By: Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville)
As culture wars continue to dominate politics, sound policy is taking a back seat. We’ve spent more time ushering in divisive rhetoric and stoking fears than positioning society to produce students ready to learn, responsible graduates prepared to enter the workforce, safeguarding citizens from rising costs and inflation, and ensuring the next generation of Hoosiers has a better state to call home.
At this moment, we must address rising energy costs, health care, housing, infrastructure and child care. Without focusing on these integral issues, we’re too easily distracted by trending topics on social media and the constant deluge of global stories that prevent us from focusing on our responsibility to ensure we have strong institutions that are funded and resourced to serve our communities. Building these community pillars allow the state to continue tackling the issues that affect Hoosiers’ lives. Our divisiveness will only lead us down a more dangerous path.
While many are distracted by the idea of a special session and the looming threat of redistricting, my focus remains on understanding the issues facing Indiana and solving them reasonably. I share the concern about how these temporary measures could impact our state, but I refuse to let them become my sole focus. There must be an emphasis on why these short-term moves are unnecessary and costly for Indiana – let alone for Southwest Indiana, where families and communities already shoulder more than their fair share of challenges. Without a clear goal to position our state as a growing place full of opportunity that is driven by our cost of living, health care systems, infrastructure, education and overall quality of life, we fail in our duties as elected officials to look out for the best interest of Indiana.
Working for the people, by the people is a privilege and an honor. In these tumultuous times, I encourage reflection and compassion when vitriol and hate are often spewed without a second thought. A divided democracy does not lift any one person up. Rather, it perpetuates the cycle of violence, poverty and disproportionate discrimination. Indiana’s foundation is centered on the belief that tomorrow can be a better day and that change is around the corner, but only if we do so together.
