Government’s role in hotel wages

Re “Airport hotels ordered to pay a ‘living wage,’ ” Nov. 16

The Los Angeles City Council, in a display of arrogant power, has approved an ordinance that will determine how much hotels near LAX pay their workers. This is a dangerous precedent, when a small number of powerful people can dictate the direction of such an important part of a private business decision.

The council’s rationale is that these businesses benefit from their proximity to the airport, a public facility. The city also owns libraries, parks, the zoo and more. It is not a stretch of the imagination to see where this can lead.

BOB BERGSTROM

Woodland Hills

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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary Toebben said, “If you really care” about business, “why would you tell business that Big Brother is looking over [its] shoulder?” He has it wrong.

If you really care about your brother, government must look over business’ shoulder.

I wonder what Toebben would say if he had to live on $10.64 an hour. Let’s see, that’s a weekly pretax income of $425.60. Almost covers the country club dues.

BARRY H. DAVIS

Agoura Hills