---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a time where the middle class is…"
description: "\"In a time where the middle class is squeezed by stagnant incomes and rising health care costs, Ben Carson looks like he cares.\" — Margaret Hoover"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/margaret-hoover-4164_ben-carson_in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-sque_2762178.jpg"
---

#  In a time where the middle class is squeezed by stagnant…

![“In a time where the middle class is squeezed by stagnant incomes and rising health care costs, Ben Carson looks like he cares.” quote by Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/margaret-hoover-4164_ben-carson_in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-sque_2762178.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/margaret-hoover-4164_ben-carson_in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-sque_2762178.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/margaret-hoover-4164_ben-carson_in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-sque_2762178.jpg)

> “In a time where the middle class is squeezed by stagnant incomes and rising health care costs, Ben Carson looks like he cares.”

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The comment notes that Ben Carson appears caring amid middle‑class financial strain, implying political positioning to address economic concerns.

**In simple terms:** Carson seems caring while middle class struggles.

Key Takeaway

Assess political empathy critically.

Themes

politics economics healthcare middle class public image

Mood

skeptical observational

Type

political critical

When to use this quote

- campaign speeches
- media commentary
- voter surveys

Key Concepts

policy analysis public perception socio‑economic trends

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you evaluate a politician’s sincerity?
- What policies truly help the middle class?

A Different Perspective

Caring may be performative; policies matter more.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Health care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health-care/) [Middle class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-class/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [The rise of Ben Carson is a fascinating case study in grassroots cultivation that's resulted in strong support among evangelicals and women, reflected in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/the-rise-of-ben-carson-is-a-fascinating-case-study-in-grassroots/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [Ben Carson has what Iowa caucus-goers favor - the soft touch and outsider status, and no fear of going after Obamacare and the excesses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/ben-carson-has-what-iowa-caucus-goers-favor-the-soft-touch-and/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [During a recent event at a restaurant called Tommy's Country Ham House in South Carolina, presidential candidate Ben Carson delivered a speech right after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/during-a-recent-event-at-a-restaurant-called-tommy-s-country-ham/)

[Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/)

> [Dr. Ben Carson has the most moving personal narrative in modern presidential politics. His mother, one of 24 children, had only a third-grade education.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/dr-ben-carson-has-the-most-moving-personal-narrative-in-modern/)

[Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/)

> [When Ben Carson said that he would remove all federal funding for universities that had 'extreme political bias.' Who would decide what political bias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/when-ben-carson-said-that-he-would-remove-all-federal-funding-for/)

[Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/)

> [For a man with an impressive educational C.V., Ben Carson makes a lot of intellectual missteps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-m-krauss/for-a-man-with-an-impressive-educational-c-v-ben-carson-makes-a-lot/)

[Lawrence M. Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-m-krauss/)

> [Ted Cruz knew Ben Carson did not leave the campaign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/ted-cruz-knew-ben-carson-did-not-leave-the-campaign/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [I have come to the conclusion that Ben Carson is a bit nuts. I say that not because I disagree with him politically, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cohen/i-have-come-to-the-conclusion-that-ben-carson-is-a-bit-nuts-i-say/)

[Richard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cohen/)

> [ \[Ben Carson\] critics say that your inexperience shows. You've suggested that the Baltic States are not a part of NATO, you were unfamiliar with… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megyn-kelly/ben-carson-critics-say-that-your-inexperience-shows-you-ve-suggested/)

[Megyn Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megyn-kelly/)

> [Even on Ben Carson, he's not exactly steeped in housing policy, but his statements on the issue have also been very conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-walter/even-on-ben-carson-he-s-not-exactly-steeped-in-housing-policy-but-his/)

[Amy Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-walter/)

> [I think Steve King is absolutely wrong and I just hope that we can try to reach higher ground, because when you are spewing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-king/i-think-steve-king-is-absolutely-wrong-and-i-just-hope-that-we-can/)

[Steve King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-king/)

