Thursday, February 20, 2025

Will there be a DOGE Dividend Check?

Some Americans have been calling for stimulus checks to be issued from cuts at Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, and the idea has gone viral.

Posted by gracieamazed at 09:33 PM | 48 COMMENTS | permalink

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Elon Musk plans to "check with" Trump about a proposal to send Americans rebate checks with money saved through slash-and-burn DOGE cuts.

[image or embed]

-- Axios (@axios.com) February 19, 2025 at 3:22 PM

Comments

LOL good luck.

The point of "savings" isn't to reduce tax burdens on citizens. It's to transfer more money to connected individuals.

#1 | Posted by jpw at 2025-02-19 03:03 PM

Let's see....

Elmo claimed $8,000,000,000 in savings. In reality it was only $8,000,000.

Orange Palmer already spent that golfing.

Everyone else can --- off.

BTW, $4 trillion in tax cuts for billionaires is coming paid for by cutting medicare and medicaid, killing head of household, child care credit, education credits and putting taxes on scholarships.

#2 | Posted by Nixon at 2025-02-19 03:38 PM

" $4 trillion in tax cuts for billionaires is coming paid for by ... "

You can stop there. "Paid for" by more borrowing.

The cuts aren't coming to balance the budget. Not at all.

They're going to cut a half trillion in spending, all which currently benefit the average taxpayer, and use that to justify 4 1/2 trillion in new tax cuts ... over $5 trillion with interest.

#3 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-02-19 03:49 PM

Billionaires have no reason to live

#4 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-02-19 10:07 PM

Orange Palmer already spent that golfing.

He didn't spend it. He just took it from the Treasury and put it in his own pocket.

#5 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-02-19 10:17 PM

He just took it from the Treasury and put it in his own pocket.
#5 | Posted by REDIAL

Exactly this. Just like he did in his first term. He's a grifter. Why are folks surprised?

#6 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2025-02-19 10:23 PM

Only ------- retarded MAGATS.

#7 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-02-19 11:41 PM

Of course there won't be stimulus checks, the wealth transfer must be upward, not down to the peeons. Even if the peeons got a $7000 check, it'll disappear very quickly with $5 gas, $18 for a dozen eggs, the loss of SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, and the price goughing of big pharma.

#8 | Posted by _Gunslinger_ at 2025-02-20 09:51 PM

OK, let's ask some questions ...

How many people would receive such a check?

Will the ~dividend~ be the same amount for all? or subject to some other criterion, such as the wealthy get more than workers?

If 20% of the DOGE ~money saved~ will be in the dividend, how much is that per person, exactly? Let's presume for that question, the distribution of the evidenced is equal for everyone, and not based upon income.

I realize that asking DOGE for details and transparency is akin to tilting towards windmills, but I ask anyway.




#9 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-02-20 10:19 PM

@#3 ... You can stop there. "Paid for" by more borrowing.

The cuts aren't coming to balance the budget. Not at all.

They're going to cut a half trillion in spending, all which currently benefit the average taxpayer, ....

Worth a repeat.

An a NW.

thx.

#10 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-02-20 10:21 PM

@#9 ... If 20% of the DOGE ~money saved~ will be in the dividend ...

Of course, that begs the question ...

How much has DOGE saved?

DOGE released data about federal contract savings. It doesn't add up
whyy.org

... A new online tracker on the Department of Government Efficiency's website puts a dollar amount on the estimated savings from the DOGE effort to slash federal government spending at $55 billion.

But an NPR analysis finds the numbers don't add up.

The DOGE site's posts, reminiscent of a feed on the Musk-owned social media site X, say some savings come from sources like "fraud detection/deletion" and "workforce reductions, programmatic changes, and regulatory savings," and state that the full disclosure of the unit's actions will take time.

"We are working to upload all of this data in a digestible and fully transparent manner with clear assumptions, consistent with applicable rules and regulations," the website reads. "To get started, listed below are a subset of contract and lease cancellations."

The doge.gov/savings page then lists a "wall of receipts," DOGE's first major data release that initially claimed to show more than $16 billion in savings from ending contracts. After correcting an apparent clerical error, it now shows $8.5 billion. ...


So, it seems DOGE cannot even get its own numbers straight, but it now wants to send taxpayer money to people to apparently buy approval?

Am I the only one who seems an issue here?


#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-02-20 10:29 PM

Funny concept but a terrible idea. We are running $Trillion+ deficits and have over $36 Trillion in debt. Start running surpluses and start paying down some of the debt and maybe we can have a conversation about 'dividends'.

#12 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-02-20 10:34 PM

i am with Crockett!

Crockett: "We are not in the business of giving out money, and honestly, I don't know what $5,000 will do for you."

#13 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-20 10:42 PM

@#8 ... Of course there won't be stimulus checks ...

Looking at the actual savings that DOGE has put upon its balance sheet, apparently millions (?), not the tens of billions Mr Musk seems to have lied about ...

I suspect, if there is an even distribution of the funds, you and I will receive a check for a few dollars.




#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-02-20 10:53 PM

Lawprofblawg
@Lawprofblawg

You cannot determine whether you saved or cost money based solely on one side of the ledger.

