Nov. 15, 2025 7 AM PT
To the editor: Though contributing author Veronique de Rugy gives a number of observations to light up the rising affordability downside in America — most fetchingly describing the Walmart “inflation-free Thanksgiving meal” as shrinkage — she doesn’t truly provide any options (“The real answer to the Republicans’ ‘affordability problem,’” Nov. 13). She does proclaim that wealth transfers (presumably from wealthy to poor) usually are not an answer and factors out that regular 3% inflation reduces the worth of the greenback by 26% after a decade.
I’m wondering in regards to the wealth switch of poor to wealthy greater than I do about wealth switch from wealthy to poor. This takes place daily when salaried and hourly employees receives a commission lower than what they’re price by the billionaires who management the pay. It occurs daily when Walmart employees need to make do with less than a living wage (SNAP advantages, anybody?) whereas working full time or almost.
Residing wages are one thing that conservative economists appear to imagine shouldn’t exist in a dog-eat-dog market, however I’ll level out that economist Adam Smith put that concept as a elementary in his work. There was additionally the unstated, however at the moment apparent, information that somebody working at a manufacturing facility might return to the farm if needed, though that possibility has largely been misplaced to trendy employees.
Michael Lampel, Granada Hills
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To the editor: De Rugy’s latest column, during which she advises that “Democrats’ monitor file is not any higher” relating to affordability, may need famous one vital distinction: For greater than 100 years, Democratic financial coverage has focused the wants of working People whereas Republican spending has enabled the additional enrichment of these least in want. Reasonably priced medical health insurance, greater training, housing, baby care, remedy and public transportation — all fought towards tooth and nail by Republicans — make our nation more healthy and stronger. Tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires accomplish the alternative.
Eric Carey, Arlington, Va.
