Scott Horton Show - Just the Interviews
1/23/25 Ben Cohen: DOGE Needs to Focus On the Pentagon
Jan 26, 2025
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, dives into his latest initiative, DOGE vs. Blob, focusing on reducing Pentagon waste. He discusses the absurdities of U.S. military spending and emphasizes the need to reallocate funds to vital domestic issues like healthcare. The conversation touches on the role of memes in political discourse while critiquing outdated military tech. Cohen also shares creative ideas for engaging the public in anti-war messaging through meme contests, demonstrating how humor can address serious topics.
27:51
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Quick takeaways
- Ben Cohen's initiative highlights the astonishing mismanagement of the Pentagon budget, suggesting that funds could better serve societal needs instead of excessive military spending.
- The campaign encourages creative public engagement through memes to raise awareness about government waste, illustrating a modern approach to political activism in challenging federal spending practices.
Deep dives
The Waste of the Pentagon Budget
The Pentagon budget represents a staggering amount of federal spending, accounting for 50% of all discretionary funds. This department is notorious for its inability to be audited, highlighting severe mismanagement and wastefulness. An example cited is the exorbitant cost of everyday items, like $10,000 for a toilet seat and $4,000 for a half-inch screw, which emphasizes the extreme pricing practices of weapon manufacturers. Such financial irresponsibility suggests that the government could redirect these funds towards more pressing societal needs, such as addressing housing and healthcare crises.
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