I feel like this just proves the point I’ve been making, which is that the staff at USAID wasn’t just going rogue and acting illegally when supporting progressive causes. DOGE isn’t uncovering some shadow government, they’re just “discovering” that the funding both parties have voted for and is a matter of public record is in fact being paid. Then they’re framing it as mass corruption and in some cases outright lying about what some of that funding is being used for.
Second ('Third') Trump Presidency Thread
- Thread starter thethe
- Start date
I feel like this just proves the point I’ve been making, which is that the staff at USAID wasn’t just going rogue and acting illegally when supporting progressive causes. DOGE isn’t uncovering some shadow government, they’re just “discovering” that the funding both parties have voted for and is a matter of public record is in fact being paid. Then they’re framing it as mass corruption and in some cases outright lying about what some of that funding is being used for.
chop2chip
Well-known member
Yes.
The true villains are Congress. But they are cowards and campaign on fiscal responsibility and then add trillions to the debt every year.
The best part of DOGE isn’t cutting waste, it’s embarrassing our elected officials so bad that they feel enough shame to fix this problem at the source.
Sure, but words have meaning. When you claim something is fraud, there’s an understood definition of that word that doesn’t really seem to apply here. And when Elon Musk uncritically shares a bogus claim about USAID on his website, it’s wrong. DOGE can be a propaganda department if you guys wish, but it doesn’t make their work not that.
Its all about the 26 midterms so the pressure is put on politicians to actually cut the ****. ITs an uphill battle becasue republicans are just as guilty as democrats robbing the American people blind.
There is an unwritten understanding that our taxes are being spent in a responsible manner. Maybe it isn't 'fraud' because these corrupt politicians approve it but for hte everyday taxpayer it feels like fraud and in a constitutional republic where the people have the power that is all that matters.
sturg33
I
Dude, it's fraud. Those massive payments are playoffs to certain people or entities who otherwise wouldn't be able to obtain it.
Yes, the payments are "authorized" from.our useless congress, but they aren't actually going to the causes they claim to go to. They are making someone rich
Yup - Its wordplay. The American people understand the fraudalent nature of these 'approved payments' and that is because Musk and team are exposing it.
sturg33
I
Trump has the ability to strong arm MAGA Mike Johnson to do what's right.
Trump should be unafraid of a government shutdown. He should be unafraid to veto spending bills.
You’re basically just describing funding in general and making it sound more sinister. When I make a purchase, I’m providing a store with money they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to legally obtain by authorizing the payment.
We will see what happens - I would agree that Trump should stay on the offense.
We still need better representatives because they are all in on the scam.
That was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but what you’re describing isn’t really fraud. Some group said “we want to do some thing and need money for it” and USAID paid them for whatever that thing was. I decry a lot of our spending on defense, but I’m not declaring it fraud when we pay Raytheon for some bombs we don’t really need.
It is fraud. You and I both know it is.
Unfortunately, the way DC runs it's probably not illegal.
sturg33
I
There is tons of fraud in defense. Defense contractors charge 10x what something costs bc they know the government will pay the bill
Likewise, when USAID is send $40M to promote a trans opera in a foreign country... some liberal activist is getting rich on that payment, and very likely making a fat donation to the next election campaign
You don't have to twist yourself in a pretzel to try and defend this. It's fraud. It's a MASSIVE slush fund that face no accountability ever and certain people have figured this out and are making their friends very rich
It is any wonder why the neighborhoods around DC are some of the wealthiest in the country?
That is fraud, but you’re certainly not going to find me opposing any efforts to remove money from the campaign process, and you’re certainly not going to find “trans opera activists” anywhere near the top of that list. You’ll find companies lobbying for tax exemptions, government contracts that dwarf any amount USAID has ever spent, and laws that favor those companies at the top of those lists. I’d like to start there personally.