---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have an industrial base - one that, if…"
description: "\"We have an industrial base - one that, if made to take orders rather than being allowed in the vacuum of leadership to create them, if enabled by the e..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/rick-tumlinson-8365_create_we-have-an-industrial-base-one-that-if-m_2124865.jpg"
---

#  We have an industrial base - one that, if made to take…

![“We have an industrial base - one that, if made to take orders rather than being allowed in the vacuum of leadership to create them, if enabled by the elimination of cost-plus contracting to produce and achieve rather than waste and receive, could make something worth the cost rather than making…” quote by Rick Tumlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/rick-tumlinson-8365_create_we-have-an-industrial-base-one-that-if-m_2124865.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/rick-tumlinson-8365_create_we-have-an-industrial-base-one-that-if-m_2124865.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/rick-tumlinson-8365_create_we-have-an-industrial-base-one-that-if-m_2124865.jpg)

> “We have an industrial base - one that, if made to take orders rather than being allowed in the vacuum of leadership to create them, if enabled by the elimination of cost-plus contracting to produce and achieve rather than waste and receive, could make something worth the cost rather than making work that costs us our dreams.”

[Rick Tumlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-tumlinson/)

## About This Quote

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

When leadership is removed from cost‑driven contracts, industrial capacity can become purpose‑driven and innovative.

**In simple terms:** Freeing industry from profit‑only contracts can spark innovation.

Key Takeaway

Promote mission‑focused production.

Themes

industry leadership innovation economics

Mood

strategic optimistic

Type

policy visionary

When to use this quote

- space exploration
- green tech
- infrastructure projects
- defense manufacturing

Key Concepts

systems thinking public‑private partnership

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we align incentives with purpose?
- What policies enable mission‑driven industry?

A Different Perspective

Political and market forces may resist change.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Base Orders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/base-orders-4353638/) [Cost Making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost-making-1085992/) [Create](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/create/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Industrial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/industrial/) [Industrial Base](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/industrial-base-4353637/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Making Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-work-690183/) [Us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/us/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/)

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