The Heartland’s Financial Distress Dictatorship: Decaying Michigan Town on Verge of ‘Democratic Collapse’
- Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:47am by
Naked Emperor News
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Benton Harbor is one of approximately 100 towns in Michigan on the verge of fiscal collapse. Now economic desperation is bringing with it a sort of financial martial law. In light of Benton Harbor’s predicament Michigan lawmakers have opted for an extreme measure which gives unilateral authority to “emergency financial managers”. EMFs have complete authority to fire elected officials, close schools, void union contracts and even sell public property.
An American state known for its great lakes has seen its middle class fade and automotive industry crumble. In Michigan’s poorest city, elected officials have lost all authority to govern as an unprecedented democratic collapse plays out.
In the face of massive public opposition, Michigan lawmakers recently reshaped democracy by giving unilateral authority to officials known as “emergency financial managers”. EMFs have independent authority to fire elected officials, close schools, void union contracts, sell public property and privatize assets.
Residents and authorities of the small Michigan town of Benton Harbor say that the changes that have come to their town recently are alarming.
“We believe it is illegal, immoral and unconstitutional,” said Benton Harbor Mayor Wilce Cooke. “No one person in this country has all that authority. The president of the United States did not have that authority.”
Benton Harbor residents like Scott Elliot say his city could be the start of a changing landscape in American politics.
“People throw around words like oligarchy and that sort of thing, but that is what it already is,” he said. “I think that the average citizen is going to have less and less to say about what is done with public assets.”
The new decision-makers are appointed by the governor to oversee school districts and cities like Benton Harbor facing financial distress. In April, Benton Harbor’s EMF stripped the elected City Council of its democratic power, leaving a city of 11,000 struggling Americans under the rule of a man they did not elect.
At least four other cities including Detroit have an emergency manager. In the “Motor City”, the EMF laid off some 6,000 teachers and is pioneering plans for corporations to privately run schools funded by public tax dollars
“They are hypocritical,” Wilce Cooke says. “They are trying to export democracy around the world, but at home, they are trying to suppress the citizens of this country.”
Benton Harbor Commissioner Marcus Muhammad believes that what is happening in his city might soon be repeated elsewhere.
“Doctor Martin Luther King said that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” the commissioner said. “So it is Benton Harbor today, but it could be New York tomorrow or it could be Chicago next week.”
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Comments (336)
dominke
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:16amThe liberal democrats DONT CARE for America or its population. Until they are run into sea without a life boat America will continue to sink. Obama is carrying thru on his promise to destroy and redistribute the wealth of USA around the world. He is bringing Muslim attitude and rule to America full steam ahead. The liberal democrats WANT COMPLETE RULE and ENSLAVE ALL. ARe we better off today than in 2008,HELL NO. Hope and Change for the worse. Thanks to ALL anti-Americans that vote for these creeps and terrorists.
Report Post »Phoenixsoulfire
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:15amI live in Michigan near Lansing where the GM plants are. The moved most of the plants out and took the building down and now there is nothing but huge empty lots.
I also voted to get the progressive (mark Schour)who emailed me and I quote “I am proud to let you know I voted on The Obama Healthcare Plan” really paraphrasing. After I called and wrote him telling him I would do everything to get him out. Well he is out. But the people re-elected a guy who Mark Schour had took his place. We are recycling the same old crap.
We need to stop recycling and get new people in Office. Our only hope in Michigan now is our new Governor Who was the CEO of Gateway computers. Thanks for we got rid of the Canadian Jennifer Grandholme who Was hanging from Obama‘s boys and wanted to run and extra term which she wasn’t allowed.
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:14amVery interesting, and an allegory. Hope everyone’s paying attention. And buying ammo.
Report Post »I_Hate_Libs
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:11amA perfect example of what happens when you have a bunch of libs running society.
The horror of the Democrat mind.
Report Post »sister1_rm
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:35amhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304657804576401841344789736.html
Report Post »Actually, the governor, Rick Snyder, who signed this into law, is a REPUBLICAN. Makes you wonder who he really is and who’s pulling strings. I didn’t vote for him. I voted Independent. I thought something was amiss with him when I researched him prior to election day.
tripl-e
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 11:53amThis is the predictable end-game of an illiterate, ill informed, self serving electorate voting their own personal interests. It has been often said that self governance can only survive until the people discover that they can vote themselves largesse. It’s demise now seems imminent. The citizens never had the backbone to say ‘no’ to each other so now the grownups are having to say ‘no’ for them. Sadly, our grand experiment in this form of government seems to be failing. Thank the political whores who refused to tell the electorate what it didn’t want to hear. Where were the true statesmen?
