re: Federal funding is a poison pill for red states

Parents help their kid buy their first car and then hold the use of that car over the kid's head as a form of control. It's the same thing everywhere, if you're giving money you expect some control. Universal concept.
UNLESS you're a taxpayer and expect to have any control over the government's behavior... then that universal concept is tossed right out the fricking window.
In fact, if you object to the government's behavior they'll put you on lists, possibly investigate you, use proxies you paid for to call you extremists and gaslight you..
And if you decide not to give them your money.. well.. It's not your money Buddy, it's theirs, and they'll arrest you.