When America began, government cost every citizen $20 (in…
![“When America began, government cost every citizen $20 (in [2003] money) per year. Taxes rose during wars, but for most of the life of America, spending never exceeded a few hundred dollars per person. During World War II, government got much bigger. It was supposed to shrink again after the war…” quote by John Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/420/john-stossel-5146_every-man_when-america-began-government-cost-every_2163596.jpg)
““When America began, government cost every citizen $20 (in [2003] money) per year. Taxes rose during wars, but for most of the life of America, spending never exceeded a few hundred dollars per person. During World War II, government got much bigger. It was supposed to shrink again after the war but never did. Instead, it just kept growing. Now the federal government costs every man, woman, and child an average of $10,000 per year.””
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 has grown from modest per‑person amounts to a massive annual cost per citizen.
In simple terms: Government costs each person a lot more now than before.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for fiscal restraint and transparency.
Themes
economics
government
taxation
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
political
educational
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- tax reform debates
- public education on fiscal policy
Key Concepts
public finance
budget deficits
policy analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies could curb unchecked spending?
- How does increased government size affect individual liberty?
A Different Perspective
Historical context shows some growth is inevitable during crises.