Republican rule in America - Closer to Napoleon than the ideals of Jefferson
By louisehartmann
Democracy is on the march OUT of Michigan. Republican Governor Rick Snyder is using his new powers recently granted to him by the Republican state Legislature to take over a city – fire its elected representatives – and bust up unions and cut crucial government services. It’s part of Snyder’s plan to reduce his state’s budget deficit by putting cities that are struggling financially on a fast track to a Libertarian utopia...or nightmare.
The first victim of Governor Snyder – is the city of Benton Harbor. As of Friday – the powers of city boards and commissions of Benton Harbor have been usurped by a “Financial Manager” appointed by Governor Rick Snyder. That Financial Manager – although not elected by the people of Benton Harbor – now has authority over all the elected city officials of Benton Harbor and can break up union contracts – cut city services – and sell-off large chunks of the city to private corporations without any oversight.
Welcome to Republican rule in America – much closer to the ideals of Napoleon than the ideals of Jefferson.
Comments
#2
Here is a video to lighten our day!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/18/twin-babies-in-a-conversation.aspx
#3
Yes, I can accept the scientist's claim.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110418/wl_uk_afp/britainreligionchristianseaster
#4
There is "No Difference between all of the major the policies of the Obama administration and the policies that would've been put in place by John McCain." - Chris Hedges
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J170OwHzHQw&NR=1
Learn it, Know it, Live it! You're way behind the curve, Thom.... :-(
#5
The libertarians are not interested in solving problems. They are only interested in externalizing problems. It is about exploiting their own good fortune and ignoring those less fortunate. Objectivism is an elaborate scheme for rationalizing conceit as "enlightened self interest". I happen to believe enlightened self interest, the problem is that objectists are not even close to being enlightened, having rejected all philosophy and large swaths of science that came after Aristotle. What I want to know is what planet do they intend to move to after they have run this one into the ground?
#6
Thom We can all thank 2010 Wis voters for the dictator Gov Walker They got what they voted for or thought they did, ince Walker never said he was going to bust unions or take away workers right to bargain. A greedy phony Repub like most of them ..the moderate GOP no longer exists.Now we have Tea Bagger Repubs who look human...but when we sleep they come and take our souls. Vote them out Recall them what ever it takes. Whatever Obama's faults..he is decent, he works hard against the daily Fox GOP Rush hate fest , lies, 12/ truths..vile name calling. GOP is a disgrace to our country and I used to vote GOP most of my life Me bad .
#7
Chris You are so far off base that I will not even try to educate you on the facts Enjoy your GOP world
#8
So.... The anti-big government governor, Snyder, who beleives in personal liberty and self-responsibility, is taking away the personal liberty and self-responsibility of self-government of those in city of Benton Harbor, people who voted for their own local government, the only really valid kind of government, they like to say, because it supports personal liberty and self-responsibility, to put in place bigger government, in the person of one individual, a government beaurocrat, the very antithesis personal liberty and self-responibility, a move that will obviously, because Snyder is such a great defender of personal liberty and self-responsibility, enable the people of city of Benton Harbor to live to their highest ideals of personal liberty and self-responsibility.
Just in the nick of time.The communist party was about to take over up there, I heard - after all, they had unions!
#9
Chris Hedges is not part of the GOP world. He's a longtime newspaper writer and columnist whose most recent book is "The Death of the Liberal Class." He wrote a best=selling book called "War is the force that gives life meaning." He's been a national correspondent for a couple of decades, at least. He is highly respected--but I don't always agree with him. I recommend you start looking up some of his columns and books to get a more insightful view. I'm sure he doesn't need anyone to try to educate him on the facts.
He's always an interesting--and often provocative--writer and I recommend you look at his biography and read some of his books. You don't have to agree with his beliefs--but before you criticize him, understand his background and accomplishments.
#10
The following might be of interest:
"Tell them that we are deeply concerned about them, because a country that exports repression will one day unleash that repression against its own people. A nation that wages war against the poor in Nicaragua will ignore the needs of its own poor. A country which in the name of democracy fights wars against the self-determination of other peoples cannot remain a democracy. I have felt for a long time that the U.S. people will one day be the most repressed people in the world." — Nicaraguan Foreign Minister and Catholic Priest Miguel D'Escoto, in response to a question as to the message he would like a U.S delegation of peace activists to take home with them. Newsletter of the Southern California Interfaith Task Force on Central America, 4/14/89
#11
I welcome the Libertarian nightmare to come to Michigan. While I feel sorry for the people in Michigan, I don't live there and don't plan on ever going, so let the people get what they voted for. When the experment fails as we all predicted, we'll have an example right at home to show people why these failed ideas should not be implemented. The main problem I see with this is that the truth will probably never see the light of day other than on Thom's show or something like that.
