Economic policy is shaped by the stories we tell—about ourselves, our communities, and our country—just as much as it is shaped by data. Numbers matter, but narratives move people. They set the tone for public debate, influence the priorities of leaders, and ultimately determine whether big ideas get the political and cultural support they need to become reality. America’s greatest periods of transformation were not sparked solely by spreadsheets and cost-benefit analyses. They were fueled by compelling narratives that gave people something to believe in—a vision of a better future that felt both personal and possible.

Franklin Roosevelt spoke directly to Americans through his fireside chats, using plain language to explain the stakes and build trust in the New Deal. Martin Luther King Jr. painted a picture of a nation where his children “will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” John F. Kennedy declared that America would put a man on the moon “not because it is easy, but because it is hard,” transforming a technical challenge into a national mission.

Today, we need a clear message about what the modern American Dream truly entails. We need capitalism for all. 

Capitalism for all requires this same kind of narrative........

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