Open Letter To Elon and Vivek….

Dear Elon and Vivek,

Congratulations on your new assignment, heading up the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE). You both seem to like challenges, and this is a big one. Sadly, “government efficiency” is an oxymoron.

I’ve been a registered independent my entire life. Here’s some unsolicited advice from an old man who’s pulling for you for the sake of future generations.

I’m sure you are flooded with many specific suggestions; I want to focus on the objectives and process.

Major Premise

If you don’t solve the root cause, you don’t solve the problem. Without a complete understanding of the cause of a problem, any remedies are merely guessing.

CNN reported, “Exit Poll Results: 72% of Americans Unhappy With The Way The US Is Going.”

“I’ve been around the ruling class all my life, and I’ve been quite aware of their total contempt for the people of the country.” — Gore Vidal

The US government rules against the will of the majority. Politicos don’t care; they are elite and know what’s best! Voters have spoken, but the deep state continually ignores them.

Remember the TEA party movement? DC insiders said the voters are throwing a “hissy fit;” pretend to go along with it until it goes away – business as usual – done their way.

Theory versus practice

I worked with GE during the Jack Welch era. When it came to “efficiency,” I’ve seen Jack issue an edict, “Cut costs X%, without harming the product quality and the ability to serve the customer. If you don’t know how, let me know and I’ll find someone who does.” GE implemented things like “workout” and other programs; continually trimming fat out of the budget.

Check out the book about Sarah Palin becoming Alaska’s governor. She took on the establishment, the Murkowski family, vowing to cut the cost of government.

Unlike Jack Welch, her edicts didn’t work. Government employees didn’t want to cut costs, and didn’t know how. She and her staff were a mini-DOGE, going through the state budget, line by line. If the expenditure couldn’t be justified, it would be cut.

While she saved taxpayers millions, the establishment remained. Governments are not accountable to stockholders, and have little regard for their employers (constituents). Politicos do as they please with little consequences.

Here’s one example of fixing the root cause. Want to fix the illegal immigration problem? Reasonable people ask why sanctuary cities and states willingly encourage illegals, including violent criminals, to come to their location? They scream “Trump proof” while asking for more federal money.

The real motivation is money and power (no surprise there). I’m told the census counts population, US citizens and illegals alike, and apportions representation and federal money based on population. Pass a law saying only US citizens should count in Congressional apportionment and federal funding. Remove the financial incentive for sanctuary locations and their behavior will change. Fix the damn cause!

States violating immigration laws are getting much more federal funding and disproportionate government power. That is fundamentally unfair! Democrat legislators from smaller, underrepresented states, being pressured by their party, will have a hard time explaining why they would be against that idea to the folks back home.

Where to start?

Noel Tichy defined the term, “Corporate culture” as, “The unwritten, norms, beliefs and values that define appropriate behavior.”

The political culture

Elected officials, particularly senators, pay lip service to the voters (employers) during the election cycle. To reshape American government for generations, you must change the culture. That’s a HUGE challenge.

Our founding fathers envisioned “citizen legislators”, true public servants; not career politicians. It was considered a sacrifice to serve the country.

Originally house members served for two years and senators were appointed by the state and could be easily recalled. Once Woodrow Wilson changed how senators got to Washington, the power of the central government began spiraling out of control. Had they anticipated career politicians, Congressional term limits would be in the Constitution.

Beware of any elected representative wanting to join the DOGE movement. Many feel DOGE is another temporary hissy fit, expecting it to disappear in 2028. Politicos broke it, and never fix it, and don’t want to. The bandwagon hopper’s underlying motive is to ensure spending cuts are imposed elsewhere; they will protect their turf like a mama bear protects her cubs. Just ask Sarah Palin….

One of the most meaningful reform movements in my 80+ years was Newt Gingrich and his “Contract with America.” To receive support, candidates had to sign an agreement. Every item in the contract was implemented, but one – Congressional term limits. It never got out of committee; no surprise there.

“Dependency is the highest political good – at least for politicians. Since the 1930s, politicians have striven to leave no vote unbought.” — James Bovard

The culture in DC is totally focused on doing whatever it takes to get reelected and building power, using as much taxpayer money as necessary to get it done.

Earmarks must go! The Pete Peterson Foundation explains:

“The term ‘earmark’ refers to federal spending for a specific project for a particular congressional district, locality, or state. Earmarks have been controversial, but nevertheless were reinstated by Congress in 2021 after a 10-year moratorium. …. Some believe that earmarks too often reflect wasteful or corrupt spending on ‘pet projects’ that are used as tokens in the larger budget process.”

But wait! There’s more!

Earmarks, using tax dollars to buy votes from the folks back home, pales in comparison to favorable legislation rewarding political donors.

Investopedia explains:

“Bribery and lobbying are often conjoined in the public mind: Critics of lobbying suggest that it’s bribery in a suit. ….

Bribery is considered an effort to buy power; paying to guarantee a certain result; lobbying is considered an effort to influence power, often by offering contributions. …. Bribery is considered illegal, while lobbying is not.”

Special Offer ONLY for Miller On The Money Readers! As you know, I’ve mentioned Richard Maybury’s Early Warning Report often, and I’ve been a reader for many years. Richard’s world outlook is unique, and his letter provides great education you will not find elsewhere! For a limited time, he is offering Miller on The Money readers a phenomenal deal. Click here right now to subscribe for just $99. This saves you $201 OFF the regular subscription price! You’ll immediately be emailed the current issue and 4 FREE Special Reports. I encourage you to click here and take advantage of his special offer while you still can.

