Dear Editor:

I remember when Corporate America (CA) was proud to be part of the rise of the middle class and the growth of GDP when wages increased catching up with the cost of living. CA was proud to contribute to economic growth and for all the families who joined their corporations working hard for the continued potential opportunities for the young.

In those years CA raced to grab the best workers when filling all positions and in so doing competed through corporate benefits. Benefits included sick leave, overtime, vacation, and paying for advance education such as MBAs. Most companies provided 2-week vacation pay, but the better companies offered 3 weeks. Most companies paid for sick leave -10 days, and 12 holidays. Better companies offered up to 30 days paid sick leave and extra paid holiday time for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

Corporate America, has been replaced by Corporate Billionaire America (CBA). CBA is no longer proud of America and its talented hard working staff. CBAs de-value workers as evidenced by below poverty wages and not offering benefits as incentives. When workers were de-valued, CBAs justified moving jobs to other countries. CBAs put no value on the loss to our economy, but valued increased profits instead. Today CBAs are writing our laws (ALEC), 32 states-stand your ground killing, 29 states send female abuse victims to prison for not stopping their abuser from beating a child, 33 cities arrest people for feeding the homeless in public, and 34 states have voter ID disenfranchisement laws –these, are only a few of ALEC laws..

Today candidates tout business backgrounds as the best to serve the country. America, run by and for CBA’s with First Amendment rights. CBAs are not people, they have no heartbeat, and rarely pay taxes. Corporate wealth is the goal not economic success of the people.

Is this our new vision for America?

Jarryl Larson

Edgecomb