There will be a protest today at 4pm outside the US Bank office in Detroit within the Buhl Building. We need to educate the public on how the Financial Stability Agreement (FSA) changes government for Detroit.
A Dim Future
Opinion by Stephen Boyle
Services to the city are being sold off to outside Detroit corporations, the dismantling of assets and removal of access will become more rapid. The banks are in control with corporation and governments meeting with them behind closed doors.
Privatization of lighting, transportation, social services, and more is being discussed. We the people need to request information that we are entitled to, it is no longer being easily offered through open meetings.
We are quickly approaching the realization of "Two Detroits: one thriving, one abandoned". Although abandonment will be changed as the city will be grabbing land (illegally), selling it off to the highest bidder who will most likely be corporate farming. The jobs that we are promised will be as indentured servants to the corporate farms, who will provide for our needs as they see fit. The days of freedom as it might be perceived today are limited.
Privatization of lighting, transportation, social services, and more is being discussed. We the people need to request information that we are entitled to, it is no longer being easily offered through open meetings.
We are quickly approaching the realization of "Two Detroits: one thriving, one abandoned". Although abandonment will be changed as the city will be grabbing land (illegally), selling it off to the highest bidder who will most likely be corporate farming. The jobs that we are promised will be as indentured servants to the corporate farms, who will provide for our needs as they see fit. The days of freedom as it might be perceived today are limited.
We have become servants to the system that we elected to provide services for us. Representation has faded, few elected officials are meeting with the public to know the issues from an on-the-street perspective before making choices that affect us all. How many elected officials have had their car impounded/license revoked for false charges, attempted to take a public bus to and from an event, had services such as weatherization pulled in the midst of winter, gone to a food bank to find funding has dried up and been turned away, walked five blocks and found two street lights lit and only three houses lived in, reached into your pocket for the last dollar you have. These are the streets and situations that we have - they aren't posh or pretty, but this is Detroit. People grow tough here and it takes something to get through that shell.
Governing this isn't easy, but you have to work with the community to make things easier for everyone. You'll be criticized from outside the city frequently. People will make promises yet you'll be left behind - sometimes simply because you care about the most basic things... like, how expensive are milk and eggs at the corner store because getting to a grocery store isn't happening for a while.
Governing this isn't easy, but you have to work with the community to make things easier for everyone. You'll be criticized from outside the city frequently. People will make promises yet you'll be left behind - sometimes simply because you care about the most basic things... like, how expensive are milk and eggs at the corner store because getting to a grocery store isn't happening for a while.
What must each of us do as a response to hold onto our rights?
- Demand accountability and access
- Request information such as meeting minutes, recorded video of sessions, court documents
- Become educated in the ways of law and government
- Register to vote, assist others in registering with all required documents
- Attend, monitor, research and question what is happening
- Unite in community discussions bringing your questions and information - educate others
- Share proudly because this is YOUR DETROIT, demonstrate you have a role here
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