How to prevent another IRS or GSA scandal? Conferences in Fargo! The Fargo strip. (Rachel Dry - The Washington Post) In response to our colleagues" coverage of those government conferences that keep landing agencies in hot water, a reader writes in with a modest proposal that seemed to us one of those "common-sense solutions" that politicians are always going on about. If all government conferences were required to be held in Fargo, N.D., suggested our sharp-witted reader, why, there'd be no more such scandals involving overspending on lavish confabs! His arguments in favor of a Fargo-only policy were many-fold, including that it would be difficult for bureaucrats to get into too much hot water in such wholesome environs. Compared to other conference destinations, like Las Vegas, Fargo offers lower prices and far fewer distractions. A bonus: "Common sense is widely practiced in North Dakota and hopefully a little would rub off." Guess who thinks this is a marvelous idea? The North Dakota congressional delegation, natch. We agree. Fargo would be the right place for anyone's training conference," Republican Sen. John Hoeven tells the Loop. The state's lone congressman, Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer (who used to be the state's tourism director, so he's no stranger to Fargo boosterism) also notes that there are opportunities for feds beyond just a visit. "While they are in town, perhaps some federal agencies would be willing to downsize - the spare employees could fill vacancies in our booming energy economy," he suggested. North Dakota has thousands of job openings if they can handle the work. Despite its mom-and-apple-pie offerings, perhaps the city should still adopt a new motto to seal the deal: What happens in Fargo stays in Fargo.