Americans are jostling to reduce the impact of yet another artificially induced bubble. But while we scramble hoping to prevent a double-dip recession, we remain distracted from the true origins of our recession. We are overlooking, as we have in the past, the deep-rooted problems that, until fixed, will inevitably lead to crash, after crash, after crash.

Our economy will continue to deteriorate unless we overcome our contentment with simply fixing problems in the short-term. Burst after burst, our officials fight to restore growth with the same policies that only cause greater harm in the future. Their accomplishments amount to essentially putting band-aids (infused with slow-acting poison) on an economy suffering severe internal bleeding. The poison makes us think we are curing the problem, but it really hides the symptoms, destroying our vital organs in the process.

So, what is the cure our country so desperately needs? The fundamental flaw with America’s economy is the decline in America’s ability to produce goods, while utilizing new technologies and promoting further advancement. We have relinquished this crucial role to the rest of the world so American citizens could consume more than they produce and American companies could still rake in profits.

The core cause of America’s rut consists of two facets: The degradation of the capabilities and motivation of America’s workforce and the misunderstanding and overcomplification of simple economic theories by “experts” and government officials alike.

The cause is America’s educational system. American students are subjected to an educational pipeline that more often than not sends students toward a career in media, law or finance. This highlights the overall mindset of American citizens: money fuels growth. In reality, true economic growth — not the artificial kind spurred by fiscal policy — stems from innovations that create entirely new businesses and markets. Such innovations grow out of technological advances, which in turn emerge from earlier scientific discoveries. Advancing frontiers stimulates the formation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, botanists, and all the other roles that are the foundations of economies. Children need to be inspired to create and think, not to consume and react.

The National Academy of Science reports in “Is America Falling off a Flat Earth?” that science, technology and math education of the American workforce has been in steep decline for decades, as students now choose careers in business, law or media over the high tech jobs that were so attractive in the post-Sputnik 60′s and 70′s. In stark contrast, workforces of countries such as China are becoming much more tech savvy, such that China now rivals the US and Europe in patents and technical publications. S. James Gates, a physicist who served on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology said, “If you look at U.S. performance on various international metrics, depending on which one you use, we come out something like 24th or 25th in the world.”

The growth of a country’s economy, culture and standard of living requires that investments be made in science and technology. Financial endeavors should spark greater technology, higher productivity and a better standard of living for all.

Innovation is a one-way process. As a result, prices will tend to come down consistently over time as long as there is ample investment in new technologies. Both producer and consumer benefit: The consumer enjoys lower prices and the producer can sell to more people or at greater quantities.

In effect, short-term sacrifices lead to greater prosperity in the future.

For the past several decades, America has been engaging in the exact opposite practice. We have been consuming more than we make, which has now led to higher prices and decreased productivity. During America’s greatest economic expansion, workers were saving on average 10 percent of their income. In 2005, the rate of savings in America dropped to zero. America no longer sacrifices; our greed has become misguided.

Since the industrial revolution, we have known that nations who fail to embrace investments in technologies fade from existence. Well, America, we are fading from existence. If we wish to offer any hope to future generations, we must be willing to sacrifice as our forefathers did for us.

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