The letter “An Hourly Worker’s Questions for the President” begins how every letter to the editor should; with a citation. The author of the letter proceeds to show professionalism by stating his credentials that being “a 65-year-old hourly employee at a hotel in Durham, N.C.”. His situation allows for him to take a stance on the matter because the author is a member of the American Working Class. This person writing to the editor lives in the world of getting by paycheck to paycheck. Now that the author has stated why he can speak on the matter he explains further the difficulties of his life living in the working class. The premise of the writer’s critique is that even though the numbers show an improvement in the work force as well as increased wages, the writer and his peers have not seen the differences in his community. The writer wants clarification from the president on where the differences can be seen. The writer also wants the president to explain whether or not the people benefiting from the increase in wages can afford a home or at the very least provide for and feed their families.

Throughout the letter the writer gives a few examples of rhetorical flourish. This comes in the form of his stories of parents who have to work late and can’t come home early enough to make dinner for their children. Another example of rhetorical flourish shown in the letter is the writers complaint of paychecks being cut even after many hours were clocked in.

Towards the very end of the letter the hotel employee states the truth of his letter. If the president cannot answer the three questions posed by the writer then the president has failed to do his job to the satisfaction of millions of workers.