There is one rather obvious thing wrong with corporations compared to our government, which is that the only people allowed to vote are certain stockholders, while the employees and customers are basically the equivalent of peons under an old fashioned oligarchy. The closest thing to the American government in the business sphere would be a cooperative.
And let's point that the video was slightly alarmist. People here have looked at the bill, and while it's nasty, there are criteria to be met before the governor can decide to dissolve a township. And corporations can't be put directly in charge of an insolvent city, but they can be contracted and consulted with by the appointed managers.
Charlie Tunoku is a lover and a fighter.France had prior revolutions (the Fronde I & II), which were power struggles between the nobles and the monarchy, both of which were dicks. The people had the option of supporting feudalism or being overtaxed into poverty.
It's funny how installing representative government is like trying to tip over a soda machine. It takes a few shoves. The French failed to revolt three times, but once Napoleon was overthrown they finally ushered in a republic.
I don't really see the parallel with France in the U.S. since we don't live under a king. We haven't seen an oligarchical setup like this since Rome, or maybe Venice under the Medicis.
edited 15th Mar '11 10:11:33 AM by johnnyfog
I'm a skeptical squirrelAnother thing worth noticing is that Rick Snyder is cutting a CRAP LOAD of public services, you know, the non essential ones like schools and police and firefighters and aid to the homeless (which we have alot of).
Also the tax breaks for the movie industry we were trying to attract, which is pretty much gone now thanks to Rick Snyder.
But hey, tax breaks for other businesses! Woo! That will somehow fix EVERYTHING!
Yeah, the only thing Michigan has to offer is derelict ghost towns for filming apocalypse movies.
Plenty of other states are already trying to woo the movie industry (IIRC, Louisanna started it).
Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play@johnnyfrog: And how long did that republic last? The one after that? And the one after that?
But yeah, it's sort of a dick move how he premeptively cut all sorts of funding keeping these places afloat than gave ludicrous tax cuts, all with the seeming intent of turning the state into his own corporate empire.
I understand that in theory this will allow him to more efficently handle the situation, but some times the principles in the way of efficency are there for a reason, and too precious to give up.
Charlie Tunoku is a lover and a fighter.Question for all of you guys:
Assume this guy does get this position without the Supreme Court stepping all over him, what if he manages to pull Detroit and such out of the gutter and make it economically prosperous? No, I don't want to know if you think he'd be corrupt or tyrannical, I just want to know what you'd think if he managed to, with increased efficiency and business know how, cleaned up the economy in that state.
The thing about making witty signature lines is that it first needs to actually be witty.I'd say that was great, but the price paid didn't really justify the means in my opinion.
Although it's worth pointing out: Town governments exist at the pleasure of the state, it can dissolve and form municipalities at will. They can't touch the voting districts, but they can do whatever they want with the towns, legally speaking.
Charlie Tunoku is a lover and a fighter.This is called cutting your loses.
Fight smart, not fair.@Usht: It would provide propaganda ammunition for others to do the same, causing a nationwide erosion of voter rights as power is concentrated among unelected officials and large private corporations. Not to be too alarmist, but healthy economy or not, that sort of thing has never turned out well in the long run.
Slippery Slope Fallacy. Just because it catches on somewhere doesn't mean it'll catch on everywhere. Else, we wouldn't be having different states have different opinions on the death penalty, and plus, I'm asking if your opinion of it would be the same, not what would happen.
Okay, so the question was poorly worded.
edited 15th Mar '11 3:47:37 PM by Usht
The thing about making witty signature lines is that it first needs to actually be witty.@ tnu: All I will say is that, in this case, if bigger government works, then it will be used. The ends justify the means.
Otherwise, I say that this is a dangerous first step into totalitarianism and a splitting of ground for the Republican Party. Now we have the Totalitarian-Oligarchy Republican Party, the despicable Tea Party, the moderate Republicans, and the Evangelical Republican Party. This is certainly getting good. Lets hope the split happens officially. Then not a single wing nut will ever reach the Presidency.
Ah, my personal opinion would be one of apprehension and fear. No matter what actually happened, more power concentrated away from voters (even if it wasn't used) would make me perpetually anxious over the increased danger of Bad Things happening. This atmosphere of alarmism would probably be common on the left.

Theres nothing wrong with the concept of corporations.
Its just like anything that becomes too big and powerful, it becomes extremely vulnerable to rampant corruption.