(The Economic Collapse Blog)—Once upon a time, America was such a beautiful place. As a nation, we are blessed with great natural beauty, and the shiny, clean cities that we constructed from coast to coast were once the envy of the entire world. But now many of the most beautiful places in America have literally been turned into open toilets. Let me give you an example of what I am talking about. Decades ago, California beaches were so spectacular that tourists would come from all over the world to experience them. But now the beaches in one section of southern California resemble “a portable toilet” and have been closed for 700 days in a row due to billions of gallons of untreated wastewater that is flowing into the Pacific Ocean…
Residents of a small coastal city in California said they’ve been ‘trapped in a portable toilet’ after 700 consecutive days of beach closures.
For the past four years, residents of Imperial City, a small town located a 20-minute drive from San Diego, have endured daily exposure to sea spray and aerosol particles emanating from the polluted ocean.
More than 100 billion gallons of untreated wastewater have flowed through Mexico’s Tijuana River and into the Pacific Ocean, eventually reaching the coastal town over the past five years.
Why isn’t California Governor Gavin Newsom doing something about this?
Why isn’t the Biden administration doing something about this?
One local resident says that the smell of human waste is so strong at night that it actually wakes people up…
According to a study by San Diego State University, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and bacteria detected in the water are being released into the air and lingering in the soils.
‘I’m more frustrated than ever since we found out that it goes into the air. So it’s not just the water,’ a resident said.
In letters from community members calling for action, one resident said the smell is ‘akin to being trapped in a portable toilet,’ so strong that it wakes them up at night.
Can you imagine the cumulative impact that all of this wastewater is going to have if it is allowed to continue to flow like this year after year? But maybe this is what southern California deserves.
The television shows and movies that are created in southern California are exporting our “toilet culture” to the entire world, and now southern California is literally being transformed into a toilet.
Meanwhile, conditions are rapidly deteriorating on the east coast as well.
When I visited New York City a little over two decades ago, everything was very clean and I felt very safe wherever I walked.
But now Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s district “is being described as looking like a Third World country”…
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s district is being described as looking like a Third World country, after video emerged showing trash covered streets overrun by migrants.
Footage captured by Queens resident Ramses Frias shows two streets in the neighborhoods of Corona, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst.
The video shows the streets of the area overflowing with trash, as migrants set up make shift flea markets flogging clothing items.
Roosevelt Avenue has also become known as ‘the market of sweethearts’, with viral videos showing alleged sex workers lining the streets of the area.
Of course it isn’t just her district that is rapidly going down the tubes.
In a 15 million dollar lawsuit that was recently filed, it is alleged that one Burger King location in the Big Apple has been transformed into an “open air drug bazaar”…
A Burger King in New York City has been slapped with a $15 million lawsuit over allegations the fast food restaurant has turned into an ‘open air drug bazaar.’
The restaurant, located at 106 Fulton Street in the Financial District, was sued by long-time resident and filmmaker Kevin Kaufman, 69, who has branded the street ‘a neighborhood in crisis.’
According to the lawsuit, obtained by the New York Post, Kaufman has targeted that location and Burger King’s cooperate office, accusing them of violating the state’s private nuisance law.
Lawlessness is common at the site with pictures of drug users and videos of fights posted online.
Once again we see the word “lawlessness” used to describe what is happening in our largest cities.
How many times in recent months have I warned about how “lawless” this country is becoming?
In fact, in a piece that I authored that was one of the featured articles on Zero Hedge on Sunday, I stated that “America is becoming a little bit more lawless with each passing day”.
In Oakland, crime has gotten so bad that some business owners are openly threatening not to pay taxes…
A growing group of business owners in the Bay Area are declaring that they no longer want to pay taxes after a slew of robberies and thefts made them feel like the city wasn’t doing enough to protect them.
Businesses in Oakland, California, have faced thefts and attacks in recent months.
“We’re scared for our lives,” Cybelle’s Pizza manager Nestor Sanchez said, according to a KTVU report.
During the past several years, thousands upon thousands of businesses have either left our major cities or have shut down for good.
In some cases, entire city blocks have been boarded up.
And now we have learned that hundreds of Family Dollar stores are going to be closed, and that is going to create even more empty buildings…
Family Dollar, the struggling discount chain that caters to low-income customers predominantly in cities, said Wednesday it will close nearly 1,000 stores.
Years of mismanagement and poor conditions in stores have hurt Family Dollar’s brand. Family Dollar, which is owned by Dollar Tree, was recently fined more than $40 million for a rat infestation at a warehouse that forced hundreds of stores to temporarily close.
Decades-high inflation has hit shoppers hard, and a general consumer pullback has impacted Family Dollar customers and the chain’s profits, exacerbating its battle with discount competitors such as Dollar General, Walmart and others.
In addition, the reduction in benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has left struggling families with as much as $250 less per month. Discount stores and consumer goods companies say they have felt the impact of that loss.
Meanwhile, every month hundreds of thousands of extremely desperate people come pouring across our southern border.
According to Axios, “more than 8 million asylum seekers and other migrants will be living inside the U.S in legal limbo by the end of September”.
The stage has been set for civil unrest on an absolutely epic scale, and we are just months away from the most tumultuous election season in our entire history.
I entitled my latest book “Chaos” for a reason, because that is exactly what we are going to experience.
The people that are running this country are systematically ruining it.
Everything that our forefathers worked so hard to build is going down the drain, and that should deeply sadden all of us.
Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.