We may as well face the fact, and face it squarely, that…
“We may as well face the fact, and face it squarely, that we are too much governed. The agencies of government have multiplied, their ramifications extended, their powers enlarged, and their sphere widened, until the whole system is top-heavy. We are drifting into dangerous and insidious paternalism, submerging the self-reliance of the citizen, and weakening the responsibility and stifling the initiative of the individual. We suffer not from too little legislation but from too much. We need fewer enactments and more repeals.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Excessive government regulation stifles individual initiative and self-reliance, calling for fewer laws and more repeals.
In simple terms: Too many rules hurt personal responsibility.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for deregulation and personal freedom.
Themes
government
citizen
legislation
responsibility
initiative
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
Agency:1
Citizens:1
Dangerous:0
Drifting:0
Faces:0
Facts:0
Fewer:1
Government:1
Heavy:0
Individual:1
Initiative:1
Insidious:0
Legislation:1
Littles:0
May:0
Needs:1
Paternalism:1
Politics:0
Ramifications:0
Reliance:1
Responsibility:1
Self:1
Self reliance:1
Spheres:0
Stifling:1
Suffering:0
Too much:1
Weakening:1
Wells:0
Whole:0
Legislation Need:0
Government Multiplied:0
Fewer Enactments:1
Weakening Responsibility:1
Citizen Weakening:0
When to use this quote
- political activism
- civic education
- law reform
- community organizing
Key Concepts
paternalism
policy overload
self-reliance
Questions to Reflect On
- What essential regulations should remain?
- How can citizens promote responsible self-reliance?
A Different Perspective
Reducing laws may overlook needed protections.