--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When government 'creates jobs' by taking…" description: "\"When government 'creates jobs' by taking money from the private sector and 'investing' in favored projects, it is not truly productive activity. Rather..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da7/sheldon-richman-22286_activity_when-government-creates-jobs-by-taking-m_816661.png" --- # When government 'creates jobs' by taking money from the… ![“When government 'creates jobs' by taking money from the private sector and 'investing' in favored projects, it is not truly productive activity. Rather, the government has preempted the economic process, forbidding it to serve consumers so that it can instead serve the objectives of politicians…” quote by Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da7/sheldon-richman-22286_activity_when-government-creates-jobs-by-taking-m_816661.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da7/sheldon-richman-22286_activity_when-government-creates-jobs-by-taking-m_816661.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da7/sheldon-richman-22286_activity_when-government-creates-jobs-by-taking-m_816661.png) > “When government 'creates jobs' by taking money from the private sector and 'investing' in favored projects, it is not truly productive activity. Rather, the government has preempted the economic process, forbidding it to serve consumers so that it can instead serve the objectives of politicians and bureaucrats.” [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Government job creation often redirects private funds, reducing genuine productivity and serving political aims. **In simple terms:** Govt jobs divert private funds, limit productivity. Key Takeaway Assess true economic impact. Themes economics government policy productivity politics public finance Mood critical analytical Type political economic When to use this quote - policy analysis - business strategy - public debate Key Concepts government intervention market dynamics resource allocation Questions to Reflect On - What are alternatives to government job programs? - How can productivity be measured? A Different Perspective Market forces may still generate growth despite interference. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Activity Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity-government-328908/) [Bureaucrats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bureaucrats/) [Consumers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consumers/) [Economic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Creates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-creates-328907/) [Government Preempted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-preempted-328909/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Objectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectives/) [Politician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politician/) [Politicians Bureaucrats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politicians-bureaucrats-328910/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Private sector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/private-sector/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Productive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productive/) [Projects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/projects/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) ## Related quotes > [Advocacy groups, politicians, and bureaucrats use the government to advance their private good instead of the common good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-miller/advocacy-groups-politicians-and-bureaucrats-use-the-government-to/) [Joel Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-miller/) > [People change their opinion according to your position. And both politicians and bureaucrats begin to take you more seriously, as they suddenly feel you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajeev-shukla/people-change-their-opinion-according-to-your-position-and-both/) [Rajeev Shukla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajeev-shukla/) > [Iowans are feeling the pinch of a big federal government, and elected officials like Bruce Braley keep championing the over reaching bureaucracy. Iowans know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-ernst/iowans-are-feeling-the-pinch-of-a-big-federal-government-and-elected/) [Joni Ernst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-ernst/) > [It's important to realize that whenever you give power to politicians or bureaucrats, it will be used for what they want, not for what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/it-s-important-to-realize-that-whenever-you-give-power-to-politicians/) [Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/) > [Every socialist state has two sets of rules - one for those connected with politicians and bureaucrats, and another for the ordinary person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/every-socialist-state-has-two-sets-of-rules-one-for-those-connected/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [The War on Drugs employs millions - politicians, bureaucrats, policemen, and now the military - that probably couldn't find a place for their dubious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/the-war-on-drugs-employs-millions-politicians-bureaucrats-policemen/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Why do politicians and bureaucrats get salaries and perks from the pockets of the poor and do nothing for them? So I took action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-patnaik/why-do-politicians-and-bureaucrats-get-salaries-and-perks-from-the/) [Naveen Patnaik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-patnaik/) > [Politicians and bureaucrats are the new upper class in Norway. It is an upper class that is growing by an increasing number of top-paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-i-hagen/politicians-and-bureaucrats-are-the-new-upper-class-in-norway-it-is/) [Carl I. Hagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-i-hagen/) > [Politicians and bureaucrats are no different from the rest of us. They will maximize their incentives just like everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-buchanan/politicians-and-bureaucrats-are-no-different-from-the-rest-of-us-they/) [James M. Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-buchanan/) > [Politicians and bureaucrats are substituting their uninformed, largely political decisions for those of the marketplace. Their past miscalculations demonstrate that they do not and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-levin/politicians-and-bureaucrats-are-substituting-their-uninformed-largely/) [Mark Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-levin/) > [Since the government creates no wealth, it can only transfer the wealth required to hire people. Even if the government creates a million jobs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/since-the-government-creates-no-wealth-it-can-only-transfer-the/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [In a free society, a large degree of human activity is none of the government's business. We should make criminal what's going to hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barney-frank/in-a-free-society-a-large-degree-of-human-activity-is-none-of-the/) [Barney Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barney-frank/) > [Freedom is but the possibility of a various and indefinite activity; while government, or the exercise of dominion, is a single, yet real activity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/freedom-is-but-the-possibility-of-a-various-and-indefinite-activity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When people abuse these freedoms to enrich themselves at the expense of others, then the public will demand the government to step in. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blackwell/when-people-abuse-these-freedoms-to-enrich-themselves-at-the-expense/) [Ken Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blackwell/) > [Bureaucrats behave very differently than a private-sector manager because their motivations are different. Permanent bureaucrats, no matter how senior, worry about their next job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/bureaucrats-behave-very-differently-than-a-private-sector-manager/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) ## More by Sheldon Richman > [The alternative to the market process is government control, and we know where that principle leads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/the-alternative-to-the-market-process-is-government-control-and-we/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [Those who create the wealth naturally want to keep it and devote it to their own purposes. Those who wish to expropriate it look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/those-who-create-the-wealth-naturally-want-to-keep-it-and-devote-it/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [Government interference with the economic process represents a substitution of political for consumer objectives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/government-interference-with-the-economic-process-represents-a/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [Perhaps the deterioration of American education is illustrated by the high correlation between the number of years a person has attended school and his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/perhaps-the-deterioration-of-american-education-is-illustrated-by-the/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [The government's coercive taxing power necessarily creates two classes: those who create and those who consume the wealth expropriated and transferred by that power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/the-government-s-coercive-taxing-power-necessarily-creates-two/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [Why is Netanyahu pushing war? Among several reasons, demonizing Iran reduces pressure on Israel to negotiate seriously with the Palestinians. Many Israelis prefer building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/why-is-netanyahu-pushing-war-among-several-reasons-demonizing-iran/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [No matter how much the government controls the economic system, any problem will be blamed on whatever small zone of freedom that remains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/no-matter-how-much-the-government-controls-the-economic-system-any/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [Apologists for activist government never tire of telling us that the benevolent state is our protector and that without it wed be at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/apologists-for-activist-government-never-tire-of-telling-us-that-the/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [It should go without saying that even the most narrowly construed eminent-domain power would violate individual rights. Either a person owns his legitimately acquired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/it-should-go-without-saying-that-even-the-most-narrowly-construed/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [In an unmolested market economy - one where all dealings are consensual - the 'allocation' of wealth and income is the result of transactions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/in-an-unmolested-market-economy-one-where-all-dealings-are-consensual/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [We must acknowledge, of course, that what looks like failure to us Americans outside the privileged elite may not actually be failure for our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/we-must-acknowledge-of-course-that-what-looks-like-failure-to-us/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [Some conservatives are surprised to find people on the Left supporting the war in Afghanistan. It's not surprising at all...It is hard for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/some-conservatives-are-surprised-to-find-people-on-the-left/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [The more power government has to provide things, the more power it has to dictate terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/the-more-power-government-has-to-provide-things-the-more-power-it-has/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [The housing and financial crisis could not have occurred in the absence of government housing and monetary policies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/the-housing-and-financial-crisis-could-not-have-occurred-in-the/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [Freedom is never more in peril than when politicians feel the pressure to 'do something.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/freedom-is-never-more-in-peril-than-when-politicians-feel-the/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) [Explore all 27 Sheldon Richman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) ## More Activity quotes > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/) [Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) [Gero Miesenbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gero-miesenbock/) > [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/) [Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/) > [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When government 'creates jobs' by taking money from the private sector and 'investing' in favored projects, it is not truly productive activity. 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