I understand that if you rob Peter to pay Paul, you will always have the support of Paul. On the other hand, haven’t people already run out of unemployment benefits? I know some that have here in NJ. Also, when those handouts buy less & less at the grocery store, how can people be content with that?
As for FDR, I think people could see a difference between 1932 and 1936; many of the trails I hike on were built via the CCC and WPA starting in 1933 (so something was visibly improving). The desperation that helped FDR also elected Obama; I believe the difference is that nobody can see improvement (now or 5 years from now).
People whose unemployment has run out will receive food stamps. O. and his henchmen are working hard to expand those benefits too. If Republicans were loudly articulating Obama's cynical politics the voters might see what's happening. But they remain mostly tongue-tied, as usual, while many conservatives complacently feel the bad economy will be sufficient to defeat him. I don't share that confidence.