Shouldn't we have DOGE in the UK

[vladi]

 UK overseas aid money has been funding gender lectures in Kenya, poetry workshops in Colombian jails and shrimp research in Bangladesh. This could  suggest that it time we had something similar to Musk's Dept of Govt Efficiency - without the Musk crackpot?
 

 

Edited February 18, 2025 by vladi
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[malumbu]

I'd consider moving to America if you have this isolationist view of the world.  Musk would welcome you.

And for a more considered response this is called soft power.  Others, in particular China and perhaps the gulf states, will step in where America leaves.

 

[Sephiroth]

Vladi obviously trolling 

 

But we see enough people on Question Time saying things like "now that Trump is sorting everything out.." like there aren't going to be major dire consequences for what is happening over there

Anyway - that eejit from Brewdog has already launched his UK Doge nonsense (the whole idea is crackpot - it needs crackpot to implement it - you can't have the idea without the crackpot. Just like..  y'know... the other thing. What's it called again? Putin enjoyed that one too. It's on tip of my tongue.. Brexit! Yes that's it)

 

https://www.thenational.scot/news/24932406.james-watt-launches-shadow-doge-watchdog-take-uk-government/

 

 

 

 

[malumbu]

Not sure why Brewdog is so successful, comes over as well marketed/Emperor's new clothes to me, and what is reported to be a horrid management culture

https://www.punkswithpurpose.org/the-open-letters/an-open-letter-to-brewdog-on-behalf-of-current-staff/

[vladi]

1 hour ago, malumbu said:

I'd consider moving to America if you have this isolationist view of the world.  Musk would welcome you.

And for a more considered response this is called soft power.  Others, in particular China and perhaps the gulf states, will step in where America leaves.

 

I wouldn't go within 1000 miles of Musk. He is weird beyond imagination, manipulative and egotistical - just to mention 3 .

His latest decision is to direct that new Teslas should be sent to every US embassy around the world to replace all other cars.
 

[DuncanW]

1 hour ago, malumbu said:

Not sure why Brewdog is so successful, comes over as well marketed/Emperor's new clothes to me, and what is reported to be a horrid management culture

https://www.punkswithpurpose.org/the-open-letters/an-open-letter-to-brewdog-on-behalf-of-current-staff/

Success can be measured in many ways, but as a business, Brewdog loses money

https://www.cityam.com/brewdog-james-watt-frustrated-as-brewer-remains-in-the-red/

 

 

[malumbu]

Ok trendy rather than successful!

[vladi]

6 hours ago, malumbu said:

 

And for a more considered response this is called soft power.  Others, in particular China and perhaps the gulf states, will step in where America leaves.

 

Totally agree just as China will do now that we paying Mauritius to take Chagos off our hands.

Edited February 17, 2025 by vladi
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[diable rouge]

6 hours ago, vladi said:

His latest decision is to direct that new Teslas should be sent to every US embassy around the world to replace all other cars.
 

As long as its not the CyberTruck, it's illegal for use on UK public roads, which probably means it would be illegal in EU countries too...

I think this from US politician Pete Buttigieg‬ sums up the whole DOGE ruse... 

''If you wanted to cut waste, fraud, and abuse, you would empower the inspectors general. If you wanted more waste, fraud, and abuse, you would fire them.''

[vladi]

3 hours ago, diable rouge said:

As long as its not the CyberTruck, it's illegal for use on UK public roads, which probably means it would be illegal in EU countries too...

 

The Teslas seemingly will be armour plated versions of a model yet to be announced. Estimated cost is $400m!

[malumbu]

There is a general lack of appreciation about the safeguards, watch dogs and other ways that government looks to good return on investment, and accountability.

Of course every new government comes in and says waste has to be reduced, efficiency increased, often with a tightening of purse strings.

I'm talking UK here, But the US will surely have similar processes in place.  Obviously things go wrong from time to time, and that is what tends to make the papers/socials rather than the things that go right.  Foreign aid was cut from the target of 0.7% to 0.5%, following Covid, stats from two years ago are here (not a riveting read):

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-final-uk-aid-spend-2022/statistics-on-international-development-final-uk-aid-spend-2022