“If we take the route of the permanent handout, the American character will itself be impoverished.”
- January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994
- American
- The 37th President of the United States, Lawyer, Politician
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Quote
“If we take the route of the permanent handout, the American character will itself be impoverished.”
Explanation
In this quote, Richard Nixon warns against long-term reliance on government assistance, suggesting that such dependency could erode the core values and self-reliance traditionally associated with the American identity. The phrase “the American character will itself be impoverished” is particularly potent; it implies that the damage of continual handouts would not only be economic but also moral and cultural. Nixon believed that dignity, initiative, and individual responsibility were foundational to national strength.
This statement must be understood in the context of the late 1960s and early 1970s, when debates over welfare, poverty programs, and social reform were central to American politics. Nixon introduced policies like the Family Assistance Plan, which attempted to restructure welfare in ways that would encourage employment over dependence. His conservative perspective emphasized that aid should be temporary and empowering, rather than indefinite and enabling of passivity.
In today’s discussions about universal basic income, expanded welfare, and social safety nets, this quote continues to echo. While many advocate for stronger support systems to reduce inequality, Nixon’s view presents the counterargument: that sustained external support can undercut personal motivation and communal resilience. It challenges policymakers and citizens alike to consider how to balance compassion with responsibility, and how to design programs that uplift without diminishing the human spirit.
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