Bigger Quote by Harry Browne
“The bad consequences of a government program usually don't show up immediately. And the delay may be long enough to hide the connection between the program and its results. So government never has to say it's sorry - never has to take responsibility for ht misery it causes. Instead it can blame everything on personal greed, profit-hungry corporations, and the 'private sector.' And the government's cure for the problems is to impose bigger programs, more regulation and higher taxes.”
About This Quote
Source Political Commentary: The Future of Freedom, 1999
Government programs often have delayed negative effects, allowing officials to avoid blame and shift responsibility to others.
In simple terms: Policies can hide their harms over time.
Key Takeaway
Demand transparency and accountability.
Themes
politics
policy
accountability
delay
responsibility
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
persuasive
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- policy evaluation
- public debate
- media analysis
Key Concepts
externalities
public choice theory
regulatory capture
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can reveal hidden program impacts?
- How can citizens hold officials accountable?
A Different Perspective
Complex issues may have multiple causes, not just government.
