Sen. Lugar needs to retire – Letter to the Editor

The time has come for Indiana voters to retire Richard Lugar. Mr. Lugar has had a long distinguished career as our U.S. Senator, but now it is time to send him home, that is his home in Virginia. The fact of the matter is that Senator Lugar sold his Indiana home way back in 1977 and has no legal residency here in the state; however, Senator Lugar and his wife still vote from that same address in which they sold 35 years ago. How can this be? This issue was recently brought to life with the recent debacle over Secretary of State, Charlie White, stating residency at his ex-wife’s address. How is this issue any different? To me it isn’t. How can the senior sitting U.S. Senator claim residency in a home he no longer owns, and in fact, three families have lived in that same house since he sold it back in 1977? How does the Senator’s lack of a physical residence in Indiana comply with the requirement of Article 1, Section 3 of the U. S. Constitution, which requires a U.S. Senator to be an “inhabitant” of the state he or she represents when elected. Furthermore, when Senator Lugar comes to Indiana on official business, the taxpayers are left to foot the bill for him to stay at the downtown Marriott, for the fact he does not have a home here.

Regardless of the legality of his residency, Senator Lugar is no longer a Hoosier and needs to be retired to HIS HOME in Virginia. He is out of touch with the Indiana constituents. Prior to 2010, when is the last time Senator Lugar has visited southern Indiana, let alone Dubois County? Only when he and his campaign realized a legitimate threat to his re-election have we seen more of the Senator. This saddens me. It is time for Indiana voters to stand up and elect a true Hoosier with Hoosier values.