Learn English – What does “in the saddle” mean

A knee-jerk reaction indicates a reflexive response.

There are a couple of particular concerns with such responses:

• They're spontaneous and generally involuntary
• Haste being necessarily so, these can often be detrimental to a situation, with no forethought as to the consequences

These are benefits in nature (if falling, notice that arms automatically attempt break the fall, particularly protecting the head); when applied to speech and whatnot, such as in office, it isn't a recommended practice to work solely from 'instincts' (for example, if a suggestion strikes a nerve with one member, emotions may speak for him, as opposed to taking an objective standpoint.)

'Barack Obama wishes the USA didn't have such a high unemployment rate'.

This sentence expresses regret on the part or Barack Obama. In other words he feels sorry things are the way they are.

'Barack Obama wishes the USA wouldn't have such a high unemployment rate.'

This construct expresses irritation on the part of Barack Obama because the unemployment rate "is unwilling" or "refuses" to become lower. The sentence does sound strange because, at least theoretically, Obama is someone who can do something about the situation. Similarly, the sentence 'Barack Obama wishes the unemployment rate would improve in the USA' sounds strange to my ears.

'I wish my daughter did better at school.'

In this sentence I mean that I'm sorry my daughter isn't doing better at school. It shows that, at least for the time being, I don't believe the situation will change. I don't say who is to blame for this situation.

'I wish my daughter would do better at school.'

Here I am expressing my dissatisfaction and probably my impatience or irritation because I believe it's my daughter's unwillingness to do better at school which is responsible for the situation. I believe things can change if her will changes.

In other words, would after wish refers to other people's unwillingness to do or not do something and that irritates the speaker. Sometimes we can talk about a situation like this. For example you can say "I wish it would stop raining", but only because you have no control over the weather and you speak as if the weather has a will of its own.