During his campaign, former President Donald Trump has proposed his share of bad policy ideas, such as a 20 percent tariff across the board. But tasking Elon Musk with heading a commission to make the government more efficient is one worth considering. In a speech to the Economic Club of New York, Trump said this commission will conduct "a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government."
Efficiency is subjective. Some people believe that empowering the IRS with more powers to collect more taxes is efficient. Some believe that efficiency means putting an end to waste, fraud, and abuse. I have a more extensive definition. Yes, an efficient federal government would be free of fraud and abuse, but it also wouldn't subsidize private sector activities like exports, manufacturing, green energy, or any other sectors, for that matter.
