While I agree that we were not put on a War footing as in WWII (and I also agree that it was a mistake not to do so for psychological reasons, if nothing else), Americans were asked to continue being Americans... to continue to work and grow the economy so that we could rise from the Stock Market crash etc. and to NOT let rag-head terrorists destroy the American way of life. I am certain that if we were fighting a Nation-State, it would have been handled differently.
Many Americans (myself included) have performed many volunteer activities to help and support our Military families. I donate to eight support groups on a regular basis. It seems volunteering to fight and individuals helping in other ways by volunteering to do what each person can, is the American way to deal with War today. Seems to be working for everyone but the three anti-American groups that I mentioned. What we need is a good purge of rats and other infectious vermin. Americans by-and-large did exactly what we were asked to do after 9/11. leftists, dims and malcontents did not. There are far too many malcontents, dims and leftists here on FR these days (not inferring you).
LLS
Americans were asked to continue being Americans... Exactly, and in my mind, it's part of the problem. It's business as usual. Going to war should mean the country is going to war, not just those who volunteer to go to war.
I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to a draft but, symbolically, even if it wasn't needed at the time, draft authority given to the administration right after 9-11 would have been a powerful message. Of course by now it no doubt would have been used.
Instead, what did we get? We got a Department of Homeland Security which is nothing but bigger government. I believe the same act that created DHS also created at least one more four star command - Northern Command. Later we got DNI which has also grown the National Security bureaucracy. At the end of WWII there weren't enough War Department agencies to fill the newly finished Pentagon. There were fewer generals and admirals at the height of WWII than there are now.
Growing the economy is something that takes care of itself in time of war. At any rate, fighting the war should be the only priority until the war is won.