Minnesota regains all jobs lost in recession

[NickB79]

8. I had to drive 2 hr into northern Wisc. a few weeks ago

I almost never go out of state, but a friend was having a bachelor party at his parent's cabin near Spooner, Wisc.

Oh god, within 30 minutes of crossing the state border I was on the phone with my wife in utter disbelief. I just had to tell someone about what I was seeing. I mean, I grew up in a rural area with it's fair share of poverty, but holy shit! Houses just run down, falling apart, the small towns filled with boarded-up storefronts, and for comic relief, a great big "Thank You Gov. Walker!" billboard.

This was all within 45 min. of the Twin Cities, too, so it's not THAT far from civilization.