Cry Quote by Thomas Sowell
“Those who cry out that the government should 'do something' never even ask for data on what has actually happened when the government did something, compared to what actually happened when the government did nothing.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell, 2000
Criticizes calls for action without evidence, urging data comparison of outcomes when government intervenes versus when it does not.
In simple terms: Advocates evidence‑based policy assessment.
Key Takeaway
Demand data before demanding action.
Themes
policy
evidence
government
accountability
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
critical
policy
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- budget planning
- public health interventions
- social program reviews
Key Concepts
cost‑benefit analysis
public choice
outcome evaluation
Questions to Reflect On
- What data would you need to evaluate a policy?
- How can we ensure data integrity?
A Different Perspective
Data may be incomplete or biased, limiting clear conclusions.
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