Comments on: Is Michigan the Proving Ground for Democracy’s Silent Killer?

By: Eclectablog

Eclectablog — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:19:55 +0000

With all due respect (and I’m writing as someone who has covered the Benton Harbor saga of the past year probably more than anyone else), the situation with Jean Klock Park has nothing to do with the Emergency Manager. The City of Benton Harbor agreed to this deal 4 years before Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed an EM (then called and Emergency Financial Manager [EFM].)

I am as anti-EM Law as anyone around but let’s be sure to get the facts straight. The situation with JKP is separate from PA 4 and all of the anti-democratic, disenfranchising aspects of it. I have done everything I can to promote the repeal of Public Act 4 – the so-called Emergency Manager Law – and will continue to do so. However, we can do it without rewriting history. And, yes, Rachel Maddow got that bit wrong, too.

Also, it’s Al Pscholka, not “Pshulka”.

If you’re interested in following my writing about Michigan politics, you can do so at Eclectablog.com.

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By: Cassandra Vert

Cassandra Vert — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:30:58 +0000

Welcome, John, nice opening piece. I have been aware of EFMs since the law was first passed, (www.politicususa.com/en/m...) and I agree, its coverage has not been to scale with its impact.

You should look up @nNomad_ on Twitter. He’s been talking about Benton Harbor on the radio. He is the head of NewStand Media and Progressive Leadership Action Network, to which I also belong. We put info about EFMs in our book FIX America! so we’re trying to get the word out too.

But if your town is dissolved, don’t you just become a resident of an unincorporated area? You may not have a city council, but you would still vote in county, state, and national elections, no?

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By: drsolo

drsolo — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 22:06:40 +0000

I agree, what you are dealing with is much worse than in Wisconsin, and I dont understand why there isnt bigger coverage of these issues in all media.

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By: Cassandra Vert

Cassandra Vert — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 22:01:21 +0000

Michigan has been more successful than most states passing the ALEC state legislative agenda, which makes Rick Snyder a conservative star in the Michele Bachmann Tea Party camp–if he can just dodge the recall bullet.

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By: John

John — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:49:35 +0000

Act 4 is far more frightening than you even realize! One very scary fact that is hidden in Act 4 is that it gives the EFM the ability to suspend elections without suspending them. All the EFM has to do is dissolve the town, village, city, municipality, or whatever type of local government it is and your ability to vote is gone. After all, if your town, village, city, municipality or even county no longer exists, then you are no longer a citizen of that entity and subsequently you are no longer a registered voter of that entity. So then how will you be able to vote in 2012 or 2014 or any other year? Do you trust Snyder to let you vote, especially if you’re a Democrat?

Remember, no one needs to take away your right to vote, because if your local government no longer exists then your ability to prove you are a citizen no longer exists either. If this happens, who will help you? Your Republican controlled State Legislature? Your Republican controlled State Supreme Court? Your Republican Attorney General, Secretary of State, Lt. Governor, or your Republican Governor? Or perhaps the Republican controlled media?

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