Discussion on Musk's DoGE ideas, the federal deficit, and GDP

5,421 Views | 127 Replies | Last: 2 days ago by MinotStateBeav
82gradDLSdad
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DiabloWags said:

Interest Costs Have Nearly Tripled Since 2020 -2024-11-20

Net Interest Costs:

2020: $345

2021: $352

2022: $476

2023: $659

2024: $882 Billion


Note: Buffet is primarily a value investor. He's not a "growth" investor.
Thus, his large cash position is not surprising. The current forward P/E for the SPX is 22x


Agreed. There are a lot of confounding factors.
DiabloWags
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Now the geniuses are looking to only cut $500 Billion.

Not $2 Trillion.

"Cults don't end well. They really don't."
oski003
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DiabloWags said:

Now the geniuses are looking to only cut $500 Billion.

Not $2 Trillion.




Sounds good. How does Biden forgiving 5 billion in loans to Ukraine today factor into this?
82gradDLSdad
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DiabloWags said:

Now the geniuses are looking to only cut $500 Billion.

Not $2 Trillion.


I suggest looking at Trump (I'm not a fan) as if we replaced Wilcox with Deion Sanders. I know, pretty weak. It's early in the morning.
DiabloWags
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oski003 said:

DiabloWags said:

Now the geniuses are looking to only cut $500 Billion.

Not $2 Trillion.




Sounds good. How does Biden forgiving 5 billion in loans to Ukraine today factor into this?

It will factor in as much as Trump's proposal to make auto loan interest deductible on U.S. made autos, given that 90% of tax payers don't itemize and simply take the standard deduction ($29,200 for married couples and $14,600 for individuals).

Trump Floats Tax Break for Carmakers Hurt by His Own Trade Deal
"Cults don't end well. They really don't."
oski003
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DiabloWags said:

oski003 said:

DiabloWags said:

Now the geniuses are looking to only cut $500 Billion.

Not $2 Trillion.




Sounds good. How does Biden forgiving 5 billion in loans to Ukraine today factor into this?

It will factor in as much as Trump's proposal to make auto loan interest deductible on U.S. made autos, given that 90% of tax payers don't itemize and simply take the standard deduction ($29,200 for married couples and $14,600 for individuals).

Trump Floats Tax Break for Carmakers Hurt by His Own Trade Deal



It seems great that he is providing something for Americans that, even minimally, could boost American production. This seems much better than giving billions to an Eastern European country while it's neighboring allies pledge far less.
DiabloWags
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oski003 said:

DiabloWags said:

oski003 said:

DiabloWags said:

Now the geniuses are looking to only cut $500 Billion.

Not $2 Trillion.




Sounds good. How does Biden forgiving 5 billion in loans to Ukraine today factor into this?

It will factor in as much as Trump's proposal to make auto loan interest deductible on U.S. made autos, given that 90% of tax payers don't itemize and simply take the standard deduction ($29,200 for married couples and $14,600 for individuals).

Trump Floats Tax Break for Carmakers Hurt by His Own Trade Deal



It seems great that he is providing something for Americans that, even minimally, could boost American production. This seems much better than giving billions to an Eastern European country while it's neighboring allies pledge far less.

Pure fantasy.
"Cults don't end well. They really don't."
DiabloWags
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Veteran's Healthcare tops the DOGE list at $119 Billion.
That should garner a lot of support in Congress.





DOGE Spending Cuts: 'Zombie' Programs, Vets' Health, Pell Grants, NASA - Business Insider


"Cults don't end well. They really don't."
oski003
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DiabloWags said:

oski003 said:

DiabloWags said:

oski003 said:

DiabloWags said:

Now the geniuses are looking to only cut $500 Billion.

Not $2 Trillion.




Sounds good. How does Biden forgiving 5 billion in loans to Ukraine today factor into this?

It will factor in as much as Trump's proposal to make auto loan interest deductible on U.S. made autos, given that 90% of tax payers don't itemize and simply take the standard deduction ($29,200 for married couples and $14,600 for individuals).

Trump Floats Tax Break for Carmakers Hurt by His Own Trade Deal



It seems great that he is providing something for Americans that, even minimally, could boost American production. This seems much better than giving billions to an Eastern European country while it's neighboring allies pledge far less.

Pure fantasy.



Why?
concordtom
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DiabloWags said:

Veteran's Healthcare tops the DOGE list at $119 Billion.
That should garner a lot of support in Congress.





DOGE Spending Cuts: 'Zombie' Programs, Vets' Health, Pell Grants, NASA - Business Insider




Did you get this from Musk?
That's laughable.
concordtom
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This post is humor, for your enjoyment.


I just listened to this and I would like you to advance to 27:55 and listen to the end. They are talking about Elon's appearance on SNL.

They (Team Elon + Team SNL) had a zoom call to discuss some jokes and skits they might do. Team Elon had an opening montage which was not accepted. But it's pretty damn funny to listen to Elon tell it to the audience.



bear2034
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DiabloWags said:

Veteran's Healthcare tops the DOGE list at $119 Billion.
That should garner a lot of support in Congress.

