Do Red States Take More Aid From the Government than Blue States?

[Cow Poke]

Mitt Romney received a lot of blowback for his "47 percent" comment. He was claiming that 47% of Americans are on welfare. What he meant, apparently, was that 47% of Americans were paying no federal income tax.

Actually, I think, subsequently, it was established that it was a slightly higher number - 49% - that were receiving some form of government aid.

A study by Indiana University in 2010 had said that Red States received 21.2% of their income from government transfers, while Blue States received 17.1%. That seems to be a slam dunk - Red States take more government assistance.

HOWEVER, States aren't people. If larger numbers of welfare recipients who are Democrats receive welfare while living in Red States, that would obviously skew the numbers.

According to a Maxwell Poll, that's what's happening....

welfare.gif



From that cite...

Share of Recipients of each program that self-identified as supporters of Republican party in 2004-2007 Maxwell Poll:

Gov. Subsidized Housing 12%
Medicaid: 16%
Food Stamps: 20%
Unemployment Compensation: 21%
Welfare or public assistance: 22%
Disability benefits from government 25%

[KingsGambit]

These particular numbers aside - It's worth noting that Paul Ryan later admitted that he was wrong when he took Romney's comments further and started talking about "makers and takers" (I think he was confronted by the case of a disabled veteran's family who was requiring government aid to get through). That's one reason I really respect him.

[Cow Poke]

These particular numbers aside - It's worth noting that Paul Ryan later admitted that he was wrong when he took Romney's comments further and started talking about "makers and takers" (I think he was confronted by the case of a disabled veteran's family who was requiring government aid to get through). That's one reason I really respect him.

Interesting.

[Mountain Man]

Any respect I had for Paul Ryan disappeared when he became another rubber stamp Speaker for Obama's agenda.

[Sparko]

They shouldn't be counting Unemployment. That is basically insurance that everyone pays into and is short term. You can't get it unless you actually worked and paid into it. Same reason Social Security retirement isn't on the list.