“ Certainly if 75% of the profits from the production of Michigan and Indiana went to New Orleans, then yes, I would have to say that somehow New Orleans was raping Michigan and Indiana.”
You keep using that phrase “profits from the production.” The auto manufacturers keep 100% of the profits from manufacturing cars, and all the losses too. That’s why there used to be dozens and dozens of car companies but only a handful left today.
By the same token Southern planters retained 100% of the profits of their production as well. Other business people, including Southern factor houses and shippers, made their profit off services rendered once the crop left the plantation. You seem to have a tenuous grasp on the realities of the distribution chain.
This map tells a different story.
You seem to have a tenuous grasp on the realities of the distribution chain.
You at least finally grasp that New York controlled Southern production and export trade. But now you are saying "all this is normal and just great!"
At least we are making progress on you realizing who was in the driver's seat. Perhaps you will began to see who would lose money with secession and who would gain money with secession.