Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

Betty Boom

(301 posts)
Sat Nov 9, 2024, 10:27 AM Nov 2024

As a retired Federal manager, let me warn you about something [View all]

Last edited Sat Nov 9, 2024, 04:49 PM - Edit history (2)

What I don’t think is sinking in yet is how profoundly an autocratic government shakes the very foundations of the things we take for granted now. I was just listening to a Meidas touch podcast in which he told people to take note of the current economic figures. Inflation at 2.1%, unemployment at 4%, GDP at 3% And he said to remember those numbers and to throw them in the face of MAGAts when they want to talk after January about how things are so great under Trump.

But here’s the thing. WE know the economy is going to tank. We will feel it viscerally. But the numbers that the government is going to report are not going to reflect that. Those numbers come from federal agencies. Under Trump, you will not be able to trust the rosy numbers picture that they are going to release, if they even do release numbers. And you know why? Because they plan on firing any civil servant or senior civil servant employee who doesn’t toe the line. Who doesn’t take a loyalty oath. All of the principled Senior people who work in government will be gone, and replaced with toadies who understand their role with regard to propaganda.

So there will be no “gotcha” moment for us. No throwing the numbers in their face. Because they will never ever release a single number or report that shows that they are ruining the economy. Or any other kind of negative numbers. Climate change numbers Morbidity and mortality reports from the CDC.

I was there in 2016. I directly felt the pressure from political appointees who tried to control the narrative, to suppress reports, to kill programs. This time around it will be on steroids because they know more about how government operates. During 2017 transition, I was dealing with a high level Trump appointee in his mid 20s whose last job had been managing a rental car outlet.

So be aware. Don’t assume we will even have access to the truth. The truth will be what they want to tell us it is. Think about that as you make your battle plans. Don’t assume you will have the same tools you have now.

