Perhaps I'm simply too skeptical, but I'm working hard at keeping an
open mind. But my finger is still not hovering over the Hillary
button.
As they say, I'll believe it when pigs fly...
Carl Jarvis
On 7/30/16, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Published on Alternet (http://www.alternet.org)
Home > 25 Progressive Reforms Hillary Clinton Promised to Work Toward If
Elected President
________________________________________
25 Progressive Reforms Hillary Clinton Promised to Work Toward If Elected
President
By Steven Rosenfeld [1] / AlterNet [2]
July 29, 2016
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When accepting the Democratic nomination Thursday, Hillary Clinton scoffed
at Donald Trump's boast that he alone can fix America if elected president.
She said, "Americans don't say, 'I alone can fix it.' We say, 'We'll fix it
together.'"
Clinton invited those who share her goals to join her campaign and pledged
to implement many progressive ideas and reforms. Compared to President
Obama's campaign in 2008, which centered on getting out of Iraq and
bringing
a post-partisan approach to Washington, Clinton has defined the most
progressive agenda since Lyndon Johnson's Great Society or Franklin D.
Roosevelt's New Deal. Of course, the economy is far better now than in
2008,
so a more ambitious government agenda is possible.
Whether you fall under the poetry and spell of this sweeping agenda or are
skeptical that her words won't bring actions, Clinton is setting a high
benchmark. Here are 25 points as directly quoted or paraphrased from her
speech.
1. Make economic and social justice issues 'front and center.' Clinton made
that pledge when praising Sanders and his campaign, saying that's "where
they belong. I want you to know I have heard you. Your cause is our cause.
Our country needs your ideas, energy, and passion. That is the only way we
can turn our progressive platform into real change for America."
2. Comprehensive immigration reform-not Trump's border wall. "We will not
build a wall. When we have millions of hardworking immigrants contributing
to our economy, it would be self-defeating and inhumane to try to kick them
out. Comprehensive immigration reform will grow our economy and keep
families together-and it's the right thing to do. And we'll build a path to
citizenship for millions of immigrants who are already contributing to our
economy."
3. End targeting and racial profiling of Islamic Americans. Replying to
Trump's proposal to stop Muslims from visiting from overseas and increasing
police surveillance at home, Clinton said, "We will not ban a religion. We
will work with all Americans and our allies to fight and defeat terrorism."
4. Believe in government public service and be competent. "So it's true. I
sweat the details of policy, whether we're talking about the exact level of
lead in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan, the number of mental health
facilities in Iowa, or the cost of your prescription drugs. Because it's
not
just a detail if it's your kid, if it's your family. It's a big deal. And
it
should be a big deal to your president, too."
5. Make it a top task to revive America's economically stagnant regions.
"My
primary mission as president will be to create more opportunity and more
good jobs with rising wages right here in the United States. Especially in
places that for too long have been left out and left behind. From our inner
cities to our small towns, from Indian country to coal country. From
communities ravaged by addiction to regions hollowed out by plant
closures."
6. Reform campaign finance as the key to changing the economy. "I believe
our economy isn't working the way it should because our democracy isn't
working the way it should. That's why we need to appoint Supreme Court
justices who will get money out of politics and expand voting rights, not
restrict them. And if necessary, we will pass a constitutional amendment to
overturn Citizens United."
7. Hold corporations accountable and have them pay a fair share of taxes.
"I
believe American corporations that have gotten so much from our country
should be just as patriotic in return. Many of them are, but too many
aren't. It's wrong to take tax breaks with one hand and give out pink slips
with the other. And I believe Wall Street can never, ever be allowed to
wreck Main Street again."
8. Oppose trade agreements that privilege corporations above everyone else.
"If you believe that we should say no to unfair trade deals; that we should
stand up to China; that we should support our steelworkers and autoworkers
and homegrown manufacturers, then join us."
9. Climate change is real, and the solution is a new energy infrastructure.
"I believe in science. I believe that climate change is real and that we
can
save our planet while creating millions of good-paying, clean energy jobs."
10. Achieve a higher standard of living, starting with higher minimum wage.
"If you believe that companies should share profits, not pad executive
bonuses, join us. If you believe the minimum wage should be a living wage,
and no one working full-time should have to raise their children in
poverty,
join us."
11. Expand Obamacare and a health care safety net. "If you believe that
every man, woman, and child in America has the right to affordable health
care, join us!"
12. Raise Social Security benefits. "We should expand Social Security."
13. Protect reproductive rights. We should "protect a woman's right to make
her own heath care decisions," Clinton said.
