The Opinions Elon Musk and the Useless Spending-Cut Theater of DOGE
5 snips
Mar 5, 2025 
Jessica Riedl, a fiscal conservative and expert on America's budgetary matters, joins for a lively discussion about Elon Musk's DOGE initiative. They critique Musk’s approach to government efficiency and question its real impact on spending cuts. The conversation navigates the contradictions of fiscal conservatism during the Trump era, emphasizing the challenges of reducing the deficit through social program cuts. They also forecast economic trends amid rising interest rates and dwindling consumer confidence, offering a nuanced view on the future.
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Disappointment with DOGE
- David French, a fiscal conservative, expresses disappointment with Elon Musk's DOGE initiative.
- Despite supporting government efficiency, he finds Musk's approach appalling.
Hopes for DOGE
- Jessica Riedel hoped DOGE would be a significant effort to combat government waste.
- She believed Musk's technical expertise could address waste and overpayments in the $1.8 trillion deficit.
DOGE's Lack of Transparency
- DOGE's actions lack transparency, with information often shared via tweets instead of official reports.
- Real-world impacts are felt by those affected by USAID aid cuts and federal employee layoffs.