Indiana Says No to 2009
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In November residents of Indiana voted for the future President of the United States and they also voted on a referendum to not recognize the upcoming year 2009. Members of the state senate officially approved the referendum on December 30, 2008, two days before the New Year.
Senator Phil Boots of Boone County initiated the referendum back in August. “The economy was horrible in 2008 and experts are predicting a worse economy in 2009,” said Boots. The state of Indiana is three billion dollars in debt. Sen. Boots approached Congress, using Peyton Manning and Larry Bird as collateral, and begged for a bailout. After being denied, state officials estimated that the deficit in 2009 can climb up to five billion dollars.
“It’s quite clear the only way to avoid more debt in 2009 is simply to skip it,” said Governor Mitch Daniels. “The residents of Indiana have spoken and the state will relive the happy days of 1999.”
When a Chicago Tribune reporter asked if Daniels was afraid of criticism from the other 49 states, the governor replied, “You’re from Illinois. No further comment.”
Details are still being worked out and are expected to be completed by the end of January, 1999 (Indiana time). One of the issues is how to label any academic or professional championships. The debate is whether champions should be labeled as Co-1999 champions or 2009 champions with an asterisk.
Not all residents are happy; hundreds of people marched in Indianapolis in protest of the decision. “I was supposed to get my driver’s license in 2009, and now I have to wait an extra year?” complained 22-year-old high school student Kent Torokvei.
Jim Shortz of Fort Wayne says he’ll have to leave the state. “I have to defect to Michigan or Ohio because in 1999 I was abducted by aliens in Indiana, and I’m afraid it'll happen again.”
Professor Jerry Hathaway of Indiana State University fears another Y2K panic. “Although the official Y2K nine years ago had minimal problems, people forget. I’m sure there will be another state-wide panic,” said Hathaway.
The governor calmed down the crowd by reminding them that gas and cigarette prices were lower in 1999. The crowd then cheered when the governor announced that Prince and Revolution would be performing live for free at the Indianapolis City Centre.
