In response to the letter “It’s time for a redistribution of wealth” by Donald Lison (May 24).

Donald, I can understand your frustration. I am somewhat in the same situation as your wife. When I was young I had an opportunity to enter a trade. It took hard work serving two apprenticeships and attending school at the same time. A good majority of the time I was working 56 to 60 hours a week while also going to school. Over time it paid off and I became a journeyman toolmaker.

After about 35 years I was making $24 an hour, I had a home and family. Then our government signed the NAFTA agreement and about 40 percent of the machine shops in the area where I lived shut down due to a flood of work going to China. I was laid off and received offers of $12 to $13 an hour for the same work I had been doing.

To make a long story short, I lost my family and home. I relocated to another state which offered higher wages. Shortly after I was diagnosed with cancer. I had surgery but one of the results of the surgery was that I could no longer handle the physical demands of my profession.

In response I returned to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science with summa cum laude honors. Unfortunately I can not find work in my area utilizing my specific field.

I could be bitter and blame our government and or the medical profession. I would certainly love it if someone offered me more money to cover the bills that are overwhelming me.

To me redistribution of wealth is socialism, which has failed everywhere it has been implemented. Talk to anyone from Russia, Cuba or China. The problem that socialism creates is the lack of inspiration. Why should I put out the effort if everyone is going to make basically the same income?

Another issue is that the government always runs out of other people’s money. Government graft remains, you don’t own your business, the government does. If they are unhappy with you for any reason they can take away everything and give someone else control of it.

So in my opinion we are better off as we are. Our current government shows promise if they can and do implement all they claim they will do. I know the tax reduction they speak of would by itself be a big improvement of my living expense situation. If they trim the waste and graft from the system they even stand a chance of reducing the government debt over time.