Skip to content

For every dollar that is spent on the (boondoggle) bridge…

“For every dollar that is spent on the (boondoggle) bridge a dollar will be taken away from taxpayers. If the bridge costs $1,000,000 the taxpayers will lose $1,000, 000. They will have that much taken away from them which they would otherwise have spent on the things they needed most.” quote by Henry Hazlitt
Download Open image
““For every dollar that is spent on the (boondoggle) bridge a dollar will be taken away from taxpayers. If the bridge costs $1,000,000 the taxpayers will lose $1,000, 000. They will have that much taken away from them which they would otherwise have spent on the things they needed most.””

Henry Hazlitt

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Government spending on projects that do not generate value merely redirects money from essential needs, harming taxpayers.

In simple terms: Spending on useless projects steals from needed services.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize spending that creates real value.

Themes

economics public policy taxation budgeting

Mood

critical analytical

Type

advisory policy

When to use this quote

  • Infrastructure planning
  • taxpayer budgeting
  • public service funding
  • budget reviews

Key Concepts

Opportunity cost public choice resource allocation

Questions to Reflect On

  • What essential services are being underfunded?
  • How can we evaluate true value of public projects?
A Different Perspective

If the project yields long‑term benefits, the immediate loss may be justified.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Henry Hazlitt

Explore all 148 Henry Hazlitt quotes

More Coercion quotes

Browse all 310 Coercion quotes