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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe truth about Flint: Kids drank poisoned water because of the GOP’s radical, anti-democratic “refo
The truth about Flint: Kids drank poisoned water because of the GOPs radical, anti-democratic reformsby Paul Rosenberg at Salon
http://www.salon.com/2016/01/23/the_truth_about_flint_kids_drank_poisoned_water_because_of_the_gops_radical_anti_democratic_reforms/
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But behind the upfront horror and outrage being felt, behind all the tragedy and drama now unfolding in Flint, whats happening now is rooted in a state-level attack on democracy. Indeed Rachel Maddowwho first brought the story to national attentionmade this very point herself, calling the law that made it all possible the single most radical policy in recent American historyan emergency manager law that essentially invalidates local self-governance.
The common theme of attacks on democracy in Wisconsin and Michigan is not an accident. The two stories are connected by virtue of being parts of a broader processthe aforementioned Dixiefication of the Midwest, without which neither of them can be fully understood, or responded to. Dixiefication is a process thats economically regressive, culturally anti-modernist, and politically authoritarian/anti-democratic, and in that first story, I traced how Walkers early aggressive pushing of Dixiefied anti-union agenda eventually led to a wide-ranging dismantling of the states good government framework of laws and regulations.
However, the Dixiefication of the Midwest itself is taking place in the context of two much wider processesthe Dixiefication of the nation as a whole, and global process of neoliberalizing economies in various different ways across very different societies. All three of these large-scale processes have been shaping regional politics as well as everyday life in the Midwest with increased ferocity since the the beginning of the Great Recession. Whats striking about the lead poising of Flint is not just how morally outrageous the story itself is, but also how it can serve to illuminate the much wider framework of corrosive harm these three social processes have produced.
Lead Poisoning Flints Kids
The story itself wasnt new. On Sept. 2, researchers from Virginia Tech University led by Marc Edwards reported that Flints water was very corrosive and causing lead contamination in homes, but commensurate attention and action have yet to come. So, on Dec. 14, Flints newly elected mayor, Karen Weaver, fought back. She declared a state of emergency regarding the citywide lead poisoning that resulted from a change in the source of city drinking water, a cost-saving move ordered by the citys appointed emergency manager. Water from the Flint river corroded Flints water pipes, leaching lead into the water even after Flint switched back to getting its water from Detroit in October.
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ghostsinthemachine
(3,569 posts)Thanx for the article.
leveymg
(36,418 posts)If HRC or any if the GOP candidates is elected, the emergency manager arrangement will be extended across vast tracts of the US deemed not worth gentrification. Bernie seems to be the only candidate who might oppose that if elected President.
Warpy
(111,417 posts)Snyder and the lege didn't come up with this horror show on their own.
applegrove
(118,880 posts)Rex
(65,616 posts)WOW.
leanforward
(1,077 posts)It would seem the emergency manager idea is unconstitutional based on what I've read as to the abrogation of elected officials powers.
We need elected folks who have the ability to think critically. Not someone who is a quick draw or saving money without source consideration. Was it worth it? NO. Cheney shot his buddy and Iraq, Snyder wanted to prove he could save money and his legislators went along. I believe someone needs to be inconvenienced for some time. We're still paying for the quick draw team of Bush/Cheney. All of a sudden the state has come up with an appropriation.