Democracy Tree: Is the Great Lakes state a sinking ship?

ANSWER: They all made the list of most recent additions to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary:

Michigan has become “the dark money capital of America.” — Rich Robinson, Executive Director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network

While they don’t specifically cite Snyder or his NERD Fund, nor Michigan’s infamous high court “dark money” addiction, those were all key players in pushing the phrase front and center in trending electioneering jargon that’s now part and parcel of the new media lexicon in the aftermath of the Citizens United ruling.

A snapshot of Michigan through a few political maps:

On dark money disclosure Michigan brings up the rear, earning an “F” on the National Institute On Money in State Politics official scorecard for “essential disclosure requirements for independent spending.” (No worries Michigan politicians, you are joined by many other states.)

Next, let’s examine the desire of residents to relocate from their current state. A 2013 Gallup Poll found Michiganders poised to get outta Dodge.

A map published in the Washington Post, gauges a hot social public policy issue — same-sex marriage. The deep south is predictably mixed, but the upper midwest measures up in support of a more liberal view.

A picture or two it seems, does tell the tale. Michigan voters remain firmly socially progressive, and they are on the overall, unhappy with the governance of their state.

Beyond Dark Money, Lansing suffers from Colony Collapse Disorder

John Lindstrom, Publisher at Gongwer News Service, identified an interesting political anomaly over the recent passage of the package of bills designed to thwart same-sex couple adoption in Michigan under the guise of religious freedom. When governor Snyder signed the legislation into law, a number of scathing newspaper editorials resulted. MLive in particular called-out the governor and those hyper-conservative lawmakers for turning Michigan into a “backwater, intolerant, anti-economic development state.” The editorial got thousands of comments and social media was on fire with criticisms of Michigan leadership.

Yet, the response from Lansing was: crickets.

Lindstrom found it odd that in the wake of their legislative skullduggery, none of the politicians responsible, or their staffers, stepped-up to defend the move as they typically do when called to task over their job performance:

“The [MLive] editorial got much comment on the main social media sites as well, particularly Facebook and Twitter. On those sites, the commentary was almost universally opposed to the legislation, especially the adoption bills. A number of commentators identified themselves as Republicans who said they were upset with the direction of their party.

But unusually quiet were the legislators and defenders of the administration.

…after reviewing the Facebook pages of most the legislators who voted for the adoption package, nary a word in defense of their action or in rebuttal to the editorial.”

While silence gripped Lansing, the ACLU was immediately vocal about their intent to bring suit against the state. Attorney Brooke Tucker told the Detroit Free Press:

“The constitution doesn’t allow discrimination based on religion and you can’t do that with state funds. We’re looking at our legal options and especially looking to hear from people who will be adversely affected by this.”

Michigan leadership is clearly way out of step with its electorate. Between gross gerrymandering of voting districts, retrograde public policies, duplicitous politicians, and an avalanche of dark money, mostly benefitting far-right nut-jobs, the Great Lakes State is a sinking ship.

Gov. Snyder’s weakness is clearly illustrated by his recent political caving on the adoption bills. He likely sold out to get a roads-funding package passed, and it’s a miserable one at that.

Some legacy.