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We could always go back to Fauci science. LOL! Or, we could join forces with the media to hide Biden’s mental collapse from the American public for four years. Or, we could reopen the borders, give SS#s to illegals, and not ask for IDs when voting so anyone can vote. Or, we could just spend countless trillions of dollars on all kinds of BS programs with no audit trails. Or, we could continue the DEI (didn’t earn it) policies to make sure we have mediocre people in critical leadership positions. Or, we could continue with Obama’s identity politics to divide the country into hate groups.
Maybe, instead of bashing Trump, or Bush, or Reagan, or the whomever is the current Republican President, you Dems should focus on policies to improve America. Offer some solutions to problems. Listen the people, and not just fellow Trump-bashers. There’s a lot of room for improvement.
My vote is working. America is getting better everyday.
Scott C.
I am a Republican. Could you please give me a list of which specific “BS programs” you are referring to that “countless” trillions were spent on?
Walter, I I’ll jump in here, regarding the “BS programs” mentioned. Let’s delve into some concrete examples that have raised concerns about fiscal responsibility and effectiveness.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, the Biden administration allocated $7.5 billion through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to build a national network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. As of December 2024, only 37 charging stations with a total of 226 charging ports had been constructed under this program, falling significantly short of the administration’s goal of 500,000 chargers by 2030. This slow rollout has been attributed to bureaucratic hurdles and stringent labor requirements, leading to criticism about the efficient use of taxpayer funds .
Rural Broadband Expansion, similarly, the administration’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, backed by $42.5 billion, aimed to expand high-speed internet access to underserved rural areas. However, reports indicate that, as of late 2024, no rural households had been connected through this initiative. The program has faced delays due to regulatory challenges and debates over the most effective technologies to deploy, raising questions about the program’s implementation and oversight .
And let’s not ignore the nearly $1.2 trillion in green energy subsidies via the Inflation Reduction Act. While pushing for sustainability is laudable, funneling tax credits and grants to industries reliant on foreign supply chains, especially China, raises real questions about long-term strategy, national security, and return on investment.
And let’s not ignore the nearly $1.2 trillion in green energy subsidies via the Inflation Reduction Act. While pushing for sustainability is laudable, funneling tax credits and grants to industries reliant on foreign supply chains, especially China, (who many believe was Biden was compromised by) raises real questions about long-term strategy, national security, and return on investment.
These examples underscore concerns about large-scale federal spending without corresponding results. It’s not about opposing investment in infrastructure or technology; it’s about ensuring that such investments are executed efficiently, transparently, and with tangible outcomes. Accountability and performance metrics should be integral to any government program to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively to address the nation’s needs.
This comment is to Don B’s on “BS programs” dated May 14 6:07 AM
Don,
My response to Scott C. was a result of the quality of his comment. He attempts to endow “programs” with the odor of male cow excrement, and I don’t find this helpful. He mentions the cost of “countless trillions” without providing any evidence of such. I think this sort of comment requires some resistance.
You have given him some much needed help with concrete examples. I don’t yet know enough about either the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations or the Rural Broadband Expansion to analyze your thoughts on them, and so will not try.
I will comment on the green energy subsidies though. As you know Mr. Trump says often that the notion that there is climate change is a hoax. He is wrong on this. I think he may be concerned that others will see he is wrong, and thus the recent firing of scientists and the suppression of their USGCAP report. I’ll let the scientists defend the science, they will prevail.
Your last paragraph contains a lot of Mom and apple pie sorts of things that we should all desire as long as Mom is attentive to the children and can bake. Efficiency is, like beauty, often in the eye of the beholder, but yes, desirable. Transparency does not seem to be a problem; Wikipedia has an exhaustive review of sources on the topic. For example estimates of the cost of green energy subsidies range stepwise from 1.2 trillion down to about half that depending on who is doing the estimating. I notice you have chosen the highest in making your argument. So far none of the other countless trillions in sight. On the subject of tangible outcomes I want to put judging these outcomes in the proper context. Climate change as commonly understood begins with the Industrial Revolution in 1760, over 250 years ago. To expect accurate judgments on tangible outcomes in the 3 years or so since the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act may be premature.
I want anyone patient enough to read all this to understand that climate change must be addressed as an existential problem. It is a problem that transcends disagreements and missteps in any of the many administrations that have had and will have a say in management of the problem. The Trump administration is currently trying to sweep climate change under the rug. That is a huge mistake.
Dr. Feldman’s editorial paints an alarmist and highly biased portrait of President Trump’s second term. While criticism of any administration is a fundamental right, it must be grounded in fact, not fearmongering. Let’s separate the rhetoric from reality.
1. No Evidence of Supreme Court Defiance:
Contrary to the editorial’s claim that Trump’s administration might defy the Supreme Court, there is no evidence he has done so. In fact, President Trump has repeatedly stated his respect for constitutional boundaries, and his administration has complied with court rulings. Alleging a constitutional crisis without a single case to point to is reckless and misleading.
