Friday, August 5, 2016

#morethanredandblue: Mrs. Clinton's Acceptance Speech

Finally, we review the speech by former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president. Thanks to Politico for the full transcript of Mrs. Clinton's speech; all excerpts are in indented italics as worded in their transcript.
Our Founders embraced the enduring truth that we are stronger together. America is once again at a moment of reckoning. Powerful forces are threatening to pull us apart. Bonds of trust and respect are fraying. And just as with our founders, there are no guarantees. It truly is up to us. We have to decide whether we all will work together so we all can rise together. Our country's motto is e pluribus unum: out of many, we are one. Will we stay true to that motto? Well, we heard Donald Trump's answer last week at his convention. He wants to divide us - from the rest of the world, and from each other... And most of all, don't believe anyone who says: “I alone can fix it.” Those were actually Donald Trump's words in Cleveland... Americans don't say: “I alone can fix it.” We say: “We'll fix it together.”
Early in Mrs. Clinton's speech, we see a clear divergence from Mr. Trump's isolationism that puts America separate and walled off; here, Mrs. Clinton instead talks about meeting this crossroads moment by choosing the path toward collaboration. While it might be too big a leap to excitedly connect this directly to the Call to Family, Community, and Participation, I think it's a clear, intentional nod to the power of banding together. This is the headline emblazoned on the banner boards of the arena as she spoke - Stronger Together.

Talk can be cheap, but it's almost all we have during campaigns, so I'll take some initial solace in the idea that collaboration is declared as integral rather than repetitious insistence on supremacy and separation.
We will not build a wall. Instead, we will build an economy where everyone who wants a good paying job can get one. And we'll build a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants who are already contributing to our economy! We will not ban a religion. We will work with all Americans and our allies to fight terrorism... [Mrs. Clinton later adds] I believe that when we have millions of hardworking immigrants contributing to our economy, it would be self-defeating and inhumane to kick them out. Comprehensive immigration reform will grow our economy and keep families together - and it's the right thing to do. Whatever party you belong to, or if you belong to no party at all, if you share these beliefs, this is your campaign.
Here, Mrs. Clinton elaborates by tying her collaborative starting point to the economy and immigration. She wants to solidify and strengthen the economy by acknowledging the presence and contributions of undocumented people and finding a comprehensive way to integrate them for fully into formal contribution. This comes with the explicit word to do so without prejudice toward any religion, as well. These are positive extensions of the atmosphere of collaboration and inclusion hinted at before.
Look at what happened in Dallas after the assassinations of five brave police officers. Chief David Brown asked the community to support his force, maybe even join them. And you know how the community responded? Nearly 500 people applied in just 12 days. That's how Americans answer when the call for help goes out. 20 years ago I wrote a book called “It Takes a Village.” A lot of people looked at the title and asked, what the heck do you mean by that? This is what I mean. None of us can raise a family, build a business, heal a community or lift a country totally alone. America needs every one of us to lend our energy, our talents, our ambition to making our nation better and stronger. I believe that with all my heart. That's why “Stronger Together” is not just a lesson from our history. It's not just a slogan for our campaign.
Here is where Mrs. Clinton thickens up her perspective on collaboration and moves even into the importance of community. She gives the beautiful example of Dallas' response to the terrible tragedy they experienced, where a leader challenged his community with invitation and opportunity and the people responded by taking accountability via their actions.

Mrs. Clinton backs that up by reaching back to her earlier writing, showing that the value she places on how it takes a village to raise a child is a long-standing ideal for her. This ideal is at the forefront of her acceptance remarks, and it holds promise for setting a course of inclusion and welcome to grow in our society.
She made sure I learned the words of our Methodist faith: “Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can.” I went to work for the Children's Defense Fund, going door-to-door in New Bedford, Massachusetts on behalf of children with disabilities who were denied the chance to go to school. I remember meeting a young girl in a wheelchair on the small back porch of her house. She told me how badly she wanted to go to school – it just didn't seem possible. And I couldn't stop thinking of my mother and what she went through as a child. It became clear to me that simply caring is not enough. To drive real progress, you have to change both hearts and laws. You need both understanding and action.
Here, Mrs. Clinton makes explicit reference to her Methodist faith and shares some of her life experience working on behalf of the poor. She shares this anecdote that illustrates part of why Mrs. Clinton came to believe that caring must be accompanied by action, action that targets for legal change as well as a change in hearts.

