"That brings us to the first weeks of the Obama administration, set against the background of a scary and steadily deepening global economic crisis. Last month, in his first address to Congress, Obama warned the country that fixing the huge problems in the financial markets and housing and auto industries would require a historic effort. 'None of this will come without cost, nor will it be easy,' he said. 'But this is America. We don’t do what’s easy. We do what is necessary to move this country forward.
"Minutes later, Obama spelled out what he proposes this to mean for 98 percent of Americans: 'You will not see your taxes increased a single dime. I repeat: not one single dime. In fact, the recovery plan provides a tax cut . . . and these checks are on the way.'
"So much for summoning the country to sacrifice. Obama has been no more willing to ask average Americans to pitch in, even once the recession is over, than Bush."