I think you need to rethink what you call "handout money."

In general, red states are more heavily agricultural than blue states. Agriculture has been low on the value chain for.....well, all of human history. Those that own farms don't get rich and those that work them qualify for welfare. Yet, it is indispensible work, which is why the nation regularly does an "Ag Bill" to keep farms going and insure its food supply.

If that's not quite enough, red states tend to have a higher level of military bases per population than blue; this also figures into the "red state/blue state" calculation when it comes to where federal dollars go.

(We can argue all day about corporate farms, the size of the military budget, etc., but this is the taxation system we've been living under since the Depression. It's ingrained in our culture.)

Another thought. The phrase "votes against their best interests" is another of saying "you people are stupid". Insulting people is not a great way to persuade people for vote for your side.