favorite quote today

[Michael Perelman <michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Barber, William J. 1989. "The Spread of Economic Ideas Between Academia and Government: A
Two-Way Street." David C. Colander and A. W. Coats, eds. The Spread of Economic Ideas
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press): pp. 109-26.
115: "After listening to his advisers arguing over a tax issue, Harding is reported as
protest] "... I can't make a damn thing out of this tax problem.  I listen to one side and
they seem right, and then -- God -- I talk to the other side and they seem just as right,
and here I am where I started.  I know somewhere there is a book that will give me the
truth, but, hell, I couldn't read the book.  I know somewhere there is an economist who
truth, but, hell, I couldn't read the book.  I know somewhere there is an economist who
knows the truth, but I don't know where to find him, and haven't the sense to know him and
trust him when I find him. God! What a job." Cited by Harold Orlands, "Academic Social
Scientists and the Presidency: From Wilson to Nixon," Minerva 3 (Summer-Autumn 1986), p.
174.




--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu