"Spiritual Patriotism": Selling Is Believing

"The president of the United States is encouraging us to buy," observes marketer Chuck Kelly. "Broadway stars donate their time to film a commercial asking us to visit New York City. The Federal Reserve Board chairman tells us that the best tonic for the economy is for consumers to invest in it by spending money. Could any marketer ask for more?" Kelly argues that America is "embarking on a journey of spiritual patriotism" that "is about pride, loyalty, caring and believing" -- not to mention, of course, selling. "Marketers of products and services must understand the complexities of spiritual patriotism to thrive in today's marketplace," he writes. "As marketers, we have the responsibility to keep the economy rolling. ... Our job is to create customers during one of the more difficult times in our history."