1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I am sure I criticized the DEMs from time to time.

But it's a question of scale. When Trump and his supporters do almost everything wrong, then that doesn't leave much time to criticize the others. 

 

Its not wrong.... its just not what you agree with.

 

 

7 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Its not wrong.... its just not what you agree with.

 

 

Delusional as usual.

1 hour ago, scottiejohn said:

Your post is so ambiguous that I must I assume that the pigs you refer to are the Trump supporters!

PS'  What subject do you claim to teach?

I do so hope it is not English, or any language for that matter!

 

It would seem that you do not understand the analogy. It's not exactly a difficult one to grasp and indeed a very common one but my guess is you were never exactly top of the class at school. I suggest you look up the idiom "snouts in the trough". Whilst you're at it you may also need to look up the meaning of analogy and idiom.

30 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

read that Musk claimed to have found 150 year old’s claiming social security. That would of course be scandalous if it were true. It turns out to be a quirk of the old COBOL system, and they all had the same birthday.

 

In a press conference, the Prophet Elon proclaimed "There's crazy things… cross re-examination of Social Security, and we've got people in there that are 150 years old."
 

So that much is true.  A "cursory" examination of the data is of course, "cursory," and some records indicate an age of 150.  Did the cursory check include birf'dates or just age?  Either way, why are we still using a decrepit COBOL system, and why are there records without birf'days?

 

No, let's not investigate waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, just let the program go insolvent................like a Trump casino.

 

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

bring an end to the Russia Ukraine war, getting hostages released in Gaza

Giving the invader Putin all he wants is an interesting way to end the war.

And throwing all the Palestinian people out of Gaza and make a new Rivera out of it is also one of those #@##@ stupid ideas.

 

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Reading the replies, it seems there is not even one Trump supporter here who is willing to write something like:

Ok, this time Musk made a mistake, but.....

 

Is it so difficult for you to admit that Musk and Trump make huge mistakes?

Are you so happy to accept everything they do without thinking sometimes: That was a bad idea, they should not have done it the way they did.

 

Are you all so blind that you can't see what a mess they make?

Great point. The big question, is Trump the change that we needed?

Is Trump the man that he says he is?

Is Trump the man that his supporters think he is?

Is Trump sincere about the well-being of the nation and its people?

Will Trump put the well-being of the nation above himself?

Will he destroy alliances and will he coddle dictators?

Will he golf less than 150 times a year on the nation's dime? 

 

All that remains to be seen. 

 

I do have some friends that will come right out and say the man is a butthead, he's an idiot, and he's an absolute clown, but I like his policies.

 

Those are the Republicans I admire. 

 

1 hour ago, MadAtMatrix said:

3.5 billion saved right here

Where are the hundreds of millions which the companies of the richest man in America received?

Or are those payments somehow not important enough to look at them?

1 hour ago, MadAtMatrix said:

3.5 billion saved right here

Says Trump's WH. We all know they never lie! 🤣

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Reading the replies, it seems there is not even one Trump supporter here who is willing to write something like:

Ok, this time Musk made a mistake, but.....

 

Is it so difficult for you to admit that Musk and Trump make huge mistakes?

Are you so happy to accept everything they do without thinking sometimes: That was a bad idea, they should not have done it the way they did.

 

Are you all so blind that you can't see what a mess they make?

 

I'm your huckleberry.

Thats a horribly written article and short on useful information but lets start here,
"The nuclear security officials who were laid off on Thursday HELPED oversee the nations stockpile of nuclear weapons."

 

Couple of things come to mind;
A) They were civilians, the US Military is still in charge and in place and very capable of handling it on their own.
B) Fed. labor unions are involved. Its not uncommon to lay everyone off and bring back those that you do want. Its done all the time

 

25 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

It would seem that you do not understand the analogy. It's not exactly a difficult one to grasp and indeed a very common one but my guess is you were never exactly top of the class at school. I suggest you look up the idiom "snouts in the trough". Whilst you're at it you may also need to look up the meaning of analogy and idiom.

It seems you do not understand what you posted!

