It is no part of the functions of the National Government to find employment for the people, and if we were to appropriate a hundred millions for his purpose, we should only be taxing 40 millions of people to keep a few thousand employed.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The federal government should not directly provide jobs, as taxing many to employ few is inefficient.
- In plain terms
- The government should not create jobs directly because taxing many people to employ few is wasteful.
- What can you take from it?
- Government should avoid taxing many to employ few through direct job creation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When if government job creation justified?
- What are efficient ways to reduce unemployment?
Another view
Direct government employment can be necessary in specific economic crises.
More from James A. Garfield
Nobody but radicals have ever accomplished anything in a great crisis.
Permalink to quote #3 The chief duty of government is to keep the peace and stand out of the sunshine of the people.
Permalink to quote #5 The ideal college is Mark Hopkins on one end of a log and a student on the other.
Permalink to quote #6
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