Save Benton Harbor

Save Benton Harbor

Tom Ross
I wrote this letter for people send to their Reps and Senators about the Constitutionality of EFM's
Letter to Congress
(date) (Inside Address) Dear Congressman/Senator name: Benton Harbor Michigan is made up of 92% African-Americans and is the first city in Michigan that our new Governor Rick Snyder has targeted for takeover by an “Emergency Financial Manager”. Ben...ton Harbor is predominantly African American, as is the City of Detroit. In fact, as I look at the communities Snyder has targeted, there is an alarming number of communities with large African-American populations. Joseph L. Harris, EFM for Benton Harbor, Michigan issued “an order prohibiting all action by all city boards, commissions, authorities and other entities, except as authorized by the emergency manager.”(Not in my America!) What is our state becoming when un-elected business people can seize control of an entire city? I am concerned about the constitutionality of this EFM who is a de facto dictator and has, in effect, nullified the votes of Michigan citizens and shoved aside duly elected city officials. This kind of thing should not be allowed to happen in the United States, it's a step backwards from democracy and a move towards a form of government ruled by appointed dictators (EFM) who answer to an emperor (governor)! I believe this type of law is in clear violation of several Michigan and U.S. constitutional articles and amendments, and is totally un-American. For example: “Article IV-The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.” “Amendment-XV-The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” (Doesn't the EFM nullify peoples’votes?) And, especially citizens of the U.S. first and foremost: “XIV Amendment-Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” There are many other articles and amendments that can be used to argue the unconstitutionality of the EFM Law in Michigan. I do not have the legal expertise to argue all of them, but I firmly believe that if the U.S. Congress with it's oversight authority has the right to subpoena State Legislators and the Governor of Michigan and hold them accountable to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Property has been seized in Benton Harbor and will be disposed of at the whim of the new EFM and Governor Snyder without the consent of the voters! This situation must be corrected. Thank you. Sincerely, #avg_ls_inline_popup{position: absolute;z-index: 9999;padding: 0px 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-top: 0px;overflow: hidden;word-wrap: break-word;color: black;font-size: 10px;text-align: left;line-height: 130%;}#avg_ls_inline_popup{position: absolute;z-index: 9999;padding: 0px 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-top: 0px;overflow: hidden;word-wrap: break-word;color: black;font-size: 10px;text-align: left;line-height: 130%;}See More
By: Tom Ross

Comments
Tom Ross To find your Congressmen use this link and copy and paste the letter into email their name and your signature:
http://www.contactingthecongress.org/