HAPPY TO LIVE IN FLYOVER COUNTRY

Once upon a time, there was a young girl who couldn’t wait to get out of town. She thought big cities like New York and Los Angeles sounded far more appealing as a place to live out her adult life. But after college, she didn’t have more than $50 in her bank account, so she settled for the nearest big city—Chicago. After that, she moved to Miami, and then the 1972 meltdown brought her back home to Indiana with her young family. And somehow, she never left. And now, in the midst of all this upheaval in our nation’s capitol, she’s happy to live in flyover country.

That’s not to say that people in the Heartland don’t have strong opinions. We’ve lived here long enough to have family and friends at both ends of the political spectrum. They will passionately argue and defend their viewpoints. We see trucks flying American flags rumbling through the city. And there are Black Lives Matter signs in many quiet, middle class neighborhoods. So yes, people do care. But riot in the streets? Storm the courthouse? I don’t think so. There’s no big city anonymity here. Having grown up in the same place, most of us have friends and acquaintances from grade school on up through college and the workplace. We’re not going to start rioting against our fellow churchgoers, relatives, colleagues and friends.

I was born in New York City, but the great depression drew my family back to the safety and security of the family farm. Still, I often dreamed of what my life might have been like had we been able to stay. Now, I’m very glad we didn’t. Did you know that people are leaving New York City in droves?

Here in flyover country, I’ve lived in a state where Democrat Evan Bayh was a much loved Governor and Senator. He was repeatedly voted into office by both Democrats and Republicans. Our current Republican Governor Holcomb won re-election by a landslide. Both men are known for their common sense approach to government, and have a down to earth persona that appealed to people throughout the state. There was nothing in the temperament of either man that was– or is–likely to incite a riot. So yes, I’m happy to live in flyover country.

April 22, 2020April 22, 2020

COVID-19 HAS CHANGED SOME LUCK

Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, why? For most people, the reasons are financial. Even though cruises are a “good deal,” they’re still beyond reach for the average middle class person struggling to support a family. Other reasons are because of motion sickness, poor health, whatever. But you still have to hear someone you know raving about the cruise they just took or are going to take. That’s all changed now. No one envies the “lucky people” who got stuck on cruise ships this year. Covid-19 has changed some luck.

If you’re retired, you probably know of people who can afford to live in luxury, senior living facilities. Those posh places with gourmet food, swimming pools, fitness centers and the like. Sometimes you’ve envied their life style– the congregate meals and activities they enjoy, while you’re stuck in your own home. Still worrying about trash removal, lawn care, shopping, cooking, and cleaning. That’s all changed now. Those folks are stuck in their apartments with meals being delivered to them on trays. In your own place, taking care of the yard and cleaning your house provides much needed exercise. You’re able to go outside and take a walk.–to come and go as you please.

Some luck has changed. Be thankful for what you got. — Some luck has changed.

If you’ve ever worked in a middle income job you may have wished you were a doctor or nurse. Those people not only enjoy high salaries, they seldom lose their jobs. That’s still the case, but the trouble is, many of them are getting sick and dying during the coronavirus outbreak. Health care workers are risking their lives every single day that they go to work. They really aren’t very lucky, right now.

Do you live in flyover country? Big city dwellers on both coasts have looked down on you forever. Who would want to live in a dull place like Nebraska or South Dakota? You may have envied people who have glamorous jobs and enjoy the excitement of big cities. Trouble is, they’re all crammed together in a very small space. It’s called population density, and if you live in a western state or a dull little town, you’re chances of getting sick with Covid-19 are much, much less. Because you aren’t living on top of each other and breathing in infected air every time you step out your door.

Covid-19 has changed some luck. This isn’t a time for schadenfreude. No one should enjoy the misery of others. But if you’re one of the lucky ones who hasn’t come down with the virus, count your blessings. Stop comparing yourself to lucky people. Be thankful for what you’ve got.

September 2, 2019September 2, 2019

INDIANA POLITICIANS EXEMPLIFY CIVILITY

Our weekend winds up at 8:00 o’clock on Friday night, when we turn to the Public Broadcasting channel on TV. First, we listen to Washington Week in Review– a panel of left leaning reporters who seldom disagree. (Ho Hum) But then, at 8:30, Indiana Week In Review comes on like a breath of fresh air. We are treated to lively, but courteous discussions, with both political parties given equal time. The show exemplifys the civility of Hoosier politics, much needed at the national level..

That’s not to say that Indiana Week in Review– moderated by Brandon Smith– is dull. In fact, it’s much more lively and entertaining than Washington Week in Review. That’s because they have a balance between Republican and Democrat panelists. Rounding out the discussion are Fort Wayne journalist Mickey Kelley, and Indiana Law Makers Host Jon Schwantes.

