"Minnesota is like that person who looks a little plain when you meet them and the more you get to know this person the more you realize that they're beautiful, with characteristics that are very attractive." Sheesh, what condescending hokum.

It's funny, but I'd bet that the politicians that keep getting more and more strident and polarized are exactly those folks that have never left the state and are true blue (or red) born and raised Minnesotans..

"It's funny, but I'd bet that the politicians that keep getting more and more strident and polarized are exactly those folks that have never left the state and are true blue (or red) born and raised Minnesotans.." ---- It's hard to say. My experience is that the vast majority of those who migrate here from the states around us--North & South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin--come to this state because of the attractions made possible by generations who believe in public investment: parks, schools, the university, the arts, etc. However, they have no idea or no acknowledgement or no interest in how the "quality of life" got to be so good here, and have brought a sort of anti-government, anti-public investment, hyper "individualistic" attitude with them. They are happy to take advantage of all we have to offer, but are not willing to pay it forward. Something-for-nothingers.

This might just explain the rise of the religious right in Minnesota.

@ginny6---Way to politicize this story. However, your argument is just flat out wrong. People move here not because of the schools, parks or other social programs. They move here because its a large city with jobs. The reason there is a large city here and not in North Dakota is that Minnesota happens to have 3 large rivers running though it...thats it. The reason they settled here over 100 years ago is because of the river traffic. Not because of schools, or parks, or other things you listed.

BTW...we have no problem paying for the things you listed, we just don't want to get ripped and taken advantage of while doing it. The quality of life is the way it is because of the HARD WORK of those with the "individualistic" attitude who pay for those social programs. Not people like you who rely on others to pay their way.

Ginny6....gophfan10101 made your point for you.....if all the newcomers think like 10101, we are in trouble.. : )

I moved here 28 years ago from Chicago and it was the land of all white everything, white food, white bread, white beer, white wine, white people, white weather. I quickly found out that I was a charter member of the "So you're not from here...." club and was ostracized from the start. I was simply not a member of the inner circle, that being a white scandinavian lutheran or catholic born MN. It was just bizarre. This mentality still goes on today in select areas, try breaking into the inner circle in Wayzata, Minnetonka, or even certain areas of St. Paul, they are very protective of who they are and their legacy. I came from an incredibly diverse culture in Chicago, latino's, blacks, asian, czech, poles, lithuanian's, you name it, it was there. I remember when people thought Chi-Chi's was the real deal mexican food here and that's what mexico was indeed all about. Whoever dreamed up that Con Queso was created by Kraft Velvetia in a microwave have a whole new world to explore. A lot of people who grow up here and then move away do come back because they want that Minnesota way of life to raise families in again. They go off to LA or NY or WA and do their single thing but they ultimately return to get married, spawn and die here. And that's ok. But it's not your Father's MN any more. We have a diverse culture emerging (not nearly that diverse as a major metropolitan environment like Chicago, NY, Miami, or LA) but it's been a huge transformation, mostly for the good. We have new art, music, food, culture to sample, I just hope the next generation embraces it instead of saying, "Well you're just not from here..."

"Ginny6....gophfan10101 made your point for you.....if all the newcomers think like 10101, we are in trouble.. : )"

yep..we sure are. I mean why do we need people like me who take care of themselves, pay their taxes, work hard and doesn't mooch of the government? We need more folks like yourself who want to live in your dream world where we all are equal and what everyone makes is everyone elses. Yep...we need more folks like you. By the way, you're welcome for paying your way.

People who fear change are destined to live terrified lives.

There's lots of poor minorities who are attracted to coming to MN because of the free benefits they will get from the state. It's like a magnet. Soon, MN will be like IL. Glad I left.