Progress Illinois

To succeed as President, Barack Obama is going to have to help revive the American economy. That's the issue that dominated the campaign, especially the last two months, and it's what voters are entrusting him to do. We've already blogged at length about the importance of a vibrant economic stimulus plan, a plan Obama seems to favor. But a government injection shouldn't stop there. As Rep. Danny Davis suggested on WLS' Don Wade and Roma this morning, the federal government can play a constructive role in creating sustainable jobs now. Listen:

Internal mp3

ROMA: What’s the first issue you want to see resolved, other than the economy, when Obama comes to Washington?

DAVIS: Well, it would be a clear-cut stategy -- and a very direct one -- for putting more people to work. One way shape, form, or fashion.

While Davis' point is general, it's one that's been echoed by progressives for months. During the Great Depression, FDR's Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided valuable and long-lasting public services, raised morale, and helped boost the economy. It wasn't a panacea (in fact, it's arguable the New Dealers weren't ambitious enough in the short-term), but programs like the WPA helped put America back on the road to economic recovery.

While Davis says it's important to put people to work in any way we can, I'd suggest we need to be more discerning; the best bang for the government's buck is clearly throwing more human capital into the burgeoning green economy. This includes employing people to repair public transit infrastructure, revitalize the electrical grid, and weatherize buildings and homes. With this sort of approach to job creation, the federal government could put money in people's pockets while also lessening the nation's dependence on fossil fuels. It's rational, moral, and cost-effective. What's not to like?