or not, that final decision is between me and the mouse in my pocket. As a matter of fact, until we get rid of the electoral college, voting for the president only gives the popular vote results. It doesn’t determine the actual president and we have zero control over the electoral college.
I’ll always vote in my local elections which is what impacts my state the most. And they’re who I care about the most since democrats are perfectly content to let us be homeless and/or watch us die from starvation or lack of medical care. Everyone else can honestly fuck off these days.
Hi I’m a Blue Dot in red haze Indiana - our new governor is following 🍑💩 blue print 100%. He even canceled state matching funds for Dolly Parton’s book project. It’s dystopian here.
Unfortunately, making sure the residents of red states are better educated and develop critical thinking skills is imperative.
Will it be easy? No.
Will it be fun? Maybe.
Do we have to do it? Yes.
I’m as angry at and as frustrated with the MAGA sheep as everyone else.
But the majority of MAGA are aggrieved working class people for whom the American dream has become a mockery.
They’re victims of the gaps in our socioeconomic system, gaps often created by GOP leaders in red states. Their schools are weak. They’re flooded by right wing propaganda. They have no way out. They’re as trapped as serfs in medieval times.
They need hope, belief in government, and upward mobility. And those opportunities require education and critical thinking skills.
The solution to starvation is food. The solution to ignorance is education. It’s that simple.
How about setting up a domestic version of USAid? With trucks with the Democrat donkey providing help for the needy in the red states. Or 'This tooth is filled with donations from Boston' and 'Your cane is paid for by New York' .
Let them. If this sounds harsh please know I grew up with these mindless people and they do not want actual information. They want emotional satisfaction at all cost. How do you think Fox News continues to have such influence with these people? It caters to their emotional need for drama, and validation even if it’s not real. Fox News and all the others like them make them feel important.
I grew up with people like that too. But the reality is that you can’t just wish them away.
We’re all in the same country and they have a vote just like we do.
We have to find ways to educate people who are ignorant. We have to give them a stake in participating actively rather than being passive recipients of federal funds.
The first step is to get rid of Trump and his alt right backers. If we can stop their propaganda mills from manipulating the public, the nation’s political temperature will drop immediately.
And then we can start the real work of addressing our people’s problems.
That's ok, at least they would be making an informed choice and might understand their low tax low wage state means they don't get potholes fixed on their local roads. My brother in SC can't understand why they can't find skilled labor for his construction co. Even the wealthy educated don't understand this concept. When I lived in Boston, Romney got voted in as a business man who was going to 'reduce taxes', and rich people clapped because they didn't understand that having your state bundle infrastructure services was cheaper than having your town or property taxes go up so your town could fix potholes. All he did was shift the burden to the towns and take away services for the homeless/poor/mentally ill/disabled like Reagan in CA.
You are correct that not all would turn down help based on where it came from. I really wish everyone would watch "Sicko", I saw it when it came out great film that truly shows how far behind the rest of the industrialized world on healthcare. It really blew my mind that even Cuba has healthcare as a right but we don't.
The overall message of Sicko is true but as Moore also makes entertainment, some items are exaggerated. On the Cuba healthcare: I believe there was some controversy but I don't remember the details. I do know that many Cuban doctors work in Spain as due to the aging population, there is a shortage of medical personnel.
The Cuban medical professionals' education is completely funded by the gvmt, as are they supported in their work. They are called upon to serve but there's no limit for the amt spent on care (ie rationing of svcs). The Cuban are the first crack teams to go to deal with serious disease outbreaks (ebola) to develop treatment and containment strategies. I was talking to a woman at our local world renowned cancer center and she said there's an Rx treatment from Cuba that works and is hard to get due to gvmt import issues, people call all day long offering large sums to get a shot and no pharma co in the US will make the cancer treatment drug.
I don’t know if you can withhold federal tax dollars generated by blue states from going to red states disproportionately.
But I’d love to have them look into legal avenues. After all, conservatives are always crying this and that is unconstitutional, if it doesn’t work for them. Two should be able to play that game.
What bugs me, is that Biden dumped all of those green energy dollars in red states in hopes of getting voter support. Well, how well did that work?
Next time around, democrats, put the screws to red states. Force them to raise state taxes to support their own for a change.
I understand what you mean yet why should states that don't put much take more out? One to one is a fair distribution. Red states would collapse. I am tired of hearing them belly ache.
I understand you mean about Biden. He did things for the right reason. I however disagree with that now. He didn't talk credit. That backfired huge, on Democrats.
I am now unafiliated after the last election. I am sick of Democrats not playing hard ball. We are dealing with criminals that pay no attention to the laws. Plus how the hell can Elon Musk be allowed to access our private information within our approval? I am beyond disgusted. How can a party see Social security information with out our knowledge???
Last note I believe the votes in the last election were manipulated but here nothing about that. I am not talking conspiracy I'm talking about fact.
One last thought. Democrats need to find a hard ass like LBJ who also has a quick wit. Republicans, by and large, are slow on the sarcastic humor side of talent. And in a debate would get buried.
Why can't a blue states enact legislation that states 1 dollar federal funds submitted one dollar back? I know I have a point. Red states would be hard pressed if they paid that ratio. I say it is time to draw the line. I'm tired of red states freeloaders.
I totally agree. I am not a lawyer, so I can’t speak to the legality of which I suggest. But others skilled in that practice should be concentrating on this.
You’re falling into the MAGA GOP trap of blaming the victims.
We are one united country. We have a unitary goal of ensuring “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for ALL Americans.
An army only marches as fast as the slowest soldier, which in this case is the red states. Our goal should be to eliminate the greedy Republican politicians who have kept red states poor. We need to understand and address the issues of the rural poor in red states just as we address the issues of the urban poor in blue states.
We’re the UNITED STATES of America, not the Rich versus Poor States of America.
Biden didn’t forget. He put economic initiatives in place in red states that provided immediate jobs as well as long term benefits. It’s hard for GOP politicians to reverse those kinds of initiatives.
And those of who live in wealthy blue states shouldn’t forget either. There are a number of organizations that target elections in red states, providing Democratic or independent candidates with funds for campaigning and advertising.
I frequently donate to help progressive candidates in red states and I urge everyone else to give as much as they can.
I do that too. Last election I donated heavily to Dems running against Boebert, MTG, Rick Scott, & many others; also to the Independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska, & he came really close to winning.
Biden didn’t put energy dollars into red states just because it would get him more voters. He did that because, as president of the whole United States, he had to address the needs of poor states as well as wealthy states. It was also the right and moral thing to do.
From our polarized perspective, we momentarily think it’s “right” to punish the complaining, needy, poor red states. But that’s no different than the MAGA GOP blaming the complaining, needy, poor people of America for being the problem.
Far right extremists are emotionally manipulating the poor of America to hate the federal govt, immigrants, the so-called “deep state,” our longtime allies, institutions of higher learning, experts of all kinds, and science in general.
The solution isn’t to punish the victims — it’s to eliminate the manipulators and address the real issues of poor people in red states.
In agreement, but we are on the outside of those states, with no control. How do we accomplish said goal without putting pressure on their populations to turn away?
Second, Biden put those green energy projects in red states, because he knew that it would be difficult for red states to pass on jobs for its own citizens. Thus crippling attempts by this administration to get rid of green energy projects in mass.
There are a number of organizations that target important elections in red states and provide funds and advertising assistance (particularly social media) to Democrats running for office.
Even though I live in NY, a wealthy blue state, I donate money regularly to help Democratic or independent candidates in red states.
