WWW.POSEYCOUNTYNEWS.COM • SERVING THE COUNTY SINCE 1882 • THE POSEY COUNTY NEWS
OCTOBER 11, 2016 • PAGE A9
OPINION
More than the Oval Office at stake in this election I’ve heard many say the 2016 presidential election is the most important one they can recall in a lifetime. Why are so many individuals saying that? Without articulating it I believe a score of people believe the very existence of the United States is at stake. Many believe ‘The American Dream’ is threatened. Hundreds of elections have been held through the annals of time, so what makes this one so dierent? Simply put, I believe 2016 will go down in history as a national referendum on socialism versus capitalism and many believe whoever the winner is the country will either wither or bloom once more. An estimated 100 million Americans watched the ďŹ rst presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Both candidates have extremely poor approval ratings, some speculate the lowest in history, so why is this election so important when so many distrust these individuals? Dissatisfaction in the electorate, at an alltime high, may explain why. Donald Trump, a capitalist, claims he’ll make America great again and explained how he’d accomplish that during the debate. Hillary Clinton, a liberal, is of the opinion more socialism is best. During the debate she said she would excessively tax the rich. How does one deďŹ ne rich? I may be one of modest means, but I’m an American who cherishes freedom and that indeed makes me a rich soul. The American Dream can be deďŹ ned by many things, but
prosperity is most certainly at the top of the list. Hillary Clinton, by making that statement, is essentially saying she wants to attack the American Dream and penalize T those who live it. I see failure in that type of logic. O The Nation’s 20 trillion dolL ... lars in debt and a record numB G ber of Americans are on disA ability and food stamps now - I ďŹ nd that frightening. Public perception used to be it was shameful to be on welfare or food stamps, but ďŹ nancial mediocrity doesn’t seem all-that-unusual anymore. Has the American Dream been overhauled? Is a mediocre pursuit of happiness the new norm for Americans? Is trieness a new low when it comes to education too? Is it to be expected that half of all college grads can’t ďŹ nd work even though they’ve spent many thousands of dollars, and went in debt to do so, to obtain a degree that may or may not suďŹƒce anymore? What does it say about our culture when Rutgers University oers a course in ‘Underwater basket weaving,’ that Montclair State University oers a class titled ‘How to watch television,’ or that Occidental College oers credits for attending a course called ‘Stupidity?’ Society has fallen prey to a progressively bent logic, which isn’t really progressive at all but regressive. Many have failed to recognize the socialist plight that plagues us. For many Americans it’s not in their DNA
to do just enough to get by. Yet for many more they see life as mediocre at best and the entitlement stigma they feel they deserve has attached itself. For many, to just exist in life is ďŹ ne and it can become a reality if they only relent to the entangling dependence government oers. With what we see manifesting itself in Washington, D.C. one can only conclude that mediocrity is the new norm - if that’s so, the American Dream is dead. However, I believe there are scores of those who won’t allow that idealization of what America is to just go away. The American Dream imparts that hard work and determination isn’t some novelty and success can be accomplished by anyone. American Pride resides in many, still, and to embrace an ideology that’s counterintuitive to that is some-
thing that will be pushed back by those who wanna dream. America is truly an astonishing place and although she may have lost her way that fair Lady has by no means doused that ame of liberty in a muddied pond of hopelessness. Socialism or Capitalism? Mediocrity or Prosperity? It’ll be interesting to see who walks away with all the marbles come November. Greg Allen’s column, Thinkin’ Out Loud, has been published bi-monthly since 2009. He’s an author, nationally syndicated columnist and the founder of Builder of the Spirit in Jamestown, Indiana, a non-proďŹ t organization aiding the poor. He can be reached at www.builderofthespirit.org or follow him on Twitter @GregAllencolumn.
Guest Column: James H. Madison, Indiana Bicentennial Commission Hoosier Homecoming: Remembering the Centennial in a modern way Hoosiers marked their one-hundredth birthday in 1916 with joyful celebrations. Indiana’s counties and towns organized pioneer reenactments, speeches, and dinners. The menu at one event included Tecumseh Tomato Bisque, hot Tippecanoe wafers, Corydon celery hearts, and Pride of the Wabash corn soufÊ. The capstone centennial celebration came in October, before the winter could strike hard in Indiana. Governor Samuel Ralston, Gene Stratton Porter, and other notables beat the drums of publicity to gather Hoosiers in Indianapolis. Poet James Whitcomb Riley urged Hoosiers from afar to come back to “the dear old Home.â€? “Don’t say you can’t come,â€? Riley said, “but rather that you can’t stay away.â€? The Homecoming in the capital city that fall of 1916 was a grand aair. National and state dignitaries spoke. The centerpiece was ‘The Pageant of Indiana,’ performed six times with a cast of 3,000, some carrying the new state ag with its torch and nineteen stars. Performances began with the capture of Vincennes from the British and ended with celebration of Studebaker and Haynes automobiles, the gas boom factories, and new farm plows.
