"Do We Need another WPA" (Excellent Article...Must Read..Seriously!)

[KoKo]

(This small snip doesn't do this article justice. It's well worth your time to read it if you are concerned about our economy and don't believe the cheerleaders telling us that this is just a short recession...and we will work through it by 2010)

http://www.economicpopulist.org/?q=content/do-we-need-another-wpa

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Do We Need another WPA?

This is a joint article I wrote with Bonddad

Regardless of when this recession ends, the malaise of working and middle class America will not be relieved until wages increase, and employment rates return to a robust level. Since unemployment is a lagging indicator, the news on that score is grim. Almost every analyst believes that there will be another "jobless recovery" such as those that followed the 1990 and 2001 recessions. Even after GDP bottomed and those recessions technically ended, there was an average 17 month increase in unemployment of .9% (or a 15% percent increase in the rate) followed by a 13.5 month decrease back to the rate at the "bottom" of the recession. If that pattern holds true again, then even if this recession bottoms shortly, unemployment will be 10.1% by July, rise to 11.3% by December 2010, and take until at least early 2012 to decrease back under 10%, looking like this graph:


http://www.economicpopulist.org/?q=content/do-we-need-another-wpa

[eleny]

1. Hubby and I were just talking about something like this tonight

We went grocery shopping earlier and on the way home drove passed a couple of businesses that have closed down. One restaurant had landscaping that went to crap. Tall grasses & weeds and areas thick with dandelions going to seed.

We talked about how it would be great if the city could just send out a crew to clean up the mess and send a bill to the owners. Even if the property was abandoned, a WPA type entity would keep the city thoroughfares looking decent and put people to work.

Just one small idea. But it adds up to the same idea as the WPA as it's a civic project. There are needs big and small all over the place.

[handmade34]

2. overdue for jobs creation

this is an idea I have advocated for quite some time now. What this country needs is massive infrastructure work, revitalization of the arts, extensive work on alternative systems of energy, etc...

now in place are programs such as Americorp and LIHEAP which put people to work and also contribute to positively developing our environment (physical and social)...the so called "private free market" economy without regulation has harmed our beloved country almost beyond repair and we need drastic public intervention... yes, like a much loved relative-addict gone awry, we as a whole need an intervention... A jobs creation program paying a livable wage is a good start.

[tomreedtoon]

3. We NEED this. We need this INSTEAD of the auto bailouts.

We didn't need to save those companies that are making cars they can't sell. We need to begin new businesses, new work.

As the article points out, the WPA and the CCC built great improvements in our country. National parks, fire trails, wilderness lodges, nature preserves out in the country. Post offices, schools, civic buildings, bridges and roads.

These items, built in the 1930's, are nearly gone now. They need to be replaced. New ones for our new culture need to be built.

THIS is the great work that Obama and the Democrats should push. Not bailouts for banks or obsolete auto makers. This would stimulate the economy, build consumer spending, and make people feel their lives are worthwile again.

[KoKo]

4. I hope more folks will read this....n/t

[KoKo]

5. Reprise...lots of links for those who go there to what WPA was about...