Regarding “Higher minimum wage not the answer but training is” (Editor’s Note, May 16): This is an excellent article that should be required reading for everyone. Finally someone cuts through the fog and writes words of wisdom.

Fifty two years ago, I had a minimum-wage job (McLouth Steel Corp. in Michigan). I soon noticed people working alongside me had been there for years (not good).

My parents had no money, so I began saving money. Also got loans from relatives and when I had enough for the first year, got into college at the U of M in Ann Arbor. Continued to work during the summers, at the university cafeteria during school time, and five years later had a degree in electrical engineering.

I got a great job at Boeing (paid back the loans) and retired after 50 wonderful years. I often think back to how different my life would be if I had stayed at that minimum wage job in Michigan (not good).

Ron Wiertella,
Renton