Why blue state transplants would give red states an economic boost

07 March 2023

A common talking point among MAGA Republicans is that if enough residents of blue states move to red states, they will bring their liberal or progressive beliefs with them and inflict economic damage on their adopted homes. But the fact is that blue states and blue cities are the places where major industries are thriving.

New York City has everything from finance and banking to publishing to the music industry. Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose are hotbeds of the tech industry.

Philadelphia, a deep blue city in a swing state, is known for major universities, health care, hospitals and pharmaceuticals. Los Angeles has the entertainment industry.

In an op-ed published by the Daily Beast on March 6, journalist Eleanor Clift emphasizes that blue states are full of economic resources — contrary to what Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) and MAGA Republicans are claiming.

"Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's taking this whole culture war thing a little too literally," Clift explains. "She's recently mused about a national divorce, to protect red states from the dangers of 'woke' policies practiced in blue states. Another idea she's offered is a ban on blue staters from being allowed to vote for five years after moving to a red state. Ridiculous, unworkable, unconstitutional stuff, for sure. But also, familiar territory. Greene is merely updating the long-held myth that conservatives would be better off on their own — without the heavy hand of the federal government and without blue-staters bringing in new ideas that challenge their customs and culture."

Clift goes on to quote Donald F. Kettl, author of the 2000 book "The Divided States of America: Why Federalism Doesn't Work." Kettl, in his book, tears apart the MAGA notion that blue cities and blue states are falling apart while red states are thriving.

According to Kettl, "In general, blue-state people are better educated, better equipped for the information age, and better at generating more jobs that raise the tax base and raise the boat for everyone."

Clift argues, "Life in a bubble may sound good, but it's a mirage in a country with a rapidly changing economy and demographics that favor cities. The reality is red staters should want blue staters to move to their states. They'll help improve the economy, and they’ll attract information workers with college degrees and greater earning potential."

Read Eleanor Clift’s full Daily Beast op-ed at this link(subscription required).

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