Bernie Sanders: Flint, Michigan residents are paying for "poison" water
Flint Bernie Sanders on Thursday held an emotionally-charged discussion regarding the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, giving a prime example of just how moving his campaign style can be.
"Has the response been adequate? I suspect it has not. I want to hear what is going on today," Sanders said at Woodside Church, where a few hundred people were gathered for a community forum.
"If I am living in an average home here in Flint and I want to take a bath or shower, what happens? You flip the dice and you hope you don't get poisoned, is that what is going on? Water is now distributed this way?" Sanders asked as he held up a plastic bottle of water, shaking it over his head. The audience said yes.
Sanders said he pays $17 a month for water in Burlington, Vermont while he has heard that Flint residents pay $100 or more. "Why are you paying for the privilege of having poison water?" he asked rhetorically. In a hot popcorn-style, the folks in the room yelled how much they pay - revealing that some pay as much as $200 a month for their water. Later Sanders asked, "What is the quality of the water today? Is it drinkable in the average person's home?" An angry "No" filled the room. Sanders then allowed the folks in the room to share their stories, grievances, and questions.
Mothers stood up and talked about their children, whose intellectual abilities seem to have dropped as a result of being poisoned. One woman whose son has been suspended from school 56 times asked Sanders what he would do for them as president. Before answering, the candidate allowed others to share their own stories. One woman talked about how frightening it is to see children give up, saying that they know what is going on.
Sanders pressed the need to rebuild the infrastructure in Flint and referenced his $1 trillion infrastructure plan. But as for an immediate response, there was debate over what should be done and what should not. Tension grew heated when the question of boiling water came up. Sanders asked, "There is still confusion about what is going on and what is safe and what is not safe?" The audience said there was. One man asked Sanders why their governor has not resigned for poisoning them or for "domestic terrorism."
Sanders has called for Governor Rick Snyder to resign, and he reminded them of that.
"The dereliction of duty to this community has been so extraordinary that I think in good conscience he should resign," Sanders said solemnly.
There were also grievances that the federal government has not sufficiently responded. One man told the senator that when the national media leaves, everyone is going to leave Flint alone. "You can help us, senator," he said.
"The federal government has to say this is an emergency," Sanders said in response, noting that they must act if the state and city do not have the resources to act. He added that if children being poisoned is not an emergency, "I just don't know what an emergency is."
Back in January, President Obama signed an emergency declaration that cleared the way for sending federal aid to Flint; however, his administration determined the city didn't qualify for additional disaster relief.
The city's problems were not all solved Thursday, but Sanders was thanked profusely for being there and received a standing ovation. One of the panelists offered the room lead test kits that she brought along.