I am not 100% certain of this, but I'm willing to bet that a very significant amount of Elon's wealth and income put him at the top of ALL Federal contractors. The idea that this man can do ANYTHING related to Federal spending is ludicrous on the face of it. Please dear God let Elon go back to technology innovation, something that he excels at, and get the everloving fuck out of politics. Rant over.
There've been a few people over the past 10 or so years that I strongly disliked off the bat and was later proven right - JD Vance, Andrew Yang, and most recently, Ro Khanna. Dude seems shady af and his seeming idolization of Elmo at this point in time is something to behold.
So much wrong here: The idea that giving an ambassadorship to France to powerful/connected people (a long standing bi-partisan practice) is equivalent to turning a blind eye to an oligarch that has US defense by the balls being a close advisor to POTUS himself and in charge of planning all manner of government expenditures across the board with wild and obvious conflicts of interest, is playing into the whole false equivalence that has supported and excused Trumpism from the jump. How sweet that Rho thinks Dems have to overturn Citizen's United (by what, wishcraft?) in order to be able to have an opinion about a singularly powerful man-child having a corrupt POTUS's ear. Dems should not accept PAC money? Sure, that's keep Musk et al from being alienated from the Democratic party.
MAGA, for all its supposed populisim, believes certain select people should be immune from having to meet the requirements regular people must meet. Financial disclosures, while fine for normal people in regular administrations, are seen as too burdensome for oligarchs; they are special and considered deserving of special consideration: They shouldn't have to sacrifice anything in order to work in the White House; they are too important to be bothered with such things. Especially THIS upcoming white house, where the Dear Leader Savior Trump shouldn't have to follow any rules or norms at all.
I would expect Financial disclosures? Just like the president or congress? What rock has he been living under? Ffs. The conflict of interest segment was beyond delulu. This was embarrassing
Holy crap, 2016 called and it would like it’s strategy back. There’s a lot that I don’t know, but I know for sure that this is not the way for Dems to win back power. This is embarrassing for Khanna.
I think it’s absolutely insanity for any Democrats to help sanitize these wackadoodles by focusing only on the narrow strip of things they could, maybe, agree on if all the things line up juuuust right and barely caveat the universe of divide on stuff that’s terrible, bonkers, or both.
Not to mention just ignore all the obvious conflicts of interest just because you have a relationship with someone - ie Musk. Just because you like or admire someone doesn't mean they are necessarily a good person or good for the country!
I totally appreciate and share the sentiment, perspective, and many ideas Congressman Khanna expressed for improving fed efficiency and innovation, but they seem mostly idyllic and wishcast-y when it will come to execution. There are no emerging counterbalances to corruption that any of us can see...at least none with any legal or political efficacy (aka teeth).
If we get lucky (lol talk about wishes) with some morally upstanding wizards behind these curtains, there are a lot of really great examples the government is already doing along this entire front! They just need to identify, support, and replicate these programs across other agencies using the exact kinds of feds and civilians who pulled them off already. And keep those people while they're at it.
For reference check out NASA's SEWP, USDA'S STRATUS, or DHS's ADaPTS, which I also offer as a challenge to Sam's assertion all govt IT sucks 😄
This was a really great interview, and again appreciate what the Congressman had to say - this is exactly the right attitude and approach IMO; and that approach also includes challenging tactics and being pragmatic, as Sam was doing throughout. Ty as always Bulwark crew!
Over the last week, there were two Republican Congressmen on C-Span Washington Journal (one was Kevin Bacon) and they were talking about Social Security reform and they want to work with Democrats. Rep. Bacon even admitted that they want to “share the blame” so not to give an advantage to either party. In other words, they want to cut Social Security, get a few gullible Democrats to join in and make it Bipartisan.
Holy fuck this guy is either a total fucking idiot, or looking to feather his own fucking bed. Musk SHOULD NOT BE PART OF FUCKING DOGE!!! It is a MASSIVE FUCKING CONFLICT OF INTEREST!
I guess if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em is Khanna’s mantra like quite a few other Dems in Congress.
We are seriously f’d.
LOL Nothing matters!
