President Roosevelt understood that very notion in 1935 when the Federal Work Progress Administration was formed to provide jobs to unemployed Americans.

WHITEHOUSE: It's Work Creating Jobs, But It's Worth It

He's made great progress, the administration has made great progress, thanks to the remarkable work of our armed services, the remarkable work of our intelligence services.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Several leftish academics have advocated an updated version of the 1930s Works Progress Administration in which the jobless could be put to socially useful work, such as building low-income housing or providing childcare.

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But I also know that thanks to the governor here in Virginia, Tim Kaine, thanks to two outstanding senators, Mark Warner and Jim Webb, and a great congressman, Congressmen Jim Moran and as well as Congressman Gerry Connolly, and thanks to the work of Ray here and the rest of my administration, we've made some meaningful progress over the last few months.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama on Highways and Recovery