As progressive legislators, we have had a front-row seat from which to view the destruction done by the extreme political agenda of Governor Scott Walker and the Republican majority in the Legislature. Republicans have thrown away Wisconsin’s progressive traditions to become a testing ground for some of the most extreme right-wing policies in our nation.
Republicans have attacked working people, limited the ability to organize, and ignored the crisis of stagnant wages. They have attacked women, making it harder to access birth control and abortion, forcing the closure of five rural Planned Parenthood health centers that provide cervical and breast cancer screenings, and even repealing our state’s Equal Pay law. Republicans have gone after the most vulnerable among us, making sweeping changes to long-term care programs for the elderly and disabled, placing new restrictions on access to FoodShare and Unemployment Compensation, and even trying to eliminate our popular SeniorCare prescription drug program. Governor Walker has rejected millions of federal Medicaid dollars that could cover tens of thousands more families with needed health insurance. Republicans have rolled back laws that kept our communities safe and eliminated the 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases. And Republicans have pushed forward divisive anti-immigrant policies that tear families apart and promote fear and racial profiling.
Every day, we hear from constituents who are struggling under these failed Republican policies, who are working two and three jobs just to stay afloat or who face tragic circumstances when they cannot afford or access adequate health care. The restrictions on abortion are causing women to suffer right here in our own community, as women who have wanted pregnancies that have gone wrong are forced to travel out of state to obtain needed care. We know of families who have faced tragic loss due to preventable gun violence. The Nosal family lost their precious daughter Caroline when her murderer was able to purchase a handgun the day before killing her in the absence of the 48-hour waiting period, recently repealed by Republicans.
Republicans on the national level are no different. Throughout the presidential primary race, we have heard Republicans compete to out-extreme each other. Donald Trump has said that women who have abortions should be punished. He has stated that he will build a “big” wall between the United States and Mexico. Ted Cruz referred to birth control as an abortion-inducing drug and wants to send patrols to Muslim neighborhoods. Since John Kasich was elected Ohio’s Governor, almost one-half of Ohio’s women’s health centers have closed.
At this juncture, it is critical that we elect a president who will help us turn things around in Wisconsin and elsewhere in the country where such right-wing extremism and governing for the special interests like the NRA has become all too commonplace. As Democrats, we recognize the need to elect a leader whose mission it is to ensure every individual and every family has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. That person is Hillary Clinton.
Hillary Clinton has a strong track record of achieving her goals and has the experience to implement policies that work for everyone.
Secretary Clinton will work to grow the middle class and to provide educational and economic opportunity for all. She is ready to hit the ground running and has a plan to ensure every child has affordable access to the highest quality education from early childhood through college; a plan to ensure women and people of color have equal opportunity and equal pay in the workplace; and a plan to provide health care for all and access to the full range of reproductive health care choices.
Her unmatched policy experience – both domestic and foreign – and her impressive list of accomplishments as a public interest attorney and advocate for children, as our First Lady, as New York’s Senator, and as Secretary of State puts her head and shoulders above the field and uniquely qualifies her to continue to build on the progress President Obama has made on issues of health care, gun violence, economic recovery, and so much more.
Hillary Clinton is the only candidate who has been a champion for women and children. During her time in the U.S. Senate, she introduced eight pieces of legislation to increase access to reproductive health (which is 8 more pieces of legislation than any other presidential candidate). Secretary Clinton is responsible for making sure women have over the counter access to Emergency Contraception, which prevents unintended pregnancy. This is why she is supported by organizations like Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.
Hillary Clinton has been a staunch advocate for the rights of children. Her work as First Lady resulted in the Children’s Health Insurance Program, providing health care for 8 million children and opening the door to what would eventually become President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
And she has worked tirelessly to create safe communities and curtail gun violence. Hillary Clinton has stood up to the NRA, something many Democrats are loath to do.
Her record stands in stark contrast with her Democratic opponent who voted against common-sense gun safety measures like closing the background check loophole that allowed the perpetrator of a mass shooting at an African-American church in Charleston to purchase his gun. Hillary understands that no parent should ever lose a child to senseless gun violence, whether in an elementary school, at the movies, or as they play in their communities.
On so many key issues, Hillary Clinton has led the charge, and she will continue to do so as our next president. At a time when America has never had a women president – and women are still grossly underrepresented in legislative bodies locally and at the state and national levels – it is exciting to have such an eminently qualified, progressive, and effective women running for the office. We can think of no better woman than Hillary Clinton to break that glass ceiling. And we can think of no individual better qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as our next president.
