Benton Harbor occupation not new

In one of the most notorious attacks against democracy in America of late, right-wing Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan has appointed a "financial manager" to take over the operations of the city of Benton Harbor. This unelected manager promptly stripped Benton Harbor's elected city commission of its powers. Starting tomorrow, the only powers that the city's elected leaders will have will be to begin and adjourn meetings and approve the meeting's minutes. They will not be permitted to hold votes on anything.

This is nothing short of a coup d'etat, and Benton Harbor's citizenry and elected officials need to defy it.

Much of this coup was motivated by Republicans' desire to take Benton Harbor's beach and build an exclusive, private golf course on it - even though state statute and common law say beaches are public property.

But is this brand of martial law completely new in modern America? Perhaps you don't recall Bush's doctrine of "preemption" that imposed his will on states and cities. Is there much difference between what's going on now in Benton Harbor and what went on all over the country under Bush?

If more states had complied with Bush's Real ID, that wouldn't be any less martial law than the rogue occupation of Benton Harbor is.

(Source: http://www.wsjm.com/Benton-Harbor-EFM-Suspends-Voting-Powers-Of-City-C/9633751)