It’s probably quite easy to discern from reading this blog that I’m quite enamored of North Dakota’s capitol building. I photograph it often, my little boys love to visit its halls and peer down from the observation deck windows, and of course there are the holiday adornments in its windows at various times of the year. Pretty cool, I must say…even if I’m a little bit biased.
Minnesota Republican representative Matt Dean, however, thinks otherwise. According to this article, he had plenty to say about our state’s headquarters:
“Has anyone seen North Dakota’s Capitol? It’s like State Farm calling: ‘We want our building back.’ …It’s embarassing.”
Ahem. Not only is our capitol distinctive but it’s also quite reserved and pragmatic in its design. It’s no opulent palace or apotheosis of government overspending…and we like it fine. Besides, according to that Forum article, Minnesotans need to “repair [their capitol’s] crumbling outside walls, its outdated electrical system and interior that is falling apart” …it sounds like they are the ones who need to be embarrassed about their capitol!
Unlike Minnesota’s, our capitol building is in fine shape…with current electrical (and ample backup generation) as well as free wireless internet tip-to-toe and a cafeteria with an AWESOME taco bar on Wednesdays, it seems far more habitable than its neighbor to the east.
Perhaps if Minnesota wasn’t known for being the nation’s biggest welfare state – with nearly forty percent of its state budget going to entitlement programs in 2009, for example – and put more money into infrastructure than they do into printing entitlement checks, they could afford to keep their state capitol building from crumbling. Until then, go ahead and take your petty pot-shots…we can take it.
By the way, which do you think Minnesota tax-n-spend legislators (including “Republican” Matt Dean”) will accomplish first: repairs to their already neglected, dilapidated capitol building, or a brand new taxpayer-funded stadium for the lackluster Minnesota Vikings?
