Consistent with the times

Hoosiers should appreciate Indiana's unpredictability.\nBut some, like Republican candidate for governor Mitch Daniels, certainly don't. Daniels is proposing a plan that would force all of Indiana into the Central time zone. His idea would also bring daylight-saving time to a state in which 77 of 92 counties don't change their clocks. \nAs one of three states not practicing this obscure idea of biannual clock changes, Indiana places itself in a unique position. Unlike many states with one booming central city, Indiana is surrounded by metropolitan cities in bordering states on all sides. Why force Indiana residents near Cincinnati to abide by Chicago time? Trying to create an artificial sense of continuity is foolish, impractical and, most importantly, unproductive.\nCongress adapted daylight-saving time nationally in 1966 and left the option to join up to individual states. Currently Indiana has three time zones. Most of the state does not abide by daylight-saving time and therefore spends half the year on Eastern time and the other half on Central time. Ten counties follow Central time all year. And another five stick to Eastern time year-round. \nThough initially Indiana's multiple time zones might appear confusing, especially to a non-Hoosier, after careful analysis, it's apparent Indiana's lack of conformity makes sense.\nAny claims of economic benefits we might gain by switching to daylight-saving time and increasing trade with Chicago are inadequate assumptions. In fact, we believe by forcing the state to adapt Central time, we might hurt many businesses near Louisville, Ky. and Cincinnati. \nBefore hastily saying Indiana should follow the national trend of daylight-saving time, we must understand Indiana's culture. Much like magnets with similar poles, residents near Indiana state borders seem to repel Indianapolis in the hopes of becoming pseudo-citizens of neighboring metropolises. \nProponents of Daniels' plan claim Central time would help Indiana economically and psychologically. \nTherefore, for the betterment of Indiana's psyche, Hoosiers should strive to move into the "future" with Central time. Different time zones apparently confirm Indiana's white trash, hillbilly image. And Central time would miraculously replace the impression of pitchforks, cows and corn, with a fresh, cosmopolitan scene.\n"Going on Central time derives the benefit of Indiana's central location," said Ellen Whitt, deputy campaign manager for Daniels (IDS, Feb. 19).\nBut Whitt is prematurely assuming Indiana is a central state. Whitt's theory that all of Indiana follows Chicago's lead is an illogical attempt to oversimplify the situation.\nWe understand the proposed benefits of switching to daylight-saving time, but we don't think rash theories should outweigh and overrule a system that has worked for decades. \nIndiana doesn't need to change with the times.