KEY POINTS:
You'd think Barack Obama had enough on his plate with the beached global economy and the bank, housing and auto sectors still gasping for air.
But yesterday the new President heaped unappetising spoonfuls of perennial problems labelled "health", "education" and "energy" on to the table to make the menu even uglier.
In line after line he weaved those old ogres that have bedevilled previous Presidents - oil dependence, the high cost of healthcare, an inadequate school system - with his current monetary monster.
"The only way to fully restore America's economic strength is to make the long-term investments that will lead to new jobs, new industries and a renewed ability to compete with the rest of the world."
The rhetorical effect was to create a dragon so big and imposing it justifies a rousing call to arms to slay it.
On this "day of reckoning" as Obama asked the nation to share his vision, the President's signature word was "boldly".
"We will rebuild, we will recover and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before ...
"What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face and take responsibility for our future once more ... The time to take charge of our future is here. Now is the time to act boldly and wisely.
"History reminds us that at every moment of economic upheaval and transformation, this nation has responded with bold action and big ideas ... It is time for America to lead again."
In his January inaugural address, with his stimulus bill still to push through, Obama forcefully presented America's problems but in stark, foreboding and grimy tones.
Yesterday, with several legislative notches on his belt and solid programmes to promote, his task was to dip his words in technicolour and fill the confidence gap rattling the public and markets.
His address - wrapped in patriotic and at times protectionist language - was his best bid to rally his nervous nation by sheer force of personality.
We can only wait to see if it works.
