Read part one here. When discussing what the federal government does for us, we often consider big things like protecting the country and making laws. But the truth is, the government touches our lives in ways we don’t always realize, helping us survive and thrive every single day.

From ensuring safe drinking water to supporting our schools, the government is behind the scenes, ensuring we live safe, healthy, and productive lives. All of this is possible because of our taxes—it’s an investment we make to protect our well-being and that of others.

A helpful way to look at this is through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a theory that explains what people need to live well. It starts with basics like food and water, then moves up to things like safety, friendships, and self-actualization. Self-actualization is about reaching your full potential—doing things like creating, learning, or finding a purpose in life. While Maslow’s theory isn’t perfect, it helps us see how the government helps with everything from our basic needs to reaching our personal goals.

Democracy is built to serve the common good.

Democracy is fundamentally about serving the common good. The idea of “the common good“ is closely tied to the Constitution. Our Founding Fathers wrote about “promoting the general Welfare” in the preamble. This means that part of the government’s responsibility is to enact policies that benefit everyone, ensuring access to resources, protection of rights, and public services that support the health and safety of society. Democracy works best when it looks out for everyone, not just individuals, and that’s why government services are so essential for so many families across America.

In a democratic system, the government is designed to represent the will of the people, which inherently involves promoting the well-being of all citizens rather than a select group. The common good refers to the benefits or interests that all members of a society share, and democratic principles are meant to ensure that laws, policies, and actions serve these collective interests.

In short, democracy works best when it is focused on the well-being of all its citizens, ensuring that each person can thrive and that society functions in a way that supports fairness, equality, and shared prosperity.

Level One: Physiological needs (basic survival: food, water, shelter, sleep)

These fundamental human survival requirements include access to food, clean water, shelter, and sleep. The human body cannot function optimally if physiological needs are not satisfied. Maslow considered physiological needs to be the most important, as all the other needs become secondary until these needs are met.

1. Subsidizes Your Groceries
   The USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ensures that low-income families can afford groceries and put healthy food on the table. According to the USDA, SNAP provided benefits to over 41 million Americans in 2022.
2. Monitors Your Child’s School Lunch
   The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free lunches to more than 30 million children each school day. According to the USDA, the NSLP served 4.9 billion lunches in 2019.
3. Keeps Your Water Clean
   The EPA enforces the Safe Drinking Water Act to maintain standards for drinking water and ensure its safety for consumption. In 2020, the EPA worked with states to ensure that 90% of community water systems met all health-based standards.
4. Provides Emergency Housing for Families in Crisis
   The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers emergency housing assistance, including the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, which helps homeless people. HUD reported that over 580,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in 2020.
5. Ensures Your Food Is Safe
   The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces food safety standards, protecting consumers from harmful bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. In 2021, the FDA issued over 1,000 food safety recalls protecting consumers.
6. Provides Affordable Health Care
   Medicaid, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ensures that low-income families can access necessary medical services. As of 2022, over 83 million people were enrolled in Medicaid, according to HHS.
7. Monitors Air Quality
   The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces air quality standards to protect the public from harmful pollutants. The EPA reported a 77% improvement in air quality between 1980 and 2019.

Level Two: Safety needs (protection, security, and stability)

Safety needs include protection from physical harm, financial insecurity, and health threats. This includes job stability, health coverage, and safety from natural and man-made disasters.

• Provides Job Training Programs
  The Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps people secure stable jobs through training and career development programs. According to the Department of Labor, WIOA served over 1 million job seekers in 2021.
• Protects You from Cyberattacks
  The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) protects U.S. infrastructure and personal data from cyberattacks. In 2020, CISA responded to over 30,000 cyber incidents.
• Ensures Safe Air Travel
  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees air traffic control and aviation safety, ensuring that flights operate safely. In 2019, the FAA managed over 16 million flights.
• Tracks and Responds to Earthquakes
  The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitors seismic activity through the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS), providing early earthquake warnings. The USGS operates nationwide to give real-time earthquake information.
• Cleans Up Environmental Disasters
  The EPA leads cleanup efforts after oil spills and toxic waste incidents, protecting public health and the environment. In 2020, the EPA responded to 29 major environmental disasters.
• Safeguards Your Finances
  The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures bank deposits up to $250,000, ensuring the safety of your savings even if a bank fails. As of 2021, the FDIC has insured over $9 trillion in deposits.
• Regulates Safe Medications
  The FDA ensures that medications are safe and effective before they are released into the market. In 2021, the FDA approved 50 new drugs while maintaining strict safety standards.

Level Three: Love and belonging (social relationships, community, family)

This level includes the need for connection and belonging through family, friendships, and a sense of community. This need is especially strong in childhood and can override the need for safety, as witnessed in children who cling to abusive parents. Government programs often support family stability and community engagement.

