In the days following the September 11th terrorist attack, it seemed that Americans were anxious to "do something" for their country. Many donated blood, money, labor, and time, without being asked. I think there was an opportunity for the President to ask Americans for personal sacrifice that might have been politically unpopular at any other time. Instead, he asked people only to return to "business as usual", to travel, and to go shopping.
My own suggestion would have been to launch an "Apollo Program" to reduce America's energy consumption by 25% in ten years, with research and development funded by an increase in the federal gasoline tax. (Tax credits for the purchase of energy efficient appliances and vehicles, and below-average electricity and heating fuel use, could offset the increased gasoline taxes.) The benefits would have been many, but decreased reliance on foreign oil and its risky political alliances, would directly connect to the war on terrorism. (Of course, this could probably never happen with Big Oil in charge in the White House.)
Was an opportunity missed? What might have been accomplished by harnessing the spirit of patriotism and desire for National service that followed the attacks? Or, did we really just want to get back to shopping and business as usual?