For Indiana’s two hundredth birthday party on October 15 Hoosiers will gather again in Indianapolis. A highlight of the Homecoming day will be the conclusion of the Bicentennial Torch Relay. The Torch will have travelled over 3,000 miles along Indiana roads and byways through all ninety-two counties, lighting the way for two thousand plus torchbearers and many proud volunteers and onlookers. Also on this fall day we will open a beautiful Bicentennial Plaza on the western front of the Statehouse. Organizers in 1916 proposed a Centennial Plaza but the project ďŹ zzled. Our generation now looks back to our Centennial forebears as we celebrate the completion of this twenty-ďŹ rst century project. Because children are central to Indiana’s Bicentennial we think about our future as well as our past. A highlight of the October 15 events will be the opening of the Statehouse Education Center in the Indiana State Library. Long in planning, this project now comes to fruition. GarďŹ eld, Cliord, and other iconic kids’ characters will help open the doors. Behind those doors in years to come, children will learn about our state as they prepare to visit the majestic Statehouse. As in 1916, there will be lots of good fun. Musicians, danc-
ers, historic reenactors, photographers, and face painters will gather around the Statehouse. Free parking will be available noon to 5 p.m. in the state garages. The Bicentennial Torch will arrive at 4 p.m. to a joyful culmination of the Hoosier Homecoming When former First Lady Judy O’Bannon was asked what it means to be a Hoosier, she replied, “We can do anything that they can do anywhere else if we just say to ourselves, ‘we can, and we’re going to and by gum it’s going to be fun.’� Join us October 15 for Hoosier Homecoming, the 2016 edition. Think about our past, present, and future, and have fun, by gum. Noon to 5 p.m. at the Indiana Statehouse. And mark calendars also for Statehood Day activity on December 11. Find details at Indiana2106.org. James H. Madison is a member of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, a history professor at Indiana University, Bloomington, and author of “Hoosiers: A New History of Indiana.� Madison wrote the following op-ed titled “Hoosier Homecoming: Remembering the Centennial in a modern way.� It discusses the history of the upcoming Bicentennial event Hoosier Homecoming.
Letters to the Editor Commissioner asks for Council votes
Judges and Politics In 2000 the Florida Supreme Court gave the presidency to Democrat Al Gore. Five judges on the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Florida court and gave the presidency to Republican George W. GAVEL Bush. Bush won by two electoral GAMUT votes. Gore barely won the popular vote. Three of the jus- BY JUDGE tices of the U.S. Supreme Court JIM REDWINE who dissented, John Stevens, David Souter and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, wrote: “Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this year’s Presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nation’s confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.� Judges may make mistakes. Judges may be ignorant or lazy or may have any number of faults. The one characteristic judges must not have is a public perception of prejudice for or against persons or beliefs. The only thing judges must bring to their role in our government is the ability to engender public confidence in the integrity of their decisions. We may, and I often do, disagree with judicial decisions (by other judges of course). However, if we have confidence the judges acted impartially, we can accept even bad rulings and move on. That is why Canon 4 of the Code of Judicial Conduct which all judges should follow requires:
“A Judge or candidate for Judicial Office Shall not Engage in Political or Campaign Activity that is Inconsistent with the Independence, Integrity, or Impartiality of the Judiciary.â€? The Code also prohibits a judge from publicly, e.g. in a newspaper column, endorsing or opposing a candidate for public office. These ethical proscriptions come to mind as I am currently engaged in helping to teach an internet course to judges for the National Judicial College. Judges from several states are participating as students or faculty. As with much of the judicial education in which I have been involved, in this course there is a great deal of side banter about many topics. In this current presidential campaign cycle politics is unavoidable. But unlike non-judicial conversations where my friends and family do not hesitate to state that one candidate is less than desired while the other must be elected, with judges I am reminded of the attitude Rome’s friend, Mercutio had. You may recall that in William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet the two families, Romeo’s Montagues and Juliet’s Capulets, were constantly feuding. In Act III, scene 1 Mercutio is stabbed by Juliet’s relative, Tybalt. As Mercutio lies dying he curses both sides by calling for, “A plague on both of your housesâ€?. That pretty well sums up the ethical positions of my judicial colleagues. O M M G oďŹƒce@poseycountynews.com
Ph. 812-682-3950 • PO Box 397 • New Harmony, IN 47631 Fx. 812-682-3944 • www.PoseyCountyNews.com
