Former Congressman Mike Pence called for Hoosiers to work together in order to improve and invest in Indiana at his inauguration as governor on Monday.
“We have good government, but make no mistake about it our state is poised for greatness. The core of that greatness remains our people,” said Pence in his inaugural address. “Indiana is the heart of the heartland because Hoosiers are the best people in the world.”
The Pence inauguration was hosted on the west steps of the Indiana Statehouse as a crowd of several hundred shivered in 20-degree temperatures.
Another small business owner, Joe Hadley, owner of Hadley Family Dentistry, emphasized the impact Governor Pence will have on small business practices in Indiana.
“I want [Pence] to be kind to small business. I’m tired of all the incentives going to big business,” Hadley said. “We are under new leadership that will expound on [Former Governor Mitch Daniels’] policies, Pence will springboard into the new administration.”
Hadley looked at his young son and smiled when he talked about the future he hopes Pence will help build for Indiana and also his growing family.
“I want my kids to have hope when they grow and open up their own businesses,” Hadley said. “Pence is going to create policies that will give them that hope.”
The event was both opened and closed by religious figures praying for Pence’s ability to adhere to his Christian values, something community member Tom Going believes is key to improving Indiana.
“The federal government is lacking in morals, our governor is full of integrity. He will lead this state to become a beacon for the rest of the country,” Going said.
Carol Wettschurack agreed with Going and said she believes strong family values and moral fiber will help Pence in his governorship.
“I know Pence will make the right decisions when it comes to my family,” Wettschurack said. “We are looking for the best in Pence.”
Not everyone was happy with Pence or his policies. Chanting of anti-Pence slogans could be overheard throughout the inauguration.
A small group of 15 to 20 protesters holding posters formed less than a block from the State House. They said they were upset with the greed that is destroying the government.
Marcus Case, who is a part of a political advocacy group which organizes labor at the lowest level called Jobs with Justice, said he believes the way in which Pence was elected should be wrong.
“You can channel unlimited dollars to the Pence campaign, and the Koch brothers gave almost a million dollars through a political action committee,” Case said. “We [as citizens] have the right to know where this money is coming from with complete transparency.”
Case said he disagrees on several levels with Pence and believes his record proves he will be bad for Indiana.
“In congress the first thing he did was join the Tea Party, he is very right of center, anti-union and his abortion rights for women policies will come out of religious ideas, which is wrong,” Case said.
Pence, who did not mention the protesters, instead focused on continuing policies that he believes will continue to bring Indiana back from the problems Hoosiers have faced in the preceding years.
“Whatever it is you can do, do,” Pence said. “If you have a job, work at it as never before. If you serve the people, serve with all your heart. If you can build a business, do. If you can start a business, try. If you have a dream, reach for it.”
