Our readers nominate and vote on something they find out in the wild that just doesn’t seem right. Every Wednesday, we report what we find out about it.
Here in the US, we allow labels and silos, not data and reality, to drive our politics. Fun fact: The Nordic countries they call “socialist” consistently rank as the happiest on Earth. Meanwhile America dropped from #23 in happiness in 2024 to #24 in 2025 and 40% of young women 18-44 want to permanently leave. … Read more
The viral claims don’t match what American intelligence agencies actually say Bottom Line Up Front: In the wake of recent U.S. military strikes on boats near Venezuela, a narrative has exploded across social media: Venezuela is flooding America with fentanyl. Memes and posts claim the strikes targeted fentanyl shipments. Politicians have amplified the message. It’s … Read more
Medical Disclaimer: Written by a layperson with a need to understand and present valid data. This article presents data-driven analysis of publicly available epidemiological and clinical research regarding MMR vaccination. The author is not a medical professional, and this content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice, … Read more
Timeline: From “Made in USA” Champions to Wealth Extractors The Original Promise (1960s-1985): “We’ll Keep Jobs in America” In 1985, Sam Walton launched Walmart’s “Buy American” campaign with celebrity endorsements and patriotic promises. The message was clear: shopping at Walmart meant supporting American manufacturing and American jobs. See: Key Points: The Shift Begins (1980s-1990s): The … Read more
Engagement is survival. Bottom Line Up Front: The irony is perfect: the same industries that were forced to change discriminatory practices 50 years ago are now using AI to recreate those exact same patterns, but at digital scale and speed. This one got away from me at the end, but I left it to illustrate … Read more
The True Tax Burden: America’s Hidden Taxation Bottom Line Up Front: When you include healthcare premiums, education costs, and other mandatory private expenses that European governments provide through taxation, middle-class American families pay 37–43% of their income for services that cost European families 33–38%. Despite Europeans getting universal healthcare, free higher education, and comprehensive social … Read more
Bottom Line Up Front: Blue states send approximately $2.5-3 trillion annually to the federal government while receiving significantly less back in federal spending. A coordinated tax strike by just the top 5 donor states would create a $300-400 billion federal shortfall—larger than the entire Defense Department procurement budget—forcing an immediate constitutional crisis and potentially collapsing … Read more
Myth Information Wednesday: CARD Act Reality Check – Consumer Costs Actually Increased THE OPEN RECORD Old-School Truth in the Digital Age August 13, 2025 • Myth Information Wednesday • Transparent Journalism 🧪 MYTH INFORMATION WEDNESDAY Our weekly series busting myths with facts – like Mythbusters, but for policy claims CARD ACT REALITY CHECK: Did the … Read more
