An associate mentioned to me recently that “I should not take it personally” related to something with our school choice advocacy for S285, the PACE/ACE Scholarship Bill (see HERE & HERE).

It was not like there was any heated discussion … just a general statement about the overall “fight” for any legislative measure.  In fact I tell people all the time this is a long game … don’t burn out … so in some respects I agreed.

But as I thought about it … I actually SHOULD take it personally.  Personally in the sense that it motivates me to push HARDER.  In fact we all should get (pardon my language) … REALLY PI**ED OFF … when we see legislators and others purposefully quashing game changing legislation that will change children’s lives.

S285 is not some unusual or untested school choice gimmick.  350,000 kids a year get scholarships under similar programs in 30 +/- other states.  The structure has been around for over 25+ years.  No Tax Credit Scholarship (TCS) program like it has ever been found unconstitutional.  Georgia non-profits raised $120 MILLION for their program in 1 day this year (HERE) … citizens love these programs!!!  

And worse … it actually worked in South Carolina for three years (2014, 2015 & 2016) until corrupt political operatives, monied special-interest, and self-interested “Republican” legislators DESTROYED IT … and in turn destroyed the lives of children with special needs … and a lot more.

YES … we should take it PERSONALLY!!!

Why is it personal?

Why should we take it personally?  Because between 2014 and 2016, when our independent 501(c)(3) non-profit was one of five involved in the administration of the special needs school choice program (as it is run by independent non-profits in 30 other states) … we helped increase attendance substantially at good Christian & “unwoke” private schools.  It wasn’t rich kids … it was middle and lower class kids with special needs that could not afford these private schools without our help.

EXAMPLE #1:   One dyslexia school went from 70 something kids to over 130 … in just 3 years. Many of those kids could not read when they were first enrolled, but within months (and in some cases weeks) they could read and no longer thought they were just “stupid”.  That is life-changing.

EXAMPLE #2:   Another one of our full spectrum special needs schools went from 5 kids to over 30 in those three years. The kids getting help were the poorest of the poor. Instead of being stuck in a corner of a public school classroom where they were mocked and bullied, those kids found a FAMILY. A real family and a place to belong feel loved, accepted and most importantly being able to learn.  It truly was a beautiful place, and the thought of what happened to that school (it is now closed because of the government takeover of the program) drives me daily to push harder.

EXAMPLE #3:   We also gave a scholarship to a kid who was left under a bridge as an infant.  Yes, left under a real overpass bridge … like in a movie, but it wasn’t a movie.  The child had problems – who would not … and no big public school classroom with 30 kids could provide what that child needed … and the family that adopted the child could not afford a $20,000 a year private school.  Well, we paid half of the tuition (the $10,000 legal limit at the time) and the school generously waived the other half … so that child was provided the help the needed. 

And that is our “WHY”, because of 10,000 kids just like this, because they are out there and they are NOT receiving the help today!

HATERS & Legislators

Haters to Blame:  There are some bitter, angry and envious folks out there who might say we are full of it … the political gadflies … ones who falsely accuse us of some personal financial interest … but what have those people done for a single kid?  A specific child whose life has changed because of what they did, legislatively? They have done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING … just part of the status quo do nothing problem … but they are full of complaints and GOSSIP … and I would not want to be in their shoes when they reach the pearly gates.

Legislators to Blame:  And yes, there are some innocent elected officials and others that don’t really know what is going on … even though they should know better than to plead ignorance, and they should be asking us what’s up.  But there are some elected officials and bureaucrats that know EXACTLY what they have done (or allowed to be done) to children.  It is why I have a “difference” with certain legislators … especially those that cry for liberty & school choice the loudest … our self professed legislative “champions” … yet they sit quietly if it might impact their re-election … or offend the HATERS.  It is not because I have some “political battle” with these people … or they are political opponents … in fact we could be their biggest allies … but because of their silence many would consider them hypocrites.  They know exactly what they need to do … and they refuse.

THE 10,000 KIDS

WHY WE ALL SHOULD TAKE IT PERSONAL?  We should because it is our civic duty … it is our cause and our cross to bear … much like many of you have your cause you fight for and take foolishness personally.  And we do if for how we have seen first hand how children’s lives … a lot of children in fact … were changed in just a few short years from 2014 – 2016.  We stayed in this fight for those kids and families that have no voice … and because of the CORRUPTION we saw.  We have been personally pummeled with lies you could not imagine … as well as so much hate it would blow your mind.  

But we put up with it … and will not quit … because we WILL help those 10,000 kids.

#NeverSURRENDER!!!

#NeverFORGET!!!

#ItIsPERSONAL!!!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Jeff Davis is co-founder of mySCGOP.com. Jeff is a ’89 graduate of The Citadel and in 1993 received his Law/MBA from USC. A tax attorney / CPA licensed in Georgia, Jeff is an uncompromised school choice advocate for K-12 children with special needs. Originally from Charleston, and having practiced in Atlanta, Jeff and his wife Olga now live in Greenville. Jeff completed his two year term as Greenville County Republican Party Chairman and is currently serving as GCRP State Executive Committeeman.

Jeff is also “barred” from attending the SCGOP State Executive Committee Meetings (HERE). Why? Because he dared to run against Drew McKissick for SCGOP Chairman – coming in 2nd with Drew only being reelected by 1.8% (HERE & HERE) – and in September 2021 he told the State Executive Committee that Chad Connelly had been under SLED investigation for a year and a half … and it was true (HERE & HERE).

Interestingly … Braylee Estep can attend the SCGOP State Executive Committee meetings … unlike the elected State Executive Committeeman from the largest county in South Carolina representing 12% of the entire state.

June 19th, 2023 Article: HERE

December 15th, 2023 Article: HERE

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