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Bureaucracy Quote by L. Neil Smith

“To politicians, solved problems represent a dire threat - of unemployment and poverty. That's why no problem ever tackled by the government has ever been solved. What they want is lots of problems they can promise to solve, so that we'll keep electing them - or letting them keep their jobs in a…” quote by L. Neil Smith
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“To politicians, solved problems represent a dire threat - of unemployment and poverty. That's why no problem ever tackled by the government has ever been solved. What they want is lots of problems they can promise to solve, so that we'll keep electing them - or letting them keep their jobs in a bureaucracy metastasizing like cancer.”

L. Neil Smith

About This Quote

Source Speech: Political Commentary, 1990s

Government promises many problems to stay in power, but rarely solves them, leading to unemployment and poverty.

In simple terms: Governments create problems to stay elected, not solve them.

Key Takeaway

Beware political promises that create more issues.

Themes

politics government unemployment poverty bureaucracy

Mood

skeptical critical

Type

political cautionary

When to use this quote

  • elections
  • policy making
  • public discourse
  • activism

Key Concepts

promise culture systemic failure cynicism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What problems are being used to gain votes?
  • How can citizens demand real solutions?
A Different Perspective

Solutions require genuine commitment, not just rhetoric.

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