During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the federal government, under the New Deal of Franklin D. Roosevelt, invested in public works projects of all kinds, through the WPA (Works Projects Administration), PWA (Public Works Administration), the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), the NYA (National Youth Administration) and other government agencies.
Improvements and expansion of bridges, tunnels, canals, highways, national parks, national forest land, schools, libraries, hospitals, post offices, military and naval bases, city and state public buildings, and support of historical projects, artistic work, music, theater, and other creative activities, all gave hope to millions of Americans and improved the quality of life in America!
Here we are 80 years later, and the same challenges beckon us, as there is a terrible crisis of work NOT done on transportation, conservation, education, health care, homeland security and a myriad of other activities that need public investment and support!
What are we waiting for? How can we remain competitive if we do not invest in the future of our nation?
This is not the time for politics, but action!
“How can we remain competitive if we do not invest in the future of our nation?”
I am having a little difficulty interpreting the 2nd “we” in your question as there are 2 distinct and opposite answers: We the people or We the Job Creators?
What I mean, Mark, is that the government in cooperation with job creators, meaning business, but also public investment, need to invest in the future of our nation, and that it will benefit everyone!
In my initial reply to your article, I was just trying to add a bit rhetorical satire. I try my best to use as few words when possible. Business, corporations, profit and Wall street have no place in Government. It should be the government that acts as the moderator between those that seek monetary profit, and those that describe wealth with a good job, education for the kids, a little savings for emergencies or maybe a vacation. The resources of this nation belong to the people, not just the select few that manage to harvest the oil and coal, but to all the people. Just my opinion as I am new to the political world; maybe a flat tax on everybody would be the way to go. Tax everybody and every corporation at say %70 and let the government spend the money on the people.