The post by Robert Reich highlights a significant trend in corporate finance: the increasing use of stock buybacks. From 2019 to 2024, the 100 lowest-paying corporations in the US spent $644 billion on these buybacks. This practice artificially inflates share prices, which in turn boosts CEO pay, often tied to stock performance. The stark contrast between the average worker's salary of $35,000 and the average CEO's pay of $17.2 million at these companies underscores the growing wealth inequality. This raises critical questions about corporate priorities and the distribution of profits. Are corporations prioritizing shareholder value and executive compensation over fair wages and investment in their workforce? The data suggests a clear affirmative.