“Today, if you invent a better mousetrap, the government comes along with a better mouse.”
- February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
- American
- The 40th President of the United States, Actor, Politician, Governor of California
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Quote
“Today, if you invent a better mousetrap, the government comes along with a better mouse.”
Explanation
With this witty and satirical remark, Ronald Reagan critiques the inhibitive role government can sometimes play in innovation and enterprise. The original saying—“If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door”—suggests that ingenuity leads to success. Reagan’s twist implies that instead of rewarding innovation, the government often responds by complicating or undermining it, whether through overregulation, competition, or bureaucratic interference.
This quote reflects Reagan’s broader philosophy of limited government and free-market economics. Throughout his presidency, he championed deregulation, tax cuts, and entrepreneurial freedom, arguing that government often stifles innovation rather than supports it. The “better mouse” symbolizes how state intervention can distort markets, create unfair advantages, or burden creators with red tape, ultimately discouraging the very progress it claims to support.
In today’s context, the quote resonates in debates over government regulation of technology, healthcare, energy, and business innovation. It speaks to the concern that too much state involvement can slow down or misdirect private sector creativity, turning potential breakthroughs into bureaucratic battles. Reagan’s message is a call to protect and unleash the spirit of innovation, ensuring that those who build better solutions aren’t hindered—but empowered—to thrive.
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