(11-24-2025 03:56 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(11-24-2025 03:47 PM)bearcat65 Wrote:  

(11-24-2025 03:44 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(11-24-2025 03:41 PM)mlb Wrote:  

(11-24-2025 03:37 PM)Roxie Wrote:  Just say you don't understand soft power its way quicker.

It is great when you can afford it... but when the borrowing costs are leading to huge deficits year over year then you start having a problem. You can't keep buying people off by borrowing against the future, you have to save money in other areas then.

It's peanuts in the grand scheme...the benefits far outweigh the miniscule cost.

What benefits? Be specific in what benefits we've gained from the money we've sent overseas.

Quote:The primary objective of United States Government (USG) foreign assistance is to promote U.S. and international security and prosperity by bolstering economic and political stability and self-reliance in developing countries. There is no doubt that investing in global development progress is vital to U.S. national security. However, USG foreign assistance through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also benefits the U.S. economy and U.S. workers. As one of the most internationally competitive economies in the world, the U.S. is a major exporter of goods and services, and our exports are in demand the world over. As countries get richer, they want to buy more U.S. products and services. By supporting economic growth and self-reliance in developing countries, USAID helps create better, stronger and more resilient markets for U.S. exports.

When countries commit to moving forward, USAID programs can provide the needed capital, technology, ideas, and know-how to assist them. USAID is both from and for the American people.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-globalcwd/1441/

This is not an answer.... this is just a mission statement. Are they meeting any of their mission - where exactly, how exactly?

Since this has been back in the news lately, here's some updates.

Quote:Elon Musk’s DOGE promised to slash $2 trillion in federal spending and to make the federal workforce lean and efficient. But even the cost savings it has claimed in an online “Wall of Receipts” of the smaller amount of $110 billion didn’t check out, according to a report the Government Accountability Office published Thursday.

The GAO evaluated $110 billion of savings DOGE claimed on a website with its “Wall of Receipts” from cuts including federal contracts, grants and leases. The GAO said it found multiple “issues limiting the transparency and reliability of these reported savings.” Including additional categories beyond contracts, grants, and leases, DOGE tallied $215 billion in cuts, the GAO said.

The findings further undercut claims by Musk and President donald trump that they have made meaningful cuts in government spending and call into question the effects of the DOGE effort that slashed federal spending with little notice to agencies and slashed hundreds of thousands of government jobs.

The GAO found that of the 13,476 contracts DOGE claimed it terminated, “no termination action” was taken on 2,503 of them. The report also noted DOGE had claimed $113 million in savings from cuts to 264 leases, but GAO found that information overstated the savings. The leases cut and referenced on DOGE’s website “actually summed to $53.5 million” in savings, the report found. Of the 264 leases, about 108 were already in the termination process before DOGE was formed after Trump began his second term as president, the GAO report also said.

GAO finds Elon Musk’s DOGE inflated claims of $110 billion in savings for federal government

Quote:WASHINGTON (AP) — Some of the savings touted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency are incorrect or lack supporting evidence, according to federal auditors.

DOGE began posting its estimated savings on a web page known as the Wall of Receipts. Lawmakers asked the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the accuracy of the estimates, and the watchdog found them lacking in some cases.

Auditors found that 108 of 264 leases identified for termination on the Wall of Receipts were already in the process of termination when DOGE was established. In another case, DOGE reported $1.7 billion in savings on a Department of Defense contract for IT services, but in the end, no action was taken to terminate the contract, so no savings were achieved.

More broadly, DOGE was not transparent regarding the methodologies used to calculate savings. The GAO said DOGE officials did not respond to requests for information. The report concluded by saying the data quality issues found limit the value of the Wall of Receipts for policymakers.

DOGE overstated savings on federal ‘receipts’ website, auditors find

Quote:The federal government spent an estimated $9.5 billion paying employees to not work last year, with most of the cost tied to a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative to shrink the federal workforce, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.

