---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you were starting from scratch to…"
description: "\"If you were starting from scratch to invent an instrument that could impose fiscal discipline, the last one on earth you would come up with is the Unit..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/meg-greenfield-33661_come-up_if-you-were-starting-from-scratch-to-inv_3006477.jpg"
---

#  If you were starting from scratch to invent an instrument…

![“If you were starting from scratch to invent an instrument that could impose fiscal discipline, the last one on earth you would come up with is the United States government.” quote by Meg Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/meg-greenfield-33661_come-up_if-you-were-starting-from-scratch-to-inv_3006477.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/meg-greenfield-33661_come-up_if-you-were-starting-from-scratch-to-inv_3006477.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0c/meg-greenfield-33661_come-up_if-you-were-starting-from-scratch-to-inv_3006477.jpg)

> “If you were starting from scratch to invent an instrument that could impose fiscal discipline, the last one on earth you would come up with is the United States government.”

[Meg Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-greenfield/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The U.S. government would be the last choice for imposing fiscal discipline due to its inefficiency.

**In simple terms:** US government is a poor fiscal disciplinarian.

Key Takeaway

Seek better fiscal solutions.

Themes

economics government discipline

Mood

critical analytical

Type

political economic

When to use this quote

- business budgeting
- policy reform
- personal finance
- tax planning

Key Concepts

public policy inefficiency budgeting

Questions to Reflect On

- What alternatives improve fiscal responsibility?
- How can government efficiency be increased?

A Different Perspective

May overlook successful reforms.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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