In 1993 (32 years ago, can you believe it), Vice President Al Gore launched the “Reinventing Government” program (ReGo), an initiative aimed at transforming the U.S. government into a more efficient, customer-focused, and performance-oriented entity. He had a great deal of success, which is why Elon Musk keeps tweeting about ReGo on X.com. And that’s his mistake.
The DOGE program is applying similar principles of ReGo’s innovation and reform—but with it’s getting a dramatically different outcome. The DOGE initiative has drawn significant scrutiny for its legal violations and ethical concerns. Oh, Elon has access to IRS data now so you know. Sleep well.
ReGo was aimed at making the federal government “smarter, smaller, and faster.” ReGo’s focus was on reducing the size and scope of government through reforms such as digitizing records, decentralizing power, and eliminating complete government programs. Federal agencies were encouraged to adopt private-sector practices, using technology and performance metrics to improve government services delivery. ReGo was a success; a significant step forward in governmental innovation, setting the stage for future public sector reforms.
Fast forward to 2025, and the DOGE program that presents a 2025 take on technological innovation with the goal of revolutionizing industries and global governance using techies who lack security clearance or significant experience. It’s all about artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology in hopes of finding waste and fraud. It’s not working. DOGE is mired in multiple legal and ethical violations where the courts are intervening while Musk calls for judicial impeachments. Many of the agencies Musk is targeting for elimination has either fined or investigated his companies for wrongdoing. DOGE is also not subject to public records scrutiny and Musk has not signed a government conflict of interest document, raising alarms.
For example, DOGE is linked to prominent legal violations including:
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Data Privacy Concerns: DOGE’s blockchain-based system, which collects vast amounts of personal and financial data from users, has come under intense scrutiny for inadequate data privacy protections. While Musk’s companies promised full transparency and security, investigations revealed that sensitive user information was being misused and sold to third-party entities without consent. These actions constitute serious violations of both U.S. and international privacy laws, including the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe.
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False Advertising and Misleading Claims: The DOGE program failed to deliver the promised savings. DOGE’s use of AI algorithms to streamline governmental processes resulted in systemic errors, costing taxpayers millions and undermining public trust in the program’s claims.
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Unlawful Lobbying and Influence-Peddling: There have also been reports that DOGE, through its vast network of corporate allies and political connections, has been illegally lobbying lawmakers to pass favorable legislation.
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Antitrust Violations: As DOGE’s platform began to dominate key sectors of the global economy, there were increasing concerns about the creation of a monopoly. Antitrust advocates are calling for investigations into whether the DOGE program violates U.S. antitrust laws designed to promote fair market competition.
While ReGo was a government-led initiative that operated within the boundaries of public accountability, the DOGE program has unfolded in a vastly different context, where Musk’s corporate ambitions appear to blur the lines between private and public governance. ReGo had the checks and balances of government oversight. DOGE, however, operates where Musk’s business interests and government contracts have a more direct and unregulated influence.
In essence, while ReGo was about reforming government from within, DOGE represents private-sector-led reform. If government under President Trump is operating like a business, that business has been acquired by private equity which is stripped out parts it can sell before clsoing shop for good.
List the major accomplishments of ReGo and the amount of money saved by the government.
Ill wait.
” He had a great deal of success”
Do Tell … Lets hear all about it.
The Potemkin City of Government reform. Keep reading CNN, NPR or MSNBC… or Daily KOS.. probably the only source of your information on a given day Dan
https://reason.com/1994/04/01/rego-no-go/
As Usual, Dan, you are absolutely correct. DOGE and REGO .. are just aren’t close to the same. One is incredibly effective. The other, not so much. Stop shooting yourself in the foot Dan.
Every President has wanted to tinker with the machinery of government. Nixon had the Ash Council, Reagan the National Performance Review, Clinton/Gore REGO, Hoover Commission, etc. Its public admin 101 for the executive branch (Schwarzenegger did it in CA) to want to make changes, but DOGE has taken this to an EXTREME that is scary.
