Balanced Quote by William Vickrey
“The insane pursuit of the holy grail of a balanced budget in the end is going to drive the economy into a depression.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Economic Policy Forum, 1985
He warns that obsessively targeting a balanced budget can cause severe economic contraction, as austerity measures may suppress demand.
In simple terms: Chasing a perfect budget can push the economy into recession.
Key Takeaway
Balance fiscal responsibility with growth needs.
Themes
economics
policy
budget
recession
inflation
government
Mood
cautious
analytical
concerned
Type
policy
economic
instructive
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- government spending decisions
- economic forecasting
Key Concepts
Fiscal policy
macroeconomic stability
public finance
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives exist to achieve fiscal health without harming growth?
- How can policymakers measure success beyond balanced budgets?
A Different Perspective
Strict budget targets can ignore social costs and inequality.
![“[Deficits are] a yawner. We, as Republicans, have talked about deficits and balanced budgets since the days of Roosevelt, and the people simply haven't listened, because they can't relate to those huge numbers.” quote by Paul Laxalt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9d7/paul-laxalt-65758_american-politics_deficits-are-a-yawner-we-as-republicans_631554.jpg)
