Is North Dakota the Most Politically Corrupt State?

In light of the recent political scandal in Illinois, with the governor Rod Blagojevich attempting to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat, USA Today conducted a study to see if Illinois is indeed the most politically corrupt state. Guess what? There are several states who rank higher in political corruption, including North Dakota.

According to USA Today's study, per capita Illinois ranks 18th when looking at the number of public corruption convictions the federal government has won in the last decade. Based on a per-capita judgment, North Dakota holds the highest number of public corruption convictions per 100,000 residents at 8.3. Louisiana follows at a close second with 7.7 public corruption convictions per 100,000 residents.

Why does North Dakota rank so high in political corruptness?

One theory mentioned in the study is that since North Dakota is so sparsely populated, everyone knows everyone. Therefore, North Dakotans are better at discovering the political corruption. In other words, North Dakotans are busy-bodies and by sticking our noses in other people's business, we are actually preventing these political bad guys from continuing in their corruption. Who knew there was an upside to small town gossip?

Do I know North Dakota's state politicians?

Knowing your state politicians does have an advantage. North Dakota State Senator Jerry Klein is from my home town. I've known him since I was a little girl. Klein owns the local grocery store, Jerry's Jack and Jill. I went to school with his children. His daughter Jessica was a year ahead of me, and his son Jon was a year behind me.

I have dealt with Senator Klein in a professional capacity as well, as he advertises in our local newspaper. For years, I have managed his grocery store flyer which he inserts into our newspaper.

Knowing Senator Klein the way I do, I know without a shadow of a doubt Klein is not a corrupt politician. Do I agree with everything he stands for? No. Did I vote for him in the last election? No. But I do know Klein isn't one of the corrupt politicians out there.

I also know North Dakota State Representative Andrew G. Maragos, who has been in the House since 1993. When my family owned a restaurant during my school years, the Maragos family ran a wholesale restaurant supply company. I knew Andy's father, and I had the opportunity to meet Andy and his siblings on several occasions. Knowing the Maragos family the way I do, I can safely say I know Andrew Maragos isn't part of any political corruption either.

Does the theory that North Dakotans can root out political corruption hold water?

In my opinion and in my experience, it makes sense that North Dakotans, in their unique and nosy way, can keep better tabs on their politicians, thus creating more public corruption convictions.

So next time someone wants to tell you a juicy tidbit about your local politicians, listen up! You may just help lock up a corrupt politician.

Sources:

"North Dakota tops analysis of corruption", USA Today

"Representative Andrew G. Maragos", www.legis.nd.gov

"Senator Jerry Klein", www.legis.nd.gov