Shades of Corruption: Menendez & Cuellar Prosecuted for Accepting Cash & Cars; Trump Reportedly Promises Climate Rollbacks for $1B in Campaign Contributions from Big Oil with Repercussions Unlikely

The corruption trial of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez started May 13th for allegedly taking gold bars and cash in exchange for favors.  May 3rd, the U.S. Justice Department announced bribery charges against Congressman Henry Cuellar.  May 9th, news surfaced that former President Donald Trump promised U.S. oil executives he’d roll back climate regulations  – and asked for $1 Billion dollars in contributions.  

South Dakota Democracy Advocates Submit Ballot Measure Signatures for a ‘Top 2’ Single Ballot Open Primary System.  If Approved, All Voters Get a Voice in the Primary

May 7th, South Dakota democracy advocates submitted the necessary signatures to put a constitutional amendment establishing a ‘top two’ open primary system on the ballot.  The ballot question would allow the 150,000 independent voters whose tax dollars underwrite the primary to actually vote in it.