When you give the government an inch, they take a mile.

Matt Salmon’s quote, "When you give the government an inch, they take a mile," expresses a common concern about government overreach and the potential for abuse of power. Salmon is warning that when citizens or institutions allow the government to extend its authority even slightly, it often leads to excessive control and encroachment on personal freedoms. The quote suggests that once government is given a small amount of power, it will tend to expand that power disproportionately, often without sufficient checks and balances.

The origin of this quote reflects Salmon's conservative stance on limited government. As a former U.S. Congressman from Arizona, Salmon was a vocal advocate for reducing government intervention in the lives of individuals and businesses. His statement likely arose in response to concerns over the expansion of government powers, particularly in areas like taxation, regulation, and surveillance. Salmon was critical of policies that, in his view, led to an increase in bureaucratic control, believing that once the government gains power in one area, it often pushes to expand its authority even further.

The quote underscores the idea that government is inherently inclined to grow and increase its influence, even if initially granted only limited authority. Salmon’s use of the metaphor, "take a mile," highlights the tendency of government to overstep its bounds, moving from a small action to broader and more intrusive measures. It reflects a libertarian concern about the slippery slope of granting government power, where small concessions lead to larger and less controllable consequences.

In essence, Salmon’s quote is a cautionary message about the dangers of complacency when it comes to government expansion. It emphasizes the need for vigilance and restraint in how much power is delegated to government authorities, advocating for personal freedoms and the principle of limited government.