Report Post »mere citizen
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 3:52pmNo, this story is so full of BS it makes me just furious. It doesn’t explain a thing. The EMF bill was put into place by a Republican gov. a Republican house and senate. I live in Michigan and the whole idea is to be able to remove those who have criminally negligent in their duties and allow good governance to take it’s place. We have cities such as Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint and Saginaw in which city government is corrupt as well as likely to go bankrupt if contracts with public employees are not renegotiated. Had the local government not become corruptocrats much of this would not be necessary.
For those folks from Michigan who are going “well I didn’t vote for Synder” were you going to vote for Virg Bernero? Have you seen what Lansing looks like recently? And he was going to do for the state what he has done for Lansing? The old Fischer Body and Olds factories are either gone with weed filled lots or empty with weed filled lots. Why isn’t anything happening with this? The vast state of Michigan is lovely but there are some cities that need to be cleaned up and their local corruption interrupted.
Whoever wrote this story did not do their homework, and whoever took the word of this article is completely clueless as to what is actually happening and why.
Report Post »dissent
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:10amThe Blaze has been co-opted by liberals? This story is all of the patently false alarmist talking points being used by the unions here in Michigan who are attempting to recall our (non-RINO Republican) governor.
Report Post »Michigan’s constitution provides the office of the governor the power to remove elected officials from local municipalities. By the time a community even needs an EFM, the elected officials in question have been criminally negligent in their managing of the cities finances. Also, several high court rulings have determined that local communities do not have the right to govern themselves independent of the state, in fact you see it in action all the time when a city absorbs a smaller community without a vote, or governs an outlying area when the citizens of that area have no say in the city’s governance. Finally, an EFM may not remove a local government without approval from the state legislature…unlike a town in bankruptcy court, where a FEDERAL judge may do as he wishes (yes including removing the government) without any accountability. So in a way, this law preserves state’s rights by keeping towns out of the hands of federal judges. Towns and their elected officials serve and exist at the pleasure of the state, always have, that’s how the states work.
338lapua
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:32amThis is interesting….does The Blaze have any comment?
Report Post »I will do some digging on my own to see what pops up. Is there anyone else here who has some qualified input???
JQPublic
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 1:08pmThank you Dissent for a very accurate post. The slant to this article is amazing and the knee jerk reaction without knowing the big picture is pretty sad.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:10amMake no mistake about it, this and other forms of tyranny are popping up all over the place. Just think if the average citizen was responsible, accountable, moral, rational, reasonable, used common sense and was honest. There would be no need for this because there would be no crisis in the first place. We ourselves for the most part have set this up to happen this way. We are a reactionary people. having served 20 years on active duty I saw it time and time again. All rules were written after mistakes had been made, were hard and fast because of one goofy mistake. All must suffer the consequences. No its bleeding into the civilian population.
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:10amFrom the State’s point of view the problem is that these cities are failing and so turn around and demand that the state rescues them. Instead of the state going in and taking control they should just tell the cities that they will get no more money from the state then what they pay in. After that they are on their own. The whole state of Illinois is sinking into the debt swamp mostly because the city of Chicago controls the rest of the state. The governor of the state only won 3 counties out of 110 in Illinois, on of which was Cook county (Chicago). They have raised the state income taxes by 67% but are not talking about any spending cuts. There is a mass exodus of businesses moving from Illinois because of it’s increase of taxes on businesses. If you want to see what will happen to the whole country if liberals get their way then look to Illinois, California, and Michigan too.
Report Post »CHICAGOTHUGBUCKET
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:08amThey think it’s unconstitutional? How was spending the town, State and Country constitutional? The Liberal Democratic-tards will never catch on; if you do not work you do not eat and if you can not afford it don’t buy it. That IS America! Move out if you don’t like it! Privatize the whole country and restart the process of production here not in China.
Report Post »xpilotah1s
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:08amHey you liberal Democrat Progressives living in Michigan
Report Post »How is that Hope and Change feeling these days…..
Maybe now you can see that being one of them means nothing like the rest of us and they will eat their own.
Now you complain about the consitution and liberty .
Ya I know if you are not included in the pain you do not give a dam….
Sorry to inform you misery does loves company
I forgot you thought that only others would subjected to your twisted dreams….
Enjoy the moment because many more are to come.
commonsensesue
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:06amHelllllo people…this is a REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR!! He was elected on very vague information. When asked questions, he would only give vague, non-answers!
Report Post »xpilotah1s
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:19amSorry please do not try to insult us with the misdirect.
Report Post »MICHIGAN IS A DEMOCRATIC STATE ALWAYS WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE.
Do not go there with the ploy that this is all the fault of a Republican Gov.
Yes it takes a republican gov to clean up the fece’s from a liberal progressive democrat pit,
We no longer buy that spin of twisting the facts to misdirect blame.
Unions and Progressives and Democrats and Liberals are the ones trying to drive out God in order to bring on their new world order..
