That opinion has no basis in fact. All of the remaining silos are in MT, ND and WY; about 3/4 of the strategic bomber fleet is located in ND, MT, and ID. Minot AFB alone contributes over $227 million annually to the ND economy.
Also, it's worth noting that Ag subsidies peaked in 2000 (last Clinton Budget) at $32 billion, and by 2002 had fallen to $15 billion. The largest farms also receive the largest subsidies, since the money is proportional to production capacity.
I'm looking at the Department of Agriculture budget right now and spending on commodity programs rose to $25 billion in 2003 and then back to $21 billion in 2004. I expect that market conditions account for the differences.
Other budget items in 2004: $8.3 billion in loans and grants for the Rural Utility Service, $3.5 billion in Farm Loan and Grant Programs, $6 billion in Rural Housing Service loans and grants.
How much was the Amtrak subsidy for one year, again? $1.2 billion or thereabouts? How many people live in the NEC?
I'm not even intending to defend Amtrak. I only take issue with the idea of a northeastern money pit when we've been bailing out the rest of the country for years.