UNLOCKING AMERICA

The Project 2029 FUN RAZOR is solely focused on cutting the money out of politics, because it's the only actual solution.

Oversimplification? Nope. Explore the content below to see how the issues that you care about have been made virtually impossible to solve because of the influence of Money in Politics.

From preserving problems for profit at your expense, to bogging down the legislative process, and funding the divisive campaigns that have inflamed cultural issues, solving this one problem is the KEY to escaping dysfunction and Unlocking America.

Unlocked with the Civil Network National Concerns Simulation (2025) 

Money in Politics
Impact: Citizens feel powerless; issues they care about never advance unless backed by major donors.
Money Barrier: Corporate PACs, lobbyists, and wealthy donors across industries spending over $14 billion combined in federal elections (2020–2024 cycles).
How It’s Preserved: Debate stuck between “Free speech rights for corporations” vs “Ban all private donations,” while both parties continue cashing checks.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Citizens gain leverage to demand reforms; balanced solutions possible where candidates compete on ideas, not donor money.

Healthcare Costs & Access
Impact: Families crushed by medical bills; many delay or skip care.
Money Barrier: Big Pharma and insurance PACs spending $374 million lobbying Congress in 2023–2024.
How It’s Preserved: Framed as “Government takeover” vs “Free market choice,” entrenched positions keep reforms blocked.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Donor-neutral candidates could pursue bipartisan reforms—price transparency, negotiated drug prices, fair innovation rewards.

Inflation & Cost of Living
Impact: Rising prices on food, housing, and energy strain household budgets.
Money Barrier: Agribusiness, energy, and retail giants with tens of millions annually in lobbying and price-setting leverage.
How It’s Preserved: Debate framed as “Corporate greedflation” vs “Overregulation,” leaving citizens squeezed while markets remain skewed.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Balanced policies—price stabilization, fair subsidies, and market accountability—that ease costs without stifling business.

Government Dysfunction & Gridlock
Impact: Frustration as nothing gets solved; cynicism about democracy grows.
Money Barrier: Partisan PACs exploiting division for fundraising, over $2 billion spent in 2024 elections alone.
How It’s Preserved: Locked between “Obstructionist minority” vs “Runaway majority”—stalemate sustains campaign donations.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: With donor influence removed, bipartisan compromises could advance legislation reflecting broad consensus.

Federal Budget Deficit / National Debt
Impact: Anxiety over long-term debt, higher taxes, weaker safety nets.
Money Barrier: Financial institutions and industries benefiting from tax loopholes; Wall Street spent $1.9 billion lobbying between 2022–2024.
How It’s Preserved: One side calls for “Austerity and cuts,” the other for “Tax the rich,” with little middle ground.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Creates space for balanced fiscal policies—closing wasteful loopholes while protecting essential programs.

Poverty / Inequality
Impact: Families living paycheck to paycheck; widening wealth gap.
Money Barrier: Corporations lobbying against wage increases or tax reforms, with the Chamber of Commerce spending $81 million in 2023.
How It’s Preserved: Framed as “Welfare dependency” vs “Corporate exploitation”; entrenched divide keeps solutions sidelined.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables policies like fair wages, earned income credits, and inclusive growth strategies that work for all.

Reproductive Rights / Abortion
Impact: Women face restricted access to abortion and IVF; health providers under threat.
Money Barrier: Religious lobbying groups and political PACs spending over $250 million in 2022–2024.
How It’s Preserved: Polarized between “Ban abortion as murder” vs “Unrestricted autonomy,” fueling endless fundraising.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Opens possibility for balanced healthcare protections that respect citizen autonomy while lowering partisan temperature.

Immigration & Border Issues
Impact: Communities feel strained; families separated; businesses lack workers.
Money Barrier: Industries profiting from cheap labor, border security contractors; private immigration detention industry spends $25 million+ lobbying.
How It’s Preserved: “Open borders” vs “Build the wall”—polar extremes block comprehensive reform.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Path for bipartisan solutions—fair border security, humane treatment, and worker pathways.

Crime & Public Safety
Impact: Fear of violence in neighborhoods; concern over rising crime.
Money Barrier: Private prisons, policing unions, and security industries spending $100 million+ lobbying at federal and state levels.
How It’s Preserved: Framed as “Tough on crime” vs “Defund the police,” preventing nuanced reforms.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Balanced reforms—community safety plus fair policing—become possible.

