In 2008, we opted for “hope” and “change.” Well, Obama is the first to admit that didn’t happen. He said so at his final State of the Union. Republicans slapped his hand every time he extended it. Part of me wonders what Hillary would have done differently had she won in 2008.
I have a feeling she would have gone in there and torn it up from day 1:
“I have a long record and I have been on the forefront of change for decades. I’m a progressive who likes to get things done. And I will get into that White House. I don’t need a tour. I know right where the Oval Office is.”~Hillary Clinton
Unfortunately, Obama didn’t believe the Clintons when they said Republicans would do everything they could to destroy him. But now, in 2016, Obama finally understands what the Clintons told him all along. I want a President who can hit the ground running with Obama’s platform and doesn’t require on-the-job training.
No wonder Planned Parenthood and The Brady Campaign endorsed Hillary -- they know she has already withstood the Republican onslaught for decades and *STILL* stands strong. If Bernie can't even handle Hillary's rather easy healthcare critiques, he will be slaughtered by Karl Rove and the Republicans. Mark my words.
As we all know, Hillary battled Republican lawmakers for 11-hours during a tax-payer funded witch-hunt. From Hillary’s 1993 universal healthcare battle, to the Benghazi hearings, Republicans have spent millions trying to stop Hillary Clinton. For all of you Bernie supporters, maybe you should ask yourself “why?”
Coincidentally, Karl Rove just released an ad in Iowa and New Hampshire linking Hillary to Wall Street:
Hillary’s response:
“I think it shows how desperate the Republicans are to prevent me from becoming the nominee. I find that, in a perverse way, an incredibly flattering comment on their anxiety, because they know that not only will I stand up for what the country needs, I will take it to the Republicans.”
Karl Rove’s ad should tell you everything you need to know: Karl Rove is propping up Bernie to hurt Hillary because he fears her far more than Bernie's no-starter legislation.
Remember: we barely passed the Affordable Care Act with majorities in both chambers of Congress. Let's build on the Affordable Care Act instead of relitigating healthcare, a battle that isn't wise to do in this scary political environment. Bernie's plan failed 9 times and was rejected by his home state of Vermont. It is no wonder The Brady Campaign and Planned Parenthood endorsed Hillary -- she is the best candidate to take us forward successfully.
At the end of the day, New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton fought for unions and a higher minimum wage despite corporate contributions. President Obama fought for Dodd-Frank despite corporate contributions. The health insurance companies and Republicans spent millions trying to stop Hillary in 1993, yet her pragmatism shined through when she helped create and pass the Children’s Health Insurance Program, giving 8 million children health insurance. And most recently (aside from Karl Rove’s ad), Republicans spent tax-payer money on a witch-hunt against Hillary over an American tragedy in Benghazi. This is because fighting inequality has been a lifelong cause for Hillary Clinton, starting during her days at the Children’s Defense Fund:
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- First Lady of Arkansas: Hillary successfully reformed education and healthcare, worked at the Arkansas Children's Hospital Legal Services, cofounded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, and investigated racism in South Carolina prisons.
- First Lady of the United States: Hillary spearheaded the Adoption and Safe Families Act, the Foster Care Independence Act, Office on Violence Against Women, and the Campaign Against Teenage Pregnancy.
- New York Senator: Hillary secured healthcare for 9/11 first responders and expanded access to care for the National Guard, Reservists, and their families.
In a post-Citizens United world, one simple fact remains: it takes money to beat money. Now, I know idealists will say that is a self-defeating, pessimistic outlook. But since the passage of Citizens United, it’s a reality. Look at the loss of 900 legislative seats under Obama — 37-state’s are currently controlled by Republicans, defunding Planned Parenthood and attacking gay rights on a local-level.
Bernie supporters make a huge deal about his fundraising strength, but they conveniently forget Hillary raised an additional $18-million for down-ticket Democrats. Bernie said he would but hasn’t, probably because he isn’t a Democrat.
As Planned Parenthood and the Brady Campaign have concluded, the way we change our country is building a coalition in all 50-state’s — in areas where “socialism” is still a dirty world. Remember: most parts of America are not the Internet or Tumblr. Bernie's socialist platform will lead to even more sweeping losses in red state's.
Hillary has consistently fought inequality and worked to even the odds for women, children, the poor, and under-privileged. I have no doubt in her commitment to take on corporate America just as President Barack Obama did with Dodd-Frank (despite taking corporate contributions). Hillary’s Wall Street plan is tougher and more comprehensive than Bernie’s, tackling derivatives and shadow-banking.
If we are to actually create change within our system, we need to play the game. And frankly, we’re losing in a very big way given the fact 37-state’s are controlled by the GOP and we lost 900 legislative seats under Obama. In a post-Citizens United World, it takes money to beat money. The Clintons have raised $18-million for down-ticket Democrats.
In 2008, we opted for Obama’s idealism. In 2016, I want the Clintons ruthless pragmatism that led to the booming 1990s when incomes rose at all levels — more people lifted out of poverty than at any other time in American history. We did this by investing in causes Hillary has championed her entire life:
At the end of the day, the Clintons paid a 35.7% tax rate: $40 million total taxes over the last 7 years. They aren’t hiding their money overseas in Swiss Bank Accounts like Mitt Romney, a man who paid a 14.7% tax-rate.
We tend to forget both Clintons came from humble beginnings and used their natural talent and determination to achieve success, building the Clinton name side-by-side since their days together at Yale Law School. That’s the American Dream. I don’t begrudge them for it, especially considering how much they give to charity, pay in taxes, and have done for our country. The Clintons pay their fair share and give back to a country that has given them so much.
Why wouldn’t the Clintons hold Wall Street to the same standard they hold themselves to?