By Janie Allred
I’ve recently noticed something I don’t quite understand: there is so much animosity towards Hillary Clinton at this school!
The part that really irritates me is when I am in a class, and the teacher says something like, “…And if Hillary Clinton runs for President…,” there is always, without fail, a loud collective groan or shouts of anger and disgust. When I ask these students WHY they do not like her, they look angry or puzzled for a moment, and then realize that they have absolutely no idea why. They usually just associate her in a way that many other people view the Democratic party in this State (little do they know that she started out her political career as a Republican). One student even told me, “I don’t like Hillary Clinton because her husband committed adultery,” which is a ridiculous injustice. They know practically nothing about her policies, views on issues, or character.
I’ve always kept my mouth shut during these outcries, not because I like Hillary Clinton necessarily, but because I don’t know anything about her! Because I am a big fan of understanding candidates and issues more fully before making a judgement, instead of just judging only party affiliation, I have never shouted “Yucky” or “Hooray” when her name comes up. This article is to inform people in a small way, and to educate myself, about the good side of Hillary Clinton in general, so that people will tone down their vicious hate for her.
Hillary was raised in a religious middle-class family in Illinois. She attended Yale law school, where she focused on questions about how the law affects children. This is how she became an ardent advocate for children and families in America, issues that have been her main focus during her life.
Since then, she has run a legal aid clinic for the poor where she handled cases of abuse and foster care. She organized the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families group; was staff attorney for the Children’s Defense Fund; sponsored the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act; and also sponsored bills ensuring that all children receive health care coverage. She served on national boards for the Children’s Defense Fund, the Child Care Action Campaign, and the Children’s Television Workshops. She was the first lady of Arkansas and the first lady of the United States. She was elected by the people of New York to be a U.S. senator twice, the first first lady ever to be elected to public office.
She is a powerful advocate for women and has traveled all over the world speaking out about abuse of women and women’s rights. As first lady of the United States, she helped launch a campaign to prevent teen pregnancies and make adoption easier. She has written books, including one called “It Takes a Village,” about the responsibility all people have to helping children. In it she is very complimentary to Mormons, (relevant to the area we live in) and discusses Family Home Evening as a wonderful way to help families and children grow in love and happiness.
Say what you want about her, but she definitely has experience. I’m focusing mostly on her advocacy for children and families, because that has been her main focus, but there have been countless efforts on Hillary’s part in all issues; from immigration to education to homeland security. There is not enough space to cover all there is to cover about the things she has been involved in, therefore I highly suggest taking the time to read more extensively about them at http://www.hillaryclinton.com, and http://clinton.senate.gov/issues. It is worth a few moments of your time.
Hillary Clinton comes across as very grating at times because she is loud and dominating. She has spoken out against the current administration. She doesn’t speak just to make people happy, that’s for sure. If you’ve heard her speak and been turned off by her manner, you wouldn’t be the only one.
However, maybe it’s time for someone with a brain, and not just a friendly face.
