I can remember my great grandfather telling me that he worked on the WPA during World War ll
Created by President Franklin Roosevelt to relieve the economic hardship of the Great Depression, this national works program (renamed the Work Projects Administration beginning in 1939) employed more than 8.5 million people on 1.4 million public projects before it was disbanded in 1943.
Instead of Money for nothing and the Chicks for Free he put them to work to earn unemployment. I see nothing wrong with that. The Hoover Dam, LaGuardia Airport, and the Bay Bridge (near me) were all part of FDR's New Deal investment. I think it gives a person. At the height of it, there were 3.3 million people working for the WPA.
As far as winners and placements? I grew up when first place was an achievement and they have taken away all of that with their participation awards. So, now, we cannot disappoint little Johnny or Susie because they will become depressed?
I get it, and agree. It's mad how things go these days. You mention the WPA...
Here recently (whilst unemployment benefits were doubled due to covid) they brought in Filipino workers to pick fruit as the primary producers could not get anyone to work there. (Usually backpackers etc. Do it for the money.)
Easier to stay on social security it seems.
If I was the King I'd have the unemployed whipped all the way to the farms then made to work for their unemployment benefit. (Maybe not whipped).
But maybe whipped.
The something for nothing ethos drives me bonkers. Medals for last place? WTF!
Two years compulsory military service will straighten some of them out.
We had all those things! The unemployment during COVID was disgusting in that people refused to work because the unemployment paid MORE than the jobs. They received an extra $600 week.
And so, I like the WPA. We need it back.
I know, right????
We used to have military service that wasn't compulsory, but, everyone joined. It was the one thing that men had in common. They could sit at a diner and they would say, what branch? - and take off from there. They were trained and ready for life.
Now?
Le sigh.
Now?
Yeah...Not much good to say I'm afraid. It's all messed up.