Example: I saved my household $2K by not paying the mortgage

#15 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-20 10:55 PM

I thought that someone with his business acumen would have come in with a fine-tooth comb and actually found it instead of coming in with a wrecking ball and destroying people's lives for no reason.

That might be the funniest line of the year.

#16 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-02-20 10:58 PM

i am with Crockett!
Crockett: "We are not in the business of giving out money, and honestly, I don't know what $5,000 will do for you."
#13 | POSTED BY 1LUMPOFTRUMP

Of course you are, you're a ------- idiot.

Give $5000 to wealthy person and they'll put it in the bank to sit.

Give $5000 to poor person, and they'll spend it in their local community, creating an immediate boost in the economy.

It's stupid idiots like you, defending the wealthy, that are killing America.

America's greatness came from a healthy middle class.

Not from 80 people hoarding more wealth than the GDP of most nations.

#17 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-20 11:01 PM

Yeah why SHOULD congress have any say in this just let the king send out them checks

------- moron magat scum

#18 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-02-20 11:10 PM

Perhaps we could just divert Musk's 8 million dollars a DAY from the Treasury to the People instead.

#19 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-20 11:13 PM

So, if I can understand what is happening.

the richest man in the world, who just so happens to have billions in government contracts is decimating the federal government, firing government workers willy nilly and without any process, is eliminating entire federal programs and departments including those that have been established via congressional action, who is gaining access to every sensitive database in the government, who has teenagers and 21 year olds rewriting the computer code to incredibly sensitive programs, who CLAIMS all sorts of "savings" despite those "savings" actually being congressionally authorized expenditures is just going to send everyone a $5000 or $8000 check.

You all have sold out the very fabric of our constitution really cheap.

You magat scum truly are despicable.

#20 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-02-20 11:19 PM

Am I the only American who asks the very basic question. What gives Musk the legal authority to do this?

#21 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-02-20 11:21 PM

A DOGE check?

What do they think America is?

Alaska?

#22 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-20 11:31 PM

What gives Musk the legal authority to do this?

#21 | POSTED BY TRUTHHURTS

It's a ploy.

It's not mathematically possible. I don't even have to do the math to know that.

You cannot save enough money to pay everyone $5000 and also save money and then pay for tax cuts for the wealthy etc.etc. with this "blood money" without increasing the debt. Probably by trillions. But at least by hundreds of billions.

So throw me into that briar patch Elmo. I dare ya. It will make my life a living hell. Also for Bill ... oh no Bill. Don't hurt me with your $5000!!

Gosh it will suck so bad to have to take that $5000 and then Elmo would so own me. And then I'd have to admit that all you maga master debaters have such very big penises (or other favorite sexual organ).

Yeah. This is just another distraction. A shiny object. Like the best health care ever!! Cheaper and better! Remember that one? The real fun is coming with the omnibus budget bill. To be done thru reconciliation so Dems can't stop it. Mr Toads Wild Ride has just begun. Buckle up butter cups!

#23 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-20 11:52 PM

@#18 ... Yeah why SHOULD congress have any say in this just let the king send out them checks ...

March 14, 2024.

Mark that date.

We will be talking about it ....

#24 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-02-21 12:02 AM


You cannot save enough money to pay everyone $5000 and also save money and then pay for tax cuts for the wealthy etc.etc. with this "blood money" without increasing the debt. Probably by trillions. But at least by hundreds of billions.

Its ONLY $805 Billion, technically if DOGE saves $805 Billion it wouldn't increase the debt anymore than if the US Government spent it.

I'm not for it, but it might be possible.

#25 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-21 12:10 AM


Alaska?
#22 | POSTED BY DONNERBOY

Ukraine's resources?

#26 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-21 12:10 AM

What gives Musk the legal authority to do this?
#21 | POSTED BY TRUTHHURTS

Nothing, but its an idea, not a good idea but an idea. This really has to be difficult for you.

#27 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-21 12:12 AM

@#25 ... Its ONLY $805 Billion ...

As usual with DOGE, asserted with no evidence or auditing whatsoever.

So, we should just believe those numbers ...

Why?


#28 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-02-21 12:19 AM

What gives Musk the legal authority to do this?
#21 | POSTED BY TRUTHHURTS

Musk bought Trump.

Trump controls the GOP.

Republicans control about 30% of the population who are extremely stupid and violent.

The GOP are in control of the government.

Trump is in control of GOP.

Musk is in control of him.

Musk can do whatever he wants and the GOP will make sure he's got the legal authority to do so.

Democrats are spinning their wheels.

#29 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-21 12:21 AM

Its ONLY $805 Billion,

What is $805 billion?

Let's see the receipts.

#30 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-21 12:25 AM

Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know (1995)
www.youtube.com

Lyrics excerpt ...

genius.com

...
[Verse 1]
I want you to know that I'm happy for you
I wish nothing but the best for you both
An older version of me, is she perverted like me?
Would she go down on you in a theatre?
Does she speak eloquently? And would she have your baby?
I'm sure she'd make a really excellent mother

[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause the love that you gave that we made
Wasn't able to make it enough for you to be open wide, no
And every time you speak her name
Does she know how you told me
You'd hold me until you died? 'Til you died
But you're still alive

[Chorus]
And I'm here to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It's not fair to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know

[Verse 2]
You seem very well, things look peaceful
I'm not quite as well, I thought you should know
Did you forget about me Mr. Duplicity?
I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner
It was a slap in the face how quickly I was replaced
And are you thinkin' of me when you --- her?...



