[FredZarguna]

Conservatives should not attempt to refute the original article -- and many like it -- which set up a poorly defined straw man that no one can possibly knock down. What is the definition of "rich?" Net worth of individuals? Per capita income? Family income?

Until liberals define what they mean by "rich," there is nothing to debate.

Conservatives should define it for themselves: inflation + cost-adjusted mean family income with the highest 0.01% of earners removed as statistical outliers. I believe you will find the True Blue [i.e. Republican] states become highly competitive withe True Red [i.e. Communist] when this is done.

True Red states have much higher costs of living, in consequence of which employers must pay higher wages, which is often a cost-shift or "tax" on their employees in True Blue states. Also, the richest 0.01% of Americans control about 40% of the nation's wealth and live disproportionately in True Red states, especially cities, especially New York City, LA, and San Francisco.

[napscoordinator]

True Red states have much higher costs of living, in consequence of which employers must pay higher wages,

You definitely forgot your sarc tag. That is so not true. Compare Maryland to Mississippi. The cost of living is higher in Maryland then Mississippi but the pay is probably 1/2 of what Maryland pays.