Business Quote by Dean Baker
“Opening a small business is a reasonable thing for you to do but should tax payer, should an ordinary worker have to pay more money in taxes because someone across the street from them opened up a business which might well go under? For a lot of people opening a business is a bad choice for them. Most small businesses fail. I understand people wanting to give it a try and everything but we're not necessarily doing them a favor to say, take all your life savings, borrow to the hilt, and then struggle for three years and end up with nothing. We're not necessarily doing them a favor.”
About This Quote
Source Opinion piece: Economic commentary, 2023
Opening a small business can be risky; taxpayers shouldn’t bear the cost of individual entrepreneurial failures.
In simple terms: Business risk shouldn’t be a public burden.
Key Takeaway
Weigh personal risk versus public impact.
Themes
economics
entrepreneurship
tax policy
risk
public finance
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
opinion
economic
When to use this quote
- startup planning
- tax policy debates
- financial counseling
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
cost‑benefit analysis
market dynamics
social equity
Questions to Reflect On
- Should society support failed entrepreneurs?
- What safety nets can balance risk and reward?
A Different Perspective
Entrepreneurship can drive innovation despite high failure rates.
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