We have some old thought patterns that we need to break. Public works, despite our ancestral memories of workhouses, do not have to be abusive or horrifying or insulting to peoples' dignity. There is nothing inherently wrong about working in a greenhouse, a small dairy, a parks department, a library, a nursing home. I would gladly work any of those places in exchange for money a bit above welfare or whatever. I think itis something that we must plan for and expect for our own selves..there are ways of supervision and monitoring to eliminate most abuses, which we have frankly not eliminated from the regular job market. There are not enough jobs now it seems, probably never were, but there are people who are inadequately nourished, there are elders receiving poor care, there are blighted areas in every city. We can put the two together, offer people a choice in an area they wish to work in, give them modest training and opportunities for more if they wish to get certified, and solve several problems at one blow, while not spending much more than we do..but getting some valuable return for it. I don't see the problem and would sign up right now myself for 2 hours a day, since I work 6 or 7 anyway.