Biden was a canny politician with years of experience. He knew how legislate effectively by ensuring that funds allocated to individual states benefited the people of that state immediately as well as in the long term.
Creating jobs in green energy in a red state effectively prevents GOP politicians from opposing green energy.
Biden also appointed a record number of federal judges, establishing a strong first line of defense against the Trump administration’s illegal and unconstitutional actions. We are reaping the benefits of his actions now.
It’s wonderful to have visionary leaders who aim for lofty goals but it’s even better to have a pragmatic leader who makes sure lofty legislation can’t get overturned.
Your perspective is fine if this world were fair. It's not! You are advocating for intelligent utopia while we are dealing with ignorant hillbillies and criminals. Absolutely lost!
There is some truth in your retort. But they all aren’t hillbillies. Just common folk who for what ever reason, vote against their own best interests. You need to step back and ask why first. That is likely a clue as to why Dems lost in 2024.
Those “ignorant hillbillies” won’t improve their thinking without jobs and education. I’m not suggesting utopian thinking — I’m offering practical solutions. Hatred is neither practical nor a solution.
First, we have to turn off the fire hose of lies and propaganda inflaming these low-information voters. They joined MAGA because Trump falsely promises them a better tomorrow while urging them to blame immigrants, trans people, DEI, scientists, etc, for their current troubles.
At the same time, we have to oppose the right wing extremism and authoritarian excesses of the Trump administration. Our judiciary is doing the heavy work of blocking and rescinding most of his illegal, unconstitutional Executive Orders. We the people have to march on the streets to demand an end to this lawless admin. Peaceful protests and general strikes are historically effective ways of stopping authoritarians.
We also need to march so Congress will stand up for us as our representatives. If they don’t fight for us, we must replace them.
And the criminals have to be prosecuted, convicted, and punished. If we had impeached and convicted Nixon instead of letting him get pardoned, we wouldn’t be in our current situation.
Every member of the MAGA GOP who has broken the law should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
THAT will begin to make America great again.
In the end, we have to address the problems and needs of the red states. Many have suffered from years of Republican mismanagement and neglect. If we don’t make sure that those states get better education, better job training, and more employment opportunities, another Trump will come along to rally their support in the future.
I have cousins who are MAGA all the way and they are among the most ignorant, laziest people I know.
They’re in their 70’s now so I don’t see much chance of their becoming hardworking, educated people in the future.
But their children are quite different from them and their grandchildren are even less like them.
We’re all born ignorant. But no one has to stay that way. Education strongly correlates with increased social integration and increased productivity lifelong.
If we want to solve the dependency of red states, we have to start providing the education and job skills their citizens need to become more productive.
And we have to provide public education through college for free, otherwise the poorest won’t be able to take advantage of the opportunity.
We also have to eliminate the massive wealth gap that makes it nearly impossible for working class and middle class Americans to have upward mobility. Few people will want to be educated if there’s no economic advantage.
I’m not looking for utopia. I’m looking for practical actions that block Trump’s ability to damage the American people.
It’s easy to demand that the MAGA criminals be jailed immediately. But that goal isn’t accomplished with angry outbursts, gross memes, or obscenity-filled rants. It’s accomplished with painstaking legal procedures and grassroots organizing.
If you want a revolution, it’s wise to remember that MAGA followers have all the guns.
If you want to preserve our democracy — legal action, peaceful protest, and voter pressure on legislators are our best bets.
We need to stop reacting to each crazy EO as though Trump can enact it. Each one is a calculated publicity stunt aimed at outraging the left while floating the notion that the president has unlimited power and rules by decree.
Our judges have blocked most of Trump’s unconstitutional and illegal executive orders. Despite his racist rhetoric, Trump has deported far fewer illegal immigrants than Biden or Obama.
His tariffs have failed spectacularly. His reckless cuts of federal programs and employees have largely backfired, with the result that he’s had to rehire many of them.
Yes, Trump is a lawless criminal. But we can still use our laws to stop him, just like we stop other types of criminals. That’s exactly what our laws are designed to do.
SO you have determined non MAGAS can not defend themselves? That is beyond naive. I can and will. Throw that assumption in the trash. Laws are enforceable but the police and enforcement agencies are now even MORE CORRUPT. You are living in a utopia if you think they fight fair!
Of course we can defend ourselves. But MAGA people own most of the 393 million guns in America. They’ve been preparing for violence for years. They actually enjoy violence.
No sane person wants another Civil War. The police aren’t ALL corrupt — neither are our Armed Forces. If Trump gives illegal orders to shoot protesters, they can refuse to follow them. Some will shoot anyway but we cross that bridge when and if we reach it. We’re not there yet.
The current battle with the MAGA GOP is being fought with words, not bullets. As Putin has stated, it’s more effective for a ruler to control the people’s hearts and minds than it is to shoot them.
Putin also predicted that we would think we won the Cold War only to belatedly realize we lost it at home. His plan to undermine the US and remove it as a major world power began in the 1990s.
An army of Russian bots have dominated social media for over a decade. Oligarchs have been buying our politicians and Russia has successfully influenced at least 2 presidential elections.
We need to stay focused on stopping the MAGA leaders, blocking the Heritage Foundation from enacting Project 2025, preventing foreign interference in our elections, and organizing the resistance. The MAGA foot soldiers aren’t the primary problem at this point.
It’s my understanding that federal tax dollars are distributed by need. The south by and large has a higher percentage of its population at or below the poverty level.
As to democrat passiveness, I hear you! I consider myself a pragmatic moderate. There are parts of both the left and right that I don’t agree with. But in the last 10 years, I have been finding myself drifting slightly more left, because of first, The Tea Party insanity, and then its malignant successor, MAGA. But I saw back in the 70’s what the far left was all about on campus first hand. Neither the far left, nor the far right have our best interests in mind.
I pray that this country will at some point regain its sanity and kick out politicians who aren’t interested in actually solving problems.
There was a great deal to be said for Biden’s left of center stance. He tackled one problem after another very pragmatically and without any drama. We should have elected him president sooner.
To get a really great idea about how Democrats & Progressives really DO want to do things that will benefit many, but then kneecap themselves by building things into the process that causes the completion of the project take too long; watch this Jon Stewart interview of Ezra Klein. The bills Biden & Co. passed are transformational, but play out over many yrs, so in a 4 yr term you don’t get credit for doing anything. This explains it SO well.
Biden was aware that many of his greatest initiatives would yield more obvious benefits over time.
But he also achieved immediate results in ending the pandemic and wrestling pandemic-related inflation down from 9.3% to 2.4% in a mere two years.
Had he not been so old, he would not have become frail by the end of his term. We’re all still coming to terms with the effects of the presidency — a job that visibly ages much younger men — on Biden, a man who came out of retirement because his country needed him.
History will accord Biden the credit that he deserves. We should do the same.
I do give him credit for getting some great pieces of legislation passed. The link I provided was to the Jon Stewart show when he had Ezra Klein on discussing his book “Abundance.” He described all of the rules, specifications, etc that got written into the bill that was to get high speed broadband into all the places that didn’t have it. The intentions of those specs were good, but because of them, 3 ½ yrs later absolutely nothing had happened. It was jaw-droppingly gosh awful & of course, that’s not Biden’s fault, it’s how Congress wrote the bill.
The irony being that the red states think we’re the deadweights. It’s very sad that they are so misinformed by Fox and the GOP. Of course, if they ever learned the truth they would not be so easily manipulated.
They believe what they’re been told because their media is heavily controlled by right wing owners.
There are many rural areas where the only media outlets are extremely right wing. Between Sinclair and Fox, large swaths of the US only get ultra conservative radio and TV coverage of the news.