Sorry no blame for the weather either that will no longer work.
progressiveslayer
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:23amMichigan has been controlled by democrats and their union masters for many many years and that‘s why it’s dying.You’re naive or retarded to believe governor Snyder can do that much damage in five months.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:29amContinue watching the lifetime channel and the view and main stream media and you’ll be fine,and oh yes keep paying those union dues that are destroying Michigan and the rest of the country.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:38amLook for Benton Harbor to become the HQ of BHO’s national security force with the year.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:45amSue the prefix to your screen name should be void of all.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:04amYou look at any city that‘s controlled by democrats and that’s what you’ll see,a dying city.It won’t be long patroits be prepared because when that gravy train stops……………now that‘s when we’ll need gun control,steady.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:04amMichigan voted Democrat in 2008 and they will again in 2012. They vote in favor of their own demise…over and over again expecting different results. It’s pathetic.
Report Post »agameofthrones
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 3:59pmthe exact definition of insanity – doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. They are too lazy and greedy to do anything different. They just vote for the one promising more of something for nothing. They get what they deserve. One day the real Americans who are willing to give all for God and country will have to straighten out the mess, and we will. Then, those who are not willing to work for what they have, can get the hell out. I hear Mexico is nice.
Report Post »Waingro
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:03amapproimently? WTF
Report Post »NJTMATO
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:02amWords escape me. Planned for the worst and hoped for the best, but I will not leave. I will stay and fight for our freedoms and liberty. There is always opportunity, even if we have to begin anew.
Report Post »loadingmyclips
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:01amBenton Harlem has always been a sh*thole. Blacks, the key problem, have been running it for years. You can look forward to your country ending up like this with a black leader, Detroit also.
Report Post »Southernguy
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:16amY‘all don’t get me wrong, because I’m not prejudice. Some of my best friends were black, growing up. But we have a black liberal democrat for Mayor, and our city has gone downhill since he took office. All of the key positions on the police force, fire dept, and school system, have been replaced by blacks. The city council now only has one white on it, and they make the 6:00 news every night, with their bickering and arguing about how to spend money on the poor blacks and illegal minorities that hide here. I wonder if that’s why all the white folks left and moved to the county? The population ratio is now 90% black and 1% white. The other 4% are waiting deportation, lol.
Report Post »spirit of freedom
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 11:06amthis is not a color thing, as herman cain or colonel allen b. west would put forth a much different agenda. however i would agree that as far as that goes the odds it seems wouldnt be in thier favor.
Report Post »loadingmyclips
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 6:11pmI’m not prejudiced/racist either. I believe blacks have given us a lot of wonderful things, but Benton Harlem has always had riots and that stuff for decades. I just call em‘ as I see ’em NO P.C.
Report Post »loadingmyclips
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 6:13pmDon’t just take it from me, check out benton harlems sister city, St. Joseph MI. HMMM quite a difference huh ?!?
Report Post »TexasStu
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:01amAnd the People cried for relief and the “relief” came with a price…..are you willing to pay ANY price for order in our government? It takes an educated and moral people to maintain a balanced government. The lack of God in our schools the lack of education in our schools the dumbing down of our kids leads to an inability to govern ourselves. The left have finally gotten what it wants in Michigan and it is coming to other States who are following their lead. Thank you progressives for such a fine example of the “CHANGE” that you want. Just glad I live in Texas.
Report Post »Southernguy
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:06amGot room for a couple of Mississippians over there? ;)
Report Post »rockstone
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:11amI am glad I live in Texas as well. But please keep in mind, while we do sit in a much better position than nearly any other state, we are far from immuned.
No one is immuned.
God Bless the Republic of Texas!
Report Post »OhSuzieQ
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:43amLucky You! ;-)
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:00amUMMMMM?? You supported Liberals and progressives and socialist communist for years now crying in your soup boo-hoo! To hell with you rot in the stinking garden you created or you can follow the lead of the states that are working hard to get better. Bunch of idiots!
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 12:41pmExactly! They made their bed. They refused to look at reality and kept on voting for the Democrats who loved to tax and spend. Now they are reaping the consequences, which are extrememly unpleasant. The only ones I feel sorry for are those who voted against the liberals who have help office there. They at least tried to improve things. Everyone else is getting exactly what they chose, be it by their ignorance, greed, laziness, or liberal ideology.
Report Post »Popp40
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:59amAnd all these places are run by Democrats….yet people still can not make the correlation between the 2. When did we become a nation of idiots?
Report Post »Southernguy
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:05amAbout the time the Hippies showed up, lol
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:06am.
Report Post »How long you been asleep?
Popp40
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:25amDon’t quite understand your comment Southernguy….because “hippies” tend to be liberal/progressive democrats and I was pointing out that the reason the cities in Michigan are in their state they are in is because of liberal/progressive democrats being in control in these areas. Many people do not see that this is a factor to the downfall and the main stream media is not reporting on this….so in essence they are idiots for not researching it on their own.