The report, published Tuesday, found that the use of paid administrative leave increased 435% from 2023 to 2025, while associated salary costs rose sixfold. GAO estimated that $6.7 billion—around 70% of the 2025 total—was associated with the Administration’s deferred resignation program. The congressional watchdog analyzed payroll data from 76 agencies representing around 95% of the civilian federal workforce.

DOGE Initiative Resulted in Federal Employees Getting Paid Billions to Not Work, New Government Report Finds

Them DOGE checks are coming any day

They slashed those USAID checks

(09-17-2026 09:54 AM)U_of_Elvis Wrote:  Them DOGE checks are coming any day

Question: Before or after the tariff rebate checks?

Answer: In two weeks.

(09-17-2026 10:15 AM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  They slashed those USAID checks

Cool.

Quote:The trump administration’s decision to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths from infectious diseases and malnutrition, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Atul Gawande.

In the article, Gawande cited an analysis in The Lancet that estimated that USAID assistance—aimed at combatting diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio, reducing maternal and child deaths, and fighting malnutrition—had saved 92 million lives over two decades.

The dismantling of USAID, according to models from Boston University epidemiologist Brooke Nichols, “has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children,” Gawande wrote. He noted that the toll will continue to grow and may go unseen because it can take months or years for people to die from lack of treatments or vaccine-preventable illnesses—and because deaths are scattered.

USAID shutdown has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths

I'm sure the numbers are exaggerated a bit, but even still, it's only a few lives. WTG Big Balls!

It lead to the end of a lot of Dem fraud is what it lead to and F the Dems. Every last one of them

(09-17-2026 03:00 PM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  It lead to the end of a lot of Dem fraud is what it lead to and F the Dems. Every last one of them

This is complete fan fiction. And the gall to make this statement with the current grifting crooks presently occupying the White House is beyond the pale. FFS.

**** every last trump.

(09-17-2026 05:42 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 03:00 PM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  It lead to the end of a lot of Dem fraud is what it lead to and F the Dems. Every last one of them

This is complete fan fiction. And the gall to make this statement with the current grifting crooks presently occupying the White House is beyond the pale. FFS.

**** every last trump.

The Biden syndicate was literally the biggest fraudulent crime family in the history of the White House. Best I can tell, Trump's political career has had a massively negative affect on the Trump family wealth. I dont even think thats debatable.

(09-17-2026 06:30 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 05:42 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 03:00 PM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  It lead to the end of a lot of Dem fraud is what it lead to and F the Dems. Every last one of them

This is complete fan fiction. And the gall to make this statement with the current grifting crooks presently occupying the White House is beyond the pale. FFS.

**** every last trump.

The Biden syndicate was literally the biggest fraudulent crime family in the history of the White House. Best I can tell, Trump's political career has had a massively negative affect on the Trump family wealth. I dont even think thats debatable.

Ha, holy crap you are delusional.

Quote: President Donald Trump has enriched himself by an estimated $2.2 billion during his first year back in the White House through large-scale cryptocurrency ventures, merchandise licensing, and foreign business ties.

According to financial disclosures and reports highlighted by outlets like the BBC News, his return to office shattered historical norms regarding financial conflicts of interest. Major avenues of self-enrichment include: 

BBCWorld Liberty Financial: The Trump family's primary cryptocurrency firm generated over $500 million, aided by a massive investment stake purchased by a firm affiliated with the United Arab Emirates government.

1Celebration Coins ($TRUMP): Digital memecoins and related token sales brought in more than $635 million in royalties, allowing him to profit directly from his personal image and likeness while overseeing financial regulators.

Branded Merchandise and Licensing: Sales of licensed products, including endorsed Bibles, watches, fragrances, and guitars, added millions in passive income to his personal financial disclosures. Time MagazineResort

Property Access: Domestic golf clubs and private resorts like Mar-a-Lago continued to host galas, fundraisers, and events for domestic and foreign entities seeking political and administrative favor.

