--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I thought in this country, the best…" description: "\"I thought in this country, the best social program was a job. Yet minimum wage jobs arent paying enough to keep families out of poverty\" — Barbara Miku..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a4/barbara-mikulski-8601_country_i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-socia_3090867.jpg" --- # I thought in this country, the best social program was a… ![“I thought in this country, the best social program was a job. Yet minimum wage jobs arent paying enough to keep families out of poverty” quote by Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a4/barbara-mikulski-8601_country_i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-socia_3090867.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a4/barbara-mikulski-8601_country_i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-socia_3090867.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a4/barbara-mikulski-8601_country_i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-socia_3090867.jpg) > “I thought in this country, the best social program was a job. Yet minimum wage jobs arent paying enough to keep families out of poverty” [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Relying solely on low‑wage jobs fails to lift families from poverty. **In simple terms:** Low‑wage jobs aren't enough to end poverty. Key Takeaway Advocate for living‑wage policies. Themes economics poverty employment policy Mood concerned determined Type political analytical When to use this quote - policy debate - community organizing - legislative hearings Key Concepts living wage social safety net job training Questions to Reflect On - What alternative supports can reduce poverty? - How can policy balance wages and business health? A Different Perspective Higher wages may strain small businesses. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Minimum wage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minimum-wage/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social programs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-programs/) ## Related quotes > [I thought in this country, the best social program was a job. Yet minimum wage jobs aren't paying enough to keep families out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-social-program-was-a-job-yet/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [The best social program is a productive job for anyone who's willing to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-best-social-program-is-a-productive-job-for-anyone-who-s-willing/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [We will allow private and religious groups to compete to provide services in every federal, state and local social program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/we-will-allow-private-and-religious-groups-to-compete-to-provide/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I believe the best social program is a job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-believe-the-best-social-program-is-a-job/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The minimum wage can play a vital role in lifting hard-working families above the poverty line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-cohen/the-minimum-wage-can-play-a-vital-role-in-lifting-hard-working/) [Adam Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-cohen/) > [Tax credits are designed to help people who work hard but who, through no fault of their own, don't earn enough to keep their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/tax-credits-are-designed-to-help-people-who-work-hard-but-who-through/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [Women continue receiving less salary for the same kind of job. Women have a higher unemployment rate in our country. When you analyze the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-chinchilla/women-continue-receiving-less-salary-for-the-same-kind-of-job-women/) [Laura Chinchilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-chinchilla/) > [The truth is, the greatest tool to lift children and families from poverty is one that decreases the probability of child poverty by 82%.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-truth-is-the-greatest-tool-to-lift-children-and-families-from/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Care work is still primarily done by women for free in families and for poverty wages in the market, and this is a major…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riane-eisler/care-work-is-still-primarily-done-by-women-for-free-in-families-and/) [Riane Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riane-eisler/) > [Talk to families in poverty and ask them what they need, instead of prescribing it for them. Ask what the barriers are. Ask what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/talk-to-families-in-poverty-and-ask-them-what-they-need-instead-of/) [Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/) > [ “According to a recent poll \[...\] 94% of Americans agree that "people who work fulltime should be able to earn enough to keep their… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ehrenreich/according-to-a-recent-poll-94-of-americans-agree-that-people-who-work/) [Barbara Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ehrenreich/) > [Social Security is the most important social program in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/social-security-is-the-most-important-social-program-in-america/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [“building prisons is our number one social program for young men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-de-becker/building-prisons-is-our-number-one-social-program-for-young-men/) [Gavin de Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-de-becker/) > [There is no social program in this country that is as important as a good job that pays well, that gives someone an opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-dorgan/there-is-no-social-program-in-this-country-that-is-as-important-as-a/) [Byron Dorgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-dorgan/) > [“The ecstatic vision and social program sought to rebuild a society upward from its grass roots but on principles of religious and economic egalitarianism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dominic-crossan/the-ecstatic-vision-and-social-program-sought-to-rebuild-a-society/) [John Dominic Crossan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dominic-crossan/) ## More by Barbara Mikulski > [College is part of the American dream. It shouldnt be part of a financial nightmare for families](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/college-is-part-of-the-american-dream-it-shouldnt-be-part-of-a/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [I think leadership is creating a state of mind in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-think-leadership-is-creating-a-state-of-mind-in-others/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [I'm shocked at the sexism and double standard coming out of the far right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-m-shocked-at-the-sexism-and-double-standard-coming-out-of-the-far/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [Community colleges are one of Americas great social inventions a gateway to the future for first time students looking for an affordable college education,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/community-colleges-are-one-of-americas-great-social-inventions-a/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [College