"Without getting bogged down in all the specifics of the New Deal... it created jobs at a time when they were needed, plain and simple. Nothing will work as a quick fix, nothing will stimulate growth in and of itself. But... people need to be employed for anything to be accomplished."


                  irishenglish - Yes, I agree that's the way things were done in the past, and maybe it's the only way. I think the point I was getting at, some commentators say that for some jobs the governemnt will spend $100,000.00 to creat a $30,000.00 job.
                                 The other thing I find troubling is the reality that so many things are tied to employment. Health care, retirement, and in some cases, if your employed you get reduced rates on auto and home-owner's insurance.
                                 There might be cases where it's more cost effective to pay a person not to work, like we pay farmers not to grow wheat. I know it sounds funny, but a little creative thinking wouldn't hurt things, I suspect.