Gun Violence / Mass Shootings
Impact: Parents fear for children’s safety; mass shootings traumatize communities.
Money Barrier: Gun lobby (NRA and firearm manufacturers) spending $50 million+ in 2024 elections.
How It’s Preserved: Debate frozen between “Second Amendment rights” vs “Ban all guns.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Unlocks reforms like universal background checks and red-flag laws while preserving lawful ownership.

Education Quality & Access
Impact: Parents worry about bullying, student mental health, and affordability of higher education.
Money Barrier: For-profit colleges, testing corporations, and teachers’ unions with $200 million+ combined lobbying.
How It’s Preserved: “School choice and vouchers” vs “Fully fund public schools”—stalemate leaves kids behind.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Donor-free candidates could advance blended reforms—fund quality schools and keep education affordable.

Social Security / Retirement Security
Impact: Seniors fear losing benefits; younger workers doubt system solvency.
Money Barrier: Financial firms profiting from privatization debates, over $150 million lobbying in 2023–2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Privatize” vs “Expand benefits”—keeps system unstable and politicized.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Supports sustainable adjustments ensuring security across generations.

Job Security & Wages
Impact: Workers face wage stagnation and AI displacement fears.
Money Barrier: Corporations resisting wage hikes; tech firms pushing automation, spending $120 million lobbying in 2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Regulation kills jobs” vs “Corporations exploit workers.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Opens ground for policies rewarding innovation while ensuring livable wages.

Climate Change / Energy
Impact: Families hammered by extreme weather and rising insurance rates.
Money Barrier: Fossil fuel companies spending $125 million+ in 2024 on donations and lobbying.
How It’s Preserved: “Green energy kills jobs” vs “Fossil fuels are killing the planet.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Policy competition based on solutions, not oil checks; pragmatic mix of renewables and transition strategies possible.

Drug Addiction / Opioid Crisis
Impact: Families devastated by overdoses and lost loved ones.
Money Barrier: Pharmaceutical companies and distributors that spent $50 million+ defending against lawsuits.
How It’s Preserved: “Tough on drugs” vs “Focus on treatment”—stalemate leaves crisis unresolved.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Balanced reforms—treatment expansion, accountability, and prevention without donor-driven spin.

Housing Affordability & Homelessness
Impact: Rent eats paychecks; first-time buyers locked out; visible homelessness growing.
Money Barrier: Real estate developers and landlord PACs spending $84 million in 2024 cycle.
How It’s Preserved: “Overregulation causes shortages” vs “Greedy landlords drive prices.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Unlocks zoning reform and affordable housing initiatives balancing community and developer needs.

Veterans’ Care & Benefits
Impact: Veterans struggle with healthcare, PTSD, and delayed benefits.
Money Barrier: Defense contractors and private healthcare firms lobbying $100 million+ to influence VA reforms.
How It’s Preserved: “Support the troops” rhetoric vs “Cut defense waste.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables direct focus on veterans’ wellbeing without defense industry leverage.

Mental Health Crisis
Impact: Rising depression, suicide, and lack of affordable mental health care.
Money Barrier: Insurance companies blocking parity reforms, $50 million lobbying in 2023–24.
How It’s Preserved: “Mental health is a personal responsibility” vs “Government must fund all care.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Creates bipartisan support for access and prevention strategies.

National Security / Defense Spending
Impact: Citizens worry about safety and global stability; budgets balloon.
Money Barrier: Defense contractors lobbying $150 million+ in 2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Strong defense at all costs” vs “Cut military budget for domestic needs.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables rational defense prioritization, ensuring security while curbing excess.

LGBTQ Rights & Equality
Impact: LGBTQ families face uncertainty over marriage, healthcare, and dignity.
Money Barrier: Religious PACs and culture-war groups raising $250 million+ from 2022–24.
How It’s Preserved: “Protect children from ideology” vs “Affirm identities without limits.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Creates path for durable protections and respectful dialogue.

Transportation & Infrastructure
Impact: Citizens frustrated with crumbling roads, bridges, and public transit.
Money Barrier: Construction lobbies and highway contractors spending $100 million+ on lobbying.
How It’s Preserved: “Don’t raise taxes” vs “Spend big on public works.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Supports efficient infrastructure investment guided by citizen needs rather than contractor lobbying.

