Why should you vote for Hillary Clinton?

Most definitely, #ImWithHer. For those still struggling to decide, I hope you will read on to learn why I am with her and why I believe all of America should be with her. I’ve seen more than one social media request for someone to be convinced why they should vote for Hillary Clinton… asking to be convinced of her merits. 

I would begin by recommending you read the book (available free online), The Hunting of Hillary. Also, please consider her well documented accomplishments which I believe more than qualifies her for POTUS better than any candidate in our lifetimes. This is my challenge. Use my results, research them for yourself.

She has been on the national forefront of progressive democrats as First Lady, as Senator, as well as Secretary of State for the last quarter century. Here is a summary of her numerous accomplishments:

First ever student commencement speaker at Wellesley College

Distinguished graduate of Yale Law School

Former Director of the Arkansas Legal Aid Clinic

Former civil litigation attorney

Former Law Professor at the University of Arkansas 

School of Law. Former First Lady of Arkansas 

Former First Lady of the United States

First FLOTUS in US History to hold a postgraduate degree 

First ex-FLOTUS in US History to be elected to the United States Senate

Elected by the State of New York to serve two terms in the Senate

Former US Secretary of State

GRAMMY Award Winner.

Author

A democrat and progressive all her adult life

Her healthcare plan in the 90s failed due to Republican obstructionism (yeah, even back then), but undeniably laid the foundation for the Affordable Healthcare Act, which she supports and will continue and expand upon.

She took a leading role in developing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, assuring state support for children whose parents can’t afford nor provide adequate healthcare.

She was instrumental in creating the Adoption and Safe Families Act and the Foster Care Independence Act.

She won the fight to increase research funding for prostate cancer and asthma at the NIH.

She spearheaded investigations into mental illness veterans of the Gulf War suffer; those investigations gave us the term: Gulf War Syndrome.

At the DOJ, she helped establish the office of Violence Against Women.

She helped get over $21 billion in funding for the World Trade Center redevelopment.

She took a leading role in the investigation of health consequences for emergency responders.

It was Hillary who drafted the first bill to compensate and offer the health services our emergency responders deserve – Kirsten Gillibrand, Hillary’s successor got the bill passed.

In 2003 Senator Clinton secured funding to repay Harriet Tubman’s estate her well deserved Civil War pension for her services to the Union Army – those funds were approved for use, not just to honor her, but also in preserving her home.

She was instrumental in hammering out a bi-partisan compromise addressing civil liberty abuses for the renewal of the Patriot Act.

To help homeowners refinance their mortgages and save their homes after the 2008 crash, Hillary tried to bring back something like the New Deal-era Home Owners’ Loan Corporation.

Her activism for raising the minimum wage is indisputable and LONG precedes this election, –even if you think she wasn’t demanding a high enough increase, you cannot deny she has always been part of the call for an increase. Read some of her statements about her efforts in 2007 at www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=93079

Hillary was a major proponent of sensible diplomacy and working to negotiate a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

The Clinton Foundation, she and Bill founded, worked to improve living conditions for almost 400 million people in over 180 countries with its Initiative program.

The Clinton Foundation negotiated affordable drug prices for AIDS medication for over eleven million people around the world.

She’s renowned for her undeniable and tireless activism on behalf of children and women all across the world.

She was on the ground, in Texas, face to face and door to door registering voters and supporting groups like Caesar Chavez’s and activism on behalf of farm laborers.

She put herself at personal risk to go undercover in the desegregated South to expose continuing segregationism and discrimination in private Southern schools.

She understands climate science and recognizes the need for definitive action (though I, do agree her evolution on the topic has been rather slow). She said, “The science of climate change is unforgiving, no matter what the deniers may say. Sea levels are rising; ice caps are melting; storms, droughts and wildfires are wreaking havoc. … If we act decisively now we can still head off the most catastrophic consequences.” 

She’s been highlighting the link between climate change to women’s rights since at least as far back as 2010, when, as Secretary of State, she lead the way in launching the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, a public-private partnership led by the United Nations Foundation, with the aim of deploying 100 million clean cookstoves in the developing world by 2020.

She will uphold Obama’s landmark power-plant rules and will veto any congressional Republican effort to repeal the rules. 

She’s always worked for the interests of children and demanded more from our government on their behalf. As far back as 1983, as Arkansas’ First Lady, she chaired the Arkansas Education Standards Committee, working with every county recommending improved inclusivity for students with disabilities in public schools.

