DOGE

[O Really]

I have less sympathy for the 6 in 10 veteran voters than I do for the others.

Trump has shown no respect, actually disrespect, for military and veterans since his first travesty, er "administration." Any veteran who voted for him definitely should have known they were gonna be lunch for the leopard.

[neoplacebo]

Well, I guess they have over a thousand gullible pardoned morons they can hire as air traffic controllers. Cult gush.

[Vrede too]

Well, I guess they have over a thousand gullible pardoned morons they can hire as air traffic controllers. Cult gush.

Didn't you hear? DonOLD is going to get MIT grads to be air traffic controllers because they're "Smart". Really.

[neoplacebo]

Well, I guess they have over a thousand gullible pardoned morons they can hire as air traffic controllers. Cult gush.

Didn't you hear? DonOLD is going to get MIT grads to be air traffic controllers because they're "Smart". Really.

Oh, yeah, I read about that the other day. It's the same kind of moronic nonsense as when he bragged about how smart he himself is.....because he had an uncle who taught at MIT and that in itself proves trump has "good genes." Person ally, I'd go with someone who barely made it out of Edge of Town College (ETC) over anybody trump suggests. Hell, he probably thinks the janitors at MIT are geniuses, too. Fucking moron.

[Vrede too]

Well, I guess they have over a thousand gullible pardoned morons they can hire as air traffic controllers. Cult gush.

Didn't you hear? DonOLD is going to get MIT grads to be air traffic controllers because they're "Smart". Really.

Oh, yeah, I read about that the other day. It's the same kind of moronic nonsense as when he bragged about how smart he himself is.....because he had an uncle who taught at MIT and that in itself proves trump has "good genes." Personally, I'd go with someone who barely made it out of Edge of Town College (ETC) over anybody trump suggests. Hell, he probably thinks the janitors at MIT are geniuses, too. Fucking moron.

Al Roker agrees.

Al Roker Issues Bold Political Statement About ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Move

Al Roker, who many know from his longtime position on Today, made a strong statement in response to ongoing reports that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which predicts and monitors weather in the United States, is planning on diminishing its workforce once again.

The meteorologist took to Instagram to share his stance, sharing a photo of a New York Times article about the rumored plans and writing that "they threaten the safety of all Americans lives." ...

Fucking morons.

[neoplacebo]

And the cult gushes in awe as they orgasm over and over with the "waste, fraud, and abuse" right wing instruction. Virtually all of them use that exact phrase when they're asked anything about any of this. yet this vast waste, fraud, and abuse is never publicly revealed and so far any public statements from DOGPILE have been either wrong, stupid, massively overstated, or just made up. On top of that, if such massive fraud exists, why isn't anyone being prosecuted for it? Hell, trump is an expert on fraud.....34 convictions. He MUST know something he's not telling us. Meanwhile, the cult gushes in awe.

[O Really]

And the cult gushes in awe as they orgasm over and over with the "waste, fraud, and abuse" right wing instruction. Virtually all of them use that exact phrase when they're asked anything about any of this. yet this vast waste, fraud, and abuse is never publicly revealed and so far any public statements from DOGPILE have been either wrong, stupid, massively overstated, or just made up. On top of that, if such massive fraud exists, why isn't anyone being prosecuted for it? Hell, trump is an expert on fraud.....34 convictions. He MUST know something he's not telling us. Meanwhile, the cult gushes in awe.

I've asked the same question several times - I'm sure supesales is off diligently researching and will come back with numerous examples of rampant fraud and nefarious nigglings.

[Jasmine]

It’s not surprising that liberals are kicking and screaming over DOGE.

Remember, the goals are to:

1. Get government to spend less, and

2. Shrink the government’s size and influence.

Are these not worthy goals?

[O Really]

It’s not surprising that liberals are kicking and screaming over DOGE.

Remember, the goals are to:

1. Get government to spend less, and

2. Shrink the government’s size and influence.

Are these not worthy goals?

