The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.
Interpretation
Minimal government interference in personal and business activities leads to greater overall prosperity.
This quote by Martin Van Buren suggests that when the government reduces its involvement in the activities of individuals and businesses, it creates a more favorable environment for prosperity and economic growth. It implies that freedom in private pursuits allows for innovation, productivity, and better resources allocation, leading to a thriving society.
In practice
In a discussion about economic policies, one might say, 'As Martin Van Buren stated, the less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.'
To avoid the necessity of a permanent debt and its inevitable consequences, I have advocated and endeavored to carry into effect the policy of confining the appropriations for the public service to such objects only as are clearly with the constitutional authority of the Federal Government.
In time of peace there can, at all events, be no justification for the creation of a permanent debt by the Federal Government. Its limited range of constitutional duties may certainly under such circumstances be performed without such a resort.
It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't.
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I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men, whose superiors it is our happiness to believe are not found on the executive calendar of any country.
The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought.
If we don't have an informed electorate we don't have a democracy. So I don't care how people get the information, as long as they get it. I'm just doing it my particular way and I feel lucky I can do it the way I want to do it.
Over the course of history, governments, political regimes, and leaders have done some stupid things despite all arguments to the contrary, at times even against their own self-interest.
If the Arab Spring was a large nail in the coffin of al-Qaeda's ideology, the death of bin Laden was an equally large nail in the coffin of al-Qaeda the organization.
It is dressed into speeches about patriotism, love of country...but the profits...skyrocket.
Politics is the art of acquiring, holding, and wielding power.
The powers know that the people at large are like children whose despair, sorrow, and tears can be turned into joy with a little toy. ... An army and navy represents the people's toys.
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