 

You said that the pigs were at the trough but you did NOT say who the PIGS were and your post was not connected /reference to another post.  Hence my stating that I was "assuming" you were referring to Trump.  You have still not said who you were in fact referring to.

 

Yet again you have made a post where you make totally unfounded assumption regarding my  Schooling and an assumption that I did not understand your post.  

 

PS;  I am still waiting for your apology where you accused me wrongly of posting two statements which it appears were actually made by another poster!

 

1 hour ago, MadAtMatrix said:

3.5 billion saved right here

 

Let's for a moment assume the above numbers are correct.

Is all the money saved without any consequences?

 

I.e. those 89 Department of Education contracts, did they only exist to waste money? Or was that money spent to make education better? I don't know the answer, but somehow, I imagine it would make sense to look at the details and not just cancel all contracts.

 

Similar for the Department of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and probably more.

Saving is good. But just cancelling everything is probably not a good idea.

 

 

26 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I do have some friends that will come right out and say the man is a butthead, he's an idiot, and he's an absolute clown, but I like his policies.

 

Millions and millions of voters agree:  He's not Harris.

53 minutes ago, bubblegum said:

Delusional as usual.

No men in womens sport, no men in female changing rooms, removal of illegal immigrants, audits of government spending, and of course ending the Ukriane war.... all the wrong things in the eyes of those that have gone so far to the extreme left they are totally unaware. Cannot go a single day withoit frothing at the mouth over Donald Trump, even though many are not American.

The same people to Turn on their neighbours and family over having the right to choose taking a COVID vaccie....

 

 

I am confused - winning an election and then firing thousands of people some of whom may well have voted for him doesn't sound like a plan to me. (or does he think they are all Democrats).

Alternatively maybe the plan is that he knows the courts will block him and he can appear to be tough without actually having to be (and he can blame those Democrat judges).

I think this man (Trump) is Dangerously Devious and his side kick (Musk)  is a Degenerative Genious

 

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

In a press conference, the Prophet Elon proclaimed "There's crazy things… cross re-examination of Social Security, and we've got people in there that are 150 years old."
 

So that much is true.  A "cursory" examination of the data is of course, "cursory," and some records indicate an age of 150.  Did the cursory check include birf'dates or just age?  Either way, why are we still using a decrepit COBOL system, and why are there records without birf'days?

 

No, let's not investigate waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, just let the program go insolvent................like a Trump casino.

 

I can’t believe that any right thinking person would object to investigating how taxpayer money is spent? That’s what we all should expect.

 

But don’t lie about it, which is what Musk is doing. And take care that you do not get rid of programmes that make sense or result in people dying. Musk has just scrapped the Epidemic Intelligence Programme at CDC, and that has consequences in a crisis. I’ve also read of food programmes overseas being scrapped and food lying to rot in warehouses. 
 

But the real surprise will be what they do with the “saved” money. My prediction is that corruption will soar, and Trump will be one of the main beneficiaries. I suspect he wants what Putin has, which is a criminal enterprise that he controls which allows him to accumulate massive wealth. 

52 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

You said that the pigs were at the trough but you did NOT say who the PIGS were and your post was not connected /reference to another post. 

DOGE finding wasted taxpayer's that may very well include kickbacks/fraud/corruption. The post is directly related to this thread. The pigs at the trough being those receiving taxpayer's money and that money (the trough) now being taken away. It boggles the mind that anyone can be so stupid but I guess there are people who believe the earth to be flat so it does happen.

1 hour ago, scottiejohn said:

PS;  I am still waiting for your apology where you accused me wrongly of posting two statements which it appears were actually made by another poster!

Yep it wasn't you that said I've got Tourette's Syndrome. You wouldn't stoop that low? I apologise.  Sadly there is another on here that did. If I really had Tourette's Syndrome my responses to you posts would look something like this.

<deleted> <deleted> <deleted> <deleted> and <deleted>. Thank you you <deleted>. Fortunately I don't have this serious albeit uncommon affliction.

8 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

DOGE finding wasted taxpayer's that may very well include kickbacks/fraud/corruption. The post is directly related to this thread. The pigs at the trough being those receiving taxpayer's money and that money (the trough) now being taken away. It boggles the mind that anyone can be so stupid but I guess there are people who believe the earth to be flat so it does happen.

