We go through these changes. We're in a stable enough civilisation. I don't see any reason to think it wont. Reagan was probably thought of this way. As would have Lincoln been in his time. As will future Presidents. I cannot see that this is in any way that matters, a special case. Call me ignorant if you want (not you, personally) - I don't think so after quite careful, and long-term (what, nine years now?) consideration. That term includes the evidence for what I'm saying. If Biden's term wasn't the same type of threat, then this isn't one. — AmadeusD

Don't you live in New Zealand?

Therefore, although I benefit from social security, I am appalled at Trumpsk heavy-handed axing. Yet, I must admit that something must be done to keep the nation solvent. And perhaps only an elected dictator, and an un-elected henchman, could be expected to mandate such an overhaul of federal finances. FDR's dictatorial policies were allowed only because even the oligarchs could see the hand-writing on the wall, foretelling the total failure of empire unless some "hero" could be found to do what was necessary. Do you see any other route to federal solvency? :smile: — Gnomon

Totally agree and applaud your whole post here. Although there is no dictator in this picture, nothing that has been done by the executive has been unconstitutional or against the "republic" despite the best efforts of the media machine and the TDS folks will have you believe. I think you have correctly characterized the overall picture and put it in a decent historical perspective. In the same way FDR did what was necessary at the time, Trump/Musk are making a necessary correction. Whether they are going to far or not far enough remains to be seen and history will judge. People posting in here seem to be so certain of the results of the reduction in government based on what? Media reporting? Anecdotal reactions from federal workers? I would rather wait and see. Buggy whip makers were terrified when cars became the norm. Federal workers who largely or in general "do not work as hard" as private sector workers are terrified they may have to work and justify their paychecks without a guaranteed job no matter what their performance is. Of course there are exceptions but they are very few.

Yes, I am speaking with the perspective of an extensive 25 years of experience in an environment of both federal workers and federal contractors. Even the contractors get away with being less productive then strictly private sector workers. They just don't have the absolute security and job guarantee that the actual govey has had up until now. The intense resistance by the federal bureaucracy to these changes is completely predictable. It's up to the whole society to decide how much government is reasonable, but one thing is certain whether we need more or less government, that is the federal worker should not be entrusted to police and regulate themselves. They shouldn't be allowed to vote themselves raises, to give themselves a separate and premium healthcare system that private citizens don't get, they shouldn't be immune from being terminated due to non performance. They shouldn't be allowed the boondoggles they regularly gone on without regard for cost as it's not their money they spend.

All of that is currently true and has lead to a government bloat that will destroy us if not dramatically reformed.

This paragraph is not meant for you but for all the posters who pretend to know what Musk's motives are. I see other posters claiming that this is all being done to benefit the 2 men in question. Other than making them feel as if they have made a difference of historical significance what benefit do they get? Money? Seriously dumb notion that the richest man in the world is doing what he is doing, subjecting himself to such rhetorical abuse, donating time and a portion of his fortune so he can make more money. That really is just one of the dumbest things I've seen in this thread. He has more money than most human beings can even contemplate. He can literally do anything that can be done materially. He can literally buy any experience and any kind of lifestyle that can be bought and yet he chooses to participate in fixing the way this country runs. Now disagree with his communication style or his methods but please stop pontificating on his motives which you can't possibly know.
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It was rhetorical. If that's all you need to make you 'sure' of a generational speculation, I'm unsure where to take this..

Don't you live in New Zealand? — Maw

Yep. What's the relevance? (fwiw, I hate it here LOL. Seems about as relevant).

In case you're going to make some argument about how my not living hte USA precludes me from commenting, or caring about hte US state of affairs (or having an accurate view of it) miss me. Cannot deal with such stupidity. If it's not, that's fine, and ignore this. It is a very common response I'd prefer to get ahead of is all.

Yesterday I was at an intersection and I saw a hand written sign that said, "It says of the people, by the people, for the people."

I thought to myself, hey, somebody gets it.

What, isolationism? Hehe.

It was rhetorical — AmadeusD

I thought you were asking me how I knew, not what might convince others.

If that's all you need to make you 'sure' of a generational speculation, I'm unsure where to take this.. — AmadeusD

The observation that a generational crisis is at hand comes from a life of work. When an outfit fires the Old Salts and the Rookies at the same time, the game is over. There is no way to reproduce the enterprise.

Huh. I see the train, I guess i just bare disagree. We'll see, I suppose :)

Musk's activities have been elbowed out of the news for a few days by the Signal leak scandal. Coverage will resume when the chainsaw comes back into view.