--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the national government doesn't fix…" description: "\"If the national government doesn't fix your problem, you've got a problem. You've got to fix it yourself. That's just part of the American way.\" — Tony..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b8/tony-la-russa-11536_american_if-the-national-government-doesn-t-fix-y_393875.png" --- # If the national government doesn't fix your problem… ![“If the national government doesn't fix your problem, you've got a problem. You've got to fix it yourself. That's just part of the American way.” quote by Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b8/tony-la-russa-11536_american_if-the-national-government-doesn-t-fix-y_393875.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b8/tony-la-russa-11536_american_if-the-national-government-doesn-t-fix-y_393875.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b8/tony-la-russa-11536_american_if-the-national-government-doesn-t-fix-y_393875.png) > “If the national government doesn't fix your problem, you've got a problem. You've got to fix it yourself. That's just part of the American way.” [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes self-reliance when government fails to address issues, reflecting a cultural expectation of individual action. **In simple terms:** Fix problems yourself if government won’t. Key Takeaway Take personal initiative. Themes individualism self-reliance government American values Mood determined pragmatic Type motivational political When to use this quote - community projects - small business challenges - personal health issues - local governance Key Concepts civic duty personal agency political philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance personal effort with collective action? - When is it appropriate to seek institutional help? A Different Perspective Overreliance on self can ignore systemic barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-way/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) ## Related quotes > [I'm incredibly boring and logical, so if I have a problem I will try and fix that problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-linley/i-m-incredibly-boring-and-logical-so-if-i-have-a-problem-i-will-try/) [David Linley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-linley/) > [I know how to fix a problem. I know how to get things done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-berejiklian/i-know-how-to-fix-a-problem-i-know-how-to-get-things-done/) [Gladys Berejiklian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-berejiklian/) > [And this speaks to the larger problem that no one wants to talk about: the restoration of the Roman rite is a precondition for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-morris/and-this-speaks-to-the-larger-problem-that-no-one-wants-to-talk-about/) [Richard Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-morris/) > [“You can fix just about any problem in your writing, but you cannot revise a blank page.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-pereira/you-can-fix-just-about-any-problem-in-your-writing-but-you-cannot/) Gabriela Pereira > [“If you are so worried of things that can be fixed that you can't fix them. Just remember we came to this world without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-a-p-rez-raymond/if-you-are-so-worried-of-things-that-can-be-fixed-that-you-can-t-fix/) [Pedro A. Pérez Raymond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-a-p-rez-raymond/) > [“You," he answers softly. "I'm not trying to fix you, I'm just trying to give you the tools to fix yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-huss/you-he-answers-softly-i-m-not-trying-to-fix-you-i-m-just-trying-to/) [J.A. Huss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-huss/) > [“That’s not what I mean. You don’t need to be there to fix everything for her. Just be there for her. And love her.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-cunning/that-s-not-what-i-mean-you-don-t-need-to-be-there-to-fix-everything/) [Olivia Cunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-cunning/) > [Don't look back at your past, you can't fix what's already been done, just move forward and live in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-look-back-at-your-past-you-can-t-fix-what-s-already-been-done/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I guess some problems were too big to fix and you just hoped they would take care of themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-c-thomas/i-guess-some-problems-were-too-big-to-fix-and-you-just-hoped-they/) Ryan C. Thomas > [Things... well, things suck sometimes. And sometimes you can fix it. And sometimes you can't. It's just the way it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-scott/things-well-things-suck-sometimes-and-sometimes-you-can-fix-it-and/) [Elizabeth Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-scott/) > [You've got to acknowledge what you did wrong and see if you can fix it to the extent possible, and turn the page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/you-ve-got-to-acknowledge-what-you-did-wrong-and-see-if-you-can-fix/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [In our Constitution governmental power is divided among three separate branches of the national government, three separate branches of State governments, and the peoples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-our-constitution-governmental-power-is-divided-among-three/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's a new phenomenon in America that states can now sue the national government and become a kind of check and balance on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/it-s-a-new-phenomenon-in-america-that-states-can-now-sue-the-national/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [“A National Government cannot create good times. It cannot make the rain to fall, the sun to shine, or the crops to grow, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-howard-taft/a-national-government-cannot-create-good-times-it-cannot-make-the/) [William Howard Taft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-howard-taft/) > [We are entering an era in which national government, instead of directing, enables powerful regional and local initiatives to work, where Britain becomes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-are-entering-an-era-in-which-national-government-instead-of/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) ## More by Tony La Russa > [I've said this: If Jim Leyland had been in my place, he'd have the 2,000 wins and I'd have 1,000. Leyland is the greatest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/i-ve-said-this-if-jim-leyland-had-been-in-my-place-he-d-have-the-2/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [There's a bigger difference now than when I first got into professional baseball because that was before guaranteed contracts, before there was