..USAID needs to go

[ironglow]

  Among many handouts to people/groups that hate and want to destroy the USA, $9,000,000 as been handed to Al Queda, for food, to feed it's
  murderous minions..
    Not sure it was by accident or design...perhaps the court will find out.   https://oig.usaid.gov/node/7283

[Mule 11]

84 million went to chelsea clinton…

[gene_225]

84 million went to chelsea clinton…

Citation?

[Mule 11]

84 million went to chelsea clinton…

Citation?

wnd.com article by Joe Kovacs

[gene_225]

Thanks, I found the headline ('Wow': Elon Musk stunned at discovery of Chelsea Clinton allegedly receiving $84 million in taxpayer funding) but no facts cited under it. Oh, well...

[ironglow]

     Front loading..or top loading...one thing USAID seems to do very well....... .is LAUNDRY !   

   https://www.caclubindia.com/money/finance/chelsea-clinton-net-worth/

[gene_225]

     Front loading..or top loading...one thing USAID seems to do very well.......   .is LAUNDRY !

   https://www.caclubindia.com/money/finance/chelsea-clinton-net-worth/

Thanks, looks like lots of it came from somewhere beside USAID. Still hard to see how anyone could/would leave her that much property or $ or why they would.

[ironglow]

     Front loading..or top loading...one thing USAID seems to do very well.......   .is LAUNDRY !

   https://www.caclubindia.com/money/finance/chelsea-clinton-net-worth/

Thanks, looks like lots of it came from somewhere beside USAID. Still hard to see how anyone could/would leave her that much property or $ or why they would.

  From the article;

   "Chelsea Clinton receives an annually-recurring funding from USAID, allocated by Obama for her Foundation, which provides afternoon meals to children in Africa, India, and Bangladesh.

However, as of today, the reported number of meals served stands at 11,886, implying an astonishing cost of $1,410 per meal."

   Do you truly think those meals actually cost her $1,410 each ?  If so, I have a couple miles of ocean front land in Kansas that you may be interested in...

[gene_225]

Not what I said. Read it again to see exactly what I said.

[Mule 11]

Not what I said. Read it again to see exactly what I said.

Sounds like you are casting doubt on this. Did you vote for Hillary or just bill?

[gene_225]

We have talked about that before, you even thanked me for voting for Trump. Did you forget?

[gene_225]

All I was saying was that the numbers quoted seem to be misrepresented, not that some changes at USAID don't need to be made. Personally, I'd like to see more of the foreign aid money spent here in our country or returned in lower taxes. But phony numbers are still phony numbers.

[Mule 11]

We have talked about that before, you even thanked me for voting for Trump. Did you forget?

No, I remembered. Thanks again.

[Mule 11]

All I was saying was that the numbers quoted seem to be misrepresented, not that some changes at USAID don't need to be made. Personally, I'd like to see more of the foreign aid money spent here in our country or returned in lower taxes. But phony numbers are still phony numbers.

So, you have proof that these are phony numbers? Or should I say, citation?

[gene_225]

Let's just agree you want a reason to argue and I don't, so have at it.

[Mule 11]

Let's just agree you want a reason to argue and I don't, so have at it.

Aw, come on now, what would this place be like without us old men bickering from time to time?

[gene_225]

Let's just say you won. That seems to be what you want and I don't care. Have a blessed day/weekend.

[Mule 11]

Let's just say you won. That seems to be what you want and I don't care. Have a blessed day/weekend.

You also Gene… Wish you and yours the best…

[Mule 11]

One other thing, when you all see where and how much usaid has given away and to who it was given. You will be in shock and thoroughly disgusted…

[gypsyman]

 Main thing about this investigation into USAID that was pointed out by a friend on Facebook, the louder they scream, the guiltier they look. And it wasn't one or 2, there looked to be 15-20 of them lined up to speak their mind, all Democrats. Probably one of the biggest government agency's that scams money, and a lot of it ends up in the back pocket or in a foreign bank account of these politicians.

