The expectations of columnists for The Republic are high. In less than 700 words, faithful readers expect us to discuss the major issues facing our community or society, make an airtight case for why things ought to change, and justify our point of view. The proper columnist should also deliver an easy, simple solution. And we try to deliver all of that in a compelling piece of writing that is hopefully free of errors. Rarely do I get all of that done in this space.
I’m usually satisfied with shining a light on some problem or drawing attention to a mess that we are facing. I think my strength lies in complaining, rather than developing comprehensive, practical solutions. I am usually content to let readers identify potential solutions or policy prescriptions. Then I head for the hills until the deadline for the next column comes along.
If you have been waiting for me to deliver a solution or two, today is your lucky day! For once, I actually have an answer. My suggestion can solve many different problems confronting modern society. After all of that buildup, what is my suggestion? Bring back the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a New Deal program that ran from 1933 to 1942. It gave young men a chance at a paycheck during the Great Depression. They built some of the nation’s infrastructure as well as working on ecological and environmental projects. The CCC built and improved state and national parks throughout the country, including here in Indiana.
You can still see the CCC’s work in Brown County, Turkey Run, McCormick’s Creek and many other parks throughout the state. The CCC built roads, bridges, campgrounds and trails.
It was an opportunity for young men to be outside, improve their health, embrace nature, and send money home to their families. Workers in the CCC served six month stints, earning $30 each month — somewhere in the neighborhood of $600 today. They lived in camps near their worksites. CCC volunteers learned practical, industrial skills while on the job. The CCC also held classes on a variety of topics.
We could bring back the CCC to work on our crumbling infrastructure. A modern CCC could also work on environmental projects, cleaning up pollution, and making our nation a healthier, safer place to live. It would also be a program that could help participants earn college credit, easing the burden of paying for college. It could also teach those trade and industrial skills that are in high demand.
A new CCC might also encourage people to get away from their phones and computer screens to go outdoors. National security experts and military leaders are concerned about the physical health of our nation. A new CCC could go a long way to improving the physical and mental health of workers in the program.
Of course, the original CCC had problems. It was segregated. Blacks and whites served in different detachments. It was also open only to young men. A new CCC should be open to everybody. This would also give an added benefit of breaking down barriers in our society.
When we have the chance to live and work with people who are very different from us, it helps further understanding.
A new CCC could solve some of the problems that I have discussed in some of my previous columns. It could help with cutting costs of college. It could inspire young people to live outdoors and be healthy, active and working. And it could also improve Indiana’s environmental problems. While it isn’t a panacea, I do think it has more potential than some of the programs and legislation recently proposed in Washington and Indianapolis.
