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.  

Happy to live in flyover country. Here in the heartland, we aren't apt to riot over politics.
After the riots in Washington DC, I’m 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.

BUTTIGIEG VS. PENCE 2020?

Last week, this may have sounded crazy.  Mayor Pete’s chances of winning the presidential nomination were very slim.  But this latest debate might have been a deal breaker.  Buttigieg came across as the only candidate who seemed authentic.  He challenged Elizabeth Warren’s pie- in- the-sky promises as to the real cost of Medicare for all.  He calmly spoke with the voice of experience on the US withdrawal from Syria.  Now, there’s a real possibility that Trump will be impeached.  Therefore, it’s not a pipe dream to imagine a presidential election with two Hoosiers on the ballet . Buttigieg vs Pence 2020?  It could happen.

There's a possiblity that two Hoosier will be on the ballot in 2020
Two Hoosiers could be on the ballot during the 2020 election

Of course, I’m not at all biased (: However, I believe our country would be well served if we had a POTUS who brings some good old Hoosier Values to the table.

What are HOOSIER VALUES?  The very phrase brings to mind a dull, penny pinching, religious fanatic who’s never traveled more than 100 miles from his home town. I’ve surfed the internet and found that there are no clearly defined Hoosier Values.  Different sources say the following character traits define an Indiana native:  Patriotic, Honest, Responsible, Faithful, Humble.  Others  claim that  the typical Hoosier has  a strong work ethic, family values and a sense of community.

Wow! That’s a lot of good stuff.  Does that mean that no one in my state is cruel, vulgar, promiscuous, dishonest or rude?  Hardly.

When I think of Hoosier Values, I envision someone who doesn’t brag, or make false promises, and behaves with dignity in public.   In other  words, someone with just plain old common sense.

Buttigieg vs Pence  in the 2020 presidential election would be a win-win situation for Indiana. .  No matter which party prevailed at the polls, we could rest assured  that Hoosier Values are well represented  in Washington DC.

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..

Indiana Politicians Exemplify Civility on Public Broadcasting
INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS A LIVELY, ENTERTAINING NEWS PROGRAM

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.