These “low-information” voters have been targeted by a flood of extreme right propaganda for the past decade. A sizable amount of that propaganda is provided by foreign adversaries like Russia whose sole objective is to make Americans have no trust in our govt.
Even the smartest of people can’t make a rational decision if the “facts” they’ve been told are all lies.
I’m not in favor of keeping incompetent or unproductive politicians in office REGARDLESS of their age.
But I do think older politicians bring important experience to the legislative process. Our laws are complex and our govt is large by necessity — it governs 342 million people on 3.6 million acres of land.
The experience of older members of Congress should balance the youth and energy of its younger members.
Isn't that why trump doesn't like NATO? Not paying a fair share. Want to kick things back to the states. Well we should all be self sufficient for awhile and see if people start to realize that the people they keep voting into office are the same people that are perpetuating their ssituations. They need to be looking at local government too. Maybe it's time for people to truly hit rock bottom and understand the true correlation as to why they're there. Biden isn't why you're struggling, it's your local representatives who voted no on policies that could improve your life.
Exactly!!! Just like you can’t tell him that tariffs will raise prices & that it’s the American voters who will pay for those tariffs. Even when a very well known economist from Bloomberg tried to tell him the truth; he just told the man “You’re wrong. How does it feel to spend 25 yrs of your career being wrong?” The hubris is astounding!!
Right, Republicans say; “send it back to the states, let the states decide;” but they are lying. They pretend to not want big federal govt telling us what to do, until it’s something they want to be able to tell us what to do.
That’s exactly the shit they pulled with the Supreme Court abortion argument. Trump & all the Repubs, & the 6 corrupt supremes must have said that line 200-300 times over the past 3-4 yrs; but all along, every damned one of them (except DT) knew damned well they were lying. They want big govt to control that issue by having an absolute 100% total ban. Eleven states, right now, have bills before their legislatures, to make having an abortion a felony crime….homicide, & several of those states have the death penalty for homicide!!!!
Please stop calling those horrid people
“pro-life.” They are not. They are pro control of women & most especially our sexuality. They are pro increased maternal deaths, pro increased infant mortality; so please call them Anti-choice or forced-birthers, but stop letting them control the language & the narrative by referring to them as pro life.
Unfortunately, Heather, it's a lot to do with money management. Some local and state governments (Maine) manage their/ our funds better and even end the fiscal year with a small surplus which is reassigned to needs of people mostly if there isn't an all out emergency. This year, however, any small surplus will probably go to Medicaid because as the state with the oldest population as well as incredibly poor or at least low income folks, disabled ,who have been threatened by Trump who intends to trash our Medicaid as well as other needs based programs will still need assistance.
ith the oldest population we seem to have blown the budget. for 2024
Elon musk is one of the biggest welfare recipients. He got $12 Billion tax dollars to help his company, and wants to do away with Social security that helps the disabled and elderly. California is the 5th largest economy in the world and I am proposing that we stop sending our money to Washington and support our own citizens. If the red States depend on California money to succeed, let them find out if they can depend on Trump to take care of them.
Looks like I was wrong, Elon Musk got more than $50 billion in taxpayer money! He may be the largest welfare billionaire the Republicans have ever sold their corrupt souls to.
I was going to ask; what about all the govt loans or subsidies he got way back yrs ago when Tesla was about to go bankrupt & would have been a failure if the federal govt hadn’t stepped in & bailed it out?? He owes everything he is today to the govt, but now he wants to destroy it. 🤬🤬
Before he supported Trump no one had problem with him… and yall don’t get out business, he has OVERHEAD, that money is for labor, materials, and expenses for the project, that only HE can do.. yall have a problem with everything, Trump or Elon does be yall are ignorant.
Actually Musk recieves 15.8 billion a year between government contracts for SpaceX, starlink and tesla subsidies. I just read Apple is now going to put starlink on all apple products. Gee who benefits
So you think Apple (Or anyone else) is a sellout bc of working with a Republican? How ignorant.. yall are so bias that you wish our country would fail… fuck you
I live in a red state and many neighbors and co-workers are very smart, yet they all have been seduced by MAGA, FOX, and social media and are extremely ignorant about Trump and his loyalists and their lies or rhetoric. They still believe that Trump will make this country better than Biden ran it, or Kamala would have run it. The ignorance is nauseating. All I can say is, something has gone awry in the wiring of their brain.
Yep. They are brain washed by the MAGA people. The only hope for those people to hit rock bottom. Then their minds just might open up a little bit for some sane reasoning
As someone who lives in a Blue State--"Taxachusetts"--thank you for pointing out the difference between responsible government and political posturing. Giving us a derogatory name does not change the reality of how things are better here than in the Red States.
I grew up in Kentucky and wanted a career in high tech so I had to leave the state to pursue my career aspirations. I landed in the Boston area and have lived in MA for the past 34 years. I often return to KY to visit family and it’s hard to watch how some members of my family have been duped by Fox and Trump into voting against their own interests. Divisive messaging using immigrants, woke-ness, fear mongering the trans community certainly resonates with many people in that part of the country. And they all believe what Trump promised during his campaign to lower food prices and not touching social security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits. I hope I’m wrong but Trumps actions ala tariffs, gutting the ACA, and the DOGE/Republicans already salivating to cut social programs has me thinking these people are going to pay the price for voting for Trump. I’m all for bringing down the national debt. I just don’t think tax cuts for the wealthy and tariffs are the way to do it.
You’re not wrong, & what Trusk & the minions are doing isn’t going to decrease our national debt; they are in fact going to increase it by at least 4 Trillion if they pass the budget that they want here in the next 6-7 months.
Citizens of Taxachusetts would love to pay lower taxes but some states need to pay for a functioning government while other states lay around in a hammock.
It’s not only that red states are failing economically. Many data points are terrible. Teenage pregnancy, maternal death rate, newborn death rate, education failure, obesity, etc
If only there was a way to broadcast this, o wait there was . Main stream media is not helping us, sorry bit frustrated. I live in an essentially red state with blue leadership and we voted out our problem child Kirsten Sinema and voted in Ruben Gallego, with president Bidens chips and tech bill, Wanting to build tech in Az. I'm worrying that cheeto boy will frankly wreck it Ralph on us. His constant lies about blue states is not helping and we must stop this red state/blue state crap this is the united States, the title kind of gives it away. This should not be a competition.
Another challenge is getting people to READ and look for themselves and if not willing to research themselves find trusted journalists on likeSteady, Substack, Daily kos and others. Bluesky is great X has clearly gone the way of the dodo 🦤 and Facebook is untrustworthy or at least its owner is. I realize I'm stating the obvious (to me) but this is not obvious to conservative voters who I believe got played hard and some are starting to realize it and will need our help as much as we will need theirs to stop tRumps crazy 🤪. Repeated behaviors are going to wreck our country for all, conservatives, liberals ,independents , even coptics (remember them).
That is a logical approach yet Republicans do not act or play like adults. They relish ignorance and stereotypical old school role playing. They attacked education first so we now have a nation or a lot of morons.
I had the same argument with red state family members but then they argued that their factories closed because of the Democrats shipping jobs abroad. As if this happened against the will of the CEOs of those companies or they weren't already working in yesterday's industry. Whatever happened, it's never their fault.
The offshoring of American companies began under Reagan's administration. Reagan was responsible for changing the U.S. from a manufacturing economy to a service economy.
I am in full agreement but they blame Clinton for putting NAFTA into law. Obviously with strong support from Republicans but hey, facts that undermine the argument are easily overlooked.
