Madeleine Albright: Economically Empowered

Madeleine Albright Money Quote saying making women’s equality important to American economic empowerment. Madeleine Albright said:
 

 

“The reason I made women’s issues central to American foreign policy, was not because I was a feminist, but because we know that societies are more stable if women are politically and economically empowered” — Madeleine Albright

In this quote, Madeleine Albright explains why she prioritized women’s issues in American foreign policy during her tenure as Secretary of State. She states it was not due to her personal identity as a feminist, but rather because experience shows “societies are more stable” when women have political and economic rights and opportunities on equal terms with men.

By emphasizing programs and policies that advance women’s empowerment internationally, Albright believed it would help create conditions of greater social stability in other nations. Her rationale was based on a pragmatic understanding that gender equality and women’s full participation in public life strengthen a country, not just an ideological belief in feminism.

Overall, the quote conveys Albright’s view that promoting women’s empowerment globally serves important strategic interests in addition to humanitarian goals.

Birthday: May 15, 1937 – Death: March 23, 2022

Ron Paul: Economic Beneficial War

Ron Paul Money Quote saying only those who stand to profit from war expenses will be the only benefactors to war. Ron Paul said:
 

 

“War is never economically beneficial except for those in position to profit from war expenditures” — Ron Paul

In this quote, Ron Paul is arguing that war rarely if ever provides true economic benefits for society as a whole. His interpretation is that while certain industries like arms manufacturers profit substantially from the increased spending on weapons and supplies during wartime, war itself does not stimulate overall growth or increase aggregate wealth for most citizens.

Paul seems to be suggesting that war is mainly advantageous financially for those companies and individuals (“those in position”) that are directly involved in the war economy through contracts, but does little to advance broad-based prosperity.

The underlying message is skepticism that war can be economically justified, as any gains tend to disproportionately enrich private profiteers rather than benefit the general public or nation in net fiscal terms once all costs are considered.

Ludwig von Mises: War Business

Ludwig von Mises Money Quote saying that economic considerations considered a poor business proposition. Ludwig von Mises said:
 

 

“Economically considered, war and revolution are always bad business” — Ludwig von Mises

In this quote, Ludwig von Mises is making the argument that from a purely economic perspective, war and revolution are never good for business or the overall economy. His interpretation is that the destruction of life, property and resources that occurs during armed conflicts like war or revolution undermines productivity and wealth creation.

By disrupting trade, commerce and the free market system through violence and chaos, wars and revolutions set back economic growth and activity according to Mises. His view is that while some individual industries may benefit from increased military spending or rebuilding needs, the net impact on the whole economy is always negative when assessed in business or financial terms alone.

Birthday: September 29, 1881 – Death: October 10, 1973

Robert Reich: Pandemic Economics

Robert Reich Money Quote saying If the rich are the only ones getting richer during a devastating pandemic, it shows we need to restructure our financial system. Robert Reich said:
 

 

“How can you witness billionaires accumulate $10,000,000,000,000 in wealth during an economically catastrophic pandemic and not conclude that the system needs to fundamentally change?” — Robert Reich

In this quote, Robert Reich is expressing astonishment and criticism regarding the immense wealth accumulation by billionaires during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when many ordinary citizens and businesses struggled greatly.

By pointing out that billionaires collectively grew $10 trillion richer even as the economy and many people suffered tremendously, Reich appears to be arguing that this vast wealth gain by a small few at the top indicates the current system is deeply flawed and in need of significant reform.

He seems to be implying it is unreasonable and unjust for billionaires to profit to such an extraordinary degree amid widespread hardship, and this outcome suggests the rules and structures that govern the economy must be fundamentally changed to be more equitable and balanced going forward.

Overall, Reich is using the contrasting fortunes of billionaires versus many citizens during the pandemic as clear evidence that a major overhaul of the system is necessary.

How can you witness billionaires accumulate $10,000,000,000,000 in wealth during an economically catastrophic pandemic and not conclude that the system needs to fundamentally change?

— Robert Reich (@RBReich) October 16, 2020

Barbara Smith: Free Poor Women

Barbara Smith Money Quote saying feminists work toward freedom of all women, not just those who are struggling, but wealthy white straight women as well. Barbara Smith said:
 

 

“Feminism is the political theory and practice that struggles to free all women: women of color, working-class women, poor women, disabled women, lesbians, old women – as well as white, economically privileged, heterosexual women” — Barbara Smith

In this quote, Barbara Smith seems to be conveying that feminism aims to liberate and empower women of all backgrounds from oppression and marginalization. By stating feminism “struggles to free all women” including those facing multiple forms of discrimination due to factors like race, class, sexuality, disability status or age, Smith implies a vision of feminism as an inclusive movement seeking justice and rights for women across diverse social locations and identities.

The quote conveys Smith’s perspective that true feminism advocates for the full humanity and dignity of all women, not just those with certain privileges, in recognition that patriarchal systems impact women differently based on their varying social circumstances.

Overall, Smith appears to be arguing that feminism’s goal, in her view, is universal women’s empowerment that centers the experiences of women facing compound marginalizations, not just those benefiting from certain advantages of whiteness, economic security, heterosexuality or other attributes of relative power and privilege within patriarchal structures.

Norman Mailer: Priviliged Idleness & Abuse

Norman Mailer Money Quotation saying the idle rich abuse government far beyond those struggling by with subsistence on welfare ever will. Norman Mailer said:
 

“Taken individual by individual, it is likely that there’s more idleness and abuse of government favors among the economically privileged than among the ranks of the disadvantaged” — Norman Mailer

Norman Mailer seems to be suggesting that on a per capita basis, there is likely more misuse of public benefits among the wealthy than among the poor and disadvantaged. Specifically, he implies that when looked at “individual by individual”, more instances of “idleness and abuse of government favors” will be found “among the economically privileged” relative to their numbers than within “the ranks of the disadvantaged”.

Overall, the quote indicates Mailer believes the wealthy are more prone to taking advantage of or exploiting social programs and privileges in an unearned manner, proportionally speaking, than those in poverty who rely on such assistance out of genuine need.

January 31, 1923 – Death: November 10, 2007