A Novel Idea
If you’re like most Americans, you probably encounter some part of our failing infrastructure on a daily basis. You are likely to hit at least two potholes with your car on your way to work or to the market. You’ve probably also noticed that our bridges are literally crumbling. Let’s not forget our out-of-date utilities which include gas pipelines which seem to explode with increasing regularity. In fact, if you look around, you’re apt to see most of our public works in disrepair. What to do?
Years ago, we had a similar problem combined with huge unemployment. There was a thinky little fellow named Franklin Delano Roosevelt who came up with an idea. It was called the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and it got America back in shape in terms of infrastructure repair and employment. Out of the 10 million jobless men in the United States in 1935, 3 million were helped by WPA jobs alone. It’s an idea that might just justify repeating:
WHAT IF welfare recipients were required to earn their monies through such a program?
WHAT IF unemployed citizens could participate in this program voluntarily to gain employment?
WHAT IF our government saw this ready pool of labor as an opportunity and figured out that the cost of materials to rebuild roads, etc. is a lot less than welfare and unemployment?
WHAT IF we all got together and constructed a solution to our massive infrastructure problem?
WHAT IF?
If you think this might just be a good idea, write your congressman and let him or her know. Let me know as well.
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Read author Allen E. Rizzi’s latest books available at Amazon.com
Allen, Most thoughtful. My Dad worked on a WPA project in the 30s. Did you know that about 25% of the money allocated for the Federal transportation budgets goes to mass transit, the building of bike paths, trails, sidewalks, etc. If only the money were spent on roads (which is where the Federal gas tax income is supposed to be spent) most of the road infrastructure would undoubtedly not be in the condition it is today. I believe the ACLU would tell you that you cannot make anyone work to get their benefits. I note that in Maine they have instituted a requirement that anybody on food stamps has to work 20 hours a week, or volunteer 20 hours a week or take classes for 20 hours a week. Significantly, those receiving food stamps in Maine declined by about 80% when this went into practice.
Nello
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It is time to put ALL Americans back to work.
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