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Public works spending idea: Jobs for over-55 folks too

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The Obama administration wants to spend tens of billions of dollars on public works projects to create jobs.

That’s fine for the country’s physical infrastructure -- roads, bridges, etc. And it is likely to put many unemployed younger people to work.

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But I wonder: Should the administration also be thinking about funding jobs for the over-55 crowd?

Until a couple of years ago, plenty of people in that age group might have been contemplating retiring early. That was before their homes crashed in value, and before their stock investments did the same.

Now, the cold reality for many in the 55-plus group is that they’ll have to work much longer -- or indefinitely -- just to make ends meet.

Yet jobs are scarce enough for younger people. For many older people, finding work may be all but impossible. Employers will deny that ageism exists, but does anyone really believe that?

It isn’t realistic to ask the over-55 group to work road construction or other physical-infrastructure jobs. But many could contribute to rebuilding our human infrastructure.

So, what about channeling some federal money to fund tutoring positions for older people at every level of the educational system -- grade school, high school, community colleges, trade schools and four-year colleges?

I realize that tutoring isn’t something that would come naturally to everyone over 55 (or any age, for that matter). But there are many older people out there who could contribute mightily to the educational development of kids and young adults.

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Funding those kinds of human-infrastructure jobs would at least give older unemployed people a shot at finding work, as opposed to limiting public works spending to hard-labor positions.

Tutoring jobs could be funded from money the Obama program is expected to funnel to states for education spending. The states, of course, would have to agree to cooperate.

In a perfect world (and economy), older people would simply offer to tutor on a volunteer basis, and there are plenty of such programs out there. But I don’t think that’s realistic anymore for many in the 55-plus group. We’re going to have to find ways to provide income to older people who can’t survive on their savings or handouts like food stamps.

Your thoughts, pro or con?

-- Tom Petruno

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