Conceding Minnesota

"Most were born here, raised here and worked here. Now it is time to leave..."

Shhhh. If you listen closely, you can hear it. It is the sound of footsteps, many footsteps leaving Minnesota. And these are not just ordinary people. These are the people who have been "pulling the wagon" (so to speak) for years now. Some are people who have worked here all of their lives. Some others have started businesses here. The finally have had enough. And they are leaving. And leaving fast.

Even your humble author is considering relocation. If not year round, then part of the year (like a snowbird). I will confess that part a potential relocation has do with the uninhabitable weather in this state. The other reason is the one which is driving many out of this state - the back breaking tax structure and lousy business climate.

Yesterday, I attended a meeting to learn more about the tax structure in other states. It was put on by a neighboring state of Minnesota. A state who has stopped drinking the Kool Aid, and woken up to what is happening. A state which is using common sense in luring not only businesses, but also people looking for a better life. A better life by having more left in their paychecks.

This last election in Minnesota was the deal breaker for many. If I offend by what I am about to say, I apologize in advance. We re-elected a Governor who is imminently unqualified to hold this high office. He was not qualified the first time around, and that is when his health was better. He is now on some kind of medication which makes him look and sound bad, real bad at times. The man who ran against this sitting Governor last election (whom I supported), was 100 times more qualified for this job. However, the blueness of this state took over, and trumped common sense. We voted once again for the status quo.

Minnesota's loose and open welfare laws continue to draw people here by the thousands. And many are unskilled or no skilled lower income people. Not only from neighboring states, but also from abroad. Yes, the story of "Moneyapolis" has traveled worldwide. And where does all this money come? The money to dish out all this welfare to the masses? That is right - you and I. We use the tax code to punish the producers. To fleece the successful. And now, many are saying "enough!" Yes, Atlas is starting to shrug, and the wagon is too full to pull.

The sad part of this exodus is that nobody seems to care. I know some of the people who have left. Good, solid citizens. Patriots. Smart people. Many at first did not want to leave, but were forced to by our rapidly changing climate - and I am not talking about the weather.

I am going to be working with my state reps to make sure this issue receives the attention it deserves. I am on the cusp right now. It will not take much more to make me an expatriate of Minnesota while still remaining a patriot of this great country.