Hillary continues to provide me with reasons to support her in her bid for the Democratic Nomination and subsequently the Presidency and I continue to share them with you!!!  Hillary continues to stand up for people who need a voice in our society....most recently she has announced her plan to increase economic opportunities for people with disabilities.  Hillary's plan involves four parts, which I will outline for you here (for the full plan, visit her website at hillaryclinton.com/feature/ada/). 

The first part of the plan involves increasing "innovative employment strategies" which entails significantly increasing funding for loan programs (designed to help people access technology and equipment necessary for employment based on income), to help potential employers access support and equipment to make necessary accommodations (restoring funding to the Office of Disability Employment cut by Bush), and increasing federal "challenge grants" to states and localities to provide "innovative" employment strategies. 

The second part of the plan involves reviewing all federal websites to ensure their accessibility to people with disabilities as well as re-establishing an Executive Order for the Federal government to hire 100,000 people with disabilities over five years.  Thirdly, Hillary advocates for a $1,000 refundable tax credit for people with "serious disabilities and moderate incomes" to help with the cost of equipment and other accomodations. 

Last, but not least, the fourth piece of the plan deals with decreasing "disincentives" to work.  Hillary plans to decrease the premiums and cost-sharing for people with disabilities buying into Medicaid to 5% of their family income (same as SCHIP), removing the 8 1/2 year time limit for Medicare coverage for people with disabilities who are employed, and conduct a "National Review" to make recommendations re:  decreasing disincentives from federal programs and inconsistencies across states, as well as require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a Best Practice Report on these issues. 

A pretty damn good plan in my opinion addressing a major area of need for people with disabilities and our society!!  Way to go Hillary!!!!  Just one more reason to give Hillary our support in her bid to become President of the United States!!!  Show your support for people with disabilities, as well as all the other segments of our population to whom Hillary gives a voice, through supporting Hillary for President!!! 

I'm just wondering if anyone has changed their candidate of choice as a result of the latest debate (or any others for that matter)?  Also, how about all you undecideds out there...did this debate do anything to help you narrow your choices or select a candidate? 

No surprise that I have supported Hillary from the beginning and will until the end...Ha!Ha!Ha!!! 

Ok, Yes, I'm back again to call attention to Hillary's strengths!!!  One of the criticisms of Hillary in her bid for the Democratic nomination is that her health care plan does not extend far enough and is "weak"; so, I'm here to dispel that myth!!! 

Hillary's so-called "weak" health care plan has seven key points (which are outlined at hillaryclinton.com/feature/healthcare/).  I'm not going to go through the entire plan in detail with you since I'm sure you all can read it for yourself if you're interested in really seeing what Hillary's all about!

The first part of her health care reform would involve increasing the focus on prevention of major health problems (including diabetes, obesity, heart conditions, etc.).  She would require all insurers who conduct business with the federal government to cover prevention services as well as push collaboration between public and private entities to cover offer preventative services free of charge. 

The second part of her health care plan involves institution of a paperless system in medical record keeping and billing.  I'm not a technology expert, so I can't really speak intelligently on this issue; however, I do know it would cost money up front, but save money in the long run (by reducing errors). 

The third strategy would deal with coordinated care for those with chronic illness through providers of different health care components (chosen through bidding process) working together and providing incentives for participating in the chronic care management program. 

The fourth, and what I believe is the most important, part of Hillary's health care plan addresses discriminatory practices by insurance companies that results in fewer people being covered and puts more strain on the government funded health care programs (Medicaid and Medicare). 

The fifth part of Hillary's plan creates a Best Practices Institute (funded through the public and private sectors) to research effective and efficient treatment. 

Dealing with over-priced prescription medications is the sixth part of Hillary's plan to reform health care.  She would address decreasing the road-blocks for generic prescriptions to be manufactured and offered, allow for negotiation of prescription prices for Medicare, and increase oversight of the pharmaceutical companies marketing practices (including their arrangements with physicians). 

Last, but not least, the seventh piece of Hillary's plan deals with the increasing rate of medical malpractice suits and associated costs. 

Ok, there it is!  I encourage all of you to check it out for yourself at the link previously listed in this post!!  Clearly, Hillary's Health Care Plan is not "weak"!!!  Get Informed...Get Invovled...Support Hillary!!!!!!!!! 

Another reason some have cited for not supporting Hillary in her bid for the Democratic nomination is that she is not "left" enough.  I guess what some people want is an extremist for President!!!  That does not make sense to me.  In order to make change, people need to cooperate, and in order to cooperate, people need to be moderate (not extreme) in their positions!!! 

