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Milton Friedman’s Warning to DOGE

The Nobel Prize-winning economist says the Iron Triangle of Politics must be defeated to cut down the government for good.

“Wisewords,”wroteElonMuskaboutthis1999viralclipdescribedas“MiltonFriedmancasuallygivingtheblueprintforDOGE[theDepartmentofGovernmentEfficiency]”asheticksoffalistoffederalgovernmentagencieshe’dbecomfortableeliminating.  Muskisright.Friedman,aNobelPrize–winninglibertarianeconomist,didofferasolidblueprintforcreatingasmaller,lessintrusivegovernment.Atthepeakofhisfame,heseemedpoisedtoinfluenceanAmericanpresidenttofinallyslashthefederalbureaucracy. ButthoseeffortsendedindisappointmentbecausetheywereblockedbywhatFriedmancalledtheIronTriangleofPolitics. Slashinggovernmentwasteandmakingthefederalbureaucracymoreaccountableareincrediblyimportant.ButPresidentDonaldTrumpandMuskarehittingthesamewallPresidentRonaldReagandidmorethanfourdecadesago.  Nowmorethanever,it’stimetopayattentiontoMiltonFriedman’sadviceforhowtodefeatthetyrannyofthestatusquo.