Grieving our neighbor

Here, in the upper Midwest, we care about neighbors. If one is ill, we bring food and ask how else we can help. If there’s a death in the family, we’re there to support, help and grieve with them.

How does that apply, when the neighbor is a neighboring state?

Here, in North Dakota, we have an interesting relationship with our neighbor to the east. 

Most North Dakotans know what a beautiful state Minnesota is. Many vacation there and others own lake property there. Few have not ventured to the Twin Cities for recreational or shopping excursions or to attend major sporting events. Many have good friends or family members who live there…but when it comes to politics, we couldn’t be more different.

That has perhaps never been more true than right now, as Minnesota becomes the focus of the nation, and not in a good way.

Our affiliated organization, Center of the American Experiment, has long been the voice of common sense in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes and now, it is bravely critiquing the governance and counter culture of its home state and its many problems, and offering compelling solutions.

From federal investigations into fraudulent misuse of your tax dollars (yes, yours, because much of this involves federal funds) to the clashes with federal law enforcement officials and the often tragic results, Minnesota’s problems have dominated the national news in recent days.

How’s a neighbor to respond?

Many of the problems described stem from state officials’ apparent mismanagement of tax dollars and the “sanctuary” status practiced by the state and its largest city—Minneapolis.

Yet, again, when a neighbor suffers, we care, we respond, and we even grieve over what they’re going through.

Minnesota is home to a lot of good people. It’s home to many whose philosophical perspectives are diametrically opposed to what we see represented at the state level and in the metropolis which has defined it in many minds for several years now. In fact, the geographical regions occupied by those Minnesotans (culturally, politically, and philosophically very similar to North Dakotans) compose the vast majority of the state.  The problem is that they’re outnumbered by those of a radically different view who populate the state’s largest metropolitan area.

Many North Dakotans report talking with Minnesota neighbors who have long lamented their state’s status. No longer is the state known for its beauty, many lakes, gorgeous recreation areas and salt of the earth citizens. Sadly, it’s now known for the unflattering things we read in the headlines or the ugly, riveting videos which dominate the news. 

Yes, a lot has changed there, in recent years, but the good people of Minnesota are still there, and they’re suffering more than we can imagine because of what’s happening.

That’s why we grieve for them and for what we see happening there. They’re our neighbors. The state border does not separate people of like mind and kindred spirit. The craziness in major metropolitan areas clearly does.

Let’s hope that the voices of common sense Minnesotans are heard. Let’s hope that their voices carry the day and that the extremism which has characterized their state for far too long is overcome. 

Right now, it’s easy to throw stones and criticize. For many, it’s even tempting to do so. Perhaps a better path is to encourage change in the right direction. Perhaps that’s how we can best help our neighbors.