--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Like all good citizens, the elderly and…" description: "\"Like all good citizens, the elderly and people with disabilities want to eradicate waste and fraud from government, but helping people with special nee..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfd/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_basic-needs_like-all-good-citizens-the-elderly-and-p_2705758.png" --- # Like all good citizens, the elderly and people with… ![“Like all good citizens, the elderly and people with disabilities want to eradicate waste and fraud from government, but helping people with special needs meet their basic needs doesn't fit this description.” quote by Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfd/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_basic-needs_like-all-good-citizens-the-elderly-and-p_2705758.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfd/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_basic-needs_like-all-good-citizens-the-elderly-and-p_2705758.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfd/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_basic-needs_like-all-good-citizens-the-elderly-and-p_2705758.png) > “Like all good citizens, the elderly and people with disabilities want to eradicate waste and fraud from government, but helping people with special needs meet their basic needs doesn't fit this description.” [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Elderly and disabled citizens want to stop waste, but meeting special needs isn’t waste. **In simple terms:** Special needs aren’t wasteful. Key Takeaway Address real needs. Themes social justice disability government waste Mood compassionate determined Type advocacy policy‑oriented When to use this quote - public budgeting - social services Key Concepts policy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can policies balance efficiency and compassion? - What reforms reduce waste without cutting essential services? A Different Perspective Complex bureaucracy can impede aid. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basic needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basic-needs/) [Elderly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elderly/) [Fraud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fraud/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Helping people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-people/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People with disabilities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-with-disabilities/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Special needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special-needs/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) ## Related quotes > [As much as I've been blessed to do, this is for me when I want to do what I really want to do as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/as-much-as-i-ve-been-blessed-to-do-this-is-for-me-when-i-want-to-do/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [People with disabilities want to be recognised for what they can do, not what they can't do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karni-liddell/people-with-disabilities-want-to-be-recognised-for-what-they-can-do/) Karni Liddell > [My life goal is to see the world's one billion people with disabilities embraced and encouraged by the church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/my-life-goal-is-to-see-the-world-s-one-billion-people-with/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [Throughout history people with disabilities have been institutionalized and segregated, which tends to make you think that it's a group in need of charity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-ruderman/throughout-history-people-with-disabilities-have-been/) [Jay Ruderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-ruderman/) > [“Social justice is for everyone, including people with disabilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/social-justice-is-for-everyone-including-people-with-disabilities/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [People with disabilities and health conditions have enough challenges in life. Dealing with my department should not be one of them. So my ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-rudd/people-with-disabilities-and-health-conditions-have-enough-challenges/) [Amber Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-rudd/) > [Believe me, people with disabilities are just as concerned about benefit fraud as anyone else. Money spent on those who are not in need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-young/believe-me-people-with-disabilities-are-just-as-concerned-about/) [Stella Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-young/) > [I get so many tweets and emails from young people with disabilities or disfigurements who also want to act, or do TV or do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-pearson/i-get-so-many-tweets-and-emails-from-young-people-with-disabilities/) [Adam Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-pearson/) > [“In 1996, when Senator Bob Dole runs against President Clinton, it’s a historic moment for people with disabilities. No one with a visible disability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mattlin/in-1996-when-senator-bob-dole-runs-against-president-clinton-it-s-a/) Ben Mattlin > [I was introduced to 7 Charming Sisters at an Emmy Award Show event. When they approached me to become a brand ambassador, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-brewer/i-was-introduced-to-7-charming-sisters-at-an-emmy-award-show-event/) [Jamie Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-brewer/) > [A good government is one with a duty to help everyone, to maximise his or her potential: Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-mundine/a-good-government-is-one-with-a-duty-to-help-everyone-to-maximise-his/) [Warren Mundine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-mundine/) > [People with disabilities are the largest minority in the world, and we are the most underrepresented in entertainment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maysoon-zayid/people-with-disabilities-are-the-largest-minority-in-the-world-and-we/) [Maysoon Zayid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maysoon-zayid/) > [I find personally that when I go to a place where I can't get in, I feel hostility from whatever it is, a hotel,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/itzhak-perlman/i-find-personally-that-when-i-go-to-a-place-where-i-can-t-get-in-i/) [Itzhak Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/itzhak-perlman/) > [Disabled people need more invested in their education, housing, job training, transportation, assistive technology, and independent-living facilities. Governments earn back this investment - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/disabled-people-need-more-invested-in-their-education-housing-job/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [A lot of roles for people with disabilities are quite patronising. It's a real pity when they are just used to give dull PC…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-haddon/a-lot-of-roles-for-people-with-disabilities-are-quite-patronising-it/) [Mark Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-haddon/) ## More by Joni Eareckson Tada > [“Joni discovered the best way to put the halter on her horse without being animal resisting and fleeing was to turn her back until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/joni-discovered-the-best-way-to-put-the-halter-on-her-horse-without/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/when-life-is-rosy-we-may-slide-by-with-knowing-about-jesus-with/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [If churches around the world would grasp the revolutionary truth that Christ's transforming power always comes through sacrifice and weakness, it would dramatically