Sorry but I am a conservative and far from a hippie.
Report Post »china clipper
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:04pmEven back in the sixties, I realized the hippies were the death of America.
Report Post »Popp40
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:57amAnd aren’t all these areas run by Democrats?????? Yet people still can’t make the correlation!
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:12amNo they can‘t they’ve been taught at the very finest public school monopoly that government is the answer to everything,they’ve been thoroughly brainwashed and are lost forever.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:14amYes they are with strong Unions
Report Post »Vote Obama / SEIU 2012 so they can finish the job
FREDD The WILSON
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 11:29amJennifer M. Granholm Democratic Governor from 2003 to 2010. Rick Snyder (not Rik Synder you eninomoron) 2011. As the immoral President Obama has said every time he opens his mouth “I inherited this mess”.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:57amI see that “Hope and change” is working well here.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 3:47pmHey, I don’t fill sorry for these librel hot beds. The people voted for this kind of change for the last 30 years and now they are reaping the results that have been adding up. I was scared to death back when Carter was running for reelection and the UAW was touting him as the solution to all the problems of the day. Intrest rates were a minuium of 21% and half of Detroit was layed off. Thank goodness that when the union folks got in the booth they thought with their mind and not union mentality.
Report Post »robinakilt
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:55amWatch as the cities in this country fall apart and pay close attention to the fact that they will be places run by progressive democrats. You can watch the news and see those people are a direct threat to America. Prepare to protect your friends, family and country from all enemies both foreign and Domestic
Report Post »Southernguy
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:55amThis don’t sound good.
Report Post »uncleskull
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:54amState of the union.
Report Post »Aaron in Polk County
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:48amMicrocosm of America.
Report Post »Build your escape plan now, America is falling. I am ready to get the Hell outta here.
Southernguy
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:54amWhere ya goin’? Texas? ;)
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:57amWhat ever happened to character AARON? Do you not have any courage? I am ready to fight for God & Country, if your not willing to then do my country a favor and leave now!!!
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:59am“Texas. -Its Like A Whole Other Country”
(Texas Tourism Bureau traveltex.com)
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:05am.
Report Post »Texas Sucks……Trust Me it Sucks Bad……..
Aaron in Polk County
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:06amI am too old and tired to fight anymore, I already gave 20 years of my youth to this nation, I want some time for myself.
This experiment (America) was a great success, but has a shelf life of about 250 years.
I am looking at property in Saint Maarten Island in the Lesser Antilles. I hope to see some of you there.
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:08amMEHico?
Report Post »enduro
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:10amThe Unions have destroyed Michigan. The only way to save the people from themselves is to have an emf take down the liberal progressive machine. It seems harsh but it is a necessary evil to get them back on the right track. Coming to california next. The libs have really screwed up some states.
Report Post »beckisnuts
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:56amAaron, crime is skyrocketing in the Caribbean, so please do some research before you buy property there. Good luck.
Report Post »GOTT-EM-MAUSER
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 11:58amAnybody headed to Texas should be prepared for one Helluva Fight that we all know is coming here. Lots of us have been here since before the first Spainard, Frog, Mexican, Yankee or any of the rest showed up. We plan on still being here after the very LAST one is hung up for a Scare Crow, no shortage of liveoaks with suitable branches.
COME ON DOWN IF YOU THINK YOU’VE GOT THE COJONES for the PARTY!!!!!
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:48amMan, that’s some rough stuff–the only hope is to remove all libs from power and put in people who think like adults and act as such.
Report Post »Eyore
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:54amThe Progressives control both parties
Report Post »And will not stop until they control every aspect of everyone’s life
They cannot be stopped now the control all the branches of the government including the courts
NOKOOLAIDDRINKER
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:57amAll together now —”THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!’ Coming soon to a town near you! TOTALITARIANISM anyone?
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:59amThis is another bogus headline and a speculative non story.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:00amSo, if I understand the article correctly, the legislature of Michigan has set up these EMF people to basically take over the town or towns and rule them by fiat in place of the peoples wishes and will to have the town run by people they have freely elected?
This is the final implementation of socialist progressive movment across the board; if the state in one part is allowed to get away with it, the administration has then the precident set to impose it upon the national level…they only need point to Michigan and declare “They are doing it there, so are we.”
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:08amThese towns – if they had smart people in them – would use this as an opportunity to privatize the entire she-bang. They would end up being the jewels of America.
Report Post »ronmorgen
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:09amSome parts of the country are showing symptoms we all will get if we don’t turn it around now.
Report Post »bproorda
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:10amThis isn’t made up. I live in michigan and was very upset when this bill passed. There is even a petition to recall Gov synder
Report Post »farmerpat42
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:16amYou do realize the Gov of MI is a pretty conservative republican, right? The union protests in Detroit a few weeks ago were against his take over of the city of detroit.
