Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party on July 26, 2016. This milestone is a huge step for women and equality, but she is the best candidate for reasons beyond her gender.
To begin, she’s had years of political experience. Hillary served as a Senator of New York for eight years, First Lady for eight years, and Secretary of State for four years. She has not only seen the expectations of a President first-hand, but she has also been instrumental in making important decisions that affect policies in America and strengthen foreign relations.
Her ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with people of different backgrounds and cultures extends to her passion for diversity. She is an advocate for women, the LGBTQ community, minority groups, and many more whose voices are often silenced. She promises to be a voice for everyone, no matter his or her political affiliation or social class.
She also places an emphasis on unification, perfectly stated in her slogan, “Stronger together.” In her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), she spoke of the importance of finding common ground and listening to one another. She did not say, “I alone can fix it,” but stated that as Americans we should say, “We’ll fix it together.”
Clinton expanded on this idea by describing her desires to “make the economy work for everyone, not just those on top.” She wants to help the working class by creating more opportunities and jobs in America, raising the minimum wage, and making healthcare affordable. She does not see any justice in people working full-time yet being forced to live in poverty. Furthermore, she has plans to “liberate those who already have student debt” and make college free for the middle class and debt-free for everyone. She believes “America thrives when the middle class thrives.”
She believes in science as well. She knows climate change is real and sees job potential in clean energy. Clinton understands that we need to protect the Earth in addition to protecting our country.
In regards to our military, she stated, “A president should respect the men and women who risk their lives to serve our country.” While she appreciates their sacrifices, she also acknowledges violence as a last resort. “America’s strength doesn’t come from lashing out,” she said. “It relies on smarts, judgment, cool resolve, and the precise and strategic application of power.”
It is significant to point out that Clinton does not take the power of the presidency for granted. At the DNC, she mentioned how the Constitution was written to ensure that no one person had too much power. She admired the way our Founding Fathers were “drawn together by love of country and the selfless passion to build something better for all who follow.” Her statements demonstrate her esteem and devotion for the United States and its potential to achieve greater success for its citizens.
I am blessed to support a candidate who sees value in every person, seeks knowledge from every perspective, and shows that no one should be limited because of a physical characteristic such as gender. It is who this woman is as a person and what she promises as a leader that makes me proud to say, “I’m with her.”
