Leading with fear is the GOP tactic, pivoting from fear to fear, assigning blame.
When FDR proposed the WPA during the Great Depression, opposition painted it as "socialism." The reality was millions gained employment and the country benefits to this day from WPA works.
When FDR proposed the WPA during the Great Depression, opposition painted it as "socialism." The reality was millions gained employment and the country benefits to this day from WPA works.
https://twitter.com/SenWhitehouse/status/1441842690555985920
The WPA built/improved 651,000 miles of roads, 19,700 miles of water mains, 500 water treatment plants, 24,000 miles of sidewalks, 12,800 playgrounds, 24,000 miles of storm and sewer lines, 1,200 airport buildings, 226 hospitals, and 5,900+ schools.
New Deal/WPA programs contributed to national defense when the US entered WWII (roads, airports, water supplies e.g. Boulder Dam).
WPA-style projects to improve infrastructure, fire & drought management, connectivity, alternative energy = investment with lasting returns.
WPA-style projects to improve infrastructure, fire & drought management, connectivity, alternative energy = investment with lasting returns.
By 1935, communities with WPA projects viewed them with pride, not a boondoggle, not socialism.
Boulder Dam (Hoover) was viewed as an iconic national symbol of American success. The desperate families who arrived in the desert heat to build it stayed, proud of what they built.
Boulder Dam (Hoover) was viewed as an iconic national symbol of American success. The desperate families who arrived in the desert heat to build it stayed, proud of what they built.
FDR said in 1935, "while we do all of this, we give actual work to the unemployed and at the same time we add to the wealth and assets of the nation...labor makes wealth."
The dam provided work for 4,000 families, plus thousands more manufacturing materials, equipment, food.
The dam provided work for 4,000 families, plus thousands more manufacturing materials, equipment, food.
WPA projects provided hope, jobs, infrastructure that made US competitive, stronger, then and now. We benefit from them today.
What are the infrastructure, forest management, energy & water resource projects that will provide hope in the 21st century?
What are the infrastructure, forest management, energy & water resource projects that will provide hope in the 21st century?
I'll give Boulder (Hoover) Dam as an example, as I grew up with families of '31-ers who stayed. They started at 50 cents/hour. By the end, over 7,000 had worked on the Dam.
Every job was valued. This is Alabam. He is lovingly remembered today in the heart of the community.
Every job was valued. This is Alabam. He is lovingly remembered today in the heart of the community.
The women who came with their families to build the Dam endured extreme conditions. They also are remembered.
Ridiculed as not "real jobs" at first by those who opposed the WPA, these public works and jobs changed people's lives for generations.
Infrastructure = Hope.
Ridiculed as not "real jobs" at first by those who opposed the WPA, these public works and jobs changed people's lives for generations.
Infrastructure = Hope.
One final note: the great TP hoarding of 2020 was not lost on the community that memorialized Boulder Dam workers & their families. Alabam, with his supply of TP hung over his shoulder, was outfitted with a face mask and a little sign, "one per household please."
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