It's even worse than that. The red states would be even poorer if it weren't for the blue portions of their states - places like Charlotte, NC, Atlanta, GA, the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of NC; and so on. That's another thing they use to prop themselves up, all while making fun of those areas as if the people living there are a bunch of Yankee invaders (as if the Civil War is till going on). Just another aside, a common t-shirt I've seen in hell-holes like Gastonia, NC is a t-shirt that says "American By Birth, Southern By The Grace of God". Some really delusional people there.
If states like Alabama and Mississippi were separate countries, they would easily be classed as third-world countries. Even more so if the people in the blue areas all decided to pick up and leave since they can't take it anymore. I know I couldn't.
Not exactly breaking news! This has been the case for decades and it's only been getting worse. Congress needs to cap the amount of Federal $$ that flow back to these RED states. The Republicans ran on the premise of why do our tax dollars pay to help the poor or less fortunate. The irony is that the majority of tax dollars go from Democratic (BLUE) states to help fund the Republican (RED) states. Enough already, let them find out the truth the hard way. Cut them off!
Until blue states can figure out how to get the money sent to the red states away from the politicians, there is no incentive for them to help their citizens
well written, I was talking about this topic to on of my veteran friends and I brought up Massachusetts vs Ohio. I pointed out education, and healthcare.
They should withdraw the charity they give to red states. They never get a thank you, so why bother. Red leaders constantly bang on about individualism, standing on your own 2 feet and reaping the consequences of your own actions, so let them have that. Give them what they want and stop funding them. It will make them realise just how dependent on hand outs they are. Maybe it will make them rethink their policies
We New Yorkers have enough farmland and electricity to survive as a COUNTRY. I would love to see what Mississippi or Alabami would do without OUR wellfare.
If only Red States had enough education and thus critical thinking skills to understand this article, maybe we could get somewhere with them! However, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. They will go to their graves, blaming us all the way to the end.
I'm a retired liberal stuck in a fascist red state & very capable of understanding your point!
Same here!
Me too!
Of course you know her comment is directed toward the Republican leaders & the maga believers, who just in general have no curiosity or motivation to try to understand what is wrong with their state’s economy.
Exactly. I’m a blue state native. After 40 years we moved to a red state. The difference in governing is large. Cost of living is low. Financially our retirement will be comfortable. But … as the article points out the infrastructure isn’t important, the streets are deteriorating, medical field as well as teachers are not valued.
You can tell who is a native based on overheard conversations. They are about their guns, distorted Christianity views and are fox entertainment dependent. But the biggest to me is the lack of empathy and compassion.
I say let them live on their own taxes. Maybe they will do better in their chosen leaders
Your comment sounds exactly like the part of north Texas I live in.
Interesting 🤔
Oh, the Republicans and Maga believers have no motivation to understand what’s wrong with their state economy?? Did you just say that? Look at California… the most liberal policies have destroyed the prettiest state, and now everyone is moving away from California if you haven’t heard……… deal with the facts, or bury your head in the sand, it might taste better than your foot anyway…
Run for something! State your ideas simply. Red state people feel the problems in their lives; help them see immediate causes and effects. Please do something where you are
Ditto
I'm fucking tired of lifting the morons up. Maybe they need to suffer to figure out who the real enemy is.
…ahh… the hen and egg dilemma 😜 and yet we are here, which makes inevitable other point - we are still the same country and with regime in power it renders that fact irrelevant, all those imbeciles who think that “their guy” is in WH and we will be taken care of, are for a big surprise - regime is not good for anyone since there will be no elections they are not a constituency, we are sharing all shit we produced or let happen as a country
Their "guy" is only in the White House for his own purpose. He's keeping himself out of prison
Truth !!
…it’s not difficult at all for him isn’t it ?
Of course not!
Very grim
I still hang on to hope
You are entitled to hope
Yeah, the Democrats are fucking hysterical.. I mean they all thought Donald Trump was gonna ruin the world first time right? Oh wait that was actually Joe Biden trying to start World War III with over $200 billion that we gave to Ukraine and the war has fizzled out. That was our money. Good job.!! 🙄🤯😳
You're part of the reason why the red states rely on the blue states. Ignorance and the inability to think critically!
Ah, with the election of Trump I am over it. As far as I am concerned, the only problem with Trump’s wall is that it is in the wrong place. I want it on the old Mason/Dixon line.
If they hate us and they do, let them leave. We will be so much better off without them. Those states are a drag on the rest of us. We could have a six month period in which people who want to leave there can. After that, we lock the door , and they will be a separate country. See you later honey. Sink or swim.
Yup. While their states suck federal tax dollars from blue states.
That's not right
Neither is the way they treat us. I am tired of coddling them as “uninformed “. No doubt some are, but not all of them. Some are just nasty pieces of work. Every bit as smug as they say Democrats are. I do understand that no one has the corner on that market and I would certainly appreciate it if someone from that bunch would own their disdain for us. As in Democrats are not “real “ Americans. We certainly are and have the tax bills to prove it. I guess no one told them not to to bite the hand that feeds them.
So on that note, I hope I made clear why I am over being polite to people who feel no such sentiment on the right.
Unfortunately that’s what has happened for years.
I'm a native New Yorker but moved to Florida 4 years ago so this is news to me. I was busy raising my family and never followed politics
Graphs. They usually understand visuals
That’s what happened to California right?? Too red!! I guess all them Democrats had figured out, that’s why everyone is moving to California, right?? Because the liberal policies are so good that everyone is moving to California… oh wait…
“Almost everything you believe is a LIE!” Well, I ‘m SO glad you cleared that up for me, Dawgg. You sound like the very best kind of conspiracy theorist - the kind that runs around screaming about “Lies!!!” Thanks, but no thanks, I’ll pass.
Here’s a Jimmy Kimmel clip you might enjoy: https://www.threads.net/@jimmykimmellive/post/DIP7F9MxMQh?xmt=AQGzi2_IcIZBrMI--ChBfPz_eAAp0lGJJRpQgP1P1iVSkA
Oh, you wanna talk about the truth?? do you know what the deep state is, do you think the Democrats were pushing socialist ideas and also fascist ideas? I mean, what do you think they were doing making the government smaller no of course not they were making it bigger and that’s why Donald Trump is shrinking it because he is anti-establishment.. he’s a real American and you’re just bitter !
Trump is areal con man!
The media fooled you, the media was supporting Hillary Clinton.. You hate him because you were taught to.
You are HIS-terical, Dawgg. You don’t know jack about me, you just know your Orange Hero is acting like the a$$ that he always was, always is, and always will be, and that’s good enough for you. That’s not “bitter”, that’s just plain facts. Why do you think even Fox “Entertainment” was reporting how low his poll numbers are, because he’s such a fu€kwit. But you just keep on worshipping him, there’s a good boy. I am sure you know what you’re doing! Right???
OK, just because YOU think he’s asshole doesn’t mean he’s a good businessman, just cause you’re feelings are hurt doesn’t mean he’s
But, they can't & won't
We should send this to every Red State voter.
You’re right. If only…..but that’s not really their fault. This article states that there is a conscience effort to keep red states impoverished. I live in a very red part of Missouri. Is it the residents fault that they vote for those politicians? Yes. However, it is not their fault that they are given subpar education from k-12. Could they increase their own education? Possibly but with what resources?
We don’t have public transportation, many don’t have cars and believe or not there is a massive amount that still do not have internet. There are also numerous schools that still have k-12 in the same building. Graduating classes average anywhere from 15-20 people. Total. We don’t get education resources
Rural America often votes red because red are the only ones who talk to them and don’t call them worthless pieces of shit at every corner…..until after the elections of course. It’s truly the whole abusive parent scenario.
