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About this quote

What does it mean?
Reagan suggests that efforts to eliminate poverty have failed or backfired.
In plain terms
Trying to fix poverty didn't work as planned.
What can you take from it?
Government anti-poverty programs may have unintended negative results.

Where it applies

  • policy debates
  • political arguments
  • economic discussions

Putting it to work

  • critique welfare policy
  • debate social spending

Questions to consider

  • Did anti-poverty programs fail?
  • What role should government play in reducing poverty?

Another view

It oversimplifies complex socioeconomic factors.

More from Ronald Reagan

  1. I'm not smart enough to lie.

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  2. Any great nation that goes off the gold standard ends being a great nation.

    Permalink to quote #116
  3. It's true hard work never killed anyone, but I figure, why take the chance?

    Permalink to quote #113

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