By John Bebow - January 25, 2008
At the end of the day, do you really care? Do you really care what Kwame Kilpatrick or any other elected official does in a bedroom? No matter where you live in Michigan, does this scandal impact you in any real way?
Well, yes, if you care about the reputation Michigan and Detroit carry throughout world.
But, beyond the dogged work of Jim Schaefer and Mike Elrick, (Detroit Free Press reporters and public servants in the truest sense), another story in Detroit this week has longer and broader public implications...
We're talking about the reform agenda promoted by Detroit Renaissance, the CEOs group that has traditionally stayed one level above the political fray. Not anymore. Led by Doug Rothwell (who also serves as a co-chair to the Center's Defining Moment Public Engagement Campaign), Detroit Renaissance offers a long list of reforms that are in some ways synonymous with Governor Granholm's own financial advisors and the many citizens who've participated in our Community Conversations.
9 Comments
Leave Kwamee right where he is for another 2 years, and let him keep the positive downtown/city momentum he started on the move. In the meantime he announces he will leave office at the end of t/his term - no matter what.Then disbar him, try him for perjury - and let Freeman Hendrix move in and do his thing. Meantime Christine Beatty is separated by the close of business today! Lets get on with it.
The article does not take prejury serious enough. This issue goes to the basis of our judical system that what someone says under oath is the truth. Yes it it common knowledge that a lot of lying goes in on courts which is all the more reason that examples need to be made in high profile cases.
Is it the Center for Michigan -or the pr arm of the ruling class? Respectfully, the assertion presented here -that the latest get well quick plan from Detroit Renaissance is a road map for the way out -is quite a stretch. Anyone who read the actual press release might conclude that it is merely a muddled rehash of the dynamics of our big problems. The claim that legislators ought to watch their backs because Doug Rothwell and his member pashas are watching is news that might not reach most of those effected.
Why didn't the smartest people issue some benchmarks when they put everybody on the clock? Wasn't that an earlier promise of the roadmap to salvation? How about a scorecard to track the next round of promises of the economic development crowd subsidized by the eroding wealth of Michigan?
At the end of the day, what Kilpatrick did does matter. The opportunity costs of his actions bear serious consideration. Just like Clinton, it wasn't so much the action itself, as the cover-up, that created Kilpatrick's problems. Detroit - a city where nearly 1 in 6 is unemployed - could really use $9M. That's about $10 for every man, woman and child in the city. Was it worth it, Kwame?
For Rich, Kwame did NOT "start" the renewal of Detroit, you can thank Archer for that. Kwame has done nothing but spend more and give nothing in return for it.
Perjury & contempt of court are serious charges. As citizens we need to ask ourselves if we would be given a "chance to keep our private lives private" after lying under oath in both an investigation AND courtroom.
We would not. We would be in jail faster than our lawyer could object.
Kwame has set up his own little kingdom within the city and the citizens of Detroit seem to love to be ripped off and lied to. I wouldn't even care except that MY tax dollars are in continous flow mode into the city.
This is NOT "Detroit's" problem, this IS the problem of every citizen in the state that pays taxes.
Way to go Kwame, the "hip hop" mayor with a larger staff than Bloombergs, also lies, cheats and steals.
Yes, I care. I care because LEADERSHIP matters. As we strive for regional revitalization, we cannot afford to have our elected leaders making bad professional or personal decisions - decisions that cost millions of dollars in sanctions plus untold cost in image and reputation.
When we add the image of Detroit to the "one State recession" image of Michigan (which I also attribute to poor leadership decisions at the public policy and private corporate levels), it is no wonder that we continue to struggle so mightily.
First of all, it wasn't Dennis Archer who started the revitalization of Detroit, it was Senator/Mayor Coleman A. Young.
Coleman Young brought about the Rennaisance with Henry Ford II, Wayne Doran, and Max Fisher, with the help of President JImmy Carter.
These Leaders were all involved in the revitalizaion of Detroit..long before Dennis Archer and Kwami Kilpatrick.
I know, I was there working right along beside them.
It does matter how the political "leaders" conduct their personal lives. They serve as an example to our children and the rest of the world.
The value systems of my youth are already in shambles; when do we finally begin rewarding integrity, ethics, and decent behavoir in public office, rather than simply blink and look the other way.
Yes, honesty, and solid moral relationships do Matter...especially when it's being exposed to the public eye.
These people are both married, have taken vows to their spouses, and have families. If they want to act like alley cats, then live in the allies.
The rapid decline of Detroit came under Coleman Young's watch. He destroyed the city's economy, and crime increased under his tenure. For Sylvia to admit that she was there during this time means she is also to blame for the city's decline during the 1980's, since she also implies she support Young's policies. The only difference between Kilpatrick and Young is that Young was more subtle in his corrupt activities.
Regarding the "Reform Agenda" I don't see why many of those suggestions wouldn't work. I wouldn't adopt all of them, of course, especially those pertaining to outsourcing Non Educational Public School expenses such as Bus service and custodial / cafeteria services. But it's a good place to start, too bad the Kwame story makes such good press!
Post a Comment