Basically the policy set forth by the state is to manage programs which are funded from predominately state-sources. So they’ll control mostly education and transportation infrastructure. It’s not a blanket take over of the city.
Report Post »Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:18amIf the citizens don’t want to lose their officials they need to be prepared to cut any and all things they cannot afford.
volunteer at the Library, close schools remove their own garbage and that on public property.
They will have to be a real community and relate to their neighbors-imagine that.
Report Post »Michiganders are not like southerners. They do not ( on the most part) like to talk to strangers.
They won’t even say “excuse me” in the grocery store aisle unless they absolutely have to. God forbid you look at them.
No offense to Michiganders- likely God fearing Tea Partiers that are not like that.
Sheepdog911
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:23amWhere‘s the ACLU crying over the State gov’t overstepping their constituational authorities? This will prove to be the roadmap for Obama to do this at the federal level, just like RomneyCare was for ObamaCare. Where‘s the teacher’s union on the lay off of 6,000 members? What happens when this is over regarding the rights of those to whom the EMF sells public properties? The concept of public property is that the people own the property, not an individual, the gov’t is essentially just the caretaker-representative of the property and the people.Even with “marshal law” authority, how would this person have the right/authority to sell property. It’s one thing to be able to force savings through unilateral cut, but raising revenue through sale of public property is another. That would be like Obama selling me “Old Faithful” to cut the deficit. Sorry Michigan, this just doesn’t pass the constitutional “foul smell” test.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:28am@FarmerPat42:
I did not mean for any offense to be cast in my posting; just warn of the fact, that this does set an precident the administration can use as justification for any and all similar moves they may make against the states of the union…say if CA goes under financially or NY state.
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:38amHave not seen many politicians that think or act like rational adults in either party. Hope they can find some.
Report Post »mils
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:42amthey will bite the dust.
Report Post »..stupid decision after stupid uninformed decision…
Libs at work…keep electing ‘em folks, keep electing ‘em and you will be living in caves
The10thAmendment
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:50amEyore
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 8:54am
The Progressives control both parties
Report Post »And will not stop until they control every aspect of everyone’s life
They cannot be stopped now the control all the branches of the government including the courts
————————————————————————————————————————————————
co-signed with an exception. They can be stopped but it will take a backbone. It‘s all well and good to meet on the battlefield of idea’s, but, there comes a point when diplomacy ends, and force becomes a necessary recourse. It‘s reached that point now because American’s have been programmed by psychological and social engineers to accept communism. Even the Founders reached a point in time where the resolve had to harden into armed revolution. We’re in a paradigm shift where loving peace means the shedding of blood.
nysparkie
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:54amTough financial love. It is obvious the elected Democrats can’t get out of their money hole they dug. The elected Democrats who have put the citizenry in this position from the buying of public sector union votes and campaign cash are unable to hurt their donors. Won’t hurt their donors. Until this country has term limits and does away with private financing of elections, seeking private donations, this is the results we can expect. We need to get all lobbyists out of Capitals all across this country. We need to let politicians run their campaigns on free advertising or from public funds only. Those funds put aside from everyone’s taxes, not from organizations. From a collective pool of money not from individual special interests. Term limits and financing, then we would actually have balanced legislative debate on laws and rules in the Country.
Report Post »Cptnjarhead
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:54amI live in Michigan, its bad.
Report Post »Detroit looks like Baghdad after a bombing.
The dems have written bad checks and now its time to pay the piper
Snyder has his work cut out for him.
MONICNE
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:56amSnowLeopard has basically declared Michigan to be dead and buried, and Aaron is giving up in disgust and despair, and moving to an island.
Is this a patriot site? There is so much fear and loathing and anti-success negativity on these pages that i wonder what it must be like — oh well you are going to tell me I suk now! Good Day!
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 9:57am.
Report Post »You would think folks would vote the bums out after they screwed up your town.
In Michigan, a democratic paradise, they just double down on poverty.
MONICNE
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:06amWhy are negative posters (sic) on this site also the very worst spellers and grammarians? It is NOT “typos” – it is actual poor English language skills (that are paraded here day after day) like a humiliating coat of arms for a menagerie of troublemakers. Just Sayin.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:11am.
Report Post »I looked up the demographics of Benton Harbor.
Check Wiki.
The city wants to be Gary, Indiana, and seems to be succeeding.
Meanwhile, nearby St. Joseph does not have the same troubles. Look it up.
Do I have to spell it out for you?
JRook
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:12amI realize there are many here that are FACT CHALLENGED. But you do realize Rick Snyder is a Republican and cut from the same mold of Scott Walker and M. Bachmann. And yes we have the best democracy corporate money can buy.
