In case there's still anyone out there who thinks the teabaggers are about limited government and love of democracy, they'd do well to read this (from that noted left-wing rag, Forbes):
Perhaps lost in the Wisconsin shuffle is the story of what exactly is happening in Michigan. Newly elected Republican governor, Rick Snyder, is set to pass one of the most sweeping, anti-democratic pieces of legislation in the country – and almost no one is talking about it.
Snyder’s law gives the state government the power not only to break up unions, but to dissolve entire local governments and place appointed “Emergency Managers” in their stead. But that’s not all – whole cities could be eliminated if Emergency Managers and the governor choose to do so. And Snyder can fire elected officials unilaterally, without any input from voters. It doesn’t get much more anti-Democratic than that.
Except it does. The governor simply has to declare a financial emergency to invoke these powers – or he can hire a private company to declare financial emergency and take over oversight of the city. That’s right, a private corporation can declare your city in a state of financial emergency and send in its Emergency Manager, fire your elected officials, and reap the benefits of the ensuing state contracts. ...
.... The Tea Party movement talks a good game about democracy and limited government, but in practice its elected leaders are crony-capitalists and union-busters. There is nothing limited about a state government that can erase entire cities or take control of school districts and local governments with the swipe of a pen. Manufactured crisis and a litany of politicians and power-brokers talking about how broke we are is all it takes to rob us of our democracy.
Then, wonder: is this really what democracy looks like? American democracy? Cut taxes to the point of ruination, declare emergency, void elections, turn towns over to corporations. Really? Self-described patriots, teabaggers: this is what you want of our country? It doesn't bother you, not even a little?
OK Sid-ney,
ReplyDeleteI won't mention this is like your eleventy gazillioninth use of the "T-Word", heck, my old man only uses the "N-word" 1-2 times a month,
I mean a day, dammit, now you've got ME forgettin stuff...
Speakin of N-words how are the Sonics lookin for the Playoffs??
How bout' those Mariners???
Does Seattle have a Hockey team?? No, Atlanta doesn't either..
I mean won't, there threatening to move to Canada or something...
Frank "Hush Yo Mouth" Drackman
Liberty Counsel is sending out fundraising letters accusing President Obama of implementing "imperialistic policies," "subverting the Constitution and catering to special interest groups," but there's not a peep from them about this. Yet.
ReplyDeleteNot holding my breath, blue/dead isn't a good color for me.