Why the Constitution is now null and void

[RVonse]

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

Everyone here always has to have cited proof of claims or it must be deemed untrue. Just how does one get proof about the workings of the CIA? Using liberal tools like google?

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

Everyone here always has to have cited proof of claims or it must be deemed untrue. Just how does one get proof about the workings of the CIA? Using liberal tools like google?

The one thing I'm done with is the accusationless accusation.

Musk called it a "criminal organization". That was it.

Rubio noted mass "insubordination". That was it.

The MAGA world is throwing accusationless accusations for a while now, but it is happening a lot in the Executive Branch at this point. Much like Trump never actually made specific allegations on voter fraud, Musk didn't actually make a sound accusation against USAid or someone in it. Rubio did not make an actual sound accusation, just more of this Say it and it is so brand of accusation. Not a person, not branch, not an action... just an accusationless accusation.

And the true believers are sucking it up, apparently not noticing not a single claim has been actually made. RVonse is demanding we disprove that hasn't been formerly claimed by the attackers.

 

[barbos]

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

Everyone here always has to have cited proof of claims or it must be deemed untrue. Just how does one get proof about the workings of the CIA? Using liberal tools like google?

It is not really a secret.

United States Agency for International Development - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[southernhybrid]

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

Everyone here always has to have cited proof of claims or it must be deemed untrue. Just how does one get proof about the workings of the CIA? Using liberal tools like google?

Google is a liberal tool? Wow. That's hilarious. Google is anything but a liberal tool!

I thought you had some compassion. Have you bothered to read any sources of actual news about how people who we once helped via USAID are now worrying about facing hunger, health issues etc.? Wow, just wow. No organization is ever run perfectly, but USAID only uses less than 2% or the total federal budget and it has helped us stay on good terms with a lot of countries, including some that China or Russia would love to control or at least have a lot more influence. Go ahead and trust the evil Musk and see how far that gets you.

 

[southernhybrid]

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

Everyone here always has to have cited proof of claims or it must be deemed untrue. Just how does one get proof about the workings of the CIA? Using liberal tools like google?

It is not really a secret.

United States Agency for International Development - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I would never consider Wikipedia a legitimate source of information. Sometimes it's correct, but sometimes it spews out garbage. Reuters on the other hand is considered one of the best sources of unbiased news and information, so I'll go with that.

https://www.reuters.com/world/what-is-usaid-why-has-it-become-target-trump-musk-2025-02-03/

CRS said USAID helps "strategically important countries and countries in conflict; leads U.S. efforts to alleviate poverty, disease, and humanitarian need; and assists U.S. commercial interests by supporting developing countries’ economic growth and building countries’ capacity to participate in world trade."
Its top aid recipients in 2023 were Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Syria.

In fiscal 2023, the United States disbursed a total of $72 billion, opens new tab in assistance worldwide and about 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024. The funds covered everything from women's health in conflict zones to access to clean water, HIV/AIDS treatments, energy security and anti-corruption work.
In recent years, according to a Brookings Institution report, opens new tab from September, U.S. aid spending has been around 0.33% of GDP. It peaked at 3% of GDP in the 1950s with the Marshall Plan program to rebuild Europe after World War Two. During the Cold War, it ranged from 1% to a little less than 0.5%.

According to Brookings, Democratic administrations and lawmakers have historically been more supportive than Republicans, but every post-war president, whether Democrat or Republican, has been a strong proponent of foreign aid - apart from Trump.
It noted that proposals by the first Trump administration to cut the U.S. international affairs budget by one-third were rejected, as were attempts to delay congressional consideration of supplemental foreign aid legislation in 2024. And in a bipartisan vote in June, 80% of the members of the Republican-led House of Representatives rejected an amendment to eliminate foreign assistance from the fiscal 2025 budget.

Who has been running USAID?​

Under former President Joe Biden, USAID was run by Irish-American diplomat Samantha Power, a self-professed idealist who served as U.N. ambassador under Barack Obama.
Its top priorities under its March 2023 Policy Framework were the climate crisis, stemming the tide of authoritarianism, and promoting inclusive economic growth and equal opportunities.
In an interview, opens new tab this month, Power highlighted the role of USAID in projecting U.S. soft power.
"The best testament to USAID's contribution is the surge in PRC-backed and Russian-backed propaganda maligning USAID and our work around the world," she said, using the initials of China's official name, the People's Republic of China.

I guess we know why Barbs tries to spread disinformation about this program, and sadly some Americans believe what they are told by their orange master and his side kick.

 

[Elixir]

I guess we know why Barbs tries to spread disinformation about this program, and sadly some Americans believe what they are told by their orange master and his side kick.

