Hmm… I’m hearing there will; be 100+ tesla dealership protests this weekend. Should be lit.
I know you are trolling there with your choice of words. Hopefully the protests are peaceful - hopeful criminal activity will be prevented or perpatrators caught and dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. The incidents of vandalism and arson are very few - and there are over 800,000 Teslas registered in the USA, so the number of vehicles people have messed with is also tiny when looking at the big picture.
But if you smile because the share price tumbled it doesn't make you a domestic terrorist. Let's face it - if the share price is too low then it's simply an opportunity for investors to make money. Trump has called for his supporters to boycott so many brands and manufacturer's in his time, it does almost seem a little like karma that people are voting with their $$$ regarding Tesla.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Ok if true, FINALLY an example of waste and fraud they have been talking about with every firing. Please go find more and get rid of them and stop saying it when it is not there. And put these people in jail after a trial. Not just because trump says they should go to jail.
Like I said. It is what it is. I'll leave it as a case where we just disagree.
And there in lies the actual difference. I can't think of anyone that doesn't want waste and fraud cut from federal government. It's just that some of us want waste and fraud cut from federal government and some of us don't care if the cuts are waste and fraud.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Like I said. It is what it is. I'll leave it as a case where we just disagree.
And there in lies the actual difference. I can't think of anyone that doesn't want waste and fraud cut from federal government. It's just that some of us want waste and fraud cut from federal government and some of us don't care if the cuts are waste and fraud.
OHHHH....That was good 😁 i see what you did there !!!
The only question... Was that original thought or did you borrow it. Either way, bravo!
The more things change the more they stay the same.
No I didn't borrow it from anyone. I thought it was pretty basic actually. If he were doing the job we were told he would do I doubt you would be hearing much about it other than from the fringe. As I think we can see some on the other hand just make up excuses why he isn't actually doing the job they said he would be doing.
And this is coming from the very party that used to stand for personal accountability.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Seniors won't complain if they miss a Social Security check, Lutnick says
Emily Peck
email (opens in new window) The Arthur J. Altmeyer Social Security Administration building at the agency's headquarters in Woodlawn, Maryland, on Feb. 19. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images The Arthur J. Altmeyer Social Security Administration building at the agency's headquarters in Woodlawn, Md. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick suggested this week that only "fraudsters" would complain about missing a monthly Social Security check, and that most people wouldn't mind if the government simply skipped a payment.
Why it matters: More than 70 million Americans get a Social Security benefit every month, and for many, those checks are their only income.
The big picture: For generations, Social Security was called "the third rail of American politics" — many talked of reform, but in the end no one really touched the system.
That changed this week. What they're saying: "Let's say Social Security didn't send out their checks this month. My mother-in-law, who's 94, she wouldn't call and complain," Lutnick — a billionaire former Wall Street CEO — told the billionaire "All In" podcast host Chamath Palihapitiya.
"She just wouldn't. She'd think something got messed up, and she'll get it next month. A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling and complaining," By the numbers: By the Social Security Administration's own estimates, of all beneficiaries over age 65, some 12% of men and 15% of women get at least 90% of their monthly income from Social Security.
The response: A Commerce Department spokesperson tells Axios: "The Secretary is committed to protecting Social Security for all eligible Americans."
The intrigue: As Lutnick's podcast remarks were drawing angry responses, a judge was expressing her own frustration Friday with the acting head of the agency, Lee Dudek.
He was chastised by Maryland District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander over his reported threats to shut down the agency, following a temporary restraining order she had issued the previous day. The order restricted DOGE's access to Social Security's sensitive data. Dudek reportedly claimed the order left him no choice but to cut IT access for almost all his employees, which she said was "incorrect." Catch up quick: The drama over Lutnick's comments and the judge's rebuke caps a long week for the agency.
On Tuesday, Dudek announced changes to phone service that some former officials and current employees say could slow the benefits process for vulnerable people, and potentially cripple the system. Zoom out: "Constantly having Social Security Administration in the news with with some, some, something or another, is creating a lot of confusion, a lot of chaos, a lot of real fear with our members," Bill Sweeney, vice president for government affairs at AARP, told Axios earlier this week.
The other side: The agency has said that its changes are meant to stop fraud in the system.
That's what Lutnick seemed to be getting at: *Anybody who's been in the payment system, in the process system, knows the easiest way to find the fraudster is to stop payments and listen, because whoever screams is the one stealing. ... 80-year-olds, 90-years-olds, they trust the government, they trust, ok, maybe it got screwed up, big deal, they're not going to call and scream at someone — but someone who's stealing always does." Reality check: Seniors and other benefit recipients frequently lodge complaints about Social Security with both the agency itself, and their local member of Congress.
