A fair amount. But it works. It's a pretty good shorthand for the GOP message that Democrats are the party of Big Government, and there's no bigger "Big Government" than the old communist governments. Communism has a pretty bad brand identity, after all.

And it avoids talking about the GOP track record in the state. For those out of state, the "Flint water crisis" stemmed from GOP dogma that says the money interests must be paid. The Proles are expendable meat. The Gov appoints an "emergency manager" to usurp the authority of local elected officials, to prevent the city or school system going bk, by any means necessary, so the bond holders are paid. In Flint's case, the EM disconnected the city from the Detroit water system, and started drawing water from the heavily polluted Flint River instead. The river water could have been made safe, with enough treatment, but that treatment would cost money. So inadequately treated, corrosive, muck, was sent out to the citizens of the city, for the benefit of the money interests.

Like any other "JC", the "JC" Gov avoided prosecution for poisoning the citizens of the city.

This is the Michigan GOP.

Steve