She has a long history of supporting the disabled and the ADA

Moreover, we all – every breathing intellect – evolve our perspectives with time. She has always worked for progressive issues all her adult life. Yes, her perspectives continue to evolve ever and ever toward ever more progressive stances that “We the People” have told her matter to us. Don’t “We the People” ultimately want our leaders to listen to us and don’t we want them to evolve their perspectives to meet our perspectives and our needs?

I’ve provided ample, documented proofs that she is more than qualified, perhaps more qualified than any person ever to seek the office. I have not mentioned that reprobate despot, Trump, nor his gilded sh*tstorm.

As for charges against her, they are all the GOP’s talking points. Bernie has endorsed her and you must acknowledge that when they served together in the Senate, they voted identically ninety-seven percent of the time. 

What folks seem to be missing, in their struggles to trust her, is that the GOP themselves have spent the last quarter century, and by now probably billions of our hard earned taxpayer dollars, repeatedly proving her NOT GUILTY with their never-ending witch hunts. All else is just rhetoric and unsubstantiated accusations. Either the GOP is blatantly lying… or they are rampantly incompetent – I opt for both. The only thing they’ve really achieved in the last three and half decades is to convince half the nation that the RULE OF LAW in America, still predicated upon the principle – for now, at least – of “innocent until PROVEN guilty” need never apply to Hillary Rodham Clinton. 

And, as we all know, nothing so enrages the witch hunter than for the so-called “witch” to be NOT GUILTY. How DARE she be NOT GUILTY! Crucify her anyway!

I have not mentioned Bernie’s endorsement before now. Let me point out that Bernie never repeated any of those GOP talking points. He cannot accused of being any kind of democratic insider. However, he is a Washington insider and has been on the scene for the entirety of the never ending assaults Hillary has born this past quarter century. 

BERNIE IS AN EYEWITNESS.

If you, his supporters, truly believe in him and support his positions, how can you deny Bernie’s eyewitness experience of her? He did not have to endorse her. He could have taken Jill Stein’s offer to step aside and let him be the candidate for her party. He could have run as an independent – he is still the longest serving and most successful independent I know of in government. Bernie Sanders has always held fast to his high ideals; he has never let up his rhetoric of social justice for every American. 

Do you believe Bernie Sanders willfully capable of immoral or corrupt decisions? How can you, his supporters, believe he would ever endorse someone he did not truly believe in, someone of whom he did not have intimate, eyewitness knowledge assuring him that she is the best person for the job?

I remember my own struggle to come around to supporting Obama in 2008 after Hillary lost – it took me until well into the Fall to choose to follow her lead and support Obama; and no one demeaned me for taking that time. I am a person who looks to hope and tries to see the best in people. And I see so much good in the Bernie Sanders supporters, so much real dedication and will to make their world a better place. I trust their intelligence and I trust their progressive hearts enough to believe that the vast majority will follow Bernie’s lead and vote for Hillary. 

Permit me to clarify: First, a disclaimer I’m not a lawyer or teacher or an historian, etc. I’m an artist and writer who relies upon in-depth research to make my choices rather than being spoon-fed a rhetoric of masturbatory vigilanteism from a GOP that is either lying about her or is incompetent – again, I opt for both.

I have a lot to say in her defense because I want to share the results of my research. None of it is hidden or secret – it’s all out there in the libraries (they’re still free for everyone and even accessible online now), in archives, and across the Internet. I want to motivate people to check my research, to look beyond the GOP’s empty rhetoric that Hillary Clinton must-must-must have gotten away with something just because the GOP haven’t been able to convict her of anything in a quarter century of FAILED, taxpayer-funded witch hunts.

We all watched the four days of the RNC convention – that event was nothing less than pure, rage-strangled masturbatory vigilanteism. One could easily imagine the crowd screaming in blind rage, “Burn the witch!” or “Crucify her!” 

I have a lot to say because people are perverting my Faith and my ideals of this constitutional democratic republic in their unreasoning new RELIGION of Hillary-hating. I have a lot to say because the world is being consumed by hate and if people of compassion and hope can’t lead us all back from the brink, then humanity will self-destruct and we will eradicate ourselves.

