Problem/Solution

Problem: The US has lost millions of manufacturing jobs overseas, we have millions of unemployed people - most of whom have at least a high school education. Tax incentives to large businesses have not increased domestic hiring of these workers who were formerly employed making things here in the US.

Problem: Increasing tariffs on foreign-made products doesn't do much to bring back jobs here, because it ends up closing markets to our goods as well.

Problem: Asking people to "Buy American" is hard when there's not a lot that actually does get made here anymore (though here's a good resource to find stuff that is).

Problem: Even with tariffs, products made overseas can be made for pennies on the dollar, because they don't much care about worker safety or child labor. So basically, we as consumers, and the stores we shop at, are getting bargain-basement prices while ignoring the fact that the true cost of those prices is the horrible conditions of workers - and the fact that many of the things we buy are made by children.

Problem: Given that bringing lost manufacturing jobs back to the US is an unrealistic goal, how then to re-employ the work-force who once held those jobs?

Solution: Create, or build upon, industries that cannot be exported. Examples:

• Infrastructure. Specifically, rail. Our nation is woefully under-provided with passenger rail. We could connect every point in the country with every other point in the country with a reliable rail network. Building railroads requires putting people to work on-site. Maintaining railroads requires keeping people working on-site.
• Infrastructure again. This time, specifically nation-wide wireless broadband access. Get people in every nook-and-cranny of the country connected. Installing and maintaining a wireless broadband network = jobs.
• Renovation. Making every existing building more energy efficient. Installing new windows, better insulation, solar panels, radiant flooring.
• Renovation again. Making every existing building less toxic. Removing lead paint, asbestos, mercury.
• Renovation again. Making every existing building accessible.

Now, I'm guessing that there are people who say that private industry should step up and do these things, and I would agree...if private industry were stepping up to do it. But it's not. And this is a perfect example of what the government can be really good for. Government can start the ball rolling just like it did during the '30's with the WPA. Spend money on infrastructure, create a robust national rail network. And, yes, high speed rail. Create a robust high speed wireless network.
Give grants or government loans to homeowners for renovations. Grants or government loans, instead of tax breaks or bank loans, since tax breaks and bank loans assume a level of solvency that not every homeowner has.
Give grants to school systems, organizations, and municipal governments for similar renovations.

Put people to work. Here at home.