Tax Fairness
Impact: Citizens feel the wealthy and corporations avoid taxes while working families shoulder the burden.
Money Barrier: Corporate lobbying and wealthy donor networks; Fortune 500 companies collectively spent over $2 billion lobbying Congress in 2023–2024, much of it directed at preserving tax loopholes.
How It’s Preserved: “Tax cuts fuel growth” vs “Tax the rich into fairness.” Both frames harden divides and prevent nuanced reform.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Creates space for transparent tax codes that close abusive loopholes, ensure fairness, and maintain competitiveness.

Civil Rights & Discrimination
Impact: Minority communities face ongoing racial, gender, and religious discrimination in housing, employment, and justice.
Money Barrier: Advocacy PACs and corporate interests exploiting divisions; civil rights organizations and opposition groups combined raised hundreds of millions in 2023–2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Systemic racism defines everything” vs “Identity politics divides us.” Debate keeps reform stalled.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Opens room for durable protections and policies to reduce inequities without inflaming culture wars.

Election Security / Voter Access
Impact: Citizens fear voter suppression or fraudulent ballots; trust in elections deteriorates.
Money Barrier: Partisan PACs exploiting fear; both sides raised billions tied to election fraud and suppression narratives in 2020–2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Widespread fraud” vs “Systemic suppression.” Endless cycle feeds donor machines.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Donor-neutral debate allows secure, accessible, and trusted elections with balanced reforms.

Judicial Trust & Partisan Courts
Impact: Citizens question impartiality of Supreme Court and lower courts.
Money Barrier: Judicial nomination groups like the Federalist Society and progressive judicial PACs, tens of millions spent annually shaping courts.
How It’s Preserved: “Originalism protects democracy” vs “Court is corrupt and illegitimate.” Both sides entrench distrust.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Creates opening for judicial ethics reforms, term limits, and bipartisan appointments.

Corporate Welfare / Cronyism
Impact: Citizens resent subsidies and bailouts for powerful corporations while small businesses struggle.
Money Barrier: Corporations and industry groups receiving subsidies; fossil fuels alone received $20 billion+ annually in tax breaks while lobbying heavily.
How It’s Preserved: “Subsidies preserve jobs” vs “Corporate greed drains taxpayers.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Donor-free politics enables review of subsidies for fairness, efficiency, and accountability.

Privacy & Data Protection
Impact: Citizens feel violated by data breaches, surveillance, and exploitation of personal info.
Money Barrier: Tech companies lobbying $120 million+ annually against strict data rules.
How It’s Preserved: “Innovation requires freedom” vs “Privacy requires government crackdowns.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Balanced data protections that secure citizens’ rights while encouraging responsible innovation.

Public Trust in Media
Impact: Citizens distrust news sources, feel trapped in echo chambers.
Money Barrier: Media conglomerates and partisan outlets with billions in ad revenues incentivizing polarization.
How It’s Preserved: “Mainstream media lies” vs “Independent media is dangerous disinfo.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Transparency reforms and media literacy initiatives possible without donor distortion.

Energy Security
Impact: Families hit by volatile energy prices and climate disruptions.
Money Barrier: Fossil fuel and utility lobbies; oil & gas industry spent $125 million lobbying in 2024 alone.
How It’s Preserved: “Drill more now” vs “Ban fossil fuels now.” Stalemate blocks pragmatic transition.
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Balanced policies for reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy mix.

Infrastructure Modernization
Impact: Citizens frustrated by failing bridges, roads, and broadband gaps.
Money Barrier: Construction and telecom lobbies, $100 million+ lobbying to shape contracts.
How It’s Preserved: “Don’t raise taxes” vs “Massive spending now.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Opens possibility for efficient, future-focused infrastructure upgrades.

Policing & Justice Reform
Impact: Citizens feel unsafe from both crime and abusive policing.
Money Barrier: Police unions and private prison lobbies spending $100 million+ annually.
How It’s Preserved: “Back the blue” vs “Defund the police.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables middle ground—community safety, accountability, and trust-building reforms.

Food Security & Prices
Impact: Families squeezed by rising grocery costs and insecure food supply chains.
Money Barrier: Big Ag companies spent $150 million lobbying in 2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Protect farmers from regulation” vs “Crack down on corporate greed.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Promotes resilient, fair food systems.

