Government is a vital outcome and a prerequisite of democracy. No government means no democracy. The primary role of government is to open up opportunities for people and guarantee a floor of economic security for all citizens. Government opens doors for Americans who play by the rules. Government is the most important arena for citizens to have a voice in creating the kind of society in which they want to live.
Democratic governance rests upon a trust in the citizenry, and a populist impulse.
The values of work and family are central to both the American ethic and basic tenets of progressive populist policy. We are patriotic and must see ourselves as such. We must identify working families as today s everyday heroes. The lives of working parents may seem mundane, but tallied together their achievements are heroic. It is within this context that the Economic Opportunity Institute is moving forward with pragmatic policy development.