alter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/if-churches-around-the-world-would-grasp-the-revolutionary-truth-that/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/let-him-who-walks-in-the-dark-who-has-no-light-trust-in-the-name-of/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [What a way to learn great theology! That's what comes to mind whenever I sing one of those old hymns. "And Can It Be"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/what-a-way-to-learn-great-theology-that-s-what-comes-to-mind-whenever/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [A broken life in the hands of God is ripe for blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/a-broken-life-in-the-hands-of-god-is-ripe-for-blessing/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [The success of God's Word in our lives is linked intrinsically to our application of its truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/the-success-of-god-s-word-in-our-lives-is-linked-intrinsically-to-our/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [No other religion, no other, promises new bodies, hearts, and minds. Only in the gospel of Christ do hurting people find such incredible hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/no-other-religion-no-other-promises-new-bodies-hearts-and-minds-only/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [“The more righteous God appeared, the more resentful I became.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/the-more-righteous-god-appeared-the-more-resentful-i-became/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [“Tada references the accusation in Jeremiah that the people have forsaken God as Living Water by remembering a hiking trip from her younger days.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/tada-references-the-accusation-in-jeremiah-that-the-people-have/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [Thankfully, God brought wise Christian friends alongside to help me discover life-transforming precepts in his Word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/thankfully-god-brought-wise-christian-friends-alongside-to-help-me/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [The Bible is replete with commands to persevere, especially in the face of injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/the-bible-is-replete-with-commands-to-persevere-especially-in-the/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [Many good Christians are confused about complex social issues of our day, such as doctor-assisted death or medical research which uses stem cells from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/many-good-christians-are-confused-about-complex-social-issues-of-our/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [The Bible isn't quick to give answers; it mainly gives the Answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/the-bible-isn-t-quick-to-give-answers-it-mainly-gives-the-answer/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/god-is-more-concerned-with-conforming-me-to-the-likeness-of-his-son/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) [Explore all 144 Joni Eareckson Tada quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) ## More Basic needs quotes > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) Sheila Kamerman > [Well the real concept of basic needs if you cut it right down are simply the physical needs that are unavoidable for all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/well-the-real-concept-of-basic-needs-if-you-cut-it-right-down-are/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [I have always believed that the ultimate purpose of economic policies and development policy is to meet the basic needs of our people. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manmohan-singh/i-have-always-believed-that-the-ultimate-purpose-of-economic-policies/) [Manmohan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manmohan-singh/) > [One of the concepts I was having trouble illustrating was the concept that administrative systems create narrow categories of gender and force people into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-spade/one-of-the-concepts-i-was-having-trouble-illustrating-was-the-concept/) [Dean Spade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-spade/) > [“Technology doesn’t change people’s basic needs or their natures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priya-ardis/technology-doesn-t-change-people-s-basic-needs-or-their-natures/) [Priya Ardis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priya-ardis/) > [I hope that if you are employed full-time, you are doing it to ensure that basic needs are met and not simply to indulge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/i-hope-that-if-you-are-employed-full-time-you-are-doing-it-to-ensure/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [We can build an economy that does not destroy its natural support systems, a global community where the basic needs of all the Earth's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-r-brown/we-can-build-an-economy-that-does-not-destroy-its-natural-support/) [Lester R. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-r-brown/) > [“Life and Abundance (The Sonnet) A person to take refuge in, a purpose to be driven by, that's all you need to lead a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/life-and-abundance-the-sonnet-a-person-to-take-refuge-in-a-purpose-to/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [Advanced industrialised economies like ourselves cannot afford to go on growing, particularly if we want to give people in poorer countries a chance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-lucas/advanced-industrialised-economies-like-ourselves-cannot-afford-to-go/) [Caroline Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-lucas/) > [He who has got more than that is required to fulfill his basic need spends his resources, more often than not, on the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/he-who-has-got-more-than-that-is-required-to-fulfill-his-basic-need/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [The change in economic values created by the new markets for global public goods will reorient our global economy and under the right conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graciela-chichilnisky/the-change-in-economic-values-created-by-the-new-markets-for-global/) [Graciela Chichilnisky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graciela-chichilnisky/) > [Pay your utilities, gas and other basic needs before paying on your debts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-ramsey/pay-your-utilities-gas-and-other-basic-needs-before-paying-on-your/) [Dave Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-ramsey/) > [Your business should be defined, not in terms of the product or service you offer, but in terms of what customer need your product…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blanchard/your-business-should-be-defined-not-in-terms-of-the-product-or/) [Ken Blanchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blanchard/) > [Secrecy, censorship, dishonesty, and blocking of communication threaten all the basic needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/secrecy-censorship-dishonesty-and-blocking-of-communication-threaten/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) > [The religious urge in man is not a mere passing phase in the history of his spiritual development, but the ultimate source of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-asad/the-religious-urge-in-man-is-not-a-mere-passing-phase-in-the-history/) [Muhammad Asad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-asad/) [Browse all 109 Basic needs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basic-needs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Like all good citizens, the elderly and people with disabilities want to eradicate waste and fraud from government, but helping people with special needs meet their basic needs doesn't fit this description.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joni Eareckson Tada" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": 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