Democrat Anne Delaney is full of passion. She knows what she’s talking about, and doesn’t mince words. Sometimes, she gets pretty mad. Her Republican opponent, Mike O’Brian, gets worked up, too. But just before they reach the boiling point, they back off, and agree to disagree. The moderator maintains objectivity, and quickly changes the subject if it looks like someone is going off the deep end.

The Indianapolis race for mayor is another example of Hoosier civility. During.their first public debate, Incumbent Joe Hogsett and his Republican challenger, Jim Merritt focused mainly on the issues. . While the debate sometimes got heated, there was no name calling or profanity. Indiana politicians tend to take a more measured approach. .

It appears that the politicians who live in middle America behave more respectfully with one another. I’m sure some high falutin political analyst can come up with a reason why this is true. , It may reflect the Midwestern culture, where more people come from small towns. As opposed to big cities, they interact with each other on a daily basis through their churches, families, volunteer work and various other activities. If you’ve ever ridden a subway, you know that rudeness is an acceptable survival tactic among strangers in large metropolitan areas.

While profanity, name calling and rudeness are now the norm in our nation’s political arena, It doesn’t fly here in flyover country.

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019

BLUE CITY MIASMA MAY SWAY ELECTION

According to a recent study, people in the following Blue cities feel the most stressed every day: Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Miami and Chicago. Having lived in Miami and Chicago, I can understand the stress one must endure in big cities: long commutes, lack of civility, high crimes, affordable housing, etc. Quality of life for someone in LA making $50,000 a year doesn’t compare to a person making the same salary in the Heartland. As a result, Blue city miasma may sway the 2020 elections. https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/06/07/angelenos-most-stressed/

Blue city residents feel the most stress — PEOPLE LIVING IN BIG, BLUE CITIES FEEL MORE STRESS

Let’s say you’re an ordinary citizen driving past expensive mansions, high rises, and resorts in these cities, The starkly uneven distribution of wealth enrages and frustrates the average working person. They want higher taxes on the rich to pay for free medical care, education., minimum wage, etc.

If they want cheaper housing and an easier life, they could pull up stakes and move to Podunk ,Iowa. But they don’t want to do that. Way too boring, right? No excitement or culture. And not nearly so many job opportunities. Blue city voters want to have their cake and eat it too.

Conversely, a person in a flyover country Red city can afford to buy a house a few minutes from work. Yes, there are mansions and country clubs nearby. But in small towns, you needn’t be wealthy to play golf, go boating at a nearby lake , take a walk in the park. and enjoy more leisure time.

Of course, there are small Blue cities scattered across the country in college towns. But generally speaking, Red city voters tend to be more conservative because they like things just the way they are. In fact, they worry that higher taxes and more government freebies will take away some of the things they enjoy.

Okay, I’m not a political pundit like James Careville or Karl Rove. I’m just an independent octogenarian making a few observations about our very divided political climate. It’s easy to understand why the East and West coasts are Blue, while most of the Heartland is Red. I have no idea what’s going to happen in the 2020 election. I guess it all depends on how people are feeling at the time, and how stressed out they are with their lives.

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

WHERE DO HAPPY PEOPLE HANG OUT?

Where do you see the most happy people? In a bar or restaurant? At the beach? On a cruise ship? Actually, those places are often jammed with people TRYING to be happy. But if you want to be among truly content, satisfied people, look no further than your local home improvement or farm store. Regardless of their economic status , men and women congregate in home improvement stores, every hour of the day, any day of the week. They don’t have to dress up; they’re relaxed, and they’re shopping for something to improve their lives. I’ve never seen an angry person walking through a farm store. Here in Flyover Country, these are places where happy people hang out.

You see more happy people in home improvement stores than you do in bars and restaurants. — SHOPPING IN A FARM OR HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE IS FUN AND RELAXING

Most of these stores started out as something simple. Rural King was where you went for chickens. Lowe’s began as a hardware store. Menards was originally a pole building business. These retailers slowly expanded, and appeal to customers who are quiet and serious, and enjoy shopping for toilets and cone flowers. Couples wandering the aisles in these places seem more content than the average twosomes you see elsewhere. Let’s face it, you must have a fairly good relationship if you’re looking at new kitchen cabinets.

Unlike department and clothing stores where fashions fade each season, what you buy in a home improvement store is going to give you a longer lasting enjoyment. I’d rather have dirt in my fingernails from planting roses than bright, acrylic fingernails that will chip and crack. I’d rather wander the aisles at Rural King eating free popcorn, than try on bathing suits at Macy’s.

Now of course, you won’t set foot in these down-to-earth places if you’re the glamorous type. But I have to tell you, a new rose colored light bulb will do more for your reflection in the mirror than a slathering of expensive Estee Lauder foundation.

Maybe that’s why stores like Macy’s and Carson’s are closing, while places like Menards are expanding all over the country. These are happy people hangouts.