Minnesota is one of the toughest states to recruit people, but it's also the toughest state to get people to leave.
A researcher from Georgia told me that last week while I was doing a story on Minnesota coming out on top in a national survey studying civic involvement. According to the survey, Minnesotans vote often, show up at town hall events, attend church, volunteer outside of the home, and contribute to charities more than people in any other state. While Minnesota came out on top, Florida, Nevada, and New York came in dead last.
After living here coming up on three winters (I count my residency in winters, like all good Minnesotans), I have seen this civic involvement first hand. This place has tons of voter forums and town halls--and people actually show up. At one neighborhood meeting I went to this week, more than 100 people came out on a random Tuesday night. The library system here beats any place where I've resided hands down. Minnesotans love their green space, and invest millions into parks that are actually clean. When my grandparents came to visit this summer, even they kept remarking on how clean the state was. It sure puts Southern states to shame. The state also has an incredibly educated populace, which accounts for why so many big companies are headquartered here.
Why are Minnesotans winning this contest? One big reason is the state has always been a collaborative effort between different peoples. German and Scandinavian immigrants worked together to form unique school systems and civic programs. Harsh conditions in rural areas of the state pushed cooperative efforts for survival. If people were going to thrive, it was going to take people working together. New ideas with progressive politicans like Wellstone or Ventura frequently come from here. The state recently sent the first Muslim congressman to Washington. Sure, the state might elect a questionable character from time to time... but you can't say they aren't afraid to try new ideas and new people.
If we could only get them to try a spice besides salt and pepper...
1 comment:
Maybe the Library system is so good...because when you are SNOWED IN...you need a good book to past the time? Otherwise you'd turn into Jack Nicholson in The Shinning...and get a major case of Cabin Fever!!! But the Clean part is nice. But where do you throw out your beer cans and cigarettes if you can't just throw them out the window of your truck???
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