What if Elon just fired liberal women instead?
DiabloWags
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The conflicts of interest that Musk and his companies would have with the OMB should be obvious to all.

Literally giving him keys to the Kingdom.


MinotStateBeav
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DiabloWags said:

The conflicts of interest that Musk and his companies would have with the OMB should be obvious to all.

Literally giving him keys to the Kingdom.



You should write a letter to your senator.
bear2034
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Dave Rubin describes how Elon Musk invited him to Twitter headquarters in S.F. to help him figure out how to undo the shadow banning that took place with his account prior to Musk buying Twitter.

Musk, Rubin, and Peterson are all former liberals or Democrats.
bear2034
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concordtom said:

It's absolutely true that government's budget is out of control, and Congress has a decades long track record of inability to reign in deficit spending. (If a congressman cuts, it's used against him in the next election, and stupid voters punish fiscal responsibility.)

Musk doesn't need voters, so he can recommend whatever. And this could be good to great!

Crazy if true.
dimitrig
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bear2034 said:

concordtom said:

It's absolutely true that government's budget is out of control, and Congress has a decades long track record of inability to reign in deficit spending. (If a congressman cuts, it's used against him in the next election, and stupid voters punish fiscal responsibility.)

Musk doesn't need voters, so he can recommend whatever. And this could be good to great!

Crazy if true.


I am curious how often Elon Musk shows up to work at the office.

Not sitting in the office for 40 hours per week doesn't mean "not working 40 hours per week."


82gradDLSdad
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dimitrig said:

bear2034 said:

concordtom said:

It's absolutely true that government's budget is out of control, and Congress has a decades long track record of inability to reign in deficit spending. (If a congressman cuts, it's used against him in the next election, and stupid voters punish fiscal responsibility.)

Musk doesn't need voters, so he can recommend whatever. And this could be good to great!

Crazy if true.


I am curious how often Elon Musk shows up to work at the office.

Not sitting in the office for 40 hours per week doesn't mean "not working 40 hours per week."



Musk used to sleep at the Tesla factory in Fremont and Nevada when they were ramping up production. This is documented by our trustworthy news agencies.
dimitrig
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82gradDLSdad said:

dimitrig said:

bear2034 said:

concordtom said:

It's absolutely true that government's budget is out of control, and Congress has a decades long track record of inability to reign in deficit spending. (If a congressman cuts, it's used against him in the next election, and stupid voters punish fiscal responsibility.)

Musk doesn't need voters, so he can recommend whatever. And this could be good to great!

Crazy if true.


I am curious how often Elon Musk shows up to work at the office.

Not sitting in the office for 40 hours per week doesn't mean "not working 40 hours per week."



Musk used to sleep at the Tesla factory in Fremont and Nevada when they were ramping up production. This is documented by our trustworthy news agencies.


Yeah… used to. Federal employees used to go into the office every day, too.

And now?
82gradDLSdad
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dimitrig said:

82gradDLSdad said:

dimitrig said:

bear2034 said:

concordtom said:

It's absolutely true that government's budget is out of control, and Congress has a decades long track record of inability to reign in deficit spending. (If a congressman cuts, it's used against him in the next election, and stupid voters punish fiscal responsibility.)

Musk doesn't need voters, so he can recommend whatever. And this could be good to great!

Crazy if true.


I am curious how often Elon Musk shows up to work at the office.

Not sitting in the office for 40 hours per week doesn't mean "not working 40 hours per week."



Musk used to sleep at the Tesla factory in Fremont and Nevada when they were ramping up production. This is documented by our trustworthy news agencies.


Yeah… used to. Federal employees used to go into the office every day, too.

And now?

Go into vs sleep. And he is the CEO. You got me. Good one.
MinotStateBeav
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dimitrig said:

82gradDLSdad said:

dimitrig said:

bear2034 said:

concordtom said:

It's absolutely true that government's budget is out of control, and Congress has a decades long track record of inability to reign in deficit spending. (If a congressman cuts, it's used against him in the next election, and stupid voters punish fiscal responsibility.)

Musk doesn't need voters, so he can recommend whatever. And this could be good to great!

Crazy if true.


I am curious how often Elon Musk shows up to work at the office.

Not sitting in the office for 40 hours per week doesn't mean "not working 40 hours per week."



Musk used to sleep at the Tesla factory in Fremont and Nevada when they were ramping up production. This is documented by our trustworthy news agencies.


Yeah… used to. Federal employees used to go into the office every day, too.

And now?

"Because he's the boss."
wifeisafurd
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DiabloWags said:

I Repeat...

Musk can only make Recommendations.

Congress is in charge of the purse strings and doesnt have to follow anything he says. There is NO LEGAL MANDATE.

This is really the point. Who pays for the investigation, development and putting together recommendations and report(s)? This endeavor lacks a dedicated budget and has no legal jurisdiction. Maybe the get a budget allocation because both parties want to stand for ridding wasteful spending in Washington. It's a noble cause.

