( CNN ) -- Much is being made of Hillary Clinton 's recent remarks about leaving the White House `` dead broke '' and how she and Bill are n't like those who are `` truly well off '' despite earning more than $ 100 million together since 2001 . And now she 's getting heat for the $ 225,000 in speaking fees she 's getting for a Nevada speech . Apparently when prescribing a vision for America that divides us along the lines of class and income , the medicine always tastes better when taken by someone else . But setting politics aside , much should be made of these comments simply because they demonstrate that many of those who rail against economic freedom are out of touch and have a fundamental misunderstanding of how jobs and wealth are created in this country . Opinion : Petty attacks on Hillary just wo n't matter . Let 's start with the basics . All Americans , regardless of who they are or where they come from , want a good-paying job with more opportunity , choice and control over their economic and personal futures . But this is more than a common desire shared by all Americans . History shows that this time-tested formula is the key to upward mobility and a healthy economy -- in other words , wealth creation . It must be nice to get paid millions of dollars to write a book about yourself , just as it must be nice to get paid millions of dollars to sink three-pointers in the NBA Playoffs or to star in a Hollywood summer blockbuster . But athletes and entertainers , like the Clintons , are notable exceptions . Let me be clear -- I 'm not criticizing them for their financial success . After all , they all have unique skill sets that few others possess , so the laws of supply and demand apply . Most American success stories , and the jobs that result , involve hardworking individuals and families who take significant personal and financial risk , work from sunrise to sunset and persevere through good times and bad . This is Main Street success -- the bedrock our country was built on . We all can name countless shining examples of entrepreneurs , inventors and innovators who took those risks , invested in their local companies and created jobs . These Americans -- these job creators -- are the same people Hillary Clinton calls `` truly wealthy . '' Others , like President Barack Obama , continually attack , criticize and stigmatize the success these individuals achieved through hard work . This might make for good politics and help distract from the numerous scandals and poor economic outlook reported on the nightly news , but it is a terrible way to treat fellow Americans , especially when the economy continues to struggle and job creation remains weak . Now Hillary Clinton is no novice , so I suspect her pollsters will inform her that she fumbled the ball on this one , and her advisers will counsel her to shift the discussion back to something like income inequality . It will be good for this country to have an honest discussion about income inequality , but let 's address it in a way without demonizing the success and entrepreneurial spirit that helps solidify the backbone of this country . Too many Americans are suffering and living paycheck-to-paycheck while trying to make ends meet . Family budgets are getting tighter as prices for gas and groceries keep rising . Rather than responding to these harsh realities with the politics of division and distraction and pitting Americans against each other for political gain , Washington should work toward real , commonsense solutions that help create jobs for hardworking families . We need efficient and more effective programs that wo n't bankrupt our government and drag down our economy . We need a shift in focus from empty promises , handouts and shallow accusations to education , job training and encouragement toward hard work and entrepreneurship . In other words , to paraphrase a Democratic operative , `` It 's about opportunity , stupid . '' As America 's economy continues to struggle , Main Street success in America , now more than ever , should be encouraged , not attacked . Strider : Petty attacks on Hillary just wo n't matter . How Hillary Clinton flubbed the wealth question . Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinion .
Jeff Cook-McCormac says that Hillary Clinton 's comments about wealth have a deeper impact on America . This , he says , might make for good politics , but is ultimately bad for the country . Clinton also has come under fire for $ 225,000 in speaking fees for a Nevada speech .