 

From here: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-much-taxpayer-s-money-did-fQGMfsBQTySI83uLL3k55A#0

I highlighted the bold.

 

Elon Musk and his companies have received substantial taxpayer support over the years, primarily through government subsidies, contracts, and tax incentives. Here’s a breakdown of the financial assistance Musk's ventures have benefited from:

## Total Government Support
- **Estimated Total**: By 2015, Musk's companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity—had received approximately **$4.9 billion** in government subsidies. This figure includes various forms of support such as grants, tax breaks, and environmental credits[1][3][5].
- **Recent Developments**: As of 2024, it has been reported that Musk's companies have secured at least **$15.4 billion** in government contracts over the past decade, with a significant portion coming from NASA and the Department of Defense[4][5].

## Specific Subsidies and Tax Incentives
- **Tesla**: Tesla buyers received around **$3.4 billion** in federal tax credits before the incentive was phased out at the end of 2019. This tax credit allowed Tesla to price its vehicles higher than they might otherwise be priced[5][6].
- **SolarCity**: SolarCity reported receiving **$497.5 million** in direct grants from the U.S. Treasury by 2015, with total receipts estimated to be around **$1.5 billion** when considering various tax incentives for solar installations[3][5].
- **Payroll Benefits**: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tesla accepted payroll-related benefits from a government stimulus package worth $600 billion, although specific amounts were not disclosed[3].

## Summary
Elon Musk's financial success is significantly intertwined with government support, highlighting a public-private financing model that has been critical for the growth of his companies. The total taxpayer money received by Musk and his enterprises is estimated to be in the range of **$20 billion or more**, combining earlier subsidies with recent government contracts and incentives[1][4][5].

Citations:
[1] https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hy-musk-subsidies-20150531-story.html
[2] https://americansfortaxfairness.org/musks-11-billion-tax-bill-big-news-just-10-wealth-increase-far-year/
[3] https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-list-government-subsidies-tesla-billions-spacex-solarcity-2021-12
[4] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/us/politics/elon-musk-federal-agencies-contracts.html
[5] https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/20/business/elon-musk-wealth-government-help/index.html
[6] https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/14/investing/elon-musk-wealth-taxpayer-support/index.html
[7] https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/12/musk-embraces-trump-and-scorns-subsidies-but-tesla-still-lobbies-for-us-benefits.html
[8] https://news.yahoo.com/elon-musk-built-wealth-taxpayer-110006010.html

 

2 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Yep it wasn't you that said I've got Tourette's Syndrome. You wouldn't stoop that low? I apologise. 

Thanks!

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Let's for a moment assume the above numbers are correct.

Is all the money saved without any consequences?

 

I.e. those 89 Department of Education contracts, did they only exist to waste money? Or was that money spent to make education better? I don't know the answer, but somehow, I imagine it would make sense to look at the details and not just cancel all contracts.

 

Similar for the Department of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and probably more.

Saving is good. But just cancelling everything is probably not a good idea.

 

 

Don't worry too much about agriculture. GOP politicians from agricultural red States and precincts will not let it happen.

Have you noticed how quickly USAID food deliveries, which are a way to subsidize agriculture, have been reinstated?

5 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

From here: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-much-taxpayer-s-money-did-fQGMfsBQTySI83uLL3k55A#0

I highlighted the bold.

 

Elon Musk and his companies have received substantial taxpayer support over the years, primarily through government subsidies, contracts, and tax incentives. Here’s a breakdown of the financial assistance Musk's ventures have benefited from:

## Total Government Support
- **Estimated Total**: By 2015, Musk's companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity—had received approximately **$4.9 billion** in government subsidies. This figure includes various forms of support such as grants, tax breaks, and environmental credits[1][3][5].
- **Recent Developments**: As of 2024, it has been reported that Musk's companies have secured at least **$15.4 billion** in government contracts over the past decade, with a significant portion coming from NASA and the Department of Defense[4][5].