> [Donald Trump may be the loudest voice in the Republican presidential field, but on his heels is the candidate quietly surging to the front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hallie-jackson/donald-trump-may-be-the-loudest-voice-in-the-republican-presidential/)

[Hallie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hallie-jackson/)

> [ I'm a maniac, and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly. And Ben \[Carson\] you're a terrible surgeon. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-m-a-maniac-and-everyone-on-this-stage-is-stupid-fat-and-ugly-and/)

[Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/)

> [Republican candidate Ben Carson told reporters he thinks American prisons might be too comfortable. As opposed to Mexican prisons that have personal showers with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/republican-candidate-ben-carson-told-reporters-he-thinks-american/)

[Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/)

> [ Ben Carson also denounced \[Donald\] Trump's ban all Muslims proposal saying we do not and would not advocate being selective on one's religion. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/ben-carson-also-denounced-donald-trump-s-ban-all-muslims-proposal/)

[Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/)

## More by Margaret Hoover

> [In my mid-20s I worked at the White House Office of Management and Budget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/in-my-mid-20s-i-worked-at-the-white-house-office-of-management-and/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [I think the Tea Party has brought enormous strength to the Republican Party and I absolutely support its fiscal responsibility message, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/i-think-the-tea-party-has-brought-enormous-strength-to-the-republican/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [The real action in Washington now is actually going to be on the - from the center to the center-right to the right. Part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/the-real-action-in-washington-now-is-actually-going-to-be-on-the-from/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [Less money in your wallet equals less economic freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/less-money-in-your-wallet-equals-less-economic-freedom/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [Hoover also loved new media the way Millennials do now. He was the first person to ever appear on television. As commerce secretary, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/hoover-also-loved-new-media-the-way-millennials-do-now-he-was-the/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [I'm always trying to see the forest for the trees. I try to look at broader brushstrokes and focus on what we can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/i-m-always-trying-to-see-the-forest-for-the-trees-i-try-to-look-at/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [To effectively debate ideas and discuss complicated issues takes time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/to-effectively-debate-ideas-and-discuss-complicated-issues-takes-time/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [In any civil society, there's a serious problem when confidence in the rule of law is shaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/in-any-civil-society-there-s-a-serious-problem-when-confidence-in-the/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [Some Republicans support gay rights, but prefer progress through legislative action or majority rule at the ballot box, rather than judicial action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/some-republicans-support-gay-rights-but-prefer-progress-through/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [Pragmatic and nonpartisan solutions will increase confidence in law enforcement and support good police while offering more transparency and accountability to citizens who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/pragmatic-and-nonpartisan-solutions-will-increase-confidence-in-law/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [I run a gay-rights organization from the Republican side of the aisle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/i-run-a-gay-rights-organization-from-the-republican-side-of-the-aisle/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [I'm not suggesting that we promote a homosexual lifestyle and we impose it on people, but I am suggesting that it is important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/i-m-not-suggesting-that-we-promote-a-homosexual-lifestyle-and-we/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [I think there's an extraordinary overlap between - sort of philosophically, and even in terms of their supporters - between Ted Cruz and Donald…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/i-think-there-s-an-extraordinary-overlap-between-sort-of/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [Hoovers didn't like Democrats because of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's libelous partisan attacks on my great-grandfather Herbert Hoover, tethering him to the Great Depression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/hoovers-didn-t-like-democrats-because-of-franklin-delano-roosevelt-s/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

> [While the reigning stereotype is that Republicans are opposed to gay rights, growing Republican support in state-by-state fights belies this perception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/while-the-reigning-stereotype-is-that-republicans-are-opposed-to-gay/)

[Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

[Explore all 115 Margaret Hoover quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/)

## More Ben carson quotes

> [ Ben Carson also denounced \[Donald\] Trump's ban all Muslims proposal saying we do not and would not advocate being selective on one's religion. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/ben-carson-also-denounced-donald-trump-s-ban-all-muslims-proposal/)

[Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/)

