“At home, we must reject the mistaken notion – a notion that has dominated too much of the public dialogue for too long – that ever bigger Government is the answer to every problem.”
- January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994
- American
- The 37th President of the United States, Lawyer, Politician
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Quote
“At home, we must reject the mistaken notion – a notion that has dominated too much of the public dialogue for too long – that ever bigger Government is the answer to every problem.”
Explanation
In this quote, Richard Nixon critiques the overreliance on expansive government intervention as a solution to domestic challenges. By calling it a “mistaken notion” that “bigger Government is the answer to every problem,” Nixon affirms a belief in limited government, individual initiative, and localized responsibility. His words reflect a philosophy that not all issues can or should be solved through federal programs, and that excessive centralization may stifle both efficiency and freedom.
The historical context of this statement lies in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the U.S. was wrestling with massive federal spending on social programs, such as those launched under Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society. Nixon’s approach included New Federalism, a policy aimed at returning power to states and local governments, signaling a shift away from the post–New Deal consensus that the federal government should take the lead in solving social and economic issues.
In the modern era, this quote remains highly relevant amid debates over healthcare, education, climate policy, and economic stimulus. It questions the automatic reflex to expand federal power and spending as the default response to societal problems. Nixon’s words prompt a critical examination of government scope, effectiveness, and accountability, and advocate for a balance between public authority and private or community initiative—a conversation that continues to shape policy across the political spectrum.
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