....to negate democracy....neo-Bolshevism. This is not a joke.
Michigan GOPer Gov Synder and GOP Legislature has tried to sneak thru legislation that negates democracy and elective representative governmnet in that state. This story is a Forbes articel with video brought to you by MSNBCer Rachel Maddow...but if you can't stand her than click on link below her video for full story....Similarly, this is what Koch and Walker are doing in Wisconsin using 'Shock Doctrine' methods. Unions, of course, are the last defense in a privatization of state resources and the creation of dystopic perfect corporate state...that's why they are in the bullseye. Gov Synder has taken it further...total autocracy.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/03/11/michigan-governor-plays-fast-and-loose-with-democracy-invokes-radical-new-powers/2/ In political rhetoric, this is the opportunity for the people to voice their opinions. But because of our representative (indirect) democracy, we can only formally voice our opinions through our representatives. Therefore, if this legislation is used against our community, we must try to influence city council members by voicing our opinions. Council meeting times and locations are available on city council websites.
§15 provides the governor with the authority to determine whether or not the local government is in a condition of severe financial distress, and therefore what action to take. The local government has 7 days to request a hearing on the governor's ruling. Even after a hearing, the governor, "in his or her sole discretion based upon the record, shall either confirm or revoke, in writing, the determination of the existence of a financial emergency."
In other words, after the governor's decision (on the existence of a financial emergency) is made, a hearing on the governor's decision may be requested. But even after the hearing, the governor has sole veto power. More democratic legislation would require this final decision to be made by an outside entity, or at least by committee.
§15(3) This decision may be appealed by a vote of 2/3 majority of the governing body of the local government, to the Ingham County circuit court. If the governor's decision is found to be unsupported by evidence, or to have been "arbitrary, capricious, or clearly an abuse or unwarranted exercise of discretion" (basically an abuse of power), the court may overturn the governor's decision.
§15(4) If a financial emergency is found to exist, "the governor shall declare the local government in receivership [my emphasis] and shall appoint an emergency manager to act for and in the place and stead of the governing body and the office of chief administrative officer of the local government." The bill mentions the emergency manager's "broad powers ... to rectify the financial emergency..." Elected democratic officials have no powers "except as may be specifically authorized in writing by the emergency manager and are subject to any conditions required by the emergency manager."
Parks asserts that "the bill even allows Snyder to appoint a corporation as the emergency manager." This is untrue: §15(5)c of the bill clearly stipulates that the emergency manager must be an individual. However, this does not preclude possible associations with (and thus, influence from) large corporations, even those outside of the local government's reach (§15(5)b). The only requirement is that emergency manager candidates must have "a minimum of 5 years' experience and demonstrable expertise in business, financial or local or state budgetary matters." (§15(5)a)
§15(
Short of impeachment, only the governor can remove the emergency manager, either if he/she is not doing satisfactory work, or if the "financial emergency is rectified", which is determined by the state treasurer [§15(9)].
.. ...............TM7
