We as Americans face difficult economic years ahead. So what?

Once upon a time a young prince named JFK proposed a voyage to the moon. No one knew how we would get there. Throughout the voyage we endured a money- and life-draining foreign war, a faltering economy, constant saber-rattling with Russia, and the assassination of three of our most inspiring leaders. With the exception of the latter, we’re in the same boat now as we were in the 1960’s.

So there we were- broke, bleeding, and bound for the moon. Because of our ability to focus on a unified vision, we somehow survived. We shot, landed, and brought back souvenirs from the moon like Velcro, advanced food preservation, advanced electronics, a new understanding of of our universe, microwave ovens, and mylar. Oh, and some rocks.

We created hundreds of thousands of American jobs and created new industries. We invented technologies that spread to the rest of the world. These jobs and technologies didn’t necessarily put men on the moon either, they made models. They assembled lunch boxes and action figures. They marketed the image of the astronaut as a rock star comparable to the Beatles (who also broke up during this period).

We have a bright future ahead of us. It may not be a voyage to the moon, but as Barack Obama has suggested, it may be a voyage to energy independence. Imagine the jobs, technologies, and prestige we can build with American hands if we commit ourselves to clean power.

OHMYGOD WE’RE ALL FINANCIALLY SCREWED! Or, um, maybe not. All that’s happened is our money on paper has grown so far beyond our money in actual value that the economy suddenly realized we’re living in a mansion made of credit cards. How can we as American taxpayers¹ help solve this problem?

Remember all those terrorist-loving liberals that told you not to ship jobs overseas, to buy American goods, and to find domestic energy sources? They were right. That is what will save us. Our economy is not built around lending houses to each other, it’s built around items and services of actual value. If we’re not selling American-made goods and services, we have no money.

And as my friend Chris Penn points out, if we’re borrowing money for things we can’t really afford, we make the problem worse. Our personal economies dictate our national economy and we must live within our means. Believe me, I could’ve qualified for a loan at my old day job, but I knew I couldn’t really afford a house. I didn’t yet (and still don’t) have the value in my own pocket to back up the value of a house.

Of course, I should mention that American musicians sell their American-made wares both at home and abroad via the internet and international touring. You already knew that, though.

The important thing here is to realize that the solution to our problem will not come from some complex economic magic. The problem will be solved when we as consumers start making and buying products of value right here in America.

¹This is not meant to diminish the contributions and financial woes of my friends in other nations. My point is that we as Americans seem to have forgotten that in a capitalist economy, national or global, we have to be selling as much as we’re consuming if the balance sheet is going to even out in the end.

It’s amazing how some businesses will sacrifice $10 to save $1.

Update: A local business owner finally clued me in that commercial power around here is about 75¢ per kWh. I’ve re-done the whole article to match the new math. Higher than I thought, still not worth pissing off your customers.

I eat ate lunch pretty much every weekend at Aldo’s restaurant for the same reason I eat breakfast at the bakery every morning- free internet and a power outlet. Last year it was the perfect routine… donuts, coffee, blogging, then on to the performance or off to bike around the island. Seven days a week the bakery got my money and every weekend the restaurant served me at least two meals.

This year, however, they’ve covered all the power outlets. No more running the laptop on their dime. For all the tourists that drift through and considering rising energy costs, it makes sense, right? Wrong.
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