[Bob Riebe]

On the Joe Pags radio show yesterday he listed, verbally, a goodly number of the locations millions, tens of millions went to; they included queer groups overseas, plus money for U.K. asinine projects.

[Mule 11]

The USAID “Scandal” and the Playbook of Manufactured Outrage

The dismantling of USAID isn’t about fraud. It’s not about waste. And it’s certainly not about making government more efficient. Instead, it’s a test case for a new era of governance—one where facts are optional, reality is shaped by cherry-picked narratives, and faith in a leader replaces independent sources of truth.

Rather than conducting an actual audit, Musk and Trump have used a familiar tactic—manufacture a scandal, flood the space with selective outrage, and use it to justify dismantling an agency they already wanted gone. It’s an attack on facts themselves—and if it works here, it will be repeated elsewhere.

---

Misinformation doesn’t have to be an outright lie to be effective. The most powerful form of disinformation is cherry-picking—taking a real event or number, stripping it of context, and reframing it for maximum outrage.

Take a look at a few of the White House’s official justifications for gutting USAID:

▪️ Claim: “USAID spent $6 million on tourism in Egypt.”
Reality: This funding was for education and economic development in North Sinai, not tourism. The grant was announced in 2019 during Trump’s first administration. Stripping away the date and purpose makes it sound like a recent, frivolous expenditure rather than part of an established economic aid initiative.

▪️ Claim: “USAID spent $1.5 million to promote workplace diversity in Serbia.”
Reality: This was part of a broader economic initiative to increase job opportunities in Serbia—where workplace discrimination limits economic participation. The program focused on helping businesses grow by improving inclusivity—but was reframed as an ideological “waste” rather than an economic development effort.

▪️ Claim: “USAID spent $47,000 on a transgender opera in Colombia.”
Reality: This was not a USAID grant at all—it was issued by the State Department, not USAID. The grant supported an arts program aimed at increasing representation in Colombia’s opera scene. By misattributing the funding to USAID and framing it solely as a “transgender opera”, the claim was designed to provoke cultural outrage rather than discuss arts funding in global diplomacy.

Could an actual audit be conducted on how these funds were used? Absolutely. In a functioning government, there should always be room for debate over whether certain initiatives are priorities or whether they are effective. But that is not what is happening here.

Instead of evaluating whether these programs delivered results or whether better alternatives exist, these numbers were stripped of context and framed for maximum outrage—not to improve policy, but to justify dismantling an agency outright. A real debate would analyze impact and effectiveness, not manipulate selective facts to push a predetermined conclusion.

The biggest red flag? If USAID were truly corrupt, they would be showing full financial audits, not vague accusations.

---

If the goal were actually to root out inefficiencies, a proper USAID audit wouldn’t be done in a day or two based on cherry-picked spending line items. Audits—even for small organizations—are lengthy, comprehensive, and detail both strengths and weaknesses.

A real audit would:
▪️ Be conducted by independent agencies (GAO, OIG, CBO), qualified and experienced leaders, or objective, appointed and vettyed contracted individuals or organizations.
▪️ Use full financial forensic analysis, not cherry-picked line items.
▪️ Compare USAID to other government expenditures for context.
▪️ Provide publicly available, transparent findings.
▪️ Recommend measured reforms, not mass firings.

Real audits include:
▪️ Positives and negatives—not just failures.
▪️ Strengths and weaknesses—where the agency is effective and where it isn’t.
▪️ Successes and failures—not just the failures someone wants to highlight.
▪️ Annotated findings with full transparency—each claim links back to data.

This takes months, not days—because an audit can’t be done by just extracting data, running it through an algorithm (AI or otherwise), and issuing selective pronouncements.

Instead, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) simply declared USAID “beyond repair” and started shutting it down—no audit needed.

This isn’t about USAID—it’s about eliminating institutions. And if they can do this to USAID, they can do it to the CDC, NOAA, or any other agency that provides inconvenient facts.

