A New W.P.A.? (unemployment, generation, programs, administration)

[msina]

I am curious if people here think that perhaps, making use of displaced workers currently collecting unemployment and/or welfare benefits in a "New W.P.A". program to stabalize our infrastructure may be an idea worth investigating.

Why We Need A New Works Progress Administration - Forbes.com

Nothing makes more sense, for example, than reviving programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA), started in the 1935, as well as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), begun in 1933. These programs, focused on employing young people whose families were on relief, completed many important projects--many still in use today--while providing practical training to and instilling discipline in an entire generation.

[mackinac81]

Originally Posted by msina

I am curious if people here think that perhaps, making use of displaced workers currently collecting unemployment and/or welfare benefits in a "New W.P.A. program to stabalize our infrastructure may be an idea worth investigating.

Why We Need A New Works Progress Administration - Forbes.com

Absolutely! Make people productive, give them some dignity, and make something that will benefit the country. We're still living with the legacy of the CCC. I think FDR was right on when he did this.

[Prytania]

I don't know why this wasn't ever considered.

[harhar]

I wished this would have happened instead of the bank bailout.

The article shows many reasons why it didn't from dumb environmental policies to conservative stinginess/cluenessness to presidential inaction.

Just plain sad.

[HappyTexan]

You try something like that today you'd have everyone collecting checks and no one actually working.
People today are NOT like people of the 1930's.