I was rather dismayed the other day to read Norman Solomon’s attack mailer on Stacey Lawson, and in particular his demonization of her as part of the 1 percent.

Now, I do understand and support the current Occupy movement, with its emphasis on reversing how income inequality has grown exponentially in the past 30 years. I agree with Warren Buffett and others that the wealthiest Americans should pay more in taxes. We need to preserve and fix the holes in the safety nets for the poor, and how we need to provide equal opportunity for all.

What bothers me most, I guess, is that Stacey Lawson supports this too.

The first time I met Stacey at her visit to KHUM, she spent a fair amount of time making clear her progressive values, and bristled at being called a moderate. She supports the Buffett rule, and eliminating tax subsidies for large corporations. She supports increasing emission standards, gay marriage, enhanced funding for education, reduced military spending and Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

It is not like Stacey Lawson is some trust fund baby or debutant. She represents part of what many of us value about this country – the ability to come from humble beginnings, go to college, become a successful businessperson and entrepreneur, create some jobs, and earn some money in the process. What we want in America is for everyone to have that same opportunity.

So what that Lawson may be part of the 1 percent? Are we going to demonize everyone wealthy regardless of beliefs and policies? Are we going to require financial statements from all candidates?

Personally, I find Solomon’s attack reprehensible and perhaps desperate. In an era when people bemoan the lack of good people going to into government service, we then watch as the good people who do venture into running for office get pilloried in the process. Having experienced firsthand the slings and arrows of standing for public office, I find this level of political discourse sadly personal and lacking in substance, at a time when we need (more than ever) real substance as to how to improve the economy, the environment and access to health care.

In this particular race, I am thrilled to see Stacey Lawson, Jared Huffman and Susan Adams all in this race. They are people of substance, of accomplishment and of principle. I truly wish we could have all three in Congress. We should be discussing the specifics of their proposals and whether they can be realistically achieved. Personal attacks have no place in this.

Which one am I voting for? That’s between me and the Elections Office. But I’m glad to have the dilemma of choosing between three great choices.