“The answer to many of the domestic problems we face is not higher taxes and more spending. It is less waste, more results and greater freedom for the individual American to earn a rightful place in his own community – and for States and localities to address their own needs in their own ways, in the light of their own priorities.”
- January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994
- American
- The 37th President of the United States, Lawyer, Politician
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Quote
“The answer to many of the domestic problems we face is not higher taxes and more spending. It is less waste, more results and greater freedom for the individual American to earn a rightful place in his own community – and for States and localities to address their own needs in their own ways, in the light of their own priorities.”
Explanation
In this quote, Richard Nixon outlines a vision of governance rooted in fiscal responsibility, individual empowerment, and decentralized authority. By rejecting “higher taxes and more spending” as the primary solutions to domestic problems, Nixon calls instead for “less waste, more results,” emphasizing the need for efficiency, accountability, and measurable outcomes in government. He advocates for greater freedom for individuals to succeed through effort and initiative, and for states and local governments to take the lead in addressing social and economic challenges according to their unique circumstances and values.
This quote reflects the principles behind Nixon’s New Federalism initiative, which sought to shift power and resources away from the federal government and toward state and local authorities. It was a response to what many conservatives and moderates in the 1970s viewed as federal overreach and bureaucratic inefficiency in the wake of the expansive Great Society programs. Nixon’s approach emphasized the belief that local governments are better equipped to understand and respond to the specific needs of their communities, and that citizens thrive when given more freedom and responsibility.
Today, Nixon’s quote remains relevant in ongoing debates about federal versus local control, taxation, and the size of government. It continues to resonate with arguments for limited government, fiscal discipline, and the importance of individual agency in achieving social mobility. His message challenges policymakers to seek smarter, not larger, solutions—to empower communities and people rather than expand central authority—and to ensure that government remains a facilitator of opportunity rather than a manager of dependency.
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