Scotland Blinks 2014-W38

Though we're Americans now, a century or so ago my family were newly arrived Scottish immigrants.  Thus is why I had my Saltire sweater all set to wear yesterday. Immediately upon waking I checked my smartyphone for the outcome of the independence referendum in Scotland. Unfortunately, the nays had it and so for the next decade or two anyway it will remain united with the rest of that kingdom.  There are plenty of online post-mortems you can enjoy at your leisure so I don't feel a need to wade in there.

I did read that the Scottish referendum got a bunch of southern folks riled up about seceding from our union. Not surprising... they tried before. I gather they are tired of "Big Government". If so, I can only say one thing:

THEN QUIT YOUR MOOCHING

That's right.  If you ever wonder which states take take take more money from the federal government than they pay in taxes, find any political map and look for the color red.

You see, the turrible liberal states on the coasts and in the upper Midwest pay more into the Federal treasury than they get back. Tennessee, on the other hand, gets $1.64 back for every dollar they put in.  Money that comes, perhaps, from Massachusetts. It might surprise many Tennessee folk to learn that 41% of their state government is funded by the Feds.  I would love for them to pay that out of their pocket instead of mine.

What about Indiana? Our hardy Midwestern neighbors like to talk a good game but they get $2 back from the Federal government for every dollar they pay in and 33% of their government is funded by the Feds. Good luck going it alone.  And no survey of the South would be complete without our friends in dysfunctional Mississippi.  Lord only knows they like to talk about fiscal responsibility down there. But as we know, talk is cheap. Which is good because Mississippi is one of the poorest states in our nation... despite taking back over $3 from the Federal treasury for every dollar they pay in.

In the interest of brevity, I won't go on about Kentucky, Alaska, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Montana, and West Virginia. Except to say mooch, mooch, mooch, mooch, mooch, mooch, and mooch.  Y'all want to secede?  Scram already, and don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.

I must say, getting that off my chest was more fun than a bar full of Fightin' Palins. Meanwhile, I previously decided that regardless of the Scottish vote this week, I'd showcase my one (to date) painting that includes a Saltire. As my family motto says, Ne Obliviscaris.

Inveraray New Prison