The problem lies with Barack Obama’s solutions, which are too timid and reliant on left-wing rostrums, such as a big increase in the minimum wage and more spending. He lambasts a tax code that benefits “special interests”, but has not pushed for tax reform. He wants to invest more in the poor, but has shown no appetite to overhaul America’s welfare state, many elements of which—from disability insurance that discourages work to ineffective training schemes—do nothing to boost economic opportunity, and often undermine it.

If he wants to counter America’s economic stratification rather than just rail against it, Mr Obama needs to think again. He must get tougher with the Democrats in Congress, who see any reform of social spending as an attack on the poor. And he must reach out to the handful of prominent Republicans who have moved beyond their party’s stale mantra that tax cuts are the answer to all ills, and produced clever proposals to help the working poor and reform the tax code. This year’s budget, due to be unveiled on March 4th, would be a good place to start.  Where to Start to Help the Poor and Encourage the Rich to Pay In