Another South Carolina ‘Republican’ Porkfest

On May 6, 2026, South Carolina House members approved an additional $300 million in spending as part of their budget, which critics are labeling as wasteful and irresponsible. This decision follows a longstanding pattern among Palmetto State Republicans who prioritize personal interests over their constituents' needs.

• Excessive Spending: South Carolina’s Republican-controlled General Assembly added $300 million to their budget, funding various local projects without following the usual appropriations process, which normally requires thorough scrutiny.

• Self Pay Raise: Concurrently, they voted to increase their own pay by $1,000 per month, amounting to an extra $30,000 annually for each lawmaker. This decision came as South Carolinians faced high gas prices and a tax bill that many felt was inadequate.

• Questionable Appropriations: The budget included dubious funding, such as $300,000 for a nonprofit addressing "systemic racism. " Critics argue these items do not justify spending taxpayer money and contribute to government inefficiency.

• Political Criticism: Congressman Ralph Norman criticized the decision, calling for lawmakers to focus on essential issues like road repairs and tax cuts instead. State Representative April Cromer highlighted the failure of Republicans to uphold conservative values, expressing dismay that the supermajority was not fulfilling its duty to the taxpayers.

• Concerns of Transparency: This move is seen as avoiding transparency, as many appropriations are considered hard to justify as statewide expenditures. There is a pattern of bipartisan cooperation in this spending, with some Democrats benefiting from the process as well.

• Refusal to Prioritize Key Issues: Cromer and other critics emphasize that the leadership is prioritizing political survival over genuine concerns for South Carolina families, calling out the lack of reform in crucial areas like tax relief and infrastructure.

The recent budget decisions made by South Carolina lawmakers have sparked significant public outrage. Critics argue that lawmakers are not serving the interests of their constituents, but rather their own financial gains. As representatives give themselves pay raises while ignoring pressing state needs, it raises questions about accountability and integrity, especially ahead of upcoming elections. Observers and constituents alike are being urged to be vigilant about their lawmakers' actions and hold them accountable beyond just electoral promises. 

https://www.fitsnews.com/2026/05/07/another-south-carolina-republican-porkfest/

At What Point Does the System Become the Problem?

 The South Carolina Judicial Integrity Project identifies a recurring issue within the state’s judicial system, suggesting that the problems are not just isolated incidents but reflect a larger systemic issue.

• Initially, issues in various industries seem like isolated events due to rising costs and project delays. However, when similar problems persist across different contexts, they indicate a systemic failure.

• In South Carolina, threats to proposed reforms in the judicial and tort systems consistently face opposition from a powerful trial lawyer lobby. This group is well-funded and active in politics, which allows them to significantly influence legislation.

• When reform efforts are discussed, the trial lawyers argue against change, asserting that problems are exaggerated and that reform could worsen conditions.

• This resistance results in delayed legislative action, with proposed bills often amended or stalled, preventing actual reform from occurring.

• The intertwining of legal practice and legislative power allows attorneys to shape laws that affect their own interests, perpetuating a cycle of rising litigation costs, increased insurance prices, and economic strain on businesses and consumers.

• As the public becomes aware of these patterns and their impacts, questions arise about who benefits from the current system and why meaningful change is consistently halted.

The evidence suggests that the judicial system in South Carolina is not merely facing challenges but is actively self-protecting, raising concerns about its effectiveness and fairness.

https://scjudicialintegrityproject.substack.com/p/at-what-point-does-the-system-become?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=6386667&post_id=196337254&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=6dl2nb&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

Eastman: Post-Enron Statute Could Be Used to Round Up Lawfare Conspirators

 John Eastman discusses the application of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and the amended Section 1512(c) of the law in tackling conspiracies related to election misconduct targeting President Trump. He emphasizes leveraging these laws to compel lower-tier participants to reveal information about higher-ups in alleged conspiracies.

1. Background of RICO:

• Established in 1970 to combat organized crime by allowing prosecution of both leaders and associates of criminal enterprises.

• Prosecutors can induce lower-level criminals to testify against higher-ups with the threat of substantial prison sentences.

2. Amendment of Section 1512:

• Modified post-Enron scandal in 2002, targeting the destruction or alteration of evidence relevant to official proceedings, punishable by 20 years in prison.

• Eastman suggests that this law could be used effectively against various conspiracies, including those linked to the Trump administration.

3. Historical Examples:

• Notable past applications of RICO by Rudy Giuliani against New York Mafia bosses.

• The potential for Section 1512(c) to hold individuals accountable for misconduct, such as falsifying documents during the 2016 election investigations.

4. Current Applications:

• The use of Section 1512(c) could address issues from the 2020 election, where documents were allegedly destroyed or altered.

• Specific cases include missing election records and concealment of fraud evidence which could lead to heavier charges if pursued.

5. Suggestions for the DOJ:

• Eastman advocates for the Department of Justice to start indicting lower-level operatives for violations under Section 1512(c).

• This could lead to a cascade effect, where lower-tier defendants provide testimony against higher-level conspirators.

John Eastman calls for the implementation of RICO and Section 1512(c) to uncover and prosecute conspiracies against individuals aligned with President Trump. By targeting those who conceal or destroy evidence, he believes the legal system can effectively dismantle broader conspiratorial activities impacting elections and governance.

https://www.declassified.live/p/eastman-post-enron-statute-could?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1666532&post_id=196787457&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=6dl2nb&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

First Chinese Tanker Attacked Near Hormuz As Beijing Urges Waterway Reopened

 Tensions have risen in the Strait of Hormuz due to Iranian attacks on commercial ships. Amid these conflicts, a key incident involving a Chinese tanker has increased concerns about maritime security.

• Iranian attacks on ships escalated following a U. S. military effort to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

• A Chinese tanker was attacked near Al Jeer port, marking the first attack on a Chinese vessel in this conflict.

