TERRE HAUTE —
If there is one thing that defines Hoosiers more than anything, it’s common sense. There is an inherent reasonableness in how we approach problem solving: an impatience with extremes and a desire to find common ground. You can see these qualities in Sens. Bayh and Lugar. They came from different parties, they had different beliefs, but they had a mindset that put progress ahead of partisanship.
That is a tradition I understand and respect. I’ve voted in Congress with Democrats only just over 70 percent of the time, making me one of the most independent representatives. Why? Because it’s not about Democrats or Republicans, it’s about doing what is right for the United States of America. Before serving three terms in Congress, I helped run a small printing and marking business in Indiana. We didn’t have liberal or conservative customers, tall or short customers — just new and old friends that we tried to help. It should be the same in the United States Senate. We should help meet the needs of Indiana families, and work to strengthen the middle class every day.
My opponent, Richard Mourdock, won a divisive primary against Sen. Lugar, and the terms of that victory are troubling for our state and the health of our Democracy. He has promised repeatedly, during the primary and afterwards to bring more partisanship to Washington. Sen. Lugar on election night warned voters, saying of Mourdock, “Unless he modifies his approach, he will achieve little as a legislator.” Yet on national cable news the next day, Mourdock said, “I have a mindset that says that bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view.”
Never mind that he changed the definition of bipartisanship — what about a senator who will focus on something a bit more at home: like jobs for Hoosiers, like lowering the price of gas, like helping the middle class make ends meet? In my experience, no party has it 100 percent right all the time. That is why I’m so independent: why I voted against cap and trade and why I voted for the Keystone oil pipeline. That is why I support a Balanced Budget Amendment and why I want to end the tax breaks companies use to export jobs.
I’m the youngest of five children. Growing up, if I didn’t compromise, I didn’t get very far. We worked together as a family, and if I didn’t find a way to do that, I was out of luck — whether it was at the dinner table or playing baseball in the backyard. American progress requires working across party lines to find common ground and real solutions.
When Mr. Mourdock talks about his desire for more partisanship, what he really wants is to get his way on policy that he thinks makes sense: further unfair trade with China, tax breaks for oil companies, undermining Medicare by turning it into a voucher system and on and on and on. In the days after the primary election, he said, “the highlight of politics, frankly, is to inflict my opinion on someone else.” Mourdock wants to win partisan fights even at the cost of the middle class.
My view of public service is different: Represent the people who elected you, fight for what you think is right, respect those who disagree, work across party lines, and try to get something done. Hoosier common sense. It’s what our middle class needs, and it defines the core choice voters face this November.
— Rep. Joe Donnelly
Democratic candidate
U.S. Senate, Indiana
Opinion
FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers need more common sense, not more partisanship
- Opinion
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EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
It’s not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but the $2 million designated in the recent session of the General Assembly will begin the messy but necessary process of cleaning up Indiana’s voter registration rolls.
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READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
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RONN MOTT: Rabid Republicans
The so-called news people at Fox News can hardly sit still long enough to report on the latest gossip or untruth about our sitting President. They can hardly contain themselves.
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READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
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LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Remember when clean clothes smelled like fresh air and sunshine rather than fabric softener and dryer sheets?
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
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Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
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EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
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READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.
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EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
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RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
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Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
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Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
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RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
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READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
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READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
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MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge
Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
(Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.) -
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
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GUEST COLUMN: Nursing more than medicine and bandages
Being a nurse … Like most nurses, I chose this profession because I had a strong desire to help others and no other career would allow me the opportunity to touch lives the way I have been able to through nursing.
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READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
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RONN MOTT: ‘Raccoons II’
In the Algonquin Indian language, raccoon means “working with hands.” They are really cute little fellows until they injure a child, or a pet, or leave feces around where you certainly do not want it.
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Readers’ Forum: May 11, 2013
I just wanted to express my disappointment at the lack of response shown by President Obama after the Boston Marathon bombings.
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Readers' Forum: May 10, 2013
CANDLES event plants new seed: On April 26, CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosted an event called “Sowing Seeds of Peace: A Celebration of Spring” at the Apple House. Our purpose was to introduce people to our concept of forgiveness as a seed for peace.
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RONN MOTT: ‘NRA Convention’
At the recent NRA Convention in Houston, Texas, where the right-wing political hot air almost lifted the convention's building off its foundation, the NRA trotted out the forever yours political dame of the right wing, Sarah Palin. Sarah did not disappoint.
- More Opinion Headlines
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EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
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Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Raw: Aussie Zoo Shows Off White Rhino Calf
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
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Today in History May 22
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
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Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
