Summer comes to Tractor Country
Donald King
Posted: 06.16.2009 / 11:07 PM PDT
Summer has finally arrived to Tractor Country, after a long, damp, and unusually cool spring. But for this heavily agricultural area, that depends on its rich soil and hospitable climate for raising soybeans and corn, this is not all bad. As long as we get lots of sun and heat in the weeks ahead, it will be a good year according to the local farmers. For areas like this, agriculture is totally wrapped up with the health of the economy. So it is as hard to ignore the state of the economy in Iowa as it is anywhere these days. I can report that at least in traditionally strong agricultural communities like Sioux Center and Orange City, Iowa, we are holding our own. Sure, everyone is behaving cautiously, spending is fairly flat, but no one is panicking, and unemployment is still below the national average.
If my observations are accurate, the economic slowdown has the most effect on student workers, who are all getting fewer hours this summer, with less jobs to go around. We did not lose any of our car dealerships here, an indication that those who trade in regularly for new American SUVs, trucks and cars are continuing to do so. The car lots look a little fuller than usual, but it is only the start of summer. What we are not seeing are the middle to lower end used cars, so folks are likely holding on to those a little longer. People are definitely noticing the increasing price of gasoline as well as higher prices at the grocery stores. There may be more burgers and brats on the 4th of July and fewer steaks this year, but that is a small sacrifice. The number of new homes is down, and other houses are moving slower, but prices have not come down much and there is movement on the market. It is too early to tell if people will be staying closer to home this year, but another few weeks will tell if more of us are taking shorter trips and enjoying the backyard more this summer.
The biggest issue besides the economy here was the decision by the state legislature this winter to allow same-sex marriage. It was all the talk when I was out east as well, as five of the six New England states have accepted the constitutionality of same-sex marriage when, “after all, it has even been accepted in Iowa” now. This is generally true, as the Democrats control Iowa’s state legislature, but not so in northwest Iowa where Tractor Country is located. My state legislators were up in arms, calling on the governor to overrule the Iowa Supreme Court (very unlikely) and most local magistrates vowing to discontinue performing any marriages to avoid legitimizing same-sex marriage. So I was admittedly very surprised when the regional weekly, The Northwest Iowa Review, reported last week that a female couple here in Tractor Country received a validation of marriage from a respected and seasoned District Court Judge. That sure set tongues wagging uptown, a reminder that at least here in northwest Iowa, this train (i.e. gay marriage) has not left the station, despite reports to the contrary from the national press.
The opposition to gay marriage, like abortion, is not just a political issue to the folks here in the heartland, but a matter of faith. This makes common ground hard to find, and understanding of those on the other side difficult to attain. As one who is not “from here” as they say, I have a unique perspective. I have come to recognize that the deep differences on issues that relate to family threaten to seriously divide our society. It is not as simple as “majority rules” because a long-term resolution requires addressing issues with humility, patience and civility or they will lead to greater conflict and dissension.
More on what I see to be the dangers underlying the growing divide between our economic, political, cultural, religious, and ideological differences in my next posting.