The initiatives you mention are all nothing but lip service. A pose. That’s what all politicians do. “let’s form a committee this study….” “What we need is a task force…..” “ report your findings in two to three years for our review”… the same old charade, the same lie you have been fed for decades, by every do nothing Administration that promises results, then moves on to more pressing matters, like “ how can I pander to the greatest number of voters and win reelection ?” How do I get those massive campaign contributions that I can covertly use for my personal expenses..?” And how can I dupe the voting public into thinking I actually care about their concerns..?” Oh.. that efficiency initiative? Um , well, we are waiting for the task force committee to publish their findings.. I promise you..”
Earth to “Carmen San Diego…”. This time, they actually mean it. This time, they are making real progress. This time, it is not a joke, like ReGo and every other bullshit promise.
It’s only scary, because it is actually real. And America has waited far too long for a president to actually follow through.
Instead of the liberal “ Great Reset” promised by the Socailist Globalist World Economic Forum, they’ve been beaten to the punch by the Conservative “ Great Reser”
Sorry you snooze you lose.
If you are still feeling afraid, suggest you see your therapist.
Or, you could always move to Canada, or Germany.. maybe even Ukraine or Gaza. No doubt you will find a sympathetic ear.
We’re not “tinkering “ Carmen SD… this is full ZR1
Engine tear down and rebuild. With no emissions controls.
I’m still waiting to hear all about the huge level of success of ReGo. Something tells me all I will get will be the sound of crickets from the illustrious editor of this fine piece of me too DEM party propaganda. As a side note, please stop referring to to your party as the “Democratic “ party. You are a “ Democrat” ..plural is “ Democrats” .. and while we are at it, stop referring to our form of Government as a “ Democracy “.. it is a “ Constitutional Representative Republic “… ( thank god…)
We had budget surpluses under Clinton thanks to the help of this program
https://www.cato.org/commentary/no-bill-clinton-didnt-balance-budget
Yawn. …
Um, yeah..sure.
“ ReGo’s focus was on reducing the size and scope of government through reforms such as digitizing records, decentralizing power, and eliminating complete government programs. “
We have a limestone mine where Govt retirement records are kept in paper Manila envelopes.
Social Security computers run on. COBOL a programming language developed 66 years ago and updated thru awkward FrankenCode bolt one and tweaks that leave it hopelessly outdated and abandoned for all practical new use over 20 years ago.
We now know this…. Thanks to Elon Musk. A duly appointed representative of the duly elected President of our country .
All the Ad Hominem attacks in the world won’t alter that simple fact.
You can continue to throw out this line but the only fish biting are the ones that look act and vote just like you. The American people understand what musk is doing and why and they fully support it. Dems never will. Thier entire barnacle encrusted ideology is being shown for precisely what it is.
Rotten to the very core.
“ Oh, Elon has access to IRS data now so you know. Sleep well.”
Fallacy of Unwarranted Assumption
“using techies who lack security clearance or significant experience. “
Ad Hominem attack.
“It’s all about artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology in hopes of finding waste and fraud. It’s not working. “
Outright Falsehood. It’s working extremely well.. and that is unacceptable to those who wish to preserve the status quo and do not want to see decades of leftist progress flushed down the toilet in one fell swoop.
“Data Privacy Concerns: DOGE’s blockchain-based system, which collects vast amounts of personal and financial data from users, has come under intense scrutiny for inadequate data privacy protections. While Musk’s companies promised full transparency and security, investigations revealed that sensitive user information was being misused and sold to third-party entities without consent. These actions constitute serious violations of both U.S. and international privacy laws, including the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe.“
Fallacy of unwarranted assumption combined with non sequitur..
“False Advertising and Misleading Claims: The DOGE program failed to deliver the promised savings. DOGE’s use of AI algorithms to streamline governmental processes resulted in systemic errors, costing taxpayers millions and undermining public trust in the program’s claims”.
It’s been three weeks. Get real Dan. But perhaps you hope that if you repeat this BS often enough you will get it to stop.
