Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy join forces to wage war on government waste, targeting absurd studies on drunk fish and cocaine-fueled quails.
At a Glance
- Trump selects Musk and Ramaswamy to lead new “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE)
- DOGE aims to cut trillions in government waste and streamline operations
- Outrageous examples of waste include studies on drunk sunfish and cocaine’s effect on quail sex lives
- Billions of dollars remain unaccounted for across various government programs
- Initiative promises significant reforms, including potential elimination of entire agencies
DOGE: A New Watchdog in Town
In a fresh approach to tackle rampant government waste, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed tech mogul Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to spearhead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This advisory body, while not an official government department, aims to provide guidance from outside the government to address the staggering $6.5 trillion annual government spending.
The initiative, likened to the Manhattan Project in its ambition, seeks to dismantle bureaucracy, slash regulations, and restructure federal agencies. Musk, known for his advocacy of federal spending cuts, and Ramaswamy, who has proposed firing a large portion of the federal workforce, are set to bring their private sector efficiency to the bloated government apparatus.
A good start for the DOGE would be to consider the 539 recommendations that would save $5.1 trillion over five years in CAGW’s 2024 Prime Cuts report. https://t.co/Xo0gjspG4t https://t.co/5ydOZNezRS
— Citizens Against Government Waste (@GovWaste) November 13, 2024
Exposing Absurd Government Spending
Senator Rand Paul has been instrumental in highlighting egregious examples of government waste through his annual ‘Festivus’ report. Some of the most outrageous expenditures include $100,000 spent on a study to determine whether tequila or gin makes sunfish more aggressive, and nearly $1 million allocated to research the effects of cocaine on the sexual behavior of Japanese quail.
Perhaps the most absurd example is the $750,000 spent to investigate whether Neil Armstrong said “One small step for man” or “one small step for ‘a’ man” during the moon landing. Spoiler alert: the results were inconclusive. These examples of frivolous spending are just the tip of the iceberg, with billions more unaccounted for across various government programs.
The Scope of the Problem
The scale of government waste is staggering. The Pentagon cannot fully account for $824 billion, while $236 billion in improper payments were made in federal programs in 2023 alone. Add to this the $200 billion in pandemic relief lost to fraud and abuse, and the $1 billion in untracked Ukraine aid, and the need for drastic reform becomes crystal clear.
DOGE’s mission is not just about trimming the fat; it’s about fundamentally restructuring how the government operates. Musk and Ramaswamy are considering drastic measures, including the potential elimination of entire government agencies to streamline operations and reduce waste.
A Commitment to Transparency
In line with their commitment to transparency, Musk has emphasized that all actions of the department will be posted online. This unprecedented level of openness aims to engage the public in the process of government reform and hold officials accountable for their spending decisions.
As Ramaswamy boldly stated, they “will not go gently” in their new roles. The duo is determined to cut unnecessary spending to reduce the government’s astronomical debt, which currently stands at a minimum of $35 trillion. Their approach promises to be aggressive and unapologetic in the face of entrenched bureaucratic interests.
As DOGE begins its crusade against government waste, taxpayers can finally hope for a more efficient, accountable, and fiscally responsible administration. The days of drunken fish studies and cocaine-addled quails may soon be behind us, replaced by a lean, mean, governing machine. It’s about time someone took a stand against the absurdity of government spending, and who better to do it than the unlikely duo of a tech billionaire and a former presidential candidate?
