Political Thread in memory of David Reid. (R.I.P.)

[sinkov]

No bloody wonder! News that the acting head of the Social Security Administration left her post this past weekend after facing off with Elon Musk's lieutenants over their efforts to access government records set alarm bells blaring, with advocates warning that the unelected billionaire is moving to seize highly sensitive data.

"There is no way to overstate how serious a breach this is. And my understanding is that it has already occurred," said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, a progressive advocacy organization that warned late Monday that "Elon Musk is stealing your personal Social Security data."

Like I said above mon ami, running around like headless chickens trying to put the genie back in the bottle. Your mates have been found out, the American taxpayer wants blood, and wibbling about SS numbers won't save them, the Donald won't be backing off, he said he'd be coming for them and he certainly is. Have a look at this, and this is just a snapshot of what Musk is finding.

It's all a joy to behold.

"US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled:"

"$10M for "Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision."
"$2.3M for "strengthening independent voices in Cambodia"
"$32M to the Prague Civil Society Centre"
"$40M for "gender equality and women empowerment hub"
"$14M for "improving public procurement" in Serbia"
"$486M to the ?Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,? including $22M for "inclusive and participatory political process" in Moldova and $21M for voter turnout in India"
"$29M to "strengthening political landscape in Bangladesh"
"$20M for "fiscal federalism" in Nepal"
"$19M for "biodiversity conversation" in Nepal"
"$47M for "improving learning outcomes in Asia"

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I'd love to know what happens to all of those Mozambique bell ends?

[Swissclaret]

I remember years ago reading a study on Government procurement in the US.

It gave as an example that the cost of a widget privately of USD0.50 cents cost the Pentagon USD100 to acquire the same widget.

I remember when my ex-wife worked for Norwich City Council nearly 50 years ago a memo would circulate towards year end highlighting where the spending was under budget and encouraging staff to throw out perfectly good equipment and order new to ensure that the budget was not cut.

Two small examples of waste that would not be allowed in the private sector.

Trump and Musk, as businessmen, see it for what it is - a complete waste of taxpayers’ hard earned cash.

To quote Bob Dylan - the times they are a’changing. Long may it continue.

[Swissclaret]

Like I said above mon ami, running around like headless chickens trying to put the genie back in the bottle. Your mates have been found out, the American taxpayer wants blood, and wibbling about SS numbers won't save them, the Donald won't be backing off, he said he'd be coming for them and he certainly is. Have a look at this, and this is just a snapshot of what Musk is finding.

It's all a joy to behold.

"US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled:"

"$10M for "Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision."
"$2.3M for "strengthening independent voices in Cambodia"
"$32M to the Prague Civil Society Centre"
"$40M for "gender equality and women empowerment hub"
"$14M for "improving public procurement" in Serbia"
"$486M to the ?Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,? including $22M for "inclusive and participatory political process" in Moldova and $21M for voter turnout in India"
"$29M to "strengthening political landscape in Bangladesh"
"$20M for "fiscal federalism" in Nepal"
"$19M for "biodiversity conversation" in Nepal"
"$47M for "improving learning outcomes in Asia"

Probably the tip of the iceberg.

Yes, they are running scared because their liberal, woke, feel good about themselves gravy train is hitting the buffers.

Would that Musk could look at Britain too!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Probably the tip of the iceberg.

Yes, they are running scared because their liberal, woke, feel good about themselves gravy train is hitting the buffers.

Would that Musk could look at Britain too!

Alternatively we could say Donald Trump and Elon Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government.

These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors.

Entire agencies have been chucked under the bus overnight, including USAID, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the EPA, and the National Labour Relations Board. Other targets on their hit list include the Department of Education, FEMA, the National Institutes of Health, food stamps, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

I'm unaware the people voted for this. The people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of "efficiency," but in reality, it is a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk.

Surely this nonsense cannot possibly go on?

[Swissclaret]

It seems to me more of a give back to the American people by looking at all the waste and excesses in the US Government, which Trump was upfront about in his electioneering.