Knock off the payoff! Family members are given cushy jobs because of their political connections. Politicians receive huge speaking fees for 20-minute speeches. We can’t forget Hunter Biden’s watercolors being sold for millions. They skirt the law for personal gain rewarding their benefactors.

Who’s the real master? Elected officials face this dilemma before casting every vote:

• What is best for their personal pocketbook/career?

• What does their party want?

• What is right for their constituents (their employer, remember)?

In the private sector it’s clear, you better please your employer. Politicos wishing to maximize their pocketbooks must first please their donors and party. Without them, they may not have the opportunity to appear before voters. Career politicians pretend to care about their constituents while their donors (the real masters) and party help dupe voters each election cycle.

The banking industry spent over $300 million lobbying for the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act. The defense industry spent over $70 million getting the latest defense budget through Congress.

In 2008 the government bailed out the banks, against the will of the majority. The bailout bill included eliminating derivatives. With some intense “lobbying” effort on the part of the banks, the reversal provision was quietly slipped into a Congressional funding bill. Call it what you want, bribery or lobbying, it got the job done and bank profits soared – at the expense of mainstream Americans.

We are on the verge of another banking collapse because Congress loves their lobbying efforts ($$$).

Despite the election results and polls overwhelmingly showing Americans want things to change, Congress will not willingly do so.

Guys, until you change that culture, you have NOT solved the root cause. Newt kicked the can down the road, but the incentive to borrow, spend and legislate to enhance their personal wealth and power remains the prime motivation.

Suggestions…

How about “Contract With America 2.0?” All elected officials will pay lip service favoring government efficiency; after all, who doesn’t like yellow school buses….

If they want to even be considered part of the DOGE team they should agree in writing to the following. If they don’t, it should be announced that you rejected their offer, and why.

• Agree to Congressional term limits, including their own.

• Immediately agree to cut their staff by a minimum of 25%. That should be easy once the reelection focus is removed.

• Outlaw Congressional earmarks.

• Pass meaningful legislation to freeze current spending levels, and never again automatic spending increases.

• Pass meaningful legislation to reign in the “too big to fail” banks and the Federal Reserve.

• Require DC legislators and regulators to report all sources of income for themselves and their family.

• Non-compliance by government agencies and elected officials should automatically trigger accountability and negative consequences.

Voters are screaming for their elected representatives to represent us, not special interests. With each vote, Congressional members should be required to show who funneled lobbying money their way and “influenced” their vote. As Robin Williams said, “Politicians should wear sponsor jackets like NASCAR drivers, then we know who owns them.”

If you don’t fix the culture, causes and process, DC will play along, with their fingers crossed behind their back. America is counting on you.

One final tidbit; please watch your back, the deep state is ruthless….

Wishing you success,

𝓓𝓮𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓼 𝓜𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻

Anthem, AZ

Help keep us online! I love it when readers thank me for “telling it like it is” for providing content they won’t find in the mainstream media. I’ve been sent to Facebook purgatory a few times – they didn’t approve. Free speech isn’t appreciated in all circles. When I started Miller On The Money, I vowed to keep our newsletter FREE! I’ve kept my promise – our weekly letter is an expensive hobby. Donations are our primary source of financial support, and what keeps us going. We don’t peddle your name to anyone. I’ve turned down proposals from advertisers, feeling their offerings were inappropriate for our readers. Readers pitching in to help offset our cost are much appreciated. It’s strictly voluntary – no pressure – no hassle! If you want to help, click the DONATE button below. You do not have to sign up for PayPal to use your credit card. And thank you all!

On The Lighter Side…

I was young and naïve when Newt Gingrich introduced the Contract With America in 1994. I foolishly believed elected representatives actually cared about the needs of the citizens. Since then my faith in government has vanished.

Our national debt, with high-interest costs, is destroying the future for our offspring. Even the most liberal pundits agree, America voted for change. Will Trump and company be able to institute meaningful changes? For the sake of future generations, I certainly hope so. Unfortunately, the norm appears to be lip service and passive-aggressive pushback, with no meaningful reform.

If you feel our thoughts have merit, I’d encourage you to forward this to family, friends, elected representatives; anyone who you feel should read it.

While I prefer to avoid politics, this is not a red versus blue issue; it’s the citizens versus an out-of-control government. I don’t care which party gets the job done, all flavors should be working together, doing what is right for us, their employers….

A recent Facebook post, nails it, “Congress has too many Democratic Congressmen and too many Republican Congressmen and not enough U.S. Congressmen.”

Problems notwithstanding, I still feel America is the greatest country on earth. We have systems in place that can and should work to keep it that way. It’s up to our elected officials to get back on track. The voters have spoken….

Quote of the Week…

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

— John F. Kennedy

And Finally…

Will Rodgers helps keep our sanity with government humor:

• There are men running governments who shouldn’t be allowed to play with matches.

• I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.

• The short memories of the American voters is what keeps our politicians in office.

• It’s easy being a humorist when you’ve got the whole government working for you.

• I love a dog. He does nothing for political reasons.

• Politics has become so expensive that it takes a lot of money even to be defeated.

• Lobbyists have more offices in Washington than the President. You see, the President only tells Congress what they should do. Lobbyists tell’em what they will do.

• The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.

• The more you read and observe about this Politics thing, the more you’ve got to admit that each party is worse than the other.

• If you ever injected truth into politics, you would have no politics.

And my favorite:

• I have a scheme for stopping war. It’s this – no nation is allowed to enter a war till they have paid for the last one.

Until next time…

Dennis Miller

“Economic independence is the foundation of the only sort of freedom worth a damn.” – H. L. Mencken

 

Affiliate Link Disclosure – This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking these links, we will earn a commission that goes to help keep Miller on the Money running. Thank you for your support!