we do not live in a society where the amount of tax you pay has any bearing on your access to publicly funded facilities

Have you people learned nothing in the last decade? What many of you are saying here is honestly laughable. It’s as if you understand nothing at all about government, including state and local, finance.

culturally significant enough to be Michigan

This isn’t that hard to understand, if you try. Population versus federal land/facilities - military bases etc.

blue states that give more to the federal government

Barred? No. Have a lower claim to the field? Yes. But the same is true of the ultra-wealthy, you must understand. Here is the priority schedule:

Your logic seems a bit confused, RoyalStomachRumbler.

Here’s the problem as I see it and I think you will agree. Maret School caters to the ultra rich and ultra connected that have their own charities, foundations, trusts, etc etc. That is, the parents of these kids pay little to no tax.