The idea itself may not be new, but I have not heard it mentioned as an alternative to the jobless rate in our nation. Why not bring back the work programs that built the dams, roads and bridges during the Great Depression?
There are many construction workers and laborers out of work. These people can be formed into companies and sent as disaster relief in Haiti, New Orleans and other disaster areas. They can rebuild these places and still receive unemployment compensation -- but instead, it will be called a paycheck. Put America back to work and become productive.
Unlike the fiasco with Hurricane Katrina, put people in charge of these projects and hold them personally accountable and liable for their actions. It was done before and can be done again.
Our president asked for suggestions. Well, here is one. But I do not believe anyone in Washington is listening.
James Sherrill
Martinez
It should make sense, but people are not willing to really work this time, like they were last time. The last depression, men were willing to do any work necessary to support their families. This time, no one wants to take responsibility for themselves and their families.
Why work when the DIMs will keep extending unemployment benefits? The $870B porkulus package was supposed to give folks "shovel ready" jobs, but wound up paying off political debts to the likes of the unions instead.
Jack, you hit out of the park. If Nobama is hurting for some "shovel ready projects", how about put people to work building prisions. That's something we are in need of.
Why? Because government programs like this have to be paid by taxing money away from the private sector which can use the money more efficiently. This kind of thinking destroys jobs rather than creating them!
Jack, Your idea is too sensible and besides it might just work ! After all, our current crisis was orchestrated. The "Perfect Storm" analogy is wearing thin with me. They have us fighting between ourselves over political parties as if any of that matters. They are all owned by corporate lobbies. If we want the country back, we will have to take it. However, if that tactic is employed, we will be exterminated like cockroaches.
The type of thinking from this letter writer, while good intentioned, is flawed. The government cannot give anything to anyone without first taking something from someone. Job increases from taxpayer funded employment is NOT going to grow the economy. Building government structures does not grow the economy. Taking tax money from private citizens to increase these type of things keeps it out of the private sector, which is the only way to fix this. Why don't repubs and dems get this? Cut taxes, cut spending, encourage private growth, and GET OUT OF THE WAY! By trying to repair today, we are selling tomorrow.
The people who think the Government can create jobs are the same ones who believe there is such a thing as "Government money."
Why doesn't the government just use tax payer money to buy the skittles factory. Then they could put everyone who is unemployed to work making sure that at least once each day everyone received a shower of skittles just like in the commercials on TV. They could pay these folks $25 per hour to make sure they were successful and off the welfare rolls. Of course they would need to take our money in the form of taxes to buy the skittles factory as well as to meet payroll. But ain't it fun to think like a liberal.
The fact is that the infrastructure is in decay and needs repairs. The infrastructure is owned by the govt. Do y'all think that the private sector is going to work for free? The private sector will be paid by the govt. to do a job that NEEDS to be done. This would create work for the private sector which would create jobs for the citizens which would increase income tax revenue plus upgrade deteriorated infrastructure. It has to be done sooner or later so why not do it now to create badly need jobs. Of course, nobody has solutions on this forum but there is a lot of petty Dem vs. GOP bickering taking place. Grow up and quit whining. Jeez!!!
reader, again...where will the government get the money? Our govt has one source of income. Taxes. Grow up and quit being foolish, sir.
Work is the operative word. A fair days work for a fair days pay went out the window decades ago. Now "all activity" must be "fun". No soiled clothes or dead tired folks out in "reality land". I want a real job, like uh, community organizer. Subsidy referral manager.
FDR printed the money. The CCC trained and employed workers. All but a few dollars went home to their families. The workers lived in a "military type environment". These families paid rent, bought groceries and the money went back into the economy. Men were trained in all kinds of skills that they could use later in the private sector. From truck drivers to stone masons. Not just ditch diggers. But that was socialisim?
Willie: You give a skittles analogy and tell me to grow up ! The point is we have to create jobs and infrastructure benefits us all. Other than skittles, what do you propose?
Imho, the key here is that the money has already been taken, via the many stimulus bills. The fact that we don't actually have this money aside, the therotical money is already sitting there in the form of unspent tarp and stimulus bill dollars. The giant slush fund created by these bills, is ultimately going to be spent on pork, or questionable funneling to pet projects. Why not take these dollars and put them towards actually putting people to work, instead of creating a new "Jobs" bill, to the tune of another hundred billion that again, we don't have? The logic of the washington crowd is stunningly inept when it comes to thrift and before you bash me as being one sided, it applies equally to both sides of the asile.
joke-I understand there are teachers who cant control a classroom, but As a teacher, I see administrators forbidding teachers from writing up kids who are drug addicts, gang bangers, weapons violators and repeaters or intimidating teachers into not writing kids up or changing the forms to a less offense in order to keep the stats lookin good for bedden, bradshaw and the boys-this seems to have happened at hephzibah middle school which is why the teachers are secretly revolting against white-its a joke-gang members, druggies and repeat offenders are running rc schools but bedden hides behind stats-go 2 texas and take your bleeding heart liberal mentality.which is why the good kids suffer bc of the bad-youre a joke and a non-educator who does not empathize with teachers-which is why youre considering a raise while teachers are being furloughed-youre a joke...furthermore, we waste millions on these useless instrucational coaches, failed programs like vmath, administrative positions (how many HR officers do you need), and other countless useless ideas-Bradshaw goes after good teachers who actually do care-they have ppl like White n Shepherd serving as administrators who make awful decisions...Bedded has an aura across the county for not caring for his teachers and holding them responsible for raising and saving crack babies, druggies, gangbangers and so forth-the principals drink the koolaid, allow these goons to stay in the classroom, then blame the teachers-surprised they didnt openly blame the pregnant teacher last week-probably did behind closed doors- must be nice to be furloughed yet get a raise and a 15,000 dollar bonus
FDR made the depression much worse with his socialist programs. WWII was responsible for ending the depression. If FDR had gotten all of his programs implemented, and he might have if not for WWII, this country would have been a 2nd rate socialist country instead of the greatest ever.