WA seems to be higher than it should be and FL lower. Seems that a lot of people in FL are using tax heavens.
It says “adjusted for the cost of living index” - not sure what that means. There’s no way in hell that the median personal income in CA is $124k per year.
In farming areas you are "land rich and cash poor"!! The farmer sells the farm and then has the money (income)...But for 30-40 years they hide the income/assets.
I find the median income disparity between states to be quite shocking and a further recognition of the difficulty for the federal government to create and implement national economic policies with such extreme disparities. I'm sure if we layer in other indicators (population, life expectancy, drug abuse, etc .) the disparities will accentuate. At the same time, it really brings into question the fundamental complexity of federalism, with its layers of government administrations at the local, state and federal levels. The financial burden is not inconsequential. Germany, as another example of federal political structure, poured billions into the eastern landers to reduce the stark disparities between East and West, recognizing early on the risks to national stability if nothing had been done. I don't know how Germany is fairing 40 years later, but I expect it's been relatively successful since the eastern landers haven't seceded. In the US, we take it for granted that MS, AL, AR or LA carry the same influence in the Senate at the federal level as CA. If that's not a glaring example of socialism, I don't know what is. And the irony is it's those micro states that are constantly calling for independence! The conflict between states rights versus federal cohesion is built into our political system. America could have been a integrated nation, but those in power at the time wished for more localized decision making. Three hundred years later, America is made up of states that compete with the world's wealthiest nations, while other states are struggling with developing nations. Where's the cohesion? This speaks a great deal about the weaknesses of our federal system and the power of the states inscribed in the Constitution and protected by the judiciary. I believe the only reason the US hasn't exploded is because both party claim their state rights in defiance of the ruling party, then switch to a nationalist rhetoric when they lead the nation. I'm concerned this political elasticity may one day come to a breaking point.
This is a political Red-Blue state post...designed to provoke a response. VicBee getting deep in his election year emotions. Hoping he can draw you out with a reaction.