I am not 100% certain of this, but I'm willing to bet that a very significant amount of Elon's wealth and income put him at the top of ALL Federal contractors. The idea that this man can do ANYTHING related to Federal spending is ludicrous on the face of it. Please dear God let Elon go back to technology innovation, something that he excels at, and get the everloving fuck out of politics. Rant over.
Absolutely done with Ro Khan! Wow....sad....
There've been a few people over the past 10 or so years that I strongly disliked off the bat and was later proven right - JD Vance, Andrew Yang, and most recently, Ro Khanna. Dude seems shady af and his seeming idolization of Elmo at this point in time is something to behold.
So much wrong here: The idea that giving an ambassadorship to France to powerful/connected people (a long standing bi-partisan practice) is equivalent to turning a blind eye to an oligarch that has US defense by the balls being a close advisor to POTUS himself and in charge of planning all manner of government expenditures across the board with wild and obvious conflicts of interest, is playing into the whole false equivalence that has supported and excused Trumpism from the jump. How sweet that Rho thinks Dems have to overturn Citizen's United (by what, wishcraft?) in order to be able to have an opinion about a singularly powerful man-child having a corrupt POTUS's ear. Dems should not accept PAC money? Sure, that's keep Musk et al from being alienated from the Democratic party.
MAGA, for all its supposed populisim, believes certain select people should be immune from having to meet the requirements regular people must meet. Financial disclosures, while fine for normal people in regular administrations, are seen as too burdensome for oligarchs; they are special and considered deserving of special consideration: They shouldn't have to sacrifice anything in order to work in the White House; they are too important to be bothered with such things. Especially THIS upcoming white house, where the Dear Leader Savior Trump shouldn't have to follow any rules or norms at all.
I would expect Financial disclosures? Just like the president or congress? What rock has he been living under? Ffs. The conflict of interest segment was beyond delulu. This was embarrassing
He sounds like such a fan boy
Not impressed
Holy crap, 2016 called and it would like it’s strategy back. There’s a lot that I don’t know, but I know for sure that this is not the way for Dems to win back power. This is embarrassing for Khanna.
I think it’s absolutely insanity for any Democrats to help sanitize these wackadoodles by focusing only on the narrow strip of things they could, maybe, agree on if all the things line up juuuust right and barely caveat the universe of divide on stuff that’s terrible, bonkers, or both.
No wonder the Dems lost!
Tired of this constant kumbaya BS!
Not to mention just ignore all the obvious conflicts of interest just because you have a relationship with someone - ie Musk. Just because you like or admire someone doesn't mean they are necessarily a good person or good for the country!
I totally appreciate and share the sentiment, perspective, and many ideas Congressman Khanna expressed for improving fed efficiency and innovation, but they seem mostly idyllic and wishcast-y when it will come to execution. There are no emerging counterbalances to corruption that any of us can see...at least none with any legal or political efficacy (aka teeth).
If we get lucky (lol talk about wishes) with some morally upstanding wizards behind these curtains, there are a lot of really great examples the government is already doing along this entire front! They just need to identify, support, and replicate these programs across other agencies using the exact kinds of feds and civilians who pulled them off already. And keep those people while they're at it.
For reference check out NASA's SEWP, USDA'S STRATUS, or DHS's ADaPTS, which I also offer as a challenge to Sam's assertion all govt IT sucks 😄
This was a really great interview, and again appreciate what the Congressman had to say - this is exactly the right attitude and approach IMO; and that approach also includes challenging tactics and being pragmatic, as Sam was doing throughout. Ty as always Bulwark crew!
The more he talks (and tweets) the less impressed I am with Ro Khanna.
Over the last week, there were two Republican Congressmen on C-Span Washington Journal (one was Kevin Bacon) and they were talking about Social Security reform and they want to work with Democrats. Rep. Bacon even admitted that they want to “share the blame” so not to give an advantage to either party. In other words, they want to cut Social Security, get a few gullible Democrats to join in and make it Bipartisan.
“Why yes, Sam, I can work with this hotbed of corruption if the corruption is good for the American people.”
I’m going to swear. Don’t let Mona see this.
Holy fuck this guy is either a total fucking idiot, or looking to feather his own fucking bed. Musk SHOULD NOT BE PART OF FUCKING DOGE!!! It is a MASSIVE FUCKING CONFLICT OF INTEREST!