As you read this, democracy is being undermined in America.
Where? How? Why? In Benton Harbor, Michigan, an Emergency Financial Manager appointed by the Governor has stripped the elected city officials of their power and taken control. (Read Public Act 4 for yourself at: http://1.usa.gov/...)
Just like that.
Unless you regularly watch Rachel Maddow or Ed Schultz, it’s very possible that you know nothing about this. As I traveled to Benton Harbor last week, I felt that I had a pretty firm grasp on the situation. We had spent the previous week working with the community to organize a march and rally in protest of this “EFM”, but it wasn’t until I arrived that I realized the extent of the troubles on the ground in Benton Harbor.
Every block showcases abandoned homes, schools and businesses. Average income: $10,000 a year. Unemployment rate: around 25% and rising by the day. While the situation in their community is dire, the people there still have hope and are determined to rise above. I spoke with a man on the street who was begging, but not for spare change. He was begging for a job so that he could pay his bills and feed his family.
Over the years, as our nation’s trade agreements have allowed millions of jobs to disappear, places like Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint and Highland Park have become the tattered face of a failed system.
When facing this kind of economic depression, it is easy to say, “Somebody needs to do something!” However, even desperation cannot give way to a forfeiture of basic democratic liberties. At a time when our democracy should be reinvesting in its people, it is totally unacceptable to usurp the fundamental rights of those people; and that is exactly what Governor Rick Snyder has done by allowing Emergency Financial Managers to take dictatorial control over communities in his state.
Benton Harbor Mayor Wilce Cooke has seen hard times before. He was mayor in the 1980’s and oversaw essential economic growth and development during a time of similar financial crisis. When Benton Harbor fell on hard times again in recent years, they re-elected him expecting the same result. Instead, they were given Emergency Financial Manager Joe Harris who has taken total control of the city government. Mayor Cooke was recently quoted saying, “Benton Harbor is the new Selma, Alabama of the 21st century, a battle ground for human rights and civil liberties.“ He is a leader and public servant who is ready to do his job, but he has been stripped of the responsibilities and authority bestowed upon him by the voters.
How is this progress? How is this just? When America falls on hard times, it is the duty of the government to reinvest in its people and the public trust. We keep hearing from Republicans that “it’s time to make some tough decisions…” There is no doubt about that. However, which decisions are we making? They propose we slash education, Social Security, Medicaid, Agriculture, environmental standards and other crucial social programs.
We believe that it’s time to start cracking down on huge corporations that don’t pay their taxes. It’s time to start punishing corporations that make billions of dollars in profit from Americans while they ship our jobs to India and China. It’s time to stand up to the Republicans who are trying to dump deep-seeded economic and social problems on the backs of the very people who are affected the most.
I grew up in Kalamazoo, just an hour from Benton Harbor. My father worked at General Motors for 30 years. In addition to passing Public Act 4, Snyder has proposed $1.7 billion in pension cuts to fund a $1.8 billion corporate tax cut. These policies are dangerous for members of my own family and families like mine all over the state. Our movement isn’t just about one community; it’s about protecting the fundamentals of democracy all across our country.
In response to this recent assault on democracy, Heartland Revolution, the “Save Benton Harbor” organization and members of the community have filed a petition to recall their State Representative Al Pscholka who helped write the bill that authorized the “EFM”. We must stand up and fight back before these reckless practices go any further. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is already flirting with a similar policy for their state. Who will be next?
Please join the fight and follow Heartland Revolution at www.heartlandrevolution.com.
John Waltz is a Co-Founder of Heartland Revolution