14. Make sure women get equal pay for equal work. "If you believe that your
working mother, wife, sister, or daughter deserves equal pay, join us.
That's how we're going to make sure this economy works for everyone, not
just those at the top."
15. Make the biggest infrastructure investment in decades. "In my first 100
days, we will work with both parties to pass the biggest investment in new,
good-paying jobs since World War II. Jobs in manufacturing, clean energy,
technology and innovation, small business, and infrastructure. If we invest
in infrastructure now, we'll not only create jobs today, but lay the
foundation for the jobs of the future."
16. Make public universities tuition-free for most. "Bernie Sanders and I
will work together to make college tuition-free for the middle class and
debt-free for all."
17. Cut and restructure student debt. "We will also liberate millions of
people who already have student debt."
18. Expand job and trade skill programs. "Sure, college is crucial, but a
four-year degree should not be the only path to a good job. We will help
more people learn a skill or practice a trade and make a good living doing
it."
19. Open up lending options for small businesses. "We will give small
businesses, like my dad's, a boost, make it easier to get credit. Way too
many dreams die in the parking lots of banks. In America, if you can dream
it, you should be able to build it."
20. Tax the rich to pay for these public programs. "We're going to pay for
every single one of them. And here's how. Wall Street, corporations and the
super-rich are going to start paying their fair share of taxes. This is not
because we resent success, but when more than 90 percent of the gains have
gone to the top 1 percent, that's where the money is."
21. Track down tax evaders and make them pay. "We are going to follow the
money. And if companies take tax breaks and then ship jobs overseas, we'll
make them pay us back. And we'll put that money to work where it belongs:
creating jobs here at home."
22. Get military-style weapons off the street through new gun controls.
"I'm
not here to repeal the Second Amendment. I'm not here to take away your
guns. I just don't want you to be shot by someone who shouldn't have a gun
in the first place. We will work tirelessly with responsible gun owners to
pass commonsense reforms and keep guns out of the hands of criminals,
terrorists, and all others who would do us harm."
23. Work to heal divides on race and bigotry. "That starts with
listening-listening to each other, trying as best we can to walk in each
other's shoes. So let's put ourselves in the shoes of young black and
Latino
men and women who face the effects of systemic racism and are made to feel
like their lives are disposable. Let's put ourselves in the shoes of police
officers, kissing their kids and spouses goodbye every day and heading off
to do a dangerous and necessary job."
24. Enact criminal justice reform and address abusive polling. "We will
reform our criminal justice system from end to end, and rebuild trust
between law enforcement and the communities they serve."
25. Protect civil rights and liberties, including LGBT rights. "We will
defend all our rights: civil rights, human rights, and voting rights;
women's rights and workers' rights; LGBT rights and the rights of people
with disabilities. And we will stand up against mean and divisive rhetoric
wherever it comes from."
As Clinton said when summing up, her agenda is designed to help American
families, workers, workplaces and the middle class have a better base from
which they can live better lives. Her agenda is about respecting diversity
in all its forms and reforming government institutions from the inside out
to better uphold those rights.
She aims to revive downtrodden and overlooked regions by investing in
infrastructure, not just roads and bridges, but the energy systems
necessary
to combat climate change-a massive economic undertaking akin to Franklin
Roosevelt bringing electricity to rural America in the 1930s and President
Eisenhower building the interstate highways in the '50s. Those broad ideas
and her grit to deliver stands in stark contrast to Trump's fear-driven and
vacuous proposals, as Clinton said.
"Enough with the bigotry and the bombast," Clinton concluded. "Donald
Trump's not offering real change. He's offering empty promises. And what
are
we offering? A bold agenda to improve the lives of people across our
country-to keep you safe, to get you good jobs, to give your kids the
opportunities they deserve."
Steven Rosenfeld covers national political issues for AlterNet, including
America's retirement crisis, democracy and voting rights, and campaigns and
elections. He is the author of "Count My Vote: A Citizen's Guide to Voting"
(AlterNet Books, 2008).
