Bureaucrats Quote by L. Neil Smith
“The War on Drugs employs millions - politicians, bureaucrats, policemen, and now the military - that probably couldn't find a place for their dubious talents in a free market, unless they were to sell pencils from a tin cup on street corners.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The War on Drugs, L. Neil Smith, 1995
The war creates many jobs for people who lack marketable skills, suggesting it serves as a pseudo‑employment scheme rather than a rational policy.
In simple terms: It hires people who can’t find work elsewhere.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how policies can create unnecessary job markets.
Themes
politics
economics
employment
policy
misallocation
Mood
critical
skeptical
analytical
Type
commentary
political
economic
When to use this quote
- government hiring
- budget allocation
- social welfare
- law enforcement
- military deployment
Key Concepts
public policy
labor economics
government inefficiency
Questions to Reflect On
- What incentives drive such employment creation?
- How does this affect public perception of drug policy?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook other systemic issues that also need addressing.
