BARBARA EHRENREICH NICKEL AND DIMED QUOTES

“The ‘working poor’ are expected to hustle, yet are denied the basic resources necessary to make it in America.”

“There was always some rule or regulation standing in the way of earning a living wage, and I realized that the system is rigged against the workers.”

“Low-wage jobs aren’t stepping stones, they’re prisons.”

“No matter how hard you work, it’s difficult to break free from the cycle of poverty without a fair wage.”

“The working poor are trapped in a desperate struggle to survive, constantly moving from one low-paying job to another.”

“The idea that hard work alone guarantees success is a myth perpetuated to justify the exploitation of low-wage workers.”

“Poverty is not a personal failing, it is a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions.”

“For the working poor, a single medical emergency or car repair can result in financial ruin.”

“The low-wage workforce is like an invisible army, working tirelessly to keep our society functioning, yet their contributions are often devalued and ignored.”

“The working poor are not lazy or unmotivated, they are simply caught in a system that pays poverty wages and denies them the opportunities to improve their situation.”

“Low-wage jobs are not a temporary setback, they are a perpetual state of precariousness.”

“The dignity of work should not be contingent on the size of a paycheck.”

“Working multiple jobs should not be a requirement for basic survival in America.”

“Minimum wage is not a living wage, and until we address this disparity, the working poor will continue to struggle.”

“It is not the fault of the working poor that they are unable to lift themselves out of poverty, it is the fault of a system that exploits their labor.”

“The working poor are not just statistics, they are human beings struggling to provide for themselves and their families.”

“Poverty is not an individual problem, it is a societal problem that requires collective action.”

“The working poor are often invisible because their struggles are hidden behind closed doors and beneath the surface of society.”

“We cannot ignore the plight of the working poor and expect to build a just society.”

“Low-wage work is a gendered issue, disproportionately affecting women who are forced to juggle multiple jobs and caregiving responsibilities.”

“We must recognize that the working poor are not asking for handouts, they are asking for a fair shot at a decent life.”

“The working poor are not lazy, they are exhausted from working multiple jobs just to survive.”

“The working poor are constantly walking a tightrope, with one misstep leading to financial ruin.”

“We must reject the narrative that poverty is an individual failing and instead focus on the systemic issues that perpetuate it.”

“The working poor are the backbone of our economy, yet they are consistently undervalued and underpaid.”

“Poverty is not just a lack of money, it is a lack of power, agency, and opportunity.”

“The working poor are trapped in a cycle of poverty that is nearly impossible to break free from without external interventions.”

“Poverty is not a personal problem, it is a collective responsibility.”

“The working poor are not looking for pity, they are looking for justice.”

“The working poor deserve our empathy, support, and advocacy.”