is part of the American dream. It shouldn't be part of a financial nightmare for families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/college-is-part-of-the-american-dream-it-shouldn-t-be-part-of-a/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [ In my very first term there was an issue that brought us \[George Mitchell, Ted Kennedy, Chris Dodd\] together in a very deep, emotional,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/in-my-very-first-term-there-was-an-issue-that-brought-us-george/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [The 77 cents that women make for every dollar men earn makes a real difference to our families - families stretching to make every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/the-77-cents-that-women-make-for-every-dollar-men-earn-makes-a-real/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [ Nancy \[Kassebaum\] and I worked on a women's health agenda when I first came. Women were not included in the protocols at NIH, the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/nancy-kassebaum-and-i-worked-on-a-women-s-health-agenda-when-i-first/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [We don't have a caucus, because we differ on so many views. Some of us are pro-choice, some are not. We'll take the issue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/we-don-t-have-a-caucus-because-we-differ-on-so-many-views-some-of-us/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [Nothing really happened - I was elected in '86 - until 1992, and that's when the Anita Hill debacle happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/nothing-really-happened-i-was-elected-in-86-until-1992-and-that-s/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [The family is not only a living arrangement. It has always been a symbol of survival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/the-family-is-not-only-a-living-arrangement-it-has-always-been-a/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [I truly believe that before I retire from public office, I'll be voting for a woman for president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-truly-believe-that-before-i-retire-from-public-office-i-ll-be/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [I would say that in some ways George Mitchell is kind of an old fashioned guy, in terms of these basic values, but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-would-say-that-in-some-ways-george-mitchell-is-kind-of-an-old/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [ On the most recent battles on health insurance reform, the women led the battle to end gender discrimination by the insurance companies \[where\] women… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/on-the-most-recent-battles-on-health-insurance-reform-the-women-led/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [Our seniors' retirement should never rely on the bull of political promises or the bear of the market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/our-seniors-retirement-should-never-rely-on-the-bull-of-political/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) [Explore all 79 Barbara Mikulski quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) ## More Country quotes > [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [ That country \[Carthage\] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinking-into-the-state-of-barbarism/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [For the Scottish government, the practice of having meetings in different parts of the country is well established, but for the U.K. government, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/for-the-scottish-government-the-practice-of-having-meetings-in/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [There's no reason someone who has fought for their country should be homeless of jobless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/there-s-no-reason-someone-who-has-fought-for-their-country-should-be/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [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/) > [It's very nice to be a rebel saying, 'I stand on my principles,' but if in fact that's not going to have any impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-grieve/it-s-very-nice-to-be-a-rebel-saying-i-stand-on-my-principles-but-if/) [Dominic Grieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-grieve/) > [Most paper money initially existed as a substitute for gold. That's what gave it value. But right now what gives a currency value is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/most-paper-money-initially-existed-as-a-substitute-for-gold-that-s/) [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) > [That's what this country is. It's made up of immigrants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bria-vinaite/that-s-what-this-country-is-it-s-made-up-of-immigrants/) [Bria Vinaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bria-vinaite/) > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [The reason I was drawn to the Band Perry was because they have a knack for doing rollicking country music that can sound a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-robinson/the-reason-i-was-drawn-to-the-band-perry-was-because-they-have-a/) [Phoebe Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-robinson/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > ['Lovecraft Country' is reclaiming all these pulp genres for people of color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misha-green/lovecraft-country-is-reclaiming-all-these-pulp-genres-for-people-of/) [Misha Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misha-green/) > [No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May 6, millions of Americans will join me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/no-judge-can-stop-us-from-praying-for-our-country-and-i-pray-that-on/) [Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/) [Browse all 29,881 Country quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I thought in this country, the best social program was a job. Yet minimum wage jobs arent paying enough to keep families out of poverty", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barbara Mikulski" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-social-program-was-a-job-yet-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Country" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-social-program-was-a-job-yet-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a4/barbara-mikulski-8601_country_i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-socia_3090867.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a4/barbara-mikulski-8601_country_i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-socia_3090867.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a4/barbara-mikulski-8601_country_i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-socia_3090867.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I thought in this country, the best social program was a job. Yet minimum wage jobs arent paying enough to…” — Barbara Mikulski", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Barbara Mikulski", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I thought in this country, the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-social-program-was-a-job-yet-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/i-thought-in-this-country-the-best-social-program-was-a-job-yet-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```