Red beats the fuck out of us. Blue totally ignores us. If you know anything about child psychology and family psychology you will know that many people will chose shitty attention over no attention at all. Honestly, this rural red is totally the Dems fault for ignoring us for decades.
As you’ve noticed, rural folk vote. We may not be as populated as blue places but we vote in bigger numbers. I may only live in a small county but almost 70% of our residents voted. Whereas the KC area, only 44% voted. Does KC have a bigger population? Yes. But when a shitton of rural counties have 70% voter turnout compared to the 3 blue cities, dems have no chance. Because they don’t put the work in. FYI, MO is purple and not red. We vote progressive policies but, unfortunately, red politicians to implement. Want blue people in? Then they need to get their asses to red areas and give them the education that they need and that many don’t have access to
This whole situation has made me see a side of Dems that is truly absolutely no different than Repubs. You just try to wrap it up in a cute little bow. It’s repugnant.
Once this is done and we hopefully get shit straight, I’ll never vote dem again. I’d rather not vote. And yes, I’ll shout that from the trees too. Just like I’m currently shouting about the shit that is going on with 🤡.
Oh yeah don’t vote that’s always the answer. 🤦♀️
No shit. I live in Missouri. I know what’s happening in red states. As for my voting or not, that final decision is between me and the mouse in my pocket. As a matter of fact, until we get rid of the electoral college, voting for the president only gives the popular vote results. It doesn’t determine the actual president and we have zero control over the electoral college.
I’ll always vote in my local elections which is what impacts my state the most. And they’re who I care about the most since democrats are perfectly content to let us be homeless and/or watch us die from starvation or lack of medical care. Everyone else can honestly fuck off these days.
Don’t Try and convince red states dwellers of this.
They live in a RED HAZE of Delusions
And steeped in racist, sexist stupidity!
Hi I’m a Blue Dot in red haze Indiana - our new governor is following 🍑💩 blue print 100%. He even canceled state matching funds for Dolly Parton’s book project. It’s dystopian here.
WOW!!!
I heard about that. That one was a real bummer. So petty
So sad sorry
Unfortunately, making sure the residents of red states are better educated and develop critical thinking skills is imperative.
Will it be easy? No.
Will it be fun? Maybe.
Do we have to do it? Yes.
I’m as angry at and as frustrated with the MAGA sheep as everyone else.
But the majority of MAGA are aggrieved working class people for whom the American dream has become a mockery.
They’re victims of the gaps in our socioeconomic system, gaps often created by GOP leaders in red states. Their schools are weak. They’re flooded by right wing propaganda. They have no way out. They’re as trapped as serfs in medieval times.
They need hope, belief in government, and upward mobility. And those opportunities require education and critical thinking skills.
The solution to starvation is food. The solution to ignorance is education. It’s that simple.
👍
Blue states need to have legislation that keeps their money in their state. Then we will see how well they handle issues, verses failing Red states
How about setting up a domestic version of USAid? With trucks with the Democrat donkey providing help for the needy in the red states. Or 'This tooth is filled with donations from Boston' and 'Your cane is paid for by New York' .
Some of them would go without before taking anything from a Yankee.
Let them. If this sounds harsh please know I grew up with these mindless people and they do not want actual information. They want emotional satisfaction at all cost. How do you think Fox News continues to have such influence with these people? It caters to their emotional need for drama, and validation even if it’s not real. Fox News and all the others like them make them feel important.
I grew up with them too, sadly I have decided I no longer care to associate with them.
I grew up with people like that too. But the reality is that you can’t just wish them away.
We’re all in the same country and they have a vote just like we do.
We have to find ways to educate people who are ignorant. We have to give them a stake in participating actively rather than being passive recipients of federal funds.
The first step is to get rid of Trump and his alt right backers. If we can stop their propaganda mills from manipulating the public, the nation’s political temperature will drop immediately.
And then we can start the real work of addressing our people’s problems.
That's ok, at least they would be making an informed choice and might understand their low tax low wage state means they don't get potholes fixed on their local roads. My brother in SC can't understand why they can't find skilled labor for his construction co. Even the wealthy educated don't understand this concept. When I lived in Boston, Romney got voted in as a business man who was going to 'reduce taxes', and rich people clapped because they didn't understand that having your state bundle infrastructure services was cheaper than having your town or property taxes go up so your town could fix potholes. All he did was shift the burden to the towns and take away services for the homeless/poor/mentally ill/disabled like Reagan in CA.
So be it.
So do, some don't. From Michael Moore's Sicko: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RSExWo0S4XY&t=15s&pp=2AEPkAIB
Having said that, Jim Kenefick was still a little sour, see under MooreWatch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicko?wprov=sfla1
You are correct that not all would turn down help based on where it came from. I really wish everyone would watch "Sicko", I saw it when it came out great film that truly shows how far behind the rest of the industrialized world on healthcare. It really blew my mind that even Cuba has healthcare as a right but we don't.
Moore made Sicko available for free on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YbEQ7acb0IE?si=cVlkF9AsGbj5xX5X
The overall message of Sicko is true but as Moore also makes entertainment, some items are exaggerated. On the Cuba healthcare: I believe there was some controversy but I don't remember the details. I do know that many Cuban doctors work in Spain as due to the aging population, there is a shortage of medical personnel.
The Cuban medical professionals' education is completely funded by the gvmt, as are they supported in their work. They are called upon to serve but there's no limit for the amt spent on care (ie rationing of svcs). The Cuban are the first crack teams to go to deal with serious disease outbreaks (ebola) to develop treatment and containment strategies. I was talking to a woman at our local world renowned cancer center and she said there's an Rx treatment from Cuba that works and is hard to get due to gvmt import issues, people call all day long offering large sums to get a shot and no pharma co in the US will make the cancer treatment drug.
See the book: Outsmart Your Cancer. (Third Edition) by Tanya Harper Pierce.
Yeah well if they're hungry we will feed them anyhow.
They're already taking from Yankees!
Yet they keep on taking. Shamelessly.
Not interested. They need to be as independent as they profess to be.
🤔
I have to chuckle at that!
I assure you nothing funny about it.
I don’t know if you can withhold federal tax dollars generated by blue states from going to red states disproportionately.
But I’d love to have them look into legal avenues. After all, conservatives are always crying this and that is unconstitutional, if it doesn’t work for them. Two should be able to play that game.
What bugs me, is that Biden dumped all of those green energy dollars in red states in hopes of getting voter support. Well, how well did that work?
Next time around, democrats, put the screws to red states. Force them to raise state taxes to support their own for a change.
I understand what you mean yet why should states that don't put much take more out? One to one is a fair distribution. Red states would collapse. I am tired of hearing them belly ache.
I understand you mean about Biden. He did things for the right reason. I however disagree with that now. He didn't talk credit. That backfired huge, on Democrats.
I am now unafiliated after the last election. I am sick of Democrats not playing hard ball. We are dealing with criminals that pay no attention to the laws. Plus how the hell can Elon Musk be allowed to access our private information within our approval? I am beyond disgusted. How can a party see Social security information with out our knowledge???
Last note I believe the votes in the last election were manipulated but here nothing about that. I am not talking conspiracy I'm talking about fact.
We must stop them raping our country.
One last thought. Democrats need to find a hard ass like LBJ who also has a quick wit. Republicans, by and large, are slow on the sarcastic humor side of talent. And in a debate would get buried.