Share on Facebook Share
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Report typos and corrections to 'corrections@xxxxxxxxxxxx'. [3]
[4]
________________________________________
Source URL:
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/25-progressive-reforms-hillary-clinton
-promised-work-toward-if-elected-president
Links:
[1] http://www.alternet.org/authors/steven-rosenfeld
[2] http://alternet.org
[3] mailto:corrections@xxxxxxxxxxxx?Subject=Typo on 25 Progressive Reforms
Hillary Clinton Promised to Work Toward If Elected President
[4] http://www.alternet.org/
[5] http://www.alternet.org/%2Bnew_src%2B
Published on Alternet (http://www.alternet.org)
Home > 25 Progressive Reforms Hillary Clinton Promised to Work Toward If
Elected President
25 Progressive Reforms Hillary Clinton Promised to Work Toward If Elected
President
By Steven Rosenfeld [1] / AlterNet [2]
July 29, 2016
AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to
Google+More
AddThis Share optionsShare to Email
When accepting the Democratic nomination Thursday, Hillary Clinton scoffed
at Donald Trump's boast that he alone can fix America if elected president.
She said, "Americans don't say, 'I alone can fix it.' We say, 'We'll fix it
together.'"
Clinton invited those who share her goals to join her campaign and pledged
to implement many progressive ideas and reforms. Compared to President
Obama's campaign in 2008, which centered on getting out of Iraq and
bringing
a post-partisan approach to Washington, Clinton has defined the most
progressive agenda since Lyndon Johnson's Great Society or Franklin D.
Roosevelt's New Deal. Of course, the economy is far better now than in
2008,
so a more ambitious government agenda is possible.
Whether you fall under the poetry and spell of this sweeping agenda or are
skeptical that her words won't bring actions, Clinton is setting a high
benchmark. Here are 25 points as directly quoted or paraphrased from her
speech.
1. Make economic and social justice issues 'front and center.' Clinton made
that pledge when praising Sanders and his campaign, saying that's "where
they belong. I want you to know I have heard you. Your cause is our cause.
Our country needs your ideas, energy, and passion. That is the only way we
can turn our progressive platform into real change for America."
2. Comprehensive immigration reform-not Trump's border wall. "We will not
build a wall. When we have millions of hardworking immigrants contributing
to our economy, it would be self-defeating and inhumane to try to kick them
out. Comprehensive immigration reform will grow our economy and keep
families together-and it's the right thing to do. And we'll build a path to
citizenship for millions of immigrants who are already contributing to our
economy."
3. End targeting and racial profiling of Islamic Americans. Replying to
Trump's proposal to stop Muslims from visiting from overseas and increasing
police surveillance at home, Clinton said, "We will not ban a religion. We
will work with all Americans and our allies to fight and defeat terrorism."
4. Believe in government public service and be competent. "So it's true. I
sweat the details of policy, whether we're talking about the exact level of
lead in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan, the number of mental health
facilities in Iowa, or the cost of your prescription drugs. Because it's
not
just a detail if it's your kid, if it's your family. It's a big deal. And
it
should be a big deal to your president, too."
5. Make it a top task to revive America's economically stagnant regions.
"My
primary mission as president will be to create more opportunity and more
good jobs with rising wages right here in the United States. Especially in
places that for too long have been left out and left behind. From our inner
cities to our small towns, from Indian country to coal country. From
communities ravaged by addiction to regions hollowed out by plant
closures."
6. Reform campaign finance as the key to changing the economy. "I believe
our economy isn't working the way it should because our democracy isn't
working the way it should. That's why we need to appoint Supreme Court
justices who will get money out of politics and expand voting rights, not
restrict them. And if necessary, we will pass a constitutional amendment to
overturn Citizens United."
7. Hold corporations accountable and have them pay a fair share of taxes.
"I
believe American corporations that have gotten so much from our country
should be just as patriotic in return. Many of them are, but too many
aren't. It's wrong to take tax breaks with one hand and give out pink slips
with the other. And I believe Wall Street can never, ever be allowed to
wreck Main Street again."
8. Oppose trade agreements that privilege corporations above everyone else.
"If you believe that we should say no to unfair trade deals; that we should
stand up to China; that we should support our steelworkers and autoworkers
and homegrown manufacturers, then join us."
9. Climate change is real, and the solution is a new energy infrastructure.
"I believe in science. I believe that climate change is real and that we
can
save our planet while creating millions of good-paying, clean energy jobs."
10. Achieve a higher standard of living, starting with higher minimum wage.
"If you believe that companies should share profits, not pad executive
bonuses, join us. If you believe the minimum wage should be a living wage,
and no one working full-time should have to raise their children in
poverty,
join us."
11. Expand Obamacare and a health care safety net. "If you believe that
every man, woman, and child in America has the right to affordable health
care, join us!"
12. Raise Social Security benefits. "We should expand Social Security."
13. Protect reproductive rights. We should "protect a woman's right to make
her own heath care decisions," Clinton said.
