There is a lot that the government does that effects the economy...
The government can help to create jobs, by having tariffs on imported goods so that locally produced goods are more competitive. The government can also lower taxes locally. There is also the issue of credit, and lowering interest rates on business loans. And there is the issue of making sure that people have access to business loans. There is also redevelopment money which can go to redevelop poor areas. There is also the issue of training and educating the work-force. And for farmers, etc, they need a steady flow of new immigrants who want to work as farm labor, so the government policy on immigration comes into play. Then there is the issue of international trade deals, and making sure that our trade deals are fair. Locally, there are anti-trust, anti-monopoly fair trade rules, and anti-dumping rules, etc, and we need fair trade rules internationally. Then there are worker safety administrations locally, OSHA, etc, and labor unions and rules for unions, etc. There is also the issue of defense, and many jobs are created building defense items. Also, there are public works projects, such as building dams, etc, and transportation projects, etc.
Those are a few thoughts, and there are other ways the government can help the economy.
Sure, the people are the ones doing the work, but the government can help with the frame-work, and rules, etc, etc, etc.
Salute,
Tony V.