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/MBAfrom 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.
Have an opinion? Different or in agreement? About the above or something else? If so, we want to hear from you! Send in your letters to team@mySCGOP.com and we will be happy to share it with our readers. #SaveSouthCarolina!
Yesterday we shared with you the CALL TO CONVENTION for the 7 SCGOP Congressional District Conventions coming up in April (HERE). All America FIRST SCGOP State Delegates should REGISTER … and attend!!! Consider it mandatory to #SaveSouthCarolina!!! 😉
Well, guess what … there are 3 1/2 pages of “Rules” about these 7 SCGOP Congressional District Organizations … including details on the conventions.
We won’t repeat the entire Rule 6 here … it is 3 1/2 pages … but click below … read Rule 6 … and let us know if you have any questions or see anything interesting. It is critical to know the RULES!!!
READ RULE 6: “Congressional District Organization” – HERE
$55 MILLION for “real” School Choice READY TODAY!!!
S285 has already PASSED the SC Senate (28 to 9 vote)!!!
S285 is just sitting in the SC House waiting to be passed.
Could be passed, AS-IS, No Changes and be law within a week.
$11,000 scholarships for special needs … not $6,000 like ESA.
$11,000 scholarships for low income … not $6,000 like ESA.
100% Constitutional … not like the ESA.
No Gov’t Strings Attached … not like the ESA.
Approved by Homeschoolers / HSLDA … not like the ESA.
All sides say they support it … not like the ESA.
Nearly UNIVERSAL School Choice!!!
All families up to 400% of poverty are eligible ($124,800 for a family of 4).
ESA Supreme Court Oral Arguments: This past Wednesday March 6th, the SC Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the lawsuit claiming (as we believe) that the ESA / Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
You all recall that a substantially similar ESA program was twice ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL back in 2020 … both decisions were unanimous 5 to 0 opinions … and that point was made very clear by Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty (HERE) as the hearing began. The Chief Justice was unrelenting in his disdain for the ESA program … probably more that a judge should be in open court … but the other Justices were not very easy on the matter either.
Acting Justice, Chief Judge James E. Lockemy (HERE) of the SC Court of Appeals made a huge issue of whether the Superintendent of Education could even administer the program … based on the fact that her Constitutional Duty was to represent Public Schools. That was a new twist, and not a good sign for the ESA pushers.
Watch the 1 hour & 7 minute video of the hearing yourself: HERE
You never know what may happen … and we are sure the “politicians” electing these SC Supreme Court Justices have been working them hard to rule their “monied special interest” ESA bill is legal … but it could very well be that the SC Supreme Court rules this program unconstitutional for a third time.
The 2020 ESA decision was originally heard on September 18th, 2020, with the decision filed on October 7, 2020 … just 3 weeks later. Legislators (and families / schools) need to know before the 2024 legislative session ends in early May, so the clock is ticking.
Surprisingly, very few mainstream media outlets are reporting on this … but you can see what Alexander Thompson of The Post & Courier (HERE) and Seanna Adcox of the SC Daily Gazette (HERE) and Jeffrey Collins of the Associated Press (HERE) had to say about the oral arguments.
PASS S285 – “real” School Choice: S285 has already passed the SC Senate and is objectively “better” than the 100% Government Run / government strings attached ESA program … so why are legislators delaying??? What do we say … #FollowTheMONEY!!!
The 2020 ESA Program using the same ClassWallet (HERE) online portal was ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL as a prohibited “direct” benefit to private schools.
Election Day Countdown (as of 03/11/2024):
Saturday, March 16th @ Noon – 5 days (SC Filing Opens)
Monday, April 1st @ Noon – 21 days (SC Filing Closes)
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 – 92 days (SC Primaries)
Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 2024 – 239 (ELECTION DAY)
Send us your opinion on this great debate … and how you would like to see it solved … by hitting REPLY or emailing us at team@mySCGOP.com.
HAVE AN OPINION?
Have an opinion? Different or in agreement? About the above or something else? If so, speak up as we want to hear from you! Send your letters to team@mySCGOP.com and we will be happy to share it with our readers. #SaveSouthCarolina!
We have seen A LOT of “Call To Action” alerts going out on social media and via email about defeating H5164 as it includes homeschoolers in the 100% Government Run ESA Program (aka ESTF Program).
Well … that is nice … but realize if we simply get the home school provision removed … THAT IS NOT A VICTORY!!!
If H5164 … the 100% government run school choice program is bad for homeschoolers … it is equally as bad for ALL K-12 education … that includes Private & Christian Schools as well. Right?
