Letter to the Editor: Elon Musk is a traitor
March 18, 2025
See: Letter to the Editor: Elon Musk is a patriot
Elon Musk didn’t get to where he is by following the democratic rules we’ve always followed in our government. Instead, he used his money to get to the top of American politics. So, how can someone like him—who gained power through corrupt means—fix the corruption in our government? Musk doesn’t have the knowledge or experience to make smart decisions when it comes to important government matters. He’s using his unelected, unaccountable power in violation of very old constitutional and political rules.
One example is his control over DOGE, which was created in a way that skips past the normal government rules. Musk and other DOGE employees don’t know how to properly handle the delicate systems that run our government and keep important information safe. His decisions are based on his own opinions, not careful, thoughtful planning. When he shares his rationale, it’s often through short social media posts that are incomplete and misleading. He’s making changes without telling people exactly where the money is going or how it’s being spent, leaving federal spending at the mercy of his questionable judgment.
When Musk talks about “waste and fraud” in federal programs like Social Security, he’s leaving out important details. For example, there are some old records in the system, but they don’t mean people are getting money they shouldn’t (Hussein, 2025). The Social Security system might need updating, but it’s not the big problem Musk makes it out to be. In reality, less than 1% of Social Security payments are wrong, and most of that is just overpayment to people who are still alive (2024 SSA OIG report). That’s still 99% of Social Security payments that are being paid to real people who need them. Musk wants to make it sound like the system is full of fraud, but it’s just not true.
Social Security is vital for millions of Americans, especially the elderly, disabled, and their children. It helps people buy groceries, pay for medical care, and live without fear of losing everything. It’s not perfect, but cutting it would hurt a lot of people who depend on it to survive. Musk doesn’t understand what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck or to struggle with the basics of life. He’s never had to worry about losing everything, and it’s clear that he doesn’t care about those who do.
Around 69 million people rely on Social Security, including many older folks in small towns like Manchester. According to the 2020 census, nearly one-quarter of Manchester’s population is over the age of 65 (World Population Center). The SSA reports that nine out of 10 people over the age of 65 receive Social Security benefits (2024 SSA report). That’s approximately 450 Manchester residents. We can expect that approximately 15% of these people will rely on Social Security benefits for at least 90% of their income (2024). That’s approximately 70 Manchester residents. This number does not account for disabled citizens, survivors of deceased workers, or the dependents of Social Security beneficiaries. These people depend on their benefits. Musk may not care about them, but we should. These benefits help people put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. Taking that away would make life a lot harder for people who are already struggling.
Musk might make it sound like he’s looking out for regular people, but in reality, he’s using his political influence to help his own businesses like SpaceX and Tesla. While he slashes important programs that help everyday Americans, he’s getting millions in government contracts for his companies. He’s hurting regular people to make himself richer. He’s not worried about what’s best for the country. He’s only looking out for himself.
Do you really think the world’s richest man cares about your well-being? If you do, think again. He’s not a patriot. What he is doing to our government, to our democratic processes, to our people, is undemocratic. Unconstitutional. Unprecedented. Inhumane. Traitorous.
Olivia Smyth
Manchester
Views expressed in any Letter to the Editor are always exclusively those of the author. Do you have something you want Manchester to know? Send your Letter to the Editor to themanchestermirror@gmail.com.
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