Government Efficiency (5 Viewers)

[RobF]

I think this topic deserves its own thread, both to discuss generally the topic of government efficiency, and specifically the so-called 'Department of Government Efficiency' and the incoming Trump administration's aims to "dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure Federal Agencies".

The announcements have been covered in the The Trump Cabinet and key post thread, but to recap, Trump has announced that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will work together on a not-actually-an-official-government-Department of Government Efficiency, which is intended to work with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to "drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before," with the 'Department' to conclude its work "no later than July 4, 2026."

Musk has previously said that the federal budget could be reduced by "at least $2 trillion", and Ramaswarmy, during his presidential campaign, said he would fire more than 75% of the federal work force and disband agencies including the Department of Education and the FBI.

 

[superchuck500]

Why is that? Because it's complete bullshirt?

If it's one thing that pisses me off about the justice system is that they always take these obvious lies (i.e. explanations) by the government (almost always Republican led) seriously instead of just laughing it out of court like they do with regular citizens. And often they end up accepting them because it aligns with the ideological beliefs of the judge/justices hearing the case.

 

[DaveXA]

He's either lying out in the open or the government employees lied in the court filing. There's no getting around the fact that all of this reeks of corruption.

 

[superchuck500]

 

[MT15]

What if the judge just accepts their BS that Elon isn’t in charge or has anything to do with DOGE? I feel like the courts cannot keep up with this level of propaganda.

 

[superchuck500]

Elon is high AF

 

[Lapaz]

Elon is high AF

He sounds like he always sounds to me. Musk always seems garbled to me. It was also only about a 10 second clip. I don’t think he has ever been an eloquent speaker.

 

[Optimus Prime]

The Internal Revenue Service will lay off more than 6,000 employees Thursday as part of President Donald Trump’s push to slash federal spending, a source familiar with the move told Reuters.

The layoffs targeting 6,700 probationary employees — that is, those employed for less than a year — come in the middle of tax season. That group of workers represents a little over one-third of all probationary employees.…..

IRS to fire 6,700 staff in Trump and Musk’s DOGE purge weeks before tax deadline

The layoffs will impact more than one-third of probationary employees during tax season

www.independent.co.uk

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

The Internal Revenue Service will lay off more than 6,000 employees Thursday as part of President Donald Trump’s push to slash federal spending, a source familiar with the move told Reuters.

The layoffs targeting 6,700 probationary employees — that is, those employed for less than a year — come in the middle of tax season. That group of workers represents a little over one-third of all probationary employees.…..

IRS to fire 6,700 staff in Trump and Musk’s DOGE purge weeks before tax deadline

The layoffs will impact more than one-third of probationary employees during tax season

www.independent.co.uk

...and then Monday they will be scrambling to rehire those they just fired. Rinse & Repeat.

 

[coldseat]

The Internal Revenue Service will lay off more than 6,000 employees Thursday as part of President Donald Trump’s push to slash federal spending, a source familiar with the move told Reuters.

The layoffs targeting 6,700 probationary employees — that is, those employed for less than a year — come in the middle of tax season. That group of workers represents a little over one-third of all probationary employees.…..

IRS to fire 6,700 staff in Trump and Musk’s DOGE purge weeks before tax deadline

The layoffs will impact more than one-third of probationary employees during tax season

www.independent.co.uk

I can't get over the stupidity of firing all those people. The desire for chaos and destruction is like punching the country in the nuts and then putting a bullet in between its eyes. So maddening.

 

[Lapaz]

I can't get over the stupidity of firing all those people. The desire for chaos and destruction is like punching the country in the nuts and then putting a bullet in between its eyes. So maddening.

Firing IRS people will have the opposite effect of reducing the deficit, because more people will cheat, with fewer enforcers.

 

[DaveXA]

Firing IRS people will have the opposite effect of reducing the deficit, because more people will cheat, with fewer enforcers.

Probably by design.

When the IRS fails, they'll say, see...the IRS is a waste of money, so let's get rid of it and do a flat or sales tax.

 

[Lapaz]

Probably by design.

When the IRS fails, they'll say, see...the IRS is a waste of money, so let's get rid of it and do a flat or sales tax.

A sales tax would crash revenue even more, not to mention hugely shift the tax burden to the poor and middle classes. If the sales taxes were high enough to theoretically raise enough revenue, then bartering and black markets would take off to avoid the sales taxes, which would cause the taxes to be increased to make up for the people that skirt the taxes. Just another thing to undermine the country.

 

[wardorican]

Why in hell does DOGE think they need access to IRS taxpayer records, and why is anyone even contemplating giving it to them? I read that a judge refused to stop them getting access.

So they can come to the same conclusion the IRS did years ago. More enforcement means more money recouped and that the IRS could just correct people's filings quicker than the public can after multiple letters sent.

 

[wardorican]

Heard the news float that DOGE says they've found about $55B in waste and that Trump was floating the idea of returning it (or 20% of it) to the American people.

340ish million people in the USA.

That's like $160 a person.... it it was 100% returned. Or $32 if just 20%

Id think $55B would be more effective if targeted or reducing debt than putting $160 (or $32) on any of our pockets.

Of course, the $55B is BS...lol

 

[GrandAdmiral]

So, who's paying thhese guys now...?

Elon Musk’s private security detail gets deputized by US Marshals Service | CNN Politics

The US Marshals Service has deputized members of Elon Musk’s private security detail, giving them certain rights and protections of federal law enforcement agents, three law enforcement officials familiar with the matter told CNN.

www.cnn.com

 

[MT15]

Propublica found out how much money DOGE is spending.

DOGE’s Millions: As Musk and Trump Gut Government, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion

The Department of Government Efficiency is funded — and acts — like a federal agency. But the White House has shielded DOGE from the rules that govern such agencies, ProPublica found as it examines the group and expands a list of DOGE workers.

www.propublica.org

 

[DaveXA]

Propublica found out how much money DOGE is spending.

DOGE’s Millions: As Musk and Trump Gut Government, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion

The Department of Government Efficiency is funded — and acts — like a federal agency. But the White House has shielded DOGE from the rules that govern such agencies, ProPublica found as it examines the group and expands a list of DOGE workers.

www.propublica.org

Rules for thee and all that. How unsurprising.

 

[coldseat]

So, who's paying thhese guys now...?

Elon Musk’s private security detail gets deputized by US Marshals Service | CNN Politics

The US Marshals Service has deputized members of Elon Musk’s private security detail, giving them certain rights and protections of federal law enforcement agents, three law enforcement officials familiar with the matter told CNN.

www.cnn.com

So now the American taxpayer are paying for the security of the richest man in the world. There is no greater mooch off of the government tit than a billionaire. Especially those two butt crevasses. But the rubes continue their support.