Thomas Sowell: Welfare State Con

Meaning of Thomas Sowell Money Quote: saying the con is when money is taken in taxes and returned to the public with great fanfare. Thomas Sowell said:

 

 

“The welfare state is the oldest con game in the world. First you take people’s money away quietly and then you give some of it back to them flamboyantly” — Thomas Sowell

Thomas Sowell is suggesting that governments use taxpayers’ money in an misleading way through welfare programs. He argues that taxes are collected quietly and efficiently from citizens, but only some of that money is then redistributed to people through visible welfare programs.

So it creates the impression that the government is generously helping people, even though the money originally came from taxpayers.

Overall, Sowell seems to be criticizing the welfare system as a way for governments to subtly take citizens’ resources and then promote themselves by visibly spending only part of it on social programs.

Birthday: June 30, 1930

Neil Sheehan: American Workers

Neil Sheehan Money Quote saying that it is now expected and routine that we have basic worker support for basic economic issues. Neil Sheehan said:
 

 

“Ideas of the kind that are now taken for granted in American life — nutrition and welfare support for dependent children; free medical care for the impoverished and the aged; the right of workers to organize a union, to receive a minimum wage, to strike; interracial cooperation” — Neil Sheehan

In this quote, Neil Sheehan seems to be listing ideas and policies that are now widely accepted in American society but were once more radical notions. By mentioning concepts like “nutrition and welfare support for dependent children”, “free medical care for the impoverished and the aged”, and “the right of workers to organize a union, to receive a minimum wage, to strike”, Sheehan implies these were progressive reforms that improved living standards for many.

Sheehan also includes “interracial cooperation”, suggesting racial equality was also once a newer idea. The quote conveys Sheehan’s perspective that over time, social and economic policies aimed at helping vulnerable groups have become mainstream values in the U.S., though they challenged status quos of their eras when first proposed. Overall, he appears to be observing how certain ideas seen as controversial at one point later became societal norms and expectations.

Birthday: October 27, 1936 – Death: January 7, 2021

Barbara Ehrenreich: Poor Accept Indignity

Barbara Ehrenreich Money Quote saying the poor are subjected to horrifying treatment by society while they live in poverty. Barbara Ehrenreich said:
 

 

“To live in poverty is to live with constant uncertainty, to accept galling indignities, and to expect harassment by the police, welfare officials and employers, as well as by others who are poor and desperate” — Barbara Ehrenreich

In this quote, writer and political activist Barbara Ehrenreich is describing some of the difficult realities and hardships of living in poverty based on her own experience. She notes that being poor means enduring “constant uncertainty” about basic needs like food, housing and healthcare from day to day.

It also involves having to accept “galling indignities”, or humiliating and degrading treatment from others. Additionally, Ehrenreich suggests that those in poverty often face “harassment” not only from authorities like police and welfare officials, but also from other poor individuals who are struggling and desperate themselves.

The overall interpretation is that Ehrenreich aims to convey poverty as a life of constant stress, lack of dignity and threat of mistreatment due to one’s socioeconomic circumstances according to her first-hand account.

Charles Koch: Opposes Corporate Welfare

Charles Koch Money Quote saying his company is opposed to the corporate welfare, cronyism and tax breaks they receive from the government. Charles Koch said:
 

 

“Koch Industries opposes all forms of corporate welfare — even those that benefit us” — Charles Koch

This quote from Charles Koch, the chairman and CEO of Koch Industries, expresses his philosophical opposition to all types of “corporate welfare” – meaning government subsidies, tax breaks or other financial assistance directed towards businesses. By acknowledging that Koch Industries itself may benefit from some corporate welfare policies but that he still opposes them, Koch appears to be taking a principled stance against picking “winners and losers” through targeted fiscal policies.

The implication is that Koch believes the free market should determine corporate success or failure rather than the government skewing the playing field. So in essence, the quote suggests Koch advocates for neutral, non-distortionary policies even if his own company could gain competitive advantages from certain subsidies were they to remain in place.

