Minnesota - a prairie populist?

"Prairie populists seem to think about the collective much more than the individual freedoms our Founders gave us."  

First, a bit of disclosure. I was born and raised in Minnesota. I grew up of the border of Minneapolis - literally a matter of feet away. So I feel I know this state. Correction - I used to know this state. It has taken such a hard turn to the left in certain parts of this state (like the metro area), I hardly recognize it. But as the expression goes, it is what it is.

I have heard a term used by the national press when describing either our state, or certain people who live within her. Prairie populist(s). After hearing that term used quite enough (thank you), I decided to do some research. So what is a "prairie populist" anyhow?

First off, today that term is somewhat associated with someone who lives on the left side of the street. It is not an innocuous term. From a historical perspective, it goes back to the late 1800's. There was actually a political party for a while called the People's Party. Let's just say it might as well have been called the Communist Party of America. In any event, this very left wing party was way too left wing to become a political force. And the people who belonged to this party were referred to as "Populists". After a few years of bluster, it merged with another leftist party - the Democrats.

This virus called "populism" seems to have survived over the years, and is now thriving once again. Our beloved Twin Cites is loaded with them. And they are ruining the state. They have taken over our education system. They have taken over our transportation systems. They are trying to take over telling us where to live. What to eat. Even how to think. Prairie populists seem more concerned with the collective than the individual freedoms our Founders gave us.

Many of my friends now consider Minnesota to be "lost territory". It has gone too far around the bend. So far, it will never come back. Way too many takers and too few makers remain here. The Minnesota Miracle Wendell Anderson talked about decades ago is now nothing more than a high taxed, business and retiree unfriendly state.

It will be interesting to see what the new session brings in Minnesota government. Pull up a chair, buy some popcorn, because it starts today. Will the Democrats continue to shake the money tree which now has very few branches left? Or will the Republicans manage to put just a smidgen of sanity back into our state budget. Stay tuned.