Yet another reason for me to leave the Democratic Party. Absolutely useless - if not actually harmful. They can't seem to help being drawn to the right-wing magnetic pole.
Rep Khanna makes sense when he offers that up-to-date IT infrastructure and a revised Pentagon ordering system could save a great deal of money. Of course the Republicans have blocked new IRS systems and many in Congress have favorite military suppliers in their Districts. Seems like a good idea to
control our anxiety and use our power where it can make the most good.
Who exactly is Musk and Vivek to be given so much power? Musk took over Twitter and it is now a mess worth only a fraction of when he bought it. I have driven behind self-driving Waymo cabs, but never a Tesla Robocab. Tesla sales are not increasing, and it is losing market share. Musk and Vivek have literally no credibility for their role in finding government waste. DOGE is a ploy to get government funds into his pockets and government agencies off of Musk's back.
I laughed out loud when I heard Rep Khanna saying that Musk should provide a financial disclosure statement. Like Donald Trump gives a rat's ass about any of his henchmen providing financial disclosure. Since Trump didn't voluntarily provide such disclosure, why would the epitome of a rules-do-not-apply-to-me oligarch like Musk even consider for one second providing a financial disclosure statement?
Hit rewind - 12 trillion dollars of wealth in his district. Enough said. Sam please keep fighting the good fight and asking the key questions over and over again as needed.
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'll keep Musk et al from being alienated from the Democratic party. /s
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!
Yet another reason for me to leave the Democratic Party. Absolutely useless - if not actually harmful. They can't seem to help being drawn to the right-wing magnetic pole.
Rep Khanna makes sense when he offers that up-to-date IT infrastructure and a revised Pentagon ordering system could save a great deal of money. Of course the Republicans have blocked new IRS systems and many in Congress have favorite military suppliers in their Districts. Seems like a good idea to
control our anxiety and use our power where it can make the most good.
Who exactly is Musk and Vivek to be given so much power? Musk took over Twitter and it is now a mess worth only a fraction of when he bought it. I have driven behind self-driving Waymo cabs, but never a Tesla Robocab. Tesla sales are not increasing, and it is losing market share. Musk and Vivek have literally no credibility for their role in finding government waste. DOGE is a ploy to get government funds into his pockets and government agencies off of Musk's back.
What will happen when USA foreign interests conflict with musk’s business interest?
I laughed out loud when I heard Rep Khanna saying that Musk should provide a financial disclosure statement. Like Donald Trump gives a rat's ass about any of his henchmen providing financial disclosure. Since Trump didn't voluntarily provide such disclosure, why would the epitome of a rules-do-not-apply-to-me oligarch like Musk even consider for one second providing a financial disclosure statement?
Hit rewind - 12 trillion dollars of wealth in his district. Enough said. Sam please keep fighting the good fight and asking the key questions over and over again as needed.
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'll keep Musk et al from being alienated from the Democratic party. /s
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.
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.