#12
The ideals comparison is great. Napoleon, like our former Republican Decider, was great at bankrupting his nation due to over-extended militaristic adventures. That out of control French military budget led directly to Jefferson's successful 1803 Louisiana Purchase at 3 large cents per acre.
The overthrow of Benton Harbors Democracy is too close to all who care about Representative Govt. I think the Marines need to be sent in to protect the citizens from Snyder's Grande Armee.
#13
(" A dictatorship. . . coming to your town soon.") It's what America wants and it's what America voted for. Had America wanted to retain it's democracy they would have fought to retain it.
Pennies for dollars! Cardboard boxes for houses! Scratching for the crumbs "if" they fall from the rich man's table!
Back to work you infants and elderly!
Back to work you poor, miserable fools!
#14
The GOP World - Group Of Profiteers (GOP)! The GOP does not have the interest of the American People in mind - it is all about Self-Interest.
When are people going to wake up to this most fundamental fact? Why does a majority, any majority, so easily fall for the con man! It happens in Religion, in Politics, in Economics, in almost any sphere of human activity. It is almost a truism!
Cons knows how to fleece their victims. All they have to do is exploit weakness, emotions, and fear, and turn that into a very lucrative payoff.
The Con is now gone big time. Think of the Karl Roves, the Koch Brothers, and the GOPers. And yes they are the Cons of Cons, and they have a lot of MONEY! They own the MEDIA! And they LIE like the best of cons.
And the American people are being taken in like a bunch of sheep. And like sheep we all being led to slaughter.
When are the American people going to wake up here? The only winners in this game, short term, will be the corporate fascists who are stealing the wealth of the American People, destroying American Democracy, and basically emasculating the rights of the American people. When and if the American people ever do wake up, it may just be too late to realize that we will no longer have a Democracy, a country or even a viable society to live in.
Last November the American People got conned big time and are now reaping the whirlwind of exactly what the Group Of Profiteers were really up to. And what is even more amazing is that most of them still believe in this Big Con! They simply do not want to accept the fact that they were stupid enough to have been conned in the first place. That is the only explanation I have for this, especially when these cons are now busy dismantling the very programs that benefit the majority of these very Americans, and then transferring that wealth to the rich corporatists who are divesting that wealth in other countries.
The BIG LIE! There are many defenders. You’ll even read them in this blog. They are all very persuasive. But ask yourself this very fundamental question: If the GOP con states that is it is a GOOD thing to eliminate Medicare (Social Security, Taxes, Laws etc), who does it fundamentally benefit – YOU who is or will be the beneficiary of this program, or is it whomever is paying the GOP con to convince you of this lie?
This is the BIG LIE – the BIG CON!
This is easy. You have money in a checking account. Someone approaches you on Sunday morning after church services and states that they have a scheme to double your money in 3 months. All you have to do is to give them that money so they can then place it in their account. Would you fall for it? Maybe. Especially when the con takes place at your local church! And some do. And this is exactly the GOP cons are doing. After all, the message is coming from our Senators, our Representatives, our Ministers, our Judges, and our Media! They wouldn’t all be lying to us. They wouldn’t all be misleading us. Really? Maybe 30-40 years ago when the GOPers still had ethical and moral values. But no more! Most, if not all, of these GOPers are now wholly owned by the new corporate fascists who are busily working to create a new fascist state.
And their paid minions are busily spreading the BIG LIE. It is all about MONEY now, and the GOPers have LOTS of it!
Wake up America. Demand an accounting. That is if you are not sheep.
#15
.... America polices have been supporting dictatorship for years..Scratch! Scratch ! ( Why) Dictator stuff is Just waitting for the right time to spring up when people are ready to say Yeah! But don't have a clue, Its a fashion show. Wow! I'll vote for you everyone tells me so, just look at that crowed of screaming manias ! Will we be fooled again and again, Most likey! We love to be dizzieled. We love pack leader's of show and wealth. Slowly we turn, Step by step,Inch by inch, Why look Niagara Falls ! Its a Brick in the wall. Thom Another Great Show and Reporting. "Bringing Home!
#16
There is "No Difference between all of the major the policies of the Obama administration and the policies that would've been put in place by John McCain." - Chris Hedges
Really? I can think of 6 impossible things before breakfast also - how about; There is no difference between what Chris Hedges would of said if McCain/Palin would of won the election and Obama would of remained a Senator.
Prove me wrong.
You can't prove negatives. Or Assume that they are true. Or believe that anyone can predict history. If you do, then I have something to sell you that will make you very rich.....!
#17
I was watching TCM (1790) and “Death of a Scoundrel” with George Sanders and Yvonne De Carlo. George Sanders was the scoundrel and very similar to the scoundrels who are America’s fascist-Nazis. He could never have enough money. He had to cheat everyone. If you have a chance to watch this movie, please watch it and see the similarities with today’s fascist-Nazis.