Their orange master literally owes his freedom and probably his life, to the dictator of the world’s worst shithole.

 

[Jarhyn]

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

Everyone here always has to have cited proof of claims or it must be deemed untrue. Just how does one get proof about the workings of the CIA? Using liberal tools like google?

Google is a liberal tool? Wow. That's hilarious. Google is anything but a liberal tool!

I thought you had some compassion. Have you bothered to read any sources of actual news about how people who we once helped via USAID are now worrying about facing hunger, health issues etc.? Wow, just wow. No organization is ever run perfectly, but USAID only uses less than 2% or the total federal budget and it has helped us stay on good terms with a lot of countries, including some that China or Russia would love to control or at least have a lot more influence. Go ahead and trust the evil Musk and see how far that gets you.

To be fair, anything that can allow people to access information without knowing exactly what to look for is a "liberal tool" to certain folks.

 

[Patooka]

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

I'm probably going to regret this, but what the fuck does Ukraine have to do with anything in regards to the context of this thread? In any event, care to elaborate on what you mean by "tone deaf"?

Everyone here always has to have cited proof of claims or it must be deemed untrue.

Not exactly. It's more like everyone here expects that when one makes a claim that on the surface is batshit fucking insane (like for example Democrats stole the 2020 election but were fine losing the House in 2022 and the Presidency in 2024), one is able to show some meaningful receipts to back up said bullshit claim.

Just how does one get proof about the workings of the CIA? Using liberal tools like google?

Umm...what now? In a thread outlining the unprecedented action of an unelected billionaire oligarch who hates the middle class (you type of billionaire I guess) wanting unrestricted access to USAID personnel files you bring up the CIA? Pretty certain they are 2 separate government bodies and more importantly, your statement doesn't excuse your hero's actions.

 

[crazyfingers]

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

Everyone here always has to have cited proof of claims or it must be deemed untrue. Just how does one get proof about the workings of the CIA? Using liberal tools like google?

Google is a liberal tool? Wow. That's hilarious. Google is anything but a liberal tool!

I thought you had some compassion. Have you bothered to read any sources of actual news about how people who we once helped via USAID are now worrying about facing hunger, health issues etc.? Wow, just wow. No organization is ever run perfectly, but USAID only uses less than 2% or the total federal budget and it has helped us stay on good terms with a lot of countries, including some that China or Russia would love to control or at least have a lot more influence. Go ahead and trust the evil Musk and see how far that gets you.

To be fair, anything that can allow people to access information without knowing exactly what to look for is a "liberal tool" to certain folks.

Facts are liberal to a lot of conservatives.

 

[Politesse]

Sundar Pichai, liberal hero... lol!

 

[Shadowy Man]

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

if USAID has become corrupt then it’s the duty of Congress to call hearings and investigate.

Instead they acquiesce to an unelected, non-governmental civilian with massive economic and legal conflicts to simply storm the headquarters and kick out all the employees.

Is that the kind of country you want to live in? Regardless of how corrupt USAID is?

 

[ZiprHead]

I guess Barbos doesn't like the fact that JFK started USAID during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He is either making up shit or has been a victim of the massive disinformation that he likely hears from his own dictator. Of course, he never provides any evidence of his stupid claims.

Or maybe USAID has become corrupt over the years and Barbos can actually see what you can't since he is less tone deaf about Ukraine events.

Everyone here always has to have cited proof of claims or it must be deemed untrue. Just how does one get proof about the workings of the CIA? Using liberal tools like google?

It is not really a secret.

United States Agency for International Development - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I agree. Russia does it too. China does it. All major countries try to expand their influence. So... ?

 

[RVonse]

Is that the kind of country you want to live in? Regardless of how corrupt USAID is?

You do make a good point Shadowy Man.

I know I did not want to live in a country that censored its then elected president and then attempted to take him off the ballot in several states. Even if he was corrupt. What the Democrats did felt more like a banana republic then the US.

I'm even willing to admit the Republicans started this one-upmanship with their Clinton blow job witch hunt. Since that time, each political side pulling out all the stops when they occupy enough seats and power. They are all going at an accelerated pace now with each election cycle.

The problem now is neither side can stop killing the other side without committing suicide. Because the system itself has become too institutionalized and corrupt to provide non biased impartial judgement.

 

[RVonse]

I thought you had some compassion.

I'm not at all against Bill Gates continuing his pledges to the cause. Bill Gates can afford to do this and I think that would be wonderful.

