Follow the money as they say. Where are these cats spending (or not) spending money? We started off with the whole DOGE fiasco. It was sold as a way to make government more accountable and efficient when in reality it was a way to stop numerous investigations into Elon Musk's shady business practices. Ever get your DOGE check? Me neither. It is not even been a full year yet and to cover all the boondoggles so far would turn this blog post into a three volume novel. That's even if we set aside all the merch, investment and opaque crypto scams. Of course Boondoggles are nothing new and created by both political parties. Let's check out a more recent boondoggle, the XM7 (a new army rifle).
The M-16 has been around more than 50 years and used from Vietnam to Iraq (the M4 carbine). The rifle has been able to adapt to new technologies through the decades. The power is adequate for most situations. It is not a long range sniper weapon and may have trouble penetrating the most advanced body armor of potential foes like Russia and China. Great! Let's get rid of all of them and replace them with something more heavy, able to carry less rounds and more expensive! Let's give the huge contract to only one company, Sig Sauer. Ammo? Yup, made by one company. I'm sure nothing could go wrong with that. All of this for only 4.5 BILLION dollars. If you would like to learn more, check out this video. This is on going. Let's check out a few other current boondoggles; the Epstien Ball Room (that's what I'm calling it, 50 Billion for Argentina and a stratospheric ICE budget. There are more but let's shine light on these three.
So Mad King Donald unilaterally decided what we really need is a massive Ballroom instead of the East Wing of the White House. Because that will Make America Great or something. He says he will pay for it, not US taxpayers. Great! I'm sure he will keep his word this time. But let's face it, that's not the issue. The White House is not his to renovate. Rather, it belongs to we the people. A President is nothing more than a temporary caretaker. Somehow, I think Washington D.C. has plenty of places for large events, parties and so on. This is about one man's super fragile over inflated ego. It's also about Pay to Play. Corporations and rich individuals also donating are not giving for fun. They will expect a return on their investment. This is a gross scheme that in no way shape or form helps the American people in any way. America first, my ass!
Let's do Israel's bidding and blow Putin! No, that's for another time. Let's give 40 Billion for Argentina! I know we often throw our financial weight around but this one is different. Why? The cash was tied to a specific election outcome desired by Mad King Donald. Sounds a bit underhanded and shady to me. That money is gone. No amount of cash will prop up really bad ideas for very long. Here's a fat middle finger for you farmers, ranchers and anyone in need of disaster relief! Keep in mind those massive dollar figures always lead to more corruption, not less. Hey, speaking of massive amounts of cash, consider the ICE budget.
Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) got a windfall budget larger than the funds for many militaries around the world. Where money goes, corruption follows. Bad hiring practices, violations of people's rights and an ever growing list of sleazy deals are only the beginning. Privately run detention AKA Concentration Camps, airlines going into the deportation flight business all with no independent oversight is going to be one hell of a hairball to unwind when accountability comes. It will, friends. All storms pass. "I was just following orders," is not a viable defense. Our country will never be able to undo all the damage these ass-clowns are causing but we got to try.
I'm confident I'm missing many more on-going boondoggles and this is only year one of four. What can we do? Sunshine! That's right, shine a bright spotlight on all the corruption, cruelty and on going theft. Make the lives of unresponsive congress people utterly miserable and vote them out. Show up to your local protests, courage is contagious and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, don't give these assholes any more power by doomscrolling, whining and giving up. Trump is polling in the toilet, ICE is far below its goals and being resisted every day. The whole damn Administration is staffed by incompetent sycophants who are already turning on each other. 2026 is gonna be bumpy, very bumpy and also hopeful.
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