Addiction & Mental Health Parity
Impact: Families face difficulty accessing affordable treatment. Increase in desperation.
Money Barrier: Insurance industry lobbying $50 million to block parity mandates.
How It’s Preserved: “Addiction is moral failing” vs “Government must cover all care.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Unlocks balanced coverage expansions with accountability.

Environmental Protection & Clean Air/Water
Impact: Families exposed to pollution; communities face cancer clusters and poisoned water.
Money Barrier: Industrial lobbies, including chemical and agriculture groups, spending $80 million+ annually.
How It’s Preserved: “Overregulation hurts jobs” vs “Corporations poison people.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Allows pragmatic environmental standards protecting health and 

Debt Ceiling Showdowns
Impact: Anxiety as partisan brinksmanship risks economic collapse.
Money Barrier: Financial sector PACs lobbying to preserve favorable treatment while exploiting instability.
How It’s Preserved: “Cut spending at all costs” vs “Raise debt without reform.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Promotes predictable fiscal governance, protecting citizens from political hostage-taking.

Childcare & Family Support
Impact: Families face unaffordable childcare; parents forced out of workforce.
Money Barrier: Minimal direct corporate lobbying, but partisan framing used for fundraising.
How It’s Preserved: “Family responsibility” vs “Universal childcare.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables practical childcare subsidies and family leave policies.

Drug Pricing
Impact: Seniors and families ration insulin and lifesaving drugs.
Money Barrier: Pharmaceutical lobbying—$374 million in 2023–2024—keeps drug prices high.
How It’s Preserved: “Innovation requires high profits” vs “Healthcare is a right.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Promotes negotiated pricing and fair profit models.

Transportation & Commuting Costs
Impact: Citizens face long commutes, rising fuel and transit costs.
Money Barrier: Auto and oil industries lobbying heavily, $125 million+ annually.
How It’s Preserved: “Car culture freedom” vs “Mass transit only.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables diverse transit investments that reduce costs and congestion.

Disability Rights & Accessibility
Impact: Millions with disabilities face barriers to work, housing, and transit.
Money Barrier: Businesses lobbying to avoid ADA compliance costs; tens of millions spent annually.
How It’s Preserved: “Accessibility costs too much” vs “Discrimination everywhere.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Opens dialogue for inclusive, affordable accessibility policies.

Veteran Homelessness
Impact: Veterans left without homes or services after service.
Money Barrier: Limited donor focus—used more for partisan rhetoric than solutions.
How It’s Preserved: “Veterans need discipline” vs “System abandoned them.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Promotes bipartisan support for housing and mental health services.

Consumer Protection
Impact: Families cheated by scams, predatory lending, and unsafe products.
Money Barrier: Financial and corporate lobbies; financial services industry spent $500 million+ lobbying in 2023–2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Consumer beware” vs “Big government overreach.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Supports strong consumer safeguards with transparent business practices.

Automation & AI Displacement
Impact: Workers fear losing jobs to automation and AI-driven systems.
Money Barrier: Tech companies lobbying $120 million+ in 2024 to shape AI policy.
How It’s Preserved: “Innovation fuels progress” vs “Robots steal jobs.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Creates space for balanced transition plans—job retraining, innovation incentives, and worker protections.

Public Health Readiness (Pandemic Aftermath)
Impact: Citizens fear unpreparedness for future pandemics; loss of trust in institutions.
Money Barrier: Pharmaceutical companies and healthcare industry interests, $374 million+ lobbying in 2023–24.
How It’s Preserved: “Government overreach in mandates” vs “Negligence in protection.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Promotes transparent, science-based preparedness strategies without donor distortion.

Student Debt
Impact: Millions burdened by student loans; delayed families and homeownership.
Money Barrier: Loan servicers and banking lobbies, $50 million+ lobbying against cancellation and reform.
How It’s Preserved: “Personal responsibility to repay” vs “Cancel all debt.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables fair repayment systems and affordable education.

Rural vs Urban Divide
Impact: Rural communities feel ignored; urban areas feel resource strain.
Money Barrier: Partisan PACs exploiting rural-urban tension, hundreds of millions in targeted donations.
How It’s Preserved: “Elites ignore us” vs “Rural voters block progress.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Supports balanced rural investment and cooperation across regions.

