When we turn to the government to stop someone from ruining his life with drugs, we convert a personal tragedy into a national disaster.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- State intervention in personal vices turns private issues into public crises.
- In plain terms
- Government trying to fix personal habits causes bigger problems.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid making personal struggles a national policy.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where should policy draw the line?
- Is addiction private or public?
Another view
Some personal choices have direct public costs that need addressing.
More from Harry Browne
When a Republican politician says he's in favor of the 2nd Amendment, it means he won't compromise on gun control until the last possible minute.
Permalink to quote #34 When you know that you're capable of dealing with whatever comes, you have the only security the world has to offer.
Permalink to quote #36 Whatever the issue, let freedom offer us a hundred choices, instead of having government force one answer on everyone.
Permalink to quote #33
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