I think politicians get hamstrung by the nature of politics when the private sector can really do great things.
About This Quote
Interpretation
Rollins contrasts the constraints of electoral politics—partisanship, short time horizons, and the need to satisfy multiple constituencies—with the comparatively direct, results-driven capacity of private actors to execute ideas. The remark reflects a pragmatic skepticism about what politicians can accomplish within institutional and reputational limits, while crediting businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-governmental initiatives with agility and follow-through. Read charitably, it is less an anti-government manifesto than an observation about incentives: politics often rewards messaging and compromise, whereas private-sector projects can be organized around clear goals, funding, and accountability. The quote also implies that meaningful social or technological progress may come from outside formal government channels.