It may feel like an “easy” win to remove homeschoolers from H5164 … heck the uniparty may have included homeschoolers just as a “red herring” to give grassroots a perceived (yet fake) win if legislators do ultimately remove homeschoolers.
Stand up for ALL kids … oppose H5164 for the right reasons … for ALL the reasons. Don’t miss the big picture in order to “feel good” about a fake win.
We don’t want 100% government control of our education system … PERIOD!!! 100% government control is the problem … not just the fact homeschoolers are included in this v02 of SC Superintendent Ellen Weaver & her monied special interest (i.e., ClassWallet) ESA / ESTF Program.
#LearnTheirTRICKS!
#FollowTheMONEY!
– PASS S285 –
PASS S285: Whether some folks like it or not … the “only” solution to fighting back against 100% government run school choice is for the SC House of Representatives to pass S285 (HERE). The SC Senate has already passed it … we are just waiting for the SC House to DO SOMETHING … to pass S285 as-is, with not changes … and send it straight to the Governor for signing!!!
The (P)ACE Tax Credit Scholarship Bill is the grandaddy of school choice in our nation … and it is the “only” school program designed to FIGHT BACK against government overreach into our private schools & homeschoolers. Wouldn’t that be a good thing for SC Patriots to have on their side fighting government overreach everywhere?
Why else do you think SC House Legislators on both sides are trying to defeat it? 😉
DEFINITION: red herring (noun), something intended to distract attention from the real problem.
Saturday, March 16th @ Noon – 8 days (SC Filing Opens)
Monday, April 1st @ Noon – 24 days (SC Filing Closes)
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 – 95 days (SC Primaries)
Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 2024 – 242 (ELECTION DAY)
Send us your opinion on this great debate … and how you would like to see it solved … by hitting REPLY or emailing us at team@mySCGOP.com.
HAVE AN OPINION?
Have an opinion? Different or in agreement? About the above or something else? If so, speak up as we want to hear from you! Send your letters to team@mySCGOP.com and we will be happy to share it with our readers. #SaveSouthCarolina!
As expected, President DONALD TRUMP had a swath or crushing victories in yesterday’s SUPER TUESDAY primaries.
Haley did however win one state … VERMONT … home of Socialist US Senator Bernie Sanders. Like her victory over the weekend in Washington, DC … it’s nothing to be super proud of (HERE).
Nikki Haley’s Campaign went “dark” for hours last night … and this morning they announced she will be suspending her campaign today at 10AM.
Saturday, March 16th @ Noon – 10 days (SC Filing Opens)
Monday, April 1st @ Noon – 26 days (SC Filing Closes)
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 – 97 days (SC Primaries)
Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 2024 – 244 (ELECTION DAY)
Send us your opinion on this great debate … and how you would like to see it solved … by hitting REPLY or emailing us at team@mySCGOP.com.
HAVE AN OPINION?
Have an opinion? Different or in agreement? About the above or something else? If so, speak up as we want to hear from you! Send your letters to team@mySCGOP.com and we will be happy to share it with our readers. #SaveSouthCarolina!
TRICK #1 – “Red Meat” for the Republican Base: We have seen this “show” numerous times. The SC House establishment will put up a “red meat” bill (i.e., appeals to the Republican base) which likely has ZERO chance of going anywhere in the Senate … but establishment SC House members / leadership can CAMPAIGN on passing some real conservative legislation and point the finger at the SC Senate. It has been done over and over and over through the years … and they did it again last Wednesday with a faux “Universal School Choice” bill, H5164.
Don’t buy it … if they really cared about “school choice”, they would have passed the $55 MILLION (P)ACE Scholarship Bill … S285 … the “real” school choice bill which has been sitting in the SC House Ways & Means Committee since March 28th, 2023 after the SC Senate set it for SPECIAL ORDER and passed it 28 to 9. (HERE)
TRICK #2 – Not all “school choice” is the same: There is 100% government run school choice like the ESA / H5164 … which is bad … and there is free market school choice which is run by independent conservative non-profits with NO GOVERNMENT STRINGS ATTACHED.
When anyone tells you about a “school choice” bill you FIRST question needs to be “who” administers the program? If it is the GOVERNMENT who administers the program … be it the SC State Department of Education … or worse, the SC Department of Revenue … the bill is BAD!!!
Don’t be lazy and say “I just want school choice, I don’t really care what it is.” There is a massive difference short-term and long-term between 100% government run / strings attached ESAs like H5164 … and “real” free-market school choice Tax Credit Scholarships like S285.
TRICK #3 – Fast-tracked Committee Hearings: Well, H5164 was filed out of the blue on Wednesday, February 28th … and it already has a scheduled House Sub-Committee Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th (TODAY!!!) … and a Full Committee Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, March 6th.
