<
https://thebulletin.org/2025/02/how-trump-musk-and-doge-are-undermining-us-intelligence-and-national-security/>
"As a long-time China scholar, and as I watch the early days of the Trump
presidency, I cannot help but be reminded of the Chinese Communist Party’s
assertion in the 1970s that everything Mao said or did was correct and beyond
challenge. Donald Trump’s wrecking-ball approach to government reform is indeed
reminiscent of Mao Zedong’s misguided attempt to achieve “better, faster,
cheaper” results through
ex cathedra pronouncements, disparagement of experts
and bureaucratic procedures, and the dismantling the institutions of
government. Mao’s denunciation of professionals and political opponents for the
vague sins of “rightism” and “bureaucratism” seemingly provide the template for
Trump’s crusade against the so-called radical left and “wokeism.” The Chinese
Communist Party’s slavish endorsement of Mao’s assertions—that government
institutions, public servants, and policies were corrupt because they did not
conform to his vision for the country—resulted in prolonged and deep
deterioration of government services, quality of life, and national security in
China.
China’s experience should be a cautionary tale for Americans. Mao’s approach
proved disastrous for the Party, the nation, and the Chinese people.
But then again, there are many distinctly American reasons for concern about
the approach and actions of Trump, Elon Musk, and Musk’s young men at the
Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE (which isn’t actually a department
of government). Those reasons apply across the federal government, but I want
to focus on the intelligence community because of its importance to the
security of our nation and the safety of Americans and American activities at
home and abroad."
Via David and Christoph S.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
