North Dakota's state government owns a bank. And a grain mill. Sure sounds like socialism to me. Thankfully, the North Dakota Policy Council is there. Send them some support as well as contact information of people you know in The Peace Garden State.

The Council launched in March, taking on a farming state’s sacred cow with its maiden report, “Government & Ethanol: Cutting Taxes vs. Corporate Welfare,” which details the harmful effects ethanol subsidies have on the economy. Not content with the resulting storm, the NDPC followed up with “The North Dakota Simple Tax” and “Government should stay out of Economic Development.” The latter report’s title says enough; no description necessary. Amen.

My hope: the gladiator NDPC soon goes after the Bank of North Dakota and The North Dakota Mill and Elevator Association, both of which are the only such state government-owned facilities of their type in the US. Divestiture of these socialistic enterprises would bring North Dakota up to speed with positive changes that have taken place world-wide since the Berlin Wall fell.

Numerous former Eastern Bloc countries, among others, have shown how governments can successfully divest themselves of state-owned entities, truly turning ownership over to the people. By doing the same, North Dakota  would take a great step toward upholding property rights and markets, which help form the foundation of a free society.