AtheO, you know that people who receive social security benefits are partially subsidized by the Federal Government. Same w/re to Medicare. I have no problem with it, it's people like you who do.  And you can't possibly believe that politics doesn't play into Military funding and bases.  That would be completely naive. Aside from that, as you know Red States typically get more funding for welfare-type benefits - no doubt to make up for the lower taxes they pay.  So yeah, they get more federal aid. Why do you think the Republicans in those states were freaking out about Trump's 'Death Care" plan ?