Wow, don't p*ss off a woman ...

#31 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-02-21 12:26 AM

@#29 ... Democrats are spinning their wheels ...

Yup.

Pres Trump is using the GOP to destroy the Constitution, and the Democrats seem to be doing little more than playing with themselves.

Which may be why we are in this situation in the first place.


#32 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-02-21 12:30 AM

MAGA: "Budget deficits are out of control! The national debt is gonna kill us! Pretty soon we won't even be able to cover the interest payments on the debt!"

Also MAGA: "Where my rebate check at?"

#33 | Posted by anton at 2025-02-21 06:12 AM

Ukraine's resources?

#26 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

Don't belong to us.

#34 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-21 12:54 PM

"It's ONLY $805 Billion, technically if DOGE saves $805 Billion it wouldn't increase the debt anymore than if the US Government spent it."

There is no $805 billion dollars in savings.

Even if Elmo cut $805 billion dollars from the budget you cannot say we saved that money. Not until you also calculate in the costs of saving that money. How many died? How many lost their jobs? How many lost healthcare? How many cannot buy food? Etc etc.

What will it cost to repair the damage to the economy done by Trumpy and his wrecking crew?

Add up all those costs and maybe you will know how much you "saved".

#35 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-21 01:00 PM

"technically if DOGE saves $805 Billion it wouldn't increase the debt anymore than if the US Government spent it."

Now do $5 trillion of tax CUTS while already running deficit budgets.

#36 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-02-21 01:04 PM

Ukraine's resources?

#26 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

Don't belong to us.

#34 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-21 12:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

Technically you're right. They could just cash us out for all the money they owe us, but they're broke. I don't have a problem with accepting collateral in rare earth minerals as a place holder.

#37 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-02-21 01:25 PM

"Technically you're right. They could just cash us out for all the money they owe us, but they're broke."

Yes. I know I am right.

And "technically" Trumpy has broken the law.

Also "technically" Ukraine does not "owe us" a dime. The aid we gave them did not come with strings attached. If you wish to blackmail Ukraine good luck with getting the world to accept and respect you for that.

Are you the kind of person that would charge your neighbor if you had to help him save his house from a wildfire?

#38 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-21 01:33 PM

Let cut to the basic math, shall we?

Their plan is to cut $1-$2 trillion from spending, and $4-$5 trillion from revenue. Any self-proclaimed deficit hawks out there???

Extending or inventing tax cuts while running a deficit budget requires new borrowing. 100% of the "cuts", even the extensions...all newly borrowed money.

BTW, using the rates of the first Trump code, $3-$4 trillion of NEW BORROWING will be for tax giveaways to the worlds wealthiest 1%.

Did you catch that math? Twice what's being cut will go in tax cuts. Last time around, foreign investors got more of the giveaway than American workers. I'd expect the same, or worse, this time around.

Bottom line: all these "cuts" are so we can justify borrowing trillions more for tax cuts. Me? I call for no more tax cuts until we're running a surplus budget.

#39 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-02-21 02:12 PM

Are you the kind of person that would charge your neighbor if you had to help him save his house from a wildfire?

#38 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-21 01:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

If I had to put up a large amount of my own capitol to save their home, then yes.

Are you the type of person who lets people bail you out with their capitol, only to have you give them a fuck you in return??

#40 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-02-21 02:15 PM

The aid we gave them did not come with strings attached.

#38 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-21 01:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

Oh it has strings attached, for one, part of it was to be repaid with captured Russian assets. But we know how that went.

#41 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-02-21 02:24 PM

"...part of it was to be repaid with captured Russian assets."

Extraordinary claim.

Please link to proof.

#42 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-02-21 02:28 PM

Let cut to the basic math, shall we?

They're not going to be able to keep up.

#43 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-21 02:30 PM

Please link to proof.

#42 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-02-21 02:28 PM | Reply | Flag:

"The loan will be repaid with the earnings from the over $300 billion in sovereign Russian assets that have been immobilized since Moscow's armies invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The funds are mostly held in Europe"

www.reuters.com

#44 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-02-21 02:42 PM

#44

My apologies, you were right.

I got thrown off when you used the word captured, rather than seized.

#45 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-02-21 02:50 PM

"part of it was to be repaid with captured Russian assets. But we know how that went."

You don't seem to:
www.bbc.com

#46 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-02-21 02:55 PM

"If I had to put up a large amount of my own capitol to save their home, then yes."

The U.S. did not put up a large amount of our capitol to save Ukraine.

We have spent less of our gdp to help Ukraine than I spend of my gdp for cable tv.

#47 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-21 04:36 PM

#47 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-21 04:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

I answered your hypothetical question, now answer mine...

#48 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-02-21 07:37 PM

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