- Login
- Print Subscription
|
Welcome,
Credentials:
| |
| |
- Most Commented
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Most Emailed
- Popular
- Popular
« News Home
Clinton targets economy, opens Ohio campaign at Valley plant
Clinton said her plan will revitalize the middle class.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LORDSTOWN — Penny Jackson was clearly excited as she awaited the arrival of Hillary Clinton at the GM Lordstown complex.
“She’s my girl. I can’t wait to see her. I plan to shake her hand. She’s opening the door for a lot of women,” said the 31-year GM employee from Alliance.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton kicked off the Ohio phase of her bid for the Democratic Party’s nomination for president Thursday with a visit to the auto plant. She addressed several hundred employees and political supporters as she outlined her plan to go after big oil and special interests in what she said is a drive to restore America’s middle class.
Jackson wasn’t disappointed with what she heard.
“I was very impressed,” she said afterward.
Jackson also has a dilemma. She said she is torn between supporting Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama in the campaign for the Democratic nomination.
“I kind of hate that she and Obama are going against each other,” she said, suggesting it would be ideal to have the two share the ticket.
“They would do this country a world of good. That is the dream ticket,” Jackson said.
Clinton took time to take a brief tour of the Lordstown production line, stopping to speak with workers and sign autographs.
She said she believes the Mahoning Valley is important, not only to her campaign for president, but for Ohio and America.
That’s why she decided to launch her Ohio campaign for the March 4 Ohio primary here, she said.
Telling the crowd that one of her primary goals is to help rebuild a strong and prosperous American middle class, Clinton outlined a plan that she said would put $55 billion a year into the pockets of Americans by reining in special interests, going after excessive oil company profits, enacting a “fair credit for families agenda,” establishing a Student Borrowers’ Bill of Rights, creating a $50 billion strategic energy fund, restoring fairness to the tax code and putting an end to what she described as health insurance company discrimination.
She said she chose to unveil her plan and launch her Ohio bid at a plant like Lordstown that has weathered the storms and will continue to survive.
“Ohio is the heart of it all,” Clinton told the crowd. “Ohio represents the best of what we can do to build a strong and prosperous middle class.”
She said she envisions the building of a manufacturing belt that would surround Ohio.
Her plan would retool companies, provide universal health care, create 5,000 “green clean energy” jobs and, in general, help to revive the nation’s economy. It would also end corporate subsidies and loopholes for companies that decide to move jobs overseas.
Costs are going up while jobs and wages are going down, Clinton said, adding that she understands what families are doing to try to cope.
“The election is about you and your families,” she told the crowd. The country can’t afford to give up manufacturing in America or its manufacturing jobs — ever, she said.
Not long ago, the country had a balanced budget and a surplus, but President George Bush “signed a subprime mortgage on the American economy,” she said, claiming the country’s destiny has been signed over to other nations, including China, Mexico and others.
Chinese steel comes here, American money goes there and the U.S. gets toys with lead paint and contaminated pet food while our government does nothing about it, Clinton said.
America needs to revamp its trade agreements to protect American jobs and manufacturing, she said, suggesting that the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was signed into law by her husband, needs revisited in terms of labor and environmental issues that she said were never negotiated or enforced by the Bush administration.
Clinton said she voted against the Central American Free Trade Agreement because of the same failings.
She never mentioned her Democratic opponent by name but did refer to him several times, accusing his campaign of releasing false information about her stance on NAFTA and suggesting that he lacks the experience to create jobs.
“My opponent makes speeches. I offer solutions,” she said.
Change will happen whether people want it or not. The question is, who will deliver progress, she said.
“There’s a big difference between us — talk versus solutions,” Clinton said.
gwin@vindy.com
- Requires free registration.
Comments
Speaking of solutions, she had her chance to fix health care during her husband's administration and failed. Hillary does a lot of talking too!
