Merged USAID: is it really a bunch of crazy leftists? / Trump Was Absolutely Right to Shut Down USAID

[Ziggurat]

I thought that the whole idea of checks and balances was that, although one branch of government isn't in control of another, it can act to restrain another branch.

Not that way. The primary way Congress can restrain the executive is by cutting funding. It can't take over control of an agency.

As it currently stands, it appears that the Executive Branch is attempting to wield complete power and is impinging on areas where congress or the judiciary hold sway.

How is the judiciary involved in USAID?

For example, AIUI Congress is responsible for setting budgets and allocating those budgets to departments and initiatives.

In broad strokes. But they leave a lot of discretion to the executive.

The role of the Executive in this process is to see that this happens and to see these through.

In regards to grants, the executive mostly gets to choose the recipients.

 

[Ziggurat]

You seem to be under the impression that USAID is under the Executive branch. It's not (or wasn't).

Wow, that's really, really wrong. Of course it's under the executive. You do realize that executive departments are created by Congress, don't you? That doesn't make them legislative departments. Your own source explicitly says it's part of the executive branch.

 

[The Great Zaganza]

It exists by an act of Congress, not by executive order.
Trump and Musk are not authorized to curtail its job that Congress gave it.

You would be outraged if a Democrat did any of this.

 

[AmyStrange]

She's as bad as he is. Or have you forgotten the "I don't care" message she tippexed on her jacket when visiting refugees?

Really? So how many guys (or gals) has she bonked (or sexually assaulted) while married to the fat clown? How many EOs has she signed? How many lies has she told? How many businesses has she bankrupted? How many people has she called names or insulted or fired or asked to attack the capital or pardoned?

You may think she's as bad as the fat clown, and you may actually believe it, but I'm not falling for that hogwash.


-

 

[Donal]

People deemed undocumented can be deported for being in the country without appropriate documentation. Nothing else is necessary. They don't even need to be accused of a crime. They're here illegally and can be summarily deported.

Most developed countries do this, by the way. It's not some uniquely american thing to deport illegal entrants.

That's called American Exceptionalism. It must be so disappointing to you that it means more than we just kill brown folks and take their resources with no consequences.

 

[Ziggurat]

You would be outraged if a Democrat did any of this.

You keep saying that, but first, it’s not an argument against doing it, it’s just a personal attack, and second, it’s not even true. Spending has to be cut, and cutting it will cause pain. I would be happy if a Democrat were to actually cut spending, but you and I both know that would never happen.

Debt is the biggest threat to our country. Someone is finally doing something about that. I don't care if you don't like how it's being done.

 

[Ziggurat]

That's called American Exceptionalism. It must be so disappointing to you that it means more than we just kill brown folks and take their resources with no consequences.

When you have no argument left, just insult your opponents.

 

[The Great Zaganza]

You keep saying that, but first, it’s not an argument against doing it, it’s just a personal attack, and second, it’s not even true. Spending has to be cut, and cutting it will cause pain. I would be happy if a Democrat were to actually cut spending, but you and I both know that would never happen.

Debt is the biggest threat to our country. Someone is finally doing something about that. I don't care if you don't like how it's being done.

you do realize that you could just collect the taxes the US is owed?
Instead Republicans and Trump have always been working very hard to kneecap and defund the IRS, even though each tax dollar spend there is repaid 100 times over.
It is just disingenuous to pretend that the US doesn't have the money, and can't raise taxes on those who would not be able to tell that they have less to spend.

 

[Donal]

Have I not been abundantly clear that I'm not pretending you are a serious adult making good faith arguments? I, nor anyone else, is obligated to pretend any of these arguments are about "rule of law" or "safety" or any other tissue.

You start making points that aren't drenched in hypocrisy and sophistry and maybe that'll change.

 

[Donal]

You keep saying that, but first, it’s not an argument against doing it, it’s just a personal attack, and second, it’s not even true. Spending has to be cut, and cutting it will cause pain.

Who says? What is the law that says spending must be cut? If the services provided are necessary and the waste is as minimal as possible for an entity this size...why are drastic cuts mandatory?

