--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't think if we had been able to make…" description: "\"I don't think if we had been able to make that choice rationally, we would have said that's what we want to do. We would have said: \"Can't we save the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/joseph-stiglitz-1351_able_i-don-t-think-if-we-had-been-able-to-mak_3025142.jpg" --- # I don't think if we had been able to make that choice… ![“I don't think if we had been able to make that choice rationally, we would have said that's what we want to do. We would have said: "Can't we save the banks and solve our health care problems?" The answer is yes. You could have.” quote by Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/joseph-stiglitz-1351_able_i-don-t-think-if-we-had-been-able-to-mak_3025142.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/joseph-stiglitz-1351_able_i-don-t-think-if-we-had-been-able-to-mak_3025142.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/joseph-stiglitz-1351_able_i-don-t-think-if-we-had-been-able-to-mak_3025142.jpg) > “I don't think if we had been able to make that choice rationally, we would have said that's what we want to do. We would have said: "Can't we save the banks and solve our health care problems?" The answer is yes. You could have.” [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rational choice theory often fails because people prioritize immediate solutions over systemic reforms, especially in finance and health. **In simple terms:** People choose quick fixes over deeper fixes. Key Takeaway Question underlying incentives before acting. Themes economics policy rationality systemic risk Mood critical analytical concerned Type policy economic When to use this quote - budget planning - health reform debates - bank regulation - public policy design Key Concepts public choice behavioral economics healthcare finance Questions to Reflect On - What hidden incentives drive your decisions? - How can you balance short‑term needs with long‑term goals? A Different Perspective Rational models may oversimplify complex human motivations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Answers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answers/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choice Rationally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice-rationally-4915126/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Health care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health-care/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Make Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-choice/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Rationally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rationally/) [Rationally Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rationally-said-4915127/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Solve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solve/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [“Rationally, factory farming is so obviously wrong, in so many ways. 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