The people balance

"Minnesota, you dodged the bullet this time. But the next census is less than 10 years away. You better get your socialists under control, or you will become nothing more than a cold Omaha, with much of your wealth living in Florida or Texas."   

As most of us know by now, we came within a whisker of losing a House seat. Some breathed a sigh of relief, others (like myself), were nonplussed. Why is that? The thought of losing CD 2, 3, 4, 5 (especially 5), was tempting. But we could have also lost CD 6 - and that would have been real bad. In any event, that is all speculation now, as the census is over, and the winners and losers have been named.

It was not 100% this way, but the prevailing thought was that higher taxed states (like ours), lost population to lower taxed states (like Texas). So it came as little surprise that states such as New York, California, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan - lost seats. In fact, California lost a seat for this first time in its history. All of these states are blue.

The states which gained are Texas (two seats!), Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, Oregon and Montana. They all gained a seat or two. I understand most of those states gained, due to their favorable tax climate, but Colorado and Oregon? Okay - maybe it is the weed and mountains in Colorado, and not the taxes. But Oregon is for sure a head scratcher. Especially when you see what has been going on in Portland with all the Antifa disruptions and mayhem.

Will these shifts make a difference in the next election? Maybe. However, if the socialists are successful in getting D.C. and/or Puerto Rico statehood, then what ever minute gains are made from this past census, will be for naught. That being said, many pundits are seeing the power in state Governors growing, as well as their taxing authority. In other words, red states will probably keep on gaining people fleeing from high tax blue states.

Bottom line - what does this change in population really mean? Not much. It is a modest change, not a seismic change. But there is a lesson here, for the Democrats to learn. Especially Slo Joe. People don't have to live in any particular state. They can vote with their feet. In addition (and this is really important, Biden) - people don't have to work at high paid jobs, just to pay high taxes. They can quit, or move their assets offshore. So, when you think you can tax the socks off of people, and they will just take it - think again.

Minnesota, you dodged the bullet this time. But the next census is less than 10 years away. You better get your socialists under control, or you will become nothing more than a cold Omaha, with much of your wealth living in Florida or Texas.