In This Issue

• Upcoming Meetings
• Chair's Corner: A Prince with a Nuclear Option
• Bankruptcy or Bust
• Did You Know?
• Lights - Camera - Action!
• City of Berkley 2005-2006 Budget
• Some Assembly Required

Upcoming Meetings

The Berkley Democratic Club (BDC) meeting schedule for the remainder of 2005 is:

• Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, September 22, 2005 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, October 27, 2005 at 7:30pm

Each meeting is held at Anderson Middle School, 3205 Catalpa, Berkley, Michigan, in the Media Center. All are welcome to attend our open meetings!

- Steve Baker

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Chair's Corner

A Prince with a Nuclear Option

Remember Machiavelli (1469-1527)? He was one of the most widely known political thinkers to offer advice on how to acquire and maintain political power. Prior scholars had argued that every political leader must pass the test of "being a good man." Machiavelli's significance arose because of his departure from that revered principle. He proposed that it did not matter whether the leader is a good person but only that he is perceived as a "moral man" and that every effort must be undertaken to promote that view of him.

Machiavelli's most famous work was The Prince which is a handbook for the exercise of raw political power. Its thesis is that success in politics must occur by any means, even at the expense of traditional moral values. This single-minded purpose gained for him a reputation of ruthlessness and deception that his name still conveys.

Even the casual observer on modern American politics can see alarming parallels between the Machiavellian playbook and the Republican Party's grab for absolute power. Each day we note striking departures from "traditional moral values" by the White House: lies about war; ignoring the ethics violations of Republicans; exploding our indebtedness to other nations; advancing the greed of the well-placed while handing the bill to the poor and middleclass. It's an endless list that has yet to endanger the perception of "the good man."

According to Machiavelli there are three types of minds: those who are capable of thinking for themselves; those who are capable of understanding the thinking of others; and those capable of neither the first nor the second (The Prince Ch. 22). This simple analysis suggests that the bulk of people then and now are not likely to be "capable of thinking for themselves." This sheds light on a puzzling issue that was posed by the British Daily Mirror headline, "How can 59,054,087 people be so dumb?" Is the answer that simple? Not likely!

The other part of the equation is the relentless media effort to create the perception of being just ordinary people pursuing only good and desirable ends in the face of "faith hating liberals." Machiavelli's key advice is to eliminate all opposition "in whatever way you need to" and this they follow with rigor. From The Heritage Foundation to the bowels of the White House, and from recruited and trained "patriotic pastors" to the daily diatribe on right wing radio and TV, they sing with one voice. They will not be deterred easily.

Currently the so-called "nuclear option" may be triggered in the Senate to ensure that dissenting voices are extinguished and radical judicial appointments are made. This abuse of power is a form of dictatorship. The prince must not have the nuclear option. It ends the notion of checks and balances considered sacred by the founding fathers who knew the inherent danger of absolute power. Even more dangerous is having this power in the hands of a prince who struggles to understand the thinking of others and still cannot pronounce the word "nuclear." Common sense is needed to nudge a sleepy nation into action. No elaborate sidebars are required - just use common sense to see that our country has been taken over by unreasonable and intolerant people and they must be stopped. Their Machiavellian approach must be exposed.

- Phil O'Dwyer, Chair

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Bankruptcy or Bust

Two Georgia Republicans are pushing the Employee Pension Preservation Act of 2005 in the guise of protecting pension plans when in fact they seek to undermine the very bankruptcy laws they contrived to enact this spring in Congress.

United Airlines has recently received clearance from a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge to default on its pension obligations. Hmm. I find it odd how easily such a large institution can receive this luxury when in October of this year it will be even more difficult for deserving Americans to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.

Those very pensioners who will receive much smaller pension plan payments may be forced to the brink of bankruptcy - but wait, the rules have changed! Those who need bankruptcy protection will soon be denied while bloated companies will be protected from their own financial incompetence. How does this make sense?

