The news that Elon Musk will be leaving his “Government Efficiency” (DOGE) this week is a harsh reminder of what will happen when you challenge a massive spending DC. Unfortunately, once again the lesson is that when you challenge the Empire, the Empire will ultimately fight back.
President Trump took office with the help of Elon Musk's ambitious plan to cut $2 trillion in spending and cut down the useless, bloated government bureaucracy. Opinion polls demonstrated the adult spirit of the “sector”; When Doge came to DC, the Americans were excited.
The exposure of the real harm done to the country by institutions such as the USAID reinforced the idea that much of “federal bureaucracy” simply does not need. Musk became a form of hatred for the special interests that had been established, but he became a hero for the big American chunks forced to pay for Washington's excess.
Many of the Congress saw its popularity and actively embraced the Doge. Suddenly, those who helped us get $37 trillion in debt were making huge cuts and talking about photo poses with Musk.
Unfortunately, after the photos were taken and Hoopra died, the Congress returned to doing what he normally would. There is no way for dogs to succeed without the legislative department entering legislative cuts. However, when the massive “big beautiful” spending bill was introduced, no spending cuts were found anywhere.
Ultimately, what may have hit Doge's Coffin's final claw was a beltway addiction to the US military empire of the world. Even after President Trump hinted that a 50% reduction was possible, the “big beautiful” spending bill actually increased military spending. Defense Secretary Pete Hegses boasted of presiding the “first” trillion dollar defense budget. Starting a war with Yemen – for over $1 billion a month – rattles through Iran is the most obvious evidence that the empire has fought back. And of course, the DC Hawks want to “facing” China.
This is not the first time a popular movement among the populist taming beltway beasts has been embraced and defeated by that same beast. The “Tea Party” movement was launched in December 2007, with volunteers supporting the 2008 presidential campaign, hosting a record-breaking 24-hour “money bomb” on the 1773 Boston Tea Party anniversary.
Americans fed up with deficit spending, excessively reaching governments, and US military empires that are cost-effective and counterproductive overseas, gathered to demand change. The success of “Money Bomb” attracted Washington's attention. Money is the lifeline of the political class – and too all striped politicians have been declared part of the “tea party.”
They loved the popularity of being associated with “tea party.” But will they actually cut off the government? Not that much.
The first thing these newly created “tea party” members rejected was our demand for an unsustainable and bloated military budget and an aggressive foreign policy end. Eventually they retreated from other spending restrictions, and within a few years the “brand” was diluted and abandoned.
What lesson is here? Is that all a waste? It doesn't seem like it will happen. Doge's popularity shows that Americans still want a much smaller government. It's great news and the country is gratefully owed to Elon for reminding us of this. But we sadly continue our path to bankruptcy and collapse until Americans elect representatives who have the courage to pursue beyond the photoopens.
Ron Paul is a former US lawmaker from Texas. This article was originally published at the Ronpaul Institute for Peace and Prosperity and has been reproduced here with permission.
