Thom Hartmann: Republican rule in America - Closer to Napoleon than the ideals of Jefferson

Democracy is on the march OUT of Michigan. Republican Governor Rick Snyder is using his new powers recently granted to him by the Republican state Legislature to take over a city - fire its elected representatives - and bust up unions and cut crucial government services. It's part of Snyder's plan to reduce his state's budget deficit by putting cities that are struggling financially on a fast track to a Libertarian utopia...or nightmare.

The first victim of Governor Snyder - is the city of Benton Harbor. As of Friday - the powers of city boards and commissions of Benton Harbor have been usurped by a "Financial Manager" appointed by Governor Rick Snyder. That Financial Manager - although not elected by the people of Benton Harbor - now has authority over all the elected city officials of Benton Harbor and can break up union contracts - cut city services - and sell-off large chunks of the city to private corporations without any oversight.

Welcome to Republican rule in America - much closer to the ideals of Napoleon than the ideals of Jefferson.

-Thom

(Is dictatorship coming to you, too? Tell us here.)