Band-Aids and Buzzwords: The Politics of Non-Solutions
San Diego’s budgets don’t promise progress. They promise preservation.
Look closely at the language used in official communications: “maintain current services,” “preserve capacity,” “mitigate risks.” These phrases don’t inspire transformation. They admit that nothing is being fixed—just held together.
This third entry in our series breaks down how local governments, including ours, use vague, noncommittal language to dodge accountability. It’s a subtle but powerful way to normalize stagnation while appearing responsible.
The Vocabulary of Decline
Here’s what you won’t find in San Diego’s budget documents:
“Resolve the housing crisis”
“End youth homelessness”
“Fully restore library access citywide”
Instead, you’ll find:
“Address critical housing needs”
“Provide interim shelter solutions”
“Maintain limited hours at priority library branches”
This is not by accident. It’s the language of bandwidth management, not system change. And it creates a dangerous status quo: if nothing is expected to be fixed, nothing is expected of those in power.
Why Politicians Avoid Solutions
Solutions are risky. They require follow-through, measurable outcomes, and the possibility of failure. That’s politically dangerous in a culture obsessed with short-term wins and clean headlines.
So instead of stating bold goals, most budget narratives stick to verbs that suggest effort without implying success. This is how systemic dysfunction hides in plain sight.
It also makes budgets unintelligible to the public. If you can't tell what’s being promised, how do you hold anyone accountable?
When Everything is “Maintained,” Nothing is Improved
Year after year, “core services” are “preserved.” Streets are patched, not repaved. Programs are piloted, not scaled. Staffing is “stabilized,” not expanded.
And that’s the point: preservation becomes the ceiling. City leadership can point to a balanced budget and claim success, even while neighborhoods fall apart.
This cycle is self-reinforcing:
Lower expectations = weaker demands = less political pressure = more stagnation.
Reclaiming the Language of Governance
A city that wants to lead must speak like it. That means:
Using clear, bold language tied to measurable goals.
Setting targets with timelines, not just intentions.
Describing what will change—not just what will continue.
This isn’t about flashy slogans. It’s about setting expectations and restoring public trust.
Final Thought
If our budgets don’t say what’s being fixed, how can we believe that anything ever will be?
Next in this series: “People as a Line Item: Who Gets Cut, Who Gets Protected.” We’ll explore how budget cuts fall hardest on the most vulnerable—and who keeps getting a pass.
