Would the US do well to bring back the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp)?

Question

In the early 1900s, the CCC was a safe place for people to live and work, creating social improvements within the country, buildings, bridges, walls, campgrounds, and construction related tasks.

In exchange for that work, these people were housed, fed and taken care of by the US Govn. They were NOT salaried or paid in cash...their pay came from the pride they put into their work.

Do you feel that there is any merit in bringing this program back? It could be a civilian Peace Corp that keeps the labor and efforts IN OUR COUNTRY, helping our citizens live a better life. It could help young people develop pride and respect in the USA again...thoughts?

Answer 1

Isn't it called VISTA today?

Despite the rantings of the neo-cons who are too young to remember the CCC, the CCC did provide some wonderful benefits, most of which still survive. It also helped to mitigate the effects of the Depression. I think that it would be a great thing to bring back, but at the state level, to replace welfare, to the extent possible.

Answer 2

Well, although not cash, food and housing make up a significant portion of what people spend money on.  In other words, they are "paid".  

That said, our government give money to millions of people with no end result.  We have a social security system that gives old people money for doing nothing.  We have a welfare system that give people money to not work.  We have a prison system that costs approximately 40 - 50K per year per inmate with no tangible return.  

So I think the CCC would be good.  We can combine it with the aforementioned social(ism) programs.  There's always work that can be done, so dispensing money to get nothing in return is ridiculous.

Answer 3

You put your finger on the problem with the CCC. Read histories written by participants and you'll find it wasn't that great being an indentured servant to the US government. Torn from your family, communication with them limited, no salary, sub-standard housing and food, all you'd expect from a New Deal program.

To do the same today you'd need to pay decent wages or provide educational benefits instead. And what would you have them do? We aren't allowed to build dams, interstate highways or other public projects because the Sierra Club and WWF sue them into oblivion. Not to mention the fact that union employees might object to taking away projects they should be able to work on for pay.

The CCC looks good in retrospect because it's been whitewashed in most history textbooks, but like most things, the reality is not what the media and most teachers would have you believe.

I'm sure there are some who think we should pay kids to snitch on their parents if they litter, emit too much CO2, don't recycle properly or make anti-government statements. That probably appeals to some people but I don't want to rename the Hitler Youth and bring that to America either. Not that your idea is bad, but the CCC isn't a good model to use.

Answer 4

It's going to be pretty d**n hard to convince people to not seek a good-paying job and lifestyle in the regular workforce in exchange for living in 'communal societies' laboring 'for the greater good'. Know what I mean?

Answer 5

well if  it would invole alot of wood paper and energy then no, i mean if enough people cared about the enviorment we would be pretty well off, but i dosent seemthat there is any way to sotp these things! my mom tolf me its my destiny yo save the world... how the h**l am i gonna do that? im only 12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!