---

The attack on USAID is just the beginning. If this strategy works, other congrssionally created and funded agencies that provide oversight, enforce regulations, or provide objective information will be next.

The same manufactured outrage playbook will be applied to:

▪️ The CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) – Criticized for interfering in free markets and overregulating financial institutions.
▪️ The SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) – Framed as an obstacle to economic growth by restricting corporate and investment practices.
▪️ The IRS – Cast as a weaponized agency persecuting political enemies.
▪️ The Pentagon – Attacked over spending inefficiencies and social policies.
▪️ The Federal Reserve – Accused of economic manipulation and globalist control.
▪️ The DOJ & FBI – Portrayed as corrupt institutions waging partisan investigations.
▪️ The Department of Education – Framed as a wasteful bureaucracy pushing ideological agendas.
▪️ The EPA – Blamed for stifling business growth through overregulation.

Each will be misrepresented and undermined not through comprehensive audits and evidence-based reform, but through cherry-picked data, selective outrage, and preordained conclusions that justify dismantling their authority.

The irony? Real audits of these agencies would be fantastic. If the goal were truly efficiency, effectiveness, and responsible governance, independent reviews would be welcomed. A thorough, transparent audit of USAID, the CFPB, the SEC, the IRS, or the Pentagon would provide critical insights for better decision-making. But that’s not what’s happening.

Instead of pursuing genuine oversight and accountability, the administration is manufacturing outrage and using it as a justification to dismantle institutions outright—not to fix them, but to eliminate their independence.

---

The final step in this process isn’t just about cutting waste—it’s about removing any part of the government that isn’t directly controlled by the executive branch.

▪️ No independent oversight.
▪️ No neutral agencies providing inconvenient data.
▪️ No checks on power.

This isn’t about USAID—it’s about whether any institution will be allowed to exist outside the direct control of a single leader.

The next time an agency or institution is suddenly declared “too corrupt to fix,” ask yourself:
▪️ Where’s the full audit?
▪️ Why is the data missing?
▪️ Who benefits from removing this institution?

When facts disappear, power takes their place. That’s what’s happening here.

More leftists opinion pieces… only other leftists care, maybe try the view for approval

[magooch]

As a tax paying US citizen, I couldn't care less about whether the money is wasted on someone's idea of a nice program, or something that is obviously a rip off.  Cut it out--now!!!  We are not the saviors of all the half fast crap hole countries on the planet.  If the do-gooders want to spend their own wampum on stupid give aways, let them pass the hat around and go to it.

Even for justifiable programs, the government needs to be very stingy with our tax money and foreign aid in any form should be rare and based on what is best for the USA.

[gene_225]

As a tax paying US citizen, I couldn't care less about whether the money is wasted on someone's idea of a nice program, or something that is obviously a rip off.  Cut it out--now!!!  We are not the saviors of all the half fast crap hole countries on the planet.  If the do-gooders want to spend their own wampum on stupid give aways, let them pass the hat around and go to it.

Even for justifiable programs, the government needs to be very stingy with our tax money and foreign aid in any form should be rare and based on what is best for the USA.

However, the truly best way to get such things to stop is to change who we elect to the legislative branch, not elect a new king. Kings always think they should tell you what you can do and not do. I have never found my self very receptive to being told what I can and can't do by anyone but God.

[ironglow]

As a tax paying US citizen, I couldn't care less about whether the money is wasted on someone's idea of a nice program, or something that is obviously a rip off.  Cut it out--now!!!  We are not the saviors of all the half fast crap hole countries on the planet.  If the do-gooders want to spend their own wampum on stupid give aways, let them pass the hat around and go to it.

Even for justifiable programs, the government needs to be very stingy with our tax money and foreign aid in any form should be rare and based on what is best for the USA.

However, the truly best way to get such things to stop is to change who we elect to the legislative branch, not elect a new king. Kings always think they should tell you what you can do and not do. I have never found my self very receptive to being told what I can and can't do by anyone but God.

