A Solution No One Is Talking About

In last night's presidential debate, the candidates were asked the following question: "What sacrifices will you ask every American to make to help restore the American dream and to get out of the economic morass that we're now in?" The responses from each candidate were ho-hum. McCain said Americans should "understand that there are some programs that we may have to eliminate," and that's about it. Obama, after criticizing Bush for failing to call upon Americans after 9/11, said something about saving energy and civil service. Neither response inspired me. How can a president ask the people to let go of something without stirring them to action? Give us something specific. Communicate the urgency. Convince us.

And by the way - try this one: Ask us to pay more taxes. Seriously.

Typically, advocating higher taxes would approach political suicide in the midst of a campaign. But honestly, how do we expect to pay for this $700b Wall Street bailout or the $600b Iraq War, or even pay off our $10 trillion national debt? Taxes. Sorry, but that's where we are. I'm not suggesting a sharp tax increase. But it's ridiculous for candidates to promise tax breaks at a time like this! Look, few people actually enjoy paying taxes. But isn't it a necessary patriotic duty? How else would we pay for our public welfare: education, defense and research?

Taxation: it's the best solution no one is talking about.

Pointing fingers about who's to blame for the economic hole we are in does little to solve our current problem. We need to collectively dig ourselves out. Let's get to work. To do this, we need our next president, whoever it may be, to inspire Americans to step up - not unlike FDR did in his fireside chats during the Depression. We need our leadership to help us shed our hubris, convince us that our sacrifice is patriotic, and reassure us that our government will honor our sacrifice with fiscal stewardship. What sacrifices is this generation of Americans capable of? Who knows? No one has asked us yet.