The only factor that keeps this discussion within the realm of the possible is Obama's crystal-clear intention to increase taxes — at some unspecified point in the near future — on households making more than $250,000 a year, as well as on capital gains.
When all is said and done, raising taxes on the more affluent is going to be one of the major means of paying for the national economic rescue now under way, and will help to make real the program he outlined.
This will no doubt spark strong — even vicious — opposition, not only from Republicans, but also from conservative Democrats.
By urging America to focus on the future, Obama is effectively preparing to gird the nation for political battle.
By repeatedly calling for bipartisan cooperation, Obama, of course, is maneuvering for political position. But, even so, he seeks the high ground because he believes that the only way out of our current troubles is to unite around common purpose.
By fighting for a vision of a more humane America, along with an America of shared pain, Obama seeks to engender a sense of national purpose and national community.
That is what his address to the nation was all about.
