Uploaded July 2010 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
1978 Interview
"I think so far as liberalism goes, it depends. I mean, it's hard to find. A true liberal is to be admired. But the word "liberal" today, is one that believes in big government, the one that doesn't trust the people, you've got to have an almighty government here to protect him from the time he's born until he goes to his grave. Now I abhor that type of government. I believe in incentive, only putting restrictions 'round that you have to have, turn 'em loose and let 'em work hard, save, have something, have incentive to do things. And with all the laws we've got today restricting business, I don't see hardly how a business can operate, to tell you the truth. And I'm not for big business—the very reason I say that is because I'm for the working people and I think it's best for the working people to have these opportunities rather than putting restrictions around it that the federal government is doing. I think they've gone too far in that respect."
"There's something essentially un-American in the idea that I could not now open a bar in San Francisco that says, "Smokers Welcome." - Christopher Hitchens
1978 Interview
"I think so far as liberalism goes, it depends. I mean, it's hard to find. A true liberal is to be admired. But the word "liberal" today, is one that believes in big government, the one that doesn't trust the people, you've got to have an almighty government here to protect him from the time he's born until he goes to his grave. Now I abhor that type of government. I believe in incentive, only putting restrictions 'round that you have to have, turn 'em loose and let 'em work hard, save, have something, have incentive to do things. And with all the laws we've got today restricting business, I don't see hardly how a business can operate, to tell you the truth. And I'm not for big business—the very reason I say that is because I'm for the working people and I think it's best for the working people to have these opportunities rather than putting restrictions around it that the federal government is doing. I think they've gone too far in that respect."
"There's something essentially un-American in the idea that I could not now open a bar in San Francisco that says, "Smokers Welcome." - Christopher Hitchens
