Here's an excellent article written by a French columnist, and addressed to both presidential candidates: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bernardhenri-levy/an-open-letter-to-the-nex_b_126204.html 

It is sobering, and does much to outline the contours of our uncomfortable new place in the world. Or, at least (she says being a true American optimist), of where we're headed if we don't make changes now.

Heaven knows I'm not one for hardship and deprivation. I can't even go camping without, you know, a hotel to stay in. I'll always remember the moment when JJ and I were sitting next to each other watching the Hurricane Katrina coverage, and he looked right at me and said: "You wouldn't last very long." I couldn't get mad - he was right. 

And yet, even I have come to this conclusion: That what we Americans need is to be united in discipline and yes, perhaps some hardship. We need a common cause to work toward, one that makes us buckle down and sacrifice and know again what it it is to strive. One that makes us (including me), for example, cut down our consumption of oil and be proud to do it.  And like so many lost little children, we're not going to do it - or even know how - unless the adults show up and patiently, but firmly, make us do it. We don't just need a president. We need a parent, a teacher, or both.
 
I want a president who's going to make us mind our lessons.

But kids - when we get him (and we still might, in the form of a sleight but feisty law professor - the only candidate with the guts to say that $4 per gallon is a GOOD thing) - when we get him, we need to listen. Even if it's hard. Because God Almighty, is he going to need our help.