• China’s Foreign Minister stressed the need to reopen the Strait for safe maritime passage following the incident.

• President Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran are progressing well, and Iran is currently reviewing a U. S. proposal to help end the conflict.

• The situation has led to rising fuel shortages and increased oil prices in Asia due to disrupted tanker flows.

• The upcoming meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping may influence the potential for a peace deal involving Iran.

The recent attack on a Chinese tanker highlights the ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and raises questions about international cooperation to restore security and peace in the region. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/first-chinese-tanker-attacked-near-hormuz-beijing-urges-waterway-reopened

Government Spending In America Is Completely Out Of Control

 The issues surrounding government spending and debt in the United States, particularly focusing on federal and state levels. It warns that the current financial situation could threaten the American economy and citizens' futures.

• As of March 31, the U. S. national debt surpassed 100% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second time since World War II, joining other nations with high debt levels like Greece and Italy.

• High debt creates risks for investments and limits government policy options, which can lead to public conflict over finances.

• Young Americans are particularly affected as high debt hampers their ability to achieve goals in education, housing, and family.

• State debts are also significant, with ten states running major deficit budgets. Some of these states, all led by Democrats, include:

• California: $520 billion

• New Jersey: $240 billion

• New York: $410 billion

• These states are criticized for their lack of fiscal restraint and for using high taxes and debt to maintain political power.

• The Debt-to-State-GDP ratio indicates high risk for states like Illinois and New Jersey, with pension liabilities exacerbating financial concerns.

• Average debt per citizen varies significantly: for example, Connecticut has $26,400 while Florida's is around $2,500.

• The article lists the highest tax burden states, with Hawaii leading at 13.3%, contrasting with lower-tax states like Alaska at 5.06%.

• The perception of debt has shifted over time, with increasing acceptance of debt by both individuals and governments. This change has allowed politicians to expand services without immediately raising taxes.

• Government programs like Medicare are growing faster than anticipated, leading to concerns about long-term sustainability and potential bankruptcy.

The article expresses urgency regarding irresponsible spending and borrowing practices at both federal and state levels, suggesting that both citizens and politicians must confront these issues before a financial crisis occurs. It emphasizes the need for awareness and accountability to safeguard America's economic future. 

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/05/government_spending_in_america_is_completely_out_of_control.html

The American Medical Establishment Didn’t Discover A Mental Health Crisis, It Created One

 The American medical establishment has contributed to a perceived mental health crisis over the last century. It suggests that this has led to overdiagnosis and excessive use of psychiatric medications, often resulting in negative outcomes for patients.

• Creation of a Mental Health Crisis: The article argues that over the past 100 years, the medical establishment has worked to define ordinary human emotions and behaviors, such as sadness or hyperactivity, as mental health issues. This has resulted in a significant increase in the diagnosis of mental disorders.

• Medicalization of Human Experience: David Cohen, a professor, emphasizes that every natural human struggle is being treated as a mental health problem, which he refers to as “medicalizing” human existence.

• Psychiatric Diagnosis Increases: The introduction of the DSM-3 in 1968 played a pivotal role in expanding mental health diagnoses. Since then, about half of Americans meet the criteria for some mental disorder, but no disorders have transitioned to general medical conditions.

• Chemical Imbalance Theory: There has been a popular belief that mental disorders stem from chemical imbalances in the brain. However, many experts argue that this theory lacks scientific backing and has contributed to widespread misconceptions about mental health.

• Screening Children: Schools are identified as a significant factor in the medicalization of children, with universal mental health screenings now taking place in about a third of schools. Some argue that these screenings can instill anxiety in children by asking them leading questions about suicidal thoughts.

• ADHD – The Gateway Diagnosis: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is highlighted as a core diagnosis that has led to increased medical intervention for children. The article mentions a location in Virginia where a high percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD were heavily medicated, often with negative educational outcomes.

• Dependence on Medications: Long-term use of psychiatric drugs is common, and many patients experience withdrawal symptoms that are misinterpreted as a re-emergence of mental health issues. This cycle encourages ongoing drug prescriptions rather than addressing underlying problems.

• Potential Harm in Drug Use: The article suggests that psychiatric medications can suppress certain behaviors but that their long-term effectiveness is questionable. There is concern that reliance on these drugs can lead to further mental health crises.

The ongoing issues related to mental health in America, including substantial overdiagnosis and reliance on medications, appear to have stemmed from a long-term cultural and medical shift toward viewing normal human behavior through a pathological lens. The article raises questions about the efficacy and side effects of psychiatric treatments, particularly in children, and indicates that the current approach to mental health may require reevaluation.

https://thefederalist.com/2026/05/06/the-american-medical-establishment-didnt-discover-a-mental-health-crisis-it-created-one/ 

Federal judge rules that DOJ can keep 2020 election ballots seized from Georgia's Fulton County

 A federal judge has ruled that the U. S. government can retain control over the 2020 election ballots seized from Fulton County, Georgia, during an investigation into potential irregularities.

• The ballots were seized by the FBI on January 28 as part of a Justice Department investigation focused on election misconduct in Fulton County.

• District Judge J. P. Boulee dismissed the county's request for the return of the ballots, electronic copies, and other election-related materials, rejecting claims of improper and unconstitutional seizure.

• The Justice Department identified two possible legal violations linked to the management of election records and the casting of fraudulent ballots.

• Joe Biden won the state of Georgia, securing its 16 electoral votes.

The ruling means the federal government will continue to hold the 2020 election ballots while the investigation into potential election irregularities unfolds further. This decision highlights the ongoing scrutiny of the election process in Georgia. 

https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/federal-judge-rules-doj-can-keep-2020-election-ballots-seized-georgias-fulton