> this benefit is only 0.5% of their GDP (10 billion aid / 205 billion GDP) This is 5%, not 0.5%. On top of that, your numbers aren't correct: they receive aro

> this benefit is only 0.5% of their GDP (10 billion aid / 205 billion GDP) This is 5%, not 0.5%. On top of that, your numbers aren't correct: they receive around $20bn net, and their GDP is around $250bn, which means that which means that direct net federal spending is about 8% of their GDP (and gross federal spending is a whopping 20%). These are pretty huge numbers, and they affect the entire state economy, directly affecting the profits of the business owners that you claim wouldn't care.