Lawrence Lessig: Innovators Earn Success

Lawrence Lessig Money Quote saying Entrepreneurs don’t succeed because they paid lobbyists to secure subsidies or tax shelters, but by earning it. Lawrence Lessig said:
 

 

“Entrepreneurs succeed by working harder. By competing better. By creating more. They succeeded by innovating, not by hiring lobbyists to get them a special tax favor. Not by paying Congressmen to get a special subsidy. Not by begging Congress for corporate welfare, but by making money the old fashioned way: by earning it” — Lawrence Lessig

Lessig emphasizes the importance of innovation over hiring lobbyists or paying Congressmen because he believes that entrepreneurs succeed by earning their success through hard work, competition, and creation, rather than relying on special favors or tax breaks.

He values the old-fashioned way of earning money through innovation and competition, rather than through political influence and corporate welfare.

Robert Reich: Stop Corporate Welfare

Robert Reich Money Quotation saying government funded corporate tax breaks and financial advantages must end. Robert Reich said:

“We have to demand an end to corporate welfare… No more specialized tax breaks, no more exemptions, or bailouts or special treatment, no more crony capitalism. We must eliminate all corporate handouts and do it now” — Robert Reich

In this quote, Robert Reich is advocating for ending various forms of “corporate welfare” provided by the government. He calls for no more tax breaks, exemptions, bailouts or other special treatment solely for corporations.

Reich also refers to this system as “crony capitalism”, suggesting corporations have undue influence over policymaking. By demanding an end to “all corporate handouts” immediately, he appears to believe businesses have received too much taxpayer-funded support at the expense of ordinary citizens.

Overall, Reich seems to be arguing that corporations should not receive preferential treatment or subsidies from the government, and the current system unfairly benefits businesses over people through this “corporate welfare”.

Norman Mailer on Productivity Judgement

Norman Mailer Money Quotation saying judgement of productivity ought to be applied to rich as well as poor. Norman Mailer said:
 

 

“To blame the poor for subsisting on welfare has no justice unless we are also willing to judge every rich member of society by how productive he or she is” — Norman Mailer

Norman Mailer seems to be criticizing a double standard in how society views those in poverty versus the wealthy. Specifically, he argues it is unjust to fault the poor for relying on welfare programs unless the rich are also judged based on their own productivity and contributions.

By suggesting the rich should be assessed by “how productive he or she is”, Mailer implies they are not always entitled to their wealth and should also be evaluated based on merit.

Overall, the quote indicates Mailer believes there should be equal scrutiny and expectations placed on both the poor receiving aid and the rich accumulating assets – neither group should be immune from judgment regarding how they sustain their standard of living.

Birthday: January 31, 1923 – Death: November 10, 2007

Lawrence Lessig on Corporate Welfare

Lawrence Lessig Money Quotation saying congressional fundraising leads to politicians supporting tax breaks and subsidies for corporations. Lawrence Lessig said:
 

 

“[Congress] and their cronies secure more than one hundred billion dollars in corporate welfare” — Lawrence Lessig

Lawrence Lessig suggests that Congress and their cronies (likely meaning special interest groups or wealthy donors) secure more than one hundred billion dollars in corporate welfare.

The best interpretation of this quote is that Lessig is criticizing the practice of corporate welfare, where large corporations receive financial benefits from the government, often in the form of tax breaks, subsidies, or other forms of support. The quote suggests that this practice is not only benefiting corporations but also the politicians who support them, implying a corrupt or at least unethical relationship between the two.

It’s important to note that the term “corporate welfare” can be somewhat subjective, and some people may interpret it as referring only to direct financial handouts, while others may include other forms of government support, such as tax breaks or deregulation. However, in the context of Lessig’s quote, it seems clear that he is referring to the former.

Overall, the quote is a criticism of the influence of special interest groups and the corrupting influence of money in politics, and it suggests that the current system of corporate welfare is not in the best interests of the general public.