Well, then what the federal government should have done…
““Well, then what the federal government should have done was accept the assistance of foreign countries, of entrepreneurial Americans who have had solutions that they wanted presented. They can't even get a phone call returned, Bill. The Dutch—they are known, and the Norwegians—they are known for dikes and for cleaning up water and for dealing with spills. They offered to help and yet, no, they too, with the proverbial, can't even get a phone call back.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Government should seek foreign and entrepreneurial expertise for crises, but bureaucracy blocks help.
In simple terms: Ask for expertise, avoid red tape.
Key Takeaway
Embrace external help quickly.
Themes
government
crisis management
bureaucracy
expertise
collaboration
Mood
frustrated
urgent
Type
political
policy
When to use this quote
- natural disasters
- public health emergencies
- infrastructure repair
- policy making
- foreign aid
Key Concepts
public policy
international aid
communication failures
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions streamline expert outreach?
- What safeguards prevent misuse of foreign help?
A Different Perspective
Political realities may limit rapid assistance.