A Socratic Look at Detroit Politician's efforts:

A Socratic Look at Detroit Politician's efforts:

"I say and I say it again, you've been had. You've been took. You've been HOODWINKED, BAMBOOZLED, led astray, run amok."  - Spike Lee, Malcolm X

In who's best interest? Layoff and cut decisions appear to be directly linked to saving Council Jobs, and benefits along with appointed positions linked to the Mayor's office.  I have to call it the way I see it. Where is the effort to increase revenue by bringing back RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS for City Workers? Where is the fight to adjust agreements with the CASINOS that are making record PROFITS during this economic downturn? Why isn't city government fighting to renegotiate the tax abatement for corporations benefitting from low tax rates? Where are the SIGNIFICANT CUTS to City Council's benefits, and salaries?  

The Leadership of Detroit seems to be making CYA decisions based on more back room deals.  The layoff of 1000 people that could pay taxes in the city will only shrink the TAX BASE, and increase unemployment. Cutting City SAFETY makes the city less attractive to future revenue of legitimate businesses, not to mention remaining citizens being exposed to worse service, and crime.

The Mayor and the City Council are the results of the citizens electing people on name recognition, and celebrity status.  I listened to Mayor Bing's speech and I did not hear him say how he planned on GENERATING REVENUE other than trying to collect 220 million from the state which is consequently in just as much trouble as Detroit.  The City Council President is using his position to get free campaign appearances on Let it Rip, between his trips to places that don't result in any benefit for the city (Harvard, DC).  Did anyone notice that CITY COUNCIL just approved a BUDGET this summer that obviously did not meet the financial needs of the city?  So did they not understand WHAT the HELL was going on? Now they are basically sacrificing citizens to crime and unemployment.  If they are representing the "people's best interest", the people must not want much.

Here are some of the questions the citizens should demand answers to before sitting by idle while these layoffs take place. The following questions should reveal if your Mayor, and City Council have effectively been "FIGHTING" on your behalf or telling you what will pacify you:

Why did City Council approve the Mayor's budget in June 2011 (7-2) if they understood the financial issues of the City thoroughly?  (City Council President Charles Pugh Voted for this BUDGET)

What attempts where made to increase tax revenue from the Casinos that are making record profits?

Did the Mayor's office and City Council make an effort to renegotiate tax breaks from businesses that are currently operating under deals the city can't afford?

Would current city employees and the state now be willing to revisit the idea of residency requirements so the city could increase its tax base, and not increase unemployment? (Instead of the 220 Mill from the state bring back Residency Requirements for perpetual tax revenue for the future)

What cuts are being made to City Council's salaries, benefits, and budget?  There was a meeting before the Mayor's speech with the Compensation Committee but no results released.

What detailed plan does the Leadership of Detroit have to accommodate the citizens if these cuts to safety actually have to be executed, and what residual effect would it have on insurance rates, and potential law suits?

How much of the CITY BUDGET goes to consulting firms and lawyers for law suits. (If we find better business practices we don't need them as often).

When was the last Detroit was audited to find out where the leaks are that is permitting so many funds to escape or be misused?

Then ask yourself ... If a thousand people lose their jobs, and unions are busted under the "Leadership" of this City Council and Mayor do any of them deserve to keep their jobs?

References:

http://www.michigan.gov/mgcb/0,4620,7-120-57063_57111-256014--,00.html  (Detroit Casino Revenue)

http://www.andersoneconomicgroup.com/Portals/0/upload/Final%20Report.pdf  (Economic Study on Residency Requirments) *Detroit Paid for this report in 1999*

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20110630/FREE/110639996/detroit-city-council-approves-mayor-bings-proposal-to-restore-25-million-to-budget#

The simple things in life are the best; lest your mind be the most simple.

Sam I Am...- That is all

Sam I Am...- That is all

Prophet or Profit...

PROPHET OR PROFIT WHICH ONE WOULD YOU PREFER?
THE PROFIT FOR YOUR FUTURE , OR A PROPHET FOR THE WORLD'S? WE CONTROL THIS ANSWER WITH WHAT READ AND LEARN. PROPHET OR PROFIT, WHICH IS YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN?

A WOMAN IS A CHILD’S' FIRST TEACHER AND MEN PROTECT THEM BOTH WITH
THE LESSONS THEY LEARN FROM PROPHETS, NOT THE PROFIT THEY'LL GET FROM
MOST.

WHEN THINGS WERE WRONG GOD SENT PROPHETS TO CORRECT AN EVIL EXCHANGE, GOD NEVER SENT TO US PROFIT TO BUY OURSELVES A CHANGE.

PROPHET OR PROFIT MUST WE CONTINUE TO COMPARE?
PROPHET OR PROFIT, WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER SHARE?
A PROFIT CAN BE A GOOD THING FOR YOU OR MAYBE A FEW, BUT A PROPHET
WOULD BE THE BEST THING FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD TO VIEW.

THE HOLY BOOKS SPEAK OF PROPHETS AND PROFITS AND WHICH SHOULD BE
REVERED. THE BOOKS ALSO SPEAK OF PROFITS AND THE EVIL YOU SHOULD FEAR.

A LESSON IS WORTH A LIFETIME, BECAUSE OF IT CAN PRODUCE; MONEY IS
WORTH A LIFETIME BECAUSE OF THE LIVES IT WILL SEDUCE.

TO LEAD IS THE WAY OF A PROPHET GUIDED BY GOD'S HAND. BUT WHO GUIDES THE PROFITS THAT LEAD YOU ACROSS THE LAND?

