“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him…”
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him, better take a closer look at the American Indian” is a quote that has been credited to American industrialist Henry Ford (1863-1947) and has been popular during the presidency of Barack Obama (from 2012). There is no evidence that Ford ever said it.
“If you think you’re going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you—look at the American Indian!” was printed in The Tell Tale (St. Paul, MN) in December 1949. “If you think you are going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you—look at the American Indian” was printed in The Chronicle (Sherwood, OH) on December 15, 1949. “Those who are plugging for socialism in this country because they want government to take care of them, should look at the poor American Indians” was cited in print in a January 1950 newspaper column by Tex Reynolds in the Racine (WI) Journal-Times. “If yon think you’re going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you— look at the American Indians!” was published in The Houghton Line magazine in March 1950.
“‘Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him . . .look at the American Indian.’ Henry Ford” was posted on Twitter by Mary Weber on December 11, 2012. This is the first Twitter citation with a credit to Henry Ford.
“Sure you can trust the government—just ask an Indian”—with no credit to Henry Ford—has been cited in print since about 1998, when it appeared on T-shirts and bumper stickers.
[This entry was assisted by the Quote Investigator.]
30 September 1935, The Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, MN), “The Insecurity of Social Security,” pg. 4, col. 2:
If you want to consider what “social security” does for and to people look at the American Indian. He has been a ward of the government, all his materialist wants looked after. Foolish question: Has this helped or harmed him.
Google Books
December 1949, The Tell Tale (Issued Monthly by the Safety Department, Northern Pacific Railway, St. Paul, Minnesota), pg. 6:
If you think you’re going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you—look at the American Indian!
Newspapers.com
15 December 1949, The Chronicle (Sherwood, OH), pg. 4, col. 6 ad:
If you think you are going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you—look at the American Indian.
(“Splinters” by The Sherwood Lumber Company.—ed.)
Newspapers.com
29 December 1949, Nashville (TN) Banner, “The People’s Forum,” pg. 4, col. 5:
The ‘Welfare’ State
To the Editor of THE BANNER:
This paragraph appeared in a factory publication. I believe it deserves reproduction in the Forum space: “If you think you’re going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you…look at the American Indian.
Bill Clover
Nashville
31 January 1950, Racine (WI) Journal-Times, “Between the Lines” by Tex Reynolds, pg. 1, col. 1:
One of the Fiends at Adjoining Desks has a thought, (which he should treat tenderly because it’s probably lonesome).
‘Those who are plugging for socialism in this country because they want government to take care of them, should look at the poor American Indians,” he says. “There is a classic example of how government takes care of people who depend upon it!”
31 March 1950, The Daily Journal-Gazette and Commercial-Star (Mattoon, IL), pg. 6, col. 1:
“If yon think you’re going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you— look at the American Indians!”—Houghton Line, Magazine, E. F. Houghton Co.
4 May 1950, Boston (MA) Traveler, “Take It From Me” by Neal O’Hara, pg. 39, cols. 2-3:
Observes a cynic: “If you think you’re going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you, look at the American Indian.”
28 March 1951, Newark (OH) Advocate and American Tribune, pg. 14, col. 4 classified ad:
IF YOU THINK you’re going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you—look at the American Indian!
(Park Motor—ed.)
31 March 1951, Dallas (TX) Morning News, “Rise in Government Payrolls, Taxes Hit by Safeway Official” by Werner Renberg, pt. 2, pg. 6, col. 4:
“If you think the government can take care of you,” Doe said, “look at the American Indian. Take a look at the predicament he’s in.”
(Rilea W. Doe of Oakland, Calif., vice-president of Safeway Stores, Inc.—ed.)
12 November 1952, Postville (IA) Herald, “As I See It” by C.W.D., pg. 10, col. 2:
If you think you’re going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government take care of you . . . take a look at the American Indian.
HathiTrust Digital Library
Hearings, reports and prints of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs
Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office
1954
Pg. 285:
STATEMENT OF RITA A. WATKINS, HARDIN COUNTY, TEX.
Pg. 287:
Everyone keeps saying, don’t worry, the Government will take care of you. But just look at the American Indian.
Newspapers.com
25 November 1957, The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS), “Mississippi Notebook” by Tom Ethridge, pg. 10, col. 1:
Those who expect to be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of them should have a look at the American Indian.
3 August 1966, Burlington (VT) Free Press, “The Old-Time Says,” pg. 17, col. 1:
Any man who thinks he is going to be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him should take a close look at the American Indian.
7 May 1967, Daily Tribune (Great Bend, KS), “Once Over Lightly” by Bob Fairbanks, pg. 3, col. 1:
Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him should take a look at the American Indian.
Twitter
Mary Weber
@mary_e_weber
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government
take care of him . . .look at the American Indian.” Henry Ford
11:42 PM · Dec 11, 2012·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
Tim Morris
@beaverguy981
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the
Government take care of him; look at the American Indian.—(Henry Ford)
7:58 PM · Dec 19, 2012·Twitter Web Client
topix—Offbeat
Did Henry Ford say this?
Always Wary
Jan 3, 2013
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the American Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian.”
I can’t find anything to prove he did say it. Any suggestions?
Twitter
Vibe
@VibeGuy77
“A man who thinks he can be happy & prosperous letting Gov take care of him, better take a closer look at the American Indian.”- Henry Ford
2:57 PM - 6 Nov 13