The Dems have gone hysterical over the cuts Trump wants to mae to government services and staff, based on an audit being conducted by Elon Musk and his DOGE team. They have clearly forgotten -- or don't want to remember -- that Bill Clinton did the same bac in 1993, and that it was done with bi-partisan support. It's very telling that they now freak out over the determination of Trump & co, to get rid of waste, fraud and crime in the system. Here's what DeepSeek has to say on the subject;
President Bill Clinton's efforts to reduce the size of government were part of his broader agenda to create a more efficient, fiscally responsible federal bureaucracy. Here's a breakdown of key aspects of this initiative:
1. Federal Workforce Reduction- **Scope**: Approximately 300,000 federal jobs were eliminated during Clinton’s presidency (1993–2001), reducing the federal workforce to its smallest size since the 1960s.
- **Agencies Affected**: Cuts were concentrated in defense-related departments (e.g., the Department of Defense) post-Cold War, as well as agencies like Agriculture, Energy, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, some departments, such as Health and Human Services (HHS) and Justice, expanded.
2. Reinventing Government Initiative (NPR)
- **National Performance Review (NPR)**: Led by Vice President Al Gore, this 1993 initiative aimed to streamline government operations by eliminating red tape, reducing waste, and emphasizing customer service. Examples include:
- Cutting 16,000 pages of federal regulations.
- Modernizing processes (e.g., moving services online).
- Closing redundant offices and consolidating functions.
3. Welfare Reform
- **1996 Welfare Reform Law**: The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act replaced federal entitlement programs (like Aid to Families with Dependent Children) with block grants to states (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). This shifted responsibility to states and required beneficiaries to work, reducing federal welfare rolls by over 60% by 2000.
4. Economic and Fiscal Policies
- **Deficit Reduction**: Clinton’s 1993 budget raised taxes on higher incomes and cut spending, contributing to a budget surplus by 1998—the first in decades.
- **Economic Growth**: A booming 1990s economy (fueled by tech innovation and globalization) increased tax revenues, reducing pressure on federal spending.
5. Privatization and Outsourcing
- The NPR encouraged outsourcing services to private contractors, which reduced federal employment but raised debates about whether this truly "shrunk" government spending.
Criticisms and Nuances
- **Contractor Reliance**: Critics argue workforce cuts masked growth in contractor use, potentially inflating costs.
- **Mixed Impact**: While some agencies downsized, others grew (e.g., Medicare/Medicaid due to demographic shifts).
- **Service Concerns**: Some argue cuts led to understaffing in critical areas like veterans' services or IRS enforcement.
Legacy
- Clinton’s policies contributed to a smaller federal workforce and a temporary budget surplus, reflecting a pragmatic approach to government efficiency. However, debates persist about whether this represented a true reduction in government’s role or a restructuring of its functions. His administration balanced fiscal discipline with targeted investments in education, healthcare, and technology, leaving a complex legacy on the size and scope of government.
