Summary
Vivek Ramaswamy, recently appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has proposed defunding federal programs that lack current congressional authorization.
This could affect programs like veterans’ healthcare, NASA, and early education initiatives, which still receive funding despite expired authorizations.
Ramaswamy argues that cutting these programs could save billions, and he’s committed to targeting expenditures that “don’t advance the interests of American citizens.”
DOGE, co-led by Elon Musk, aims to curb government spending, with Musk estimating potential cuts of up to $2 trillion.
I am terrified at them defunding the VA. I’ve had a much easier time getting good medical care from VA doctors than I ever did going private and I’d be bankrupt without the VA. It’s because of the VA that I have any savings at all
As a US citizen, paying for veterans healthcare and early education programs advance my interests a whole fucking lot more than paying this jackass.
Stupid piece of shit, you don’t speak for us.
I know what you mean but he does, quite literally, speak for us now. This is what we asked for.
I sure as fuck didn’t, I voted against every single fascist asshole on my balot. I’m just angry.
Right there with you
So did I but unfortunately we lost. That’s democracy in action. The country we live in (the collective we) asked for this.
Thanks for voting. You’re justified in being angry. There’s a lot to be angry about. Right now we need to focus on blocking every action of this government. We need to shine a light on candidates doing the right thing and bring them up to positions of leadership.
Suggestions?
Pick an issue, or a few, you care about. Find the local or regional group that is already fighting for that issue. Join their newsletter. When they have events or meetings near you, go. Meet people and network. Someday you will find a way you can help in a way that fits your skill set, say yes.
It really is that easy to get involved, and these organizations need volunteers way more than they need money. People make the world move forward, not money, not votes. I mean voting and giving helps too, but giving your time is often way more important with activism.
I’ll see what I can do… Appreciate the input.
One more thing I might suggest is to start attending some of your town/city council meetings. You can also ask the clerk to put you on their mailing list for meeting minutes. Some have a sign up on their website. Just getting a feel for what your locality is dealing with can help you to understand what the local issues are. Local politics are often more accessible to change.
This is an unusual question, but do you know any way I can get more involved if I’m not awake when people meet and organize?
I have a severe circadian rhythm disorder and as a result am not awake during the day. All I’ve been able to come up with in terms of contributing is writing cards to potential voters (I got a couple in the mail when I updated my voter registration), and maybe calling potential voters on the other side of the country who are in a different timezone.
I feel really powerless to contribute, but I don’t wanna sit back and do nothing, disability or not :( if you can’t think of anything, that’s okay, I will keep looking for ways to be involved
Voting is a small part of political change, it needs to be done but that’s not where the work is. Getting involved in your community and pushing for changes is far more productive, activism of all types.
I would start by getting on mailing lists for things you care about and email for local city council meeting minutes. You might be surprised by some of the meeting times of local orgs. Some events are evening, but you can still learn about what is needed if you are staying engaged with local things. I can’t tell you what will work, but I reiterate I would start by getting on mailing lists for things you care about and take opportunities when they come.
Edit: and don’t be so hard on yourself, you can only do what you can do. Take your wins when they come and focus on those.
I expected NASA to get screwed by DOGE. What I didn’t expect was that it’s at the behest of Ramaswamy instead of Elmo. 2024 is defying expectations yet again.
NASA gives SpaceX fat government paychecks. He doesn’t want anything to happen to them.
These guys really seem to want a pissed off veteran to take them out.
As someone with just as much federal authority as the non-existent DOGE, I also propose defunding expenditures that “don’t advance the interests of American citizens.”
And I would like to start with fucking Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon fucking Musk.
as equal authority, I propose we just lock them up.
I’m sure we can find something to actually justify it. Like, you know, betraying classified secrets to the russians, as well as providing intelligence and military aid;
If we’re all just doing things without authority, why does it even need a legalized justification? Home Depot sells dog cages and padlocks.
Because kidnapping is one thing and seeing them convicted is another.
I want him convicted in a court of law. Legitimately.
All of these stupid fucks, to be clear. Musk. Trump. Vivek. There’s a long list of assholes that need some justice.
Newly added colluding with Iranian representatives outside official government channels
grab a shovel and start digging. Also, bring the tigerbalm, there’s gonna be a lot of nasty shit.
if elon lied on immigration forms, strip his citizenship, seize his wealth and assets ‘earned’ after committing that crime, and kick him tf out.
I like this idea, too.
Donate it to something like habitat for humanity.
Wait long enough, and neither will pass the nationalist purity test. The leopards will turn inwards for face-eating sooner than some fasc-allies think, I suspect
Give 'em an Archie Slap for even suggesting that shit.
America: Our soldiers are heroes!
Also America: But they don’t deserve a penny and should pay exorbitant prices for healthcare…
I know this isn’t all Americans, but it’s more than I thought.
Touching NASA very well might be the thing that finally pushes me to actual violence.
Scientific endeavors, but specifically research and exploration of space are pretty much the only things in life I really have a passion for.
NASA is definitely a target. Musk wants to make SpaceX America’s privatized space agency.
you’ll know nasa is doomed when space-lasers greene or flat earth boebert get tagged for nasa admin.
At least in that case, we could look forward to one of them saying something dumb like, “The moon is fake, it’s not like I could actually go there.” NASA leadership could launch a mission to send them to the moon to prove it real and just go, “Oops, we missed. Darn thing moved on us.”
Why miss and give them more fuel. Hit it
For sure
The last conservative government silenced the government scientists from discussing climate change and destroyed decades of research as they didn’t believe in it and it didn’t fit their Alberta oil jobs first objectives.
We are looking at another Conservative government coming our way again in the next year and it’s going to be a super shit storm when our Cons and the US Cons are firing on all cylinders destroy everything they don’t like or believe in. I fear it’s going to take decades again to come back on the science again.
Back in the day they funded NASA because they were worried about being eclipsed by the USSR. Now they may worry about belong eclipsed by China. But yes they might move a shit ton to spacex.
Guys, c’mon. There’s only so much face a guy has to feed the leopards.
So DOGE is getting cut then?
Karma
This is a c/leopardsatemyface moment.
I’m a 100% disabled veteran. Two years ago I made the very stupid decision to change my gender identity with the VA, and my therapist just informed me on Friday that I can’t change it back because it’s part of a diagnosis. I’m really worried that either of those things, or the fact that I’m getting a degree through chapter 31 will end in a reduction or revocation of my benefits. In addition, I’m going through the process of getting diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I’m really expensive for the VA right now.
Fun fact: ALS is more common in the veteran population
I’m also a trans veteran deeply worried about losing benefits. It’s such a horrid situation
Entirely typical.
Republicans have already dicked veterans over so hard that private charities have to try to make up for all of the broken promises.
And it’s still not enough for them.
Trump: “What is the worst idea we can implement?”
Ramaswamy:“Let’s make all the people that know how to use the most complex and deadly weapons mad at us as quickly as possible!”
Wait, a firearm is complex or am I misunderstanding?
Firearms aren’t really that complex.
When it is connected to a f-16 it might be complex.
I mean
The clown is inviting more clowns and they are building up the circus, this could be funny if it wasn’t so serious.
Specifically about veterans’ healthcare: Veterans surveyed supported Trump 61% to 37% Harris with 2% undecided. And it’s not like the plan to screw up VA benefits was hidden, it was there in Project 2025.