I would be happy if a Democrat were to actually cut spending, but you and I both know that would never happen.

Because Democrats are interested in responsible governing. Well, ostensibly interested in it, anyway.

Debt is the biggest threat to our country.

Says who?

Someone is finally doing something about that.

Who is that someone and what exactly are they doing?

I don't care if you don't like how it's being done.

Because it hasn't personally hurt you in a way that you can perceive

 

[Ziggurat]

Who says? What is the law that says spending must be cut?

Stein's Law.

 

[Donal]

That's a tautology, not an actual law. Remember, economics isn't science. At best, it is a type of history. Maybe some sociology thrown in.

 

[Darat]

So that's the fig leaf they are going to use "cuts have to happen" - but of course there is no true program of cuts going on.


It is ad hoc and not even driven by an identifiable ideology beyond someone was mean to Trump or he gets no benefit from it or it irritates Musk. By accounts so far none of the people employed by DOGE have relevant qualifications never mind experience that would indicate they have the knowledge of governance to understand what are the implications of the cuts they are implementing. There is no accountability to the citizens of the USA.

 

[theprestige]

So that's the fig leaf they are going to use "cuts have to happen" - but of course there is no true program of cuts going on.


It is ad hoc and not even driven by an identifiable ideology beyond someone was mean to Trump or he gets no benefit from it or it irritates Musk. By accounts so far none of the people employed by DOGE have relevant qualifications never mind experience that would indicate they have the knowledge of governance to understand what are the implications of the cuts they are implementing. There is no accountability to the citizens of the USA.

I suppose it can all be very confusing to UKians, who are more accustomed to being ruled by a monarch who has real power, but it's understood they will never actually use it.

 

[Ziggurat]

pffhahahahahaha are you implying Trump is cutting debt?

You have to cut spending if you want to cut the debt.

You think pouring trillions into deporting illegal aliens is the best fiscal way to ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ go about?

You think that costs trillions? Yeah, no, it doesn't.

 

[plague311]

You have to cut spending if you want to cut the debt.

You think that costs trillions? Yeah, no, it doesn't.

Are you going to address the whole post or just this bull ◊◊◊◊ cherry picking?

You don't think it'll cost that much? How much do you think it'll cost? There's no housing for 11+ million people to be detained after being rounded up. Then you need guards, maintenance, etc. for that housing. Since you can't just ask people if they're here illegally and then kick them out, you need court appointed (i.e. tax payer funded) representation, you need judges to hear all of the trials, you have to feed all of those people while those trials are going on (easily over a year of trials for sure, even more considering the volume), you need to transport them back and forth to whatever court proceedings, then of course provide them with healthcare, etc. We're talking all of those things for 11+ million people for a few years vs. what they "cost" to the US while out and working cause there are a few facts you seem to be missing.

 

[Olmstead]

I do look forward to the mental gymnastics when the debt becomes worse than ever due to the incompetent leadership. You know, like last time around.

 

[Donal]

pffhahahahahaha are you implying Trump is cutting debt? Oh man, that's the ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊...I just can't. How much do you think it's costing to fly, house, and maintain gitmo? You think maybe there's some ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ increased cost there, genius? You think pouring trillions into deporting illegal aliens is the best fiscal way to ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ go about? Do you think rounding up, incarcerating, feeding, clothing, going through the court process, and deporting 10+ million people is going to save the US ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ money?

You guys are off the ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ deep end. Either that or you have no ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊ clue how economics and immigration works. Take your pick.

Debt is the biggest threat so let the guy with 6 bankruptcies lead our government.

 

[Donal]

I suppose it can all be very confusing to UKians, who are more accustomed to being ruled by a monarch who has real power, but it's understood they will never actually use it.

As opposed to here where we have a wannabe monarch trying to wield power he does not legally have

 

[sackett]

Calculations and estimates in this thread are all laffably low because they don't include graft, embezzlement, extortion, and theft, the true motivators of guys like Donnie Duce, Eloi Mush, and their numerous helots.


Remember: The Fuehrer is the law! So grab as far as your arms will reach, little fuehrers, and then use a rake.