I find what’s going on in Michigan almost unbelievable. Imagine having your home town fall under the control of a dictator who could close your schools, fire your teachers, forbid the local officials you elected to govern, cancel your towns contracts with workers and suppliers, and even use your land to benefit people who don’t even live there. Is that the act of a Democratic Republic or a Fascist Dictatorship?
In a move believed to be the first under sweeping new state legislation, Emergency Manager Joseph Harris suspended decision-making powers of city [Benton Harbor] officials Friday.
Officials only can call meetings to order, adjourn them and approve minutes of meetings as part of the order issued Friday.
The action is likely the first since Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law in March a new statute that grants more powers to emergency managers appointed by the Treasury Department to take over distressed schools and communities.
At least one elected Benton Harbor official was sanguine about the order. "It doesn’t bother me," said City Commissioner Bryan Joseph. "I’m in favor of it."
Joseph said he has watched financial mismanagement for decades, which was one of the reasons he ran for election in 2008.
But the move drew a strong rebuke from the AFL-CIO. The union represents administrative workers, among others.
"This is sad news for democracy in Michigan," said Mark Gaffney, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. "With the stripping of all power of duly elected officials in Benton Harbor … we can now see the true nature of the emergency manager system."… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Detroit News>
What Detroit News isn’t telling you is that the takeover is part of a plan to steal the towns park and use it as a golf development for the rich. Rachel Maddow fills in the details and interviews Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Can you believe this? I’m quite certain that Snyder has violated the Constitution, but its no sure bet with Republican activists dominating SCOTUS.
Marie Antoinette showed her disdain for common folk by saying “Let them eat cake.” Snyder would be more likely to say, “Let them eat Koch.” I hope Michigan has a workable recall procedure.
15 Responses to “Snyder: Let Them Eat Koch!”
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Benton Harbor was the second use of the law he rammed through in his first 90 days. He had the already in place EMF for the school system in Detroit take over not only his already financial duties but gave him power over education which basically neutered the Board of Ed. Which is also an elected body. The mayor Dave Bing is trying like hell to get major concessions (again) (and raise taxes on property that has lost 90% of it’s value but never lost any of it’s tax value ) because he knows Detroit is on the hit list.
Just so we are clear on who this Snyder is…he used to run Gateway computers which is now ACER. He fired 30,000 American manufacturing workers and shipped the jobs. Of course Gateway went tits up but he was lauded as a brilliant businessman.
Sure we have recall here. No ones is that god damn interested or aware of this prick because no one bothers to vote.
What you will see here is that this EMF scam is going to be used on Black communities forcing them into whatever manager is appointed and whatever company he represents they decide the shape and look of it will be.
Lets not forget about his new taxes which are not going to reduce the state deficit but to lower business and upper income earners taxes. Of course the new taxes are on the old, the sick and disabled.
Again beginning three months ago every dollar i have had to pay to the government that i did not pay in 2010 I am removing two from my consumerism. Fight them with money, it is their most cherished thing.
The park in Benton Harbor (avg wage.11k 90% black) was deeded to the city in 1917 in perpetuity for the children of Benton Harbor in memory of the couple who donated its Daughter who died at an early age.
Besides Whirlpool who’s home is there but does not employ but a minor percentage of Black residents since they closed all manufacturing down and shipped it off shore want’s the park and Arnold Palmer designed golf course for the residents of St. Josephs. (90% white avg wage 33k)
Get it?
DO NOT BUY WHIRLPOOL ANYTHING!
Michigan is now a completely red state and the Black communities that came out for Obama are probably like the last one going to sit the next one out. So wave buy bye to our 17 or whatever electoral college votes.
Mark, by “first use” I think the author intended to mean the first time when he used it to take over an entire town. Thanks for the additional background, and I fully support boycotting whirlpool.
http://www.freep.com/article/20110420/NEWS06/104200352/Detroit-pension-boards-sue-over-emergency-financial-manager-law?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s
Thanks Mark.
Let Grandma drink Tea!
Michigan is definitely become a very fascistic state. The Michigan State Police can now secretly view files, data, pictures (yep, even THAT picture) stored on your cell phone – even if they have no probable cause:
Source:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20055431-1.html
ACLU has asked for the MSP records under the FOIA – and MSP said they’d be glad to give it to them … only if the ACLU first pays them over $500,000.00 for their “processing fee”. I think this will NOT end well for the MSP.
Thanks, Nameless. I almost included that story in this one, but wanted to keep it simple. Great addition.
They just did this to Detroit, MI too. Pink slipped every teacher in the districts, Where will these kids go to school? 😡
I don’t think Governor Goose-stepper cares. He’s a racist.
And I still say there all Republican Fascist Nazi’s, no matter what anyone else thinks. And until there all Dead Our Republic is also Dead along with the Constitution.
AP, you need to specify to whom you refer by “all”.
You will get exactly what you are willing to put up with. Either shut that Republican corporate government down or bend over, take it and say thank you sir and teach your children the same.
Welcome Robert. 🙂
I agree. In the past, they turned up the heat too slowly for most to notice. I think they have over-reached big time.
Rick the Prick ran his campaign without ever putting an “R” next to his name in the ads. It worked.
I didn’t know that Dave. Thanks. Had those bastards stated their intent during their campaigns, this would not be happening,