2. Scientific “Integrity” Must Be Earned, Not Assumed:
Dr. Feldman mourns the supposed decline of “scientific integrity,” but fails to acknowledge why millions of Americans have grown skeptical of official science. The COVID-19 pandemic shattered public trust not because of President Trump, but because of the repeated failures, contradictions, and misinformation from our own health agencies and institutions. From changing guidance on masks, to denying the lab-leak theory until political pressure forced a reversal, to insisting that mRNA injections were “safe and effective” despite clear evidence of adverse reactions and diminishing efficacy, scientific credibility was eroded by those claiming to be its gatekeepers.
3. The WHO Withdrawal Was Justified:
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization was a rational move in response to its early failures during COVID-19, including parroting Chinese Communist Party propaganda and delaying recognition of the virus’s severity. The idea that the U.S. should pour billions into an organization that failed the world at a critical moment, with no accountability, is simply not defensible.
4. Misrepresentation of Executive Orders and Governance:
The editorial’s tone suggests some kind of dictatorial purge or national meltdown, which is entirely unsupported by the facts. Yes, Trump is exercising his executive authority, just as Biden, Obama, and Bush did. Streamlining bloated federal agencies and reevaluating government funding are not signs of authoritarianism; they are acts of leadership. Dr. Feldman conflates political disagreement with constitutional violations, which is both inaccurate and dangerous.
5. On Biomedical Research Funding and Administrative Waste:
Billions of taxpayer dollars flow into academic research, much of which is controlled by elite institutions that often prioritize profits and patents over transparency or public benefit. The fact that a significant portion of these funds gets swallowed by administrative costs, without accountability, is not “scientific oppression,” it’s fiscal irresponsibility. Trump’s actions to reassess these allocations are not only appropriate, but they’re also overdue.
6. Cultural and Moral Disconnect:
Dr. Feldman accuses the Trump administration of censoring language about gender and reproductive issues. But the truth is, the real censorship has come from the radical left, which now demands compliance with ideological definitions of gender that defy biology and silences anyone who disagrees. As for abortion, President Trump supports protecting unborn life, something more than 60% of Americans believe should at least have some legal protection. Calling this “killing babies up to 40 weeks” may sound harsh, but it reflects a very real ethical line being crossed in late-term abortion policies defended by many on the left.
7. Free Speech for All—Not Just the Left:
Finally, let’s address the charge of “silencing scientific discourse.” Dr. Feldman’s own editorial is freely published and widely circulated, proof that no such silencing is occurring. What is happening, however, is a long-overdue realignment. Under Trump, scientific and medical establishments are being challenged to restore trust by prioritizing evidence over ideology, debate over dogma, and transparency over control.
8. Trump Has Expanded, Not Restricted, Media Access:
The claim that Trump is “restricting media access” is completely false. In fact, President Trump regularly holds impromptu press conferences, often nearly every day, taking open questions from a wide range of reporters, including those from independent and alternative outlets. This is in stark contrast to former President Biden, who was frequently shielded from the press, rarely held unscripted press events, and was often escorted away before answering difficult questions. Trump has actually broadened the media pool beyond the mainstream outlets that traditionally dominated the White House press room, promoting more transparency and accountability, regardless of whether the media agrees with him or not.
Dr. Feldman’s fears may make for dramatic headlines, but they do not reflect the truth of what is happening in our country. Americans are tired of being told what to think. They are ready for leadership that respects both science and common sense, rights and responsibility, liberty and truth. President Trump is delivering on that promise, despite the noise.
Don B, I Believe you are wrong on all eight counts.
1. Tell the folks in El Salvador that Trump’s administration has not defied the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
2. Please consult statistics on survival and severity of illness of those who took Covid vaccines versus those who didn’t.
3.There are many diseases besides Covid, and many have been controlled before they have reached the United States. That fact has been good for other humans even if they are not citizens of the United States.
4. Please explain how you could believe that the removal of many experts from the FDA and CDC is not a purge facilitated by overzealous executive authority.
5. Elite institutions are elite because they have a history of providing excellent research. If there are ways to reduce the administrative cost to do so, great; but not at the cost of simplystopping the research.
6. That this administration is forbidding words like gender or acronyms like DEI in reports and papers is not debatable. That some on the left have said silly things on these topics does not make the current administration’s censorship any less real.
7. This is simply turning the reality of what is happening on it’s head. The Trump administration is championing ideology, and dogma and using the control afforded by authoritarian executive orders to do so.
8. Please tell the Associated Press that Trump is not restricting media access.
Walter, Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I respectfully maintain my position and will clarify each of the eight points you challenged:
1. Court Rulings and El Salvador:
There’s a difference between enforcing immigration policy and “defying” the Supreme Court. The Trump administration has implemented policies, like the “Remain in Mexico” protocol, that were litigated and sometimes challenged, but in the end, the administration followed the judicial process. If you’re referencing the temporary handling of asylum claims or immigration restrictions, those were all contested legally and complied with once rulings were issued. Defying courts means ignoring or refusing to comply, which has not occurred.