Sam I Am - That is all

© 2011

That is all

The Semantics of Reparations...

The Semantics of Reparations:  When dealing with a topic this polarizing in American society emotion normally trumps logic once the media sensationalizes the proponents of agenda. I believe that the logical arguments are more compelling than the emotional arguments, and deserve a day in court.  But my question to America and the International community is which court and who represents the argument for or against? – 

Let us begin with finding common on ground on which the majority of people will have to admit based on academic FACTS:  

Chattel Slavery did exist in America /United States (Legally).

Only a small percentage of people owned slaves (Incorporated).

Slavery assisted America economically to outgrow other nations based on the economic model aiding many of America's leading corporations (families) to invest heavily in its future.

I have only listed a few facts for the basis on the topic because I'm not attempting to give a history lesson or an economic analysis of the agricultural prominence of America during slavery's peek production.

What stirs the emotions of many of those that are Pro Reparations is the knowledge they have of the suffering, and disenfranchised position slavery has placed those who are indeed decedents of slavery.  The argument against reparations typically is that slavery although harsh, and in overwhelming opinion evil; the fact that America during pre-colonial, post colonial, and until the Emancipation Proclamation, and before the ratifying of the 13TH Amendment were operating under the law of the land thus making the point that there is no legal argument to bring a case for reparations.

But did slavery assist America in progressing economically, and develop a financial base for many corporations that even in today's economic picture control much of what is tangible to the existence of America domestically, and internationally?  My opinion is yes but I welcome opinions to the contrary.  What is seen as a stopping point for chattel slavery with the ratifying of the 13TH Amendment was merely a beginning for those that were once bonded by chains being released into a society to compete with chains that came with skin color, illiteracy, and De facto refugee status.

Here is where the SEMANTICS really become an issue of needed interpretation.  Slavery officially and "legally" ended January 31, 1865.  But we all know there was no magical reconciliation of those that were born into slavery.  I'm not just talking about those that were the physically slaves conducting the everyday toils of a servant in bondage.  I'm including those that were in the majority that were also indoctrinated into an idea of supremacy, and suffer the scars of mental ineptitude LEADING them to continue efforts to segregate and in many cases annihilate those they were conditioned to believe they were inferior. 

We shall once again list a few FACTS that are common ground based on academics:

Slavery as a social concept did not end with the Emancipation Proclamation/ 13TH Amendment.

The Social Construct created by the 246 years of "legal slavery" made it impossible for former slaves to enjoy "The Rights Endowed by our Creator".

The Federal Government failed to protect its citizens from forms of domestic terrorism, and discrimination putting them at a distinct disadvantage.

Once again I have listed only a few instances because I am not attempting to give a history or sociology lesson of American society post 1865 to present.

If you follow much of what is allowed in the media about the debate for reparations you will notice that the argument presented by the media for Pro Reparations simply deals with the time period in which slavery was LEGAL.  My question is what about the activities or in-activities in America after slavery was “illegal"?

In a Civil Law Suit the "Burden of Proof" rests on the defense which makes important that people understand why there is much more success in civil suits (settlements).  Is it plausible that an excellent case could be made that the American Federal Government was indeed negligent in its Constitutional obligations to protect its citizens? 

Once again I will give you my disclaimer that I am not attempting to give a history lesson, and in this particular instance not give a legal argument. But there are several instances in our nation's post slavery history that require some examination as it relates to negligence in protecting its citizens.

Was there a Social Construct that remained after Slavery was made illegal that was predicated on discrimination based on skin color?

Did the Federal Government pass several Civil Rights Acts pertaining to former slaves but fail to enforce these laws? 

Where former slaves and their descendants relegated to second class citizenship, and put at a distinct disadvantage by organized State, County, and City governments illegally? 

These are three questions that I personally believe will not withstand the Burden of Proof in a Civil Proceeding. 

The passing of several Civil Rights Acts between 1865-1965 specifically designed to deal with existence of discrimination against former slaves, and their decedents is evidence of the Social Construct that exists in America based on race.  The Federal Government has made progress but ultimately has many failures towards its obligation to American citizens that are GUARANTEED access to constitutional rights.  The semantics of my argument are in that word "Guaranteed", remember this is a civil suit.   

If it can be proven that our Federal Government has compromised it's obligation for the sake of political solitude of the majority then it can be proven that government has been negligent, and is indeed liable to some degree over the last One Hundred Years.

Your Thoughts Please..- That is all

The Pursuit of Happiness requires a Credit Score...

Extreme Capitalism: We are very familiar with the word "Extremism" when it is used to describe the beliefs or activities related to RELIGIONS, RACISM, and SEXISM. American society is on the hook of a form of extremism that is invisible in the eyes of most Americans, and indiscriminate in it's effects on those placed at it's mercy. Has the American Government at every level assisted in the practice of EXTREME CAPITALISM, and enslaving it's citizens? Are lobbyist from the Financial, INSURANCE and Banking industry literally writing legislation that allows USURY practices with consumers? Has the elected Representation of our Representative Republic become clones of corporations operating as agents on the behalf of their architects? Credit now comes in the form of an invisible noose that can only be defeated with the payment of death benefits if you can afford the INSURANCE which just so happens to be the cousin of our inconspicuous friends the FEDERAL RESERVE, and you can take that to the BANK.


http://www.esoterictube.com/the-american-dream.html


http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/frseries/frseri3.htm

Sam I Am- That is all