 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (January 2016) |
Fat cat is a political term originally describing a rich political donor, also called an angel or big-money man.[1]
The New York Times has described fat cats as symbols of "a deeply corrupt campaign finance system riddled with loopholes", with Americans seeing them as recipients of the "perks of power", but able to "buy access, influence policy and even veto appointments".[2]
It is also commonly used to describe a rich, powerful and greedy person who, due to ownership of large amounts of capital, is able to "live easy" off the work of others. In the United Kingdom, it is also used to refer to executives whose pay is deemed by others to be excessive.[3]
- ^ "Of Fat Cats and Other Angels". Time. November 29, 1971. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
- ^ Richard L. Berke (February 17, 2002). "Money Talks; Don't Discount the Fat Cats". The New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
- ^ "Fat cats feeding". The Economist. October 9, 2003.