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To the people of Posey County, I’m sure you’re as tired of all the political advertisements on television, radio and social media as I am. While I don’t want to wish away time, I’ll be glad for November 8 to get here and be gone. I’m writing this letter to ask for your support to help me continue to work for a better Posey County. I’m grateful that you have allowed me to be your Posey County Commissioner and hopefully, you’ve been satisďŹ ed with what we’ve accomplished so far. What you can do to help me is vote on November 8 or during early voting starting on October 12 to re-elect Bob Gentil, Martin Ray Redman and Ralph Weinzapfel to the Posey County Council. These gentlemen have been working for you and have been an integral part of the good things happening in your county. In today’s political scene, there are a lot of candidates that can ‘talk the talk,’ but very few that can actually ‘walk the walk’ and these gen-
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have greatly improved the roads in Posey County and will continue to do so. The remaining 20 percent of those funds are used to help fund the Posey County Economic Development Partnership, our local economic development oďŹƒce. This organization has been helpful with local businesses expanding their operations and workforces, in addition to recruiting companies to locate in Posey County creating good-paying jobs. While they haven’t started construction just yet, Midwest Fertilizer is a prime example of how funding a local economic development organization is important to the growth of your county. These are just a couple of examples of the decision-making leadership of these gentlemen and I ask that you help me continue to move Posey County forward by putting Posey County ďŹ rst and re-elect these excellent public servants to the Posey County Council. Thank you for your continued support. Jim Alsop Posey County Commissioner
Leaving Posey is bittersweet for Taylor When I arrived in Posey County in 2010 as Director of the Posey County Economic Development Partnership, the county was home to a large number of signiďŹ cant companies that employed many people at very high wages. During my time I met many people that were passionate about their communities and only wanted the best for the entire county and all of its citizens, I began to work with elected oďŹƒcials on projects to bring more companies and jobs into the county. I found every single elected oďŹƒcial that I worked with to be understanding, supportive and most important, concerned for the lives of a the people that live and work in the county. Soon, there will be a groundbreaking on what is the largest investment into the United States from Pakistan in our country’s history. The elected oďŹƒcials worked tirelessly on making sure that the county’s oer of incentive to the company would not only supS W B C sports@poseycountynews.com
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tlemen have proven they can to the people of Posey County. These gentlemen do not have personal agendas and/or hidden agendas because they strive to do what they believe is right for the residents of our county. They have been ďŹ scally responsible with your tax dollars and work hard to ensure the beneďŹ t to Posey County justiďŹ es the cost. These gentlemen were part of the Posey County Council that implemented a ‘rainy day fund’ to accumulate excess funds to be used for necessary projects in the county. By having this fund we were able to reduce the amount of the bond issue for the jail expansion and renovation saving taxpayer dollars. Another excellent decision that included these gentlemen was the decision to designate 80 percent of the funds generated by the Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) to be used exclusively for Posey County roads. They believed that good roads are important for economic development and by using these funds along with our normal highway funds we
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port this new investment but also beneďŹ t the citizens as well. I wanted to say thank you to each of them for their belief in the project, the company’s senior management and that their eorts would make life better for all that call Posey County Home. Posey County, you are blessed with a number of dedicated elected oďŹƒcials that care about you and your children and the future of Posey County. That doesn’t just happen. It is a hometown attitude of wanting the best for those that took the time to elect them into positions of leadership and stewardship. I will miss working in the county and with those elected oďŹƒcials that handle the day-today operation of the county with integrity, sincerity, and honesty. Posey County should be proud of these people for their continued eorts to make life better for one and all. Sincerely, John S. Taylor
The Posey County News - USPS 439500 is published weekly for $39 in-state and $48 out-of-state by Pearmor Publishing LLC, PO Box 397, New Harmony, IN 47631. Periodicals postage paid at Mount Vernon, Indiana Editor: Dave Pearce Postmaster: Denise Howard Send address changes to: The Posey County News, PO Box 397, New Harmony, IN 47631