Does your favorite candidate understand the challenges the state legislature will face in the next legislative session? Or does your candidate want to play word games to hide what is happening in the state?

Does your preferred candidate realize the gravy train from high oil prices and high gas prices came at the cost of every North Dakotan suffering at the gas pump - and that that gravy train is coming to an end?

Does your candidate have the ability and will to make the changes needed hurt the fewest people possible? Or will your candidate simply do what they are told by special interest groups that support them?

Does your candidate fully understand the power the state has to protect its citizens from the federal government? And has your candidate worked to help North Dakotans in that fight?

Will your candidate stand up for private business against unfair government competition? Or will your candidate attack the very business leaders state laws were enacted to help?

Will your candidate realize the need to reform the way the state incentives business in North Dakota? Or will your candidate just do what is politically popular at the moment?

Does your candidate see the need for a change to the way government spends your money? Or does you can't reject the need for change, opting for the status-quo?

The path state government has been on for for the last decade is not sustainable. No matter how comforting the ads of candidates for office might be, the only thing that really matters is the candidates' grasp on reality

The fact is, all the candidates understand reality - few are willing to admit it.

How can North Dakota's problem be solved by people that have been there and done nothing to call for reforms and changes?

This is not about being doom and gloom or saying the sky is falling - this is about making sure our state leaders realize that the situation they are dealing with are not as stable as they try to make the public think.

Be sure your candidate accepts these realities, or that you are willing to accept the consequences if they do not.