I think this is it, mostly. But there is another reason we don't appeal anything: because the narrative that sells ads in the media and votes for a large sect

I think this is it, mostly. But there is another reason we don't appeal anything: because the narrative that sells ads in the media and votes for a large sector both left and right is that if you oppose funding X, you hate/are anti-/are -ist. Want to radically redo Medicaid? You must hate old people! Welfare? Racist. Military spending? Terrorist. The hyperbolic media sells ads, so reasoned debate and data-driven politics are the exception rather than the rule.