I find it intriguing that there is such resistance and confusion surrounding DOGE’s reductions and the apocalyptic voices emerging from the social media landscape. Isn’t it a universal expectation for our taxes to yield the highest return on investment? Don’t we feel ripped off when we purchase something only to discover later that its value fails to match the price we paid? The matter at hand is not a subject of political partisanship, it should be shared equally by individuals of every political persuasion. It is a common expectation that our government functions at the peak of efficiency and efficacy.
If this is not the case, one would be justified to question the existence of governmental agencies. Recently, a protest was held in Brevard County as part of a National Day of Protest, with the rallying call, ‘We the People will not be silenced!’ Clearly, the people have not been muzzled as they exercised their right to vote last November. The majority of voters championed change, yearning for a different way of doing things primarily because the status quo was viewed as less than ideal.
The million-dollar question then surfaces: Will the policies and budgetary reductions of DOGE succeed? To be honest, I remain uncertain. However, credit must be given where it is due – at least they are attempting a novel approach. If the methods fail, express your dissatisfaction at the ballot box during the next election. The backlash observed on social media and on the airwaves, all because DOGE invited their employees to list five tasks they accomplished the previous week, was quite mindboggling to say the least.
The request seemingly made them uncomfortable, as if DOGE’s head Elon Musk launched a witch hunt for their deepest, darkest secrets. That’s not to say the request was perfect. An important realisation to consider though: Anyone engaged in the work force is perpetually required to demonstrate the value of their work. Whether it’s the high-profile baseball player caught in a strikeout spree or a traffic cop who runs short of issued tickets, we all are called upon to prove relevancy. Welcome to the real world.
Ask a union-based construction worker about this. As soon as one construction job ends, the cycle begins again with layoffs, the application for unemployment benefits and a trip back to the union hall, all in the hope of being recruited for the next available job. It is disheartening that blunders were made in the rush to cut costs, resulting in essential programs being wrongfully axed, only to be reinstated later.
These events are manifest examples, highlighting the disjointed understanding between the private sector and the current events unfolding in the capital. Shouldn’t our focus be on ensuring we’re receiving the most value from our dollars? You might question where precisely are the savings? Even though it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact figure as of now, critics have fair grounds to question.
However, the administration only assumed power on January 20th. Detractors highlight that as much as 40% of government contracts abandoned by DOGE lead to zero savings, raising eyebrows. But wouldn’t it be wise to scrub these contracts off the record in any case to prevent the possibility of their renewal?
Can one honestly suggest it was suitable for the federal government to allocate $59 million to New York last year, whereby $19 million was allocated to house illegal immigrants in hotel rooms? While they’ve struck off various programs, critics argue that even essential and potentially life-preserving programs have been affected. DOGE responds by maintaining that the axed programs can apply for a chance at being revived.
On a personal note, I would have preferred a more considered and gradual approach. Nonetheless, I don’t perceive too much of an issue as long as reinstatement of essential programs indeed occurs. The lawmaker of Brevard recently, Florida House Majority Leader proposed to establish a DOGE leadership position in Florida, following legislation designed to set up a new cabinet-level role aimed at identifying and eliminating government redundancies.
This move comes hot on the heels of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s recent proposal to launch a one-year Florida DOGE task force. The suggestion to merge the Gulf of Mexico Regional Fisheries Board with the Marine Fisheries Management, presently handled by the FWC, and to consolidate the Board of Cosmetology with the Barbers Board was put forward as an example.
In conclusion, we need to remember that this involves our hard-earned tax money. It is with great diligence that we labor for every penny earned, and it would be disgraceful to squander that on inefficient government operations. These issues go beyond simplistic divisions such as the right and left, conservative and liberal, instead, it is a fundamental expectation from every taxpayer of a functioning society.