I'm With Hillary

I’ve been excited for Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the office of President of the United States since the early days of Ready for Hillary. I’ve been a fan of Hillary Clinton since 2008, when I was 7 years old. I have a book that contains speeches by historic Americans that I’ve had since I was a little girl and still use as inspiration when I write my own speeches. In that book is Hillary Clinton’s speech to the United Nations at the 4^th World Conference on Women back in 1995, where she said, “We need to understand there is no one formula for how women should lead our lives. That is why we must respect the choices that each woman makes for herself and her family.” You may notice that when I write and speak about feminism and about the issues that affect women in America today, this sentiment is reflected in my own attitudes.

Secretary Clinton’s leadership and inspiration has played, and continues to play, a large part in why I’m active in trying to shape a bright future for my country and why I feel empowered to do so. She is a role model for me, both politically and personally.

Hillary’s experience as a lawyer, campaign worker, committee and board member, First Lady both to a state Governor and a President, Senator, and Secretary of State, is exactly the kind of varied experience I consider valuable in a future President. I have confidence that she has the diplomacy skills, the broad spectrum of knowledge, and the track record necessary to continue to move America in a positive direction despite the many obstacles we will continue to face.

The majority of this country, despite what you might think if you engage in political discourse on the Internet, is not far left or far right. The majority of Americans, like myself, are more centrist in their positions. Hillary Clinton will represent my Progressive values with common sense in a manner that will appeal to voters and advocate policies to strengthen the middle class that can make it though Congress and onto her desk to sign. She’ll be able to compromise in order to get things done and she’ll be able to weather the storms and keep pushing for what’s right and beneficial to mainstream America despite having to make decisions that will not always be popular.

I won’t be able to vote in the primaries or in the 2016 Presidential election, but I am proud to give my endorsement to the candidate who has given so much to me over the years and who is the candidate I feel will give the most to all Americans.  It is my sincere hope that I get to cast my vote for Hillary Clinton’s re-election to the office of President of the United States in 2020.

Yesterday, with the greatest of thanks to my friend Susan Smith, President of the South Carolina Democratic Women’s Council, I had the opportunity to hear Hillary Clinton speak at the SCDW’s Day in Blue event and to meet and speak briefly with Secretary Clinton.

I asked her if she was elected, or even if she wasn’t, if she would support the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. She told me she thought it was a long road of action, but she would definitely support it. This answer showed me she is familiar with the issue and understands the challenges we will have to meet to get the ERA ratified. She also talked in the speech she gave about issues impacting women’s equality like equal pay, pay transparency, and the fact many of the jobs that don’t pay a living wage are held by women. These are all issues that while we continue to fight for the big picture, full Constitutional equality, we have a chance to solve through legislation.

I also asked her what advice she would give to young people who want to get involved in politics. Her answer: Volunteer. She told me about how she got started was volunteering for campaigns and that seeking out internships would be a good idea for me in the future. I’ll also add here that all policy and pomp and circumstance aside, she is incredibly cool and we could totally hang at Chipotle and maybe go for a Starbucks after. Anything you hear about her having trouble connecting with average middle class voters or young voters is ridiculousness.

In her speech, Secretary Clinton talked about the 2008 primary and the way in which discourse can sometimes not reflect the best examples of citizenship during campaign season. She said, “We should show more respect toward each other, and we should remember why we’re doing this; because we love our country and we want it to be the country of hope and potential for our children and grandchildren.”

I hope that no matter which candidate you support for the office of President of the United States, you feel as passionate about your candidate as I do mine. No matter which candidate wins this primary season, we must, as Progressives, come together and help elect that candidate in order to preserve the progress we’ve made and protect our country against the policies and attitudes that will drive us backwards.

No matter which candidate you support, I hope you will both recognize and let your actions reflect the fact Hillary Clinton has dedicated her life to public service, has helped move our country forward throughout her career, and has inspired and empowered young women to walk the long road of action.

Volunteer. It’s an easy word to say, but can sometimes be hard for people to do, especially when they don’t see others like themselves getting involved. I’m thankful that Secretary Clinton has served as my role model over the course of my lifetime. Both her public remarks and personal remarks to me embody the values I want to see reflected in the highest office of our government.

If you would like to join me in volunteering to help elect Hillary Clinton to the office of President of the United States, you can sign up here:
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/volunteer/

Someone recently shared a song with me, and I would like to dedicate this song to Hillary. It’s because of her paving the way that I can, because of her example that I am, and because of her leadership and the policies she’s fighting for that I will.