"Almost every member of Congress has a staff person whose job is almost fully dedicated to helping their constituents with problems at the Social Security Administration," AARP's Sweeney told Axios. In recent years the complaints have increased, as the agency faced a five-year staffing low. Planned DOGE-driven staff and office cuts could make that worse. "For almost 90 years, Social Security has never missed a paycheck — but 60 days into this administration, Social Security is now on the brink," Lee Saunders, president of the union AFSCME, said in a statement Friday. Editor's note: This version updates with Secretary Lutnick's response.
I am sure this billionaires mother doesnt give crap if her benefits disappear. Because her son is well... a billionaire. She is not living check to check.
I am sure this billionaires mother doesnt give crap if her benefits disappear. Because her son is well... a billionaire. She is not living check to check.
Lutnick missed the point entirely. It's not that someone would miss it or not, It's that it was earned.. It's theirs. The SSA owes it to that person.
The other side of this is that if they cut SS altogether, they could NOT use the money to pay down the debt.. It's not allowed. It would take an act of Congress to change that and I suggest that anyone congressman who voted to change it would never be able to run for office again.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
I am sure this billionaires mother doesnt give crap if her benefits disappear. Because her son is well... a billionaire. She is not living check to check.
This is what it looks like when someone is out of touch. Millions of people live month to month on their social security benefits. Without it they can't buy food or pay their bills. It's their life's blood. What he is suggesting is the poorest among us must be crooks if they call in because their payments aren't received. He has no clue.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
IRS braces for $500bn drop in revenue as taxpayers skip filings in wake of DOGE cuts at agency Individuals were ‘wagering that auditors will not examine their accounts’ amid DOGE’s plans to downsize the IRS by nearly 20 percent ahead of tax filing season
Rhian Lubin in New York Saturday 22 March 2025 15:03 EDT 34 Comments
The IRS is bracing for a $500 billion drop in revenue as an increasing number of taxpayers could skip submitting their filings in the wake of Department of Government Efficiency layoffs, according to a report.
Taxpayer behavior has changed since President Donald Trump took office and implemented sweeping federal cuts through Elon Musk’s DOGE. As a result, the IRS has “noticed an uptick of online chatter from individuals declaring their intention to not pay taxes this year,” the Washington Post reports, citing three people with knowledge of tax projections.
It added that individuals were “wagering that auditors will not examine their accounts” amid DOGE’s plans to downsize the IRS by nearly 20 percent by May 15.
New hires in taxpayer services and enforcement divisions have been targeted and the agency has dropped investigations of high-value corporations and taxpayers, according to the newspaper. The agency employs roughly 90,000 workers total across the U.S., according to the IRS data.
Treasury Department and IRS officials are predicting a decrease of more than 10 percent in tax receipts by the April 15 deadline in comparison to 2024 filings, which would amount to more than $500 billion in lost revenue, according to the Post. The newspaper said it spoke with officials who shared nonpublic IRS data.
Tax officials warn that the IRS could be in for a $500 billion revenue drop linked to taxpayer behavior in the wake of DOGE cuts at the agency, according to a report open image in gallery Tax officials warn that the IRS could be in for a $500 billion revenue drop linked to taxpayer behavior in the wake of DOGE cuts at the agency, according to a report (AP) To put the $500 billion in context, the U.S. military budget was about $820 billion last year.
The Independent has contacted the Treasury Department for comment.
IRS officials reportedly tried to warn the incoming Trump administration about DOGE’s planned staffing cuts in January. “Aggressive reductions to budget and personnel capacity risk backlogs, delays, reduced receipts, and diminished capacity to build next generation digital capabilities,” a presentation seen by the Post given by tax officials to Trump’s incoming Treasury Department team said.
Individuals are reportedly “wagering online that auditors will not examine their accounts” amid DOGE’s plans to downsize the IRS by nearly 20 percent by May 15. Experts tried to warn the administration about cutting IRS jobs so close to tax filing season open image in gallery Individuals are reportedly “wagering online that auditors will not examine their accounts” amid DOGE’s plans to downsize the IRS by nearly 20 percent by May 15. Experts tried to warn the administration about cutting IRS jobs so close to tax filing season (REUTERS) Experts warned against reducing the IRS workforce earlier this month. Former IRS commissioners said it would render the IRS “dysfunctional” in an op-ed for the New York Times.
“Aggressive reductions in the I.R.S.’s resources will only render our government less effective and less efficient in collecting the taxes Congress has imposed,” the former IRS commissioners said.
There could be other factors at play contributing to the possible drop in revenue, including the Los Angeles wildfires. Taxpayers in wealthy areas affected by the fires could postpone filing until October, Timur Taluy, CEO of tax-prep service FileYourTaxes.com, told the Post. Some taxpayers may also opt for a penalty-free six-month filing extension during times of economic uncertainty.
