Thomas SowellThomas Sowell, (1930- ) Writer and economist

Thomas Sowell Quote

“No matter how disastrously some policy has turned out, anyone who criticizes it can expect to hear: 'But what would you replace it with?' When you put out a fire, what do you replace it with?”

Thomas SowellThomas Sowell
~ Thomas Sowell


Ratings and Comments


Waffler, Smith

The words of an anarchist. Any one can destroy but to create is something else again. The failure to have knowledge of history and the legislative history of polcies dooms our public policy makiing to failure..This desire to destroy without thought comes from a failure to try to listen to what others are saying.

J Carlton, Calgary

The continuous "legislation" conducted by our so called leaders is nothing more than the usurping of rights guaranteed under the Constitution and, in Canada, the British North America Act. These parasites have nothing better to do than create garbage policies and laws that do nothing more than stifle free men and give themselves more control. So when some or any of these garbage policies become so abhorrent as to create a political backlash from "We The People", the parasites actually do look for ways to reinstate their garbage with different and more clever wording. That's "Democracy in Action"

J Carlton, Calgary

And speaking of garbage policies...Congratulations Canada for being the first jurisdiction in the history of the planet to repeal (long) gun registration. And for upsetting the UN apple cart by refusing to sign on to the UN small arms treaty. Go Canada! :)

E Archer, NYC
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E Archer, NYC J Carlton, Calgary 5/6/20

Tell it to Trudeau who has just declared 1500 types of 'assault' rifles banned in Canada.  Not a peep from anyone...

Mary, MI
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Mary, MI E Archer, NYC 5/6/20

E Archer, NYC I'm so sorry for everything this pathetic Progressive-Socialist is putting Canadians through.
My mother was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and I spent a lot of my childhood Summer's and many a Christmas holiday and beautiful Canada with my Canadian family.

Mike, Norwalk

Waffler, I don't understand your thumb down. You graphically and accurately described today's Executive, Legislative, and judiciary's runaway legislation and the socialist's responses to those that would create a lawful something else - all being in harmony with the quote.

E Archer, NYC

One of the recent arguments made in favor of Obamacare was that if this law is struck down because it's unconstitutional then what about all the other 'entitlement' programs supposedly authorized by the Commerce Clause? In other words, we must pass this unconstitutional legislation because otherwise it will threaten the other unconstitutional programs already in existence. For example, what will Washington replace the Drug War with? Nothing! That is the point! But the legislators never stop until we finally say, "NO MORE!"

jim k, Austin, Tx

Good to have Komrad Waffler weighing in even if his comments make no sense. His dislike of this quote most likely is because Mr. Sowell is an African American, is brilliant, and is conservative. Libs just can't stand black conservatives.

Editor, Liberty Quotes

Hey, guys, It has been a while since I have had to remind bloggers here to please comment on the quote and the principles being expounded. If we could please not bash other posters but rather debate ideas, this site will attract more conversation. I have received countless emails complaining that new bloggers are often beat up by regulars here. Please, let's keep it civil -- let your argument make its point without prejudice to others' supposed political leanings or 'agenda.' We have one agenda here: to promote the principles of Liberty and the Responsibility that comes with it. Thanks!

cal, lewisville, tx

Editor, I feel we agree with you in most every way, but you must admit some commenters just don't even know what they are talking about. Hopefully they will begin to read the quote carefully and stick to the subject.

Mary - MI
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Mary - MI    4/16/12

Excellent statement from Thomas Sowell - as usual! I would rather see our representatives rescind all the bad and UN-Constitutional laws and Executive Orders that are currently in existence than to think of adding and creating more laws. It is long overdue to clean house - and that includes the Federal House of Representatives in which we have too many bad actors who keep usurping and violating our unalienable rights!

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