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No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!
Ronald Reagan
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Governments tend to grow and rarely eliminate their own programs, suggesting their permanence.

This quote by Ronald Reagan highlights the tendency of government institutions to expand rather than diminish over time. Once established, government programs often become entrenched, as they rarely disappear, fostering a perception of permanence akin to 'eternal life'. This reflects on the nature of bureaucracy and the difficulties of reforming government processes.

Themes

GovernmentBureaucracyPermanenceProgramsPolitics

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about unnecessary government expenditure.

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Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.
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We must have faith in the people of this country and faith in our principles.
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