Well, it's not just liberals that aren't happy. I would offer examples except that there are a lot ranging even down from the ubiquitous and wishy-washy Lindsay Graham. But here's the thing: the goals you stated might be OK if they were the real goals and if the actions taken contributed to those goals. I don't see any evidence that super tycoon richest guy in the world really cares how much the government spends or whether or not it works. He cares about cutting regulations and regulators that affect his businesses present or future. Nobody has ever said Musk was a great patriot or did anything for the greater good. He bought power to improve himself and he's spouting the lame Trump line of "fraud..." etc.

If you want to "get the government to spend less" you'd do a careful analysis of the current expenditures and determine what can be reduced without being harmful. We know Musk hasn't done that because there simply hasn't been enough time for that to have happened and because he's clearly screwed up several times and had to backtrack.

[Jasmine]

It’s not surprising that liberals are kicking and screaming over DOGE.

Remember, the goals are to:

1. Get government to spend less, and

2. Shrink the government’s size and influence.

Are these not worthy goals?

Well, it's not just liberals that aren't happy. I would offer examples except that there are a lot ranging even down from the ubiquitous and wishy-washy Lindsay Graham. But here's the thing: the goals you stated might be OK if they were the real goals and if the actions taken contributed to those goals. I don't see any evidence that super tycoon richest guy in the world really cares how much the government spends or whether or not it works. He cares about cutting regulations and regulators that affect his businesses present or future. Nobody has ever said Musk was a great patriot or did anything for the greater good. He bought power to improve himself and he's spouting the lame Trump line of "fraud..." etc.

If you want to "get the government to spend less" you'd do a careful analysis of the current expenditures and determine what can be reduced without being harmful. We know Musk hasn't done that because there simply hasn't been enough time for that to have happened and because he's clearly screwed up several times and had to backtrack.

You are right when you say it’s not only liberals who are unhappy. I stand corrected. In reality, everyone is going to have to bite the bullet a bit and get used to the idea of doing more with less. And you are also right in that DOGE has made some errors in their chopping. And it’s probably going to get messier before it gets better. But I’m willing to live with that. I want a smaller government that drastically spends less.

I will disagree with your take on Musk. You are simply making assumptions about his motivations. I mean, maybe you’re right about him. But maybe you’re not. Really, what politician in office actually cares about the “greater good”? I think every single politician is in it for power and wealth.

[O Really]

What would you like a "smaller government" to spend less on? And what is it about a "smaller government" that makes it inherently better?

[Jasmine]

What would you like a "smaller government" to spend less on? And what is it about a "smaller government" that makes it inherently better?

I want less money spent on:

Foreign aid
Welfare entitlements
Federal salaries
EPA
Education
Military
Basically, I would like to see every department slash at least 10 percent of their budget. And eliminate others completely.

A smaller government means people will have to be less reliant on government. It should also mean fewer regulations, which gives us more freedoms.

[Vrede too]

What would you like a "smaller government" to spend less on? And what is it about a "smaller government" that makes it inherently better?

I want less money spent on:

Foreign aid
I could certainly go along with shifting some money, but people forget two things:
Little of it is charity, per se. Rather, it's spent to advance US goals.
Most of it is not cash. Rather, it's food purchased from American farmers, weapons purchased from American merchants of death, tech purchased from Silicon Valley, etc. So, it's really domestic aid.

Welfare entitlements
Which do you object to? Almost all supports children, the disabled and the very aged.

Federal salaries
Such as? Most can make more in the private sector as it is. They're choosing public service.

EPA
Says a woman living in a tropical paradise largely maintained that way by enviro regs.

Education
Typical con. Let's make more cons.

Military
A lefty goal forever. Cons block reductions.

Basically, I would like to see every department slash at least 10 percent of their budget.
That's a chainsaw approach, devoid of any discernment.

And eliminate others completely.

