Our government is undeniably dysfunctional. First, let’s start by admitting it. They have lost both their focus and their purpose. While we could examine these institutions one by one, the truth is the same across the board. They themselves have admitted that their methods and systems are antiquated and no longer align with their current missions. Their solution? Billions more in funding, with very little promise of a meaningful return on that investment.
Should we close them? Absolutely not.
But let’s be honest—these systems are broken, and have been for a long time. Take the U.S. Postal Service, for example, which you forgot to list. It is chronically “sick” and has been for decades. We could also add the IRS, NASA, the FBI, and the Department of Defense to the list, as they too face significant challenges. The problems are deeply rooted and systemic, making them incredibly difficult to fix.
Is Trump—or any single leader—going to solve these issues? Very unlikely. These institutions are like fungus-ridden toenails: neglected, painful, and tough to cure. Simply put, there is very little money left to address these issues—most of it has already been spent.
As of October 2024, the U.S. national debt exceeded $35.85 trillion. With an estimated U.S. population of approximately 331 million people, this equates to a national debt of about $108,000 per person.
The reality is that, in the near future, there will not be enough funding to sustain many of these programs. Inflation continues to rise, and our current tax system cannot possibly pay off the growing national debt. Even taxing the wealthiest citizens at 100% wouldn’t solve the problem. Let me emphasize this: confiscating all of the wealth of America’s richest citizens would not come close to erasing the debt. At this rate, the debt will only continue to grow.
BTW, before anyone jumps in to say, “Just tax the billionaires,” here’s the reality. As of December 2024, the United States has approximately 835 billionaires with a combined net worth of about $5.8 trillion. If the government confiscated every single dollar of their wealth, it would amount to $5.8 trillion. Given the U.S. national debt of over $35.85 trillion as of October 2024, this action would cover only a portion of the debt, leaving a significant balance unpaid.
So, where do we go from here? What are the solutions?
Some ideas to tackle such challenges include:
- Auditing and Accountability: Implement rigorous, independent audits across major organizations like NASA, the IRS, FBI, and DOD. This could uncover inefficiencies, waste, and corruption—critical first steps toward reform.
- Prioritization of Programs: Reallocate funding to prioritize essential programs like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and environmental protection, ensuring they remain sustainable and effective.
- Debt Management Strategies: Introduce smarter fiscal policies to reduce excessive government borrowing while identifying balanced ways to increase revenue. This must happen without overburdening the middle class or relying solely on taxing the wealthy.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Forge partnerships with private organizations to help modernize outdated systems like USPS and Amtrak. Strategic collaboration can drive innovation, improve services, and reduce costs.
- Technology and Innovation: Leverage modern technology to streamline government processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. Investing in innovation can lead to long-term savings and better outcomes for citizens.
At the end of the day, these issues are not impossible to solve—but they require political will, systemic reform, and a willingness to face hard truths. Where do we start? That’s up to us. The best we can hope for 2025, is 3% growth with 6% inflation, NET 3% pain.
Read my 2025 economic prediction here.
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