I'm just not so sure America can even afford to serve its own citizens at this point. Not to mention social security and medicare. If we are going to give huge sums of money for compassion, why not direct it to some of our poorest cities like Detroit? It may be a small amount of the total federal budget but when your treasury is so bankrupt you have to print money to pay the bills, you just have to start somewhere.

You might think Musk is the bad person right now but he might well be the savior of our government not completely failing in the near future.

 

[Shadowy Man]

Is that the kind of country you want to live in? Regardless of how corrupt USAID is?

You do make a good point Shadowy Man.

I know I did not want to live in a country that censored its then elected president and then attempted to take him off the ballot in several states. Even if he was corrupt. What the Democrats did felt more like a banana republic then the US.

If you're talking about Colorado, that court case originated with Republicans not Democrats, and they did follow the legally-proscribed process, and it was heard by the courts and a Constitutionally-consistent result was obtained. Whether I agree or disagree with the result, the process followed was consistent with the democracy that I want to live in.

The problem now is neither side can stop killing the other side without committing suicide. Because the system itself has become too institutionalized and corrupt to provide non biased impartial judgement.

That doesn't have to be true. The Republican Congress does not need to bend its knee to Donald Trump. They do not have to confirm obviously unqualified (and arguably "anti-qualified") candidates for Cabinet positions, and they surely should not support the illegal actions that Musk is taking right now to dismantle the federal workforce. They may lose their jobs in the next election, but if they have to choose between their oath to the Constitution and their job prospects, the choice should be obvious.

No matter how much you might dislike the Democrats and their policies, we should not give up our democracy to win an argument. I believe there are authoritarians on both sides of the aisle. There are plenty of Democrats who are too comfortable with executive actions when it is done in their favor and those types should be complained about and rooted out as well, but there are way too many Republicans willing to hand over power to the Executive.

I agree that we have reached a point where there are too many people who are willing to give up democracy to get their way (own the libs or whatever) and I fear that it will be a very, very long time before we can regain integrity in government, if it's even yet possible.

 

[Shadowy Man]

I thought you had some compassion.

I'm not at all against Bill Gates continuing his pledges to the cause. Bill Gates can afford to do this and I think that would be wonderful.

I'm just not so sure America can even afford to serve its own citizens at this point. Not to mention social security and medicare. If we are going to give huge sums of money for compassion, why not direct it to some of our poorest cities like Detroit? It may be a small amount of the total federal budget but when your treasury is so bankrupt you have to print money to pay the bills, you just have to start somewhere.

You might think Musk is the bad person right now but he might well be the savior of our government not completely falling apart.

If Republicans didn't have such a hard-on for tax cuts to the rich and corporations we might very well have enough money in the budget to do exactly what you say.

Musk is not the savior of our government not completely falling out, he's very likely the cause of it completely falling apart. His approach is anti-democratic and we are letting our system be completely destroyed.

It is true that our democracy has reached a point where it is getting hard to accomplish good things anymore, but if we give in to authoritarianism and live by dictatorial rule then there will clearly be some major losers in that, and if Musk and Trump are in charge, those poor people in Detroit you think we should have compassion for are not going to be amongst the winners, for sure.

 

[TomC]

You might think Musk is the bad person right now but he might well be the savior of our government not completely failing in the near future.

Musk?
You mean the guy who is trying to sue his ex-customers because they don't want his product enough to buy it anymore?
Tom

 

[crazyfingers]

You might think Musk is the bad person right now but he might well be the savior of our government not completely failing in the near future.

Musk?
You mean the guy who is trying to sue his ex-customers because they don't want his product enough to buy it anymore?
Tom

And I have a hard time seeing a guy who does the Nazi salute as any kind of savior.

 

[TomC]

You might think Musk is the bad person right now but he might well be the savior of our government not completely failing in the near future.

Musk?
You mean the guy who is trying to sue his ex-customers because they don't want his product enough to buy it anymore?
Tom

And I have a hard time seeing a guy who does the Nazi salute as any kind of savior.

Damn those Afro-American people!
Especially the immigrants.
Tom

 

[Shadowy Man]

You might think Musk is the bad person right now but he might well be the savior of our government not completely failing in the near future.

So, you are willing to do away with Democracy, because it apparently isn't working well enough for you, and go with autocracy because it "might well" produce the result you do like?

Living in a democracy is hard and most people won't like it. Compromising almost never makes anyone happy. However, isn't it still better than the alternative. Yes, it can become corrupted and we should fight against that corruption, but we don't solve the corruption by simply going full-on corrupted.

Are you hoping that Elon will simply destroy our current democracy and then somehow lead the charge in developing a new, better democracy from its ashes? What are the chances that that is his current motivation? This just makes no sense to me.