A smaller government means people will have to be less reliant on government. It should also mean fewer regulations, which gives us more freedoms.
There is 'freedom from' and 'freedom to'.
Most business regs are at the request of business. This gives them the freedom to operate on a level playing field, with minimum ethical, fair dealing and safety standards. For example, E. coli in McD's 1/4 pounders hurts the sale of all burgers.
Most professional regs are at the request of the professions. This gives them the freedom to provide a minimal standard of care. Do you really want unregulated doctors and nurses, or do you want the freedom to seek medical care with certain basic expectations?
The feds don't regulate much personal behavior other than the drug war which cons and MAGA love. HI govt should be your concern rather than DOGE.

[neoplacebo]

And the cult gushes in awe as they orgasm over and over with the "waste, fraud, and abuse" right wing instruction. Virtually all of them use that exact phrase when they're asked anything about any of this. yet this vast waste, fraud, and abuse is never publicly revealed and so far any public statements from DOGPILE have been either wrong, stupid, massively overstated, or just made up. On top of that, if such massive fraud exists, why isn't anyone being prosecuted for it? Hell, trump is an expert on fraud.....34 convictions. He MUST know something he's not telling us. Meanwhile, the cult gushes in awe.

I've asked the same question several times - I'm sure supesales is off diligently researching and will come back with numerous examples of rampant fraud and nefarious nigglings.

I just finished reading a story from some South Dakota paper commenting on a new prison project initiated by former governor Gnome.....the story related how much SD has spent so far on "studies" related to the project and how no final site, much less any construction, has been done. It compared that to how Gnome awarded a one billion dollar contract to GEO (a private prison company) to provide 1,000 beds in an existing NJ prison to hold ICE detainees. A billion dollars for a thousand beds works out to a million a bed. I venture to say the US would benefit more by giving a thousand people a million dollars.

[O Really]

What would you like a "smaller government" to spend less on? And what is it about a "smaller government" that makes it inherently better?

I want less money spent on:

Foreign aid
Welfare entitlements
Federal salaries
EPA
Education
Military
Basically, I would like to see every department slash at least 10 percent of their budget. And eliminate others completely.

A smaller government means people will have to be less reliant on government. It should also mean fewer regulations, which gives us more freedoms.

OK, nice list. Let's start with Federal salaries, which are based on a universal classification system of position grades. They do not include political appointees, who aren't really Federal employees per se.

GS-14 is a grade in the US federal civil service pay scale. It's a position for highly specialized and valued work, such as supervisory roles, advanced technical positions, and research.
Responsibilities
Managing people, such as supervisors with up to 100 subordinates
Conducting research
Coordinating committees
Teaching
Qualifications Advanced degrees, Extensive scientific expertise, and Leadership experience in a scientific area.
Salary
Starting salary for a GS-14 employee is often around $93,907 per year
Maximum base pay for a GS-14 employee is often around $122,077 per year
Career advancement
Employees advance one step at a time as they gain experience
If promoted to a higher pay grade, employees keep their current step and continue accumulating experience
Related jobs Deputy Bureau Chief, Deputy Prosecutor, and Customs and Immigration Office

Does $94-$122K seem excessive to you for those jobs. F'rinstance, the average salary for an Accounting Supervisor in Hawaii, as of March 2025, is around $95,411 per year, with a typical range from $83,800 to $107,678.

Let's move on to Education.
The Education Department funds, on average, about 15% of local schools budget. Schools in poorer areas are more, affluent schools less. Almost all of that is for education programs such as Head Start, etc. and school lunch programs, as well as specific grants for unique programs. The Department of Education runs the loan program, that even though frequently criticized, has made it possible for people to attend college when there would have been no other funds available. It runs non-discrimination compliance, particularly in Title IX. The Department has nothing to do with curriculum or day to day operation of schools. Do your really find all that useless?

And as Vrede noted, most foreign aid benefits American businesses and farmers, and is more a way of buying friendship rather than pure altruism.
Wonder how Hamas took over Palestine? Domestic equivalent of "foreign aid" - they provided food and needed supplies. Same with gangs in cities.