I know what some of you are saying "you always want facts and numbers to support things, where are they now?"  Unfortunately, the too moderate/not "left" enought argument is one that is not based in fact or numbers; therefore, I cannot find facts or numbers to counteract it!!!  But, let's look at some examples of extremism that are or have caused problems....extremist Muslims, Timothy McVeigh, KKK, Pro-Life radicals, Newt Gingrich, Viet Nam War protests (calling soldiers "baby-killers" and spitting on soldiers), McCarthy, and the list could go on and on!!! 

Alright, here's what I'm getting at...being too far "left" and dealing with those who are too far "right" does not mix well.  It doesn't lead to cooperation.  It doesn't lead to change!!!  What we need in our country now is CHANGE!!!!!!  And to that end, I believe we need more "moderates" on both sides to be in positions of power, cooperate, and create CHANGE!!!!  All the more reason to support a candidate who is not so far on the "left" that she can't see the middle ground....All the more reason to support Hillary!!!!!!  Get Informed...Get Involved...Support Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the qualms some people have about supporting Hillary in her bid for the Democratic Nomination is the implementation of NAFTA by Bill Clinton's Administration.  So, here I am to address that concern with facts about the impact of NAFTA! 

According to the article "After 10 Years, NAFTA Continues to Pay Dividends" (check it out at cato.org/dailys/01-08-04.html) by Daniel T. Griswold (associate director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute), "Nevertheless, ill-informed domestic critics continue to assert that NAFTA has cost hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and, further, is somehow responsible for the lingering recession in U.S. manufacturing....But an objective look at the record shows that none of the dire warnings about the agreement have come true."   

Griswold (2004) reports that between 1993 and 2003, 18 million jobs (net) were added in the United States.  Furthermore, he reports that the manufacturing output of the United States rose 41% in the decade following NAFTA's implementation.  Also, between 1999 and 2003, the United States investment in manufacturing in Mexico averaged 1.9 billion dollars compared to the 200 billion dollars invested each year in United States manufacturing (Griswold, 2004).  No kidding, NAFTA has actually not harmed the manufacturing sector in the United States, it actually seems to have helped!

Griswold (2004) sums up his article by stating "The recession in manufacturing sector that began in 2000 cannot be reasonably blamed on NAFTA.  It began years after the agreement took effect, and for reasons unrelated to NAFTA, such as the East Asian financial crisis, the bursting of the dot com and telecom bubbles, a collapse of business investment and demand, corporate scandals and uncertainty caused by the war on terrorism.  In fact, since 2000, imports from and exports to Mexico have both declined.  The problem for U.S. manufacturers is not too much trade with Mexico, but not enough." 

Last, but not least, let me point out the truth about our unemployment rates since the implementation of NAFTA by Bill Clinton and company.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov/), the unemployment rate dropped from 7.5% in 1992 to 6.1% in 1994, and continued to fall each year to 4.0% in 2000 (the lowest rate since 1979).  Yes, during the Bush Administration, the unemployment rate was on the rise, culminating in a 6.0% unemployment rate in 2003.  Fortunately, now, the unemployment rate has decreased to 4.6% in 2006.  So, NAFTA has clearly helped to decrease, not increase, the unemployment rate in the United States. 

Time to wrap it up!!  Clearly, based on verifiable facts, NAFTA, has not harmed the economy of the United States as so many people predicted upon it's implementation and continue to assert today.  There you go...one less reason not to support Hillary in her bid for the Democratic Nomination!!!

Get Informed...Get Involved...Support Hillary!!!

I'm looking for those of you who do not support Hillary to give me some insight as to why you don't.  Please identify what leads to you support another candidate instead of Hillary so that I can do some research and try to swing you to her side!!!  Yes, I believe that strongly in what Hillary stands for and what she has done as a First Lady and Senator that I believe I can convince you to support her using FACTS!!!!  What I'm not looking for is a rant about how she stayed with her adulterous husband and other such personal attacks...I'm looking for fact-based objections to what she has or has not supported!! 

I know that all the Democratic candidates are strong and I respect everyone's right to support the candidate of his/her choice; however, as a strong believer in Hillary I'm of course looking to help gain support for her!!!  I also want to be sure that if your candidate does not secure the nomination and Hillary does, you will feel comfortable giving her your support in the general election!!! 

Thanks in advance for all your responses!!! 

Get Informed...Get Involved...Support Hillary!!!! 

Here I am again to sing the praises of Hillary Rodham Clinton and I encourage you all to do the same; so, to that end I am going to provide you with some of the wonderful work she has done thus far!!!  Feel free to verify the following information at thomas.loc.gov. 

Legislation Hillary has sponsored: 

Senate Bill 895:  "A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to ensure that every child in the United States has access to affordable, quality health insurance coverage, and for other purposes."  "Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) of the Social Security Act to grant states the option to expand coverage of children whose family income is any percentage up to 400% of the poverty-line."  Deals with extending coverage for children, a school-based outreach program, and stream-lining the process of determining eligibility. 

