mywanderingreveries asked: The aid info might be on some government website, but I would suspect Alto, because of its size, is receiving little to no aid; and they're not really in need of bullet proof vests, etc. (there's just not a lot of crime occurring in Alto). However, aid for education did not help the state avoid cuts to public safety this year (no amount of aid could prevent across the board cuts). But with regard to voting habits and federal aid, those who are most in need of it vote in favour of it, even in red states. This aid certainly helps low tax states maintain a social welfare infrastructure (aid which requires matching funds sometimes leads to cuts in that infrastructure). Overall, it's a complex issue - Democratic politicians fair well in Alto precincts (until 2002 they were represented by a Democratic Congressman, who was subsequently redistricted in 2003) and Alto voters have supported bonds and the related tax increases to pay for those bonds. Twenty percent of Alto's residents are living below the poverty line and the largest employers are education and healthcare. I'm not sure one could argue that Alto voters generally support less government, and thus are getting what they deserve. Any arguments about aid, etc. would probably be more effectively targeted at Houston, Dallas, etc., who are arguably receiving most of the aid and have historically been more Republican, conservative and wealthier than rural areas like Cherokee County, specifically Alto.

published for commentary.  Original post here; previous follow-up here.