I'm always reminded how when two buddies and I planned an extended Florida excursion in the mid-'70s my dad warned us to prepare for higher priced gasoline, food, beer, my pals' cigarettes, pretty much everything. Just the opposite was true; as soon as we crossed the Southern border of our Indiana county we noticed lower prices instead. By the time we arrived in the Sunshine State we found popular-brand beer priced lower than soda.

  Apparently Indiana residents rely upon a non-factual delusion of a lesser general cost of living to justify remaining in the land of little opportunity.  Local gas prices are $2.77 per gallon on this Memorial Day weekend.