Government Efficiency (2 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.

 

[UriUT]

I’m sure the Spacex folks won’t have problems fining other jobs.

So....I guess the empathy for tesla employees when you criticize another poster for "wishing ill" on tesla employees is somehow missing in this no big deal, they'll find other jobs attitude?

But mom way would NASA remotely want to cancel contracts with Spacex.

Well, isn't this missing the point? Musk and this administration are arbitrarily (well probably not since it looks politicized) and unnecessarily firing people. It's no stretch to say, nasa under a new administration can do likewise. What you are implying here then is that spacex is important in some way? Don't you think that the people who have been fired are important in some way? Like these scientists or usaid folks?

And furthermore, just with common sense, taking away an employment means fewer demand for those fired. Less demand coupled with a new supply of employees means lower paying jobs. And worse still, these people now most likely have to relocate. Do you not have any sense of empathy? Especially when they were fired unfairly? There isn't a single reason given to why they were not doing their jobs correctly.

It's quite silly to expect the market to invest in a losing enterprise despite that enterprise eventually contributing greatly to the society in the future. Your prized tesla AND spacex wouldn't be a thing had the government not invest in them. Musk took in free government money to finance them.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Aid cuts could have ‘pandemic-like effects’ on maternal deaths, WHO warns

Loss of funding could undo progress in reducing deaths in pregnancy and childbirth, especially in war zones, says UN

www.theguardian.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

CAMPO, Calif. (AP) — Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is a challenge, especially for adventurers making the entire run from Southern California to Canada, and Eric Kipperman’s job is to greet them at the start and lay bare the difficulties ahead.

He has lately begun warning that the journey may be even tougher. Following cuts by the Trump administration, plans to clear downed trees and rebuild storm-battered stretches in 2025 have been scrapped.

“This year, we’re going to have less trail work done on the trails, so just know that going into your hike, safety is the most important thing,” Kipperman told a group of backpackers from Europe and the United States at the trailhead near Campo, California, an hour’s drive east of San Diego.

He cautioned there is “no trail” at all in parts of the 2,650-mile (4,265 kilometers) path through California, Oregon and Washington state.

The cutbacks are not just on the West Coast. Ahead of the busy summer hiking season, funding freezes and mass layoffs also are disrupting repairs on the East Coast’s Appalachian Trail after nearly 500 miles (800 kilometers) were damaged by Hurricane Helene, underscoring how President Donald Trump’s dramatic downsizing of the U.S. government is touching even the nation’s remote backcountry where vacationers, wanderers and escapists alike retreat to leave modern life behind.…..

Storms tore up two of America's most iconic trails. Federal cuts have disrupted repairs

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through three western states is already challenging. Now the grueling journey may become even tougher this year due to federal cuts.

apnews.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

Since Donald Trump took office in January, several federal programs and research institutions aimed at preventing gun violence, sexual violence, domestic terrorist attacks and violent hate crimes have been shuttered or downsized. These cuts, advocates say, will disrupt – or even end – critical research and will ultimately lead to an increase in violence of all forms.

“It’s simple: we will see more school and workplace violence, more hate-fueled violence and terrorism and our political leadership will see more assassination attempts. This is the government putting itself at risk. There is no rung of society that is immune to violence like this,” said William Braniff, former director of the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) at the Department of Homeland Security, about the increase in violence threats against governmentofficials and judges.

Through CP3, Braniff and his staff had been working with local law enforcement, schools and nonprofits to prevent threats and attacks aimed at specific groups and locations. But on 3 March, 20% of Braniff’s staff was terminated during a round of “department of government efficiency” (Doge) cuts, and he resigned alongside them. After a judge’s order, the staff members were reinstated but are currently on administrative leave.


In addition to DHS, violence prevention efforts were slashed as a result of cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“There’s going to be a huge impact on [our ability to make] communities safer from violence in schools at home and on the streets,” said James Mercy, former director of the CDC’s division of violence prevention. “I think it’s a real step back. This undermining of science reflects a belief that science can’t help us understand and solve these problems.”

Mercy spent 41 years at the CDC, and in the 1980s was one of just a handful of researchers there investigating the ways violence impacts public health. Since then, he’s helped build the division into one of the nation’s leading hubs of data and analysis on child abuse, sexual and domestic violence, and firearm injuries. On Tuesday, about 2,400 people were laid off at the CDC. Mercy said this included the majority of the division’s staff.…….

Trump gutted key research programs studying violence. Experts say it will come at a heavy cost

Advocates say cuts to federal programs will ultimately lead to an increase in gun violence and domestic attacks

www.theguardian.com