It comes from an excellent post by the Atlantic’s Ta-Nehisi Coates about income inequality:
A Rising Tide Lifts Mostly Yachts
I cannot believe that I didn’t use this in my past life as a Rising Tide NOLA organizer. The first two events, in fact, were held at the New Orleans Yacht Club. Oh well, live and learn…
a small tide lifts dingies. you need a big tide to lift yachts.