The ladybug bill is a runaway train that needs to be stopped.
The North Dakota House recently voted 88-6 to make the ladybug the state insect. With the approval of the Senate and the governor, it will become law.
That would be a shame.
The bill comes from a group of Kenmare second-graders. As the Saturday Night Live church lady might say, isn't that special?
These second-graders pushed the idea after learning that ladybugs help the state's crops by eating aphids, which are pests. That may be true, but it doesn't tell the full story.
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For instance, did you know that many ladybugs -- roughly half -- aren't ladies at all? They're dudes. If they're that deceitful, can you really trust them to represent our state honorably?
Sure, it's sweet to make 8-year-olds happy and proud. But clearly the mosquito should be North Dakota's state insect. Minnesota's, too. No insect is more powerful. Don't we want to project an image of strength?
Mosquitoes are blood suckers, so you'd think politicians would be more sympathetic. Unlike politicians, however, mosquitoes' lifespan is short -- 1-2 weeks. So pity is yet another reason they should be honored.
If you can't wrap your bite-ridden arms around the mosquito as the state insect, consider the bedbug. At least, unlike the ladybug, it doesn't claim to be something it isn't.
The House also recently passed a bill proposed by older students, from Fargo North High School. The legislation created an official Latin motto for the state.
Translated, the motto means: "One sows for the benefit of another age."
Well, if Latins -- who don't even exist -- are going to get a motto, I propose that every real nationality should have one, too.
The Germans, for instance, could offer a motto such as: "North Dakota -- where the only air pollution comes from sugar beet plants, power plants and sauerkraut."
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The Norwegians: "Winter in North Dakota -- Uff da."
So, it's up to the Senate and the governor to return some sanity to this kiddie-friendly legislation at the Capitol.
Before they can move on to minor issues such as a medical school expansion, repealing funding for tobacco prevention and Oil Patch issues such as the extraction tax, we need to get these bigger issues right.
Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .
