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About this quote

What does it mean?
The wealthy are tolerant of government spending on their interests but harsh when it involves taxes on the poor.
In plain terms
Rich people accept bailouts for banks but criticize taxes for the poor.
What can you take from it?
Selective outrage reveals whose interests government serves.

Where it applies

  • policy debates
  • tax reform discussions
  • public finance

Putting it to work

  • analyze budget priorities
  • examine tax burdens

Questions to consider

  • Whose interests does current policy prioritize?
  • Why do bailouts draw less criticism than taxes?

Another view

It oversimplifies how different groups view government roles.

More from John Kenneth Galbraith

  1. There's a certain part of the contented majority who love anybody who is worth a billion dollars.

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  2. We now in the United States have more security guards for the rich than we have police services for the poor districts. If you're looking for personal security…

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  3. People who are in a fortunate position always attribute virtue to what makes them so happy.

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