Rampant Graft Uncovered in North Dakota

When I moved to the Chicagoland area nearly 20 years ago my first impression was shock at the level of graft and corruption that existed. I have become hardened to it now. I'm less shocked than disappointed now. It results from a spirit that rests on this place. Hustle and get what you want at others expense. Not every public servant is crooked. Not every businessman cuts corners. The big bosses and big power call the shots. It's a case of absolute power corrupting absolutely. When you do business here you have to know that it's all part of the mix.

Now looking back with wiser eyes I see some of the same things in North Dakota, my home state. Less about money, more about mine-mine-mine-mine at the expense of others.

Take for instance the battles over economic development, Hunting, Intrastate migration, and where the money goes. It's soft graft but it's graft none the less. Graft here defined as the powerful exploiting the weaker for the powerful and their friends gain or enjoyment.

As the city states of rural America, particularly in North Dakota, gain power and voter influence, the tendency to use that power for their own devices is too much for representatives to eschew. 25% of the legislative representation in ND is from Cass County.

That mean Lamore county is left dangling, hoping for a morsel. The arrogance of ignoring these small population counties to feed into the large population counties will result in more rapid acceleration of the decline of the small counties. Even intermediate sized cities are not immune. If Grand Forks landed a large High Tech plant needing 500 able workers at $9 per hour where do you think they will come from? HMMM Devils Lake? In fact there is a parasitic relationship between city state economic development and small town demise.

I suppose in a poor way the city state areas are serving their constituencies well, after all, if there are no people in these low pop counties the hunting pressure is less, the golf courses are empty, no one to chase you off from snowmobiling, 4 wheeling anywhere you want will be ok. If there's no one there, it won't matter.

That's what graft is in Chicago. I'll get mine, I don't want you to get yours if it means I can't get all I want.

I think in a way it's the same in North Dakota. You just don't go to jail when you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar. You get re-elected.