This principle is something most people would probably echo, and it will come into play significantly as Catholics struggle over whether or not to vote for politicians that do not advocate for abortion restrictions. Abortion rates do not predictably rise and fall based on the party in power, in the White House or Congress, or based on the balance of the Court. Arguments are often made that legality versus illegality is not the primary place to target; rather, systemic change will come from education, economic improvements, and stronger support to at-risk populations. Let's continue to hear that out.

Nonetheless, many Catholics would prefer both legal transformation and societal/cultural transformation. The approach of allowing legality and constitutionality of Roe v. Wade while working to reduce the number of abortions solely through other means is likely unsatisfying to fervent Catholic voters, but the conversation should get some additional spotlight, especially with Mr. Kaine, a Catholic, and his mixed position on the ticket.
So we gathered facts. We built a coalition. And our work helped convince Congress to ensure access to education for all students with disabilities. It's a big idea, isn't it? Every kid with a disability has the right to go to school.
Mrs. Clinton next talks about the universal right to education for people with disabilities. This is a great example of opting for the marginalized in political and social decisions. It's just unclear what the details here are, and Politifact did not include it in their survey of her factuality.
I believe America thrives when the middle class thrives. I believe that our economy isn't working the way it should because our democracy isn't working the way it should. That's why we need to appoint Supreme Court justices who will get money out of politics and expand voting rights, not restrict them. And we'll pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United! 
This is an interesting thread that Bernie Sanders' campaign certainly helped weave. Campaign finance is out of control, and the unlimited spending of independent expenditure groups is simply wild. In addition to the crazy amount of influence and visibility that spending can buy, the fact that campaigning has become a multi-billion dollar industry, with the presidential campaign alone costing over $1 billion, is unjust.

A decent argument for subsidiarity could be applied here. Banding people together into big groups that raise millions to slam politicians is a far cry from people taking care of things at the most local level. Politically speaking, a strong argument can be made that grass-roots campaigning - local volunteers, door-to-door visits, phone calls, yard signs, etc. - is still the most effective, even if the war chest and independent expenditure money is what makes candidates viable in the early stages. The principle of simplicity here suggests a shorter, less exorbitant campaign could be just as effective, if not more.
If you believe the minimum wage should be a living wage… and no one working full time should have to raise their children in poverty… join us.
Here's a tricky one with the Dignity of Work and Workers' Rights. We do need a just economy that serves the worker and not simply the owners and management. However, I struggle to discern what the limit is on how much intervention is good. Is a $15 minimum wage a good thing right now? It's good for the minimum wage worker, but can businesses sustain that in this economy? Will it be able to grow faster than inflation if minimum wage is forced to lurch forward that much higher that much faster? I'll admit I'm pro-living-wage and pro-just-wage but struggle with ratcheting up the minimum wage. I'm abstaining a bit here on this since I think it might be a bandaid or a house of cards.
If you believe we should expand Social Security and protect a woman's right to make her own health care decisions… join us. And yes, if you believe that your working mother, wife, sister, or daughter deserves equal pay… join us... [Later, Mrs. Clinton added also] We're going to help you balance family and work. And you know what, if fighting for affordable child care and paid family leave is playing the “woman card,” then Deal Me In!
I didn't pull this quote because of Social Security, though caring for the elderly is important and something that only gets harder as fewer working citizens are paying into it and more people are drawing out of it. I do also appreciate the bigger lens that sees beyond abortion and lifts up women to have equal pay and benefits.

But obviously, Mrs. Clinton's advocacy for a woman's right to choose is troublesome, not because Catholics hate women but because we don't want abortion, artificial birth control, and abortifacients on the table here.

