--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It seems that the problem with government…" description: "\"It seems that the problem with government as an institution is uniformly bad, worldwide. It may be the ONLY thing that binds all nations together - the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b51/frank-zappa-702_catholic_it-seems-that-the-problem-with-governmen_2245822.jpg" --- # It seems that the problem with government as an… ![“It seems that the problem with government as an institution is uniformly bad, worldwide. It may be the ONLY thing that binds all nations together - the incompetence of all of their governments...The unions are the mafia, which is the CIA, which is the Catholic Church, which is the government…” quote by Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b51/frank-zappa-702_catholic_it-seems-that-the-problem-with-governmen_2245822.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b51/frank-zappa-702_catholic_it-seems-that-the-problem-with-governmen_2245822.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b51/frank-zappa-702_catholic_it-seems-that-the-problem-with-governmen_2245822.jpg) > “It seems that the problem with government as an institution is uniformly bad, worldwide. It may be the ONLY thing that binds all nations together - the incompetence of all of their governments...The unions are the mafia, which is the CIA, which is the Catholic Church, which is the government, which is what's the difference? It's corrupt! It's the same guys pulling these strings, you know? One day he pulls the string and this lamp comes out, the next say he pulls the string and there's a missile coming out.” [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Governments worldwide share systemic failures, leading to widespread corruption and distrust among citizens. **In simple terms:** Governments often act incompetently and corruptly. Key Takeaway Demand transparency and accountability from institutions. Themes politics corruption institutional failure Mood critical skeptical Type political observational When to use this quote - voting decisions - civic activism - journalism - policy reform Key Concepts systemic incompetence power concentration public distrust Questions to Reflect On - What reforms could reduce governmental incompetence? - How can citizens effectively hold leaders accountable? A Different Perspective Not all governments are equally corrupt; reforms can succeed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Catholic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic/) [Catholic church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic-church/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Cia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cia/) [Coming out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coming-out/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governments/) [Incompetence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incompetence/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Mafia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mafia/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Unions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unions/) ## Related quotes > [They's making it worse, the labor movement got the mafia curse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/they-s-making-it-worse-the-labor-movement-got-the-mafia-curse/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Today we can declare: Government is not the problem, and government is not the solution. We, the American people, we are the solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/today-we-can-declare-government-is-not-the-problem-and-government-is/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [The biggest problem in our government is that even those people who are there that are good and well-intended, there's too many people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mj-hegar/the-biggest-problem-in-our-government-is-that-even-those-people-who/) [MJ Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mj-hegar/) > [ \[T\]he central problem of government is a religious one; and anyone who assumes that he can form his political beliefs without consulting his ethics,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-verlan-andersen/t-he-central-problem-of-government-is-a-religious-one-and-anyone-who/) H. Verlan Andersen > [Government is not the problem, and government is not the solution. We - the American people - we are the solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/government-is-not-the-problem-and-government-is-not-the-solution-we/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [I see the main problem as a spiritual one, not a resource problem, or a problem with this or that government, but a larger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-villoldo/i-see-the-main-problem-as-a-spiritual-one-not-a-resource-problem-or-a/) [Alberto Villoldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-villoldo/) > [Memo to Congress: America's problem is not that government is too small. It's the spending, stupid!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beauprez/memo-to-congress-america-s-problem-is-not-that-government-is-too/) [Bob Beauprez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beauprez/) > [“The problem of the Government is a ‘consideration of convenience’ as Burke called it. It is the problem of finding how we can best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-mes/the-problem-of-the-government-is-a-consideration-of-convenience-as/) G.M. Mes > [In the present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/in-the-present-crisis-government-is-not-the-solution-to-our-problem/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The great problem with government is that it never goes bankrupt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-brown/the-great-problem-with-government-is-that-it-never-goes-bankrupt/) [Jerry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-brown/) > [Government does not have a revenue problem; government has a spending problem. Government does not have a revenue problem; government has a priority problem.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsha-blackburn/government-does-not-have-a-revenue-problem-government-has-a-spending/) [Marsha Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsha-blackburn/) > [The problem is that when government controls the economy, those who can influence government keep winning, and everybody else just stays the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-problem-is-that-when-government-controls-the-economy-those-who/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [“I think we've been through a period where too many people have been given to understand that if they have a problem, it's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/i-think-we-ve-been-through-a-period-where-too-many-people-have-been/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem. ... Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them. Government's view of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/government-is-not-a-solution-to-our-problem-government-is-the-problem-2/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Government is not a solution to our problem government is the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/government-is-not-a-solution-to-our-problem-government-is-the-problem/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) ## More by Frank Zappa > [If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/if-you-want-to-get-laid-go-to-college-if-you-want-an-education-go-to/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [While your children are sleeping, your puppy is crappin'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/while-your-children-are-sleeping-your-puppy-is-crappin/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Very few people do covers of my tunes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/very-few-people-do-covers-of-my-tunes/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Cocaine decisions that you make today, will mean nothing later on when you get nose decay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/cocaine-decisions-that-you-make-today-will-mean-nothing-later-on-when/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Government is the Entertainment division of the military-industrial complex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/government-is-the-entertainment-division-of-the-military-industrial/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Do your job and do it right, life's a ball, TV tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/do-your-job-and-do-it-right-life-s-a-ball-tv-tonight/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Fact of the matter is, there is no hip world, there is no straight world. There's a world, you see which has people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/fact-of-the-matter-is-there-is-no-hip-world-there-is-no-straight/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Broken hearts are for assholes, are you an asshole?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/broken-hearts-are-for-assholes-are-you-an-asshole/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Anyone who is disturbed by the idea of newts in a nightclub is potentially dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/anyone-who-is-disturbed-by-the-idea-of-newts-in-a-nightclub-is/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/the-bigger-the-cushion-the-better-the-pushin/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Give me the enchilada with the pickle sauce shoved up between the donkey's ass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/give-me-the-enchilada-with-the-pickle-sauce-shoved-up-between-the/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Sit and spin 'til you rot on the cosmic utensil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/sit-and-spin-til-you-rot-on-the-cosmic-utensil/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [To me absurdity is the only reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/to-me-absurdity-is-the-only-reality/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Is this something new, having people stomp on you? Is it what I need to do for your pleasure?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/is-this-something-new-having-people-stomp-on-you-is-it-what-i-need-to/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Look here brother, who you jivin' with that cosmik debris?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/look-here-brother-who-you-jivin-with-that-cosmik-debris/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) [Explore all 400 Frank Zappa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) ## More Catholic quotes > [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [I'm Catholic and I can't commit suicide, but I plan to drink myself to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-m-catholic-and-i-can-t-commit-suicide-but-i-plan-to-drink-myself-to/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [ The young man \[Turgot\] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dickson-white/the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecclesiastical-career-was-placed/) [Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dickson-white/) > [Like many other scientists who hold the Catholic faith, I see the Creator's plan and purpose fulfilled in our universe. I see a planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-r-miller/like-many-other-scientists-who-hold-the-catholic-faith-i-see-the/) [Kenneth R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-r-miller/) > [I'm the daughter of a Kenyan Catholic father and a Mauritian Hindu mother, and I have a Jewish husband who was born in South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suella-braverman/i-m-the-daughter-of-a-kenyan-catholic-father-and-a-mauritian-hindu/) [Suella Braverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suella-braverman/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [I grew up with a religious background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-grew-up-with-a-religious-background/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [ Girded with faith and the performance of good works, let us follow in his \[Jesus\] paths by the guidance of the Gospel. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/girded-with-faith-and-the-performance-of-good-works-let-us-follow-in/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [“Even at the tender age of twelve, when I knelt in front of the bishop for my confirmation, I had the sneaking suspicion that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-edwards/even-at-the-tender-age-of-twelve-when-i-knelt-in-front-of-the-bishop/) Megan Edwards > [Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/pray-hope-and-don-t-worry/) [Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/) > [My grandmother was a minister as well, which was not that common in the 1930s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-firth/my-grandmother-was-a-minister-as-well-which-was-not-that-common-in/) [Colin Firth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-firth/) > [My grandmother made sure that I went to church every Sunday. And she'd come over and pick us boys up, and we would go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mellencamp/my-grandmother-made-sure-that-i-went-to-church-every-sunday-and-she-d/) [John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mellencamp/) > [I think being raised within a Mexican Catholic family made magical realism a very natural part of who I am as a person and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-olivas/i-think-being-raised-within-a-mexican-catholic-family-made-magical/) [Daniel Olivas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-olivas/) > [I am surprised that anyone can profess to be an atheist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-comfort/i-am-surprised-that-anyone-can-profess-to-be-an-atheist/) [Ray Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-comfort/) > [You can never completely get it - being a Christian - but I think I really got it when my first son was born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-teixeira/you-can-never-completely-get-it-being-a-christian-but-i-think-i/) [Mark Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-teixeira/) [Browse all 4,027 Catholic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It seems that the problem with government as an institution is uniformly bad, worldwide. 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