## Specific Subsidies and Tax Incentives
- **Tesla**: Tesla buyers received around **$3.4 billion** in federal tax credits before the incentive was phased out at the end of 2019. This tax credit allowed Tesla to price its vehicles higher than they might otherwise be priced[5][6].
- **SolarCity**: SolarCity reported receiving **$497.5 million** in direct grants from the U.S. Treasury by 2015, with total receipts estimated to be around **$1.5 billion** when considering various tax incentives for solar installations[3][5].
- **Payroll Benefits**: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tesla accepted payroll-related benefits from a government stimulus package worth $600 billion, although specific amounts were not disclosed[3].

## Summary
Elon Musk's financial success is significantly intertwined with government support, highlighting a public-private financing model that has been critical for the growth of his companies. The total taxpayer money received by Musk and his enterprises is estimated to be in the range of **$20 billion or more**, combining earlier subsidies with recent government contracts and incentives[1][4][5].

Citations:
[1] https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hy-musk-subsidies-20150531-story.html
[2] https://americansfortaxfairness.org/musks-11-billion-tax-bill-big-news-just-10-wealth-increase-far-year/
[3] https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-list-government-subsidies-tesla-billions-spacex-solarcity-2021-12
[4] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/us/politics/elon-musk-federal-agencies-contracts.html
[5] https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/20/business/elon-musk-wealth-government-help/index.html
[6] https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/14/investing/elon-musk-wealth-taxpayer-support/index.html
[7] https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/12/musk-embraces-trump-and-scorns-subsidies-but-tesla-still-lobbies-for-us-benefits.html
[8] https://news.yahoo.com/elon-musk-built-wealth-taxpayer-110006010.html

 

A fat pig at the trough! 🙂

6 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

From here: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-much-taxpayer-s-money-did-fQGMfsBQTySI83uLL3k55A#0

I highlighted the bold.

 

Elon Musk and his companies have received substantial taxpayer support over the years, primarily through government subsidies, contracts, and tax incentives. Here’s a breakdown of the financial assistance Musk's ventures have benefited from:

## Total Government Support
- **Estimated Total**: By 2015, Musk's companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity—had received approximately **$4.9 billion** in government subsidies. This figure includes various forms of support such as grants, tax breaks, and environmental credits[1][3][5].
- **Recent Developments**: As of 2024, it has been reported that Musk's companies have secured at least **$15.4 billion** in government contracts over the past decade, with a significant portion coming from NASA and the Department of Defense[4][5].

## Specific Subsidies and Tax Incentives
- **Tesla**: Tesla buyers received around **$3.4 billion** in federal tax credits before the incentive was phased out at the end of 2019. This tax credit allowed Tesla to price its vehicles higher than they might otherwise be priced[5][6].
- **SolarCity**: SolarCity reported receiving **$497.5 million** in direct grants from the U.S. Treasury by 2015, with total receipts estimated to be around **$1.5 billion** when considering various tax incentives for solar installations[3][5].
- **Payroll Benefits**: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tesla accepted payroll-related benefits from a government stimulus package worth $600 billion, although specific amounts were not disclosed[3].

## Summary
Elon Musk's financial success is significantly intertwined with government support, highlighting a public-private financing model that has been critical for the growth of his companies. The total taxpayer money received by Musk and his enterprises is estimated to be in the range of **$20 billion or more**, combining earlier subsidies with recent government contracts and incentives[1][4][5].

Citations:
[1] https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hy-musk-subsidies-20150531-story.html
[2] https://americansfortaxfairness.org/musks-11-billion-tax-bill-big-news-just-10-wealth-increase-far-year/
[3] https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-list-government-subsidies-tesla-billions-spacex-solarcity-2021-12
[4] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/us/politics/elon-musk-federal-agencies-contracts.html
[5] https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/20/business/elon-musk-wealth-government-help/index.html
[6] https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/14/investing/elon-musk-wealth-taxpayer-support/index.html
[7] https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/12/musk-embraces-trump-and-scorns-subsidies-but-tesla-still-lobbies-for-us-benefits.html
[8] https://news.yahoo.com/elon-musk-built-wealth-taxpayer-110006010.html

 

 you lot bang on about climate change & fossil fuels destroying the planet,  Musk makes electric cars, but you still attacking him, he rescues the astronauts and you're still attacking him, he is doing more than NASA with reoards to space, and you still attack him, at least you can see the goverment subsidies are getting in return... where as the exposing goverment wastage on condoms, drag shows and lgbtq comics you attack him for it

 

The hypocrisy and double standards from the anti teumpers is off the charts, has been for the last 8 years..

