The Trump Administration's 'Sad Betrayal of the Next Generation'
"The whole process is insane." That's how Dr. Matthew Buckley, a physicist, describes the ongoing impact of Elon Musk's DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) on the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the grants process that funds scientific research institutions like Rutgers University.
While the Trump Administration tries to get rid of independent attorneys general while installing vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. at the U.S. Department of Health, the world's richest man continues to try to dismantle the lives of research scientists - faculty and students - at New Jersey's oldest public university.
The ignorant who applaud the capsizing of these professionals apparently don't understand the implications and the imminent impact on the general public.
In Buckley's words, "Whatever people voted for last November, they didn't vote for the end of cancer research" and chunks removed from the country's healthcare and economic engines.
For every dollar the federal government invests in NIH grants, universities generate two and a half dollars, said Buckley, a critical enhancement of our economy, especially in New Jersey, where the pharmaceutical industry accounts for 2.4% of the state's private workforce.
"It's what we do," the physicist told InsiderNJ.
The cuts undertaken by Musk simply result in a reduction in opportunities for researchers like Buckley to train undergraduate students and create the next generation of scientific pioneers.
"If you are a student, a grant that enables ten weeks of work in a lab, one-on-one connection with faculty, can get that student to the next level in terms of opportunities in medicine, pharma, or biotech," he said. "Those grants are being cut."
Buckley's been doing this for decades.
A strict review process governs the grants.
"We are good stewards of government money," he said. "When I get government money, I have to account for every penny. The idea that this is government waste is just ridiculous, and now, my colleagues are just getting an email telling them it's done. These are government contracts that are just being dismissed. Hopefully a judge will say no.
"It's absolute chaos," Buckley added.
The National Science Foundation and NASA just this week endured cuts resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs.
"What we're talking about is the loss of how to build new things, not today, but 15 years from now. That is how you train people to build."
Buckley describes his work of teaching students a real privilege. He takes joy in writing letters of recommendation for budding researchers.
"What is happening her is a sad betrayal of the next generation," he said.
So much for extending a hand in friendship. During the presidential election season Max did a “road trip series “ on what he saw on the back roads of Pennsylvania. One particular piece , he questions why a Barnes and Noble was open for business in a dismal strip mall filled with trucks and maybe a Wendy’s. As if to say, “these people don’t read.” These are your, “ basket of deplorables - “smelly Wal-mart shoppers.” In so many words -These “stupid “ people don’t deserve a seat at the table. Your elitist way of thinking is the reason for the now -Coughed up Trump. The, I know better than you attitude lacks street smarts and the perpetuation of the BIG lie about the BIG guy’s , (Biden) mental and physical health verged on elder abuse. The “real” newspapers were totally ok with spreading this little white lie ( disinformation) as the world sadly watched the failing competency, of our nation’s Commander and Chief- Our President. These real newspapers reported , Biden was as fit as a fiddle and running circles around the White House, making all the decisions and in total command of all his facilities at all times. So here we are today - in an egg fight- pointing fingers at each other rather than extending a hand in friendship. I am not defending anyone point of view , but rather reflecting on how we got here.
This is the result of allowing ignorant, simple minded people to vote based on jingoistic catch phrases and game show intellect. These voters have been sliding backwards for 40+ years, don't accept who gave them the level of prosperity they once enjoyed, Democrats, and fail to read real newspapers and see that the Republicans steal from them, blame the Democrats and give them worthless folksy pep talks. I don't have the pleasure of encountering any of these trumpers, but when I do I will ask what their plans are for retirement because social security might, I hope, be the next item on the agenda. I don't need social security, I have more in personal savings and investments than I will ever need and it will give me great pleasure to know that these trumpers will work until they die because they have voted the Republicans, who have stolen so much from them into office.
The total destruction of the US in everyway possible is what is happening. Life as we knew it is being destroyed by incompetent ignorant and greedy white men who have no integrity or humanity. THE STUPID PEOPLE WHO VOTED THEM IN ARE GETTI G WHAT THEY DESERVE OF THE MISERY THAT IS BEING CREATED. However those of us who saw what was happening from the time Trump entered politics in 2015 knew who he was and tried to prevent it. We too are suffering. We must fight as a whole to bring these fascists down.