The Nobel Prize-winning economist says the Iron Triangle of Politics must be defeated to cut down the government for good.
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“Wisewords,”wroteElonMuskaboutthis1999viralclipdescribedas“MiltonFriedmancasuallygivingtheblueprintforDOGE[theDepartmentofGovernmentEfficiency]”asheticksoffalistoffederalgovernmentagencieshe’dbecomfortableeliminating.
Muskisright.Friedman,aNobelPrize–winninglibertarianeconomist,didofferasolidblueprintforcreatingasmaller,lessintrusivegovernment.Atthepeakofhisfame,heseemedpoisedtoinfluenceanAmericanpresidenttofinallyslashthefederalbureaucracy.
ButthoseeffortsendedindisappointmentbecausetheywereblockedbywhatFriedmancalledtheIronTriangleofPolitics.
Slashinggovernmentwasteandmakingthefederalbureaucracymoreaccountableareincrediblyimportant.ButPresidentDonaldTrumpandMuskarehittingthesamewallPresidentRonaldReagandidmorethanfourdecadesago.
Nowmorethanever,it’stimetopayattentiontoMiltonFriedman’sadviceforhowtodefeatthetyrannyofthestatusquo.