Editor, Times-Union:
Warsaw Times Union, Thursday, September 7, page 7A: “Battery Parts Maker Entel [actually Entek] Breaks Ground on $1.5B Mfg. Campus in Western Indiana.” It was stated that this new business will “create more than 640 jobs and give a boost to Indiana’s growing electric vehicle industry.” Indiana Republican Governor Holcomb called the groundbreaking of the 1.4-million-square-foot complex “a great day for Terre Haute and for the state of Indiana.” Entek reportedly will produce “enough battery separators per year to supply material for about 1.4 million vehicles annually.” Entek CEO Larry Keith expressed appreciation for President Biden and his administration for their support. “Beating China on advanced battery development and production begins right here in Terre Haute today.” (Isn’t this an example of bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.?)
How commendable that our Republican governor recognizes and appreciates Indiana’s good fortune in reaping the benefits of the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law …. especially when not one Indiana U.S. Senator or Representative voted to pass the bill. Indiana is one of 12 states welcoming a total of 20 manufacturing companies that will help strengthen America’s energy independence and create good-paying construction and manufacturing jobs. You owe it to yourself to read the entire infrastructure bill online. You would be pleasantly surprised and amazed at its broad scope and positive future impact on all Americans.
There are several other states experiencing manufacturing booms, long overdue improvement projects on their highways, bridges, railways, airports, and expansions of broadband internet capabilities. Many of these new projects are, however, being touted as the achievements of politicians who in reality said “No” when presented with the opportunity to vote. These politicians can be seen almost daily in photo ops at groundbreaking ceremonies falsely seeking credit for accomplishments they did not promote.
As voters, we all need to pay attention to what politicians do - not just what they say. We need to read all we can from as many sources as possible. When a major bill is proposed, we should find a way to read it. When a politician “quotes” a law or bill to justify an action, we should make every effort to find and read it.
We also should look for and read the real stories that may affect our beliefs and our lives. Those stories may not be on page one or two or three of your newspaper. They may be on page 7A.
Jeanne Schutz
Winona Lake, via email