Stopping illegal immigration would mean that wages would have to rise to a level where Americans would want the jobs currently taken by illegal aliens.
Thomas SowellRead
In short, killing the goose that lays the golden egg is a viable political strategy, so long as the goose does not die before the next election and no one traces the politicians’ fingerprints on the murder weapon.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques short-sighted political strategies that prioritize immediate gains over long-term consequences.
In this quote, Thomas Sowell uses the metaphor of 'killing the goose that lays the golden egg' to illustrate how politicians may exploit valuable resources for short-term electoral gain, neglecting the negative consequences that could affect future outcomes. It highlights a morally questionable approach where immediate benefits are pursued without regard for sustainability or responsibility, as long as the repercussions are postponed until after the election.
Themes
PoliticsStrategyConsequencesMoralityShortsightedness
In practice
Example use cases
In a political debate about budget cuts, one might say, 'We cannot afford to kill the goose that lays the golden egg for immediate savings.'
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