President Roanld Reagan was famous for his observation of the “nine scariest words in the English language,” which he said were: “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”

True as his observation was — and remains so to this day — he was actually outdone and preceded by Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862): “If you see a man approaching you with the obvious intent of doing you good, run for your life.”

When that man works for the government, run even harder.