by Jack Bernard, West Virginia Watch
May 13, 2025

“I’ve joined 25 other Republican governors in supporting President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Initiative. The goal is to streamline government, cut wasteful spending, and balance the federal budget. Let’s make it happen.” — West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice

Sen. Jim Justice was once a billionaire, although now estimates of his wealth vary. Raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy (like President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Justice) is not politically feasible due to lack of support from GOP politicians, like Justice. Therefore, balancing the budget means spending less.

On Dec. 5, 2024, Musk sent out a tweet that I agree with 100%: “Shouldn’t the American people be getting their money’s worth?”

However, for Musk to have credibility, he must address budget cutting in a targeted, bipartisan, rational way.

He has not done so, which caused Justice to later state, “It is impossible to not mow past the fence in some areas… you’re going to have to adjust.” But Justice and his GOP colleagues have done nothing to stop Musk or Trump.

The key to DOGE (Musk’s Department of Governmental Efficiency) being successful — which we should all hope for — is prioritizing. Musk must change course and choose easy targets which show that he is serious and selfless, a tough issue for both Musk and his boss. Especially when Congress, including Justice, sits on its hands.

Health care spending and waste is a big problem for U.S. and West Virginia taxpayers. So is health delivery. Our mortality and morbidity rates are worse than other democracies and West Virginia is near the bottom on most measures. Plus, we pay much more than any of these democracies, with much of it coming from our federal and state taxes. Data provided illustrates that the U.S. spends $1,055 per capita on health care administrative costs. The average OECD (developed nation) spends only $194.

As a health care professional, it is obvious to me why that is so. We have a convoluted multi-payer system in the U.S., the only nation so disorganized. Physicians for a National Health Plan (PNHP), with 20,000 members (including me), has been advocating for a single payer system for several decades.

But lobbyist money from Big Pharma and Big Insurance has made this topic a third rail for supposedly fiscally conservative politicians like Justice. So, DOGE has not advocated the obvious solution to excessive administrative costs in the U.S. health care system-single payer. Neither has Congress under blue or red control.

Also, it is a fact that much of Musk’s wealth comes from two firms — Tesla and Space X, both of which rely on money coming from the federal government, directly or indirectly. So, what should DOGE examine as another priority on the hit list? If Musk is serious, it should be NASA.

I love Star Trek as much as anyone, but the federal government’s return on investment (ROI) is extremely low. And federal funding for Space X, worth $210 billion and Musk owns 40% of it, is coming from NASA which our taxes fund. Since 2008, Space X has gotten $20 billion in U.S. tax dollars, including nearly $4 billion last year. Cutting funding gives Musk immediate credibility across the aisle and with the American public. Why isn’t Justice advocating for that?

Here is what NASA states regarding its benefits to taxpayers — “Dollars spent for space exploration create jobs, jumpstart businesses, and grow the economy. Our innovations improve daily life, advance medical research, support disaster response, and more.” Let’s examine their vague, idealistic statement in more detail.

Our Star Trek, excuse me, I mean NASA, budget totals over $25 billion of our federal tax dollars. That figure includes nearly $8 billion for moon exploration (Artemis), over $4 billion for items related to the International Space Station, over $1 billion for space technology (Moon to Mars), nearly $8 billion for general space exploration, and over $2 billion for research related to earth science and climate control.

What would be the negative effect of cutting NASA funding in half? NASA would say that it would cut job creation, business profits and negatively impact the economy. Undoubtedly, that is true. But it is also true for any federal cost-cutting measures, and slashing NASA will have few real negative effects on our lives.

Unless DOGE prioritizes and uses a scalpel versus a chain saw, and addresses NASA, it will be ridiculed. As well it should be, Sen. Justice.

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.

The post West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice supports DOGE? appeared first on westvirginiawatch.com

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

The article critiques Republican Governor Jim Justice’s stance on fiscal conservatism and government inefficiency. It raises concerns about the lack of meaningful action on government waste, particularly in health care and space programs like NASA. The tone suggests frustration with the political inaction of GOP leaders, including Justice, and advocates for more effective cost-cutting measures, such as implementing a single-payer health care system. The critique of government inefficiency, particularly regarding space exploration and health care spending, aligns with more progressive or centrist views, advocating for practical solutions over ideological stances.