Before you start yelling at me, that was not my idea. That was one of the thoughts thrown out there by Donald Trump in describing his plans for a new — if he’s elected, of course — “government efficiency commission” (it doesn’t have an official name yet).

Another of his off-the-cuff plans: steep regulation cuts. That would presumably be corporate regulation, of course.

Trump also has someone lined up to head his new commission: a good friend, one who sees eye-to-eye with him on so many wackadoodle subjects, one might almost think they were father and son.

And that person’s name?

ELON MUSK.

Yup, that one. That’s the guy that Trump would appoint to conduct “a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government, [and make] recommendations for drastic reform.” [Alex Leary and Richard Rubin, Wall Street Journal, September 5, 2024.] In fact, it was Musk who recently suggested on X that Trump form such a commission to tackle government spending as a way to address inflation. He said last month, “I’d be happy to help out on such a commission,” and just last Thursday added, “I look forward to serving America if the opportunity arises. No pay, no title, no recognition is needed.” [Id.]

What a guy! Such generosity! Such altruism! Such modesty!

So why does this worry me? Could it be because we’re talking about an individual who doesn’t even know — much less care — that the average person exists? About an egotistical, self-absorbed, conscienceless, anti-Semitic, racist, misogynistic narcissist who listens to no one but himself? And who would, if supposedly working for Donald Trump, eventually become a “shadow president,” because he could never stand being second fiddle to anyone?

Or simply because his “drastic reform” of the federal government would inevitably be in favor of the super-wealthy — not because it would be best for the country, but because it would be best for Elon and Donnie and all their little one-percenter friends?

I keep thinking about Musk’s takeover of Twitter — not just the change to a stupid single-letter name, but the layoffs of 80% of Twitter’s employees. Is that what would be in store for our government workers?

Of course, I could be wrong; I’m not an economist. And he is a highly successful businessman, a self-made billionaire. He must know what he’s doing. But . . .

Yup, there’s always a but, and this is a big one, with both legal and moral implications: But what about the little matter of conflict of interest? For example:

– SpaceX’s most important customers include NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), whose astronauts are transported to the space station by SpaceX, and the Pentagon for the launching of national security satellites. [Id.]

– Tesla’s car sales and energy business, are both subsidized by federal tax credits and grants issued from various government agencies.

– X is regulated by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission.

– Neuralink (his brain implant startup), is regulated by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). [Id.]

What is he planning to do — “step down” from all of those companies while serving the government . . . much as Trump supposedly did while he was in the White House? At least Trump had kids he trusted to pretend to run things for him; I’m not sure Musk can say as much about his dozen offspring.

But really — what am I worried about? They’d find a way around it. They always do.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/6/24