Re: [OT] How to live like a Doge

On Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:00:22 -0800, Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com>
wrote:

On Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:15:59 -0500, Catrike Ryder
<Soloman@old.bikers.org> wrote:
>

On Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:07 -0500, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>

On 2/20/2025 8:57 AM, AMuzi wrote:

 
So far, Mr Musk, and others including Mr Zeldin, seem to have made good
progress. But the problem is many times larger than results to date.

>
Good progress? It's been chaotic in the extreme, most of it done with
little rational analysis other than "We can pull off cutting this," much
of it likely illegal, often generating "Oops, we didn't mean that," with
negative consequences sure to appear.

>
Nonsense. Why are you against getting rid of wasteful spending by the
federal government?

>
Perhaps it's because Musk and accomplices are looking in the wrong
places to cut government waste?  Oddly, the following report, which
has been released annually by senator Rand Paul (R-KY) isn't
mentioned:
>
"DOGE Subcommittee’s First Hearing Uncovers Billions Lost to Fraud and
Improper Payments, Launches "War on Waste""
<https://oversight.house.gov/release/hearing-wrap-up-doge-subcommittees-first-hearing-uncovers-billions-lost-to-fraud-and-improper-payments-launches-war-on-waste/>
"The Festivus Report 2024"
<https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/FESTIVUS-REPORT-2024.pdf>
>
I haven't found an up to date list of the "waste" that the Doge has so
far attacked but I suspect that none of the items listed in the 2024
report will be on the list.  Why?  Because they are all "sacred cows",
"pork barrel", payoffs for political favors, etc.
>
The 2024 list is itemized on Page 3 and 4 of the report.
>

I read the report and all of it was just a bunch of claims, not even a
tiny bit of data showing what, where, or why. Frankly it seemed very
reminiscent to one of Tom's posts.
Is there anywhere the details are published?

And I haven't met anyone who voted for Musk.

>
You didn't buy a Tesla automobile or one of the companies owned by
Elon Musk?
<https://www.madisontrust.com/information-center/visualizations/everything-elon-musk-owns/>
Voting on a ballot with your pen has limited effect.  Voting with your
dollars through the products you purchase as a much larger and more
immediate effect. 
>

You never met anyone who voted for whoever was making Presidential
decisions for the last four years, either. I must have missed where
you complained about that.

>
You don't like the electoral college and their voting methods?  Well,
I don't like it either, but all the solutions I've seen will only make
things worse. 
>
Did you read about the voting system used to select the Italian Doges?
It makes todays US electoral college voting system look comparatively
simple:
"How to live like a Doge"
<https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/fodors/top/features/travel/destinations/europe/italy/venice/fdrs_feat_163_7.html>

--
Cheers,

John B.