2020-Stealth-Battleground-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 883

2020 Issues In The Midwest

I promised a more details about battleground political issues in the last podcast. Seems like no one wants to focus on the real issues in the Midwest. Time to do that in 2020-Stealth-Battleground-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 883.

Battleground States No One on TV Ever Goes To

Even more you hear a lot about the so called ‘battleground states‘. In contrast all the reporting is about Washington DC!

BackRoads

Consequently I decided to take a trip across America’s Heartland. On Back Roads. Click here for those podcasts.

Sick Of The News

First of all if people I talked to said they were sick and tired of political news.

War Weariness

The most noteworthy conclusion of this podcast might end up being ‘war weariness’ when it comes to politics.

Same Song Over and Over

Seems like political news coverage is becoming like that song you hear on the radio over and over again. It used to be your favorite but if you hear it one more time, you’re going to scream.

Stealth Issues In The Heartland

Especially relevant are several ‘stealth’ issues across the heartland.

Prosperity

What’s the definition of ‘prosperity‘?

Right To Work

What about National Right To Work movements, versus Unions in key states.

Foreign Direct Investment and Trade Issues

In addition many jobs are being provided by Foreign Direct Investment. And by Foreign companies manufacturing in the US.

Jobs

Then, maybe there are more jobs, but what kinds of jobs?

Feeling Prosperous As Good As Being Prosperous?

That said, a job means you can pay rent and buy something for yourself. Regardless of what pundits might regard sub par. Back to that feeling of prosperity which might be just as important as being prosperous for some. Learn more in 2020-Stealth-Battleground-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 883.

Development In The Midwest and Mid South Changing Electorate

Finally development in the mid south and Midwest means smaller cities are becoming larger cities. That means pressure to turn state roads into freeways, freeways into interstates.

Corporate Farming

Also what about the emergence of corporate farming as opposed to family farms?

Decay In Old Downtown Areas

Moreover there are many examples of what happens when the new freeway goes through, and local businesses are left to die.

Government Handing Out Subsidies

Most important is growth created by US Government spending and subsidies. Not just in big urban centers but on the farm and in small towns too.

Health Insurance

Think people can afford 1600 dollars a month for health insurance when they’re working hourly jobs? A gifted politician will not miss this opportunity.

Obsessed With Washington DC

A lot of this is just below the surface. The media is obsessed with twitter and hearing rooms in the Capitol. This year’s election might be too close to call right now. What they miss might have powerful and unexpected effects in the 2020 election.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

2020-Stealth-Battleground-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 883

 

Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879

West Virginia Stand Out

I promised a podcast for Ohio and West Virginia. West Virginia though, is most noteworthy. Find out why in Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879.

Hard To Remember Where I was!

I’m on a mega road trip for Thanksgiving week. Heading across the central United States from Minneapolis and Saint Paul all the way to Richmond Virginia and back. As a result it gets difficult to remember just where I was.

Back Road Fading

First of all I intended to include more of Ohio. My route for a good part of this trip is US 33. Truth is, much of 33 through Ohio is actually more like an Interstate than it is a two lane back road.

Pouring Rain and Autobahns

Moreover through most of the time in Ohio, it was pouring rain. As I angled down toward West Virginia I focused on driving. In addition, I was a little frustrated with highway improvements that have left 33 a four lane autobahn with seventy mile an hour speed limits. I am searching for adventure in Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879. That means backroads.

Wild and Wonderful

In contrast, there is West Virginia. I am enchanted with this “Wild and Wonderful” state. A place that turned out to be the stand out of the trip so far.

Mountains Mountains Mountains!

Maybe it’s the mountains. Towns and mountain hamlets. Old trailers and school buses. Picturesque unincorporated clusters of churches and antebellum houses. The contrast between wealth and poverty in some places goes back generations.

Hairpin Curves and 10 Percent Grades

Due to the mountains, there are times when Mobile Podcast Command was rumbling along at 25 to 40 miles an hour, rather than freeway speeds. Through most of the state 33 is two lanes, with hairpin curves and 10 percent grades up and down. Almost heaven!

Story Within A Story

Seems like every little turn and twist in West Virginia’s mountain roads have a story. From Glenview to Elkins and more. Almost certainly all these places actually do have pretty good stories.

Crystal Clear Night

Finally this podcast ends in Virginia. One hundred miles from nowhere. On a crystal clear quiet night just before Thanksgiving.

Now I get to plan the return trip.

Stay Tuned

Sponsored by Fitness Together Private Customized Personal Training and Nutrition and LaCroix Law Real Estate Attorney

Roadtrip-Adventure-Ohio-West-Virginia-Bob Davis Podcast 879

Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878

One Of My Best Trips

I am willing to say now this is one of the most noteworthy roadtrips I’ve taken yet and I have taken a few. Time to talk about this route. Let’s discuss what it’s like to drive and create on the road as well. Learn more in Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878.

Back Roads Rules

First of all I am obsessed with back roads. I would rather take a back road anywhere than save some time on the Interstate. Especially anywhere in the mythical Midwestern United States.

Fields Like Oceans

In the fall the skies and fields seem to open up. It’s like being on an ocean of brown and black, set against blue skies. Certainly the sunrises and sunset pastels of orange and red are unforgettable.

Why I Do This

Above all in Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878 I take a moment to reflect on why I do this. In addition I’ll make some special notes on very inviting towns in the Land of Lincoln and the Hoosier State.

Rust Belt? Downtrodden? Don’t Believe It!

These days you can’t turn on the TV or read political commentary without some reference to the long suffering ‘rust belt’. The downtrodden in America’s ‘former’ industrial centers. Most of the time the people making those observations have never been here.

Good Old Days and Changes

Even more, sons and daughters of Chicago, Indianapolis, and place like Fort Wayne may pine away for the good old days.

I like to get the feel of what’s going on in these places.

For example Peoria has always been a hard bitten industrial town.

Moving Caterpillar’s corporate HQ to Chicago was a blow, but the plant is still there.

Some Of The Best Secret Small Towns In America

Especially relevant are Logansport and Peru Indiana, as well as scores of little towns along the way.

I wanted to shack up in every one of them.

Back To The WalMart Parking Lot

Finally I think the most challenging thing dealing with the stress of travel and creating at the same time. Sometimes just finding a place to shut down and get some sleep can be frustrating. Especially when you don’t stay in hotels and cook your dinner on a camp stove in the WalMart parking lot.

Challenging and Satisfying Work

In conclusion this kind of travel and creating is some of the most satisfying work I have done. After about a thousand miles, you start settling in and having a good time.

That’s when the trip begins.

Sponsored By Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Reliafund Payment Processors

Thanksgiving-Backroad-Bliss-Illinois-Indiana-Bob Davis Podcast 878