Andrew J. Miroff

Thought Leadership What Groundhog Day Can Teach Us About Government Policy I grew up in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania—home of Punxsutawney Phil and the Weather Capital of the World! Im proud to have grown up there and appreciated the rural simpler area where it was common to see Amish buggies on the country road where I grew up. It was a small, sheltered community where folks needed to work hard to provide a life for their family and where a McDonalds opening was front-page news when I was a teenager. I honestly did not realize how sheltered Punxsy was until I attended college at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. It opened my eyes and heart to be unafraid to ask the question: Why do we do things this way? Western Pennsylvania has a beautiful landscape and Western Pennsylvanians tend to have a blue collar/gritty and skeptical ethos. At times, that skepticism turns into pessimism. Despite that, I am an optimist. I believe our best days are ahead. Now, as a Hoosier by Choice for the last 20 years, with a talented and beautiful wife who is the best partner in life, we are raising our two daughters, I find Indianas natural optimism can set us apart. I believe in Indiana. Im optimistic about Indianas future because of the competent leadership weve enjoyed over the past 20 years. I expect that to continue and I believe in the power of the citizenry to seek improvement where possible. Just okay isnt enough. We need to do more to capitalize on our fiscal strength, take educated risks to push Indiana forward, and focus on talent attraction and quality of life initiatives to attract more people to Indiana. Sometimes status quo is positive, and generally we, as a state, are doing well; however, comfort and ease, without confronting introspection, can unknowingly create backsliding. Our state may lack certain natural attractions (like gorgeous weather year-round, or majestic mountains), but we do have many beautiful natural and manmade assets and, we have grit, solid government policies, and a welcoming spirit that can draw in future generations who have an entrepreneurial essence. We should strive to challenge conventional thought through curiosity, not judgment. While we are financially secure and much better off than a lot of our sister states, I do not sense the urgency to improve. There are interests in improving from select aspects and I welcome it. To question status quo can provide vitality and excitement so that our citizens/communities do not feel like Phil Connors (the Bill Murray character) in Groundhog Day, waking up and continually encountering the same day, week after week. I also support sincere introspection about what type of government we want—at both the state and local level. Lets raise the standard. Now is the time to think big. And ask ourselves, why do we do things this way? For each level of government should ask these questions for each level of government. Maybe the way we handle certain items are proper, appropriate, effective, and efficient. But maybe not. Were continually reminded how lucky we are to have the liberty to ask these sorts of questions. If we imagine a government carrying us throughout the rest of the 21st Century, what does that government look like? What is the structure of service delivery and are those services properly provided by government? One of the rather unspoken great aspects of American culture is that the citizens, through our elected representative democracy, can alter our government—by doing more than just voting but also by actively participating. We take pride in peaceful transitions of government—and we should. But why not seek changes within government and how it provides services, too, between elections? I implore that each of us to take ownership of your life and your government. In the movie Groundhog Day, when Phil Connors realizes that he can positively change things for the folks living within Punxsutawney, he jumps out of the negative continuous loop to live again and to live a more enriched life. Whether Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter (sees shadow) or an early spring (no shadow), I remain optimistic about Indianas future especially if we embrace the idea that just okay is not enough. Id suggest that everyone take some time to be introspective and ask yourselves: What questions related to governmental service do you have and what actions can you take to be a part of the solution? This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. The reader should consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the readers specific circumstances.