Senate Bill 947:  "A bill to modernize the Federal Housing Administration to meet the housing needs of the American people."  Basically, deals with making mortgages more manageable for those who need the help. 

Senate Bill 982:  "A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for integration of mental health services and mental health treatment outreach teams, and for other purposes."  Specifically deals with the need for better Mental Health treatment for older adults. 

Senate Bill 1034:  "A bill to create investment opportunities for rural families and access to credit for rural entrepreneurs and microenterprises, to support rural regional investment, and for other purposes."  Promotes opportunities for those in rural communities.

Well, what more can I say about those pieces of legislation...they speak for themselves!!!  As usual, Hillary is and has tried to address OUR needs.  By OUR needs, I mean the needs of children, the elderly, people in poverty, and people in rural communities.  Who are these people?  They are us, our families, our friends, and our neighbors....our fellow citizens!!!  These are the peole Hillary stands up for!!!  Get Informed...Get Involved...Support Hillary!!!!! 

I'm excited to take this opportunity to bring your attention to Hillary's plan for dealing with the Iraq War situation. For the full text of what I'm referring to please visit www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2354 Also, check out her recent speech in Des Moines about this issue at www.hillaryclinton.com/news/speech/view/?id=2366

Yes, Hillary's already shown her support for ending the Iraq War by voting for Senate Joint Resolution 9 (phased re-deployment of troops, leaving some troops for security and training....to verify check out thomas.loc.gov). She has also sponsored legislation to end the war in the form of Senate Bill 670. That legislation is "A bill to set forth limitations on the United States military presence in Iraq and on United States aid to Iraq for security and reconstruction, and for other purposes." and "Prohibits appropriations for security and reconstruction assistance to the government of Iraq 90 days after enactment of this Act unless the President provides Congress with a specified certification respecting Iraq's: (1) security forces; (2) oil revenue distribution; (3) civil rights and political accommodation concerning its ethnic and sectarian groups; and (4) policy towards the participation of former Baath party members in the Iraqi government." Sounds reasonable to me!!!

Now, she has outlined her "...Plan to End the War in Iraq as President". She first plans to begin withdrawing our troops within the first 60 days of her Administration based on a plan developed by the National Security Council, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of Defense. Then, she would direct the USA's aid to governmental agencies and/or NGO's most able to use the aid to bring stability to the country and help the Iraqis.

Last, but not least, she would promote a diplomatic effort involving other countries in that region (as well as other world powers and a UN representative)!!!!!!!!! Yes, a regionally supported diplomatic effort to ensure that neighboring countries do not take sides in the civil war, mediate between the factions in Iraq, and fund reconstruction.

Ok, so, Hillary stands out from the crowd again!! She has already, as a Senator, voted for and sponsored legislation to end our military involvement in the Iraqi Civil War. Now, she has outlined her plans for her Administration to end the war if Bush does not do so now!!! That's initiative and follow-through!!!!!!!!!! That's Hillary!!!!!

Get Informed...Get Involved....Support Hillary!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, everyone knows I give Hillary all my support in her bid for the Democratic nomination and I ask all of you to do the same!! But, I don't expect you to do it without knowing what she's all about!!! So, in an effort to continue spreading the word about what Hillary stands for I bring you more from her voting record in the Senate!!!

To check it out for yourself visit Link

HILLARY VOTED FOR:   

House Resolution 1308:  "An act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax relief for working families, and for other purposes."  Extending certain tax credits for working families that were due to expire and/or be reduced!!! 

Senate Bill 476:  "An original bill to provide incentives for charitable contributions by individuals and businesses, to improve the public disclosure of activities of exempt organizations, and to enhance the ability of low-income Americans to gain financial security by building assets, and for other purposes"  Pretty self-explanatory!!! 

House Resolution 6:  "An Act to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers from price gouging, to increase the energy efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes."  Again, self-explanatory!!! 

HILLARY VOTED AGAINST:   

House Joint Resolution 47:  "A joint resolution increasing the statutory limit on the public debt."  "Amends federal law to increase the statutory limit on the public debt from $8.184 trillion to $8.965 trillion."  Yeah, just what we need...more debt!! 

Hillary continues to stand for sound fiscal policy and financial responsibility for our government.  Hillary continues to stand for responsible energy policy and the environment!!!  Hillary continues to stand up for the working class!!  Hillary continues to support us and we need to support her!!!  Get Informed...Get Involved...Support Hillary!!!!!!!!!!! 

Here I am again bringing to your attention more of the wonderful works of Hillary!!! Today's about her voting record in the Senate. To check it out for yourself, visit Link

Hillary voted for: 

House Resolution 2:  "To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage."  Giving people a fighting chance financially!! 

