“This is an amoral display of political apathy by Republican leaders. Their failure to run to the crisis, roll up their sleeves and pitch in tells the world that we are still the same old Republicans who only care about those who would vote for or contribute to them,” said Alex Castellanos, a political operative who is not working for any of the Republican presidential contenders.

Sadly, there’s a good explanation why Republicans are not voicing strong opinions denouncing the health threatening conditions in Flint, Michigan. Rick Snyder, the governor of Michigan, is himself a Republican.

The situation surrounding the water in Flint began over two years ago. In a ‘budget-cutting’ move, Snyder’s administration switched the water source from Detroit to the Flint River. Immediately the residents began to complain about the smell and taste of the liquid coming out of their taps.

In the summer of 2014 General Motors announced that they would no longer use Flint’s water; it was causing parts to rust.

Untreated water from the river flowed through the city’s pipes and collected deposits of lead and iron. The water had become unfit for consumption and prevented showering or cooking with the murky liquid.

Governor Snyder did little about the problem until late last year when he ordered filters to be distributed and bottled water distributed throughout the stricken area. Among others presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has called for Snyder’s resignation; but not Republicans.

Flint is Michigan’s seventh largest city. It population is approximately 65 percent black. 40 percent of the entire population lives in poverty.

Residents have claimed that if Flint was an affluent white community this would never have happened.

The protests continue as the citizens of Flint make reasonable demands. They want Snyder to resign, and they demand that the pipes in their homes be replaced. It is estimated that replacing the pipes which deliver water to the homes will cost $1.5 billion.

In addition to the lead, a Flint hospital has discovered that traces of the bacteria which causes ‘Legionnaires Disease’ was present in the water.

Republicans are always talking about cutting costs. This debacle, which was manmade by the state’s governor and his administration, will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars if not billions.

Snyder appealed to the White House for ‘disaster relief.’ His request was denied. Those funds can only be used as the result of a natural disaster; this was a manmade fiasco.

Governing the nation or a state with measures of austerity never works. Generating a larger budget through taxation, the issuing of bonds, or other measures results in a positive outcome. Negativity always fails while positivity results in success.

On the federal level Republicans talk a lot about reducing the deficit, but their only plans are to tear apart programs which have been successful for the majority in support of special interests. They continue to support a growing and bloated defense department. They fail to consider ways to raise additional funds to reduce the deficit including fair taxation of the nation’s wealthiest individuals and largest corporations.

Snyder must go; he has failed his performance evaluation.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Michigan Municipal League

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