To the Editor:

Increasing the minimum wage would spur much more growth and stability to the American economy than the $1.8 trillion dollar tax cut for the 1 percent and large corporate entities.

Corporations are using the windfall to buy back stock and increase shareholder value. That doesn’t do anything to stimulate the economy as the White House and Republicans promised. Only a massive increase in economic activity would pay for the tax cut.

Increasing the minimum wage is the biggest, fastest and most prudent way to stimulate the economy.

Unions across the country played the largest roll to increase the economy in the past by protecting workers purchasing power and building the middle class.

Now the Conservatives and empowered businesses have ripped the hearts out of unions.

Similarly U.S. international efforts and $aid$ to smaller or developing countries is under attack by Republicans and the White House often for frivolous reasons.

This aid and help was originally embraced by businesses for the same reason as an improved minimum wage - to create bigger markets for U.S. goods and services. In other words, to sell more stuff.

If the White House and Republicans could look beyond the next election cycle they would realize foreign aid helps countries to be future customers of American products and improving the balance of trade.

Sounds better than tariffs? You bet. Cutting foreign aid and saving U.S. budget funds by leaving hundreds of embassy jobs vacant and cutting one-third of the state department’s jobs and representatives is another huge impediment to U.S. economic growth.

Mr. President, more customers is what we want, not higher prices through tariffs.

We want to sell cars to the world not your condos to the rich.

William Klein

New Tripoli