132 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I kind of assumed as much - thanks for sharing your experience! hatrack Nov 2024 #1
Of course he/they will: "Hitler did some great things..." B.See Nov 2024 #98
The very fact that some apologist feels the need to say such a thing calimary Nov 2024 #122
Thanks for the theme!! Roy Rolling Nov 2024 #118
The entire point of my post... Betty Boom Nov 2024 #120
Noted, but they won't be able to hide non-governmental indicators Raven123 Nov 2024 #2
There also will be state level reports. Nt spooky3 Nov 2024 #3
Thanks Raven123 Nov 2024 #7
And people will know what prices they are paying for groceries. LiberalLoner Nov 2024 #11
I believe I said that Betty Boom Nov 2024 #14
When I was a little kid gab13by13 Nov 2024 #37
And don't forget they didn't lose support over COVID deaths not fooled Nov 2024 #67
Exactly Betty Boom Nov 2024 #73
Well, they also accept what they WANT to hear. Septua Nov 2024 #128
Covid bdamomma Nov 2024 #132
And other goods that are tariffed. ananda Nov 2024 #26
Yes, expect Blue states to step up in many areas. IrishAfricanAmerican Nov 2024 #23
Florida state reports are not trustworthy under DeSantis now. Nt FranklinsTower Nov 2024 #126
I understand what you're saying Betty Boom Nov 2024 #10
True, red states won't resist.. but blue states will. ananda Nov 2024 #28
My only consolation is I live in California ... LSparkle Nov 2024 #52
Lucky you, for sure! ananda Nov 2024 #53
If able... stollen Nov 2024 #60
We're ruling from the bench what movies we see that makes sense? Deuxcents Nov 2024 #81
At least the judge "sympatizes" with the dead children stollen Nov 2024 #131
Elwood mumbles, "Illinois Nazis" coprolite Nov 2024 #110
Thank you. Raven123 Nov 2024 #83
If they threaten the media they will Diraven Nov 2024 #15
Their belly will tell them... luvallpeeps Nov 2024 #16
Ultimately, it's the general suffering which gives it away. Magoo48 Nov 2024 #50
yup Skittles Nov 2024 #113
The stock market usually does not tell the full economic story karynnj Nov 2024 #34
when I was a kid I'd hear the stock market went up like it was good news The Wandering Harper Nov 2024 #39
Plus, we could afford going to college. jeffreyi Nov 2024 #51
Also hard to hide an increase in soup lines and food banks, closed businesses and banks etc. scarletlib Nov 2024 #49
Gas Prices OrangeJoe Nov 2024 #109
The sad and brutal truth, Betty Leghorn21 Nov 2024 #4
Ziegler. Jesus. Fresh out of college little nut job. underpants Nov 2024 #9
And this is were Democrats have failed miserably. Baitball Blogger Nov 2024 #5
Don't forget DownriverDem Nov 2024 #25
Air America was very tiny ... krkaufman Nov 2024 #48
Air American never had a chance to work Envirogal Nov 2024 #93
Kennedy had that show before the brain worm..... AZ8theist Nov 2024 #95
Some years back, maybe 5 Thom Hartmann mentioned several times appalachiablue Nov 2024 #116
I don't work in that arena but I'm sure that's accurate underpants Nov 2024 #6
It's currently very difficult Betty Boom Nov 2024 #8
The government employees union will go Beck23 Nov 2024 #82
My guess Betty Boom Nov 2024 #103
K&R Solly Mack Nov 2024 #12
and I think you've just scratched the surface Native Nov 2024 #13
The main thing is money not idealogy Blue Full Moon Nov 2024 #17
If what you say happens and you don't own crypto, then you're completely bankrupt. Yavin4 Nov 2024 #19
Financial markets depend on honest data. Yavin4 Nov 2024 #18
Chump's administration is going to fudge the numbers anyway FakeNoose Nov 2024 #20
We are about to learn thou. republianmushroom Nov 2024 #21
Did you stop your countdown? gab13by13 Nov 2024 #41
Not yet, but it does look bleak. republianmushroom Nov 2024 #43
They will know DownriverDem Nov 2024 #22
The only indicators we will have will be the pain itself. defacto7 Nov 2024 #24
And Elon, as Efficiency Czar... Dave says Nov 2024 #44
Historically, the economy does worse under Republicans surfered Nov 2024 #27
It does indeed (economy trends worse) Dave says Nov 2024 #47
Which agency did you work in? I have a friend from GA at the CDC, but you sound as tho you're in the DC area. Jmb 4 Harris-Walz Nov 2024 #29
I would rather not say Betty Boom Nov 2024 #65
No worries! Jmb 4 Harris-Walz Nov 2024 #129
If you're trying to advise people to believe nothing they hear and only half of what they see,........ jaxexpat Nov 2024 #30
That's part of it Betty Boom Nov 2024 #68
