This diary is an extension of a comment I wrote today in Kos’s Diary on the chances of taking the house in 2014. I realized I had more to say, and more to research at that moment, than could fit in that comment.
I am the daughter of both states. Born and raised in Madison, and went to school at UW in Madison. Still have many pals there and visit as often as I can. Been in Minnesota since 1975. Both states have described my world all my life. This is my corner of the earth, and I know it rather well
Even so, and even though I knew the contrasts between the states were increasingly HUGE, I didn’t have enough examples and stats at hand. So I spent some time gathering them.
I did this because I am SO frustrated by the often sounded meme here that there’s no difference between the parties. This meme has gained momentum here in the last weeks, as has distrust in the Democratic party. All things considered, I understand. To a point.
But to this gal happy to be living in Minnesota now, and heart broken about what’s happened to her home state, much of this is very discordant with the recent record of events of the two states that I consider my home.
And, while I have my fair share of complaints about the Democratic Party, and Obama, I have absolutely no illusions about where my bread is better buttered. And I have no illusions that I can be heard better by not voting, or by bashing the best choice I have. NOTE: There’s a difference between critique and bashing. I’m all over critique. Not so much cynical nihilism.
Follow me below the fold to see the facts.
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