in order to make good

So if I’ve got this straight, Americans don’t want to hear unpleasant truths, let alone believe them, let alone act on them. And Republicans tirelessly obstruct any honest attempt to define our problems, let alone solve them. And Democrats are weak or traitorous or both.

The president should take his own advice and be honest with the American people about the challenges the country is facing.

Sure. And while he’s at it, he should telekinetically levitate the Washington Monument, and hang it like the sword of Damocles over the Competitive Enterprise Institute.