Is Obama becoming that Tough but Fun Uncle we Love?

Many of us have had that person in our lives (male or female) who showed us where the lines were drawn and what we could or couldn't do, but also were playful, funny and fun. They weren't our parents and perhaps because of that, we listened even more carefully when they told us a life lesson. They may have been a relative or a family friend, but they didn't have to set you straight, many others in their positions didn't, so it showed they really cared enough not to let you get away with something. It wasn't all rules and lessons though. They loved to play. They were the adult in our lives that played with us like an equal and that made us listen to them even more. (Word to parents - we can all find a way to be more like this to our kids).

I had been thinking about Barack Obama talking to the American people about what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear. Then, he gave a talk today at Georgetown University and this image of the tough, fun Uncle came rushing to me. You can read the full text or the blog version of it at the Whitehouse website.

In addition to spending a good deal of time weaving the narrative of "how we got here", Obama threw down the requirement that government, companies and the public face the music and take steps that will produce long-term benefits rather than short-term profits and pain-avoidance.

This will be known as his "House Upon a Rock" speech. Obama described the 5 pillars upon which the foundation of a new economy would be built. They are:

1) Financial rules that provide appropriate protections, punishment and incentives
2) Investment in education, particularly for early childhood
3) Investment in and development of Renewable Energy
4) Health Care reform
5) Budget savings to reduce deficit

Tough stuff with short term pain and most gains not occurring for many years. Spoken like a man who isn't afraid to be a one term president, and because of that, he may NOT become one.