Tag Archives: leveling the playing field

The myth of the social mobility in America

By Mark | November 1, 2011

Last night, I had the following to say about Eric Cantor’s appearance at U-M: …In his speech, Cantor apparently talked about his ancestors and how they made good lives for themselves in America by a plying themselves and working hard. The implication, of course, is that others can do the same. Unfortunately, the facts say […]

Posted in Observations, Politics | Also tagged Abe Lincoln, American dream, Benjamin Franklin, class warfare, Eric Cantor, fairytales, Herman Cain, Mitt Romney, Ponzi scheme, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, Robert Reich, self-made man, social mobility, wealth inequality | 3 Comments

Who will fight for Michigan’s struggling cities, like Ypsilanti, against the Snyder budget?

By Mark | March 6, 2011

As we’ve discussed here in the past, the budget put forward by our new Governor, Rick Snyder, would appear to put a disproportionate amount of the burden on aging, urban communities, like Ypsilanti. Here are just a few of the ways that Ypsilanti will be impacted by the new budget if it is ratified. • First, […]

Posted in Detroit, Economics, Michigan, Politics, Uncategorized | Also tagged Andrew Shirvell, asbestos, Brownfield MBT, Brownfield Redevelopment Tax Credits, Chamber of Commerce, Club for Growth, College Republican National Committee, fire protection, Glen S, Grover Norquist, Historic Preservation tax credits, Jean Benet Ramsey, John P. Yob, John Ramsey, Karl Rove, Koch brothers, lead, Lee Atwater, Mack & Mack Building, Mellencamp Building, Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Suburbs Alliance, Mike Cox, Missouri Federation of Young Republicans, Pete Murdock, picking winners and losers, Ralph Reed, revenue sharing, Richard Murphy, Rick Snyder, SEMCOG, soil contamination, Straight Talk Express, Thompson Block, union busting, Value for Michigan, Water Street | 61 Comments

Rick Snyder’s budget and the impact on cities like Ypsilanti

By Mark | February 19, 2011

A couple nights ago, I posted something here about our Governor’s proposed 2012 budget. My impression, as I shared with you, was that, while he was doing some things that were both good and necessary, he was, for the most part, just shifting the economic burden to the local communities, who would be forced to […]