“Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.”
- February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
- American
- The 40th President of the United States, Actor, Politician, Governor of California
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Quote
“Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.”
Explanation
In this quote, Ronald Reagan expresses a classic fiscal conservative critique of government spending, suggesting that no matter how much revenue the government collects—through taxes or other means—it will always find a way to spend it. The implication is that government naturally tends toward expansion and inefficiency, continually creating new programs, departments, or regulations to justify its growing budget rather than exercising restraint or returning money to the taxpayers.
This view was central to Reagan’s economic philosophy and presidency. He believed that large, centralized government posed a threat to both personal freedom and economic vitality, and that tax cuts, spending limits, and deregulation were necessary to check its growth. Reagan saw excessive taxation as not just an economic burden, but a symptom of a deeper problem: a government that grows to fill every financial resource it obtains, rather than prioritizing accountability and necessity.
Today, Reagan’s quote remains relevant in discussions about budget deficits, taxation, and government efficiency. It continues to resonate with those who argue that fiscal discipline must be imposed externally—through laws or public pressure—because government won’t voluntarily limit itself. His message endures as a warning: without vigilance, even well-intentioned governments will consume every dollar they can—and ask for more.
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