DOGE: Barking Up the Wrong Tree While the House Burns Down
DOGE is not just barking up the wrong tree—it’s gnawing at the Constitution while peddling snake oil to a desperate public.
What’s Wrong With DOGE?
You assign an arrogant billionaire--one with zero training in auditing, no regard for the Constitution, and a flair for hype over substance--to "fix" the government, and what could possibly go wrong?
Everything.
DOGE claimed to have slashed billions from the federal budget. They boasted $8 billion in savings from ICE, but whoops—it was $8 million. Their three $655 million “cuts” at USAID? A mere $18 million total. They even claimed a $232 million savings from the Social Security Administration, which turned out to be just $560,000. And the $1.9 billion "cut" from the Treasury? That contract was canceled during Biden’s term, not theirs.
Their so-called “wall of receipts” shows maybe $9.6 billion in actual savings—a rounding error against a $36 trillion national debt. Yet they still parade around a phantom $65 billion savings figure. It’s the political equivalent of a magician botching every trick but still expecting applause. Incompetence or intentional deception? Either way, it's a masterclass in how not to run a government.
www.pbs.org
DOGE says it's saved $105 billion, though it's backtracked on some of its earlier claims
The DOGE website is now updated to claim cost-cutting savings of $105 billion -- though it deleted several contracts that it previously claimed saved billions of dollars.
abcnews.go.com
Why DOGE Is Not Just Misguided--It’s Unconstitutional
DOGE bypasses the lawful oversight mechanisms enshrined in our democracy. The Inspectors General (IGs) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) exist for a reason: they’re staffed by trained professionals with decades of experience in auditing science, legal frameworks, and budget accountability. These institutions were established by Congress—the very branch entrusted with the "power of the purse" under Article I of the Constitution.
Musk’s maneuvering with DOGE is not just reckless; it’s illegal. He is attempting to usurp powers he neither understands nor possesses. His disdain for government process and accountability mirrors Trump’s own approach: bulldoze the institutions, then complain they aren’t functioning.
The Real Goal? Tax Cuts for Billionaires
Let’s not pretend this is about reducing the deficit. Trump’s previous tax cuts for the rich exploded the deficit by trillions. DOGE is merely the latest bait-and-switch:
The Insanity of Firing Federal Workers
Even if you fired every federal worker--2.4 million people earning an average of $108,510—the savings would still only be 0.72% of the national debt. You’d cripple the government, devastate millions of families, and still barely make a dent in the ledger.
DOGE is not just barking up the wrong tree—it’s gnawing at the Constitution while peddling snake oil to a desperate public.
What’s Wrong With DOGE?
You assign an arrogant billionaire--one with zero training in auditing, no regard for the Constitution, and a flair for hype over substance--to "fix" the government, and what could possibly go wrong?
Everything.
DOGE claimed to have slashed billions from the federal budget. They boasted $8 billion in savings from ICE, but whoops—it was $8 million. Their three $655 million “cuts” at USAID? A mere $18 million total. They even claimed a $232 million savings from the Social Security Administration, which turned out to be just $560,000. And the $1.9 billion "cut" from the Treasury? That contract was canceled during Biden’s term, not theirs.
Their so-called “wall of receipts” shows maybe $9.6 billion in actual savings—a rounding error against a $36 trillion national debt. Yet they still parade around a phantom $65 billion savings figure. It’s the political equivalent of a magician botching every trick but still expecting applause. Incompetence or intentional deception? Either way, it's a masterclass in how not to run a government.
A look at the misleading and incorrect claims on DOGE's 'wall of receipts'
Elon Musk claims his campaign to fire tens of thousands of federal workers and cancel government contracts is in the name of rooting out “fraud” and “waste.” A website claims they’ve saved billions by cutting certain federal contracts, but reports and government documents prove that these...
DOGE says it's saved $105 billion, though it's backtracked on some of its earlier claims
The DOGE website is now updated to claim cost-cutting savings of $105 billion -- though it deleted several contracts that it previously claimed saved billions of dollars.
Why DOGE Is Not Just Misguided--It’s Unconstitutional
DOGE bypasses the lawful oversight mechanisms enshrined in our democracy. The Inspectors General (IGs) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) exist for a reason: they’re staffed by trained professionals with decades of experience in auditing science, legal frameworks, and budget accountability. These institutions were established by Congress—the very branch entrusted with the "power of the purse" under Article I of the Constitution.
Musk’s maneuvering with DOGE is not just reckless; it’s illegal. He is attempting to usurp powers he neither understands nor possesses. His disdain for government process and accountability mirrors Trump’s own approach: bulldoze the institutions, then complain they aren’t functioning.
The Real Goal? Tax Cuts for Billionaires
Let’s not pretend this is about reducing the deficit. Trump’s previous tax cuts for the rich exploded the deficit by trillions. DOGE is merely the latest bait-and-switch:
- Cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy.
- Manufactured a “crisis” over rising debt.
- Gut public services, fire civil servants, and slash social programs.
- Repeat.
The Insanity of Firing Federal Workers
Even if you fired every federal worker--2.4 million people earning an average of $108,510—the savings would still only be 0.72% of the national debt. You’d cripple the government, devastate millions of families, and still barely make a dent in the ledger.
