The inspiration factor.

The other differences between now and 1940 continue to fascinate me, not just as historical curiosities, but as evidence of what we could be today because of what we actually were back then. Americans were willing to subject themselves to a military draft so that people from all social and economic classes would share the dangers of military service. People were willing to increase their taxes to pay for the war they feared was coming--and to pay for that war, they raised their taxes to a top rate of 90 percent. The dominant Christianity found expression not in the current narrow-mindedness of the fight, but in the generosity of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. Of course, part of the reason for these differences was the people themselves--their egalitarianism, their generosity, and their willingness to sacrifice for the common good. But part of it was that we had an inspirational leader, which is why I'm fascinated by Barack Obama. Whatever his demerits, he is the only candidate who has the ability to inspire.