Indeed they are daff.
Why can't a blue states enact legislation that states 1 dollar federal funds submitted one dollar back? I know I have a point. Red states would be hard pressed if they paid that ratio. I say it is time to draw the line. I'm tired of red states freeloaders.
I totally agree. I am not a lawyer, so I can’t speak to the legality of which I suggest. But others skilled in that practice should be concentrating on this.
You’re falling into the MAGA GOP trap of blaming the victims.
We are one united country. We have a unitary goal of ensuring “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for ALL Americans.
An army only marches as fast as the slowest soldier, which in this case is the red states. Our goal should be to eliminate the greedy Republican politicians who have kept red states poor. We need to understand and address the issues of the rural poor in red states just as we address the issues of the urban poor in blue states.
We’re the UNITED STATES of America, not the Rich versus Poor States of America.
Obviously someone forgot this.
Biden didn’t forget. He put economic initiatives in place in red states that provided immediate jobs as well as long term benefits. It’s hard for GOP politicians to reverse those kinds of initiatives.
And those of who live in wealthy blue states shouldn’t forget either. There are a number of organizations that target elections in red states, providing Democratic or independent candidates with funds for campaigning and advertising.
I frequently donate to help progressive candidates in red states and I urge everyone else to give as much as they can.
I do that too. Last election I donated heavily to Dems running against Boebert, MTG, Rick Scott, & many others; also to the Independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska, & he came really close to winning.
Yup, turn off the big faucet.
Biden didn't dump all of the green energy dollars on red states, but I do agree that NH got a lot more $ than Maine. That is very clear!
Biden didn’t put energy dollars into red states just because it would get him more voters. He did that because, as president of the whole United States, he had to address the needs of poor states as well as wealthy states. It was also the right and moral thing to do.
From our polarized perspective, we momentarily think it’s “right” to punish the complaining, needy, poor red states. But that’s no different than the MAGA GOP blaming the complaining, needy, poor people of America for being the problem.
Far right extremists are emotionally manipulating the poor of America to hate the federal govt, immigrants, the so-called “deep state,” our longtime allies, institutions of higher learning, experts of all kinds, and science in general.
The solution isn’t to punish the victims — it’s to eliminate the manipulators and address the real issues of poor people in red states.
In agreement, but we are on the outside of those states, with no control. How do we accomplish said goal without putting pressure on their populations to turn away?
Second, Biden put those green energy projects in red states, because he knew that it would be difficult for red states to pass on jobs for its own citizens. Thus crippling attempts by this administration to get rid of green energy projects in mass.
There are a number of organizations that target important elections in red states and provide funds and advertising assistance (particularly social media) to Democrats running for office.
Even though I live in NY, a wealthy blue state, I donate money regularly to help Democratic or independent candidates in red states.
Biden was a canny politician with years of experience. He knew how legislate effectively by ensuring that funds allocated to individual states benefited the people of that state immediately as well as in the long term.
Creating jobs in green energy in a red state effectively prevents GOP politicians from opposing green energy.
Biden also appointed a record number of federal judges, establishing a strong first line of defense against the Trump administration’s illegal and unconstitutional actions. We are reaping the benefits of his actions now.
It’s wonderful to have visionary leaders who aim for lofty goals but it’s even better to have a pragmatic leader who makes sure lofty legislation can’t get overturned.
Your perspective is fine if this world were fair. It's not! You are advocating for intelligent utopia while we are dealing with ignorant hillbillies and criminals. Absolutely lost!
There is some truth in your retort. But they all aren’t hillbillies. Just common folk who for what ever reason, vote against their own best interests. You need to step back and ask why first. That is likely a clue as to why Dems lost in 2024.
I understand the point of common folk but I also understand uneducated.
I lived in Kentucky I call it how I see it.
Understood.
Those “ignorant hillbillies” won’t improve their thinking without jobs and education. I’m not suggesting utopian thinking — I’m offering practical solutions. Hatred is neither practical nor a solution.
First, we have to turn off the fire hose of lies and propaganda inflaming these low-information voters. They joined MAGA because Trump falsely promises them a better tomorrow while urging them to blame immigrants, trans people, DEI, scientists, etc, for their current troubles.
At the same time, we have to oppose the right wing extremism and authoritarian excesses of the Trump administration. Our judiciary is doing the heavy work of blocking and rescinding most of his illegal, unconstitutional Executive Orders. We the people have to march on the streets to demand an end to this lawless admin. Peaceful protests and general strikes are historically effective ways of stopping authoritarians.
We also need to march so Congress will stand up for us as our representatives. If they don’t fight for us, we must replace them.
And the criminals have to be prosecuted, convicted, and punished. If we had impeached and convicted Nixon instead of letting him get pardoned, we wouldn’t be in our current situation.
Every member of the MAGA GOP who has broken the law should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
THAT will begin to make America great again.
In the end, we have to address the problems and needs of the red states. Many have suffered from years of Republican mismanagement and neglect. If we don’t make sure that those states get better education, better job training, and more employment opportunities, another Trump will come along to rally their support in the future.
I lived in Kentucky too many years. They don't want to improve themselves. It's not hate it's observation.
I have cousins who are MAGA all the way and they are among the most ignorant, laziest people I know.
They’re in their 70’s now so I don’t see much chance of their becoming hardworking, educated people in the future.
But their children are quite different from them and their grandchildren are even less like them.
We’re all born ignorant. But no one has to stay that way. Education strongly correlates with increased social integration and increased productivity lifelong.
If we want to solve the dependency of red states, we have to start providing the education and job skills their citizens need to become more productive.
And we have to provide public education through college for free, otherwise the poorest won’t be able to take advantage of the opportunity.
We also have to eliminate the massive wealth gap that makes it nearly impossible for working class and middle class Americans to have upward mobility. Few people will want to be educated if there’s no economic advantage.
I’m not looking for utopia. I’m looking for practical actions that block Trump’s ability to damage the American people.
It’s easy to demand that the MAGA criminals be jailed immediately. But that goal isn’t accomplished with angry outbursts, gross memes, or obscenity-filled rants. It’s accomplished with painstaking legal procedures and grassroots organizing.
If you want a revolution, it’s wise to remember that MAGA followers have all the guns.
If you want to preserve our democracy — legal action, peaceful protest, and voter pressure on legislators are our best bets.
We need to stop reacting to each crazy EO as though Trump can enact it. Each one is a calculated publicity stunt aimed at outraging the left while floating the notion that the president has unlimited power and rules by decree.
Our judges have blocked most of Trump’s unconstitutional and illegal executive orders. Despite his racist rhetoric, Trump has deported far fewer illegal immigrants than Biden or Obama.
His tariffs have failed spectacularly. His reckless cuts of federal programs and employees have largely backfired, with the result that he’s had to rehire many of them.
Yes, Trump is a lawless criminal. But we can still use our laws to stop him, just like we stop other types of criminals. That’s exactly what our laws are designed to do.
SO you have determined non MAGAS can not defend themselves? That is beyond naive. I can and will. Throw that assumption in the trash. Laws are enforceable but the police and enforcement agencies are now even MORE CORRUPT. You are living in a utopia if you think they fight fair!
Of course we can defend ourselves. But MAGA people own most of the 393 million guns in America. They’ve been preparing for violence for years. They actually enjoy violence.
No sane person wants another Civil War. The police aren’t ALL corrupt — neither are our Armed Forces. If Trump gives illegal orders to shoot protesters, they can refuse to follow them. Some will shoot anyway but we cross that bridge when and if we reach it. We’re not there yet.
