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The Therapist the Court Ordered

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Dr. Rebecca Bailey, a family therapist, has faced numerous complaints regarding her controversial practice, Transitioning Families, which reunites families amid troubled custody disputes, often in abusive contexts. Critics claim her methods prioritize affluent parents, sidelining protective ones, while courts continue to endorse her, perpetuating a flawed system linked to a broader problematic industry.

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2 - Analysis / 3 - Investigations / Child Custody / Child Custody / Child Welfare / Domestic Policy / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government / Institutions / Institutions & Accountability / Justice & Governance

The Same Tools

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The article examines how tactics for controlling partners in marriage are mirrored in family court environments, highlighting systemic failures to recognize and address coercive control. Through multiple cases, it illustrates how these controlling behaviors persist in legal proceedings, resulting in devastating outcomes for parents and children, often exacerbated by institutional biases and inadequate judicial training.

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3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Accountability / Ada Accommodations / Brenna Gano Case / California / California Watch / Child Custody / Child Custody / Court Corruption / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government / Government Accountability / Institutions / Institutions & Accountability / Parental Rights / parental rights / The California Custody Cartel

The Gatekeeper

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Brenna Gano alleges that Samantha Esver-Poon, a Family Court Services counselor in San Mateo County, fabricated agreements and neglected evidence, leading to her estrangement from her son Jacob. Despite ongoing complaints, including violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Esver-Poon remains employed, and the county has yet to address the allegations.

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2 - Analysis / Business / Child Custody / Child Custody / Child Support / Child Support / Economy & Policy / Family Court / Government / Government / National Policy / Policy / Politics / Travel

The Federal Government Will Ground You for Unpaid Child Support. It Has No Answer for Stolen Parenting Time.

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Trump administration has activated a policy allowing passport revocation for parents owing over $2,500 in child support, impacting both responsible and negligent parents alike. This enforcement does not account for circumstances like ongoing custody battles, potentially harming parents who are fighting for access to their children rather than abandoning them.

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2 - Analysis / Big Tech & Regulation / Business / Fraud / Government / Government Accountability / Government Ethics & Accountability / Institutions & Accountability / Politics / Politics & Power / Tech / Technology / Technology

The $59 Million Test

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Nearly 590,000 Trump supporters paid $100 deposits for the Trump Mobile T1 phone, advertised as a patriotic alternative and “Made in America,” yet none have been delivered. The company revised its terms, indicating deposits do not guarantee purchases. Accountability from the FTC and Republican officials remains absent, fueling consumer outrage.

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2 - Analysis / 3 - Investigations / Circuit Court / Civil Court / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Court Corruption / Court Reform / Domestic Policy / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government / Institutions / Institutions & Accountability / Justice & Governance / Maryland / Maryland Watch

No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

An investigation reveals a significant accountability gap in Maryland’s family court system, where civil rights complaints against judges lack external oversight and transparency. Complaints filed are often sealed and unreported, leading to systemic noncompliance without recourse for litigants. This raises critical issues about judicial accountability and the structures that enable potential misconduct.

No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice Read More
2 - Analysis / Economy & Policy / Food / Government / Government / Policy / Public Health

The Rotisserie Chicken You Can’t Buy

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Washington’s ban on soda purchases with SNAP benefits highlights a flawed approach to food assistance. While advocates argue against subsidizing unhealthy options, the ban fails to address the core issues facing low-income individuals, such as insufficient budgets and the prohibition of nutritious hot foods. This policy shift overlooks the deeper systemic problems in food accessibility.

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2 - Analysis / Economy / Economy & Policy / Economy & Trade / Government

They Promised Factories. They Got Mexico.

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The article critiques the effectiveness of Trump’s tariffs intended to reshore American manufacturing. Instead of recovering jobs, U.S. companies like Whirlpool are downsizing domestic operations while expanding abroad. Surveys reveal manufacturers favor foreign production, contradicting the administration’s claims, which raises concerns about the future of American jobs and economic stability.

They Promised Factories. They Got Mexico. Read More
2 - Analysis / Congress / Congress / Government / Government / Government Accountability / Government Ethics & Accountability / Institutions & Accountability / Misconduct / Politics

The Brand Gap: How Congress Learned to Sell Family While Living Something Else

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

In a span of ten days, two Congress members, Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales, resigned amid personal conduct revelations, while David Trone faces scrutiny over a decade-long affair that contradicts his family-oriented political persona. This trend highlights politicians’ reliance on crafted identities that, when exposed, undermine voter trust and accountability.

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2 - Analysis / Economy / Economy & Policy / Economy & Trade / Government

The Court Killed the Trade War. Now What?

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court invalidated Trump’s trade war tariffs, stating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorize such actions. This ruling revealed a lack of legal foundation for Trump’s tariff regime, leading to significant job losses and financial uncertainty. The replacement strategy faces impending expiration and political scrutiny during the 2026 elections.

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