Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 22 hours ago
This week, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg talk about DOGE, Elon Musk's initiative to reform government spending, and explore why it might be more about ideology than efficiency. Noah talks about how he would fix the US debt beyond simply cutting waste. They also cover the future of major programs like Medicaid ($804B/year), the trade-offs between inflation and austerity, and how conservatives might reshape federal institutions despite education polarization. Plus: why comparing government efficiency to Twitter's headcount reduction isn't as straightforward as it seems.
--
📰Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
--
SPONSORS:
NetSuite
More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: netsuite.com/102
AdQuick
The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit adquick.com today to start reaching your customers in the real world.
Found
Found provides small business owners tools to track expenses, calculate taxes, manage cashflow, send invoices and more. Open a Found account for free at found.com/econ102
--
SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
--
FOLLOW ON X:
@noahpinion
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
--
RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
--
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(02:07) Discussion on Doge and government efficiency
(07:31) Loss of funds within government systems
(11:15) Financial impact and austerity measures
(14:15) Sponsors: Netsuite | Found
(16:40) Lowering interest rates
(21:23) Medicaid and welfare programs
(26:09) Federal budget breakdown
(27:09) Healthcare spending and subsidies
(29:03) Student debt and loan forgiveness
(30:56) Sponsor: AdQuick
(31:50) Economic impact of subsidies
(37:06) Social security challenges
(39:50) Government efficiency and ideology
(52:07) Foreign influence and aid
(54:13) Wrap
This week, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg talk about DOGE, Elon Musk's initiative to reform government spending, and explore why it might be more about ideology than efficiency. Noah talks about how he would fix the US debt beyond simply cutting waste. They also cover the future of major programs like Medicaid ($804B/year), the trade-offs between inflation and austerity, and how conservatives might reshape federal institutions despite education polarization. Plus: why comparing government efficiency to Twitter's headcount reduction isn't as straightforward as it seems.
--
📰Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess
--
SPONSORS:
NetSuite
More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: netsuite.com/102
AdQuick
The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit adquick.com today to start reaching your customers in the real world.
Found
Found provides small business owners tools to track expenses, calculate taxes, manage cashflow, send invoices and more. Open a Found account for free at found.com/econ102
--
SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
--
FOLLOW ON X:
@noahpinion
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
--
RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
--
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(02:07) Discussion on Doge and government efficiency
(07:31) Loss of funds within government systems
(11:15) Financial impact and austerity measures
(14:15) Sponsors: Netsuite | Found
(16:40) Lowering interest rates
(21:23) Medicaid and welfare programs
(26:09) Federal budget breakdown
(27:09) Healthcare spending and subsidies
(29:03) Student debt and loan forgiveness
(30:56) Sponsor: AdQuick
(31:50) Economic impact of subsidies
(37:06) Social security challenges
(39:50) Government efficiency and ideology
(52:07) Foreign influence and aid
(54:13) Wrap