LIST OF SOME OF THE AWARDS & HONORS HILLARY CLINTON HAS RECEIVED

1983, Clinton was named Arkansas Woman of the Year by the Arkansas Democrat. 1983, Clinton was named Headliner of the Year by the Arkansas Press Association. Around 1983 or 1984, Hillary and Bill Clinton were named Public Citizens of the Year by the Arkansas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. 1984, Clinton was named Arkansas (Young) Mother of the Year by the Arkansas Association of American Mothers. the mid-1980s, Clinton was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 1988 and 1991, Clinton was named by National Law Journal as one of the 100 most influential lawyers America. An exhibit at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center also honors Hillary Rodham Clinton's time as First Lady of the United States. May 1993, Clinton received an honorary doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. She also served as the university's commencement speaker that year. Around 1994, Clinton received the Living Legacy Award from the Women's International Center, recognition of "her vast contributions so many fields, especially honoring her work for women and children." 1994, a special variety of tulip was cultivated and named for her The Netherlands; it was still being grown as of the late 2000s. 1995, the New York University Annual Survey of American Law dedicated its 52nd volume to Clinton. Each spring since 1942 the NYU Annual Survey has dedicated a volume to a preeminent attorney. On hand to honor Clinton were Former Secretary of the Treasury and United States Senator Lloyd M. Bentsen, Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, United States Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin, and United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy. June 1995, Mount Saint Vincent University awarded Clinton an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Clinton won the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for It Takes a Village during the Grammy Awards of 1997. 1997, Clinton was given the Lincoln Medal from the Ford's Theatre Society, presented annually to "individuals who, through their body of work, accomplishments or personal attributes, exemplify the lasting legacy, and mettle of character embodied by" Abraham Lincoln. May 1998, Clinton received the United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize for her work health and social welfare, especially as it related to women, children, and families. April 1999, Clinton was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Children of Chernobyl Relief Fund for her support of that Ukrainian organization's efforts regarding legacy effects of the Chernobyl accident. June 1999, Clinton received the Mother Teresa Award, the highest honor given to civilians by Albania. This was recognition of her humanitarian efforts following the Kosovo War and worldwide. March 26, 2004, Clinton was presented with the inaugural Nursing Health and Humanity Award from the University of Rochester School of Nursing. August 26, 2004, Clinton was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, (LLD) by the University of Ulster. February 13, 2005, Clinton was awarded the German Media Prize 2004. "Hillary Clinton is a model politician for millions of women around the world" who "represents an exemplary way women's rights", the jury for the prize said. February 15, 2005, Clinton was given the American Medical Women's Association's President’s Vision & Voice Award, for being an advocate for women's health and related issues. May 2005, Clinton received an honorary doctorate from Agnes Scott College near Atlanta for being a "defender of human rights" and "a resolute defender of the rights of women and girls." July 30, 2005, Clinton was given the Reserve Officers Association's National President's Award. September 2005, Clinton initially accepted but later rejected honorary membership into Alpha Kappa Alpha due to its exclusive requirements which would prevent her from accepting honorary membership other National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations. October 9, 2005, Clinton was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. April 2006, Clinton was honored with the Remembrance Award from the Northeastern New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. June 14, 2006, Clinton received an Energy Leadership Award from the United States Energy Association's Energy Efficiency Forum, recognition of her leadership on energy issues. During 2007, Clinton was awarded an honorary doctorate medicine by the University of Gothenburg Sweden, for being "a strong advocate for increased investment medical research" and for "raising awareness of the increased health problems linked to obesity, poor quality food and physical inactivity." Senator Clinton was named Person of the Year 2007 by Irish America magazine. 2008, Clinton was named NY1's New Yorker of the Year. January 17, 2009, Senator Clinton received the Salute to Greatness Award from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Newsweek ranked her as the 13th most powerful person on the planet, and the most powerful American woman, its "Global Elite" for 2009. Clinton received the Global Trailblazer award from Vital Voices Global Partnership, for "her passionate commitment to promoting women's rights and securing justice for all people around the world." March 27, 2009, Clinton received the Margaret Sanger Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which the organization says "recognize[s] leadership, excellence, and outstanding contributions to the reproductive health and rights movement." May 13, 2009, Clinton received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from New York University and spoke at their 177th commencement at new Yankee Stadium. May 18, 2009, Clinton received Barnard College's highest award, the Barnard Medal of Distinction, as she spoke at their commencement. May 25, 2009, Clinton received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Yale University, from whose law school she had graduated three dozen years earlier. May 25, 2009, Clinton received an award from the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, for "unprecedented steps taken the right direction on Hellenic and Orthodox issues". During 2009, Clinton received the Freedom Medal, part of the Four Freedoms Awards from the Roosevelt Institute. October 5, 2010, Secretary Clinton was given the George McGovern Leadership Award by the World Food Programme, for "her commitment and visionary approach to ending global hunger." April 15, 2011, Clinton received the Walther-Rathenau-Preis Berl "for outstanding contributions to international understanding and cooperation". June 2, 2011, Secretary Clinton was given the George C. Marshall Foundation Award for a career of distinguished public service, and particular, "for her dignity and integrity of character, for her devotion to creating and perpetuating free and democratic institutions, and for promoting appropriate economic development that will allow them to flourish." 