Awaiting Obama's Jobs Speech: The 'Invisible Americans'

From the letters to the editor, at New York Times:

To the Editor:

Re “The Fatal Distraction,” by Paul Krugman (column, Sept. 5):

I am a small-business owner and will never receive money from big giveaway programs to state and local governments. My profits are not at record levels: whom are you talking to?

I am the foundation of the American Dream. I put my house on the line and worry about making the payroll. There is no support from banks or government. I do not have defined benefits or job security because of seniority.

Certainly, our educational system needs help and support to compete in this global economy, but so does my small business. We have no union, no lobbyists in Congress and no time to rally. We go to work every day. Truly, we are the invisible Americans.

BRENDA BEDRICK
East Greenwich, R.I., Sept. 5, 2011