2/1/2016 – Flint and beyond

2/1/16

Richard Dale Snyder is an American politician, business executive, venture capitalist, accountant and Michigan’s Republican Governor since 2011. Governor Snyder appointed an Emergency manager to oversee the financial affairs of Flint Mr. Ed Kurtz. The appointment removed the authority from the elected official of Flint and gave sole authority to Mr. Ed Kurtz. On April 13, 2013, Mr. Kurtz signed a contract to get’s Flint’s water of a new source the Karegnondi Water Authority. The Karegnondi Water Authority contracted to build a pipeline from Lake Huron to Genesee County. The contract proposed a two-year completion date and interestingly the same day the emergency manager cancelled the Contract with the Detroit water department. It was decided that Flint could not afford the 1.5 million monthly bills. The plan now the Emergency manager would move to another water source the Flint River a river known to have a high source of corrosives.

In the previous paragraph, there are a number of interesting observations of fact to discuss however, I will only address two those of paramount importance.

I. The appointment of the Emergency manager by the Governor
II. The decision to use the Flint River as a source of water for the city of Flint

The bold move by this Republican Governor removed the premises of government of the people, by the people and for the people. This principle is a fundamental building block of Democracy. Such a bold move by this Republican Governor and many other Republican Governors, are worthy of study, analyzing and counter measuring. The present day attitude of the Republican movement appears to be a backlash to the election of Barrack Obama in 2008 and increased with his re-election in 2012. Republican’s have taken a more aggressive stance against unity, equality, and diversity. This includes local governments, state governments and federal governments all the way to the Supreme Court. However, governor Snyder’s decisions to act by appointment to deny some citizens self-government and allow other in the same or similar financial situation to govern themselves clearly is repressive, discriminatory, tyrannical, wrong and self destructive. To be sure this practice introduced and support by a larger potion of the Republican Party, is their handbook to political control. It started in the State of Michigan where will it show up next.

There are so many things wrong with the decision to switch Flint’s water from a safe condition to a national disaster however, the most glaring is the lack of consideration given to the safety of the people of Flint. The first obligation of elected officials is the safety of the people. Yes, cost is a necessary component of the evaluation process however; it can’t be the only one. As soon as the switch from the Lake Huron water source to that of the Flint Rivers source, citizen started documenting complaints to Emergency managers and the Governor the water had a different coloration and taste. The then Mayor Dayne Walling (Democrat) drank the water on TV to demonstration the water was safe. I found this interesting the Mayor who had no power to correct the problem because the Governor had stripped all public elected official of their authority yet gives the appearance or supporting the Emergency manager. For almost two years those responsible for the disaster lied to the people of Flint telling them the water was safe. There are thousands of lawsuits that will be filled and won, however what are the solutions not to allow this to happening again? What will it take for elected officials to respect all of America’s citizens regardless of their race, creed, religion, political or sexual preference? Perhaps, simply respect of each other. That, I believe we can agree is unlikely to happen so look deep inside yourself and answer the question what will I do to facilitate or assist with the process of mandatory positive change.

2/1/16 12:00 pm