Economic Recovery Under President Obama Apparently Going So Swimmingly That He's Resurrecting FDR's Depression-Era Proposals

While the unemployment rate remains high in this nation, it remains even higher among veterans of the United States military- particularly the post 9/11 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

To that end, President Obama is calling for a new Conservation program that would rebuild trails, roads and levees on public lands that's reminiscent of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1930's-era Civilian Conservation Corps.


Ah yes....nothing indicates that we're in the middle of a robust economic recovery like reviving a government sponsored work-relief program straight out of the Great Depression.

WASHINGTON — In an effort to cut the unemployment rate among veterans, the Obama administration is calling for a new conservation program that would put veterans to work rebuilding trails, roads and levees on public lands

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the Civilian Conservation Corps that operated during the 1930s could be viewed as a model for what the administration will try to accomplish through its “Veterans Jobs Corps.” He said that the administration will propose spending $1 billion that would be used to put an estimated 20,000 veterans to work restoring habitat and eradicating invasive species, among other activities.

“When one looks back at the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps, we take great comfort that those who take on these kinds of activities will leave a lasting legacy for the United States,” Salazar said.

The proposal comes less than a month after President Obama called for deep cuts in defense spending ahead of his annual State of the Union address.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that Salazar referenced was a program that put unemployed men- including an estimated 28,000 veterans in the first year- to work as labor for projects located on rural federal lands. The CCC lasted from 1933 to 1942, when the manpower was needed in the military and in munitions factories after America's entry into WWII.

The Washington Post article quoted also concedes that election year politics plays a role in President Obama's proposal.

The backdrop of presidential politics is also playing a role in the Obama administration’s new efforts. Several states that will be heavily contested in November have a significant military presence. Veterans will be evaluating specific ways the next White House administration intends to help them.

[Just a thought, but maybe NOT cutting the Army from 45 to 32 combat brigades would help by creating far fewer unemployed post 9/11 veterans- NANESB!]

As a veteran, I noticed that Obama passed up one one really obvious means of creating jobs for both veterans and civilians alike- it's called the Keystone XL pipeline, and it's construction would've added thousands and thousands of jobs to the US economy. However, Obama decided to veto that and instead has proposed what amounts to a rehash of a government program from one of the bleakest economic periods in this nation's history.

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By the way- If you're an out-of-work or underemployed veteran reading this, have you given any thought to working for one of the railroads?

I'm not trying to be flippant, sarcastic or cute in any way- it's just something that you might've overlooked altogether while searching for a full-time job.

Many of them have been hiring for the last few years not because the economy is doing particularly well, but because a good portion of their workforce is already at or near retirement age. The Railroad Retirement Board and individual railway company's websites list various job openings and some of the railroads even offer cash signing bonuses or provide entry-level training depending on the position offered.