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I am in favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and…

“I am in favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible. The reason I am is because I believe the big problem is not taxes, the big problem is spending. The question is, 'How do you hold down government spending? The only effective way I…” quote by Milton Friedman
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“I am in favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible. The reason I am is because I believe the big problem is not taxes, the big problem is spending. The question is, 'How do you hold down government spending? The only effective way I think to hold it down, is to hold down the amount of income the government has. The way to do that is to cut taxes”

Milton Friedman

About This Quote

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

Lowering taxes is less effective than controlling government spending; fiscal restraint requires limiting revenue sources.

In simple terms: Cutting taxes alone won’t fix spending.

Key Takeaway

Control spending by limiting revenue.

Themes

tax policy government spending fiscal responsibility economics

Mood

analytical critical

Type

policy economic

When to use this quote

  • national budget planning
  • state budgeting
  • public policy debates

Key Concepts

public choice budget constraint tax incidence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can spending be reduced without harming essential services?
  • What are the political challenges to cutting government revenue?
A Different Perspective

political feasibility

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