2012, she was chosen as one of Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People of the year. March 2012, Arkansas' largest airport, Little Rock, was renamed to Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field. April 2012, Clinton received a Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service. May 24, 2012, Clinton was given the Champions for Change Award for Leadership by the International Center for Research on Women, " recognition of her long-standing dedication to empowering women and girls worldwide and ensuring their human rights." December 2012, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy's annual Saban Forum honored Clinton with a keynote speech introduced by an eight-minute video that featured several foreign leaders and considerable praise from Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu, Tzipi Livni, Shimon Peres, and Ehud Barak. Belfast - December 8, 2012, Clinton was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Worldwide Ireland Funds, recognition of her efforts for peace and reconciliation Northern Ireland during her time as First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State. January 15, 2013, Clinton was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor. Presented with the 2013 Chatham House Prize by Prince Andrew, Duke of York February 14, 2013, two weeks after stepping down as Secretary of State, Clinton was given Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the highest Pentagon medal given to private citizens or politicians. Both Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta praised the unusually cooperative relationship the two departments had during Clinton's tenure. May 8, 2013, Clinton was honored by the Pacific Council on International Policy with the inaugural Warren Christopher Public Service Award. July 8, 2013, the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center was dedicated Little Rock, Arkansas, having recently been named that by the Central Arkansas Library System. Clinton read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to mark the occasion. August 28, 2013, the British international affairs think tank Chatham House voted Clinton as the 2013 winner of the Chatham House Prize " recognition of her personal leadership driving a new era of US diplomatic engagement and for her particular focus on promoting education and rights for women and girls" September 10, 2013, the National Constitution Center awarded Clinton the 2013 Liberty Medal for her positions public service and for her advocacy efforts towards more rights for women and girls worldwide. September 13, 2013, the University of St Andrews conferred an honorary Doctor of Law degree onto her recognition of her "roles as politician, diplomat and champion of education, human rights, democracy, civil society, and opportunities for women and girls around the world." Beginning February 2014, the annual Hillary Rodham Clinton Awards for Advancing Women Peace and Security have been given by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, of which Clinton is the Honorary Founding Chair. May 3, 2014, Hillary Rodham Clinton received the Order of Lincoln, the highest award of the State of Illinois, where she was born and raised. December 16, 2014, Clinton received a Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. 2014, Clinton was named by Glamour magazine as one of "The 75 Most Important Women of the Past 75 Years." March 3, 2015, Clinton accepted the "We Are Emily" award from Emily's List. March 16, 2015, Clinton was inducted into the Irish America Hall of Fame. June 4, 2015, Clinton received the first Barbara Jordan Public-Private Leadership Award, named honor of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan and given to "a deserving woman anywhere the world who has made the highest achievement during the preceding year or years any honorable field of human endeavor the public or private sector." November 19, 2015, Clinton received the first Mario M. Cuomo Visionary Award. June 2016, a bust of Clinton was unveiled the ma square of the Albanian city Saranda. Clinton was named by Americans Gallup's most admired man and woman poll as the woman around the world they most admired 1993–94, 1997–2000, and 2002–15. The woman of the year 2015 was her fourteenth a row and twentieth overall. She has held the top spot the poll longer than any other woman or man Gallup's history of asking the most admired question. Clinton has been ranked on their list of the world's most powerful people by Forbes magazine. She was listed as 5th most powerful 2004, 26th 2005, 18th 2006, 28th 2008, 36th 2009, 2nd 2011, 2nd 2012, 5th 2013,6th 2014, and 58th 2015. Clinton has been named ten times Time magazine's Time 100 as one of the 100 most influential people the world. Years this happened were 2004 (as part of The Clintons), 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016. addition, November 2010, Time named Clinton one of the 25 most powerful women of the past century. Clinton has been named three times as Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating Person of the year, 1993, 2003, and 2013. Wikipedia provided the simplest bare list, but I verified most of the items with additional research of the sources provided with the list.