State's actions have role in employment

The April 16 story, "Poverty in the Suburbs," paints an accurate picture of people who are willing to work ("…better be at the temp agency when the doors open at 5"), but still can't make ends meet. However, it's difficult to see that government interference with the private sector is partly to blame for this.

Employers gladly pay temp agencies $20/hour and more for temporary workers (who are paid slightly above minimum wage according to the article) because of the burden placed on employers to pay for: unemployment insurance, workman's comp insurance, Medicare, social security, etc.

In an effort to "help" workers with these programs, it appears that they've created a situation that actually hurts workers.

With all the recent talk of the state raising revenues by taxing businesses, is it any wonder why 63,000 good paying manufacturing jobs have left this state since our current governor has taken office, and if they do raise these taxes, do we really trust those currently in Springfield to manage the money wisely?

Simple laws of supply and demand show that as the number of jobs available increase, competition for good workers increases resulting in higher wages. This state is headed in the wrong direction.

Keith Gray

Mettawa

Association, Chicago