(09-17-2026 07:42 PM)U_of_Elvis Wrote:  

Quote: President Donald Trump has enriched himself by an estimated $2.2 billion during his first year back in the White House through large-scale cryptocurrency ventures, merchandise licensing, and foreign business ties.

According to financial disclosures and reports highlighted by outlets like the BBC News, his return to office shattered historical norms regarding financial conflicts of interest. Major avenues of self-enrichment include: 

BBCWorld Liberty Financial: The Trump family's primary cryptocurrency firm generated over $500 million, aided by a massive investment stake purchased by a firm affiliated with the United Arab Emirates government.

1Celebration Coins ($TRUMP): Digital memecoins and related token sales brought in more than $635 million in royalties, allowing him to profit directly from his personal image and likeness while overseeing financial regulators.

Branded Merchandise and Licensing: Sales of licensed products, including endorsed Bibles, watches, fragrances, and guitars, added millions in passive income to his personal financial disclosures. Time MagazineResort

Property Access: Domestic golf clubs and private resorts like Mar-a-Lago continued to host galas, fundraisers, and events for domestic and foreign entities seeking political and administrative favor.

Sad.

Sad that the US has reached this point, of overlooking and even defending outsized entitlement as “normal” leader behavior.

It’s a disgrace.

(09-17-2026 06:30 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 05:42 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 03:00 PM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  It lead to the end of a lot of Dem fraud is what it lead to and F the Dems. Every last one of them

This is complete fan fiction. And the gall to make this statement with the current grifting crooks presently occupying the White House is beyond the pale. FFS.

**** every last trump.

The Biden syndicate was literally the biggest fraudulent crime family in the history of the White House. Best I can tell, Trump's political career has had a massively negative affect on the Trump family wealth. I dont even think thats debatable.

Dude, delete your ******* account. How you guys can continue to make this idiotic claim without falling out of your chair will never cease to amaze. SMH

(09-18-2026 06:48 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 06:30 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 05:42 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 03:00 PM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  It lead to the end of a lot of Dem fraud is what it lead to and F the Dems. Every last one of them

This is complete fan fiction. And the gall to make this statement with the current grifting crooks presently occupying the White House is beyond the pale. FFS.

**** every last trump.

The Biden syndicate was literally the biggest fraudulent crime family in the history of the White House. Best I can tell, Trump's political career has had a massively negative affect on the Trump family wealth. I dont even think thats debatable.

Dude, delete your ******* account. How you guys can continue to make this idiotic claim without falling out of your chair will never cease to amaze. SMH

You make nothing but idiotic claims and your account is still up and running

(09-18-2026 07:04 AM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  

(09-18-2026 06:48 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 06:30 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 05:42 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 03:00 PM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  It lead to the end of a lot of Dem fraud is what it lead to and F the Dems. Every last one of them

This is complete fan fiction. And the gall to make this statement with the current grifting crooks presently occupying the White House is beyond the pale. FFS.

**** every last trump.

The Biden syndicate was literally the biggest fraudulent crime family in the history of the White House. Best I can tell, Trump's political career has had a massively negative affect on the Trump family wealth. I dont even think thats debatable.

Dude, delete your ******* account. How you guys can continue to make this idiotic claim without falling out of your chair will never cease to amaze. SMH

You make nothing but idiotic claims and your account is still up and running

Well, Tom is an idiot, so there's that.

And he does nothing but defend Democrats at every turn.

Even though he claims not to be one and says that the Democrat Party is run by morons.

Yeah right.

(09-17-2026 06:30 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 05:42 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(09-17-2026 03:00 PM)MemTigers1998 Wrote:  It lead to the end of a lot of Dem fraud is what it lead to and F the Dems. Every last one of them

This is complete fan fiction. And the gall to make this statement with the current grifting crooks presently occupying the White House is beyond the pale. FFS.

**** every last trump.

The Biden syndicate was literally the biggest fraudulent crime family in the history of the White House. Best I can tell, Trump's political career has had a massively negative affect on the Trump family wealth. I dont even think thats debatable.