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In an era where identity has multiple meanings, both our collective and personal identities are under attack. Collectively, we face the unelected influence of billionaires like Elon Musk and his non-governmental initiative, DOGE. This concerted effort, seemingly without regard for legality, merit or stability, seeks to purge government programs and employees they deem unworthy. The result? Uncertain; though likely a whiter, more masculine federal workforce and a government pushed toward failure, under the guise of efficiency.

For decades, background checks, security clearances and bureaucratic safeguards protected our institutions from bad actors. Yet DOGE, with the full knowledge and consent of our new president, has bypassed those barriers, raising grave concerns about national security. Unvetted, non-credentialed individuals are now sifting through some of the most sensitive data stores in the country. Why have we let billionaires so easily dismantle these protections? What else might be compromised?

Meanwhile, look at what is asked of you to protect your own personal identity. Consider the usernames and passwords tied to your government, health and financial records. How many do you have memorized? How often are you frustrated with ever-changing password rules, forced to generate ever complex combinations that you cannot possibly remember? Maybe you write them down, store them in a hidden file or use a password manager to “secure” them, ultimately reducing your entire identity to a single four-digit code, which seems to defeat the point of those rules in the first place.

Contrast that with how DOGE operates. While you jump through hoops to access your own information and are expected to be accountable for your identity’s security, they are handing access to unvetted or credentialed individuals who, with the push of a button, can see records tied to your medical history, your employment, your travel and even your political affiliations. The same government that demands you prove your identity in a dozen different ways is now allowing its most sensitive data to be rifled through by tech bros and political operatives with no oversight. Their reckless actions may have even compromised the identities of covert agents sworn to protect us. How secure does that make you feel?

Our collective and personal identities are being ravaged by billionaires who are immune to the material and security concerns of everyday Americans. Led by a serial liar and men so socially inept they see no need to, with any seriousness, distance themselves from an ideology with which this country once went to war to destroy resulting in the deaths of 50 million to 80 million people. We emerged from that conflict a stronger and more unified nation, but one that still struggles to appreciate and make full use of the diversity afforded to us by those from around the world and with differing beliefs but who seek to join in our prosperity.

I identify as the kind of American who stands to fight against fascism and against whatever new kind Musk is importing from apartheid South Africa.

Joe Staloch
Albert Lea