Musk's DOGE is a Slap in the Face to American Democracy
I haven't quite crossed into the Libertarian category (though that is my party of choice when I don't like either of the main candidates) but do believe less is more when it comes to government. As a result of this, I am in full agreement an occasional audit is needed to make sure we aren't spending tax dollars unnecessarily.
While this may lead many to think I'm a fan of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), they would be surprised to learn I am both not a fan and think Americans, regardless of who they voted for in November, should be concerned.
The United States' system of government was founded on one very clear fundamental belief - the checks and balances of power. The President of the United States is arguably the most powerful leader in the world, but Congress is supposed to be there to keep him/her on a leash with the judicial system in place to be the tie breaker.
And this is why DOGE is such a dangerous concept.
The Department of Government Efficiency wasn't created by a law. It was created by an executive order. The department has no Congressional oversight. Musk was put in charge of the department without needing to be vetted and confirmed by the Senate. The department's authority ambiguous, gaining access to sensitive data and with an apparent power to suspend federal employees and recommend shutting down entire departments.
There is also little or no transparency about the people who serve in this department, including how they got the job and if they went through the normal security clearance process. There is no clear hierarchy. Does the department answer to one of Trump's cabinet members? Or do the cabinet members answer to DOGE?
Musk himself raises all sorts of ethical concerns because as businessman with various government contracts, there are numerous potential conflicts of interest, including being in a position that would allow him to enrich himself and/or sabotage his competition. This is something that would have potentially disqualified him had he been required to go through the Senate approval process (and likely a reason why he wasn't named a cabinet member).
Again, I'm a big fan of eliminating government waste too. However, I'm not a fan of destroying one of the most important parts the United States Constitution in the process. DOGE needs to be challenged and shut down until it complies with the checks and balances our Founding Fathers would have wanted.
