The 'working poor,' as they are approvingly termed, are in fact the major philanthropists of our society.
Barbara EhrenreichRead
People tend to judge presidents on how the economy performs, and yet we don't expect them to have the power to do much about it. Or we don't want them to exercise that power, if they were to have it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the contradiction in how we hold presidents accountable for the economy while fearing their influence over it.
Barbara Ehrenreich's quote points out the paradox in the public's expectations of presidential power concerning economic performance. While citizens often judge presidents based on economic outcomes, they simultaneously express a distrust in granting them the necessary authority to effectively manage or influence economic conditions. This reflects an inherent tension between accountability and the desire for limited presidential power.
Themes
EconomyPresidential PowerJudgmentPublic Expectation
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about political accountability during a town hall meeting.
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