For decades we Minnesotans have known — or anyhow been pleased to believe — that government here works better than it does in most places. Public life is cleaner in these parts; public policy is more effective, farsighted and accountable; public services contribute to a higher quality of life.
Injustice never festers here, the way it does in a place like Ferguson, Mo., with officials turning deaf ears to pleas for reform.
Right?
Given the flagrant corruption, budgetary malpractice and filthy politics on display in many parts of America, Minnesota government no doubt remains above the average.
But does that mean the performance of the public sector here is good enough — especially where it matters most, in those situations where public officials wield fearsome powers over individuals or bear critical responsibility for protecting them? Or are we simply too easily persuaded that all is well?
An accumulating batch of maddening news stories give a person pause — especially an old-timer who has been around long enough to know how interminably some problems have lingered.
February ended with big news of a swelling state budget surplus — almost $2 billion extra in taxpayers' money over the next two years for political peacocks in St. Paul to boast and squabble about.
But the Star Tribune's front pages as February gave way to March featured other headlines that actually deserve more attention. In the space of two days they included: