Politics in those days were messy.  Farmers who felt they weren’t being treated fairly by big businesses wanted a state-owned grain elevator to help them get fair prices on their crops.  They organized into a group they called the Non-Partisan League.  In theory, the league was a great idea:  citizens would collaboratively decide who to vote for, from either political party, when they felt that candidate would get them what they needed.

The Non-Partisan League leaders had socialist agendas.  Although they created the state-owned bank and the state-owned elevator that the people wanted, they also passed laws that changed the young state’s constitution and would have taxed people so heavily that private property would have to be relinquished to the state.  Many citizens, unaware of how the new laws would impact them in the future, enthusiastically supported the league leaders.

A small group of people, including state legislator E.W. Everson and Theodore G. Nelson, formed an opposition group they called the Independent Voters’ Association.   The IVA labored under heavy criticism from the Non-Partisan League leaders, who were solidly in power.  Everson, himself a former member of the Non-Partisan League, chaired the IVA.  Nelson was the secretary.

Some members of the IVA formed what they called Fighting Squads.  Everson and other members of the fighting squads traveled around the state.  They lobbied heavily against Non-Partisan League leaders, including Governor Frazier and the league president A.C. Townley. 

As the Non-Partisan League expanded into Minnesota, the tide began to turn.  Some of the leagues’ leaders were charged with corruption.  Frazier was recalled as governor in 1921 in a very close vote. 

The details of the recall collection have been blurred with time, but in light of the troubles in Illinois, some of the themes have been renewed.  Transparency in government, which apparently was absent in the early days of the Non-Partisan League has become a big deal in North Dakota. 

During this 61st Legislative Session, state lawmakers are looking at a bill that would provide a transparent process for situations where the governor would have to appoint a United States senator to represent North Dakota.  A few other bills address the open meetings laws, detailing what counts as an open meeting and under what circumstances city and county officials can meet. 

 Although few people remember the IVA or E.W. Everson, in some ways this is his legacy.  North Dakota still has a very large state government, but the spirit of cooperation has continued and there is also a sense of caution. 

State lawmakers talk about balancing the several needs of the state with putting money away for a rainy day.  Every bill introduced to the Legislature has a public hearing.  Each bill is debated in House or Senate at least once, and in both houses if it has a good chance of passing.  The lawmakers themselves are citizens who leave their jobs for around four months every other year in order to look after the interests of the state.

It’s common-sense politics, but it might not have been possible without the 1921 recall election and the policy changes that followed.  As embarrassing as a recall election or impeachment might be to a state, it’s also a sign of freedom, a sign that the citizens are watching, a sign that they will not put up with mandated limits on the freedoms they hold dear.

As audacious as it may be, it’s a sign of hope.

Read more about it here.

My favorites from the list linked to above:

• Oil on the Fort Berthold Reservation, published this past May (the Fort Berthold Reservation sits over the Bakken oil formation) 
• Exploring Traditional, Healthy Food–chokecherries and corn, in this case 
• North Dakota Tribe at a Turning Point with Oil–my favorite post so far, because Yellowbird states so clearly that there is a danger in getting too rich too quickly.

Yellowbird addresses everything from her way of life to the upcoming presidential elections and educational issues in North Dakota.  I hope I have the chance to visit with her in person some day.

It’s exactly what I see.  The people of North Dakota may not like change (they treasure traditions of hard work, family closeness, creativity and innovation), but they are warm, friendly and easy to get along with.

(And I personally like the fact that there are some things they’re not open to–it helps keep ND a safe and happy place to live.)

From the article:

The Ten Outstanding Young Americans program is one of the oldest and most prestigious recognition programs in America. Annually since 1938, the United States Jaycees has sought out the 10 young men and women who best exemplify the finest attributes of America’s youthful achievers.

And:

As an oncology nurse at the Altru Cancer Center, Gillund, 39, co-founded Filling the Gap, a grant program designed to help lower income families with the financial and travel difficulties of their stay at the Cancer Center. The program works to “fill the gap” between what insurance, personal finance, and other methods of financial support can provide. She received a $50,000 grant for the program and worked to raise another $150,000. She received a scholarship to attend the Oncology Nursing Society Congress in 2007 to present information about the Filling the Gap program to other nurses internationally.

As an active and compassionate North Dakotan, Gillund makes a great representative for the rest of the state.

According to this Bismarck Tribune article, Brachman has worked with the CIA and recently directed West Poin’ts Combating Terrorism Center.  Brachman will be returning to the state to help develop a Homeland security center through NDSU.  The center will be used to develop strategies to keep the nation’s transportation systems secure.

The Red River Valley Research Corridor plays an important part in our state economy.  There are around three business incubators in the corridor associated with University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University.  NDSU’s research and technology park has some very cutting edge things going on, and UND has a great aerospace program. 

Seymour is right to spotlight the Red River Valley Research Corridor and those scheduled to speak at this conference.  Like the Bakken oil formation and the energy corridor on the west side of North Dakota, the research corridor on the east side of the state has a lot to offer the entire nation.  

Getting that information to the rest of the country is key to interesting investors in what ND has to offer.

Everson is also the owner of Grizzly Groundswell, a conservative political blog that in the past year organized a national network of conservative bloggers and thinkers.  Under his direction, the network has grown to more than 20 credentialed bloggers, 320 plus offsite bloggers, over 35 internet radio shows and two 24/7 video channels.  But the real news is what the network plans to do: report, in its own way, on the upcoming Republican National Convention.

“If you remember how television changed politics with the first televised presidential debate, not necessarily for the better, with our Grizzly Groundswell Strategy we have the potential to change politics in a good way, a Main Street Media way,” Everson said.  ”We are unleashing conservative thought, voice and image with this online media empire.”

A Radio Guide listing the Grizzly Groundswell Internet radio shows covering the Republican National Convention includes call-in numbers for people listening to the shows.  Everson said people from across the nation are encouraged to listen to the shows and call in with their comments and questions, including whether or not the news articles appearing in their area are accurate. 

Everson said the Internet media event has a three-pronged purpose:  1) to hold traditional media resources accountable for the way they report the convention, 2) to validate Internet resources like blogs as a serious form of media, and 3) to create a groundswell of conservative political ideas that will influence upcoming elections and policies.        

The network has some serious conservative muscle on its side.  Mad Irishman, Patriot Games and Everson himself are some of the radio shows/bloggers that will be discussing the convention. 

At the very least, Everson’s hard work and creativity are great examples of the kind of people that come out of North Dakota.  Having Grizzly Groundswell/Main Street Media coverage will make the upcoming Republican National Convention a very exciting week.   

In case of changes in schedule, Grizzly Groundswell radio show hosts are welcome to leave updates as comments on this post.  Grizzly Groundswell bloggers, feel free to add teasers here about things you’re doing on your own blogs, as well.

And, of course, all other decent comments are encouraged!