[RickJWagner]

That’s very true.

The frozen plains of North Dakota aren’t worth much without oil. With oil, they provide good paying jobs to people who otherwise won’t have them.

I lived in the next state south for many years. Oil is definitely popular with the people of North Dakota.

[ckrapu]

With all due respect, I disagree.

I loved the winters. I loved the people. I loved how its natural beauty was subtle and rewarded the patient, unlike El Capitan or the Black Hills. The economy was fine before oil appeared.

[NewJazz]

https://www.dmr.nd.gov/dmr/news/studies-underscore-oil-and-g...

[ckrapu]

My point is not that oil fails to generate revenue. Clearly it is a lucrative business. Instead, my claim is that the state economy was remarkably robust, productive, healthy, and well-optimized for middle class quality of life pre-2007.

Does it sound surprising to you that it was perfectly normal to rent a perfect acceptable two bedroom apartment in a safe town on the interstate for $300 a month and still easily find dignified, decent paying jobs without 1000 applications?

I've lived in many cities and work in tech now, and I can confidently say that, as it concerns the professions and jobs that unambiguously sustain and improve life, no community on the planet was more productive than my home state. There is more to the story than some shale.

[deaux]

"Studies underscore cocaine's significant impact on Colombia's economy"

Snort another line while you're at it.

[NewJazz]

I mean... You're not wrong.

[RickJWagner]

I see you speak in the past tense. So you’ve moved away, in spite of your love for the winters?

[cucumber3732842]

>I loved the winters. I loved the people.

My pet theory based on personal observation is that there's a strong inverse correlation between nature trying to destroy your shit and insufferable people.