If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
The Blog
The media has been closely watching the social and economic trajectory of Detroit. Less publicized is a transformation that is occurring throughout the state -- the restructuring of governance through privatization and corporatization.
As citizen oversight diminishes, the power of the state increases, enforcing compliance with deadening systems designed to demand obedience and control.
No irony is lost in the fact that two of Detroit's biggest companies, GM and Chrysler, went through bankruptcy in 2009 and have emerged stronger. Municipal bankruptcy is considered by many to be a last resort for localities in fiscal trouble.
In a crisis, people look for a hero. We have been trained to believe that our deliverance can only be found in the one man or woman. The trouble with this way of thinking is that it is unrealistic.
As citizens if we continue to allow the intellectually bankrupt to make decisions that are harmful to our quality of life, we the citizens of Detroit will evaporate a lot quicker than you can say bankruptcy.
If an emergency manager were to be assigned, a potential outcome would be the sale of Belle Isle. If Detroit is a black city, then Belle Isle is black land. It is precious, peaceful, protected land held in trust for the people of the city.
Those of us in the turnaround world have been waiting for decades for the City of Detroit to be in its current dismal financial condition with no easy way out. It is finally the time when people must step up and take positive actions.
Recent legislation from Governor Snyder and the Michigan state legislature has sought to strip away power from local municipalities and from the people. At the top of the list is the whole concept of the Financial Manager.
It's becoming increasingly clear that it's game over for Mayor Bing. So now the push will begin: How to best deal with Mayor Bing, particularly at a time when the city is in such financial peril.
As an elected representative of the people I am disgusted and ashamed to be in a body which would attempt to spit in the face of our very foundation of government as well as the people of Michigan.
Cutting expense alone is overly simplistic and shortsighted. To be successful, Detroit must cut expense and increase its revenues. With a workable and attractive plan for the future, Detroit can be great again.
Mayor Bing and others have made the statement that Detroit should be run by Detroiters. The only problem with Mayor Bing's statement is when you have unqualified Detroiters operating Detroit.
Mayor Bing and City Council President Pugh both have professed how they love Detroit and want to lead Detroit back to its glory days. We need leadership who are willing to demonstrate their love for us through their actions.
By Lindsay Beyerstein, Media Consortium blogger Michigan's new Emergency Manager Law is already forcing major concessions from unions. The law gives t...
