Let me see if I have this right. For months the State of Michigan, thanks to Governer Rick Snyder, denied it had a water problem in Flint, Michigan. For a long, long time there was no problem with the water in Flint, Michigan, as I understand it from what I read. I read that Governor Snyder appointed an “emergency manager” who, TO CUT COSTS (God forbid we even think about charging some folks a few extra pennies for safe drinking water!), switched the city’s water supply from the safe Detroit system to the Flint River. And then, allegedly, that same “emergency manager” refused to reverse the decision “even after it became clear that the water was smelly, dis-colored and so corrosive that a General Motors plant refused to use it because it was damaging auto parts” (Tainted water).
Then, from what I read, Governor Snyder’s environmental department responded WITH CONTEMPT and data that critics claim were “manipulated” (no way...Republicans manipulating data? No way!). Reportedly it wasn’t until October 2015 that the water supply was switched back to Detroit. Unfortunately for the people of Flint, Michigan, the lead that leads to the risk of brain damage in children and kidney ailments in adults is still apparently there. Oh, and then there’s the matter of the spike in Legionnaires Disease since the initial water switch.
But NOW, dear Governor Snyder, the man who is the proud destroyer of Unions in Michigan and the man who is PROUD of bringing austerity to Michigan, is apparently seeking a Federal Bailout (Flint aid requested) because Michigan is unable “to meet all the needs of Flint residents whose water system has been contaminated by lead.”
How tempting must it be for President Barack Obama (who I personally believe will ultimately go down as one of our greatest Presidents ever) to say, “Hey Rick, go ask all of your fellow Republican governors for some cash to help you out—we’re tapped out here in the Federal Government!” I think that’s what I would WANT to tell him. But, us Democratic Socialists…..how do we turn our backs on these people screwed over by their elected leaders?