The Republicans have performed miracles with the North Dakota economy. They had the foresight to put oil and gas under western North Dakota. So far, they have had the good sense not to object to the state living on the subsidies provided by the federal government.

Although the Republicans publicly profess to be for self-sufficiency, they know that if the federal subsidies for farmers and co-ops were taken away, we would be flat broke, like all the states we are robbing. For every dollar North Dakota sends to Washington, we get $1.87 back. New York loses 23 cents on each dollar it sends.

Should Gov. John Hoeven become elected on the federal level, he will be in the awkward position of having to live up to Republican ideals. This would mean he would have to oppose the whole notion of cooperatives and farm subsidies. The whole illusion about conservatives could be shattered if Hoeven were forced to live up to conservative ideals. Once Hoeven joins the "Just Say No" Republicans in Washington, he can be part of the process that keeps health care unaffordable, provides tax breaks for the wealthy and protects us from socialism.

If you like things just the way they are, support Hoeven. Just think where we could be right now with McCain and Palin.