Being frugal may be a good thing, but "penny wise and pound foolish" is not.

[GoCubsGo]

Hey Jasmine, how does any of that stuff affect your personal freedoms?

[Vrede too]

And the cult gushes in awe as they orgasm over and over with the "waste, fraud, and abuse" right wing instruction. Virtually all of them use that exact phrase when they're asked anything about any of this. yet this vast waste, fraud, and abuse is never publicly revealed and so far any public statements from DOGPILE have been either wrong, stupid, massively overstated, or just made up. On top of that, if such massive fraud exists, why isn't anyone being prosecuted for it? Hell, trump is an expert on fraud.....34 convictions. He MUST know something he's not telling us. Meanwhile, the cult gushes in awe.

Good point. Expecting a felon convicted of fraud to root out fraud was never going to end well. Birds of a feather . . .

I've asked the same question several times - I'm sure supesales is off diligently researching and will come back with numerous examples of rampant fraud and nefarious nigglings.

I think he punted, ran screeching away from the request.

I just finished reading a story from some South Dakota paper commenting on a new prison project initiated by former governor Gnome.....the story related how much SD has spent so far on "studies" related to the project and how no final site, much less any construction, has been done. It compared that to how Gnome awarded a one billion dollar contract to GEO (a private prison company) to provide 1,000 beds in an existing NJ prison to hold ICE detainees. A billion dollars for a thousand beds works out to a million a bed. I venture to say the US would benefit more by giving a thousand people a million dollars.

I daresay that most would self deport for $100k or even $10k.
Hey Elon, here's some Sec Gnome waste for you to stop.
I won't hold my breath.

[Vrede too]

Maybe DOUCHE isn't all bad.

The 5 states in America most dependent on federal funding — and the 5 least dependent

President Donald Trump and DOGE boss Elon Musk are on a mission to significantly cut federal spending by $1 trillion this year — laying off workers, canceling contracts, and slashing budgets across all departments.

While it seems unlikely they’ll meet their goal, the impact of their cuts is already being noticed. And some states are feeling the cuts especially hard.

WalletHub compiled a list of the most and least federally dependent states. It analyzed data to find both the state government’s and the state residents’ federal dependency, looking at the return on taxes paid to the federal government, share of federal jobs, and federal funding as a share of state revenue.

“Regardless of whether the distribution of federal funds is fair or not, living in one of the most federally dependent states can be beneficial for residents,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. “For every dollar residents of the top states pay in taxes, they get several dollars back in federal funding, which often leads to higher-quality infrastructure, education, public health and more.” ...

5th most dependent: South Carolina
Red state. Whack9's leeching days are numbered.
4th most dependent: Mississippi
Red state.
3rd most dependent: West Virginia
Red state.
2nd most dependent: Kentucky
Red state. Moscow Mitch's turf, of course.
Most dependent: Alaska
Red state, but some of that federal money goes to managing the enormous amount of federal land relative to the state's relatively small population.

5th least dependent: Utah
Thrifty Mormon red state.
4th least dependent: Massachusetts
Blue state.
3rd least dependent: Delaware
Blue state, Bidens' turf.
2nd least dependent: California
Blue state, Kamala's turf. This, even despite all of the Parks and military spending.
Least dependent: New Jersey
Blue state.

Hmm, I think I see a pattern here. MAGAts and other cons really need to be careful what they wish for.

[neoplacebo]

And the cult gushes in awe as they orgasm over and over with the "waste, fraud, and abuse" right wing instruction. Virtually all of them use that exact phrase when they're asked anything about any of this. yet this vast waste, fraud, and abuse is never publicly revealed and so far any public statements from DOGPILE have been either wrong, stupid, massively overstated, or just made up. On top of that, if such massive fraud exists, why isn't anyone being prosecuted for it? Hell, trump is an expert on fraud.....34 convictions. He MUST know something he's not telling us. Meanwhile, the cult gushes in awe.

