“Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure”

“Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure” is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is usually credited to American libertarian, businessman, radio personality and primary theorist of autarchism Robert LeFevre (1911-1986), but it’s not known when he first said it.
 
“Indeed, the government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.  Ken Schoolland” was a letter printed in the Honolulu (HI) Star-Bulletin on September 20, 1980. “It’s a classic case of government as a disease masquerading as its own cure. (...) ROBERT WALDROP” was a letter printed in The Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, UT) on December 17, 1981. “Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure. (...) Eric R. Ziemer” was a letter printed in the Chicago (IL) Tribune on November 20, 1984. “The late Robert Lafevre is said to have alleged that ‘government is a disease masquerading as its own cure’” was printed in the newsgroup alt.politics.republicans on June 2, 2000.
 
       
Wikiquote: Robert LeFevre
Robert LeFevre (October 13, 1911 – May 13, 1986) was an American libertarian, businessman, radio personality and primary theorist of autarchism.
(...)
Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.
. Financial Sense Also quoted in “Covert Operation”, Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, (Aug. 30, 2010)
 
Newspapers.com
20 September 1980, Honolulu (HI) Star-Bulletin, “Forum,” pg. A-7, col. 2:
Indeed, the government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.
Ken Schoolland
 
Newspapers.com
17 December 1981, The Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, UT), “The Public Forum,” pg. A-23, col. 2:
It’s a classic case of government as a disease masquerading as its own cure.
(...)
ROBERT WALDROP
Chairperson,
Salt Lake County Libertarian Party
 
Newspapers.com
20 November 1984, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “Voice of the people,” sec. 1, pg. 14, cols. 4-5:
CHICAGO—Catholic bishops considering solutions to the social problems of our age should realize that, in that arena, government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.
(...)
Eric R. Ziemer
   
Google Groups: alt.politics.republicans
“government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.”
B1s
Jun 2, 2000, 3:00:00 AM
http://www.webleyweb.com/tle/le951104.html
A Disease Masquerading as its Own Cure
By Louis James
The late Robert Lafevre is said to have alleged that “government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.”
 
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⚡ FingerCramp ⚡
@LibertarianMike
Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.—Robert LeFevre (1911-1986), Political Theorist, Educator, Journalist and Author
6:12 AM · Apr 13, 2009
 
10 October 2010, Sunday Republican (Springfield, MA), “Tea Party: Activists aided by Koch allies,” pg. C8, col. 5:
Charles and David also became devotees of a more radical thinker, Robert LeFevre, who favored the abolition of the state but didn’t like the label “anarchist”; he called himself an “autarchist.” LeFevre likes to say that “government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.”
 
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David Voth
@SexCigarsBooze
Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.
9:38 AM · Dec 9, 2011
 
Google Books
Wise Quotes of Wisdom:
Vol. I
.
By R.A. Wise
Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse
2011
Pg. 69:
Government is a disease which masquerades as its own cure.—Boston T. Party.
     
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Scott Chafee ن ❌
@ScottChafee
@sonicrick: “Politicians need human misery. Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.” -L. Neil Smith, American writer.
12:32 PM · Dec 16, 2011
 
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Jason Bassler
@JasonBassler1
“Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure.“  — Robert LeFevre.
#ResearchVoluntaryism #TheFreeThoughtProject
10:24 AM · Jul 28, 2021
   
iFunny
Agents_of_Chaos
31 aug 2022
Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure. (Robert LeFevre)
 
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illuminatibot
@iluminatibot
Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure
4:50 PM · Jul 23, 2023
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Rothmus 🏴
@Rothmus
(The following text is shown on an image.—ed.)
THE GOVERNMENT IS A
DISEASE MASQUERADING
AS ITS OWN CURE
1:29 PM · Apr 28, 2024