What do these Republican Senators have in common?

Dan Coats of Indiana

Tom Coburn of Oklahoma

Bob Corker of Tennessee

Mike Crapo of Indiana

Mike Enzi of Wyoming

Lindsey Graham of South Carolina

Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Orrin Hatch of Utah

James Inhofe of Oklahoma

Mike Lee of Utah

John McCain of Arizona

Mitch McConnell of South Carolina

Jerry Moran of Kansas

Rand Paul of Kentucky

Pat Roberts of Kansas

Marco Rubio of Florida

Jeff Sessions of Alabama

John Thune of South Dakota

Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.

First, they all consider themselves “Fiscal Conservatives”. So much so, that all these Senators voted against the Hurricane Sandy Relief Bill. There were 31 total Senators that voted against the spending bill. But what is so special about these 19 Republican Senators who call themselves fiscal conservatives? They all represent states that get more money from the federal government then they contribute towards federal revenue.

This is in contrast to the states of New York and New Jersey who would of received the bulk of the benefits from this bill. Together the states of New York and New Jersey contribute about 150 million dollars more each year to federal tax revenue than they receive in benefits from the federal government. So I want to ask, “Who are these Republican Senators that would deny assistance for two states that continually pay more to the federal government then they receive.

But lets not stop thinking there. If we look further we can see a startling pattern emerge when it comes to Republicans who represent Red or conservative states.  Many Americans have bought into the conservative narrative: that Blue States are full of irresponsible, out of control, liberal spenders. Conservatives would also like to consider themselves and the states they represent as responsible, live with-in your means types. However, when we look at the facts, this narrative isn’t supported at all. The facts actually tell a completely opposite story.

Looking at the federal tax revenue received from all states we can see that the 26 states which voted Democratic in the last election, pay the federal government on average $9,363 per person. Compare this to the average $6,854 per capita that the federal government receives from Red states that voted for Romney. Next, let us look at what federal funds each of these states received from the federal government. The 26 Blue states received on average $8,547 per person and the Red states received an average $8,832 per person. So the Blue states CONTRIBUTED $1,816 more per capita to the federal government and the Red states RECIEVED $1,978 more per person than they gave.

Of the 26 Blue states, only 12 have a negative contribution to the federal government. (Or 46%). But out of the 24 Red States, 19 or 80% take more money from the federal government then they contribute. What kind of fiscal conservative practice is that? So in contrary to the idea that liberals aren’t fiscally sound, it’s actually the Blue liberal states that have been supporting the fiscal shortfalls of the Red states.

It also proves contrary to the statement Mitt Romney made during the campaign, which is often reiterated by fellow Conservatives. He said, “47% of the country is reliant on government”. They insinuate that those who rely on government are the liberals who support and voted for Obama. Well it looks like Romney and the Republicans should rephrase their narrative. “80% of Conservative states are reliant on the federal government”

When it comes to disaster relief, we are one America that should help each other in times of need. But what if you had to make a fiscally conservative decision and decide who should be entitled to disaster relief? Just remember New York and New Jersey both have a positive net contribution to America. Oklahoma is one of those Red states with a negative federal contribution.  This is something the 19 Senators listed above seemed to have overlooked.