Society's Child
As the water crisis in Flint deepens, it is becoming apparent that the effects of the lead-infested water are not just a health hazard, but the situation has the potential of ruining many more lives outside of the poison issue. There is no denying that the water in Flint is undrinkable and that it is contaminated with lead and other substances, and it is clear that the government of Flint is responsible for the problem.
However, the city's government continues to charge people for the poison water and then threatening to foreclose their home or take their children if they refuse to pay. Michigan law states that parents are neglectful if they do not have running water in their home, and if they chose not to pay for water they can't drink anyway, then they could be guilty of child endangerment. Activists in Flint say that some residents have already received similar threats from the government if they refuse to pay their bills.
Flint residents have recently filed two class action lawsuits calling for all water bills since April of 2014 to be considered null and void because of the fact that the water was poisonous.
"We are seeking for the court to declare that all the bills that have been issued for usage of water invalid because the water has not been fit for its intended purpose," said Trachelle Young, one of the attorneys bringing the lawsuit said in court.
"Essentially, the residents have been getting billed for water that they cannot use. Because of that, we do not feel that is a fair way to treat the residents," Young added.
Recent estimates have indicated that it could take up to 15 years and over $60 million to fix the problem, and the residents will be essentially forced to live there until the problem is solved. Despite the fact that the issue is obviously the government's responsibility, they have made it illegal for people to sell their homes because of the fact that they are known to carry contaminated water. Meanwhile, residents are still left to purchase bottled water on their own, in addition to paying their water bill.
Although this problem is finally getting national media attention in Flint, they aren't the only city with contaminated water supplies. In fact, a recent report published by The Guardian showed that public water supplies across the country were experiencing similar issues.
This crisis highlights the many dangers of allowing the government to maintain a monopoly on the water supply and calls attention to the fact that decentralized solutions to water distribution should be a goal that we start working towards.
Comment: Unfortunately, this is a natural consequence of having psychopaths allowed to participate in government and corporate rule. To get a handle of this phenomenon, check out Harrison Koehli's Ponerology 101 series, or pick up Political Ponerology by Andrew Lobaczewski.
Ponerology 101: The Political Psychopath
Ponerology 101: Lobaczewski and the origins of Political Ponerology
Ponerology 101: The Psychopath's Mask of Sanity
Reader Comments
There is a 'fifth column' already working to liberate these poor, poisoned, drugged, and brainwashed people from the tyrant, but the more people engage, the sooner it'll be over. At least LOOK into what judge Anna is doing. I know, I know, they sound like a bunch of redneck neocons, but they aren't!! This movement goes directly to the source of all of the worlds problems, has been very busy exposing the truth behind everything foul thing that has been happening, and has directly taken steps to correct it. From what I can discern, is that this is the final thing that can be done to avoid a full on revolution!
"This crisis highlights the many dangers of allowing the government to maintain a monopoly on the water supply and calls attention to the fact that decentralized solutions to water distribution should be a goal that we start working towards."
Alternatively, how about a civic constituency comprised of politically empowered individuals who decide (hey, even democratically) to form utilities, associations and the like that'll actually serve their interests - be they de-centralized, monopolistic, or "free" market?
Right now, Michigan law allows the governor to appoint emergency managers when cities, townships, public schools are determined, by the governor's appointed financial evaluators, to be financially unstable. A former emergency manager, named Darnell Earley, assumed - by virtue of his appointment and the statute permitting it - complete control of all city operations (maintaing and using the privileges of that law to overrule the desires of locally and democratically elected city councilman and woman). This included the problem of what to do with the decaying water infrastructure. His solution: stop the piping of water into Flint from Detroit's system, temporarily using river water until a system accommodating a private consortium of suppliers could be established and the infrastructure needed to tie their processing systems into the existing system could be built [[Link] The story isn't merely about water.
Barbaric, totalitarian moves on the part of the government. I guess Flint is the new Palestine. America, you become more disgusting every moment.
I hate to say this, but this is the absolute most evil aspect of capitalism in action. They've been buying up water sources for years and simply don't believe in our right to clean water. I feel so sorry for the home owners in Flint who've worked so hard to buy their homes as its so not just as easy as to say, 'move to a different area' even though that's the obvious thing. Read and view this to understand about more about 'capitalism's' commodification of water. [Link]
To put the brakes on these kidnapping bastards
An Ecclesiastical certificate of live birth.
Until you get one,they own you,they own your kids.
Reclaim your sovereignty.