Budgets Quote by Ronald Reagan
“Yes, deficits are a problem. I've been saying so for more than a quarter of a century now. But the problem is not the size of the deficit, it's the size of government's claim on our economy.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Fiscal Policy, United States, 1981
Government debt is less concerning than the proportion of the economy claimed by the state.
In simple terms: Government claim on economy matters more than deficit size.
Limit government spending relative to GDP.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- tax reform
- public spending reviews
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the long‑term effects of high government claims?
- How can fiscal policy balance growth and debt?
Political rhetoric may oversimplify complex fiscal dynamics.