I enjoy your clear-headed thinking Alan.
I’ve heard that claim that blue states pay disproportionately more federal tax revenue? I grant you that the big coastal states, CA and NY pay a lot of federal tax. But if you look closely that’s not surprising. It is well known that the top 1% of earners pay the single biggest chunk of federal tax, and more of the top 1% live in either CA or NY; tech & Wall Street. Add to that the reality that most of the red states have the lowest wage structures and the lowest per capita income you would expect to see the federal revenue stream reflect that.

Regarding CA being a shelter against racism, you might want to ask the Asian communities in SF or LA. My wife is Asian and we have a lot of Asian friends, both on CA and our recent new home in TX. Generally they feel safer here in TX.