14. Make sure women get equal pay for equal work. "If you believe that your
working mother, wife, sister, or daughter deserves equal pay, join us.
That's how we're going to make sure this economy works for everyone, not
just those at the top."
15. Make the biggest infrastructure investment in decades. "In my first 100
days, we will work with both parties to pass the biggest investment in new,
good-paying jobs since World War II. Jobs in manufacturing, clean energy,
technology and innovation, small business, and infrastructure. If we invest
in infrastructure now, we'll not only create jobs today, but lay the
foundation for the jobs of the future."
16. Make public universities tuition-free for most. "Bernie Sanders and I
will work together to make college tuition-free for the middle class and
debt-free for all."
17. Cut and restructure student debt. "We will also liberate millions of
people who already have student debt."
18. Expand job and trade skill programs. "Sure, college is crucial, but a
four-year degree should not be the only path to a good job. We will help
more people learn a skill or practice a trade and make a good living doing
it."
19. Open up lending options for small businesses. "We will give small
businesses, like my dad's, a boost, make it easier to get credit. Way too
many dreams die in the parking lots of banks. In America, if you can dream
it, you should be able to build it."
20. Tax the rich to pay for these public programs. "We're going to pay for
every single one of them. And here's how. Wall Street, corporations and the
super-rich are going to start paying their fair share of taxes. This is not
because we resent success, but when more than 90 percent of the gains have
gone to the top 1 percent, that's where the money is."
21. Track down tax evaders and make them pay. "We are going to follow the
money. And if companies take tax breaks and then ship jobs overseas, we'll
make them pay us back. And we'll put that money to work where it belongs:
creating jobs here at home."
22. Get military-style weapons off the street through new gun controls.
"I'm
not here to repeal the Second Amendment. I'm not here to take away your
guns. I just don't want you to be shot by someone who shouldn't have a gun
in the first place. We will work tirelessly with responsible gun owners to
pass commonsense reforms and keep guns out of the hands of criminals,
terrorists, and all others who would do us harm."
23. Work to heal divides on race and bigotry. "That starts with
listening-listening to each other, trying as best we can to walk in each
other's shoes. So let's put ourselves in the shoes of young black and
Latino
men and women who face the effects of systemic racism and are made to feel
like their lives are disposable. Let's put ourselves in the shoes of police
officers, kissing their kids and spouses goodbye every day and heading off
to do a dangerous and necessary job."
24. Enact criminal justice reform and address abusive polling. "We will
reform our criminal justice system from end to end, and rebuild trust
between law enforcement and the communities they serve."
25. Protect civil rights and liberties, including LGBT rights. "We will
defend all our rights: civil rights, human rights, and voting rights;
women's rights and workers' rights; LGBT rights and the rights of people
with disabilities. And we will stand up against mean and divisive rhetoric
wherever it comes from."
As Clinton said when summing up, her agenda is designed to help American
families, workers, workplaces and the middle class have a better base from
which they can live better lives. Her agenda is about respecting diversity
in all its forms and reforming government institutions from the inside out
to better uphold those rights.
She aims to revive downtrodden and overlooked regions by investing in
infrastructure, not just roads and bridges, but the energy systems
necessary
to combat climate change-a massive economic undertaking akin to Franklin
Roosevelt bringing electricity to rural America in the 1930s and President
Eisenhower building the interstate highways in the '50s. Those broad ideas
and her grit to deliver stands in stark contrast to Trump's fear-driven and
vacuous proposals, as Clinton said.
"Enough with the bigotry and the bombast," Clinton concluded. "Donald
Trump's not offering real change. He's offering empty promises. And what
are
we offering? A bold agenda to improve the lives of people across our
country-to keep you safe, to get you good jobs, to give your kids the
opportunities they deserve."
Steven Rosenfeld covers national political issues for AlterNet, including
America's retirement crisis, democracy and voting rights, and campaigns and
elections. He is the author of "Count My Vote: A Citizen's Guide to Voting"
(AlterNet Books, 2008).
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
Report typos and corrections to 'corrections@xxxxxxxxxxxx'. [3]
Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.[4]
Source URL:
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/25-progressive-reforms-hillary-clinton
-promised-work-toward-if-elected-president
Links:
[1] http://www.alternet.org/authors/steven-rosenfeld
[2] http://alternet.org
[3] mailto:corrections@xxxxxxxxxxxx?Subject=Typo on 25 Progressive Reforms
Hillary Clinton Promised to Work Toward If Elected President
[4] http://www.alternet.org/
[5] http://www.alternet.org/%2Bnew_src%2B