So let's say that happens. There is only so much of the budget that is discretionary and subject to modification in the short run. And a lot of that is very political. Try doing away with farm subsidies for example.

Musk and Ramaswamy undoubtedly will uncover plenty of stuff to enrage outraged social media users, including funding bizarre research projects, numerous grants and subsidies, and absurdly priced items bought through the archaic procurement process (e.g., really expensive toilets for the Pentagon). It won't be hard to find, but I'm not sure you see much gained dollar wise from these type of cuts.

Then there are some legal issues. It is easy to say you will eliminate departments or agencies, and let's say Congress even agrees. Can you shred civil service protections so that bureaucrats in neutered agencies can be fired? What about all the contacts. etc that the disappearing department has? Savings may be somewhere down road at best.

I'm somewhat skeptical.

Eastern Oregon Bear
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Please point out some examples of government agencies that are getting less work done now that employees work from home. I haven't noticed anything like that in my agency. For the record, I am going into the office every day by my own choice but over half work of the people in our office work about 1 day a week from home. I haven't noticed work not getting done in a timely manner. We do have frequent zoom calls with those working from home. I average 2-3 such calls a day though mostly with people from other governmental agencies at local, state and federal levels. Working from home is widespread at all of those levels.
dimitrig
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Eastern Oregon Bear said:

Please point out some examples of government agencies that are getting less work done now that employees work from home. I haven't noticed anything like that in my agency. For the record, I am going into the office every day by my own choice but over half work of the people in our office work about 1 day a week from home. I haven't noticed work not getting done in a timely manner. We do have frequent zoom calls with those working from home. I average 2-3 such calls a day though mostly with people from other governmental agencies at local, state and federal levels. Working from home is widespread at all of those levels.


My experience with the IRS has been a lot worse since COVID. I don't know if that is work from home or downsizing or what but it has been a problem for me.
concordtom
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MinotStateBeav said:

DiabloWags said:

The conflicts of interest that Musk and his companies would have with the OMB should be obvious to all.

Literally giving him keys to the Kingdom.



You should write a letter to your senator.


Some German citizens expressed their misgivings, too.
The tanks rolled anyways.

(Don't say we didn't warn you!)
concordtom
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bear2034 said:

concordtom said:

It's absolutely true that government's budget is out of control, and Congress has a decades long track record of inability to reign in deficit spending. (If a congressman cuts, it's used against him in the next election, and stupid voters punish fiscal responsibility.)

Musk doesn't need voters, so he can recommend whatever. And this could be good to great!

Crazy if true.


Crazy if you think so.
All those kids waking up at 6am to do group exercise rue that you could be so gullible.

AunBear89
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It's all performative nonsense and virtue signalling by the Trump Admin. Bread and circuses for the MAGAts, with no real accountability nor interest in actual efficiency. Just slash and burn while pretending to be thoughtful.
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." -- (maybe) Benjamin Disraeli, popularized by Mark Twain
Anarchistbear
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No space ships to Mars
AunBear89
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Anarchistbear said:

No space ships to Mars


No NEW space ships to Mars. We'll just use Elon's. We will just compensate him for his services.
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." -- (maybe) Benjamin Disraeli, popularized by Mark Twain
Eastern Oregon Bear
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AunBear89 said:

It's all performative nonsense and virtue signalling by the Trump Admin. Bread and circuses for the MAGAts, with no real accountability nor interest in actual efficiency. Just slash and burn while pretending to be thoughtful.
DoGE has been done before. See the Grace Commission during Ronald Reagan's first term. Much fanfare, numerous recommendations and zero results as Congress adopted none of it.
dimitrig
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AunBear89 said:

Anarchistbear said:

No space ships to Mars


No NEW space ships to Mars. We'll just use Elon's. We will just compensate him for his services.


Space X has never landed anything anywhere other than Earth.

People confuse their ability to build great rockets with their ability to accomplish other feats.

bear2034
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Eastern Oregon Bear said:

AunBear89 said:

It's all performative nonsense and virtue signalling by the Trump Admin. Bread and circuses for the MAGAts, with no real accountability nor interest in actual efficiency. Just slash and burn while pretending to be thoughtful.
DoGE has been done before. See the Grace Commission during Ronald Reagan's first term. Much fanfare, numerous recommendations and zero results as Congress adopted none of it.

Congress has the uncanny ability to spend money with zero results.
concordtom
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Wow!
Elon Musk is one sick MF!

How many people laugh at such a tragic story?
Well, we know that he has Asperger's….

Callousness
Refers to a lack of empathy or sensitivity. Laughing at death may indicate emotional detachment or indifference.



bearister
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"Step aside, b@itches, the BIG SWINGIN' DICKS COMIN' THROUGH!"
Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
bear2034
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bearister said:

"Step aside, b@itches, the BIG SWINGIN' DICKS COMIN' THROUGH!"

We are the ones with the big swingin' dicks.

 
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