> People don't want to go on welfare, they want a job.

That right there is pretty much the issue. We could take china's approach and specifically limit the use of heavy equipment to X hours per day, requiring everything else to be done by hand. But that's stupid pointless makework, that takes longer and costs more.

With free money, maybe some people learn a trade, start a band, write a book. Send people to school and maybe we get some value back in 5-10 years.

I understand that people want to take a job on the line at the plant, just like dad did. Well, tough. The world isn't like that anymore.

Policies might "encourage" Apple to do it's manufacturing in the U.S. A U.S. iphone factory would employ about 15 people. the security team that keeps people away from the machines.

The way to stop feeling useless is to stop being useless. Don't want money to help figure out what you can do? Well, ok, best of luck.

edit

This may come off as mean, bitter, heartless, uncaring, vile , reprehensible and whatever other adjectives you want to throw in.

Small towns are dying because there's not much reason to be there. We can subsidize them in a bunch of ways, but it's still just welfare.