Technology Overload / Social Media Harm
Impact: Youth face rising anxiety, depression, and distraction from screens.
Money Barrier: Big Tech platforms profiting from engagement, $120 million lobbying in 2023–24.
How It’s Preserved: “Parents must control kids” vs “Government must regulate tech.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables commonsense protections while preserving innovation.

Cultural Heritage / History Wars
Impact: Citizens clash over statues, curricula, and history teaching.
Money Barrier: Culture-war donors fueling fights, $200 million+ in combined PAC spending.
How It’s Preserved: “Erasing history” vs “Glorifying oppression.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Supports balanced teaching of history with nuance and respect.

Foreign Influence in U.S. Politics
Impact: Concern over foreign actors swaying elections and policy.
Money Barrier: Multinational corporations and lobbying groups tied to foreign entities, tens of millions annually.
How It’s Preserved: “Protect national security” vs “Encourage global cooperation.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Promotes transparency and fair trade while limiting undue influence.

Election Integrity Fears
Impact: Citizens doubt election fairness; democracy credibility erodes.
Money Barrier: Partisan PACs exploiting fear of fraud or suppression, billions raised around 2020–24 elections.
How It’s Preserved: “Massive fraud” vs “Voter suppression narrative.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables reforms ensuring both secure ballots and broad access.

Judicial System Bias / Supreme Court Credibility
Impact: Citizens distrust court impartiality.
Money Barrier: Donor-funded judicial appointment groups like Federalist Society, $80 million+ annually.
How It’s Preserved: “Defend tradition” vs “Court corrupted by politics.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Creates space for judicial ethics reforms and possible term limits.

Water Quality / Pollution
Impact: Families worry about safe drinking water; pollution harms health.
Money Barrier: Industrial and agricultural lobbies spending $80 million+ annually.
How It’s Preserved: “Protect business growth” vs “Overregulate industry.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Supports science-based standards protecting health and fair industry practices.

Space Exploration & Spending
Impact: Citizens question billions for space while needs unmet on Earth.
Money Barrier: Aerospace contractors lobbying $50 million+ in 2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Invest in destiny” vs “Fix Earth first.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Supports balanced space investment alongside domestic priorities.

Agricultural Monopolies
Impact: Farmers and consumers hurt by lack of competition.
Money Barrier: Big Ag lobbies spending $150 million+ in 2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Efficiency of scale” vs “Support small farmers.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Creates fair competition and sustainable farming policies.

Corporate Censorship / Speech
Impact: Citizens fear voices silenced online or at work.
Money Barrier: Tech giants and media corporations, $120 million+ lobbying in 2023–24.
How It’s Preserved: “Platform rights” vs “Host everything.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Encourages transparent moderation with accountability.

Over-Tourism & Land Use
Impact: Communities overwhelmed by tourism; land and resources strained.
Money Barrier: Tourism and development lobbies, tens of millions lobbying locally.
How It’s Preserved: “Tourism fuels economy” vs “Tourism destroys communities.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Balanced policies preserving community and environment.

U.S. Global Reputation
Impact: Citizens fear America has lost respect abroad.
Money Barrier: Defense and foreign lobbying groups, $150 million+ annually.
How It’s Preserved: “America First” vs “Global responsibility.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables balanced diplomacy that restores trust.

Tech Monopoly Power
Impact: Consumers feel trapped by tech giants.
Money Barrier: Big Tech lobbying $120 million+ annually.
How It’s Preserved: “Big Tech drives innovation” vs “Break up monopolies.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Promotes competition and innovation without crushing growth.

Zoning & Urban Sprawl
Impact: Housing costs rise; poor zoning fuels sprawl and congestion.
Money Barrier: Real estate developers lobbying $80 million+ in 2024.
How It’s Preserved: “Local control” vs “Federal mandates.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Enables smart growth planning with community input.

Arts & Cultural Funding
Impact: Arts programs cut; culture less accessible.
Money Barrier: Competing budget lobbies and culture-war PACs.
How It’s Preserved: “Arts are nonessential” vs “Arts deserve full funding.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Supports sustainable arts funding models.

Parent Rights in Education
Impact: Parents fear losing control over curricula; others fear censorship.
Money Barrier: Education PACs and partisan groups raising hundreds of millions.
How It’s Preserved: “Ban controversial books” vs “Teach everything.”
Unlocked with the Civil Network: Supports balanced curricula with parental input and diverse perspectives.