Report Post »encinom
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:19amOf course what is left out, is that Benton Harbor, mostly a minority city, has a lake front park open to the public. The GOP tryannt of Michigan, has donors that are looking to develop the lake side, into upper class developments and golf courses. Guess what park is in the plans, and guess what lacky of the GOP dictator has the power to sell the park out from under the citizens of the city without their consent.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:20amThis is the first time I‘ve heard the term ’Democratic Collapse’. It’s fitting and not an exageration!
Report Post »We are seeing it happen all over the world. Countries collapsing because of ‘democracy’.
This is a term, we should use more offten. Get it into people’s head. The problem is liberal democracy.
oldcorps
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:21amTalk about one sided reporting…Whoever wrote this story forgot to read the bill that was passed to give the State of Michigan the power to do this –HMMM must be a unoin member who wrote this story or a son or daughter of a union member..Just skipped by the clause in the bill that gives the city council chair or city manger to question any changes that take place before the EFM does anything–OR the clause about showing proof on paper and by inspection of city or township where EFM is that improvements are working–YUP better read the bill that was passed before ya start talking about it—Glen Becks “reporting staff” is starting to look like CNN–Said I thought he could be trusted
Report Post »encinom
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:23am@Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
This has nothing to do with socialism. the Govenor of Michigan is Rik Synder. a tea party back official. This is what happens when tea-brains take office. This is more proof that the Tea Party and their leadres have no love of the Constitution.
Report Post »Mike Westfall No Hiding
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:24amI actually like this plan. It is a complete reset. It is an administration of negative rights, services, etc. rather than an administration of more rights, services, etc. What would be truly scary is if the government had the right to take private assets and render them to pay off public debts. Think about it people, this is unwinding progressive decay…
Report Post »Cptnjarhead
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:28amoh look out! its the grammar nazi
Report Post »Maybe you should screen all of Sarah Palins emails
beckisnuts
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:30amLiberalism never works. Never has, never will. Just look at some news reels from the “1940′s and compare the way people were dressed with the way people look these days. You can thank liberalism and the 1960′s for the societal decline that is so obvious. Areas of the nation run by liberals are always a mess. In San Francisco, the money is there to keep the city looking good, but it’s rotting at its core. You cannot take your family to the park without having to be worried about gays having sex in plain sight. And the list of woes due to liberalism goes on and on there.
On the other hand, people like Glenn do a lot of damage to the conservative movement. For example, he is still telling listeners to buy gold coins from Goldline, which sells them at a hugely inflated price compared to the rest of the market. And his continued fear mongering for ratings routine also makes us look bad.
Report Post »Cptnjarhead
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:38amha! Snyder was not the tea party candidate, it was Mike Bouchard, you ******!
Report Post »PrfctlyFrank
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:39am@MONICINE.. I wouldn’t tell you you suck from your post.. How pretentious would that be?? No, I’ll say you suck after reading all your posts… You”re a lib/prog.. Of course you suck.. Comes with being dead wrong…
Report Post »Cptnjarhead
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:41amDarn, i just feed the troll. shame on me!
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:44amThis is how liberalism paves the way for Islam to move in.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:44amMORE evidence that the AUTO INDUSTRY should have gone bankrupt!!! All it did was slow the inevitable, and fill the pockets of the national unions coffers!
Report Post »DrFrost
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:45am@JROOK
Republicans who inherited a system that is not sustainable.
Unlike the federal government, they can’t just print more money. At some point, they won’t be able to get loans, they won’t be able to meet payroll. Like any household in America, if you quit paying your bills they are going to come and take your stuff to pay off your debts. These EMF’s are like court appointed accountants sent in to liquidate a business that has gone under.
Yes… if you consistently spend more than you make you’re going to lose your assets. The fact that these are “public” assets make no difference. The people elected leaders. It‘s the people’s responsibility to elect leaders that manage properly. If the leaders fail, the people will pay the price.
It’s amazing to go read the story about the riots in Greece and read all the posts about “you spent yourself into oblivion and now it’s time to pay the piper“ but in this thread people are bemoaning ”lost liberties!” How can you come to two different conclusions on what is essentially the same story?
A group of people get together and form a corporation. They all own it. They hire a CEO… who doesn‘t manage very well but they aren’t really paying close attention. The business goes bankrupt. The owners are all bemoaning that it‘s the CEO’s fault… that doesn’t keep the courts from coming in and selling everything to pay off the debtors. And this is not a violation of their liberties… it’s a c
Report Post »last frontier
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:52amMONICNE, I have a feeling this is your town, or you live in a town just like it, and you landed yo high payin gubnet. job through affirmative action, and people like you are one of the main reasons towns like these are failing.
Report Post »TheOracleOfTruth
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:55amTHANKS Demoncrats! It’s all on you and your RINO friends, who think socialism is the answer – what ignorance!
Report Post »Cptnjarhead
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 11:01am“feed” i mean fed!
