The Great Gatsby is a favorite, in part because it tells the story of a Midwesterner trying to make sense of the distorted East Coast culture and, in the end, finding the only answer is to leave. The Midwest of the United States is a metaphor for commodity based economies. East Coast reflects fiat. The latter can can have us dizzy for a bit. The rollercoater is fun and maybe larger than life. But, even if intentions are pure and everyone wants the best, the foundation is not solid or real. The fun is temporary. In the end, Midwest values prevail: Family, faith, friends, community, rooted in the energy we put into the land.