- Steve Baker

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Did You Know?

Why is the Donkey our Party's unofficial mascot?

Have you ever wondered why the donkey represents the Democratic Party? The icon dates back to Andrew Jackson, who in 1828 was called a "jackass" for saying "let the people rule." He embraced the image in his posters, and Old Hickory went on to serve eight years as our seventh President.

The donkey was well-established by the 1880's as a Democratic Party mascot, and has been a popular icon for progressive citizens ever since. (The Republican Elephant was popularized in an 1874 political cartoon, running into a pit of chaos!)

For more information about the donkey mascot, be sure to check out the Democratic National Committee's website: http://www.democrats.org/about/donkey.html.

- Steve Baker

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Lights - Camera - Action!

A delicate buzz of excitement swept across the crowd as the principals entered the set. The lights were in place; the microphones in position. A cameraman furiously struggled to assemble and prepare his equipment before the opening scene began. The audience was in store for quite a show that evening, knowing they were seeing history unfold. What could be so thrilling? A taping of a Seinfeld reunion? A new episode of Law and Order?

For me, the excitement surrounding the recent Berkley City Council meeting was an opportunity to see our local government in action. In last issue's "Chair's Corner," Phil discussed how all politics is local. Having never been to a City Council meeting before, I thought this would be a great opportunity to see it for myself.

Many significant city players were there, including the Mayor, the City Manager, the Councilmembers, the City Clerk, the City Planner, concerned citizens, and even "big city" TV reporters. We were in for quite a treat!

I saw a City Council meeting on WBRK Ch. 53 last fall, and I imagined it being held in a vast auditorium. To my surprise, the set in City Hall consumes most of the small room, with only a few rows of chairs for the audience. But it dawned on me that the room was in fact quite adequate - I have lived in Berkley for six years and this was my first time at a City Council meeting; I doubt that the room is "jam-packed" on any given night.

Robert's Rules of Order were in full effect as the Council proceeded through the agenda. While the process is very unlike Law and Order (it is nothing if not steady and careful), the approach certainly serves a purpose and provides a clear, easy to follow structure.

We attended for a specific agenda item, which was in fact the subject of some attention for the local TV and news media. Many in my neighborhood are alarmed about the issue and we urge that progress continue at an accelerated pace. But the story I want to share today is one of participation, empowerment, and making a difference.

I am proud of this city. I love living here and am happy to be engaged in my community. I went to a City Council meeting, saw my elected officials doing what they feel is best for the city, and we likewise shared our opinions and ideas to promote ongoing dialog and to advance the city for which we so care. Each of us can make a difference - talk with one another, vote when elections occur, and be sure to check out that great set in City Hall someday!

- Steve Baker

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City of Berkley 2005-2006 Budget

The City of Berkley's annual budget preparations began in March, when the department heads submitted their requests to the City Manager. By the end of March the Finance Director and city manager held meetings with each department head to review the requests. In mid-April the City Council authorized the publication of the hearing notice and set the date for the public hearing (Monday, May 16, which is a scheduled meeting of the City Council).

On Wednesday, May 4, the Council held an open meeting to begin their review of the budget which has been proposed by the Finance Director and the City Manager. Citizens may review the document at the library or on the city's website. A second meeting was set for Tuesday, May 10, and subsequent meetings will be scheduled if needed.

During the public hearing on May 16, there will be time for citizens' comments and then the Council will adopt the budget. State law permits the budget to be adopted at the same meeting as the budget hearing. On June 1, the tax rates will be certified by Oakland County.

Revenue to fund the General Fund will be 8.3411 mills per $1,000 of assessed value (of the 13 mills allowed by the city charter). You may have read that property values in Berkley increased by 4.5% this year. Tax assessments will not increase by that amount. The Headlee Amendment and Proposal A allows the total amount of tax to be collected from all taxable properties in the city to increase 5% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. The CPI is less than 2.75.

