George Polycranos

Port Matilda

Most Americans would agree that cutting wasteful government spending is a good thing. The U.S. needs to get its $36 trillion deficit under control and would definitely benefit from simplifying many government processes.

But are the culprits really climate and cancer research, veterans’ services, national parks and financial oversight?

Even foreign assistance, which accounts for less than one percent of the federal budget, more than pays for itself by promoting international stability, preventing pandemics and strengthening national security.

It’s not hard to imagine why a billionaire president, with 13 billionaire cabinet members, and its de facto leader, the richest man in the world, is laser focused on making the billionaire tax windfall permanent–at the expense of desperately needed VA services, Medicaid and Social Security benefits for hard-working Americans.

Our national debt exploded after Trump’s first-term tax giveaway to the ultra-wealthy. DOGE’s sacking of dedicated government employees, while eliminating programs that keep us safe and healthy, cannot possibly recover the $3 billion a day interest on our national debt.

Trump and Musk promote their political schemes on their social media platforms where they amplify and disseminate lies that fuel resentment. NO, we never sent $50 million worth of condoms to Gaza, and tens of millions of dead people aren’t receiving Social Security checks!

Getting our nation’s fiscal house in order would be a very worthwhile endeavor if only it were being done by sincere, knowledgeable civil servants seeking to make life better for all Americans and not just the billionaires.