Special Interests Dominate American Politics

In the past three years Americans have witnessed something quite amazing and extremely rare.  Not only was there one major political movement that shook the establishment, but there were two.  First it was the Tea Party movement then the Occupy Wall Street movement, both of which captured the nation’s attention and changed the political debate.

While these two movements came from opposite ends of the political spectrum, they shared a similar exasperation and disgust with what American politics had become.  The Tea Party coalesced around the anger towards the bank bailouts at the height of the Great Recession.  OWS followers protested the domination of our democracy by the rich.  Both movements grew out of the idea that American democracy had stopped working for average Americans and instead gave more power, privileges, and prestige to the rich and powerful.  Simply, our government no longer worked for us, it worked for those who could afford to influence the process.  And it’s a fight that’s only gaining momentum today.  

Here in Michigan we are witnessing a perfect example of why these two movements were created.

More than 25% of all trade ($125 billion a year) between the U.S. and Canada is dependent on the one and only bridge that spans the Detroit River connecting Michigan and Windsor.  And commercial traffic is expected to double by 2035.  A campaign has been waged to build a new bridge. 

Canada understands that a new bridge is necessary to handle the increased traffic and improve efficiency of the international crossing so they are willing to pay Michigan’s share of the costs.  The United States federal government understands how important a new bridge is so it’s willing to give Michigan $2.2 billion to build it if we accept Canada’s money. 

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce advocated for the new bridge.  Ford, GM, and Chrysler all want the new bridge because as Ron French for Bridge Magazine reports, “Delays at the Ambassador can create a bottleneck for Michigan’s auto plants, which rely on just-in-time delivery. Border crossings are vital to Michigan’s auto companies, which ship parts back and forth across the Canadian border multiple times during the manufacturing. In 2010, Canada shipped $29 billion in automotive parts (and assembled vehicles) to Michigan; and Michigan sent $13 billion to Canada.”

The three executives (2 Democrats and 1 Republican) of the tri-county region all want the bridge.  And Michigan Governor Rick Snyder battled with his fellow Republicans who overwhelmingly control both houses of the legislature to pass a bill to build the bridge.  But to no avail.  How could this be? 

Only one man does not want a new, publicly-owned bridge to be built.  Not surprisingly, that one man is Matty Moroun the owner of the Ambassador Bridge, the only bridge currently spanning the Detroit River. 

As political commentator Jack Lessenberry clarified, “That one man prevented a vote on the bridge from even being taken. The way he did that was simple: Money.  Moroun has spent hundreds of thousands, if not millions, on direct and indirect contributions to legislators. He spent something like $5 million on a TV advertising campaign independent experts all said was riddled with falsehoods.” 

Moruon’s anti-bridge campaign swayed public opinion to his favor.  A Detroit Free Press and WXYZ-Channel 7 poll found that now 59% oppose a new bridge, 30% support it, and 11% were undecided. 

The political process has been warped and exploited by one person for his own self-interest.  A new bridge would create thousands of new jobs, increase trade, improve efficiency at the border, and help improve Michigan’s economy.  Furthermore, if there is any project that the government should be doing for the public good instead of a private corporation - building a  bridge spanning an international crossing, connecting two major trade partners, and securing the border is one of them.  But the interest of the public is being overlooked for one special interest. 

This embarrassing and frustrating story reminds us that the political process no longer works for us average, middle class Americans.  Instead you must have the means – money to gain the influence for it to work for you.  Matty Mouron has that money and thus the influence and that is why he is getting what he wants.  

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• American Politics