Should Obama Give US a 21st Century WPA?

That is the question From Burke and Beyond is asking here . He cites Peggy Noonan that sort of says heck why not.

I would say NO!!! At least something on that grand of a scale. There is no need for it or a operation of that size.

Also as I have pointed out this is not the 30's and Obama is not FDR. Obama can not snap his figures and get something like Hoover Dam or the TVA started. I can not even imagine the environmental impact studies. Any time something touches a wetland there has to be a study. Wetland includes a lot of stuff!!

In other words if you are looking for job creation these jobs will not come down the line for some time!!!

Now I am for public works but they need to be smart. As I have mentioned we are in great need of massive public works in Louisiana to save our Coast!! A problem that is truly becoming a national security issue. We have tons of studies and plans and the needed work could get started very quick down here and employ countless thousands.

If we are going to do Public Works lets past the 30's and talk of Court Houses. I mean I would love a fast Japan like Bullet Train that can get me from Shreveport to the French Quarter in a Hour or so but maybe we should be more realistic.

How about for instance massive desalination plants. Parts of this country are facing a water crisis and we have the technology and to get it what it needs.

I never figured out why if the Romans could get water hundreds of miles to Rome why we can't get water a couple hundred miles to Las Vegas. If Georgia is in a long term drought could we not take advantage of that big ole Ocean right off it's Coast. I keep hearing how expensive this is but when places like Mexico are building lots of them I start to wonder.

If we are going to have a 21st Century WPA it needs to be modeled on today's needs and be realistic about what it can accomplish. One can do this and still be a wise guardian of the taxpayer money