Report Post »Timsincali
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 11:03amWhite Black Household Income
Report Post »Benton Harbor 5.49% 92.40% $17,471
St. Joseph 90.31% 5.11% $37,032
last frontier
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 11:13amMONICNE
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 10:06am
Why are negative posters (sic) on this site also the very worst spellers and grammarians? It is NOT “typos” – it is actual poor English language skills (that are paraded here day after day) like a humiliating coat of arms for a menagerie of troublemakers. Just Sayin.encinom
And this is Buella practicing her ebonics again.
This has nothing to do with socialism. the Govenor of Michigan is Rik Synder. a tea party back official. This is what happens when tea-brains take office. This is more proof that the Tea Party and their leadres have no love of the Constitution
Report Post »AXED US ANOTHER QUESTION BUELLA
silentwatcher
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 12:06pmBusinesses, large and small, are/have moved from a large portion of the state. System is crashing.
Still think the businesses need to be taxed higher? That it won’t affect hiring? the economy? or it this what you want, so it can be ‘remolded’ to suit your b.s. agenda.
Report Post »Now this is Art
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 12:11pmif done right, it could be a blessing.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 12:30pmIf they’re trying to take over your city, state, or country… kill them.
Simple.
Report Post »JQPublic
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 12:53pmWhat most do not seem to understand is that this city has been going broke for years and those elected to solve that problem are only concerned about re-election. This is an attempt to prevent this city from total collapse. This EFM was appointed by the previous democrat governor but under the previous set of rules their hands were basically tied and nothing was getting done. The current governor is just giving the EFM more authority to get the city back on its’ feet and prevent a bancrupcy.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 12:57pmSnowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
The EMF’s are the reason the people in Michigan elected a Conservative Governor. This is one of the first laws that he signed and the way we Michiganers look at it overall it is a good thing. This was set up to root out all the progressives that thought it a good idea to pay off their union buddies, take huge salaries, and leave the towns budgets in ruin. Gov. Schneider is a smart businessman and saw the problems at all levels of Government which is why he asked for this new law and got it.
Basically the law states that if a Town, County, or City will not balance their own budget a EMF will step in and do it for them. It has nothing to do with going against the will of the people, it’s fixing a State that the progressives have decimated over the last 10 years with Granholm. Michigan was in a one state depression since she was elected and Schneider is straightening out. To think, Granholm was on Obama’s economic transition team. That explains a bunch.
Report Post »Mike N
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 1:08pmWriting meaningless jibberish again ENCINOM (MONICNE)? How can you call this a non-story, just because you lack the foresight to see it growing onto your backyard? If the EFM was managing the town next to yours in a way you didn’t like, it would at least be a story, and if he/she was managing your own town, it would be more important to you than Haley’s comet taking aim for a direct hit tomorrow.
Do what conservatives do . . . think forward a bit. Think of how putting a bullethole in a dam results in erosion, cracking and ultimately a breach. Such monumental failures almost always begin with seemingly insignificant and always underestimated imperfections.
Report Post »melmatmic
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 1:10pmAs some one who lives near Benton Harbor and having a daughter who lives in Benton Harbor, as drastic as this action was, it was needed. Benton Harbor has been ruined by thieves and corrupt politicians until the city is in ruins. For the last nineteen years or longer, they have continued to elect the most incompetent and corrupt people they can find and then have a recall or fire them with some great severance package. OVER and OVER and OVER. That one city is gradually bringing down the whole southwestern corner of Michigan.
Report Post »Wayner
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 1:13pmHow do you get the initials EMF out of emergency financial management? Are we changing our english sentence structure to spanish or french now?
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 1:15pmDon’t you just love those “Public-Private Partnerships”? What you see here is the fruition of 100 years planning on the part of Central Banks…..when deficit spending reaches bottom, who else but “Mighty Mouse Private Capital from Central Banks” can save the day!!!! How we have all been played!! Don’t even have to pay attention to Greece only anymore………just look here.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joan+veon&aq=0
Report Post »Dakota
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 1:56pmAnyone have any doubts about Limited Gov’t should do some research on Sandy Springs, Georgia. They outsource everything …and run gov’t the way it should be run. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8qFvo2qJOU
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 2:13pmDetroit has been run by Democrats forever and the picture on the front shows the decay from liberal thinking…. the schools, the houses, the streets anything they touch looks like crap. It was never o b a m a money, it was yours and mine.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 2:31pm@MONICNE — No, this is THE story of the day! If we cannot have a voice at the local level, how much longer before we lose our voice at the state and national levels?
This story needs further investigation.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 2:53pm@Blackhawk1
Thanks for the clarification…it fills in some missing parts of the picture and more understandable now, sometimes I am having a harder time to understand what the story is grabbing for.
