Government has to be cut back like asparagus... every day... or it gets away and goes to seed. Ours did. When there's too much of it, the flower becomes a weed.

Paul Harvey’s quote uses a metaphor comparing the size and role of government to asparagus, suggesting that it must be regularly cut back or kept in check to prevent it from growing out of control. The idea is that, like asparagus, government needs to be carefully maintained to ensure that it doesn't grow too large or become too overbearing. If left unchecked, government can become a burden on society rather than a helpful institution, just as an uncontrolled plant can become a weed. Harvey warns that when government grows too large, it can lose its original purpose and become detrimental.

The phrase "the flower becomes a weed" symbolizes how excessive government can shift from something potentially beneficial to something harmful. Harvey points out that, like plants, when government reaches a certain point of overgrowth, it can become inefficient, oppressive, or even counterproductive. This reflects a common conservative belief that government should be limited and its role strictly defined to prevent it from becoming an intrusive or wasteful force in society.

The origin of this quote ties into Harvey’s broader political views, which often leaned towards a belief in individualism and the dangers of big government. As a prominent broadcaster, Harvey frequently used his platform to comment on the state of American society, politics, and government. He often emphasized the importance of personal responsibility and the need to limit the reach of the state, believing that government should serve the people without becoming a dominant force in their lives.

In essence, Harvey’s quote serves as a warning about the dangers of an expanding government. It suggests that, just as a garden needs regular maintenance to keep it from becoming overrun with weeds, a nation’s government must be carefully controlled and regulated to prevent it from becoming harmful. The idea is that if government is allowed to grow unchecked, it could lose its effectiveness and even begin to work against the interests of the people it is meant to serve.