Letter to the Editor:

We are constantly told how strong the economy is. In every case, I am aware of, the statement is based on the stock market which includes the wealthy and upper-middle class. There are other statistics not so widely shared that impact the lower middle class and poor which is the largest voting block in our country. While I am not an economist and have no degrees in economics, I do try to pay attention and what I read is considerably different than what is frequently reported by media and Washington talking heads.

1. Stock market reality

New highs in the U.S. stock market are certainly good news — for those who own stocks. The bad news is, those who own stocks are only a small part of total U.S. households.

The investment class in the United States is small, and it’s not getting bigger. According to the latest Gallup poll of American households, only 54 percent own stocks, down from 62 percent before the financial crisis (2008). And many of the households only own small amounts of stock.

It’s gotten worse: 84 percent of the stock in the United States is owned by the top 10 percent of households by net wealth.

These are incredible statistics. More than 93 percent of the stock is owned by the top 20 percent of households. The bottom 80 percent of households own only about 7 percent of the stock.

By the way, this includes direct ownership of stocks and indirect ownership through mutual funds, trusts, IRAs, Keogh plans and other retirement accounts. Everything.

The above information comes from Bob Pisani, financial analyst.

2. Unemployment

More people probably work multiple job than the government realizes. Eric Sherman, Forbes.

My interpretation of this very interesting article. The government admits it is impossible to gather accurate statistics based on the nature of the subject. People have to be interviewed multiple times over a specified time frame and working more than one eighthour day jo eliminates the willingness and actual commitment to do actual reporting. Additionally, many second and third jobs are self-employed options under the table (under reported) income.

While difficult to produce actual numbers/statistics, experts offer opinions suggesting about 30 percent of the population works considerably more than a 40-hour week and earns less than $60,000 per year.

It is truly unfortunate that the people greatly impacted by these factors are also the most illinformed. They won’t be reading this because they probably can’t afford to be a subscriber to this or any other paper or current publications. Working two or three jobs and taking care of a family leaves little time to study or go to the library. They get what little information they have from flash reports on their computer or phone screen.

Sadly, the people most severely impacted by the truth of our economy represent the largest block of voters and, if they vote, they are likely to vote against their best interest.

Shirley Thagard

Hayden, Idaho

Editor’s Note — Mrs. Thagard owns the property occupied by Ellsworth’s Orscheln Farm and Home.