As with energy, Carter's meaning behind the term "government" goes beyond the brick and mortar of any official building like the White House or Congress. For this speech, think of Government (and the next motif, "the nation") in terms of a power relationship.

And like a wrestling match between Steve Urkel and Hulk Hogan, one side is clearly stronger than the other.

Carter actively seeks to downplay the power that government has in solving this crisis. (Remember, to Carter, the real crisis has to do with confidence.) He says that:

[…] after listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America. (25)

He clearly states that legislation, the main way governments fix things, can't solve America's problems.

He further downplays, ironically enough, the efficacy of his own institution. He readily admits his own government's state of paralysis, claiming that:

Looking for a way out of this crisis, our people have turned to the Federal Government and found it isolated from the mainstream of our Nation's life. Washington, D.C., has become an island. The gap between our citizens and our Government has never been so wide. (36)

Such criticisms as "isolated" function as a way to purposefully weaken the role that government can play in solving the crisis of confidence. Instead of looking to the government, Carter wants people to take a good, long, hard look in the mirror.

Ugh. And nobody likes doing that, because our pores start to look so big.