Report Post »Sound The Trumpet In Zion
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 4:00pmWell I guess they are only trying to keep themselves from being the next town wiped off the map by obama’s reign. Of course, if they and enough others got off their butts and acted in the interests of the people and this nations freedoms and our Constitution, they would probably survive a lot better instead of playing puppet to obama and his cronies and his union thugs.
Report Post »Miguelito
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 4:13pmAmen, brother!
Report Post »JohnGalt
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 4:51pmThey never stated why the area is so bad off, I wonder why?
Report Post »Huguenot Descendant
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 5:53pmWelcome to future America under Obama’s rule.
Report Post »rc30
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 6:35pmLook am from Flint Michigan. Moved to Texas in feb of 09. Sorry to say this but they did it to there self. They will cut cops and firefighters before they will cut one program. That just one problem of many. That will cause great harm. Also when 51% of the people get some type of welfare. They won’t vote out there income. Just give you a ideal how people think up there. In 2004 Kerry vs Bush. The UAW union sent out a memo to there workers Teamster union also did this. Said that Bush is going to take away all over time.
Now when you are trying to get votes. Would you cut anyones overtime pay. Would you want the hole country to hang you. It was a lie hands down. You don’t have to be to smart to know that. My best friend still to this day belives that his union stop. People need to wake up and just use your brain a little.
Sorry for spelling or grammer. Am just a plumber that was very lucky to make it out of high school.
Report Post »God bless Michigan and all of this great country.
BecksDisciple
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 7:03pmI live in MI near Benton Harbor. It has been a dump as long as I can remember, but I remember my Grandpa telling me how great it used to be when he was younger. I believe that city went on the same path as Detoit. It used to be home to alot of industry as well and was eventually taxed and regulated to the point where business left town and never come back(PROGRESSIVES). Even Whirlpool, who has their global headquarters in BH has downsized their local workforce. I believe Gov Snyder is getting a bum rap for trying to help clean up the progressive mess and return some sanity to that city. Hopefully those folks will begin to elect people who are truly interested in the positive growth of that city and not continuing it’s path down the crapper!
Report Post »coliwood
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 5:23amI live in Detroit and I don’ know what to make of this. Yes, it is bad that the Gov has appointed men who can override citizens powers but, the city officials in these towns are so corrupt they have completely bankrupted the cities they run. As a result, there have been massive police layoffs and areas where there is complete lawlessness. I understand the right for people to elect their officials but, if the people lack the responsibility to elect the right leaders, how long do you allow them to destroy the area?
Report Post »BlueStrat
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 6:47amI live in Michigan, about 60 miles from Benton Harbor. I’ve been in and through the city and surrounding area any number of times throughout the last decade. Benton Harbor, like Detroit, has been under control of Progressive Democrats for decades. It’s a drug, corruption, and crime infested nightmare. The only people still living there are those who can’t afford to leave.
Unfortunately, Michigan has suffered from all-powerful public and private sector labor unions, business-hostile laws, regulations, and policies, and we are seeing the results of decades of these society and economy-destroying laws, regulations, and policies put in place by Progressive Democrats.
Michigan is the poster-boy for the failure of Progressivism & Progressive policies and ideology, and the failure of both public and private sector labor unions. This move with EMFs is a desperate, last-ditch attempt to avoid economic collapse, as nearly all of the politicians and bureaucrats are owned by labor unions and the Progressives, and absolutely refuse to be economically/financially responsible, many not even accepting that there’s a problem.
We here in Michigan call Benton Harbor “Little Detroit”, and we call Detroit “East Compton”. Thanks to labor unions and Progressivism, Michigan is truly an “economic Sargasso”.
Report Post »militiaman
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 9:00amBeckisnuts:
“And his continued fear mongering for ratings routine also makes us look bad.”
How so? Give us some valid points as to why anything Beck has said isn’t true. Just making baseless allegations is really just a waste of your time, because it convinces nobody.
I’m waiting…………
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:19pmI just spent the last 1/2 hour looking to see if CHICAGO has a EMF.. and both goggle and yahoo the ONLY thing they would bring up was MI.. however.. when I went to the website for CHICAGO they have a EMF which includes COMMUNICATIONS.. and ABOUT 13 other departments.. all separate.. so I still have no idea IF it could happen there.. HOWEVER.. they don’t need it.. the MAYORS of that city just sell public land, tollways, sky ways, airports etc.. by telling the hand picked aldermen to vote with them NOT against them.. OH YA and don’t forget the parking garages and meters.. anyone NOT voting with them well they pay a HUGE political price..
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on June 30, 2011 at 11:30amWhen people have allowed themselves to duped into believing that they are wards of the state, puppets of society’ s infrastructure and tools of government whims what did expect would happen? People are being brain washed and they are eating it up like ravenous pack animals. People are convinced that they are worthless without government. It only gets worse from here.
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