Such government grandstanding may be music to the ears of the big-business-hating left. But the threat of greater regulation and potential antitrust litigation paralyzes companies and their management, chilling innovation and suppressing profits, right at a time when the struggling economy needs more creativity and forward thinking, not less.

It’s impossible for the President and the Democrats to preside over an economic recovery when they push an agenda that punishes success and threatens productivity. When “the wealthiest Americans” know that their taxes are going to increase, they lack the confidence to make the investments and the purchases that would stimulate economic growth. When small businesses hear about a regime of heavy new fines, their owners don’t feel secure enough to expand their payrolls. And when those running big businesses realize that every move is going to be scrutinized and possibly second-guessed by a crusading Justice Department, they’ll become hyper-cautious – and less likely to take the risks that can spur dynamic growth.

The profoundly underwhelming response to the Obama “stimulus” bill highlights the truth that massive government spending alone can’t create prosperity. For that, one needs the private sector – “the wealthiest Americans,” small business, and big business included – to drive the consumption and create the jobs that will start America on the road to economic recovery.

Any other approach is nothing more than a wrong-headed attempt to repeal the laws of economic gravity. And even the “Obamessiah” can’t do that.