#18
In Florida we have a dictator named Rick Scott who had charges against him.He pleaded the 5th amenment 75 times.Got elected and gave away a high speed rail system from Tampa to Orlando to another state. We need to impeach him.
#19
In Wisconsin, we have the Dictator of Dictators, in Mr. Walker who claims to be our Governor. I refuse to call him such as he doesn't govern; he dictatees. He is probably on the phone with Michigan's gov. daily. We too just 'lost' a very close State Court election when the Repubs 'found' 7500 votes after the liberal apparently won by a couple hundred votes. Now Walker is much safer in keeping his anti union, state busting 'budget' law! Too bad for Wisconsin. I agree Thom, we are on the path to no middle class in America. We have to fight to get rid of the Republican rule!
#20
Let me see if I have the sequence of events straight:
1. Corporations bribe and otherwise corrupt local governments.
2. Corporate-owned media raises a stink about how corrupt local governments are.
3. Corporate lawyers write unconstitutional bills that are passed by corporate-bribed legislators, enabling corporate-bribed governors to illegally fire elected officials, illegally cancel union contracts, and sell the city's property and other assets to corporations.
4. Corporate-owned media informs us that we are ok with what they have done to us.
#21
Check out Ed Garvey's blog at fightingbob.com. Ed says that the same plan/tactics Michigan's governor is using is coming soon to Wisconsin. I cannot believe that the people of Wisconsin will stand for it. I know and respect Ed greatly, but I think I'm putting my trust in the people of Wisconsin. By the way, a third recall election of the infamous "Republican 8" will be held soon -- probably more on the way.
#22
The problem is that it won't stop at Michigan.
#23
Is it me or is std & poore's timing for down grading credit rating coming at a perfect time to aid consevative talking points leading up to raising debt ceiling. S & P has proved to be so reliable rating mortgage securities.
#24
@stradric We didn't get what we voted for, we got what we didn't vote for. The "enthusiasm gap" just killed us here in Michigan. Even hardcore Dems were refusing to vote in November. It sucked. So we've been using these issues such as Benton Harbor, ALEC, the attacks on MEA & other labor, etc., to point out to people how important it is that they vote. Snyder might have defeated Bernero even with higher turnout, but we would have kept the House and probably held our ground in the Senate.
Thom thanks for the great shows!
#25
Yes, it seems that socialism, communism, and any other bad "ism" is taking over the entire country and both political parties as well. People have been leaving Michigan for years, hence the term "last one out of Michigan, please turn out the lights."
-
casino online. Scommettere in uncasino online è divertente, eccitante e spesso redditizio, soprattutto, quando giochi alle slot-machine con le maggiori probabilità di vincita.
#26
And in the morning comes the sun again.
Heliocentrism, anyone?
#27
I live in my modest little home with a job that I don't really like much, living from pay check to pay check. There is no
way that I will ever assend to financial heights excepting the one in a billion chance of hittling the lotto jackpot. Why
can't most other Americans see this fact. You might as well face it that you will never be rich. So Reagonomics
is an illusion, always will be an illusion---period. Why would anybody in their wildest imagination ever, but ever vote
for a Repubican----they only represent rich people. They don't represent small business or working people---only
the filthy rich, the giant corporations here and overseas such as China. Its obvious to any thinking person that
Fox So-called News is working for the filthy rich. Rupert Murdock who ownes Fox lives in China, and is married to
a Chineese woman. No wonder he has no love for American workers and is using fox to pull the wool over all Americans.
We all must work together to take back our government from the domestic, and foriegn oppressors.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
From Screwed:
"The powers that be are running roughshod over the powers that OUGHT to be. Hartmann tells us what went wrong — and what you and I can do to help set American right again."
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"If you wonder why and when giant corporations got the power to reign supreme over us, here’s the story."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Thom Hartmann is a creative thinker and committed small-d democrat. He has dealt with a wide range of topics throughout his life, and this book provides an excellent cross section. The Thom Hartmann Reader will make people both angry and motivated to act."
Unless America can be America again, the words below will come to fruition. We are asked to be part of a better world through cooperation, sympathy, love, and connection. We are connected to every human being on this planet whether we like it or not.
Here is a major problem that liberals, progressives, socialists, and working Americans face in the United States of Mortal Sin.
We can no longer rely on a party and/or a person for the work to be accomplished. Change can only come from the ground up and the work will have to be accomplished by you and me.
Currently, we are a damned nation because we have turned our backs on God and by 2065 the United States of Mortal Sin will die. It is truly over for our fascist-Nazi country.
The above words are my predictions that are presently upon us and our future awaits us in 2065.
The poem below by Langston Hughes reveals his feelings and thoughts and his feelings and thoughts are similar to my personal feelings and thoughts.
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15609