The current battle with the MAGA GOP is being fought with words, not bullets. As Putin has stated, it’s more effective for a ruler to control the people’s hearts and minds than it is to shoot them.
Putin also predicted that we would think we won the Cold War only to belatedly realize we lost it at home. His plan to undermine the US and remove it as a major world power began in the 1990s.
An army of Russian bots have dominated social media for over a decade. Oligarchs have been buying our politicians and Russia has successfully influenced at least 2 presidential elections.
We need to stay focused on stopping the MAGA leaders, blocking the Heritage Foundation from enacting Project 2025, preventing foreign interference in our elections, and organizing the resistance. The MAGA foot soldiers aren’t the primary problem at this point.
I’m arguing for practical solutions that aim to prevent Trump’s plans from succeeding.
Practical is great IF the other side plays fair, they DON'T!
It’s my understanding that federal tax dollars are distributed by need. The south by and large has a higher percentage of its population at or below the poverty level.
As to democrat passiveness, I hear you! I consider myself a pragmatic moderate. There are parts of both the left and right that I don’t agree with. But in the last 10 years, I have been finding myself drifting slightly more left, because of first, The Tea Party insanity, and then its malignant successor, MAGA. But I saw back in the 70’s what the far left was all about on campus first hand. Neither the far left, nor the far right have our best interests in mind.
I pray that this country will at some point regain its sanity and kick out politicians who aren’t interested in actually solving problems.
There was a great deal to be said for Biden’s left of center stance. He tackled one problem after another very pragmatically and without any drama. We should have elected him president sooner.
To get a really great idea about how Democrats & Progressives really DO want to do things that will benefit many, but then kneecap themselves by building things into the process that causes the completion of the project take too long; watch this Jon Stewart interview of Ezra Klein. The bills Biden & Co. passed are transformational, but play out over many yrs, so in a 4 yr term you don’t get credit for doing anything. This explains it SO well.
https://youtu.be/NcZxaFfxloo?feature=shared
Biden was aware that many of his greatest initiatives would yield more obvious benefits over time.
But he also achieved immediate results in ending the pandemic and wrestling pandemic-related inflation down from 9.3% to 2.4% in a mere two years.
Had he not been so old, he would not have become frail by the end of his term. We’re all still coming to terms with the effects of the presidency — a job that visibly ages much younger men — on Biden, a man who came out of retirement because his country needed him.
History will accord Biden the credit that he deserves. We should do the same.
I do give him credit for getting some great pieces of legislation passed. The link I provided was to the Jon Stewart show when he had Ezra Klein on discussing his book “Abundance.” He described all of the rules, specifications, etc that got written into the bill that was to get high speed broadband into all the places that didn’t have it. The intentions of those specs were good, but because of them, 3 ½ yrs later absolutely nothing had happened. It was jaw-droppingly gosh awful & of course, that’s not Biden’s fault, it’s how Congress wrote the bill.
Well federal tax dollars determined by need seems to go the same way elections do lately
Exactly.
Great idea. Maine could use the recognition that we are a large but struggling BLUE state hated by the White House occupiers.
There are no perfect solutions but I'm tired of paying for dead weights.
The irony being that the red states think we’re the deadweights. It’s very sad that they are so misinformed by Fox and the GOP. Of course, if they ever learned the truth they would not be so easily manipulated.
They don't want truth or facts! That's the problem.
They believe what they’re been told because their media is heavily controlled by right wing owners.
There are many rural areas where the only media outlets are extremely right wing. Between Sinclair and Fox, large swaths of the US only get ultra conservative radio and TV coverage of the news.
These “low-information” voters have been targeted by a flood of extreme right propaganda for the past decade. A sizable amount of that propaganda is provided by foreign adversaries like Russia whose sole objective is to make Americans have no trust in our govt.
Even the smartest of people can’t make a rational decision if the “facts” they’ve been told are all lies.
I’m not in favor of keeping incompetent or unproductive politicians in office REGARDLESS of their age.
But I do think older politicians bring important experience to the legislative process. Our laws are complex and our govt is large by necessity — it governs 342 million people on 3.6 million acres of land.
The experience of older members of Congress should balance the youth and energy of its younger members.
True.
Yup!
This part!
Isn't that why trump doesn't like NATO? Not paying a fair share. Want to kick things back to the states. Well we should all be self sufficient for awhile and see if people start to realize that the people they keep voting into office are the same people that are perpetuating their ssituations. They need to be looking at local government too. Maybe it's time for people to truly hit rock bottom and understand the true correlation as to why they're there. Biden isn't why you're struggling, it's your local representatives who voted no on policies that could improve your life.
Excellent point just as long as they don't take us down with them.
No assurances if locals are toxic idiots.
And the truth is NATO has paid what they owe. He just can't stop the lie that they don't.
https://www.factcheck.org/2024/02/trumps-distorted-nato-delinquent-comments/
His entire life is a lie built upon obfuscation.
Exactly!!! Just like you can’t tell him that tariffs will raise prices & that it’s the American voters who will pay for those tariffs. Even when a very well known economist from Bloomberg tried to tell him the truth; he just told the man “You’re wrong. How does it feel to spend 25 yrs of your career being wrong?” The hubris is astounding!!
Yes it is. Absolutely astounding.
Right, Republicans say; “send it back to the states, let the states decide;” but they are lying. They pretend to not want big federal govt telling us what to do, until it’s something they want to be able to tell us what to do.
That’s exactly the shit they pulled with the Supreme Court abortion argument. Trump & all the Repubs, & the 6 corrupt supremes must have said that line 200-300 times over the past 3-4 yrs; but all along, every damned one of them (except DT) knew damned well they were lying. They want big govt to control that issue by having an absolute 100% total ban. Eleven states, right now, have bills before their legislatures, to make having an abortion a felony crime….homicide, & several of those states have the death penalty for homicide!!!!
Please stop calling those horrid people
“pro-life.” They are not. They are pro control of women & most especially our sexuality. They are pro increased maternal deaths, pro increased infant mortality; so please call them Anti-choice or forced-birthers, but stop letting them control the language & the narrative by referring to them as pro life.
That’s my rant, & I’m sticking to it. 🤬
He doesn't like NATO because it is NATO. His bs makes no logical sense.
Unfortunately, Heather, it's a lot to do with money management. Some local and state governments (Maine) manage their/ our funds better and even end the fiscal year with a small surplus which is reassigned to needs of people mostly if there isn't an all out emergency. This year, however, any small surplus will probably go to Medicaid because as the state with the oldest population as well as incredibly poor or at least low income folks, disabled ,who have been threatened by Trump who intends to trash our Medicaid as well as other needs based programs will still need assistance.
ith the oldest population we seem to have blown the budget. for 2024
Elon musk is one of the biggest welfare recipients. He got $12 Billion tax dollars to help his company, and wants to do away with Social security that helps the disabled and elderly. California is the 5th largest economy in the world and I am proposing that we stop sending our money to Washington and support our own citizens. If the red States depend on California money to succeed, let them find out if they can depend on Trump to take care of them.
$21B SpaceX since 2002 (fed contract)
$11B Emissions Credits
$7B Charging Station Subsidy (IRA)
$3.2B Fed EV Credits
$2.5B State & local Subsidies
$958M NY Solar Subsidy for Buffalo plant
$900M (denied) FCC rural broadband thru Starlink
$465M Fed loan to build Fremont plant
$70M Space Force Starlink (fed contract)
$2.8M PA DOT EV charging stations (state contract)
$631.8K Tesla (2022-24) US embassies abroad (fed contract)
Looks like I was wrong, Elon Musk got more than $50 billion in taxpayer money! He may be the largest welfare billionaire the Republicans have ever sold their corrupt souls to.
