The federal government is a behemoth, with a budget of over $6 trillion annually and countless agencies, programs, and initiatives. Yet, with such immense size comes inefficiency. Waste, fraud, and abuse are not just occasional missteps—they are systemic issues deeply embedded in the sprawling bureaucracy. It’s time for voters to recognize the staggering scope of the problem and why efforts like the Detection of Government Excess (DOGE) initiative, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, must be given full support to root out these inefficiencies.
A government of this size, by its very nature, is prone to waste. Billions of dollars are lost each year due to unnecessary programs, duplication of efforts, and outright fraud. For example, a 2022 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report identified $247 billion in improper payments in federal programs—money that could have been better spent or returned to taxpayers. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Without an independent, systemic review, the true scale of waste remains hidden in the shadows.
DOGE’s mission is simple but profound: to identify and eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse at every level of the federal government. Yet, it faces resistance from the entrenched political class, which benefits from this inefficiency. Why? Because this waste funds their perks, sustains their power, and shields them from accountability.
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Holding DOGE Accountable: A Shared Responsibility
As powerful as DOGE's mission is, its success depends not just on its independence but also on the mechanisms that hold it accountable. Here are three ways to ensure DOGE operates effectively and transparently:
1. Congressional Oversight
Congress must establish clear metrics for DOGE's performance, requiring regular reports on findings, progress, and the savings achieved. Bipartisan oversight committees must ensure DOGE’s work remains focused on its mission and free from partisan interference.
2. An Unbiased Media
A free and fair press must closely monitor DOGE’s activities, amplifying its findings while holding it accountable for any missteps. Investigative reporting should provide transparency to the public, ensuring DOGE remains a tool for systemic reform rather than a political weapon.
3. An Engaged Body Politic
Voters must stay informed and demand accountability—not just from DOGE but from their elected officials. Citizens must advocate for reforms based on DOGE's findings, ensuring identified waste is eliminated and savings are reinvested or returned to taxpayers.
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The average voter must wake up to how much of their hard-earned tax dollars are squandered. Imagine the impact of redirecting even a fraction of this waste toward paying down the national debt, improving infrastructure, or reducing taxes. Giving DOGE the resources to investigate, mechanisms for accountability, and public support is not just common sense—it’s a moral imperative.
The federal government is too large, too opaque, and too unaccountable. It’s time for transparency, accountability, and action. Let DOGE do its job—and let us all hold it accountable. Voters deserve to know the truth.
J. Anthony Stucchi
JGK Associates
