"Folks in the bottom half of the economy are already squeezed hard. They will be bloodied and bankrupt if economic policy inadvertently induces a recession"

This quote by William Greider is referring to the financial inequality that exists on the planet today. He is stating that those in the lower half of the economy are already struggling to make ends fulfill and will suffer even more if financial policy leads to an economic crisis. Greider is warning that if the economy takes a recession, those in the lower half of the economy will be struck the hardest. They will be "bloodied" by the financial hardship and may even be pushed into insolvency. Greider is stressing the need for economic policies that bear in mind the requirements of those in the lower half of the economy which will help to prevent an economic crisis. He is calling for policies that will help to protect those in the lower half of the economy from the worst of the financial decline.