Letter of the Day

Richard Doak was spot-on in his criticism of massive CEO salaries when he suggests it has a negative effect on American morale ("CIETC Director and Most CEOs Have Quite a Bit in Common," April 16 column). The free-market economy is often used as a justification tactic by the rich to acquire more wealth at the expense of the poor.

It is terribly unjust that CEOs make 431 times the salary of their employees (in addition to lucrative benefit packages and golden parachutes when they retire), while many of these workers are paying more for health benefits and losing pension plans.

Is it ethical for CEOs and entertainers to bring in dazzling salaries while many toil for the absurdly inadequate $5.15-an-hour minimum wage?

Has George Bush's corporate America lost all compassion for the have-nots? FDR twirls in his grave.

Sadly, many Americans — and most of the rest of the world — perceive the U.S. as the Land of Greed and Home of Excess.

- Rick Burns, Pella.

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