I think the phrase is Welfare Queen.
Yall are ridiculous.. before he supported trump yall thought he was doing great job…
This is robbery..
I was going to ask; what about all the govt loans or subsidies he got way back yrs ago when Tesla was about to go bankrupt & would have been a failure if the federal govt hadn’t stepped in & bailed it out?? He owes everything he is today to the govt, but now he wants to destroy it. 🤬🤬
This is horrific. I knew he got $$$ from our government, but had no idea it was THAT much! And he's against our constitution and democracy! WTF?!
It’s true, although the total figure that I’ve heard quoted numerous times recently is $39 Billion
Before he supported Trump no one had problem with him… and yall don’t get out business, he has OVERHEAD, that money is for labor, materials, and expenses for the project, that only HE can do.. yall have a problem with everything, Trump or Elon does be yall are ignorant.
Musk is a parasite!
Actually Musk recieves 15.8 billion a year between government contracts for SpaceX, starlink and tesla subsidies. I just read Apple is now going to put starlink on all apple products. Gee who benefits
It’s already been installed with the most recent iOS update I believe
Seriously. I'm done with Apple. Where is all their freedom blah blah from after the first term? Sellouts.
So you think Apple (Or anyone else) is a sellout bc of working with a Republican? How ignorant.. yall are so bias that you wish our country would fail… fuck you
If CA can figure out a legal way to do that, I definitely think they should.
I live in a red state and many neighbors and co-workers are very smart, yet they all have been seduced by MAGA, FOX, and social media and are extremely ignorant about Trump and his loyalists and their lies or rhetoric. They still believe that Trump will make this country better than Biden ran it, or Kamala would have run it. The ignorance is nauseating. All I can say is, something has gone awry in the wiring of their brain.
It's the culture, they have no choice or they won't fit in.
I know that well... I stick out like a sore thumb in rural Texas..
And I do in NW PA
They have a choice that's peer pressure bs.
Yep. They are brain washed by the MAGA people. The only hope for those people to hit rock bottom. Then their minds just might open up a little bit for some sane reasoning
As someone who lives in a Blue State--"Taxachusetts"--thank you for pointing out the difference between responsible government and political posturing. Giving us a derogatory name does not change the reality of how things are better here than in the Red States.
That seems to be their whole schtick. Make up infantile names, rather than thinking about what the conditions are.
I grew up in Kentucky and wanted a career in high tech so I had to leave the state to pursue my career aspirations. I landed in the Boston area and have lived in MA for the past 34 years. I often return to KY to visit family and it’s hard to watch how some members of my family have been duped by Fox and Trump into voting against their own interests. Divisive messaging using immigrants, woke-ness, fear mongering the trans community certainly resonates with many people in that part of the country. And they all believe what Trump promised during his campaign to lower food prices and not touching social security, Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits. I hope I’m wrong but Trumps actions ala tariffs, gutting the ACA, and the DOGE/Republicans already salivating to cut social programs has me thinking these people are going to pay the price for voting for Trump. I’m all for bringing down the national debt. I just don’t think tax cuts for the wealthy and tariffs are the way to do it.
You’re not wrong, & what Trusk & the minions are doing isn’t going to decrease our national debt; they are in fact going to increase it by at least 4 Trillion if they pass the budget that they want here in the next 6-7 months.
So I didn't vote for trump and I'll still pay the price 🤔 this is awful 😕
Still have a house in Kentucky. Things have not changed since my parents moved there in the 60"s. Backwards then still backwards now!
Citizens of Taxachusetts would love to pay lower taxes but some states need to pay for a functioning government while other states lay around in a hammock.
Agreed. Taxafornia on west coast… much the same
I moved to a red state for two years and I’m so glad to be home. I found out Massachusetts is wonderful!
It’s not only that red states are failing economically. Many data points are terrible. Teenage pregnancy, maternal death rate, newborn death rate, education failure, obesity, etc
Sad
They are failing economically too if they take out more than they contribute. It's all connected.
If only there was a way to broadcast this, o wait there was . Main stream media is not helping us, sorry bit frustrated. I live in an essentially red state with blue leadership and we voted out our problem child Kirsten Sinema and voted in Ruben Gallego, with president Bidens chips and tech bill, Wanting to build tech in Az. I'm worrying that cheeto boy will frankly wreck it Ralph on us. His constant lies about blue states is not helping and we must stop this red state/blue state crap this is the united States, the title kind of gives it away. This should not be a competition.
Another challenge is getting people to READ and look for themselves and if not willing to research themselves find trusted journalists on likeSteady, Substack, Daily kos and others. Bluesky is great X has clearly gone the way of the dodo 🦤 and Facebook is untrustworthy or at least its owner is. I realize I'm stating the obvious (to me) but this is not obvious to conservative voters who I believe got played hard and some are starting to realize it and will need our help as much as we will need theirs to stop tRumps crazy 🤪. Repeated behaviors are going to wreck our country for all, conservatives, liberals ,independents , even coptics (remember them).
That is a logical approach yet Republicans do not act or play like adults. They relish ignorance and stereotypical old school role playing. They attacked education first so we now have a nation or a lot of morons.
I had the same argument with red state family members but then they argued that their factories closed because of the Democrats shipping jobs abroad. As if this happened against the will of the CEOs of those companies or they weren't already working in yesterday's industry. Whatever happened, it's never their fault.
The offshoring of American companies began under Reagan's administration. Reagan was responsible for changing the U.S. from a manufacturing economy to a service economy.
I am in full agreement but they blame Clinton for putting NAFTA into law. Obviously with strong support from Republicans but hey, facts that undermine the argument are easily overlooked.
It's even worse than that. The red states would be even poorer if it weren't for the blue portions of their states - places like Charlotte, NC, Atlanta, GA, the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of NC; and so on. That's another thing they use to prop themselves up, all while making fun of those areas as if the people living there are a bunch of Yankee invaders (as if the Civil War is till going on). Just another aside, a common t-shirt I've seen in hell-holes like Gastonia, NC is a t-shirt that says "American By Birth, Southern By The Grace of God". Some really delusional people there.
If states like Alabama and Mississippi were separate countries, they would easily be classed as third-world countries. Even more so if the people in the blue areas all decided to pick up and leave since they can't take it anymore. I know I couldn't.
Not exactly breaking news! This has been the case for decades and it's only been getting worse. Congress needs to cap the amount of Federal $$ that flow back to these RED states. The Republicans ran on the premise of why do our tax dollars pay to help the poor or less fortunate. The irony is that the majority of tax dollars go from Democratic (BLUE) states to help fund the Republican (RED) states. Enough already, let them find out the truth the hard way. Cut them off!
But, but,but.... they're WHITE! How could this be? Aren't all of the problems from EEMEEGRANTS? *Sarcasm*
Until blue states can figure out how to get the money sent to the red states away from the politicians, there is no incentive for them to help their citizens
well written, I was talking about this topic to on of my veteran friends and I brought up Massachusetts vs Ohio. I pointed out education, and healthcare.
They should withdraw the charity they give to red states. They never get a thank you, so why bother. Red leaders constantly bang on about individualism, standing on your own 2 feet and reaping the consequences of your own actions, so let them have that. Give them what they want and stop funding them. It will make them realise just how dependent on hand outs they are. Maybe it will make them rethink their policies
We New Yorkers have enough farmland and electricity to survive as a COUNTRY. I would love to see what Mississippi or Alabami would do without OUR wellfare.