Neither of these account for the $500 billion drop in revenue, however, experts told the newspaper.
^ People are refusing to pay their taxes and that is DOGE's fault. ^
The party of toddler behavior will applaud them and then complain about the reduced revenue.
New hires in taxpayer services and enforcement divisions have been targeted and the agency has dropped investigations of high-value corporations and taxpayers, according to the newspaper. The agency employs roughly 90,000 workers total across the U.S., according to the IRS data.
Those skipping paying taxes, although I applaud the thinking, are about to find out that the computers will flag them and put them in collection status. They must not know that the IRS will always spend dollars to collect dimes.
C'mon bro, it's only a billion dollars. So what, you save a billion dollars. If you did that once a year it would still take 36,000 years to settle the debt. It's pointless!
I hate to even step in here. I've been doing so well at not posting. With that said, I am sadly afraid too many citizens do not realize our debt problem. Too many have NO clue. It WILL be the demise of this country.
I hate to even step in here. I've been doing so well at not posting. With that said, I am sadly afraid too many citizens do not realize our debt problem. Too many have NO clue. It WILL be the demise of this country.
Good on you. Been trying to quit this forum for a while now and I can’t seem to do it.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
I hate to even step in here. I've been doing so well at not posting. With that said, I am sadly afraid too many citizens do not realize our debt problem. Too many have NO clue. It WILL be the demise of this country.
Thats BS.. We all know it's there. We ALL agree it needs addressed.
The disagreement is the method.
Republicans want to cut services and benefits like Medicaid, Medicare and SSA. As well as Food supplies to food banks around the country. Then Cut taxes to the wealthy in the hope they reinvest and create good paying jobs.
Problem is, when you give a billionaire a tax break or corp tax cuts, they buy back stocks and don't reinvest. The pocket the tax savings. Trickle down has NEVER proven to be of any value.
Dems Want to Trim some fat and increase taxes to the wealthy and corps.
Now you are gonna tell me about all the waste! Of course there is waste... NO doubt about it. Find it and kill it. But not like Musk...He's got his Chain Saw out and thinks thats the way to do it and it's WRONG
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
When it comes to efficiency and issues with Government, I would encourage EVERYONE here, regardless of sides to listen to the podcast interview Jon Stewart did this week with Ezra Klein. It actually offers more of a critique of what the Left has gotten wrong and how to approach Government reform. A lot of it really resonated with me as an insider. FATE, I think you in particular would like to listen to it.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
When it comes to efficiency and issues with Government, I would encourage EVERYONE here, regardless of sides to listen to the podcast interview Jon Stewart did this week with Ezra Klein. It actually offers more of a critique of what the Left has gotten wrong and how to approach Government reform. A lot of it really resonated with me as an insider. FATE, I think you in particular would like to listen to it.
Hoping I found what you referenced ....
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Everyone wants to cut waste and fraud in government. As Musk and his cohorts refuse to turn information over to the court to hide what they're actually doing and cutting we can actually see what the impact of their cuts are doing. They just say things with no evidence to support it and their supporters, as we see on this very board, repeat it as if it means something. But here is just a snapshot of the real world consequences of what they're really doing. This must be their idea of "waste and fraud".............
Federal cuts impact local food banks
Mar. 28—Federal funding cuts are impacting area food banks such as the Food Bank of North Alabama, officials say.
The Trump administration announced in March that it was freezing over $1 billion in pandemic-era spending for schools and food banks, six months before the programs were scheduled to end. The U. S. Department of Agriculture said it was cutting, among other programs, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA).
Joshua Matthews is the chief operating officer for the Food Bank of North Alabama in the Huntsville office.
"We're definitely aware of the cuts and are monitoring the situation with USDA," he said. "We're definitely seeing some effects from the cuts that have been announced so far. One was in the amount of food that was being sent to food banks in the CCC, Commodity Credit Corporation program. And then the other one is a loss of more like fresh produce items from a program called the LFPA."
Matthews said fortunately these were small programs for the Food Bank.
"Small, but still important programs," he said. "We're certainly hoping that USDA will be able to find a way to potentially continue those programs either through departmental or by another way."
He said he would not go as far as saying they would feed fewer families now.
"There may just be a little less food to go around," Matthews said. "We are trying to enact strategies on how to make up the food we are losing through those two federal programs by making sure we're working with our donors and being really consistent with our pick-ups from our grocery rescue program."
Matthews said they partner with about 100 grocery stores in the 11 counties they cover in north Alabama.
"Last year we were able to rescue about 6.5 million pounds of food that would have otherwise gotten thrown away into the landfill," he said. "We're working with our donors and evaluating ways where we can really make up some of that shortfall.".........................
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