2. Vaccine Data and COVID Outcomes:
You’re right that vaccinated individuals often had milder COVID cases. But this misses the broader point: the American people were misled. They were told the vaccine would prevent infection and transmission, neither turned out to be fully true. Public health officials dismissed concerns and censored alternative views, then moved goalposts repeatedly. That inconsistency, not disagreement with vaccines themselves, is what eroded public trust in “the science.”
3. International Disease Monitoring:
No one disputes that controlling diseases globally is important. The concern lies in how it’s done and who is in charge. The WHO failed during COVID, especially in its deference to China. Trump didn’t abolish global cooperation; he demanded accountability from international organizations funded by American taxpayers. That’s leadership, not negligence.
4. FDA/CDC Staffing Changes:
Changing personnel at federal agencies, especially after serious public trust failures, is not a “purge.” It’s called oversight. These agencies are not above accountability. Experts mismanaged communication and policy during COVID, and reform was needed. Every president reshapes federal leadership to align with their policies, that’s not authoritarianism; it’s governance.
5. Elite Institutions and Research Funding:
Yes, elite institutions produce quality research. But should taxpayers continue funneling billions into schools that get patents off that research and return nothing to the public? Should administrative costs eat up half of grants without transparency? Supporting science doesn’t mean ignoring inefficiency or abuse. Responsible funding means reform, not blind endorsement.
6. DEI, Gender Terminology, and Censorship:
You’re right that this administration has moved to restrict the use of DEI-driven language in official reports. But that’s not censorship, it’s a shift in policy focus. Under previous administrations, not using such language was considered noncompliant. The current policy restores neutrality. Also, pointing out left-wing overreach isn’t a distraction, it’s critical context. One ideology dominated government communication unchallenged for years. Balance is not censorship.
7. Ideology and Executive Orders:
Every administration governs according to its philosophy. What you call “dogma” many Americans see as restoring common sense and constitutional principles. Trump’s executive orders may be sweeping, but they are legal, and like Obama or Biden’s, subject to review by Congress and the courts. The outrage here seems less about legality and more about disagreement with the direction.
8. Media Access and the Associated Press:
President Trump has opened the press pool to a wider variety of outlets than any president in modern history. He holds press avails frequently, takes tough questions, and does not hide behind staff. In contrast, the Biden administration rarely allowed open Q&A, heavily filtered interviews, and often limited access. If the AP feels slighted, that doesn’t negate the expanded access overall. The idea that Trump “restricts” the press is contradicted daily by the combative, often hostile press exchanges he willingly engages in.
Conclusion:
We can disagree, but let’s be honest about the facts. Trump’s critics often conflate disagreement with democracy’s collapse and policy changes with authoritarianism. But many Americans see what’s happening not as chaos, but as long-overdue course correction. Disagreement is healthy, but accuracy matters more.
Well let’s see. I will try to cite concrete examples which often helps in interpretation of what is real versus what is just opinion.
1.Trump’s administration has defied the Supreme Courts order to “facilitate” the return of persons deported without due process.
2.The public was not misled. Changes in advice from the CDC changed a lot at first when it was not clear to anyone what was needed; masks came back quickly when it was apparent they would help. Misleading is often an intended activity meant to deceive; understanding and making appropriate changes as knowledge is gained should not be presented as such. Perhaps misinformed initially might be a better description of what happened.
3. Trump acted to defund the WHO, not improve it. That is an example of bad leadership. I am certainly not defending China, which has behaved badly. But where now is the forum for global cooperation?
4. What happened at the FDA and CDC is an example of stunningly bad oversight. Where now are the experts we will need in the future? The current leadership is not up to the task; I am thinking R.F.K Jr. of course.
5. Return nothing to the public? Where do we think the knowledge to manufacture new drugs and test new therapies comes from? I am not supporting inefficiency or abuse, I am saying that the total cancellation of grants is throwing the baby out with the bath water.
6. I am not aware of any directive in the previous administration which required the use of the words gender or acronym DEI or the like in order to be compliant. Compliant to what please? On the other hand the current directive to not use these and related words is textbook censorship.
7. Dogma and philosophy are often the opposite sides of the same coin. Which word one uses reliably identifies where one stands in an argument. I am truly sorry for Americans who see Trump’s executive actions as a return to common sense or compliant with the Constitution. I think as we follow the court’s rulings on many of his executive actions their illegality and lack of adherence to the Constitution will become more apparent to all.
8. First let us remember that Biden’s actions are not the ones in question here, and are thus not material to this discussion. The Associated Press was not “slighted”; they were denied access.
They have been replaced with media that responds favorably to Mr. Trump’s actions and words.
I don’t advocate the denial of access to these new media, but the action of denying AP access is antithetical to having a free press.
Finally I agree with your comments about facts, and am comfortable with disagreement be it mine or yours. I reply in the hopes of helping to improve the accuracy of this discussion.