Why does Minnesota have stereotypes? (Park Rapids, Cleveland: live in, gangs, moving)

[AGuyFromCleveland18]

Originally Posted by Govie

Why people would surmise we are "dumb" is beyond me. We have the highest life expectancy in the country, all the great schools (St. Paul has the second highest percent of colleges per capita in the country), great Northern European roots, great sports teams. I could go on.

If that is "dumb," I wonder what that makes the rest of the country.

I think rural, uneducated people in any state get made fun of, it just so happens that the rural people of Minnesota have a particularly funny and interesting accent, so they get it more. It's the same reason why country talking hillbillies get made fun of. But I think most people that know about the Twin Cities respect them for the culture, education, etc. that they have.

[Govie]

Also forgot to mention, Minny has the highest turn out per capita of voters in the country as well. I guess that is another thing that makes us dumb.

[912]

Originally Posted by xandrex

Not to mention we're a fairly progressive state, likely due in part to similar progressiveness in Scandinavia.

Only in the Cities, my friend.

[912]

Originally Posted by Govie

Also forgot to mention, Minny has the highest turn out per capita of voters in the country as well. I guess that is another thing that makes us dumb.

Have you seen who your state tends to elect?

[Govie]

Originally Posted by 912

Have you seen who your state tends to elect? :

What's your point?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by 912

Have you seen who your state tends to elect?

Minnesota has had its share of good and bad people in office just like every other state. A lot of outsiders move to MN, ya know, and dilute the common sense pool.

[dober1]

I always heard the jokes were about Sven and Lars! But I grew up in Iowa/Nebraska. I especially like the one about the new mule they bought who's ears were too long and the flag pole with the broken rope they had to measure. Good stuff
I've lived all over and sterotypes are everywhere.

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by 912

Only in the Cities, my friend.

I've lived in Minnesota my whole life. I think a know a thing or two about the politics of the state.

The state certainly has a "family values" element that is typical of the Midwest, but the state does lean more progressive than most of the country. The entire northeast Minnesota (where I grew up) is union-heavy and is one of DFL's most sure wins. The Twin Cities are a mixed bag, but I see them as progressive too. The only major population center that is really considered conservative in this state is Rochester.

Obviously, plenty of Greater Minnesota has a conservative vibe. But take out the Twin Cities and Duluth metro areas and you don't exactly have a huge slice of the pie left.

[AGuyFromCleveland18]

It is the only state that elected a former professional wrestler as governor...

[xandrex]

Originally Posted by AGuyFromCleveland18

It is the only state that elected a former professional wrestler as governor...

It also elected Al Franken and is the only state that didn't vote for Reagan in either 1980 and 1984 (the year that only Minnesota and Washington, D.C. went to Mondale).