The White Queen from Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" famously says, "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.". The idea of believing impossible things is absurd, isn't it? Answer these questions to find out if you, like the Internet's Best Karen, believe that there are somethings that can't be held to an efficiency standard.
#1 Do you know a person that depends on Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid?
I do. I have friends and family that depend on the monthly check and the medical benefits. Sadly, it's a certainty that losing or reducing the SS/SSDI check will leave many homeless. Losing medical benefits will be fatal for the disabled diabetics and others with chronic illnesses, like my friend, Fred, who produces a weekly thoughcast found on Patreon here.
"When they shut down Medicaid, I won't be able to get insulin anymore. And, yes, Republicans are coming for it. I will die an ugly death in a pool of my own puke...When they come for my Disability, I will die in the streets. I don't see that on their list -- yet -- but I suspect it will get there soon. I hear people saying most people are 2 or 3 paychecks from the street. I'm one paycheck away from death. It's physically impossible for me to survive more than 48 hours on the streets."
The recently proposed budget guts Medicaid so this scenario is no longer theoretical. Cuts to Medicaid affect more than my friends who will perish from lack of medicine - millions would lose access to basic healthcare, including children. Hospitals will be impacted as the uninsured turn to the ER for care, and rural facilities may close under the burden.
Caring for senior citizens, children, the disabled, and the chronically ill is not efficiuent. That's the wrong standard to apply.
#2 Do you know a student with learning or physical disabilities?
I do. In my own family, my sons qualified for and received speech therapy. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures students with disabilities receive free and appropriate education and resources. Onsite therapies and resource teachers help students, like my sons, succeed. It is severely underfunded and more cuts would put more strain on local school districts.
The federal Department of Education exists to help students and families. Title 1 funding helps schools in low-income areas provide additional resources. All the schools in my district receive Title 1 funds.
Caring for students that have disabilities is not efficient. That's the wrong standard to apply.
#3 Do you know a student who received Pell Grants and student loans?
I do - ME. Other functions of the DOE is awarding Pell Grants and managing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). I received a Pell Grant each year I attended college; additionally I had a National Direct Student Loan (and wrote about it here). These two programs were key in paying my university tuition and living expenses. The PSLF didn't apply to me, but I have several friends that received forgiveness after fulfilling the requirements.
Funding student grants to attend college is not efficient. That's the wrong standard to apply.
#4 Do you know a person with cancer?
I do. Cancer research is being cut from the federal budget, despite the fact that the National Institute of Health (NIH) is indispensable in the fight against cancer. Through funding, research, clinical trials, prevention, and innovation, this agency has transformed cancer care and continues to pave the way for better survival rates and improved quality of life.
Recently, I read about a new screening test developed for the deadliest version of pancreatic cancer by researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University. Will that team lose its funding now? What about ongoing research on cutting-edge treatments like immunotherapy?
Continued investment in the NIH ensures that progress in cancer research will not only continue but accelerate. There are a lot of dead ends in research, but scientists will tell you that failures lead to successes.
Funding cancer research is not efficient. That's the wrong standard to apply.
#5 Do you want clean water to drink and clean air to breathe?
I do. The Trump administration has implemented several policies rescinding or weakening regulations that pose significant threats to clean air and water in the United States. Executive orders have been issued to expedite fossil fuel production, leading to potential increases in air and water pollution and contributing to climate change.These actions have raised concerns among environmentalists, public health experts, and affected communities.
On Reddit/fednews, the Megathread: 2025 Valentines Probationary Purge contains posts discussing the firings and the impacts. Here is one of many posts that has been shared across social media.
" The thing that I can’t get over is that the actual richest man in the world directed my ....firing. I make $50k a year and work to keep drinking water safe. The richest man in the world decided that was an expense too great for the American taxpayer."
Americans overall like safe drinking water and clean air. Those things we take for granted require environmental protection and regulation.
Funding clean water and air is not efficient. That's the wrong standard to apply.
#6 Do you know a person that has needed reproductive health care?
I do, ME. I had a D&C after a miscarriage. I'm grateful this was years ago when the standard of care was not questioned. Reproductive rights in the United States are currently facing significant challenges due to recent legislative and policy changes. These developments have profound implications for access to abortion services, contraceptive care, and overall reproductive health.
I know women who have had abortions as well. You do, too, I'm sure. Personal healthcare decisions should be between doctor and patient, as the Supreme Court originally ruled in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade.
In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14182, titled "Enforcing the Hyde Amendment." This order revokes previous executive actions that expanded access to reproductive healthcare and reaffirms the prohibition of federal funding for elective abortions. The order directs federal agencies to implement policies aligning with this stance, effectively reducing support for abortion-related services nationwide.
Reproductive healthcare is a human right. That is the only standard to apply.
Will the Budget Cuts Bring Efficiency or Not?
On the contrary, Trump has called for a series of steep tax cuts that would add at least $5 trillion to the 10-year deficit compared to the red ink if no changes are made to current federal law, according to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. I don't think that is efficient! This budget proposal shows poor stewardship of our tax dollars!
According to NBC News, the deficit could rise to even higher depending on how his proposals are structured, NBC also created an infographic that shows the DOGE cuts are from areas that comprise a very small percentage of the federal budget.
Efficiency isn’t just about cutting budgets. Every public dollar should work to its fullest potential for Americans. These programs are investments that often can't be measured - investments in human rights, investments in children, investments in education. Efficiency is the wrong standard to apply.
Sign up for The Internet's Best Bulletin, for occasional emails with quick links to the latest blog post(s), key news articles, fun cartoons or memes to share, and other interesting bits – a Karenopedia of information. I don’t sell anything or share your email, so you’ll only receive my email. Scroll down to sign up today!
Comments