Conservatives say the government can't end poverty by force, but they believe it can use force to make people moral. Liberals say government can't make people be moral, but they believe it can end poverty. Neither group attempts to explain why government is so clumsy and destructive in one area but a paragon of efficiency and benevolence in the other.
Interpretation
The quote critiques the contradictory beliefs of conservatives and liberals regarding government intervention in morality and poverty.
Harry Browne's quote highlights the paradox in the ideologies of both conservatives and liberals. Conservatives assert that while the government cannot effectively eradicate poverty through coercive means, they accept the government's involvement in enforcing moral behavior. Conversely, liberals argue that while the government cannot compel morality, they believe in its ability to alleviate poverty. The quote questions why the government is viewed as ineffective and destructive in addressing poverty, yet seen as capable and benevolent in enforcing moral standards.
In practice
This quote can be used in a political debate to illustrate the inconsistencies in ideological beliefs.
Asset forfeiture is a mockery of the Bill of Rights. There is no presumption of innocence, no need to prove you guilty (or even charge you with a crime), no right to a jury trial, no right to confront your accuser, no right to a court-appointed attorney (even if the government has just stolen all your money), and no right to compensation for the property that's been taken.
Government seems to operate on the principle that if even one individual is incapable of using his freedom competently, no one can be allowed to be free.
No one ever died from smoking marijuana, but millions of people have died by believing politicians.
When you know that you're capable of dealing with whatever comes, you have the only security the world has to offer.
You can't give the government the power to do good without also giving it the power to do bad - in fact, to do anything it wants.
A great burden was lifted from my shoulders the day I realized that no one owes me anything.
Terrorism is the war of the poor, and war is the terrorism of the rich.
Politics is a rough and tumble business, and yet there seems to be an effort by the commentariat to sanitise American politics to some type of high-level Victorian debating society.
Very big business is in bed with very big government in Washington, and has more to do with what the average person sees, hears and reads than most people know.
The Labour Party is a moral crusade or it is nothing.
If the Queen can reject the advice of a minister on a little thing like a postage stamp, what would happen if she rejected the advice of the Prime Minister on a major matter? If the Crown personally can reject advice, then, of course, the whole democratic facade turns out to be false
If the Tenth Amendment were still taken seriously, most of the federal government's present activities would not exist. That's why no one in Washington ever mentions it.
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