bread-and-butter issue

An issue or problem that directly affects individual people and their families on a daily basis. Used primarily in relation to politics. Politicians always make promises regarding how they plan to alleviate bread-and-butter issues for voters ahead of any election. A possible change to social security benefits is the most pressing bread-and-butter issue for voters this year. People won't vote for you unless they get the sense that you're invested in bread-and-butter issues.