--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was never a war on poverty. Maybe…" description: "\"There was never a war on poverty. Maybe there was a skirmish on poverty\" — Andrew Cuomo" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09a/andrew-cuomo-6936_poverty_there-was-never-a-war-on-poverty-maybe-t_9950.png" --- # There was never a war on poverty. Maybe there was a… ![“There was never a war on poverty. Maybe there was a skirmish on poverty” quote by Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09a/andrew-cuomo-6936_poverty_there-was-never-a-war-on-poverty-maybe-t_9950.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09a/andrew-cuomo-6936_poverty_there-was-never-a-war-on-poverty-maybe-t_9950.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/09a/andrew-cuomo-6936_poverty_there-was-never-a-war-on-poverty-maybe-t_9950.png) > “There was never a war on poverty. Maybe there was a skirmish on poverty” [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It suggests that poverty is a persistent, systemic issue rather than a conflict that can be won or lost, implying that efforts to eradicate it are often half‑hearted or fragmented. **In simple terms:** Poverty is a chronic problem, not a war. Key Takeaway Poverty requires sustained, comprehensive action. Themes social inequality public policy economic justice systemic neglect political rhetoric Mood concerned determined critical Type political analytical motivational When to use this quote - government budgeting - community outreach - non‑profit fundraising - legislative debate - media commentary Key Concepts poverty war metaphor policy failure social responsibility Practical Applications - designing long‑term anti‑poverty programs - advocating for structural economic reforms Questions to Reflect On - What policies could transform a skirmish into a decisive effort? - How does framing poverty as a 'war' affect public perception? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Maybe Skirmish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maybe-skirmish-359709/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Poverty Maybe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty-maybe-359708/) [Skirmish Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skirmish-poverty-359707/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War on poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-on-poverty/) [War Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-poverty-359706/) ## Related quotes > [I believe the war on poverty is a more American idea than the war on the war on poverty. I believe that most people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-believe-the-war-on-poverty-is-a-more-american-idea-than-the-war-on/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [This is not about charity, it's about justice... The war against terror is bound up in the war against poverty - I didn't say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/this-is-not-about-charity-it-s-about-justice-the-war-against-terror-2/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [The war on poverty programs help address the pain of poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-war-on-poverty-programs-help-address-the-pain-of-poverty/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [When you talk about war on poverty it doesn't mean very much; but if you can show to some degree this sort of thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shahn/when-you-talk-about-war-on-poverty-it-doesn-t-mean-very-much-but-if/) [Ben Shahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shahn/) > [These economic, social, cultural and educational causes of opportunity inequality are complex. And they will not be solved by continuing with the same stale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/these-economic-social-cultural-and-educational-causes-of-opportunity/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [This nation has always struggled with how it was going to deal with poor people and people of color. Every few years you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-waters/this-nation-has-always-struggled-with-how-it-was-going-to-deal-with/) [Maxine Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-waters/) > [I do think that humanitarians and journalists alike have focused on all the things that go wrong, and that they sometimes leave the perception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/i-do-think-that-humanitarians-and-journalists-alike-have-focused-on/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [We have to realize that this country in its private sector has been fighting the most successful war on poverty the world has seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-have-to-realize-that-this-country-in-its-private-sector-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Liberals cling to the idea that critics of welfare are motivated by greed or callous disregard for the less fortunate. In fact, during the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mona-charen/liberals-cling-to-the-idea-that-critics-of-welfare-are-motivated-by/) [Mona Charen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mona-charen/) > [The ultimate objective of subsidies should be to empower the poor, to break the cycle of poverty, and become foot-soldiers in our war on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-ultimate-objective-of-subsidies-should-be-to-empower-the-poor-to/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [“When Clay was little, newscasters boasted that the War on Poverty was being waged in those very mountains, but if the government had fought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silas-house/when-clay-was-little-newscasters-boasted-that-the-war-on-poverty-was/) [Silas House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silas-house/) > [We fought a war on poverty, and poverty won](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-fought-a-war-on-poverty-and-poverty-won/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [This is not about charity, it's about justice... The war against terror is bound up in the war against poverty - I didn't say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/this-is-not-about-charity-it-s-about-justice-the-war-against-terror/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [part of the problem with a war on poverty today is that many Americans have decided that being poor is a character defect, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/part-of-the-problem-with-a-war-on-poverty-today-is-that-many/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [“Ah, yes, poverty," said Chatterjee and smiled as if the word had deeply ironic connotations. "Indeed, there is much poverty here. Much squalor by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/ah-yes-poverty-said-chatterjee-and-smiled-as-if-the-word-had-deeply/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) ## More by Andrew Cuomo > [What made Manhattan Manhattan was the underground infrastructure, that engineering marvel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/what-made-manhattan-manhattan-was-the-underground-infrastructure-that/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [Their problem is not me and the Democrats; their problem is themselves. Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/their-problem-is-not-me-and-the-democrats-their-problem-is-themselves/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [New York State is upside down and backwards; high taxes and low performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/new-york-state-is-upside-down-and-backwards-high-taxes-and-low/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I'm a Queens boy at the end of the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/i-m-a-queens-boy-at-the-end-of-the-day/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [People who assume I want to run for elected office may be dealing from a bad assumption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/people-who-assume-i-want-to-run-for-elected-office-may-be-dealing/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I'm governor of New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/i-m-governor-of-new-york/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [The essential job of government is to facilitate, not frustrate, job development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/the-essential-job-of-government-is-to-facilitate-not-frustrate-job/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [People go into politics because they want the affirmation, and they want the applause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/people-go-into-politics-because-they-want-the-affirmation-and-they/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I think naturally my orientation is from my father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/i-think-naturally-my-orientation-is-from-my-father/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I don't think bonuses are always bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/i-don-t-think-bonuses-are-always-bad/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I respect the state workers and I respect their unions, but we simply can't afford to pay benefits and pensions that are out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/i-respect-the-state-workers-and-i-respect-their-unions-but-we-simply/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [You can be a lender who wants to compete and have a better product, but you just can't get to the students. The schools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/you-can-be-a-lender-who-wants-to-compete-and-have-a-better-product/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I'm very big on focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/i-m-very-big-on-focus/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I believe global warming and climate change are real threats to our planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/i-believe-global-warming-and-climate-change-are-real-threats-to-our/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [People are rightfully upset about Wall Street abuses and excess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/people-are-rightfully-upset-about-wall-street-abuses-and-excess/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) [Explore all 96 Andrew Cuomo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) ## More Poverty quotes > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [I know that in the rap game you've got a lot of people, that come from poverty, was born in poverty and if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-connor/i-know-that-in-the-rap-game-you-ve-got-a-lot-of-people-that-come-from/) [Jon Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-connor/) > [“The power of imagination is strongest in the place of solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/the-power-of-imagination-is-strongest-in-the-place-of-solitude/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [Give me, indulgent gods with mind serene, And guiltless heart, to range the sylvan scene, No splendid poverty, no smiling care, No well-bred hate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/give-me-indulgent-gods-with-mind-serene-and-guiltless-heart-to-range/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) [Sheila Kamerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-kamerman/) > [“Poor people do not go on holiday; they go home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/poor-people-do-not-go-on-holiday-they-go-home/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [In comparative terms, there's no poverty in America by a long shot. Heritage Foundation political scientist Robert Rector has worked up figures showing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-comparative-terms-there-s-no-poverty-in-america-by-a-long-shot/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [“In places where government priorities and market imperatives create a world so capricious that to help a neighbor is to risk your ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-boo/in-places-where-government-priorities-and-market-imperatives-create-a/) [Katherine Boo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-boo/) > [All our efforts to defeat poverty and pursue sustainable development will be in vain if environmental degradation and natural resource depletion continue unabated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/all-our-efforts-to-defeat-poverty-and-pursue-sustainable-development/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [“I've always been after the trappings of great luxury. But all I've got hold of are the trappings of great poverty. I've got hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-cook/i-ve-always-been-after-the-trappings-of-great-luxury-but-all-i-ve-got/) [Peter Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-cook/) > [Who, being loved, is poor?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/who-being-loved-is-poor/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Hundreds of millions of human beings on our planet increasingly suffer from unemployment, poverty, hunger, and the destruction of their families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-kung/hundreds-of-millions-of-human-beings-on-our-planet-increasingly/) [Hans Kung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-kung/) > [There are 200 million poor in the world who would gladly take the vow of poverty if they could eat, dress and have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/there-are-200-million-poor-in-the-world-who-would-gladly-take-the-vow/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [Every one is weary, the poore in seeking, the rich in keeping, the good in learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/every-one-is-weary-the-poore-in-seeking-the-rich-in-keeping-the-good/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [A beautiful woman, if poor, should use double circumspection; for her beauty will tempt others, her poverty herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/a-beautiful-woman-if-poor-should-use-double-circumspection-for-her/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) [Browse all 7,240 Poverty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There was never a war on poverty. 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