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Government is the problem

Posted by WordCrafter on April 22, 2004

In Reply to: How do you feel? posted by ESC on April 22, 2004

: : I had to look this quote up for a class. What are your opinions on it? Origins, etc.

: : "Fovernment is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem."

: Government isn't the problem. The people are the problem. I am referring to people in a democratic society who don't learn their civics lessons, don't research the issues, and don't vote. Or they vote for a pretty face, not a leader.

: "Every nation has the government it deserves." (Letter to X, 1811) Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821)

:::Seems to me this is a quote from Ronald Regan.
His point was that people expect government to solve the problems of society, and to shield the people from the Hobbsian evils of humanity. Regan's point was that the resources that the government takes from a productive society are far more than letting the market work and solve these problems through good will of the people. Given some regulation, the market is an awfully efficient way to deal with societies problems -- not perfect, and needs a number of oversight mechanisms, but it's the best way that society has found yet.

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