I have observed that Trump, Musk and DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts are for programs that do not provide immediate monetary benefits. The programs they are cutting reduce death and disease, do scientific research, promote the arts and address social issues. Public broadcasting provides considerable cultural and scientific programming, but does not save money or boost the economy.
If the federal funding of a program does not directly benefit the capitalist economy, it will be reduced or eliminated.
Tariffs are also meant to increase the profits of American billionaires instead of keeping the cost of goods down for American consumers. Needless to say, the proposed tax cuts will benefit the wealthiest among us and not American workers.
In short, President Trump’s actions are all about benefiting the wealthy and not improving our citizens’ general welfare, which is what government should be doing. Instead, Trump wants to increase funding to the Department of Defense: more funds to support the military-industrial complex.
Robert Dawes
Durango