Corrupt North Dakota Welcomes You!

In the last few years, more and more attention has been drawn to North Dakota mainly due to the oil rush in the west, however so few local people have been noticing the effects that large outside organizations are having on the state. North Dakota is now one of the very most corrupt states in the union according to national reports.

Besides the obvious rush and the lack of state oversight, the problem will continue to run deeper. The obsession for the free market has not accommodated for the lack of housing, or the strain on our infrastructure. I conjecture, this is exactly what happens when you add large business interests to religious areas.

There has been a strong correlation between religiosity and corruption for a long time, and we should try to find out where the correlation comes from. Clearly, religion does not make you more honest, but in one opinion, simply more apathetic to the dishonesty of others.

Is it from the understanding that having faith will solve all problems, or perhaps by removing critical thinking skills, the public tends not to ask questions? Countries like the United Kingdom, and most of Scandinavia, some of the most secular places in the world also have the lowest levels of corruption. Of course, the opposite is also true, with countries across the middle east, India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Brazil, etc...

If we are going to straighten out North Dakota and it's corruption, we are going to need discussion, critical thinking, and secularism.

Fargo is Becoming Us

I often ask people who live in Fargo, ND what they think of Fargo. Essentially I have been doing this in different places around the world, and have found a pattern. Considering I tend to see places from an outsider's perspective, I try to listen as much as possible, but there is one inescapable trend.

For those who claim to appreciate the area in which they live, I find those people are characterized by a desire to be involved with it, to immerse themselves in it, and most importantly, to define the community around them by their own actions.

This can mean so much, and so little. whether you influence someone by having a controversial conversation, or finding new way to help those around you, you are being proactive. It gives a sense of belonging, or territorial pride, and as long as one knows the power of positive change, it is hard to blame anyone but oneself for any shortcomings an area presents.

On the contrary, I find those who are dissatisfied with the area are those without any personal involvement in politics or events. Those who bide their time until the next paycheck, and often hear sentiments of being stuck.

Let us not entrench ourselves in our preferred media types, but discuss and learn together. Let us not avoid controversy, but tackle it head on, while insisting we remain cordial and respectful. Let us help elevate others to be able to have these discussions. Most importantly, let us not enable apathy by ignoring others, but encourage everyone around us to come to the table for this discussion. 

I love living in Fargo because I feel a part of what Fargo is, of the direction it is going, and ever so slowly, I am becoming Fargo and Fargo is becoming....us.