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yeah I had to step back from this when I saw it* on my feed because I was so disenchanted by how positive the replies were. Not even sure what their issues wit

yeah I had to step back from this when I saw it* on my feed because I was so disenchanted by how positive the replies were. Not even sure what their issues with DOGE are if they think this is a great solution... ETA: I'm on about his bluesky post, to be clear, not this thread

dingnuts 2y ago
the issue with Elon Musk's involvement is the WAY these things are being done. If what was previously funded through coercion -- tax dollars -- can be funded through voluntary charity of a billionaire that is 100% a good thing and we can still be upset about the rule of law and all that while being happy that billionaires are stepping up to pay their fair share when the tax money is taken away. HOWEVER Congress has NOT reduced the budget so everything I just said is bullshit and hypothetical until some of that money starts coming back into our pockets. But I am trying to remain optimistic. These are challenging times.
- Upvoter33 2y ago
  Hate to tell ya, but unless you’re already pretty rich, the money won’t be coming back to you
- JansjoFromIkea 2y ago
  Where did he mention voluntary charity in his tweet?
- chgs 2y ago
  It most definitely not a good thing. It makes these reliant on that billionaire rather than the public.
- 1659447091 2y ago
  > If what was previously funded through coercion -- tax dollars Guess it's a good thing we are in the US and there is no tax dollar coercion considering you are free to renounce citizenship and leave the country. Thus never having to pay the fees required to participate/live in US society. Kinda like if you don't want to pay monthly gym fees, don't--but don't expect to use their gym equipment whenever suits you.
  - hollerith 2y ago
    Uh, Washington thinks you still have to pay income tax after renouncing your citizenship and bullies governments into collecting it or even extradicting you if you do not pay.
    - wraaath 2y ago
      What percentage of the world's countries will still respect the US's extradition treaties in 4 years?
      - hollerith 2y ago
        Approximately the same percentage that respect them now IMHO.
    - 1659447091 2y ago
      No you only have to pay if you keep your citizenship and leave the country. If you are no longer a citizen you no longer pay.
      - hollerith 2y ago
        We disagree.
        1659447091 2y ago
        I am stating a fact. There is no opinion. If you have no ties (current citizenship, located within US territory or work) to the US, you do not pay US taxes.
llamaimperative 2y ago
I don’t think anyone who “likes” this solution thinks “it’s a great solution” I reckon approximately 100% of those people would prefer 18F stay how it is
- jancsika 2y ago
  > I don’t think anyone who “likes” this solution thinks “it’s a great solution” It's not a solution. If we're talking about the current administration, there's no way in hell they're going to contract with a consultancy made up of gov't employees they just fired. If they do hire consultants they'll be ones who are loyal to Musk. If we're talking about a future administration that wants to show intent to repair the damage done to gov't workers and services, why in the world would that admin start by privatizing 18F?

dingnuts 2y ago

the issue with Elon Musk's involvement is the WAY these things are being done. If what was previously funded through coercion -- tax dollars -- can be funded through voluntary charity of a billionaire that is 100% a good thing and we can still be upset about the rule of law and all that while being happy that billionaires are stepping up to pay their fair share when the tax money is taken away. HOWEVER Congress has NOT reduced the budget so everything I just said is bullshit and hypothetical until some of that money starts coming back into our pockets. But I am trying to remain optimistic. These are challenging times.

Upvoter33 2y ago
Hate to tell ya, but unless you’re already pretty rich, the money won’t be coming back to you
JansjoFromIkea 2y ago
Where did he mention voluntary charity in his tweet?
chgs 2y ago
It most definitely not a good thing. It makes these reliant on that billionaire rather than the public.
1659447091 2y ago
> If what was previously funded through coercion -- tax dollars Guess it's a good thing we are in the US and there is no tax dollar coercion considering you are free to renounce citizenship and leave the country. Thus never having to pay the fees required to participate/live in US society. Kinda like if you don't want to pay monthly gym fees, don't--but don't expect to use their gym equipment whenever suits you.
- hollerith 2y ago
  Uh, Washington thinks you still have to pay income tax after renouncing your citizenship and bullies governments into collecting it or even extradicting you if you do not pay.
  - wraaath 2y ago
    What percentage of the world's countries will still respect the US's extradition treaties in 4 years?
    - hollerith 2y ago
      Approximately the same percentage that respect them now IMHO.
  - 1659447091 2y ago
    No you only have to pay if you keep your citizenship and leave the country. If you are no longer a citizen you no longer pay.
    - hollerith 2y ago
      We disagree.
      - 1659447091 2y ago
        I am stating a fact. There is no opinion. If you have no ties (current citizenship, located within US territory or work) to the US, you do not pay US taxes.

llamaimperative 2y ago

I don’t think anyone who “likes” this solution thinks “it’s a great solution” I reckon approximately 100% of those people would prefer 18F stay how it is

jancsika 2y ago
> I don’t think anyone who “likes” this solution thinks “it’s a great solution” It's not a solution. If we're talking about the current administration, there's no way in hell they're going to contract with a consultancy made up of gov't employees they just fired. If they do hire consultants they'll be ones who are loyal to Musk. If we're talking about a future administration that wants to show intent to repair the damage done to gov't workers and services, why in the world would that admin start by privatizing 18F?