   Who in blazes was elected "king" ?  If you are suggesting that Pres Trump is acting like a king, you could not be more wrong.

  In my mind he is more comparable to Elliott Ness..rooting out the rot and being "untouchable" in that he doesn't have any need to be
  a grifter. 

   He seems content with what he has already earned..demonstrated by his refusal of a paycheck, while his detractors (Demonrats) scream about
   Elon..and have NO CURIOSITY about what Elon has discovered...or rather, uncovered...

      To me it looks like a great give away..where the recipients must give back...under the table.

  BNad enough, USAID is giving to truly nutsy LGBTQ/WOKE crap, as well a politically parftisan groups..

   ..But just check this link out ! I don't know how you see it, however I cannot but think of it as just another COMPLETLY NUTSY give away, where
    somebody can rake plenty back.

    https://blackdotresearch.sg/has-the-us-government-spent-3-million-dollars-on-a-hamster-fight-club/

  Now they are in real trouble..with PeTA on their case..

    https://www.peta.org/blog/senator-goes-hamster-fighting-experiment-peta-exposed/

  Please; don't pee on my leg...and try to tell me it is raining..

[ironglow]

  Maybe partying hipsters, a shrimp fight club, or monkeys in hamster balls is more "scientific'..     

     https://www.mercatus.org/economic-insights/expert-commentary/partying-hipsters-shrimp-fight-club-and-monkeys-hamster-balls

[Casull]

As a tax paying US citizen, I couldn't care less about whether the money is wasted on someone's idea of a nice program, or something that is obviously a rip off.  Cut it out--now!!!  We are not the saviors of all the half fast crap hole countries on the planet.  If the do-gooders want to spend their own wampum on stupid give aways, let them pass the hat around and go to it.

Even for justifiable programs, the government needs to be very stingy with our tax money and foreign aid in any form should be rare and based on what is best for the USA.

However, the truly best way to get such things to stop is to change who we elect to the legislative branch, not elect a new king. Kings always think they should tell you what you can do and not do. I have never found my self very receptive to being told what I can and can't do by anyone but God.

What has he told you that you can't do?

[gene_225]

As a tax paying US citizen, I couldn't care less about whether the money is wasted on someone's idea of a nice program, or something that is obviously a rip off.  Cut it out--now!!!  We are not the saviors of all the half fast crap hole countries on the planet.  If the do-gooders want to spend their own wampum on stupid give aways, let them pass the hat around and go to it.

Even for justifiable programs, the government needs to be very stingy with our tax money and foreign aid in any form should be rare and based on what is best for the USA.

However, the truly best way to get such things to stop is to change who we elect to the legislative branch, not elect a new king. Kings always think they should tell you what you can do and not do. I have never found my self very receptive to being told what I can and can't do by anyone but God.

What has he told you that you can't do?

For starters, "like him" cause I don't. He appears to me to be a cuzz bucket. Couldn't vote for the other one, so I voted for him, but I do resent the necessity. I sure wouldn't want to know or live next to him!

[Casull]

As a tax paying US citizen, I couldn't care less about whether the money is wasted on someone's idea of a nice program, or something that is obviously a rip off.  Cut it out--now!!!  We are not the saviors of all the half fast crap hole countries on the planet.  If the do-gooders want to spend their own wampum on stupid give aways, let them pass the hat around and go to it.

Even for justifiable programs, the government needs to be very stingy with our tax money and foreign aid in any form should be rare and based on what is best for the USA.

However, the truly best way to get such things to stop is to change who we elect to the legislative branch, not elect a new king. Kings always think they should tell you what you can do and not do. I have never found my self very receptive to being told what I can and can't do by anyone but God.

What has he told you that you can't do?

For starters, "like him" cause I don't. He appears to me to be a cuzz bucket. Couldn't vote for the other one, so I voted for him, but I do resent the necessity. I sure wouldn't want to know or live next to him!

So NOTHING.