Why Definitions Matter

Whether you're just starting to pay attention to politics, you've been watching this mess for years, or you're already working to make change — you've probably noticed the same thing: the system doesn't listen to regular people.

Part of how we stay divided is the words we use - and how politicians and people in power skew their meaning to fit their goals.

• Do you want a sub, grinder, hoagie, or hero for lunch?

• Would you order a soda, pop, or coke?

• Do you put your groceries in a shopping cart or a buggy?

• Do you chase lightning bugs or fireflies?

Those differences happened naturally - people in different places just developed different words for the same things. But what happens when politicians deliberately twist words like democracy, patriotism, family values, or healthcare to win elections?

Take the word "freedom." Politicians use "freedom" as a magic word to avoid explaining the actual impact of their positions on average Americans. Republicans use "freedom" to mean freedom FROM government - lower taxes, fewer regulations, less interference in your life. Democrats use "freedom" to mean freedom TO access opportunities - healthcare, education, the chance to build wealth. Both sides act like you have to choose.

This didn't always happen. Politics used to be more about competing policy ideas. But our two-party system has shifted to "us versus them" - where the most important thing is making sure the other side loses. This forces politicians to create false either/or choices. But most Americans actually want both kinds of freedom.

Addressing this manipulation means understanding how the system works so you can evaluate solutions - otherwise you're going to be subject to more manipulation. And that's just one word. Politics has its own vocabulary that most people never learned - words like "non-partisan," "gerrymandering," or "primary election." You shouldn't need a political science degree to participate in your own democracy.

If you've ever sat in a doctor's office unsure what a diagnosis meant — or walked out of a car repair shop wondering if you were just taken advantage of — you've felt how language gaps create power gaps. We all learn basic political vocabulary in elementary and middle school - the problem is, those definitions aren't powerful enough to evaluate solutions. It's like knowing that you put gas in the tank, turn on the car, press the gas pedal, more gas goes to the engine and the car moves. That's fine until something breaks and you need to know what's actually happening under the hood. Right now, our political system is broken, and most of us don't have the vocabulary to diagnose what's wrong or evaluate the proposed fixes.

That's where Project REAL comes in.

We are creating — with your help — non-partisan definitions that most Americans can agree on. These shared definitions help show how much we have in common, making it harder for politicians to divide us. They also give you the tools to hold leaders accountable. When a politician talks about "freedom" or "family values" or "fiscal responsibility," you can ask: Are they using these words in ways that actually benefit the most Americans, or just to appeal to their base?

This kind of precision isn't impossible - it happens all the time. Lawyers know the difference between "shall" and "may" in a contract can change everything. Doctors use exact terms because lives depend on clarity. Politicians could be just as precise if they wanted to be. The vague language isn't an accident - it's a choice.

When we speak the same language - grounded in what actually helps people - politicians can't divide us with twisted definitions or confuse us with jargon. These aren't just definitions. They're tools for taking back control of the conversation and holding our leaders accountable.

If a definition speaks to you, use it. Share it. Build on it. If it doesn't ring true, tell us. If there's a word you think we should define, let us know.

This is about more than just words. It's about making our democracy real - for everyone.