2 people with the same income get different benefits, if one lives in a red state, and the other in a blue state. The red state is a net recipient of federal funding, the blue state is a net provider. Most red state economies would implode without this fire-hose of free money. Texas or Florida might be okay, the rest, not so much.

The same thing plays out on the state level. Eastern Washington loves to complain about taxes, and I would love nothing more than to let it have its wish... As long as Western Washington can stop subsidizing it.