a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/there-s-a-bigger-difference-now-than-when-i-first-got-into/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [I think each negotiation should be based on what's the best decision - taking everything into account, not taking one thing into account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/i-think-each-negotiation-should-be-based-on-what-s-the-best-decision/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [I'm careful not to give into theatrics when times are tough, I don't like it when somebody gives into outside pressure and puts on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/i-m-careful-not-to-give-into-theatrics-when-times-are-tough-i-don-t/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [Losing sucks. I don't think most people understand how bad it feels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/losing-sucks-i-don-t-think-most-people-understand-how-bad-it-feels/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [My mind is just a product of 50 years of being taught. I'm no smarter than anyone else, but I've been taught by some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/my-mind-is-just-a-product-of-50-years-of-being-taught-i-m-no-smarter/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [I'm a great believer in the character of a club. To me, character has a lot to do with how you compete. That creates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/i-m-a-great-believer-in-the-character-of-a-club-to-me-character-has-a/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [Just because you're down to your last strike, you're not out yet. You can always do more. You'll always have more at-bats to take.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/just-because-you-re-down-to-your-last-strike-you-re-not-out-yet-you/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [Being involved in competition is a privilege and an opportunity. Seek to make the most of that opportunity by pushing yourself to the limit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/being-involved-in-competition-is-a-privilege-and-an-opportunity-seek/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [I'm very distressed that the report was leaked early so that the initial headline said 'dismissed, fired.' That's 180 degrees from the arrangement we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/i-m-very-distressed-that-the-report-was-leaked-early-so-that-the/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [When you don't have the deepest pockets, you better have the best scouting and development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/when-you-don-t-have-the-deepest-pockets-you-better-have-the-best/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [If you try to give them a scheme, most hitters will rebel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/if-you-try-to-give-them-a-scheme-most-hitters-will-rebel/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [The game has never seen a better catcher than YADIER MOLINA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/the-game-has-never-seen-a-better-catcher-than-yadier-molina/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [I think there's a growing number of pitchers who want to have a plan going into a game about how they're going to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/i-think-there-s-a-growing-number-of-pitchers-who-want-to-have-a-plan/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) > [The best way to win is to play well early or late in the game. The middle part tends to take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-la-russa/the-best-way-to-win-is-to-play-well-early-or-late-in-the-game-the/) [Tony La Russa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) [Explore all 59 Tony La Russa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-la-russa/) ## More American quotes > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [I have fallen in love with American names, the sharp names that never get fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/i-have-fallen-in-love-with-american-names-the-sharp-names-that-never/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [I really like a lot of American country stuff, so my music has that influence, but I don't like to be set within a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-bird/i-really-like-a-lot-of-american-country-stuff-so-my-music-has-that/) [Jade Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-bird/) > [I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/i-certainly-don-t-think-that-the-heirs-of-the-american-revolution/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in a tremendous investment to support millions of workers without a paycheck and behind on bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-auchincloss/congress-passed-the-american-rescue-plan-act-in-a-tremendous/) [Jake Auchincloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-auchincloss/) > [Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and employ almost half of the working population. Yet because of their size, they rarely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-lipinski/small-businesses-are-the-backbone-of-the-american-economy-and-employ/) [Dan Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-lipinski/) > [Although I write in English, and despite the fact that I'm from America, I consider myself an Armenian writer. The words I use are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/although-i-write-in-english-and-despite-the-fact-that-i-m-from/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [Firefighters and rescue workers are American superheroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/firefighters-and-rescue-workers-are-american-superheroes/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [France has not only built a bureaucratic barrier against American culture, it has constructed a notorious intellectual case against it as well. The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [New York and San Francisco are distinctly different. San Francisco is driving the American media, not New York. You have young, microwaved millionaires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-whitlock/new-york-and-san-francisco-are-distinctly-different-san-francisco-is/) [Jason Whitlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-whitlock/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [Food as a hobby used to be an elite pastime, and it has become something that is totally ordinary for people of every background.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goodyear/food-as-a-hobby-used-to-be-an-elite-pastime-and-it-has-become/) [Dana Goodyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goodyear/) > [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) Browse all 7,717 American quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If the national government doesn't fix your problem, you've got a problem. You've got to fix it yourself. 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