Experience matters

Editor: The Lodi News-Sentinel published an opinion column from Wade Heath, titled, “I respect Bernie Sanders but would never vote for him.”

Wade Heath, said, “Going after the rich to pay their fair share is something Bernie Sanders brings up repeatedly. The majority of rich Americans aren’t bad people, nor do they push others down in their attempt to move up the ladder. Most have worked hard to obtain the American dream of building the beautiful life they desire. So having the government determine what a successful person’s fair share is, is in fact more overreach to take more to redistribute to others who did not earn it.”

I have a couple of issues. 1. I’m thankful where Wade said, “that the majority of rich people don’t push others down in their attempt to get ahead.” That leaves 49 percent who do, and I’ve met some of those who do. 2. When Bernie Sanders says the rich should pay their fair share, he is referring to those who earn millions of dollars per year. Our system does have some flaws, there are those who will take advantage of those flaws. One example is the CEO who earns $60 to $70 million a year. No one should earn tens of millions of dollars per year, and if they do, they should pay a higher tax. 3. We all are programmed from birth, by family and friends, and life experiences, which conditions us for our political preference.

Bernie Sanders has many years of political and practical experience, and has seen the injustices in our society. If you were to ask an intelligent person who they would seek advise from, one in their 40s or one in their 70s, most people would choose the latter, the one with the most practical experience? JOHN SLAUGHTERBACK Lodi