1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my concern over the increasing reliance of the U.S. government on private companies, particularly those led by Elon Musk. While companies like SpaceX and Tesla have driven innovation, the government must diversify its partnerships and avoid becoming dependent on any single individual or corporation. The government should not be taking cues from monopolies and billionaires on policy more than it listens to the people who live in this country and understand its realities. It can be argued that billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are not concerned with ethics, morality, or public safety. If that doesn’t convince you, consider that Elon Musk openly supports Project 2025, a regressive political agenda that threatens democratic values. Musk's behavior, including his messiah complex, often detracts from important progressive initiatives. His hyperloop proposal, for example, distracted from the much-needed California high-speed rail project, delaying real progress in transportation infrastructure. Government backing for individuals like Musk inadvertently supports broader political movements like Project 2025, which aim to erode federal protections and concentrate wealth and power further. I am also deeply troubled by the rampant union-busting practices employed by corporations like Musk’s, which allow billionaires to remain above the law while crippling our economy. These companies undermine workers' rights, depress wages, and weaken economic stability, concentrating wealth in the hands of a few and eroding the foundations of democracy. To address these concerns and build a stronger, more resilient economy, I urge you to advocate for the following steps: Diversify Contractors: Encourage competition by diversifying government contracts, particularly in key sectors like aerospace, transportation, and AI, so that innovation isn't monopolized by a few corporations. Strengthen Public Institutions: Provide more funding to public agencies like NASA to reduce reliance on private companies and retain control over vital projects. Enforce Antitrust Regulations: Prevent monopolistic behavior through stricter enforcement of antitrust laws and stand against harmful union-busting practices to protect workers' rights. Expand Government-Developed Technology: Invest in public R&D for sectors like space exploration and renewable energy, ensuring the government can control and share innovations with the public. Strengthen International Partnerships: Collaborate with international allies on technology and exploration projects to diversify suppliers and reduce reliance on any single private entity. By pursuing these steps, the U.S. can reduce its dependence on figures like Elon Musk and focus on policies that benefit the public, not just the privileged few. It’s time to prioritize the needs of the people over the interests of billionaires who have shown little regard for the welfare of the country.