Marian Wright Edelman: Values Problem

Marian Wright Edelman Money Quotation saying there is an endless supply of cash is the US – our problem is what we choose to do with it. Marian Wright Edelman said:
 

 

“We do not have a money problem in America. We have a values and priorities problem” — Marian Wright Edelman

Barack Obama: #SOTU Give America a Raise

Barack Obama Money Quotation asking Congress in his Jan. 28, 2014 State of the Union message to raise the minimum wage. Barack Obama said:
 

 

“Give America a raise” — Barack Obama

This quote from Barack Obama suggests he was advocating for increasing wages and salaries for American workers. The best interpretation is that Obama wanted to see higher take-home pay for the middle and working classes through policy changes like minimum wage hikes.

By saying “Give America a raise”, Obama appears to have been calling on businesses and government to ensure economic growth was more widely shared with employees through stronger wage growth.

The implication is that Obama viewed boosting typical household incomes as important for a fair economy and strengthening America’s middle class. The quote conveyed Obama’s belief that the nation overall would benefit from more Americans having higher pay through a combination of public and private sector wage increases.

Buddy Roemer Suggests ‘Bring a Check’

Buddy Roemer Money Quotation saying politicians must prioritize their time and so much of that time is devoted to fundraising that they show no interest to citizens who come without contributions. Buddy Roemer said:
 

 

“Listen to me, America. They don’t care about you, because you don’t bring a check” — Buddy Roemer

In this quote, Buddy Roemer is strongly criticizing politicians for being more responsive to large financial donors than average citizens. By saying “They don’t care about you, because you don’t bring a check,” Roemer argues that elected officials pay greater attention to the concerns of wealthy contributors who fund their campaigns, rather than the public.

He implies that without significant monetary backing, ordinary Americans cannot demand accountability from their representatives. Roemer appears to believe the political system is unbalanced and unrepresentative as long as money plays such an outsized role in elections and governance.

The quote suggests campaign finance reform is needed to make politicians more answerable to voters rather than large financial backers.

Birthday: October 4, 1943 – Death: May 17, 2021

Laurence Peter: American Tax Irony

Dr. Laurence J. Peter Money Quotation saying the founding fathers created these United States to avoid the Queen’s heavy tax burden, but we have now exceeded her. Dr. Laurence J. Peter said:
 

 

“America is a land of taxation that was founded to avoid taxation” — Dr. Laurence J. Peter

This quote from Laurence J. Peter references the historical context in which the United States was founded. The American colonies sought to break away from British rule in part due to disagreements over “taxation without representation.”

However, once establishing an independent nation, the new American government also recognized the need to collect taxes to fund public services and infrastructure.

Thus, while avoiding taxation was part of the motivation for the American Revolution, the country has since embraced taxation as a necessary function of government.

Dr. Peter’s quote wryly observes this irony – that the U.S. was founded by revolutionaries trying to escape taxation, but it has ultimately become “a land of taxation.”

Birthday: September 16, 1919 – Death: January 12, 1990

John Adams: Credit Causes Distress

John Adams Money Quotation saying failure to understand the banking system and workings of our financial system and credit machinations are at the core of American difficulties. John Adams said:
 

 

“All the perplexities, confusion and distresses in America arise not from defects in the constitution or confederation, nor from want of honor or virtue, as much from downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit, and circulation” — John Adams

John Wesley seems to be offering a philosophy or set of principles for financial responsibility and stewardship. The quote suggests one should aim to:

• “Make all you can” – Earn or generate as much income and wealth as possible through diligent work and entrepreneurial efforts.
• “Save all you can” – Be prudent by putting away and preserving as much of what you earn as feasible, rather than spending it all immediately.
• “Give all you can” – Once basic needs are met and savings secured, use surplus resources generously to help others through charitable giving according to one’s means.

The message conveys a balanced approach of industriousness, thriftiness and generosity. Wesley appears to be advising maximizing earnings while also maintaining self-sufficiency through savings as a foundation for then maximizing contributions to social and community well-being through philanthropy.

Birthday: October 30, 1735 – Death: July 4, 1826

#ConstitutionDay September 17

Mick Jagger: Can’t Afford the Taxes

Funny Money Quote – Quotation from Mick Jagger takes a jab at US income tax rates when he claims that he’d love to spend more time in America if the taxes weren’t so exorbitant.
 

 

“I love America, but I can’t spend the whole year here. I can’t afford the taxes” — Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger is expressing that while he loves America as a country, he cannot reside there permanently due to the high tax rates for wealthy individuals.

By saying “I can’t afford the taxes”, Jagger means that the amount of taxes he would have to pay if he spent more than part of the year as a resident would be prohibitive.

His quote suggests he appreciates America but must live elsewhere for part of the year to reduce his tax burden.