Good point. Expecting a felon convicted of fraud to root out fraud was never going to end well. Birds of a feather . . .

I've asked the same question several times - I'm sure supesales is off diligently researching and will come back with numerous examples of rampant fraud and nefarious nigglings.

I think he punted, ran screeching away from the request.

I just finished reading a story from some South Dakota paper commenting on a new prison project initiated by former governor Gnome.....the story related how much SD has spent so far on "studies" related to the project and how no final site, much less any construction, has been done. It compared that to how Gnome awarded a one billion dollar contract to GEO (a private prison company) to provide 1,000 beds in an existing NJ prison to hold ICE detainees. A billion dollars for a thousand beds works out to a million a bed. I venture to say the US would benefit more by giving a thousand people a million dollars.

I daresay that most would self deport for $100k or even $10k.
Hey Elon, here's some Sec Gnome waste for you to stop.
I won't hold my breath.

And I didn't even mention the fact that the government paid something like twenty million dollars a mile for a pile supported vertical metal fence at the border, done by a company from North Dakota. How efficient. It must have been a situation in which the most expensive contractor from as far away as possible to engage in a project that was tupid at best. But I guess a few dozen people made a lot of money. They're getting ready to do this trick again. Just watch

[Jasmine]

What would you like a "smaller government" to spend less on? And what is it about a "smaller government" that makes it inherently better?

I want less money spent on:

Foreign aid
Welfare entitlements
Federal salaries
EPA
Education
Military
Basically, I would like to see every department slash at least 10 percent of their budget. And eliminate others completely.

A smaller government means people will have to be less reliant on government. It should also mean fewer regulations, which gives us more freedoms.

OK, nice list. Let's start with Federal salaries, which are based on a universal classification system of position grades. They do not include political appointees, who aren't really Federal employees per se.

GS-14 is a grade in the US federal civil service pay scale. It's a position for highly specialized and valued work, such as supervisory roles, advanced technical positions, and research.
Responsibilities
Managing people, such as supervisors with up to 100 subordinates
Conducting research
Coordinating committees
Teaching
Qualifications Advanced degrees, Extensive scientific expertise, and Leadership experience in a scientific area.
Salary
Starting salary for a GS-14 employee is often around $93,907 per year
Maximum base pay for a GS-14 employee is often around $122,077 per year
Career advancement
Employees advance one step at a time as they gain experience
If promoted to a higher pay grade, employees keep their current step and continue accumulating experience
Related jobs Deputy Bureau Chief, Deputy Prosecutor, and Customs and Immigration Office

Does $94-$122K seem excessive to you for those jobs. F'rinstance, the average salary for an Accounting Supervisor in Hawaii, as of March 2025, is around $95,411 per year, with a typical range from $83,800 to $107,678.

Let's move on to Education.
The Education Department funds, on average, about 15% of local schools budget. Schools in poorer areas are more, affluent schools less. Almost all of that is for education programs such as Head Start, etc. and school lunch programs, as well as specific grants for unique programs. The Department of Education runs the loan program, that even though frequently criticized, has made it possible for people to attend college when there would have been no other funds available. It runs non-discrimination compliance, particularly in Title IX. The Department has nothing to do with curriculum or day to day operation of schools. Do your really find all that useless?

And as Vrede noted, most foreign aid benefits American businesses and farmers, and is more a way of buying friendship rather than pure altruism.
Wonder how Hamas took over Palestine? Domestic equivalent of "foreign aid" - they provided food and needed supplies. Same with gangs in cities.

Being frugal may be a good thing, but "penny wise and pound foolish" is not.

You definitely know your stuff. Way more than I do. I apologize that I cannot similarly respond in kind. But I simply believe that government needs to be smaller. Instead of always throwing tax dollars at our problems, more drastic measures are needed. I am for education being more localized to better fit the needs of students.

As for foreign aid, I could not possibly care less about making friends with other countries.