Bucks Quote by Gore Vidal
“The hatred Americans have for their own government is pathological ... at one level it is simply thwarted greed: since our religion is making a buck, giving a part of that buck to any government is an act against nature.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The American Way, Gore Vidal, 1970
Critiques how Americans distrust government due to perceived greed and the belief that paying taxes opposes natural order.
In simple terms: People see government as greedy and unnatural.
Question the assumption that taxes are inherently wrong.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- tax policy debates
- public discourse
- civic education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal gain influence political views?
- Can government be reformed without abandoning taxes?
Overlooks benefits of collective action and public goods.