One of the most common arguments against a National Divorce is that the states could not survive without federal funding. But why would one oppose red state secession if red states are essentially charity cases? Why would opponents of red state secession be so eager to continue funding people whom they openly despise? This is contrary to common sense and sounds like gaslighting in an abusive relationship: “You can’t live without me!”
The truth is that scarcely any money is “federal money” to begin with. The only way money should be considered federal money is if it comes exclusively from federal activity. Otherwise, it almost always comes from the citizens of the states. Federal funding is nothing but a fancy redistribution scheme with an inefficient, unnecessary, and controlling middle-man who insists he’s doing you a big favor by giving some of your money back to you.