With public debt at record levels in the US, Trump is being honest - the country simply cannot afford to throw money at woke, left wing ?nonsense?. It cannot afford to support unlimited immigration.

The Democrats, with their liberal, left wing agenda, have destroyed the once beautiful city of San Francisco (as one example of their policies in action).

Trump wants to restore all that was great about America.

Would that the UK Government had similar designs for so - Great Britain.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

It seems to me more of a give back to the American people by looking at all the waste and excesses in the US Government, which Trump was upfront about in his electioneering.

With public debt at record levels in the US, Trump is being honest - the country simply cannot afford to throw money at woke, left wing ?nonsense?. It cannot afford to support unlimited immigration.

The Democrats, with their liberal, left wing agenda, have destroyed the once beautiful city of San Francisco (as one example of their policies in action).

Trump wants to restore all that was great about America.

Would that the UK Government had similar designs for so - Great Britain.

Forget any ideas of Starmer copy-catting anything the US may or may not do S_c, he's a mindless moron who has just one thing in common with Trump, he leaves the rich alone and targets the poor.

[sinkov]

alternatively we could say donald trump and elon musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government.

the us federal government is currently over $36 trillion dollars in debt, to expect the trump administration to ignore this completely and do nothing about it is simply laughable.

these two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors.

nonsense, they are carrying out an audit of every government department to eliminate fraud, corruption and inefficiency. Of which there is clearly a lot. A lot, lot more than anyone imagined.

entire agencies have been chucked under the bus overnight, including usaid, the consumer financial protection bureau, the epa, and the national labour relations board. Other targets on their hit list include the department of education, fema, the national institutes of health, food stamps, social security, medicare, and medicaid.

ah yes, usaid, "usaid, long criticized for a lack of transparency in its aid disbursement, quickly emerged as a prime target. According to sources within doge, early investigations found that millions?if not billions?of taxpayer dollars had been misallocated, lost in convoluted contracts, or funneled into dubious programs with little oversight. One of the most shocking findings involved aid money allegedly being directed to shell organizations overseas, with minimal accountability. This revelation, if verified, could fundamentally alter u.s. Foreign aid policy and fuel demands for a complete overhaul of usaid?s operations."

cfpb, elizabeth warren's love-child, a lot of people are wondering how she has accrued net worth of over ?80 million on a government salary of around $200,000 a year. I wouldn't be happy about cfpb being audited if i was her.

i'm unaware the people voted for this.

there are a lot of things you are unaware of mon ami, this is just one of many. "the idea for doge was first floated during the 2024 presidential election when musk suggested an audit of the federal government. The proposal was embraced by trump, then the republican nominee." so the people did actually vote for it.


the people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of "efficiency," but in reality, it is a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like musk.

oh yes they do, trump's popularity ratings are high, and one of the reasons is that he's doing what he promised to do. And this despite journalists and the media going into melt down over him, musk and doge.

maga

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Argue amongst yourselves, in 5 hours time I'm off to the Canary Islands for three weeks. Auf Wiedersehen & adios amigos.

[kritichris]

Just read this, it is now 5 hours time so adios amigo, enjoy the dog islands.

[Balan]

B T . Switch to Spanish, it will help you more there, German could help you if your lucky, but then use English??? ?Por qu? no?

[Vintage Claret]

Forget any ideas of Starmer copy-catting anything the US may or may not do S_c, he's a mindless moron who has just one thing in common with Trump, he leaves the rich alone and targets the poor.

If we look at the known facts
1) Both Trump and Zelensky are elected presidents of their respective countries. However, Trump is a convicted felon.
2) It is without doubt that the Russian invaded Ukraine, how Trump can state that Ukraine started the war in beyond belief.
3) Russia says it will not have western European troops deployed in Ukraine under any circumstances, but North Korean troops are allowed.
4) Ukraine has been successful in applying to join NATO, subject to the war ending, but Trump has pulled the plug on that without any consultation with the rest of NATO or indeed Ukraine.
5) Trump as previous for inciting violence to obtain his own way. As in the Capitol riots four years ago.
6) Holding free elections in Ukraine is impossible while some of the country is under occupation by foreign forces.