Mr. Kaine is an intriguing balance to this, especially since he remains supportive of the Hyde Amendment even though it is contrary to the platform, but he scored a 100% from NARAL as a political advocate of pro-choice policies. There's been some good dialogue so far about Catholics grappling with wanting to vote Democrat/non-Trump but bristling at such abortion support. Remember - though abortion is a profound evil, neither party fits the consistent ethic of life totally.
Bernie Sanders and I will work together to make college tuition-free for the middle class and debt-free for all! We will also liberate millions of people who already have student debt. It's just not right that Donald Trump can ignore his debts, but students and families can't refinance theirs. And here's something we don't say often enough: College is crucial, but a four-year degree should not be the only path to a good job.
Here's some big talk toward our Rights and Responsibilities. Public education guarantees Americans the right to school through 12th grade, but we haven't crossed the bridge to include higher level education yet. Mrs. Clinton throws this in here, building off Mr. Sanders' emphases on it, and takes a swing at student debt as well. As usual, "how do we pay for it" will be the refrain from skeptics. Stay tuned on whether or not there's a feasible path toward universal college education and student loan debt reform.
You want a leader who understands we are stronger when we work with our allies around the world and care for our veterans here at home. Keeping our nation safe and honoring the people who do it will be my highest priority. I'm proud that we put a lid on Iran's nuclear program without firing a single shot – now we have to enforce it, and keep supporting Israel's security. I'm proud that we shaped a global climate agreement – now we have to hold every country accountable to their commitments, including ourselves. I'm proud to stand by our allies in NATO against any threat they face, including from Russia. I've laid out my strategy for defeating ISIS. 
We will strike their sanctuaries from the air, and support local forces taking them out on the ground. We will surge our intelligence so that we detect and prevent attacks before they happen. We will disrupt their efforts online to reach and radicalize young people in our country. It won't be easy or quick, but make no mistake – we will prevail.
I will say that I found this section to be quite heartening, as it builds on the reality of Mrs. Clinton's work as Secretary of State, during which she did a solid job improving American international relationships following some rocky times under President Bush, who I supported. I highly value global solidarity as an ideal, and I think her commitment to diplomacy and coalition-building can manifest that ideal for America.

I think Mrs. Clinton is hawkish enough where her recourse toward military might can be taken seriously, but liberal enough (in the political science sense of the word) that she will prioritize non-violent means, negotiation, and collaboration. This relationship-building abroad is the right step for human rights and global solidarity. I'm not saying she'll certainly succeed with flying colors, but this tack is much more fitting than isolationism and brute threats.
And if we're serious about keeping our country safe, we also can't afford to have a President who's in the pocket of the gun lobby. I'm not here to repeal the 2nd Amendment. I'm not here to take away your guns. I just don't want you to be shot by someone who shouldn't have a gun in the first place. 
We should be working with responsible gun owners to pass common-sense reforms and keep guns out of the hands of criminals, terrorists and all others who would do us harm. For decades, people have said this issue was too hard to solve and the politics were too hot to touch. But I ask you: how can we just stand by and do nothing?
This is a pretty nice follow-up to some of the ways I summarized our bishops' teachings on guns, gun violence, and gun control. Mrs. Clinton echoes their basic position - allow the second amendment but contextualize it with reasonable limits and restrictions. Mrs. Clinton appears to fall in line with that while challenging gun advocates to find reasonable ways to agree to place boundaries on their second amendment rights to help the country reduce violence and preserve life.
So let's put ourselves in the shoes of young black and Latino men and women who face the effects of systemic racism, and are made to feel like their lives are disposable. Let's put ourselves in the shoes of police officers, kissing their kids and spouses goodbye every day and heading off to do a dangerous and necessary job. We will reform our criminal justice system from end-to-end, and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. We will defend all our rights – civil rights, human rights and voting rights… women's rights and workers' rights… LGBT rights and the rights of people with disabilities!
Here's a nice, fairly straight-forward nod both to Rights and Responsibilities, and in terms that sound a lot like solidarity, calling us to mindfulness for all of brothers and sisters.

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To continue vetting Mrs. Clinton in the early going, here are some links to read more:




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