A General Fund budget of $8,071,320 has been proposed. The above-mentioned property taxes (56%); intergovernmental revenues (18%); licenses, permits, charges for services (9%); and miscellaneous revenues (7%) constitute the revenue stream for the General Fund.

In addition to the 8.3411 mills for the General Fund, the taxes which will be levied for the city also include sanitation operations 1.9247 mills, community promotion 0.1044, public safety pension 1.4150, and the 1996 library expansion debt 0.8400. Thus, the total citywide millage will be 12.6252, and that is the critical number which will be validated by the County on June 1. It should be noted that the 1993 Public Safety building bond has been paid off in 2004-05, and the library expansion bond will be paid off in the new fiscal year.

The proposal will also include the rate increases for the sewer and water services (water from $1.05 to $1.09 per 100 cubic feet and sewer from $1.07 to $1.12 per 100 cubic feet). Based on the average consumption of 700 cubic feet, the rate increase would amount to 65 cents per quarter (note that 100 cubic feet is 748 gallons).

The bottom line presents great challenges every year! We learned in late April that state shared revenues will likely be cut again in the new fiscal year. Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding was deleted from the budget proposed by the President, as well as funds for safe and drug-free schools, which was to have provided $100,000 for the Tri-Community Coalition to run its programs. The Council is determined to fund core city services and to maintain a fund balance, which may be reduced if funding should diminish further.

- Marilyn Stephan, City Councilmember

"As tax bases shrink, the government cannot deliver high-quality services. The successful secede, demand even lowers taxes, and the ranks of secessionists grow. The cycle is magnified by revenue cuts cascading from the federal government to states and local governments, further eroding tax bases, and imposing particularly large costs on poor communities with already small tax bases.

"The downward spiral occurs in too many locales, dispersed all over the nation, for the citizenry to see the pattern and to draw connections. All the public knows is that government no longer seems to work. The current administration, rather than leaning against these trends, is serving as their enabler."

- Robert B. Reich, "The Vanishing State?"
The American Prospect, May 2005, p. A12

"The district assessor's record book of 1867 showed the income of the [school] district was $42.86 from the primary fund, $10.03 in district school taxes, $19.60 in dog taxes, and $28.80 from the primary fund for the second half of the year."

- Shirley McLellan, Briefly, Berkley

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Some Assembly Required

Have you ever wanted to pitch in your "two cents worth" but were not sure how? Have you wanted to contribute to a newsletter but never found the time to write an article? Have you wanted to climb up on a soapbox if only it was the size of a matchbox?

Well here is your chance! Now you can easily share your thoughts, comments, ideas, and more with your fellow Berkley Democrats and other progressive citizens - and I have made it simple and fun!

As always, the BDC welcomes 'your two cents worth' in your own articles you submit for future issues; however, until then, I ask you give your two words worth! (Please feel free to share as many or as few words as you would like!) It only takes a moment. Simply use our website to submit your ideas, or email, write, or call with your words, sentences, or paragraphs by June 30, 2005. I will incorporate every word (well, almost every word) into a fun, relevant, and reasonably coherent article in a subsequent Berkley Democratic Club newsletter!

Here is how the easy process works. Let's imagine that you want to read an article about "Social Security" so you submit those words with the Contact Us page on our website. Your neighbor contributes "education plan" and other friends around the block offer "regain the Congress," "the exaggerated financial crisis," and "we lived happily ever after."

I will compile all of the entries and piece together an article with as few additional words or edits to existing words as necessary. For instance I might use the above examples to assemble something like, "Thanks to our education plan on the exaggerated Social Security financial crisis, we regained the Congress and lived happily ever after."

Sound like fun? Great! Simply email, write, or call in your words, sentences, or paragraphs by June 30, 2005. While this is a limited time offer, your contributions need not be limited - please feel free to submit more than once if you have additional ideas! With your help, soon we will all enjoy a fun and co-written progressive article!

- Steve Baker

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