CLF Discusses Role of Government in Tea Party Times

Coalition for a Livable Future held its annual meeting on November 10, 2010. After time for socializing, Board Chair Jo Ann Bowman highlighted the Coalition’s successes and ongoing programs, focusing on increased access to nature particularly in low income communities; CLF’s work for sustainable and equitable regional transportation policies; and the upcoming update of the Regional Equity Atlas.

Board Elections

Coalition members then unanimously confirmed the election of board members Leslie Carlson, Felisa Hagins, Mary Anne Harmer, Mike Houck, Mary Kyle McCurdy (Immediate Past President), Martha McLennan (Treasurer), John Mullin (Vice President), and Joseph Santos-Lyon.   Our current board members also include Jo Ann Bowman (President), Darlene Carlson (Secretary), Tim Duroche, Lisa Gramp, Marcus Mundy, Kelly Rodgers, and Bob Sallinger.

Presentation by Patrick Bresette of Demos:   
“Supporting a Progressive Role for Government in Tea Party Times”

The keynote speaker was Patrick Bresette with Demos, a national public policy research and advocacy organization.  Bresette’s talk highlighted the need to re-engage people in government as a means of encouraging long term change.   

Bresette argued that despite recent election results, there remains substantial opportunity to advocate for and catalyze change.  What is most important, Bresette stressed, is the eventual reclamation of government to support the public interest.

The Tea Party’s mantra may dominate headlines today, but the goals of the Tea Party are not necessarily fundamental.  While many take a negative view of government as a whole, many also take a positive view of the services that government provides.

Relying on polling data, Bresette elaborated further: “There is a fundamental disconnect between tea party mantra and use of services. Americans may distrust government and view it as too big and powerful, but they want it to continue what they’re doing.”  Bresette then cited data demonstrating popular support for several public health and benefits programs and noted that many proposed tax cuts were defeated at the polls in conservative states, despite the election of Tea Party politicians.

Bresette argued that competing cultural stories and habits of thinking represent the foundation of US political thought.  These narratives – independence, interdependence, the triumphant individual, and the benevolent community – have significantly shaped our thinking.  Additionally, our tendency to think short term rather than long term has made the task harder.  Bresette argued that our role should be to help people see the importance of the public sector all around us rather than fearing government, and to foster a sense of civic mindedness in the face of a consumerist society.  

Pointing out that people view the economy as being like the weather - impossible to affect - he posited that telling the economic story contains three elements:  purpose, intentionality, and interdependence.  We need to help people see themselves not as consumers or workers, but as citizens who have a stake in our economy.

The ability of progressives to energize their narrative on the role of government remains crucial.  People, as a whole, remain concerned and want government to act in public interest.  Bresette noted, “We’re the richest country on the planet, but we’re facing austerity?!”  If we can tell our version of the narrative, this need not be the case.