The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Detroit:
Meet the New Boss—Same as the Old Boss

May 18, 2009

Mayor Dave Bing, Detroit businessman and newly elected Republican mayor, ran his election campaign around three issues. He promised to create more jobs, to improve public safety and to change the way city government functions.

As soon as Bing took office, he announced his Cabinet–many of whom helped decimate the city under the city’s previous administrations. Charles Beckham, his administrative assistant, was convicted of corruption in awarding contracts when he ran the Water and Sewerage Department, and then was appointed by Kwame Kilpatrick to several posts, most recently public lighting!

Bing’s treasurer, Norman White, served as Kwame Kilpatrick’s chief financial officer–hardly a recommendation. George Jackson, who oversaw “economic development” while developers and corporations bled the city dry, will continue bleeding the city under Bing.

So it comes as no surprise that Bing, on the very next day announced he was putting jobs and public safety on hold, because of “fiscal challenges.”

No doubt–challenges in how to direct more city money to Bing’s fellow capitalists.