What does that say the state governments of NY and California should do? Practically speaking, they should do what they're doing now: work to get their budgets

What does that say the state governments of NY and California should do? Practically speaking, they should do what they're doing now: work to get their budgets in order. What do you think the alternative is? But it would be more equitable for states like NY and CA to break into several smaller states. After all, the reason underpopulated and economically underperforming states in the middle of the US get so much cash from the federal government is that they get extra representation in the Senate. Breaking CA and NY into a bunch of small states each with its own pair of Senators would allow them to establish a much more equitable distribution of federal resources, which would in turn dramatically improve their long term budgets. Putative exploitation by the rest of the country does not absolve them of that responsibility. Given that I supplied data, there is nothing putative about it. What exactly do you think that NY/CA will do instead of "live within their means"? Do you think they'll just start printing money? Launch a war of aggression against NJ or OR to seize assets? What?