Spending money on jobs programs and increasing the minimum wage, actually equals MORE money in the the treasurys' coffers. When more people get employed, more taxes get returned to the federal government through taxes. State governments also benefit because if people in the bottom 90% of households make more money, they tend to spend those dollars resulting in more sales tax revenue for the states. This in turn makes state budgets healthier as well and actually reduces the need for tax hikes on those who are working, as their budgets become more manageable. Also as an added bonus, when demand for goods and services go up, the more likely new jobs will be added to make up for any short fall in the supply of those goods and services.
Reagans supply side economics was doomed to fail from the start. His theory was the same as it was for the movie "FIELD OF DREAMS" - "If you build it they will come" The reality is that if "they" don't have the income to buy your product, you won't be selling it to "them".
The President only has the power to direct cabinet members on the spending priorities of the executive branch. The president CAN NOT make laws only congress can do that, however he CAN put forth executive orders in those areas where he does have control. For instance, he can direct the Sec. of Transportation to come up with new regulations for all forms of public transportation. or he could direct the Sec. of the Dept of Homeland Security and the SEC of Housing and Urban Development to work together to develop an action plan by telling them that we have a homelessness and poverty crisis that is threatening Americans, and to buy up buildings in urban areas to house the homeless. I'm not sure that he will do such bold moves but I can hope.
What else can a president do on his own to improve the economy? Truthfully not much. He already did what he could to raise minimum wages on employees of NEW government contracts.
He can try to use his bully pulpit to get the American people behind him on ideas, however only the people who contact their representatives in massive numbers will get any notice from their representatives. Granted Tea Party reps only listen to the crazy wing of their constituents but that leaves a whole lot of more sane members of congress to contact with your own ideas as well as getting behind the ideas and ideals of those you agree with. I have contacted sane members who were not my representatives when I have wanted something to get done.
Cathy McMorris Rogers is my representative in congress and she is as crazy a Tea Partier as you would want to meet. Therefore instead of contacting her, because I know she will ignore what I have to say, I contact Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and others whom I think would be more receptive to my ideas. As a result some of my ideas and ideas of those whom I agree with are actually being written into bills. Those bills may or may not go anywhere, but at least I know I played some small part in actually having legislation written that I agree with and that I want to promote.
I would urge everyone who cares about how this country treats its own citizens, to get involved, informed, and in touch, not only with your representatives but also to encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do so as well.
This is the only way that populism has ever had an effect on the body politic, by getting the masses to demonstrate either physically (preferable), or to launch massive writing and telephone campaigns. .
If you threaten to vote for, and donate to the other guy, it may also be a great incentive for your congress person to listen to you.