I think folks Upstate care. Aren't there a couple of obscure state-wide taxes that go to subsidize the MTA?
The rest of New York should have jettisoned the southeastern counties of their state decades ago.
How about this: I live on Staten Island (the Forgotten borough of NYC). There is an $8 toll on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and Staten Islanders are the only New Yorkers who must pay a toll in order to drive home (there are $6 tolls on the New Jersey crossings, as well). Last I heard, only 70 cents actually goes to maintaining the bridge, the rest goes to subsidize mass transit in the suburbs (Metro North and the Long Island Railroad), with a healthy cut for the state and the city, of course.
Staten Islanders who register in order to get a special sticker, or who use EZ Pass, get a discount of almost $4, however, from many parts of this island, the only way to get into Manhattan to go to work is to take an MTA express bus, since train service (Staten Island Rapid Transit, not part of the strike) only runs along the south shore. The Staten Island ferry is, of course, free, but can only be reached via the train or bus, unless you live within walking distance, and helps you not one bit if you work anyplace other than Downtown.
I totally agree with your "I pay taxes, too" point of view, but when viewed in this light, I'd say you have comparatively little to moan about.