> [Republican candidate Ben Carson told reporters he thinks American prisons might be too comfortable. As opposed to Mexican prisons that have personal showers with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/republican-candidate-ben-carson-told-reporters-he-thinks-american/)

[Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/)

> [ I'm a maniac, and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly. And Ben \[Carson\] you're a terrible surgeon. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-m-a-maniac-and-everyone-on-this-stage-is-stupid-fat-and-ugly-and/)

[Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/)

> [Donald Trump may be the loudest voice in the Republican presidential field, but on his heels is the candidate quietly surging to the front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hallie-jackson/donald-trump-may-be-the-loudest-voice-in-the-republican-presidential/)

[Hallie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hallie-jackson/)

> [I think Steve King is absolutely wrong and I just hope that we can try to reach higher ground, because when you are spewing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-king/i-think-steve-king-is-absolutely-wrong-and-i-just-hope-that-we-can/)

[Steve King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-king/)

> [Even on Ben Carson, he's not exactly steeped in housing policy, but his statements on the issue have also been very conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-walter/even-on-ben-carson-he-s-not-exactly-steeped-in-housing-policy-but-his/)

[Amy Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-walter/)

> [ \[Ben Carson\] critics say that your inexperience shows. You've suggested that the Baltic States are not a part of NATO, you were unfamiliar with… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megyn-kelly/ben-carson-critics-say-that-your-inexperience-shows-you-ve-suggested/)

[Megyn Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megyn-kelly/)

> [I have come to the conclusion that Ben Carson is a bit nuts. I say that not because I disagree with him politically, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cohen/i-have-come-to-the-conclusion-that-ben-carson-is-a-bit-nuts-i-say/)

[Richard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cohen/)

> [Ted Cruz knew Ben Carson did not leave the campaign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/ted-cruz-knew-ben-carson-did-not-leave-the-campaign/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [For a man with an impressive educational C.V., Ben Carson makes a lot of intellectual missteps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-m-krauss/for-a-man-with-an-impressive-educational-c-v-ben-carson-makes-a-lot/)

[Lawrence M. Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-m-krauss/)

> [When Ben Carson said that he would remove all federal funding for universities that had 'extreme political bias.' Who would decide what political bias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/when-ben-carson-said-that-he-would-remove-all-federal-funding-for/)

[Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/)

> [Dr. Ben Carson has the most moving personal narrative in modern presidential politics. His mother, one of 24 children, had only a third-grade education.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/dr-ben-carson-has-the-most-moving-personal-narrative-in-modern/)

[Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/)

> [During a recent event at a restaurant called Tommy's Country Ham House in South Carolina, presidential candidate Ben Carson delivered a speech right after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/during-a-recent-event-at-a-restaurant-called-tommy-s-country-ham/)

[Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/)

> [Dr. Ben Carson is a first-class human being and citizen. He is exactly the kind of person that you could trust running any government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/dr-ben-carson-is-a-first-class-human-being-and-citizen-he-is-exactly/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [There is not a single person in the media today that could wear Dr. Benjamin Carson's uniform, whatever uniform he puts on in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/there-is-not-a-single-person-in-the-media-today-that-could-wear-dr/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

Browse all 35 Ben carson quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In a time where the middle class is squeezed by stagnant incomes and rising health care costs, Ben Carson looks like he cares.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Margaret Hoover"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-squeezed-by-stagnant-incomes-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ben carson"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-squeezed-by-stagnant-incomes-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/margaret-hoover-4164_ben-carson_in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-sque_2762178.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/margaret-hoover-4164_ben-carson_in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-sque_2762178.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bef/margaret-hoover-4164_ben-carson_in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-sque_2762178.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In a time where the middle class is squeezed by stagnant incomes and rising health care costs, Ben Carson…” — Margaret Hoover",
                "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": "Margaret Hoover",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In a time where the middle...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-squeezed-by-stagnant-incomes-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/in-a-time-where-the-middle-class-is-squeezed-by-stagnant-incomes-and/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```