Bernie Sanders
Related: About this forumLive Bernie event in Flint, MI
Bernie may have already spoken. People in audience are now speaking of their issues and Bernie is responding. Here's a link to the live feed.
jillan
(39,451 posts)BernieforPres2016
(3,017 posts)I don't know if all the information in the meeting was factually accurate, but a couple of things I heard really stuck with me.
1. According to one speaker, Flint used have one of the highest per capital incomes in the U.S. in the heyday of the auto industry at $84K. Now Flint has the second lowest per capita income of any U.S. city at $21,000.
2. Either the same speaker or another one said that 33% of the structures in Flint need to be demolished.
And of course, with poverty, crime is a huge issue. As are public finances and city services, with the population declining and real estate tax revenues sinking with property values. So the city ends up bankrupt and under an appointed outside "city manager". Then there is the water crisis when somebody decides to try to save some money by switching the city water supply.
What has happened in Flint ties in with the vast majority of Bernie's campaign issues and is an illustration of the failures of trickle down economics, trade agreements, a substandard minimum wage, a crumbling infrastructure, youth unemployment and crime, incarceration, and on and on.
Bernie does a good job of tying his issues together in his speeches. A town like Flint could be a good way to show how they have impacted one town and its residents.
in_cog_ni_to
(41,600 posts)Thank you for the link!
PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE
jillan
(39,451 posts)appalachiablue
(41,047 posts)critical issues that concern Flint residents, and ALL of US here in America.
Thank you so much for posting this impt. event.
To the people of Flint, Michigan I'm so inspired by your courage and persistence, as Bernie said.
*This country must begin massive progressive change and NOW.
Enough is enough is enough!
malokvale77
(4,879 posts)Hilliary's photo-op with the Mayor.
Bernie genuinely cares and I believe he will work to help Flint and other exploited communities.
lasttrip
(1,013 posts)Thanks for the post BernieforPres2016!
Peace.
LT