Philobeto: that is a silly argument. Hillary was a pioneer, and yes--visionary--about the need for universal health care 15 years before anyone else had the guts to even broach the subject. THAT'S why it "failed": because there was no political courage or will to push it past the insurance industry. Did she quit? Of course not--because she always perseveres. Instead, she collaborated to create and implement the State Children's Health Insurance Program which now provides health care to 6 million children nationwide. Hillary's critics are so often hostile without accurate knowledge of the impressive body of work that she has accomplished in almost 4 decades of public service. There is not enough room here, but before you accuse, please do some research: women, children's, and low-income health care and human rights; veterans health care and benefits; education reform and advocacy; body armor for soldiers; unemployement benefits for wounded soldiers and their families; benefits and advocacy for the disabled and their families; economic revitalization for rural Arkansas and Upstate New York. It goes on and on. What she is saying now is absolutely the truth: she offers real solutions for real people. Obama has potential, but at this critical time in our nation--with 2 wars, a recession and global warming threatening the planet--hiring someone with so little experience is dangerous and unnecessary. We don't have time for training and mistakes. Hillary knows the ropes and has brilliant ideas (most of which Obama has copied to the letter). Give him time to gain more national experience in foreign policy, the economy, passing bills etc. Did you know that the ONLY two bills Obama has passed in the Senate were for (1) support for democracy in the Congo and (2) naming a post office!?! This yearning for change is something we all crave--so let's elect someone who has already proven that she can execute real plans and offer real help to this country now.
She is nothing but a lot of air like her husband. If she gets in office y'all will go down go down the tubes with her . meanwhile , I will emigrate to a different country. I feel sorry for the people that cant afford to leave mexamerrikka
Dear oldmill: "b-bye."
Hillary is the most qualified.
These people backing Obama? Come on, the guy has 2 years of political experience. There is no way he is qualified to run this country. I am disgusted that the country is stupid enough to fall for a catch phrase, and believe that Obama is ready. He will be eaten alive. Hillary is not Bill and I think she will do a great job.
Itrane923 you've said what I've been thinking. You are exactly right!!!
Hillary is not Bill, Bill was good, but Hillary will be great. She's a fighter and she's worked hard for who's she's become I admire her and hope America will shake off thier blinders and vote for the right and only person for the toughest job in America.
Don't forget, when Hillary was unable to get universal health care done she went to work on Schip which allowed 6 million children to get insurance. As Senator from NY, while the Bush Admin was talking about supporting out troops, Senator Clinton got to work with Lindsay Grahm (R) and got health care for our National Guard and Reserves who have been deployed relentlessly. She keeps on fighting for what she believes in, she'll work every day for every American!
philobeto,
If everyone is discounted because of one "failure", I think we would all be sitting in our cribs and sucking our thumbs. Senator Clinton's first attempt at universal health care did not succeed because we as a country were not prepared to fight for it. Her years of tireless advocacy have shown us her tenacity to do what would help the country, even when her causes had to be measured by the capacity of her influence. She has been pragmatic and effective. Her resolve never wavered. If she was any less than the person she is, she would not have bothered, because by the way she has been treated, it does not seem we deserve her service.
Has your mama never taught you: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again?
From what I gather from Senator and Mrs. Obama, they certainly do not intend to.
Philobeto, I take it you jump on band wagon's b/c they feel good. I hope you don't follow one over the cliff!! My point is that you and many American's seem to want Obama b/c he is a great cheer leader. 'fif' has made an excellent point with facts to back his/her commentary. Our country is divided and needs immediate help...not good speeches or retoric without solutions. Hillary is a seasoned politician with numerous important achievements and accomplishments under her belt. The most educated economists state her 'universal health care plan' 'could well be the difference between achieving universal health coverage...and falling far short'. New estimates by leading economists point out the 'Clinton plan is...promising to limit insurance costs as a percentage of family income...include(s) more funds for subsidies.' The major and big difference is the 'mandate'. Obama's plan doesn't carry this and would be like McCain's plan.
The economists also mention 'the Obama plan would leave more people uninsured...would cover 23 million (of the 45 million uninsured), at a taxpayer cost of $102 billion per year. (Clinton's) identical plan with mandates would cover the 45 million (uninsured)..at a taxpayer cost of $124 billion. Over all, the Obama-type plan would cost $4,400 per newly insured person, the Clinton-type plan only $2,700' My hat's off to Hillary for understanding how to implement a universal plan. My vote will go to her. I've spent 37 years in the healthcare profession and know how desparite Americans are for HER leadership, not only with health care, but helping strengthen the middle class (something her husband did by getting 5 million persons out of poverty and into the middle class with his leadership); by understanding women's and other minorities issues which she has a long accomplishment list to prove this. She will unite all Americans. I question Obama's 'hate' for his 'mother's race'...that would be 'white'. (read 3/26/07 article by Steve Sailer entitled 'Obama's Identity Crisis'). I say why not give the 46 y/o candidate with limited experience 8 more years in the Senate OR VP and let him have a better resume for president then.