President Obama reportedly asked historians for defense vs. 'class warfare ' attacks . Zelizer : There 's no way for president to avoid conflict over the issue of inequality . Two Democratic presidents -- FDR and LBJ -- found different ways to raise the issue , he says . The first was through a series of speeches in which he called on Americans not just to work harder but also to share more with each other. Regardless of these changes , a vibrant national discussion about inequality , with the president taking the lead , is essential . Today 's economic stagnation increases the difficulty of addressing inequality .
President Obama reportedly asked historians for defense vs. 'class warfare ' attacks . Zelizer : There 's no way for president to avoid conflict over the issue of inequality . Two Democratic presidents -- FDR and LBJ -- found different ways to raise the issue , he says . The first was through a series of speeches in which he called on Americans not just to work harder but also to share more with each other. Today 's economic stagnation increases the difficulty of addressing inequality .