I wonder if they can brainwash people into believing their rent wasn't doubled. At this point mucifer Nov 2024 #31
Buy your camping gear now and downsize... haele Nov 2024 #57
Another example, from the administration of markodochartaigh Nov 2024 #32
Point taken & understood. Mr. Mustard 2023 Nov 2024 #33
It's 1984 in 2024. Justice matters. Nov 2024 #35
It seems BonnieJW Nov 2024 #58
There is no refuge Glaisne Nov 2024 #99
GeorgeG rso Nov 2024 #36
I just caught the end of this gab13by13 Nov 2024 #42
Hello fellow fed Betty Boom Nov 2024 #70
We need to Monkey Wrench stuff... Ysabel Nov 2024 #38
I work for the Federal Government, not a manager... haele Nov 2024 #40
oh damn Leghorn21 Nov 2024 #54
Lots of my co-workers think they're safe. haele Nov 2024 #62
Again, thank you for posting from your knowledgeable perspective, Haele, stark and shocking though it may be!! Leghorn21 Nov 2024 #69
There will be... Betty Boom Nov 2024 #77
Thanks Betty Boom! Genevra Nov 2024 #45
They will feel it, but what are they gonna do about it at that point? Betty Boom Nov 2024 #72
Yep. calimary Nov 2024 #121
KnRnBk Hekate Nov 2024 #46
This message was self-deleted by its author ShazzieB Nov 2024 #55
People weren't angry because of government reports of inflation Jose Garcia Nov 2024 #56
I think you missed the point of my post Betty Boom Nov 2024 #74
Yes--I know many people who worked for the IRS in 1st DT administration Lulu KC Nov 2024 #59
Names must be taken, written down and remembered 3825-87867 Nov 2024 #61
Every time the economy tanked, Republicans have been in power. Every. Time. SunSeeker Nov 2024 #63
Take note of the Dow on Jan 17th. With 60% tariffs proposed by the spray tan fascist Bengus81 Nov 2024 #64
I worked on the state level employment & unemployment statistical programs for about 35 years Wiz Imp Nov 2024 #66
Yes Betty Boom Nov 2024 #75
When I worked there KT2000 Nov 2024 #71
Yes, there's always an opportunity to play that kind of game Betty Boom Nov 2024 #76
I can find no information about such a change Wiz Imp Nov 2024 #80
1983 in response to a recession KT2000 Nov 2024 #85
Thanks!!!! Just what I was looking for. Wiz Imp Nov 2024 #94
I worked at the Census Bureau KT2000 Nov 2024 #97
I'm in freight transportation, freight is already soft... Mark.b2 Nov 2024 #78
Dropped by to just say this Jit423 Nov 2024 #79
As a retired veteran qazplm135 Nov 2024 #84
Civil service exam keithbvadu2 Nov 2024 #86
The more I think about the trust issue Ruby the Liberal Nov 2024 #87
I worked for Soc Sec Admin and under Reagan, propaganda started about trust funds running out wishstar Nov 2024 #88
Didn't the SS fund start to buy treasury bills to replace hard currency under Reagan? mjvpi Nov 2024 #111
Having worked for government for over 30 years, I witnessed agencies and individuals targeted by GOP. Not pretty. nt Evolve Dammit Nov 2024 #89
At the grocery store this week Hassler Nov 2024 #90
knr n/t markie Nov 2024 #91
I can't think of one autocracy alfredo Nov 2024 #92
China is weakening, but did have long periods of great growth... Lucky Luciano Nov 2024 #96
Question: Who was the "he" on the Meidas Touch podcast? ancianita Nov 2024 #100
One thing can be used to combat this war on reality and truth: ancianita Nov 2024 #101
I wish we had used "dictator" instead of "Fascist" Peregrine Took Nov 2024 #102
As a freshly minted federal employee M_o_o_n_dust Nov 2024 #104
I applaud your commitment... Betty Boom Nov 2024 #124
Thank you for the reminder! nt pnwmom Nov 2024 #105
There is ONE gotcha number--- the price of a bag of DORITOS!!!!!!! Jack Valentino Nov 2024 #106
For me, it's ribeyes.... Mark.b2 Nov 2024 #108
Pointless... Hieronymus Phact Nov 2024 #107
this whole thread and responses show we don't get it Nimble_Idea Nov 2024 #112
I'm not sure why you felt the need.... Betty Boom Nov 2024 #119
Our oligarchs use Putin's playbook to destroy our government. Hermit-The-Prog Nov 2024 #114
People will see the prices in stores and their wages at their jobs IronLionZion Nov 2024 #115
NPR had a thing about biden undid some trump bullshit re fed workers in 2020 + made it harder for him to do his insert pansypoo53219 Nov 2024 #117
This more than gulags etc is a real worry jfz9580m Nov 2024 #123
Exactly Betty Boom Nov 2024 #125
Thank you for sharing this. Grim. 58Sunliner Nov 2024 #127
Thanks for the warning! liberalla Nov 2024 #130
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»As a retired Federal mana...