Hi Linda,
That's a very thought-provoking question!
The economic difficulties faced by the U.S. right now have not yet affected me such that I need to work a second job. I'm not sure I would have time to take another job, even if I needed to do so, since my work as a scientist keeps me busy full-time.
So far the economic situation does not appear to be causing any change in my ability to obtain research grants or the funding available in my department. Government science funding is not directly related to the current economic problems caused by the sub-prime mortgage crisis and bank failures, so I would not expect the current economic situation to have an immediate effect. However, as our federal government changes its spending priorities to deal with the economic crisis, it is possible that federal science funding could eventually be reduced.
The upcoming Presidential election will be very important because it will have a profound impact on the direction the U.S. economy and federal budget for the next several years. I hope that whoever is elected will recognize that maintaining scientific and technical expertise is important to the long-term growth of the U.S. economy.
Kris