1. Provides National Park Access for Family Bonding
   The National Park Service (NPS) offers free entry to national parks on specific days, making nature accessible to everyone. Over 237 million people visited national parks in 2020.
2. Helps First-Time Homebuyers
   The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers loans and grants to help first-time homebuyers purchase homes with lower down payments. In 2021, the FHA insured over 1.4 million single-family home mortgages.
3. Funds Public Schools
   The Department of Education provides billions in funding to support public schools, ensuring equal access to quality education. In 2020, the U.S. spent over $13,000 per public school student.
4. Supports Child Welfare Programs
   The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), part of HHS, ensures children’s safety through foster programs and child protective services. In 2020, ACF helped nearly 400,000 children in foster care.
5. Promotes Civic Engagement through Local Elections
   The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) provides grants to help states run secure and accessible elections. In 2020, the EAC distributed $805 million to states for election security.
6. Enables Family Health Care through Medicaid
   Medicaid provides essential health services for families, including prenatal and pediatric care. In 2020, it covered over 40% of all U.S. births.
7. Supports Veteran Families
   The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides veterans and their families healthcare, education benefits, and housing assistance. In 2021, the VA provided care to more than 9 million veterans.

Level Four: Esteem needs (self-respect, status, recognition)

Esteem needs focus on self-confidence, respect from others, and achieving personal goals. Maslow classified esteem needs into two categories: esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, mastery, independence) and the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g., status, prestige). The government helps Americans achieve these through education, career growth, and community recognition.

• Provides Grants for Higher Education
  The Pell Grant program offers financial aid to low-income students, making college more affordable. In 2020, Pell Grants provided nearly $27 billion in aid to 6.9 million students.
• Sets Fair Wages and Worker Rights
  The Department of Labor enforces minimum wage laws and worker protections, ensuring that employees receive fair wages and treatment. The federal minimum wage is currently set at $7.25 per hour.
• Recognizes Veterans through Education and Housing
  The GI Bill provides veterans with education benefits and housing loans, helping them transition to civilian life. In 2020, the GI Bill helped over 750,000 veterans with education benefits.
• Promotes Environmental Stewardship
  The federal government offers tax credits for renewable energy projects, encouraging environmental responsibility. The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has spurred a 10,000% increase in solar installations since 2006.
• Protects Consumers from Fraud
  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces consumer protection laws, ensuring businesses don’t deceive or defraud customers. In 2020, the FTC returned over $480 million to consumers scammed by fraudulent practices.
• Ensures Fair Access to Telecommunications
  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the telecommunications industry, ensuring fair access to Internet, radio, and television services. The FCC also works to expand broadband access to underserved communities nationwide.
• Supports Disaster Relief Efforts
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides aid and coordination during natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. In 2021, FEMA distributed over $36 billion to support recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires, and hurricanes.

Level Five: Self-actualization (personal growth, creativity, peak experiences)

Self-actualization refers to achieving one’s full potential, pursuing personal growth, and engaging in creative, intellectual, or altruistic endeavors. The government provides numerous opportunities and programs to help individuals achieve this personal fulfillment.

• Provides National Infrastructure Funding
  The Department of Transportation (DOT) funds the construction and maintenance of highways, bridges, and public transportation systems, ensuring safe and reliable infrastructure for families. In 2021, the DOT allocated $43.5 billion for the Federal-Aid Highway Program.
• Maintains Public Libraries
  The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) supports public libraries, providing grants to expand community programs and resources. In 2020, IMLS awarded over $200 million in grants to libraries and museums across the U.S., helping maintain these valuable educational resources.
• Secures Veterans’ Disability Benefits
  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability benefits to veterans who were injured or became ill as a result of their military service. In 2021, the VA processed over 1.5 million disability claims, ensuring that veterans receive the financial support they need.
• Manages the National Student Loan Program
  The Department of Education manages federal student loan programs, making higher education more accessible to middle-class families. In 2020, federal student loans helped over 42 million Americans finance their college education.
• Provides Nutrition Programs for Women and Infants
  The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), managed by the USDA, provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. In 2020, WIC supported 6.2 million participants each month.
• Enforces Fair Housing Laws
  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces the Fair Housing Act, ensuring that families can rent or buy homes without facing discrimination. In 2020, HUD received over 7,500 complaints related to housing discrimination, working to ensure equal access to housing for all Americans.
• Supports Energy Efficiency Programs
  The Department of Energy (DOE) supports energy efficiency programs that help families save on energy costs, such as weatherization and energy-efficient appliances. In 2020, the DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program helped weatherize over 35,000 homes, reducing energy bills for low-income families.

Life without these services, at every level, would change the American experience.

The services our federal government provides—from keeping our water safe to supporting education—are essential for making sure everyone has the chance to live a good life.

These services, paid for by our tax dollars, help build a country where people feel safe, healthy, and respected. If we didn’t invest in these things, the result would be a country where the basics, like clean food, public schools, and healthcare, might not be available for everyone. Our communities would suffer, and our opportunities would shrink.

Now, imagine a future where these services are stripped away, a place where isolation and fear take over. Without these protections, we risk falling into a dark world, much like the vision of Project 2025—a world filled with hate, racism, and fewer rights for everyone.

This isn’t just about losing services; it’s about losing what makes our democracy strong. In a world without these safeguards, we risk abandoning the values of fairness and equality and instead falling into division and distrust. That’s why supporting these services is not just smart; it’s necessary for protecting our way of life, our country’s future, and our democracy.