---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have little interest in streamlining…"
description: "\"I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare,..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/barry-goldwater-3353_aim_i-have-little-interest-in-streamlining-g_2838435.jpg"
---

#  I have little interest in streamlining government or in…

![“I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that…” quote by Barry Goldwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/barry-goldwater-3353_aim_i-have-little-interest-in-streamlining-g_2838435.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/barry-goldwater-3353_aim_i-have-little-interest-in-streamlining-g_2838435.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/barry-goldwater-3353_aim_i-have-little-interest-in-streamlining-g_2838435.jpg)

> “I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed in their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is "needed" before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible.”

[Barry Goldwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-goldwater/)

## About This Quote

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

He argues for reducing government size, limiting laws, and protecting constitutional freedom.

**In simple terms:** He wants less government interference.

Key Takeaway

Advocate for limited government and individual liberty.

Themes

government freedom constitution

Mood

cautious critical

Type

political ideological

When to use this quote

- policy reform
- tax reduction
- regulatory review
- public debate

Key Concepts

political philosophy libertarianism

Questions to Reflect On

- What essential services should remain government‑run?
- How to balance liberty with collective needs?

A Different Perspective

Complex issues may require some regulation for public welfare.

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> [If discrimination based on race is constitutionally permissible when those who hold the reins can come up with "compelling" reasons to justify it, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-discrimination-based-on-race-is-constitutionally-permissible-when/)

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[Charles Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kennedy/)

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[Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/)

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## More by Barry Goldwater

> [Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-goldwater/remember-that-a-government-big-enough-to-give-you-everything-you-want/)

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> [You don't need to be straight to fight and die for your country. You just need to shoot straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-goldwater/you-don-t-need-to-be-straight-to-fight-and-die-for-your-country-you/)

[Barry Goldwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-goldwater/)

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## More Aim quotes

> [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/)

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> [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/)

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