“My country right or wrong: if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.” --
Carl Schurz, remarks in the Senate, 1872
By Nate Breen
The above quote was a response post on my Facebook page. The local newspaper headlined a report that Wyoming’s economy is 50th in the United States. I snapped a picture of the story and posted it on my Facebook page.
In sum, the story detailed the failure of the state to diversify its economy. In failing to diversify the economy, the state of Wyoming is unable to retain its young nor is it able to attract businesses and young professionals who could “build” the economy of this state. Per capita, Wyoming is growing older than any other state in the Union.
Well, I certainly did hear from folks on my page. Most of the responses I received were angry, and nearly all of the responses were from former students. With few exceptions, these young folks complained that they did not see a viable future for them in this state.
Yet, there was the post quoted above. As outrageous as the logic behind the statement is, there is reality to it. In fact, the statement is representative of the philosophy driving politics in this state. There appears to be a self-satisfied myth of the rugged and self-made individual who is disdainful of culture, civilization, and urban life.
This is a myth that falsely assumes that Wyoming was created ex nihilo (from nothing). This is a myth which sneers at those who want to change things. This is a myth that tells those who suggest any change to leave if they do not like things (see second quote, above). This is a myth that drives our most valuable resource, our young, out of this state.
So, what are the realities we confront?
First, according to a survey conducted through the Political Science Department at the University of Wyoming, folks in this state want excellent roads, bridges, police and fire protection, and education. But, we apparently want someone else to pay for these amenities.
Second, the failure to keep our best and brightest in this state means that we will never have a workforce that will attract major businesses. Companies would like to relocate to Wyoming, but over and over we are told that the state does not have a workforce that could support them. And for a point of clarification: This dilemma is not due to the failure of our K-16 education system. The failure is due to lack of opportunity … these young people get their education and skills then leave for opportunities.
Third, the failure to create a tax structure that would encourage businesses to relocate. I am not referring to “tax breaks” for relocation. Major corporations look at tax structures that create and sustain recreation and cultural amenities for their employees. The rejoinder I hear too often, here in Cheyenne, is: “We don’t want to be like those ‘Greenies’ in Colorado!” OK, the folks in Colorado enjoy millions of our dollars (spent for culture, goods, and services not provided here) and the skills our young folks bring to them as new residents.
Fourth, the total dependence upon the mineral and energy industries subjects this state to the “boom-and-bust” cycles of those industries. More seriously, this dependence permits these industries to dictate politics and policies at the local and state level. In short, those who are paying our bills drive policy decisions that influence every aspect of life here in Wyoming.
Lastly, in spite of claims otherwise, we do have “the psychosis of the city”. The suicide rate in this state is among the highest in the nation. The use and abuse of alcohol and narcotics, per capita, is among the highest in the nation. We have rejected Medicaid expansion that might help in combating these public health problems, and we don’t have the tax base to fully sustain programs.
No, folks, we are not safer because we are rural. In many respects, we are in greater danger because we can’t fund programs that will make us safer.
As a college student in the late '60s I remember the “bumper sticker war.” It was a war of words. One side, angry with the student protests over the Vietnam War and civil rights movement read, “Love it or leave it.” The other side responded with, “Change it or lose it.” That choice still remains, in this case, for the state of Wyoming.
Nate Breen is a former educator and is a member of the Laramie County School District 1 Board of Trustees. He also serves on the State Board of Education.
In sum, the story detailed the failure of the state to diversify its economy. In failing to diversify the economy, the state of Wyoming is unable to retain its young nor is it able to attract businesses and young professionals who could “build” the economy of this state. Per capita, Wyoming is growing older than any other state in the Union.
Well, I certainly did hear from folks on my page. Most of the responses I received were angry, and nearly all of the responses were from former students. With few exceptions, these young folks complained that they did not see a viable future for them in this state.
Yet, there was the post quoted above. As outrageous as the logic behind the statement is, there is reality to it. In fact, the statement is representative of the philosophy driving politics in this state. There appears to be a self-satisfied myth of the rugged and self-made individual who is disdainful of culture, civilization, and urban life.
So, what are the realities we confront?
First, according to a survey conducted through the Political Science Department at the University of Wyoming, folks in this state want excellent roads, bridges, police and fire protection, and education. But, we apparently want someone else to pay for these amenities.
Second, the failure to keep our best and brightest in this state means that we will never have a workforce that will attract major businesses. Companies would like to relocate to Wyoming, but over and over we are told that the state does not have a workforce that could support them. And for a point of clarification: This dilemma is not due to the failure of our K-16 education system. The failure is due to lack of opportunity … these young people get their education and skills then leave for opportunities.
Third, the failure to create a tax structure that would encourage businesses to relocate. I am not referring to “tax breaks” for relocation. Major corporations look at tax structures that create and sustain recreation and cultural amenities for their employees. The rejoinder I hear too often, here in Cheyenne, is: “We don’t want to be like those ‘Greenies’ in Colorado!” OK, the folks in Colorado enjoy millions of our dollars (spent for culture, goods, and services not provided here) and the skills our young folks bring to them as new residents.
Fourth, the total dependence upon the mineral and energy industries subjects this state to the “boom-and-bust” cycles of those industries. More seriously, this dependence permits these industries to dictate politics and policies at the local and state level. In short, those who are paying our bills drive policy decisions that influence every aspect of life here in Wyoming.
Lastly, in spite of claims otherwise, we do have “the psychosis of the city”. The suicide rate in this state is among the highest in the nation. The use and abuse of alcohol and narcotics, per capita, is among the highest in the nation. We have rejected Medicaid expansion that might help in combating these public health problems, and we don’t have the tax base to fully sustain programs.
No, folks, we are not safer because we are rural. In many respects, we are in greater danger because we can’t fund programs that will make us safer.
As a college student in the late '60s I remember the “bumper sticker war.” It was a war of words. One side, angry with the student protests over the Vietnam War and civil rights movement read, “Love it or leave it.” The other side responded with, “Change it or lose it.” That choice still remains, in this case, for the state of Wyoming.
Nate Breen is a former educator and is a member of the Laramie County School District 1 Board of Trustees. He also serves on the State Board of Education.
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