Sunday, May 01, 2011

Rep. Fred Upton, of the family that began Whirlpool, is now in a position to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency


A comment from http://michiganmessenger.com/48670/demonstrators-benton-harbor-is-the-new-selma

The property that was gifted in perpetuity to the citizens of BH is very valuable as beach front on Lake Michigan. The development of the golf course, water park, hotel, etc. will be built for people who can afford the $5,000 annual fee. BH has suffered from extreme poverty for decades [and also suffered what seems to be unspeakable - monumental injustice metted out by Berrien county law enforcement and the courts: most egregious and numerous illegal convictions and imprisonments of African-American innocents and juveniles in the state - it's how Whirlpool has destroyed humans and families in order to steal land]; and like other towns and cities, especially in urban areas; the lack of employment, the economic crisis in our state and across the nation, and the lose of tax revenues have exacerbated the further ruination of the basic services necessary for a healthy community.

Benton Harbor is important for two main issues; first the loss of self governing by the elected city officials being replaced by the Emergency Manager assigned by the governor of the state which negates our democratic principles. And the second issue has to do with the property itself and specifically the trade of a property that was owned by Whirlpool. Whirlpool is a Fortune 500 corporation that is celebrating its 100 year anniversary; the property exchanged was found to be contaminated and toxic. Removing the toxins will be expensive and prohibitive to a community that is financially crushed.

...Attorney... who has filed a federal suit on behalf of citizens stated that "The concealment is breathtaking." Rep. Fred Upton, of the family that began Whirlpool, is now in a position to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency and citizens will lose the only watchdog to examine the ongoing war against our environment. For these reasons, what happens in Benton Harbor relates to every citizen in our nation.