I've said it before, that in my opinion, we Americans have made an art out of complaining. We complain about the weather, our spouses, which genre of music is "the best," and on and on the incessant grumbling continues. But what we love to complain the very most and the loudest about is : OUR GOVERNMENT.
And we have had valid reasons to roll eyes because we have all long agreed that the delays, bumps, and frustrations from it being ridiculously ineffective, have always been a pointy thorn in our behinds.
So, why now are we making a stink about somebody actually trying to do something to make it BETTER?
I just don't get it!
The news and social media is inundated with the plan Elon Musk (along with President Trump's blessings) has put into play. His goal: make government more efficient. His methods: business type model (see article below) His stance: assertive and direct.
From the article below, the first e-mail (sent by the Trump administration’s Office of Personnel Management/OPM) was met with much confusion, shock, and denial. Some agencies in the federal government told their employees that compliance was "only voluntary." Some workers unions and activist groups went for lawsuits to test the validity of the requests. Some workers were told to "ignore" the directives. But some workers complied to prove they actually existed and actually did relevant work, making them EFFICIENT.
"The first email, which was distributed a week ago, asked employees “what did you do last week?” and prompted them to list five tasks that they completed. Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency has been empowered by Trump with a mission to downsize agencies and eliminate thousands of federal jobs, said anyone who didn't respond would be fired."
“Please reply to this email (the second one,) with approx. 5 bullets describing what you accomplished last week and cc your manager,” the message read, adding that going forward, employees would be expected to submit a response each week by the following Monday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern."
(This latest email will be sent from the head of each agency's Human Resource department, hopefully to make the delivery less confusing and more reliable.) Maybe then there will be more compliance.
Okay, okay, okay...it's dreadfully true, that here in America, none of us enjoy being told what to do. I get that. But, like it or not...we do have to listen and comply with our bosses if we want our paychecks to continue. This story is being written by a natural born rebel. But I needed a paycheck. So, given the choice, and because my children needed food in their bellies, I complied to many "requests" from the administration that I didn't like one tiny bit.
But I am not and never have been a federal worker. Federal workers: you work for me and all your American brothers and sisters. I want to see those bullets being posted and I say it's about damn time.
In that same breath, I want to say "thank you" to those that have worked tirelessly to make life better for us, your cohorts, those not working in the government. Can't we all work together in this?
Give us those Five Bullets and do it proudly, please!
I know that this process is not only confusing, abrasive to our ho-hum acceptance of how government works (or doesn't work effectively,) and it might seem like a bulldozer is making a loud path down an angry ant bed, but in my opinion, it's a necessary evil. Sometimes tearing something down and starting over is the only solution.
About the Creator
Shirley Belk
Mother, Nana, Sister, Cousin, & Aunt who recently retired. RN (Nursing Instructor) who loves to write stories to heal herself and reflect on all the silver linings she has been blessed with :)
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Stay indoors warning for Storm Goretti
The United Kingdom is bracing for one of the most severe winter storms in recent memory as Storm Goretti approaches, prompting authorities to issue urgent “stay indoors” warnings across large swathes of the country. Meteorologists are predicting heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and gusty winds that have the potential to disrupt travel, damage infrastructure, and pose serious risks to public safety. Storm Goretti: A Dangerous Winter System Storm Goretti, named by the UK Met Office, is expected to sweep across the country over the next 48 hours. Weather models indicate that northern and western regions, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern England, will bear the brunt of the storm, with heavy snow accumulations and icy roads creating hazardous conditions. Winds could reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour in exposed coastal areas, raising concerns about fallen trees, power outages, and transport disruptions. The storm’s severity has prompted the Met Office to issue amber and yellow weather warnings, signaling a significant risk to life and property. Officials have urged the public to avoid non-essential travel and to follow safety instructions, emphasizing the importance of staying indoors whenever possible. Why Authorities Are Urging Caution The “stay indoors” advisory is not issued lightly. Authorities highlight several reasons why limiting outdoor activity is critical during Storm Goretti: Road Safety: Snow-covered and icy roads dramatically increase the risk of vehicle accidents. Emergency services are already stretched, and additional incidents could overwhelm local resources. Fallen Debris: Strong winds may bring down trees, power lines, and signage, creating dangerous obstacles. Even short excursions outdoors can put pedestrians at risk of injury. Power Outages: High winds combined with snow can cause widespread power cuts. Staying indoors allows people to avoid hazardous situations near downed power lines. Cold-Related Health Risks: Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can result in hypothermia or frostbite, particularly for the elderly, children, and vulnerable populations. Impact on Travel and Infrastructure Transport authorities across the UK are preparing for significant disruption. Rail operators have warned of delays and cancellations due to snow accumulation on tracks, while roads may become impassable in rural and hilly regions. Airports have issued advisories that flights may be delayed or canceled, urging passengers to check status updates before traveling. Local councils are mobilizing snow-clearing equipment, salt treatments, and emergency response teams to mitigate the storm’s impact. Utility companies have also issued warnings about potential interruptions in electricity and heating services, emphasizing the importance of preparedness. Advice for Residents Public safety officials are providing clear guidelines to help residents weather Storm Goretti safely: Stay Indoors: Avoid unnecessary travel or outdoor activities. Work from home if possible. Stock Essentials: Ensure sufficient food, water, and medical supplies are available. Prepare for Power Outages: Keep flashlights, batteries, and warm clothing handy. Charge mobile devices in advance. Check on Vulnerable Neighbors: Older adults, people with disabilities, and those living alone may need additional support. Stay Updated: Follow official news channels, local authorities, and the Met Office for real-time updates. Schools and Workplaces Take Precautions Several local authorities have preemptively closed schools in areas likely to experience the heaviest snowfall. Businesses are encouraged to adopt flexible work arrangements or temporary closures to ensure staff safety. Parents are urged to plan for childcare contingencies and avoid taking unnecessary risks in travel. The Broader Context: Extreme Winter Weather Storm Goretti comes at a time when the UK is experiencing increasingly volatile winter weather. Scientists link more frequent and intense storms to climate change, noting that warming oceans and shifting atmospheric patterns can exacerbate winter extremes. While Goretti is a natural weather event, experts caution that preparedness and resilience measures are critical to minimize human and economic impacts. Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety As Storm Goretti barrels toward the UK, authorities are united in urging residents to heed the warnings and stay indoors. Heavy snow, icy roads, and strong winds present real dangers that can be mitigated with caution and preparedness. The coming days will test emergency response systems, transport infrastructure, and public vigilance. By following official guidance, stocking essential supplies, and prioritizing safety over routine activities, communities can navigate Storm Goretti with reduced risk. The storm is a reminder of the importance of respecting nature’s power, staying informed, and looking out for the most vulnerable members of society.
