From the Back Forty is a weekly column focusing on the attitudes and opinions of folk in Flyover country.
In a country running wild with conspiracy theories about the latest political stunts by unknown subjects – namely the deliverance of suspicious packages to the once mighty mountain-top sitters – the hard-working and good people of the heartland continue to slave away at the local post office, grocery, bank and what-not, shaking their heads at the ensuing frenzy.
It’s not due to lack of caring or empathy: It’s simply become commonplace in American politics and most prefer to sit the commenting out while law enforcement investigates.
And, they have pressing priorities to address: namely, electing Republican and former Indiana State Representative Mike Braun to replace incumbent U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN).
Hoosiers are Red
The taste of a red wave in West Central Indiana is palpable. And the candidates are in a statistical dead heat. At least according to a poll conducted by Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
The three men gathered at a sandwich shop in Covington, Indiana, waved off the incessant CNN coverage of the latest political snake’s nest and were quick to say “midterms” when asked what each considered the most significant issue of the day. James, a 42-year-old farmer, was the first to pipe up:
“How anyone can stay home this year and not vote must be someone who doesn’t care about the future of America. The Democrats have lost their minds. They seem capable of anything in order to steal elections, disrupt the process by encouraging 10,000 illegals to rush our border. I think Trump needs to deploy our military.”
His friends nodded in agreement. Grain truck driver Stan offered his two cents worth as well, “Donnelly won in this state because no one cared. We do now, and he’s gotta go.”
I asked if they had voted or were waiting until the first Tuesday in November. And James’ son, also named James, answered for the group. “We like the tradition of going to the polls on election day.”
“Donnelly won in this state because no one cared. We do now, and he’s gotta go.”
His dad laughed and said, “Is two times at the polls a tradition?” But his son was quick to reply, “Traditions start somewhere, dad.”
About that Caravan, Stan
Stan and the Jameses watched with little concern over the pipe bomb hysterics promoted by the left and hammered by their advocacy media. They’re paying closer attention to the marauding caravan marching towards America’s southern border and speculating on whether military troops are warranted.
It was Stan who reversed tack from the Donnelly/Braun battle and asked me if I thought military action was imperative to thwart a border surge. But before I could answer, he explained what’s at stake:
“They march. They chant hate against the president and this country. We already have a backlog of people trying to legally enter the country. They are encouraged by the left, and like everyone the left uses, once they get what they want or are shot down, these people are left dangling…on our dime. At least look pitiful and wave the U.S. flag.”
Civility? Who Needs Civility?
Although attempts to avoid the talking heads on the plasma television above the cash register, the CNN coverage stayed doggedly on the “suspicious packages.” But no one in the sandwich shop paid any attention.
Unfortunately, this kind of guerrilla warfare – threats of assassination, career-ending lies, and now pipe-bombs - has become commonplace in American politics, and there is no shock or awe to be experienced by the beleaguered and exhausted electorate. And although Hoosiers, specifically, have no time for the games played by the Swamp dwellers, they do make time to vote. And the message from three guys in Covington should ring true for everyone: Go to the polls and cast your vote. Preferably red.
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