Hit ’em in the pockets. That’s when folks start to pay attention, so says my wife. Anything from a reallocation of the family finances to public expenditures — all are guaranteed to grab our attention. She’s obviously right, but yet I wonder why so many fail to act in their own interest, financial or otherwise.

Perhaps an answer lies in the complexity of our lives; at times it’s difficult to identify just where our best interest lies.

To that point, it is instructive to review a few positions taken by the two leading presidential candidates: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Clinton often touts her experience, in essence, stating she is a strong leader capable of meeting the challenges of the presidency. However, a review of her record is cause for concern.

She voted for and was a strong advocate for the Iraq war. Having overridden U.S. intelligence and the Pentagon, she now “owns” the Libya disaster. Most recently, she has backed initiating a no-fly zone in Syria. That is an action criticized by fellow Democrats and one that would require a large military commitment.

Clinton suggests that in her failed attempt at health care reform, she fought for single-payer. Today, she states it will never happen. Truth is, single-payer was never on her agenda. Another truth, she has received more than $13 million from the health care industry.

Clinton’s public relations problems: a reliance on super PACs and Wall Street donors, ongoing email investigations, and unwillingness to release transcripts from speeches to various banks.

In numerous polls, over one-third of the public believes Clinton is not honest or trustworthy. If a third of your neighbors believe a car salesman isn’t honest or trustworthy, would you buy a car from him? No — probably not in your best interest.

Trump employs hit ’em in the pockets psychology raging against governmental waste and corruption. Anger and fear seem to be his modus operandi to make America great again.

With unfettered access to the media, he flip-flops along, come what may. That Trump speaks off the top of his head is a good thing; it gives us insight into his thought process and his startling changes of mind. Even the most ardent Trump supporters must question whose best interest he will be serving.

Bernie Sanders is a different kind of politician. His political positions are in response to the middle class being hit in the pockets for the past 30 years or so. Sanders states that we must grow a political revolution where millions stand up to demand change and to work toward a society where all people have a decent standard of living.

Further, he states that the government belongs to all of us and not just the top 1 percent. The political elite and the corporate media are having none of this; Clinton’s super PACs are in full motion.

Clinton’s presidency inevitable? Sanders has built a campaign based on small contributions from more than 5 million donors committed to the movement, and they say otherwise.

With Clinton and Trump in mind, I recall an apt proverb: “A leopard doesn’t change its spots.” Best we act in our own interest and be mindful of that old truism when we head to the polls.

Paul Lind is a resident of Newark.