 

 

 

37 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

Musk has just scrapped the Epidemic Intelligence Programme at CDC, and that has consequences in a crisis.

 

Half of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service officers — a group known as the CDC's "disease detectives" — were among the cuts made Friday by the Trump administration, multiple health officials tell CBS News.

 

As part of the fellowship, they serve for two years around the CDC or deployed to health departments across the country, often on the front lines of public health responses. Many go on to rise through the ranks at the agency after being selected for the program. 

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-disease-detectives-doge-cuts-health-agencies/

 

The Trump administration has laid off approximately 1,270 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, amounting to nearly 10% of the agency's workforce.

 

https://www.btimesonline.com/articles/172843/20250215/trump-administration-cuts-nearly-10-of-cdc-workforce-eliminates-half-of-disease-intelligence-officers.htm

 

 

Cutting in half a 2-year fellowship training program ≠ scrapped, and cutting an entire department by 10% isn't exactly earth-shattering.

 

We may not like what Trump-Musk are doing, but let's not lie about it.

23 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Elon Musk and his companies have received substantial taxpayer support over the years, primarily through government subsidies, contracts, and tax incentives.

 

You're welcome!

 

 

3 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

You're welcome!

 

 

 

Let me guess, that rocket did make America great again, correct? Or maybe not?

Who thinks it's a good idea to spend any taxpayer's money to go to Mars?

59 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

I am confused - winning an election and then firing thousands of people some of whom may well have voted for him doesn't sound like a plan to me. (or does he think they are all Democrats).

Alternatively maybe the plan is that he knows the courts will block him and he can appear to be tough without actually having to be (and he can blame those Democrat judges).

I think this man (Trump) is Dangerously Devious and his side kick (Musk)  is a Degenerative Genious

 

I don't think many deep staters and corrupt officials were Trump voters to be fair. They ran from accountability and transparency like roaches from a spotlight. They were not the Make America Great Again crowd.

Watching the left continue to freak out over their days of unfettered corruption screeching to a halt makes me very happy. Very happy indeed.

9 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Let me guess, that rocket did make America great again, correct? Or maybe not?

Who thinks it's a good idea to spend any taxpayer's money to go to Mars?

 

Lets axe 'em!  But better make it an AUDIO survey.

 

• On average, 79% of U.S. adults nationwide are literate in 2024.

• 21% of adults in the US are illiterate in 2024.

• 54% of adults have a literacy below a 6th-grade level (20% are below 5th-grade level).

 

Gosh, the fine folks at the Department of Edumacations got us ranked just below Zimbabwe and Zambia!

 

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

 

 

Less bang for the buck:

 

In 2019, the United States spent $15,500 per full-time-equivalent (FTE) student on elementary and secondary education, which was 38 percent higher than the average of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries of $11,300 (in constant 2021 U.S. dollars).

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Let me guess, that rocket did make America great again, correct? Or maybe not?

Who thinks it's a good idea to spend any taxpayer's money to go to Mars?

Maybe not such a need now as Trumps team have set in motion the end of the Ukraine  war.and possible nuclear escalation by war mongers on team democRAT

7 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Who thinks it's a good idea to spend any taxpayer's money to go to Mars?

Elon Musk of course getting there will fill his pockets.

9 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Maybe not such a need now as Trumps team have set in motion the end of the Ukraine  war.and possible nuclear escalation by war mongers on team democRAT

 

I have a great idea. Trump should call back all the American soldiers from around the word. And then he can fire them all, no need anymore.

Bring the American weapons back to America or leave them where they are, whatever is cheaper.

That would save huge amounts of money. And with that money they could try to make America great (again?).

Do it! Few will miss you.