No chance. Prepare for 4 years of ever increasing efficiency and progress. All the wishing in the world is not going to stop the freight train. Don’t be a speedbump.
Unlawful Lobbying and Influence-Peddling: There have also been reports that DOGE, through its vast network of corporate allies and political connections, has been illegally lobbying lawmakers to pass favorable legislation.
“ Antitrust Violations: As DOGE’s platform began to dominate key sectors of the global economy, there were increasing concerns about the creation of a monopoly. Antitrust advocates are calling for investigations into whether the DOGE program violates U.S. antitrust laws designed to promote fair market competition.“
Just more Non Sequitur attacks.
Like most Dems you think if you repeat your false narratives and illogical arguments often and forcefully enough, you will win some converts to your position.
Only the stupid ones Dan.. and that’s not going to be enough in the future.
Party’s over . Dems lose.
Thank Joe and Kamala.. but I’m sure you will back her for CA Governor.. that… is why this state is so f’ed up Dan.
“The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) discovered an identification code linking U.S. Treasury payments to a budget line item, which accounts for nearly $4.7 trillion in payments which was oftentimes left blank.”
Jesus fvcking Christ. I designed and deployed multiple simple database apps. Enforcing referential integrity by denying the ability to save a record without the demanded input ( a freaking budget line item or G/L code) is basic stuff.. database 101. This is absolutely insane and I am glad somebody is FINALLY doing something about it. The fact that you are not in favor of this basic protection for taxpayers tells me that there is an agenda behind that opinion. What is it…
“Oh…. Um … we are running that in FORTRAN we were too afraid to upgrade it because every public sector software upgrade turns into a massive clusterfvck.. so um.. we just left it in FORTRAN… that and we didn’t want to fire these guys who never bothered to update their skills and learn C or Java or Python.. they would be unemployed.. so we um… we just left it that way..”
Three weeks Dan.
3
Weeks.
https://x.com/doge
Stop the dishonesty Dan..
it’s not going to work anymore.
https://doge.gov/savings
https://apnews.com/article/social-security-payments-deceased-false-claims-doge-ed2885f5769f368853ac3615b4852cf7?fbclid=IwY2xjawIjBa1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZ6nBVr4ugUPPW9BJwoyKAv_Gwu2de25SJHguFGXu7OBxha1GMsLMp-h5w_aem_-oeIO8S939ziOK8IAdqtCw
Associated Press is a leftist propaganda organ that always tries to frame the narrative in acritical fashion and publishes half truths and outright falsehoods.
They lost their integrity decades ago,
and have zero credibility.
I wont even bother clicking on it.
I do get a good laugh out of the AP Style Book…
Fvcking hilarious..
Traditionally they asked the first question at every press briefing. AP is just wonderful
At least Politico is occasionally honest.. AP is the epitome of progressive leftist slant media posing as neutral journalism..
Too bad Trump took away their back door payoff for carrying water for DEMS..
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/02/20/was-bidenomics-a-mistake-00204951
Too bad Bidens economist didn’t actually come totally clean and admit that the very definition of of inflation is not the “price increases “ from “greedy corporations “ but simply a massive increase in the amount of new money pumped into an economy already flooded with tons of “new money” post COVID.
When you pump shit tons of freshly printed money into an economy, you get inflation..
Ukraine? Pffttttt. Excuses excuses..
“Build Back Better “ .. ha ha ha ..
Bidenomics was an absolute disaster.
Budget reform is not an option, it’s a necessity,”We can’t sustain a system that bleeds billions of taxpayer dollars on programs that have outlived their usefulness or exist solely because of the power of politicians, lobbyists or interest groups.”
– Barack Obama
“The American people are entitled to transparency,” “They’re entitled to be able to figure out where their dollars are going, and they’re entitled to accountability to make sure that we’re using the dollars for what we said it was for.”