By Fiazahmedbrohi 6 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (7)
Shirley, I love that you’re not afraid to voice your political opinions on here. I think a lot of us benefit from reading and taking in your insights through your perspective, even if we have differing opinions! I know Elon is a super controversial figure and I’m not too fond of him, but I don’t think the 5 bullets thing, looking back on it, was bad or inefficient, and I understand his point in doing so.
Fabulous ♦️♦️♦️♦️
I don't know much is and has been going on but it sure feels like a crazyyyyyy circus!
Really interesting article Shirley. I think efficiency and getting the most out of your employees has to be tempered with a little kindness. I have always worked hardest for bosses that I knew cared about me. I don't particularly enjoy seeing Elon jumping around on stage wielding a chainsaw and bragging about the cuts he's making. I guess we will see what happens. Thanks for sharing your views.
I say have patience, let's see what the outcome will be. All the gripping I've been seeing isn't going to do much good. Personally, I've been tired of the needless spending of the government, and I'm glad someone's trying to do something about it. I've always felt that gov office has had too much overspending with too many high-paying jobs.
There is a lot wrong with DOGE. First their so-called transparency is very questionable. Trump, a supposed billionaire brought in the richest man in the world to look for waste in government spending - that right there does not sound right. Think how you would feel if Joe Biden brought Bill Gates in to look for government waste. Musk, elite billionaire, is unable to get a security clearance (he is working without a security clearance) and has many conflicts of interest with the organizations that he is pointing fingers at. Any investigations they are doing, if they are really even doing legitimate investigations, are not very deep. But accusations are being thrown around without any evidence. They are only saying they have evidence, but we haven’t seen any evidence and we probably won’t. A true investigation and audit would take months not days. On top of it, the elite billionaire is lying to the United States public when he says that his DOGE discovered $2.7 trillion of payment errors and mismanaged funds from Medicare and Medi-Cal. That is not true and this should be alarming to you. This $2.7 trillion that Musk claims to have discovered was actually discovered in 2022 during the Biden administration. After a lengthy and detailed investigation the Biden administration, and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan Congressional agency, published reports on March 26, 2024, and June 27, 2024, estimating that, since fiscal year 2003, federal agencies had reported $2.7 trillion of what the GAO described as "improper" payments, defined as "those that should not have been made or were made in the incorrect amount." This investigation was done by a non-partisan congressional agency comprised of democrats and republicans so there was a checks and balances system in place. That’s the proper way to conduct an investigation. Biden’s team implemented plans in the spring of 2022 which incrementally decreased the amount of payment errors and improper payments over the next few years. This isn’t something that Elon Musk just discovered. It had already been discovered but Musk is making it sound like they discovered it and that they’re going to fix it. It’s already being worked on and has been being worked on since 2022. Records of these payment errors go back to George W. Bush, continue on through Obama, continued through Trump‘s first term, and then finally being worked on in Biden’s term. The highest peak of payment errors happened during Trump’s first term. I am wondering why Trump never did anything about that in his first term. It existed. This $2.7 trillion did not just all accrue in Biden‘s four years. This is something that happened over a span of 20+ years. Musk and Trump are lying to us! Assigning someone who cannot pass a security clearance to work on something like this is not a real investigation. There are no checks and balances in place. If trump was doing this through proper channels with a non-partisan congressional committee, doing honest audits and investigations I would have no problem with it. I am not complaining about a supposed audit, which isn’t really an audit. I am complaining about how it’s being done and who is doing it. That’s the complaint.
Shirley. I am a retired Fed. No one works for Elon - he is not their supervisor and the administration says his title is special advisor. This show they are putting on is for chaos and distraction. OPM, by law, is to provide guidance, not directives and orders. Federal workers have performance plans on which they are graded semi-annually. Elon does not know where any waste is because he has not reviewed the departments, the work they do, or how broad their work touches the public. He is not being transparent by simply posting bullets on his DOGE site without providing data. So the outcry is not about finding efficiencies or waste and correcting it. There is a good way and a bad way to do this. It was done before during the Clinton Administration and the budget was balanced. George 2 blew that balance by deciding to go to war with Iraq. Finally, government is not private business - it is to provide services and protect its citizens, so thinking it can be run like the Target or Conoco-Phillips is a mistaken notion. They said they would pay employees for 8 months of staying home if they resigned - where is the budget for that? I doubt Congress is going to agree to pay them and then it will be said "you voluntarily resigned" to the people who trusted the fork in the road email.