An unfair advantage

Maybe I'm speaking for myself when I say I don't begrudge wealthy people who have worked hard to earn what they have. However, I believe the large majority of the middle and lower financial classes believe as I do.

I can certainly say that, at the age of 62, I no longer envy people with money. As a younger man, with materialistic wants, I did. But it was not the kind of envy that ever engendered resentment. It was envy with respect and admiration for the talents, skills and dedication it took to earn wealth. Inherited wealth is just what it is, good fortune for those that have it. They should not be held in contempt for their birthright.

I believe the growing unrest among the 99 percent is not aimed at the wealthy themselves, but at a culture of power that has enabled them to stack the deck by twisting and tweaking our laws and legislation to overwhelmingly favor their interests. The wealthy have a grossly unfair advantage in accessing our government. These self-serving purposes, more often than not, result in a "trickle down" of financial hardship on the middle and lower financial classes.

Having wealth should not be an entitlement to privileged status in a democracy. It is antithetical to the true principles of democracy.

VAN RIEHL, Jackson