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It is absurd to say that our country can issue $30,000,000…

“It is absurd to say that our country can issue $30,000,000 in bonds and not $30,000,000 in currency. Both are promises to pay; but one promise fattens the usurer (banker), and the other helps the people. If the currency issued by the Government were no good, then the bonds issued would be no good…” quote by Thomas A. Edison
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“It is absurd to say that our country can issue $30,000,000 in bonds and not $30,000,000 in currency. Both are promises to pay; but one promise fattens the usurer (banker), and the other helps the people. If the currency issued by the Government were no good, then the bonds issued would be no good either. It is a terrible situation when the Government, to increase the national wealth, must go into debt and submit to ruinous interest charges at the hands of men who control the fictitious values of gold.”

Thomas A. Edison

About This Quote

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

Government bonds and currency are both promises, but bonds enrich bankers while currency aids citizens; debt harms national wealth.

In simple terms: Bonds enrich bankers, currency helps people; debt harms wealth.

Key Takeaway

Prefer issuing currency over debt.

Themes

economics public finance inequality

Mood

cautious critical

Type

policy analytical

When to use this quote

  • National budgeting
  • public debt management
  • financial education

Key Concepts

Monetary policy interest rates government debt

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can governments balance debt and growth?
  • What alternatives exist to high‑interest borrowing?
A Different Perspective

Excessive debt can still be necessary for infrastructure.

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