The reason braking "sucks" is that you have steel rims. You can put Sun aluminum rims on it that fits 26X1-3/8 and it brakes right now, but honestly, how fast do you need to stop? I have a Phillips Sports (same idea), and you just kinda learn to deal with the braking. You're not going that fast anyway, and if you start braking early enough (with wet rims, assuming), it'll dry the rims and you won't have to worry about it too much.

I honestly kinda like riding it with the steel rims. It's like the difference between driving a car with manual drum brakes vs. driving a car with ABS disc brakes. You learn to look 3 cars ahead.