Broken promises

Regarding “Do you want a big pay raise? You may have to quit your job” (Associated Press, Sept. 7): I read that U.S. workers’ wage increases have slowed over the past three years. This administration sells the notion that you are doing better. According to this article, “pay is lagging compared to previous periods of brisk job growth.” Average raises for workers have remained stuck below 3 percent. It reports that lowest-paid workers wages were raised 2.3 percent and while that may seem good, mind where these wages are — minimum or slightly above. For middle-income workers, the gains were 0.2 percent! Job numbers are now the same as 2015 -16. Is this “promises kept?”

Only 20 states have raised their minimum wages above the federal minimum of $7.25. “Chief executives of the 350 largest publicly traded U.S. companies reported an increase in compensation of nearly 18 percent.” In those companies, workers’ raises were 0.3 percent. CEO wealth is built on the backs of workers! Workers are the foundation of company strength. So, while CEOs receive enormous tax cuts and make 312 times the average pay of their workers, who is getting ahead?

Employment numbers look great on the surface, but workers actually are stuck. Workers’ health and wealth are controlled by a powerful few. Our president is a good salesman but where is the product? He is the example of a businessman at the helm of our government. Are we being well served?

Mary Surbeck, Oklahoma City