Words won't work wonders.

Missing this basic point, Friedman calls upon the president not to show us the way out but rather to tell us. Funny advice from a man who makes his bank (have you seen that house?) allegedly analyzing and advising. The world is round, indeed.

My fervent hope is that on Thursday Mr. Obama will set an example and tell the cold, hard truth — to parents and kids*.
...
For once, Mr. President, let’s start a debate with the truth. Tell us what you really think will be required to get us out of this stagnation, what kind of collective action and shared sacrifice will be needed and why that can lead not just to muddling through, not just to being O.K., but to restoring American greatness.

They really don't get it, these cuddled and coddled Boomers who came up in an age of American affluence -- the hard slog ahead.

Be glad he's not recommending his favorite inspirational sports flicks, I guess...


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* The kids?? I hope to God they are busy off playing, or reading something worthwhile and not getting themselves mixed up in this grownup political mire that we've been wading through for years now. Let them alone, to be free of these manufactured controversies and not infected with the bile that passes as sustenance these days.

Really, they're our greatest hope.
But I wouldn't expect a man like Friedman to understand that, yet. Somebody's got to tell him, first.