Seem a little “pre-planned“??? 😉
TRICK #4 – Everybody supports the bill!!!: Yes, this is when you know there is a real problem and the fix is in. Remember SC First STEPS … another 100% supported, 100% government run leftist program passed in the dark of the night with lightening speed (HERE).
Well guess what … “everybody” supports this 100% Government Run “universal school choice” bill … and when we say everybody, that means SC HOUSE LEADERSHIP and the SC FREEDOM CAUCUS.
Ask yourself … why is the SC House Freedom Caucus supporting a 100% government run anything???
Rep. Adam Morgan & Speaker Smith support H5164? Hmmm …
Why SCFC Supports 100% Gov’t Run Private School Choice?
Folks tell us all the time that it makes no sense that the SC Freedom Caucus would support 100% Government Run ESAs … it is the complete OPPOSITE of what they preach. Well, that is true … “freedom” is not 100% government run.
But the SCFC does support 100% government run school choice … so what gives?
It is real simple … MONEY!!!
SCFC Chairman & 4th Congressional District Candidate Rep. Adam Morgan’s (HERE) family owns an EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING FIRM called Palmetto Fortis (HERE) … and SCFC members Rep. Alan Morgan (HERE & HERE) and Rep. Josiah Magnuson (HERE& HERE) both work there.
As we have shown you before, this ESA program means HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS to monied special interests (HERE) … it hasn’t even started and $4.2 million has already been awarded to just one vendor, ClassWallet (HERE).
Connect the dots friends …
MAJOR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST???: Well, these are the questions we have been asking the Morgans and the SC Freedom Caucus up here in Greenville for well over two years with NO ANSWERS. And it is the reason the SC Freedom Caucus has been working with Drew McKissick supporting these “splinter groups” in places like LEXINGTON & Greenville … they don’t want us asking these questions or telling you the backstory.
Think about it … if there was nothing “wrong” going on, wouldn’t the Morgans and the SC Freedom Caucus be willing to discuss the matter???
Lawyer Legislators may be making MILLIONS off of their “special gigs” … but they are not the only ones at the SC State House shaking down taxpayers for their own personal financial benefit.
Saturday, March 16th @ Noon – 11 days (SC Filing Opens)
Monday, April 1st @ Noon – 27 days (SC Filing Closes)
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 – 98 days (SC Primaries)
Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 2024 – 245 (ELECTION DAY)
Send us your opinion on this great debate … and how you would like to see it solved … by hitting REPLY or emailing us at team@mySCGOP.com.
HAVE AN OPINION?
Have an opinion? Different or in agreement? About the above or something else? If so, speak up as we want to hear from you! Send your letters to team@mySCGOP.com and we will be happy to share it with our readers. #SaveSouthCarolina!
No … wining Washington, DC is nothing to be proud of … whatsoever!!!
But that is what Nikki Haley did over the weekend … winning Washington, DC by 1,274 votes to TRUMP’s 676. TRUMP however cleaned up in Missouri, Idaho and the Michigan Caucuses over the weekend … places where you want to win (as opposed to the SWAMP … Washington, DC).
What we found most interesting however were two quotes …
The first quote came out of the mouth of the Washington DC Republican Party (www.dcgop.com) Chairman Patrick Mara (HERE & HERE) who told Politico “This universe is a little more sophisticated than just about any universe in any other state”. SAY WHAT!?!?!? Chairman Mara continued on stating “I listen to the political podcasts in the morning. I read the newsletters throughout the day. That’s probably, like, half the people showing up at this.” (Politico – HERE).
Does this guy have any self awareness???
The second quote which gets into the political / mental / media manipulation … the Yahoo!News Chief National Correspondent Jon Ward called Washington, DC a state (HERE) … specifically stating Nikki Haley “won her first state in the nominating cycle with a victory in Sunday’s Washington, D.C., primaries.“
Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 – TOMORROW (Super Tuesday)
Saturday, March 16th @ Noon – 12 days (SC Filing Opens)
Monday, April 1st @ Noon – 28 days (SC Filing Closes)
Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 – 99 days (SC Primaries)
Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 2024 – 246 (ELECTION DAY)
Send us your opinion on this great debate … and how you would like to see it solved … by hitting REPLY or emailing us at team@mySCGOP.com.
HAVE AN OPINION?
Have an opinion? Different or in agreement? About the above or something else? If so, speak up as we want to hear from you! Send your letters to team@mySCGOP.com and we will be happy to share it with our readers. #SaveSouthCarolina!