While I could applaud any attempt to bring peace to Ukraine, there must be a willingness to be even handed not tale one sides version of events as gospel. If Trump wants to withdraw American support for Ukraine for a financial reason then he should make that perfectly clear.

Russia was alleged to have contributed to the USA republican election campaign in the 2016 presidential elections. It looks like it could be a possible pay back for their 2016 support.

We all know the Trump statement “Let make America great again” what it fails to say is only if it is good for the Trump organisation.

[Swissclaret]

If we look at the known facts
1) Both Trump and Zelensky are elected presidents of their respective countries. However, Trump is a convicted felon.
2) It is without doubt that the Russian invaded Ukraine, how Trump can state that Ukraine started the war in beyond belief.
3) Russia says it will not have western European troops deployed in Ukraine under any circumstances, but North Korean troops are allowed.
4) Ukraine has been successful in applying to join NATO, subject to the war ending, but Trump has pulled the plug on that without any consultation with the rest of NATO or indeed Ukraine.
5) Trump as previous for inciting violence to obtain his own way. As in the Capitol riots four years ago.
6) Holding free elections in Ukraine is impossible while some of the country is under occupation by foreign forces.

While I could applaud any attempt to bring peace to Ukraine, there must be a willingness to be even handed not tale one sides version of events as gospel. If Trump wants to withdraw American support for Ukraine for a financial reason then he should make that perfectly clear.

Russia was alleged to have contributed to the USA republican election campaign in the 2016 presidential elections. It looks like it could be a possible pay back for their 2016 support.

We all know the Trump statement “Let make America great again” what it fails to say is only if it is good for the Trump organisation.

All valid points, Vintage.

The only question that I have posed to people questioning what Trump is doing, assuming that they want to see an end to the war, the killing, the destruction, the economic costs, is “what is your solution?

I have yet to receive an answer.

[sinkov]

If we look at the known facts
1) Both Trump and Zelensky are elected presidents of their respective countries. However, Trump is a convicted felon.
2) It is without doubt that the Russian invaded Ukraine, how Trump can state that Ukraine started the war in beyond belief.
3) Russia says it will not have western European troops deployed in Ukraine under any circumstances, but North Korean troops are allowed.
4) Ukraine has been successful in applying to join NATO, subject to the war ending, but Trump has pulled the plug on that without any consultation with the rest of NATO or indeed Ukraine.
5) Trump as previous for inciting violence to obtain his own way. As in the Capitol riots four years ago.
6) Holding free elections in Ukraine is impossible while some of the country is under occupation by foreign forces.

While I could applaud any attempt to bring peace to Ukraine, there must be a willingness to be even handed not tale one sides version of events as gospel. If Trump wants to withdraw American support for Ukraine for a financial reason then he should make that perfectly clear.

Russia was alleged to have contributed to the USA republican election campaign in the 2016 presidential elections. It looks like it could be a possible pay back for their 2016 support.

We all know the Trump statement ?Let make America great again? what it fails to say is only if it is good for the Trump organisation.

See below.

[sinkov]

Just on the firth of your 'known facts' VC, [5) "Trump as previous for inciting violence to obtain his own way. As in the Capitol riots four years ago." I actually read the transcript of Trump's speech. There was no call for an insurrection, no incitement to violence, if you doubt my word I'm sure the speech is readily available if you google it, you can check it out for yourself. Despite this the Senate voted to find Trump guilty of calling for insurrection, an early example of the two Tier Justice system that has now ensconced itself over here as well. Another example of America's dysfunctional Justice System was the case of Dr. Simone Gold, who explains to Jordan Peterson here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcdS...ordanBPeterson just what happened to her in the aftermath of Jan. 6th at the Capitol.