Government

Anti-government sentiment undermines good policies and better politics. Advocates across social issues need effective ways to frame the role of government.

Common catchphrases like “taxpayer dollars” reflect a “vending machine” view of government, suggesting citizens who put money in should expect an instant, proportional, direct benefit. “Safety net” language reinforces the idea that the goal of government is to catch those who fall, not to promote a shared, common good. A different story can spark different mindsets. Talking about shared resources and needs and reframing budgets and taxes in terms of long-term generational exchange helps.

Explore these ideas and more in the resources here.