Elon Musk is once again acting in ways that threaten people’s lives and undermine the Constitution. This unelected billionaire has declared that he has the power to terminate USAID as a federal program.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has, for 60 years, helped people around the world rebuild from disasters, escape poverty, and fight for democracy. At its best, USAID is one means by which our government promotes the values of democracy and compassion that make us great while forging alliances.
Musk’s ending USAID threatens this mission while raising some very serious questions.
First, Elon Musk does not seem to realize that USAID is a critical part of our nation’s diplomacy. It is a means by which we gain the goodwill of those with whom we share the globe.
Terminating the program opens the door for our opponents, such as China, to step in and take our place as a world leader. If we are not providing aid, they will. The withdrawal of USAID from the world stage opens the door to China to expand its influence at our expense. Second, Congress created, and funds, USAID.
No one, including unelected billionaires, have the right to circumvent Congress’ Constitutional role in determining the fate and funding of its own programs. By his unilateral actions, Elon Musk is weakening this crucial part of our system of checks and balances.
Third, it is frightening that an unelected billionaire can gain absolute control of essential government programs such as USAID. Even more worrying, Mr. Musk now has access to Treasury Department records and systems that contain sensitive information on all citizens.
He also oversees, through the Treasury Department, essential payments such as those from Social Security and tax returns.
Mr. Musk, for whom none of us voted and who operates without Congressional oversight, is moving quickly to control large parts of our government and our lives. This must stop.
Please urge our elected public servants to act in our best interests by taking back control of government programs and spending from billionaires, and to protect the Constitution from over-confident confidence men.
Ed Schortman
Gambier, Ohio