Michigan isn't paying for Canada's proposed bridge to Detroit, but that didn't stop people from protesting the bridge or a proposal on the November ballot in Michigan to have the ability to ban the building of such a bridge.
The $0 contribution is what sparked the Daily Show with Jon Stewart to travel to the Motor City. Correspondent Al Madrigal focused on those frustrated Detroit residents who were upset about the bridge.
Madrigal talked with Consul General of Canada Roy Norton to explain the fact that Michigan truly wasn't going to pay a dime for the bridge.
"The old bridge won't last forever, and we don't know how long it's going to last. Two million U.S. jobs alone depend on the trade that that bridge carries," said Norton. "Canada is paying for the bridge."
The tea party people of Michigan are a major reason why Michigan isn't financially contributing to the bridge. Madrigal talked to one tea party person who was worried that the bridge was going to be a Trojan horse. Madrigal wondered if the worry was that a bunch of Canadians would come off the bridge and invade the U.S. Turns out the tea party guy was concerned about Chinese steel and [offensive term for Chinese men].
Norton explained to Madrigal that the only people who could work on the bridge were Canadians and Americans. Even though no part of the United States is involved financially, American steel and workers get to be part of the bridge.
Madrigal joked about "slick talking Canadians" and then interviewed a woman in her kitchen.
Woman: "The Canadians are saying they're going to pay for this bridge, but I don't trust them."
Madrigal: "And they say a lot of things, sometimes in French."
Woman: "And they buy our milk at Sam's because Canadian milk is very expensive. True story."
Madrigal: "What does that have to do with this?"
Woman: "Nothing."
Madrigal's "puzzlement" continues as he introduced the story of Matty Moroun, owner of the Ambassador Bridge, and how these tea party people are supporting a rich billionaire at the expense of jobs in Michigan.
When Madrigal referred to the final tally of the Proposal 6 vote, he said "1.8 million Detroiters" had voted yes on the proposal to put the bridge to a vote. Clearly, the city of Detroit hasn't had 1.8 million people in some time; the 1950 census listed an all-time high of 1,849,568. The 1.8 million people is a statewide number.
Madrigal hit on a nerve about the perceived threat from Canada and Canadians because Canada is paying the whole cost for the bridge. Yet Canada is paying all the cost because the tea party people in the Michigan legislature wouldn't support any financial investment. And those 2 million American jobs that rely on trade between the two countries at that crossing aren't reason enough to invest in much needed infrastructure.
Canada will get the money back in tolls, so those who drive across the bridge will give their money to Canada. Maybe these tea party people will cross the Ambassador Bridge or even take the tunnel.
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