DOGE at work

[beej]

It's important to remember that whatever this administration does, whether from spite, political aspirations, or just out of the goodness of their hearts  ,  a future administration (provided that we continue to have elections in this country) can do the same, and will most likely push the boundaries even further.

Some that are so eagerly (and blindly) cheering this on may not be so enthusiastic next time around.

I was actually wondering about that. What do you think that will look like if Democrats get power back. would it be just an undoing of what Musk has done. Or are there some government agencies that Democrats would strip down?

[Jeff]

I find it comical that never-trumpers are all of a sudden concerned about government spending.
Never heard a peep out of them the last 4 years.

[gcode]

Congress does approve funding for USAid, correct?

No, Congress does not approve USAID spending and there is no oversight and no spending limit

To remove the agency completely would require congressional approval?

No, USAID was created by JFK via an Executive Order, therefore it can be eliminated via Executive Order

[MIL-TFP-41]

Does anyone in here think that what Doge is doing is even mildly unconstitutional?

Having unvetted access to others private information, financial or otherwise? I would call that an invasion of privacy.

While I agree with what DOGE is doing, its a very slippery slope, and the precedent it sets for the future is scary. 

[neurosis]

LOL.
Our information hasn't been confidential since Al Gore invented the internet.
We just have the illusion that it is.

What vetting process do you suppose Musk or his band of teenage assistants have to go through? 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury vets individuals and institutions to determine their eligibility for certain positions or access to classified information. The vetting process may include background checks, interviews, and reviews of financial records.
Vetting individuals
Position designation: The agency determines the type of investigation required for a position.
Screening: The agency reviews the individual's application, resume, and reference checks.
Investigation: The agency may request an investigative questionnaire, which is often completed electronically.
Adjudication: The agency determines if the individual is eligible for the position.

[beej]

What vetting process do you suppose Musk or his band of teenage assistants have to go through? 

He is the owner of SpaceX. You don't think he's been background checked?

[gcode]

What vetting process do you suppose Musk or his band of teenage assistants have to go through?

Given Musk's work with the Defense Department and Spacex I'm sure he's been thoroughly vetted.
I don't know about his team of boy geniuses.
I do know the boys have been doxed with calls for their murder.

Our attorney general has said arrests and vigorous prosecution are imminent.

[neurosis]

No, Congress does not approve USAID spending and there is no oversight and no spending limit

I didn't say spending. I said funding.

I have no idea how the spending works or how Congress determines how much funding goes to USAID. I'm not sure if I can believe some of what I read at this point.

[Jeff]

What vetting process do you suppose Musk or his band of teenage assistants have to go through?

I don't care.

[neurosis]

I don't know about his team of boy geniuses.

You mean "Edward 'big balls' Coristine" may not have been vetted? 

[neurosis]

I don't care.

I know you don't. Would you care if this was George Soros and a bunch of his lackys? Would you admit it if you did?

[Jeff]

USAID is funded by Congress, they receive overall policy "guidance" from the S.O.S.
In FY 2025, they had $22.58 billion to blow among it's 4 sub components. Whatever that means.

[Jeff]

I know you don't. Would you care if this was George Soros and a bunch of his lackys? Would you admit it if you did?

Of course I'd care then, because everyone, including you, knows that Soros can't be trusted.

[Jeff]

I do know the boys have been doxed with calls for their murder.

That's putting it mildly.

A reddit page went apeshit on the threat spectrum.
But it's ok, it's the "tolerant left" the party of "inclusivity!"

[Jim at Gentex]

I have no idea how the spending works or how Congress determines how much funding goes to USAID.

Right,
So let's allow the people who DO know to have a look to see where we are wasting money.
That's the whole concept behind DOGE.

If you were to hire an accountant to audit your books, you would necessarily need to let him / her look at ALL of your books, right?

Yes, there COULD be misuse of information in any such endeavor, and yes, it is unprecedented.
I personally could give a shit if Elon Musk or his team knows how much of a tax refund I got last year, which I'm sure is NOT the kind of data they are interested in anyway.

You have a bunch of unelected federal bureaucrats who have access to your personal data now, so what's the difference?