My Blue State...

...Screwed Again:

The state's failure to pay back the federal government fully for nearly $1 billion the state borrowed to cover the costs of post-Sept. 11 unemployment benefits will result in the imposition of a temporary tax on employers for most jobs in New York.

The levy, coming as statewide unemployment is dipping, is another lingering effect of the terrorist attack in New York City and shows how it continues to ripple through the state's overall economy more than three years later.

By the end of January, more than 440,000 employers in the state will face an increase, on average, of $21 per employee in federal unemployment taxes to help pay off the debt the state incurred in 2002. As of late last month, the amount owed totaled more than $587 million, according to federal Department of Labor statistics. The fee could grow to $42 per employee if the debt is not completely erased by next November. (source: NY Times)

There is, of course, a solution: We'll just stop paying all of the Red States' bills:

Some states feast at the expense of others, according to the Tax Foundation’s latest annual analysis of federal taxing and spending patterns...“During fiscal 2003, taxpayers in New Mexico benefited the most from the give-and-take with Uncle Sam,” said (Tax Foundation Senior Economist Scott) Moody. New Mexico received $1.99 in federal outlays for every $1.00 the state’s taxpayers sent to Uncle Sam. Other big winners were Alaska ($1.89), Mississippi ($1.83), and West Virginia ($1.82)...Though not comparable as a state, the District of Columbia is by far the biggest beneficiary of federal spending: In 2003 it received $6.59 in federal outlays for every dollar its taxpayers sent to the U.S. Treasury.

“The District’s share of federal largesse amounted to $60,109 for every man, woman and child,” said Moody. “That’s more than ten times the national average.”...If some states are beneficiaries, then naturally some must be benefactors—those states where so much is collected in federal taxes that any federal spending they receive is overwhelmed.

New York has often been the biggest payer in the Tax Foundation’s annual comparison of taxes to spending...

How 'bout we start with any state that refuses to remove segregation-era language from their state constitution...

Memo to Senate Democrats:

If you had any balls, you'd offer an amendment to every piece of legislation that gives out federal dollars to the states (the highway bill, Medicare, etc.) and link that money to each state NOT having segregationist laws on the books. I.e., you have racist laws on the books, you don't get a dime of federal money for that program.

Oh how I'd love to watch the GOP try to defend segregationist laws, or in the alternative, how fun would it be making the GOP slap the red states that remain racist? That's what a REAL party would do.

And let's face it folks, we're not getting a lot of electoral votes from Alabama anytime soon. Might as well force the Republicans' hand with the rest of the country, and in the end, force them to alienate their racist base.

UPDATE: And speaking of Alabama:

Call Dr. Mary McIntyre, Medical Director of Alabama Medicaid, and ask her why she wants Lauren Rainey to die: (334) 353-8473

...you may also email mmcintyre@medicaid.state.al.us (from atrios)

By the way, I'm thinking of throwing a little party. Meet me at Chelsea Piers in NYC. Make sure you bring a bunch of tea to throw into the Hudson River.