If government really wanted to help people, rather than taking over new industries, it could help the poor and improve the economy by using the industry it already controls: education.
My proposal would be that any degree leading to certain necessary career functions should be free. Namely, anything you can get with an associate’s degree (e.g., nursing, computer repair, electrical, plumbing, contracting, carpentry, automotive), teaching, or any medical degree.
First, by saving the people in these careers from exorbitant student loan bills, we can cut out a major incentive for the fees they charge us for their necessary services.
Secondly, this would give an incentive for more people to pursue these careers. The more people out there doing these jobs, the less they will cost. Better yet, people will study these things to learn how to do them themselves.
The Lewis Crusade 