We'll fix it together!
DEAL ME IN!
You have to stand up to bullies
We have nothing to fear but fear itself (FDR)
Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can
When there are no ceilings, the sky is the limit.
Hillary Clinton did it tonight ! She spoke for nearly an hour on the final night at the DNC with poise, power and grace, part preacher, part commander-in-chief, always in control and confident, ready and tested like no other! Her great speech set out to do two things: First, assure Americans that she has heard their frustration and fury about being left behind in the economic recovery and that she has plans to fix that. Second, Hillary wanted to convince Americans that she is the right President to protect our national security and defeat ISIS and terrorism.
She succeeded brilliantly on both counts and became both the progressive and national security candidate for President.
Voices4Hillary has decided to devote most of the Day 4 Wrap Up to Hillary's speech, because it was so important and will be the road map for winning new supporters over the next three months. We just don't have space to cover all the other speeches and testimonials to Hillary, from political leaders like Governor Granholm and the women in the US Senate. Or heroes like Capt Flo Groberg, who received the Medal of Honor for combat in Afghanistan and Khizr Khan, whose son was one of 14 American Muslims who died serving the United States since 9/11. Or Henrietta Ivey, a home care worker Hillary met while campaigning in Michigan who is helping to lead the Fight for $15. OrDave Wills, an 8th grade social studies teacher in Guilford County, NC who has over $35,000 in student debt.
Madam SenatorsNew York Times
Chelsea Clinton set the stage for her mom's speech with a poised, graceful introduction , describing her as "a listener and a doer, a woman driven by compassion, by faith, by kindness, a fierce sense of justice and a heart full of love". The dulcet tones of Morgan Freeman narrated the gorgeous and moving video.
1. Its the Jobs, Stupid
Close to the beginning of her address, Hillary made the necessary pivot that acknowledged the immense progress in rebuilding the economy during the past eight years, but also accepted that the American middle class is being hollowed out and forgotten. This sad fact may be largely due to Republicans in Washington refusing to do anything to counter the effects of globalization and technology on ordinary people, but people want to elect a President who can break that gridlock. We quote her speech below at some length because it clearly demonstrates that Hillary has the courage of her convictions and the skills and plans to significantly improve the lives of millions of ordinary Americans.
"But none of us can be satisfied with the status quo. Not by a long shot. We're still facing deep-seated problems that developed long before the recession and have stayed with us through the recovery.
"I've gone around our country talking to working families. And I've heard from so many of you who feel like the economy just isn't working. Some of you are frustrated – even furious. And you know what??? You're right. It's not yet working the way it should. Americans are willing to work – and work hard. But right now, an awful lot of people feel there is less and less respect for the work they do. And less respect for them, period. Democrats are the party of working people. But we haven't done a good enough job showing that we get what you're going through, and that we're going to do something about it.
"So I want to tell you tonight how we will empower Americans to live better lives.
"My primary mission as President will be to create more opportunity and more good jobs with rising wages right here in the United States... From my first day in office to my last! 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."
Then with the grace of a seasoned preacher, Hillary got into her stride and became the President who will restore growth and opportunity for all Americans:
"And here's what I believe.
"I believe America thrives when the middle class thrives. I believe that 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'll pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United!
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.
I believe in science ( followed by an endearing giggle as she laughs at her own joke). I believe that climate change is real and that we can save our planet while creating millions of good-paying clean energy jobs.
I believe that 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.
Whatever party you belong to, or if you belong to no party at all, if you share these beliefs, this is your campaign.
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.
If you believe that every man, woman, and child in America has the right to affordable health care…join us.
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…join us.
If you believe we should expand Social Security and protect a woman's right to make her own health care decisions… join us.
And yes, if you believe that your working mother, wife, sister, or daughter deserves equal pay… join us... Let's make sure this economy works for everyone, not just those at the top.
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. And we will transform the way we prepare our young people for those jobs.
Bernie Sanders and I will work together to make college tuition-free for the middle class and debt-free for all! We will also liberate millions of people who already have student debt.
It's just not right that Donald Trump can ignore his debts, but students and families can't refinance theirs.
And here's something we don't say often enough: College is crucial, but a four-year degree should not be the only path to a good job.
We're going to help more people learn a skill or practice a trade and make a good living doing it. We're going to give small businesses 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. We're going to help you balance family and work. And you know what, if fighting for affordable child care and paid family leave is playing the "woman card," then Deal Me In!
Now, here's the thing, we're not only going to make all these investments, 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.
"We are going to follow the money".
Not because we resent success. Because when more than 90% of the gains have gone to the top 1%, that's where the money is. And 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!
Now I know some of you are sitting at home thinking, well that all sounds pretty good. But how are you going to get it done? How are you going to break through the gridlock in Washington?
Look at my record. I've worked across the aisle to pass laws and treaties and to launch new programs that help millions of people. And if you give me the chance, that's what I'll do as President.
2. Ensuring National Security and Defeating Terrorism
Hillary's second challenge tonight was to demonstrate to Americans that she is the right choice to be Commander-in-Chief. Earlier in the evening, retired General John Allen departed from his record of political neutrality to fiercely endorse Hillary and warn Americans against choosing Trump. Flanked by fellow veterans, General Allen said that Mrs. Clinton would use all the "instruments of American power" to defeat ISIS, strengthen NATO, and honor its treaties.
Gen Allen flanked by other veterans endorsing HillaryNew York Times
Hillary continued: " The choice we face is just as stark when it comes to our national security. Anyone reading the news can see the threats and turbulence we face. I'm proud to stand by our allies in NATO against any threat they face, including from Russia. I've laid out my strategy for defeating ISIS. We will strike their sanctuaries from the air, and support local forces taking them out on the ground. We will surge our intelligence so that we detect and prevent attacks before they happen. We will disrupt their efforts online to reach and radicalize young people in our country. It won't be easy or quick, but make no mistake – we will prevail."
Then came what was probably Hillary's most important takedown of Trump, amongst many : "Now Donald Trump says, and this is a quote, "I know more about ISIS than the generals do…."
No, Donald, you don't. "
"We have to heal the divides in our country. Not just on guns. But on race. Immigration. And more. That starts with listening to each other. Hearing 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. We will reform our criminal justice system from end-to-end, and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
"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!
"But here's the sad truth: There is no other Donald Trump...This is it. And in the end, it comes down to what Donald Trump doesn't get: that America is great – because America is good. You have to keep working to make things better, even when the odds are long and the opposition is fierce. And though "we may not live to see the glory," as the song from the musical Hamilton goes, "let us gladly join the fight." Let our legacy be about "planting seeds in a garden you never get to see."
"That's why we're here...not just in this hall, but on this Earth. The Founders showed us that. And so have many others since. They were drawn together by love of country and the selfless passion to build something better for all who follow. That is the story of America. And we begin a new chapter tonight.
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July 28, 2016
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