Lead In Flint and In Water - Max Gaddis

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_29393850/flint-michigan-daily-live-revolves-around-lead-fears

In 2014, the financially struggling city of Flint, Michigan switched their source of water to the Flint River because it was less expensive. The new water source was not properly treated and the citizens complained that the water looked and tasted funny for almost 2 years before they were allowed the truth: the water was totally unsafe to drink. Many citizens, especially children, were deeply affected by the lead in the water and now the whole town requires extensive lead poisoning testing. Volunteers at fire stations have handed out many cases of water since a state of emergency was called by Michigan gov. Snyder on January 5th, but even 900 cases of bottled water wasn't enough to quench the thirst of 100,000 citizens who need it to bathe, cook, drink, and for other purposes. Obama called a state of emergency for the town and even the national guard is helping to distribute water. Citizens are outraged that officials told them the water was safe to consume when there were so many complaints about it, especially from the medical community in the city.

This is outrageous. We should never have to doubt officials or experts, it's why human civilizations developed specialization of labor. I should not have to check on you if you say you are going to take care of securing water while I worry about the health of our community: a doctor shouldn't have to complain to the state about water, the water should be fine already.
This reminds me of so many historical instances of the government, or a company, telling the people something was safe when it wasn't. For the longest they said smoking was okay, they tell us our food is okay, they say that the things we put on our skin are okay, they say that pollution won't hurt us much, that corsets were okay, that foot binding was okay, that it's okay to hurt people by dropping a super bomb on them as long as the war stops, that putting people in concentration camps is okay, that killing animals to the point of extinction is okay, that bathing wasn't necessary, that slavery was okay, that crowding out the natives and taking their land is okay, that chopping down trees is okay, that throwing trash anywhere is great: they'll tell us anything as long as we keep our mouths shut and don't ruin their illusion of being a powerful government.