We are going to go through our federal budget… page by page, line by line, eliminating those programs we don’t need, and insisting that those that we do need operate in a sensible, cost-effective way,”
-Joe Biden
We are going to go through our federal budget… page by page, line by line, eliminating those programs we don’t need, and insisting that those that we do need operate in a sensible, cost-effective way,” – Barack Obama
“What should be easy is getting rid of the pointless waste and stupid spending that doesn’t benefit anybody,” No amount of waste is acceptable, not when it’s your money.”
-Barack Obama
We hope to be instilling an entire new culture, that not only our administration, but every succeeding administration will in fact pursue,”
-Joe Biden
Dan, you should be happy someone is finally stepping up instead of lying and pandering, knowing full well they are just giving you lip service.
I’ll say it again. Stop the false narratives and outright lies.
Have some credibility, integrity and honor.
Yeah, and it was all done while working with Congress. Not a billions with billions in federal contracts going after agencies who investigated and fined his companies
As usual, since you really got nothing else, you try to cast aspersions on someone and attack their integrity and character without offering any real evidence of wrongdoing and try to infer some type of sinister intent with absolutely zero to back it up. It’s the same tactic DEMS have used on everybody when they have no real basis to do so. It’s a sign of desperation. In other scenarios it is called Slander and makes you liable to civil prosecution. In this case, it’s coming from a nothing burger blog and a publisher that parrots the narratives and talking points he receives from his preferred news sources in a feeble and useless attempt to to diminish someone who is a visionary and a true change agent. Next time you feel like criticizing Musk, asses his accomplishments. I won’t even bother to list them. They are well known.
I’m sure you are calling for Trump to be “ Impeached” again in your local DEM coffee klatch
As. Dems You would be better served to accept your political fall from power, ask yourself why it happened , then take positive steps to implement those actions. Even if it includes abandoning some cherished culture war positions that lost you the election I. The first place. Lacking that, prepare to be on the end of a political beatdown until you do.
you need a hobby Bob; start your own blog. There’s only one true Republican blog in OC
I’m having way too much fun to leave, Dan.
By the way, I am not a registered Republican.
I won’t bless them with my registration until they
demonstrate that they actually have a pair of balls
and engage in voter outreach and education. They have a golden opportunity at this juncture in time to pull in all the disaffected and disgusted independents that see the value of conservative ideology when contrasted with what the left offers. if they jump in and take advantage of it, they can have my registration back. Until then, I am a mole.. unpredictable when they try to figure out party majority in OC. Just like countless other people.
Just think, 4 more years of relentlessly dispelling your
Half truths, non truths and poking fun at a political party
that is more concerned about salvaging what may remain of their precious attempt to remake our country in the image of relativistic, socialist, woke society and culture that you worship.. because everybody ought to think exactly as you do, because you are so enlightened and have all the answers.
Dems have caused massive damage to this country.
The damage they have inflicted on our once proud state is beyond comprehension.
It’s time for you and all your DEM acquaintances and friends to get what you deserve for what you have done and tried to do.
Enjoy the next 4 years. I will.
I’m having way too much fun to leave, Dan.
By the way, I am not a registered Republican.
I won’t bless them with my registration until they
demonstrate that they actually have a pair of balls
and engage in voter outreach and education. They have a golden opportunity at this juncture in time to pull in all the disaffected and disgusted independents that see the value of conservative ideology when contrasted with what the left offers. if they jump in and take advantage of it, they can have my registration back. Until then, I am a mole.. unpredictable when they try to figure out party majority in OC. Just like countless other people.
Just think, 4 more years of relentlessly dispelling your
Half truths, non truths and poking fun at a political party
that is more concerned about salvaging what may remain of their precious attempt to remake our country in the image of relativistic, socialist, woke society and culture that you worship.. because everybody ought to think exactly as you do, because you are so enlightened and have all the answers.
Dems have caused massive damage to this country.
The damage they have inflicted on our once proud state is beyond comprehension.
It’s time for you and all your DEM acquaintances and friends to get what you deserve for what you have done and tried to do.
Enjoy the next 4 years. I will.