Hillary Clinton’s Platform and Why We Need Her
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes part in a Center for American Progress roundtable discussion on "Expanding Opportunities in America's Urban Areas" in Washington.
Editor’s Note: This opinion piece was written by Timothy Heier, President of BU Democrats.
Jobs and Economy:
Hillary Clinton believes that we need an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top. She will implement a “fair share surcharge” on multi-millionaires and billionaires as well as close loopholes which currently create a private tax system for the most fortunate. Clinton will offer relief from the rising costs that middle-class Americans face including tax relief for Americans facing excessive out-of-pocket health care costs and those caring for ill or elderly family members. Clinton will close tax loopholes like inversions that reward companies for shifting profits and jobs overseas. She will charge an “exit tax” for companies leaving the U.S. to settle up on their untaxed foreign earnings and work to pump more job opportunities for everyone.
Education:
Clinton’s policies on education are well-planned out and will help everyone obtain a quality education. By 2021, families with income up to $125,000 annually will pay no tuition at in-state four-year public colleges and universities. From the beginning of her presidency, every student from a family making $85,000 a year or less can attend an in-state four-year public college or university with a no-cost tuition. For those that take out college loans, they will be able to refinance loans at lower rates which she plans to develop, providing debt relief to an estimated 25 million people. Nobody will have to pay back more than 10 percent of their income, and all outstanding college debt will be forgiven after 20 years.
Environment:
Her plan for the environment is ambitious, yet achievable. She will defend, implement, and extend smart pollution and efficiency standards. This includes the Clean Power Plan and standards for cars, trucks, and appliances that are already helping clean our air, save families money, and fight climate change. Clinton will invest in clean energy infrastructure, innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development to make the U.S. economy more competitive and create well-paying jobs and careers. She will also launch a $60 billion Clean Energy Challenge to partner with states, cities, and rural communities to cut carbon pollution and expand clean energy, including plans for low-income families. Clinton will go after big oil and gas industries by cutting the billions of wasteful tax subsidies they have enjoyed for too long and invest in clean energy.
Equality and Justice:
Clinton will reform communities and the police forces that serve them so the bonds of trust can be strengthened. She will be making new investments to support state-of-the-art law enforcement training programs at every level such as use of force, de-escalation, community policing and problem solving, alternatives to incarceration, crisis intervention, and officer safety and wellness. On top of this, she will promote oversight and accountability in use of controlled equipment, including limiting the transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement from the federal government, eliminating the one-year use requirement, and requiring transparency from agencies that purchase equipment using federal funds. She will fight for racial equality, especially for those who are serving unfair sentences in prison based on racial baises.