Senate Joint Resolution 9:  "A joint resolution to revise United States policy on Iraq."  Phased re-deployment of troops from Iraq, leaving limited numbers of troops there for security and training....what a GREAT idea!!! 

Senate Bill 1:  "A bill to provide greater transparency in the legislative process."  Dealing with the gobbly-gook that makes reading legislation difficult for the layperson as well as addressing those wonderful things called earmarks!! 

Senate Bill 5:  "A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research."  Enhancing scientists/researchers ability to look for answers and cures!!! 

I know, these are just a few of the bills that have been voted on just this term; however, I think they are a good example of what Hillary stands for and what she can do for our country!!  Get Informed...Get Invovled...Support Hillary!!!!!! 

I am full of reasons why Hillary is the BEST candidate!!! Better yet, I can back them up with legislation she has sponsored!! So, let me give you some more facts about what Hillary stands for... 

(To check these yourself go to Link)

Senate Bill  3945:  "A bill to provide for the provision by hospitals of emergency contraceptives to women, and post-exposure prophylaxis for sexually transmitted disease to individuals, who are survivors of sexual assault."

Senate Bill 3909:  "A bill to amend the foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide assistance for developing countries to promote quality basic education and to establish the achievement of universal basic education in all developing countries as an objective of United States foreign assistance policy, and for other purposes."

Senate Bill 3869:  "A bill to improve the quality of, and access to, supplemental educational services in effort to increase student achievement."

Senate Bill 2620:  "A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Assistant Secretary for Aging to provide older individuals with financial assistance to select a flexible range of home and community-based long-term care services or supplies, provided in a manner that respects the individuals' choices and preferences."

You may be asking yourself "So what?  It's not immigration, ending the war, or impeachment of Bush!"  May I remind you, it's these "little" issues that deal with the day to day life of ourselves, families, and friends.  It's these "little" issues that help make the USA the country it is....caring about assault victims, the elderly, education, and development of underdeveloped countries.  So, these "little" issues are the issues that really matter to me and hopefully to you!!!  Get Informed...Get Involved...Support Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where's all the Hillary Supporters? We need to start speaking up for our candidate!!!!! Let's turn all this anti-Clinton nonsense around!!!

I still haven't heard any "good" reasons for this hatred being spewed about the Clintons. As I've replied in other posts, the Clinton marriage to me does not seem to be a valid reason not to support Hillary. What happens between a husband and wife is between them. I'm sure we all know a couple who remains in their marriage despite infidelity. Who are we to say whether a couple should stay together or separate?

So, Hillary supporters...I know you're out there....let's spread the love for Hillary!!!  Let's start speaking up about why she should be/NEEDS to be the next President!!!!  Don't be daunted by the negative opinion of others, let's stay strong and be vocal in our support of Hillary!!! 

Get Informed....Get Involved....Support Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I'm sure I've made clear already (you can roll your eyes here), I believe Hillary is the best choice for President in 2008!!! Why? Well, there are too many reasons for me to list in one post; so, I'll start with identifying a few pieces of legislation that she has sponsored which show what Hillary's all about!!! For the full text of these pieces of legislation go to http://thomas.loc.gov/

Senate Bill 211: "A bill to facilitate nationwide availability of 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on human services. volunteer services, and for other purposes." This bill would help people find the resources they need to improve their quality of life!

Senate Bill 937: "A bill to improve support and services for individuals with autism and their families." A distinct area of need at this time is services for people with Autism!

Senate Bill 1031: "A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to provide coordination and direction for commodity programs, and to ensure the distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to schools and service institutions in the United States." Yes, she's looking out for the health of our children yet again!!!

Senate Bill 207: "A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose a temporary oil profit fee and to use the proceeds of the fee collected to provide a Strategic Energy Fund and expand certain energy tax incentives, and for other purposes." This bill would take some of the Big Oil profits and use them to find alternative energy sources...a dire need at this point!

Senate Bill 1444: " A bill to provide for free mailing privileges for personal correspondence and parcels sent to members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan." Looking out for the members of our military in a very simple way!!!

These are only a few of the pieces of legislation Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has sponsored during her time in office...don't worry, I'll point out more as time goes on!!! I know some of you are thinking "so what" or "what does Autism have to do with me" or "who cares about free mailing to our soldiers overseas"...I guess I do and I hope you do as well. These are the pieces of legislation that mean something. These are the reasons why I support Hillary overall, even if I don't support her position on every single issue. These are the reasons it's important to look at the entire picture of a candidate and what he or she stands for!!! Hillary stands for support of regular everyday people like you and I! Hillary stands for supporting our troops without supporting the President's poor choices! Hillary stands for what is important to this country....children!!!