Compared to peers, U.S. wages are an insult to working families

To The Daily Sun,

Mr. Wiles is at it again with a misleading letter about the minimum wage. He should come out from under his bubble and deal with reality. His so-called "research" could use some fact-checking.

I would suggest that he meander around the Lakes Region. Aside from McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, Burger King or KFC he should also go to places like Lowe's, Walmart, Hannaford's, Market Basket, CVS, BJ's and other major chain stores. Take a good look around and notice the age range of the employees. Ask them if they are free to speak with you for a couple of minutes without fear of 'being caught'. Ask about their hourly wages, or if they have any medical and dental benefits, vacation time, or personal leave.

Go a step further. Make appointments with the store managers. Let them know that you'd be interested in working for their company. Fill out an application and take whatever test is required. Ask about their wage and benefit package. Ask how they designate part-time and full-time employees. Oh, and don't forget to ask if they are unionized.

I recently was at Lowe's on a warm sunny Sunday afternoon. I mentioned to the cashier that it was a shame she couldn't enjoy such a beautiful day instead of having to work. She told me: "when you need a job you work whatever hours you are assigned". I would guess that she was well over 60 years old.

When you have finished your research, please come back to us with your findings. Just one caveat... be truthful: no misleading or skewed numbers. Try to keep President Obama out of your rant.

Wages for the lower and middle classes of this country have not kept pace with the rate of inflation or with the cost of living.

The past few Republican Administrations have indeed "gotten out of the way" of the private sector. Pres. Reagan was happy to be a union buster. Over the decades corporations have cut benefits while increasing their profits tenfold or more. Let us not forget that the CEOs and most upper corporate management in this country are among the highest paid in the civilized world.

The Republican congressional members have popularity ratings that are in the single digits. They have wasted millions of our tax dollars trying to repeal The Affordable Care Act (by my count it's more than 49 times). What has this present Republican-held House has done to add the needed good-paying jobs to our economy? What concrete proposals have they offered to improve the quality of life for the lower class? Their only concern since 2009 seems to be to reflexively oppose anything Pres. Obama proposes — regardless of what it is or the merits — and to obstruct, sabotage, and politicize.

Compared with other developed countries our wages and benefits are an outright insult to lower and middle class working families. It used to be that if someone worked hard they would be able to make a good living, increase their financial standing, and be able to pass on a better life to their children. But for the last 30 years the Republicans have been dedicated to taking away one rung after another so from the ladder and pulling out any supports. At the same time they are shovelling more and more to their financial sponsors who are already at the very top of the heap.

Bernadette Loesch

Laconia