Too Hard on America, Too Soft on Government

George F. Will [op-ed, May 9] and Michael Barone would have us believe that the blue (Democratic-leaning) states epitomize "softer" sensibilities, while the red (Republican-leaning) states exemplify "hardness" marked by "competition and accountability." Apparently these sensibilities do not extend to receipt of federal largesse. As documented extensively by the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan, federal tax revenue from "welfare states" such as New York subsidizes disproportionate payments to the "rugged individualist" states. This discrepancy has only increased under the current governing party, w...