Are Higher Taxes the 'Price of Civilization?'

President Obama is campaigning in crucial states this week, demanding that Congress pass his jobs bill and increase taxes on the richest Americans. Potential Republican rivals, who will stage another debate in Las Vegas tomorrow, have jobs plans of their own, with most calling for creating jobs by cutting taxes and regulations to free up the private sector. But what if high unemployment is the "new normal?" Are both parties offering "gimmicks" that can't overcome structural weaknesses in the economy? Are they thinking too small?  Has America lost the broad consensus that democracy requires? Is there a moral as well as an economic crisis?