WHERE IS NESTLE IN THE FLINT WATER CRISIS?

WHERE IS NESTLE IN THE FLINT WATER CRISIS?

 

THE FLINT WATER CRISIS GOES FAR BEYOND A SINGLE ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT. IT IS ABOUT WATER AS A HUMAN RIGHT, NOT WATER FOR PROFIT – CORPORATE & POLITICAL GREED.

 

GOVERNOR SNYDER’S answer to a media query as to WHY it is taking so long to declare a State Disaster Area in Flint was cowardly and weak. Snyder utilized State Government’s longstanding rationale of following protocol. It is Outrageous, Deplorable and ....Unacceptable!

Governor Snyder adhered to what termed as “proper protocol” in place within government. He went on to say that he first had to wait for Karen Weaver, the Mayor of Flint to “declare a disaster in the city,” which he said he received upon emerging from “productive talks.” He expects a similar request from Genesee County. Only then can he declare a State Emergency.

To date volunteers and first responders did not delay in taking action in giving of time, effort and money to purchase water. Among corporations, Art Van is the most notable. Catholic Social Services, City of Hope and local churches offered time and space. Citizens within driving distance donated water.

Governor Snyder is worth an estimated anywhere between $200 - 300 Million. His friends and supporters include the affluent Devos Family and the Meijer of Grand Rapids. They must follow the governor's lead. During all of his visits to the Flint disaster site, did Governor Snyder ever arrive and deliver a single bottle of water? I never saw it, did you?

THIS IS HOW WATER SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO FLINT
ACTUALLY THIS PHOTO PURPORTS TO SHOW WHERE SOME WATER BOTTLERS DRAW THEIR PRODUCT.

  

Nestle Corporation known for chocolate bars, diversified and branched out into several new endeavors including bottled water under several brand names. Nestle is reaping gargantuan profits off of a natural resource that belongs to all of us. Water, one of the substances of human life, a God given right. It is outrageous if not criminal. It is capitalism at its worst and unpatriotic. The company profits approximately 1.8 Million dollars per day from its water bottling plants pumping 218,000 gallons of water from Evert, MI each day!

How did Nestle begin? They acquired rights from the DNR in Michigan to pump water out of Michigan for 99 years for just under $70,000.

Do you know who gave Nestle the “Rights to Our Water?” and rebuked the common ownership of The People? It was none other than former Republican Governor John Engler during his outright seize and consolidation of power during his administration. This goes back at least 15 years and his sweetheart giveaway went without media or press attention. The weakened Legislature under Republican control acquiesced and relinquished their power and no longer acted as one of the checks and balances.

That’s right, for under $70,000 Nestle gained the rights to pump hundreds of thousands of gallons of water out of Michigan each and every single day. Engler argued he sanctioned Nestle to pump only underground “spring water” from publically held land. However, environmentalists discovered Nestle by their methods was tapping into the Great Lakes by “slant drilling.” It is very much like the Sadam Hussein’s rationale and subsequent invasion into Kuwait.

Think about that Detroit, Flint and Bloomfield Hills when receiving your water bill. I was outraged. The Great Lakes represents 20% of the fresh water on Earth. Michigan is the “Water Wonderland” and it shapes our Great State, quite literally as well with the giant mitt on the map. It surrounds two peninsulas that provide the frame for all the other wonders, landscape, rivers and streams to the diversity of the occupations, skills and patriotism inherent in the history of our citizens.

This represents the initial step in a Republican repudiation of our identity, our sense of Michigan History, our importance to America, our People and their character.  Michigan is the one State known as the “Arsenal of Democracy” that producing military machinery at record pace to defeat Nazi ideology. How soon our political leaders forget our place in history and the character of our people. This signaled only the beginning of how first Engler and now Governor Snyder have moved the climate in Michigan from great character and respect to the bowing to the money, greed and power of corporate America. The total disregard for those less fortunate, for those Mitt Romney displayed with such disdain as the lower 47 percent.

As this became known it was the courage and leadership of Michigan U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and her partnership with other Michigan and bordering states that Federal Legislation was passed to protect the Great Lakes.

The arrogance of John Engler, Mitt Romney and Rick Snyder is the triad where their politics was shaped by their own personal views flawed by the rejection of the poor, people of color, religion and sexual preference. These two governors, John Engler and Rick Snyder whether by design or corporate influence and control is responsible for the decline and now a move toward the destruction of Detroit and now Flint.

 

Addendum (Sunday, January 17, 2016 11:30PM)

With Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders publically calling for Snyder’s removal as governor it is time he announce his resignation as his State of the State address on Tuesday, January 19. (I like to believe that my tweets to both Democratic Candidates have been read. Please join in the fight. Governor Snyder has just tweeted that the “remarks of two politicians only serve to harm” any recovery in Flint.

In the meanwhile where are you Nestle? Why has this corporation not come forward to help citizens in Flint, Michigan? The answer may be they feel best for their corporation and profits to keep the issue at the great distance as there must be at least one corporate executive who has a conscience, who knows Nestle has ripped off the People of Michigan and California.