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End corporate stock buybacks. One of the major causes of income inequality and wage stagnation is the growing corporate use of stock buybacks to drive up stock prices which is one of the major factors in computing executive compensation. Statistics show that companies making up the S&P 500 index from 2003 to 2012 used 54% of their earnings to buy back their stock. Dividends use an additional 37% of earnings. That leaves only 9% to pay for new plants and equipment, R&D, and raises for employees.

Submitted by Former U.S. Sen. Ted Kaufman (Del.) in Economy & Jobs Dec. 10, 2014, 2 a.m.

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This is the position of a former US Senator? There are so many errors in math and method here it is amazing. Not to mention the philosophical inconsistencies given that the Fed can buy bonds but a company should not buy stock - a form of investment. Income inequality is a huge problem - try mandating transparency and them empowering individual shareholders. Instead of more legislation, we disseminate information and enable the democratic process.

Dec. 10, 2014, 11:23 p.m.

Gary Paul

The Fed IS SUPPOSED TO adjust the value of a dollar, etc. That's what its FOR. By contrast, corporations are supposed to EARN a favorable stock price by performing well, not by stock market manipulations, aka: the ultimate in insider trading. Maybe if we started referring to this practice properly as fraudulent manipulation, the public would get the message.

Dec. 26, 2014, 3:24 p.m.

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