Elon Musk's Government Shake-Up: A Recipe for Disaster

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been in operation for less than two months, but it's already causing significant problems. The public has witnessed a series of airplane safety issues, canceled appointments at the VA, long lines at national parks, and halted medical research. Many people believe that the world's richest person is using his influence over the president to benefit himself at the public's expense. The DOGE has been targeting federal employees, often referring to them as "lazy bureaucrats" or "the deep state. " However, these workers are essential to the country's functioning. They include food inspectors, TSA officers, Social Security workers, corrections officers, VA nurses, scientists, first responders, law enforcement officers, border patrol agents, and those supporting the armed forces. Over 80 percent of these employees live outside the D. C. area, and more than 30 percent are military veterans. They work long hours for lower pay than their private-sector counterparts, showing a strong dedication to public service. Musk has been trying to fire as many federal employees as possible, especially those on probation. These employees have been in their roles for less than a year or two and are still being evaluated. The DOGE has been using questionable methods to evaluate performance, such as asking employees to list their accomplishments from the previous week, with non-response being considered a resignation. This approach is not only disrespectful but also illegal. The DOGE has faced legal challenges, with federal judges blocking Musk from accessing and removing sensitive data. Additionally, Musk has failed to address conflicts of interest involving his companies, like Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter/X. The DOGE has also attempted to withhold funds for programs and services they oppose, which could lead to a constitutional crisis. Musk's allies suggest that an all-powerful CEO could run the government more effectively. However, Musk's actions have shown gross incompetence. The DOGE recently released a public ledger with miscalculated figures, and the administration is scrambling to rehire laid-off employees. These errors would be grounds for termination for any federal worker, but Musk has only been on the job for a few weeks. To improve the federal government, the first step should be to remove Musk and close the DOGE. The 2. 3 million federal workers who understand the government's operations can help root out waste and build a more effective system. The public should demand accountability and ensure that the government serves the people, not the interests of a few powerful individuals.