Hillary visits my hometown

On the same stage I received my diploma, performed my senior showcase, and had countless cheerleading practices, Hillary Clinton addressed citizens of my town last night at 10:15PM appealing for their vote on next Tuesday’s election. 

I didn’t know people in Belpre stayed out past 10:00PM, but it looks like there was a decent showing.

 

There she is with Governor Ted Strickland and a few familiar faces behind her.  I like Governor Strickland a lot, he used to let me follow him around back when I was 11 and on through high school when he was still my Congressman.  I usually claim him as the one who got me interested in politics and consider myself lucky that he was tolerant of my interest as a young kid. 

Anyway, I want to know what the 1500 people packed in the Belpre High School gym last night think Hillary is going to do to help improve their life.

Belpre is home to about 6800 residents along the Ohio River in Southeastern Ohio.  Across the river is Parkersburg, West Virginia which consumes most of Belpre’s disposable income. Belpre is a dry town so there are no major restaurants, forcing weekend activity either across the river, or up the river to Marietta, Ohio.  The school system is small and getting smaller since it takes multiple times to get an operating levy passed, and provides only a few opportunities for advanced students.  Fewer kids usually go to college upon graduation than get married or go directly into the work force.  Recently about 10% or more join the military to serve our country.  The job market in Belpre consists of a few professional offices, but there are more pharmacies, gas stations, and used car lots than a town for 6800 would ever need.  Most people work at Kraton Polymers or another chemical plant on the river, or the Bureau of Public Debt (thanks to Senator Byrd) across the river. Belpre also is comprised of a growing elderly population, hence the need for pharmacies on every corner. So, in my opinion, what do the people of Belpre need right now? We need stronger schools, a stronger job market, and stronger health care and retirement systems.  What does Belpre NOT need right now? Hillary Clinton as President. Here’s why…

Hillary’s plan does nothing to empower American citizens.  Her plan for America is to provide a government that will provide for you. 

- She wants a Universal health care system that mandates every person buy health insurance and if you can’t afford it there will be government subsidies.
- It looks like the only jobs that she wants to create will be government jobs: infrastructure, “green collar,” etc.
- Increased regulation on the mortgage industry, credit cards, insurance companies, trade agreements, and China’s currency (whaaat?).
- Mandate businesses offer sick days to all employees and extend unemployment insurance.
- Tax profits on the pharmaceutical, oil, and gas industries. (See my previous article on Hillary and Obama taxing your retirement.)

Her plan for America tells me a few things.  She doesn’t want Americans to be self-reliant and independent like the Founding Fathers intended.  She wants us to depend on her government programs. Her plan for America is not pro-business or pro-growth. Even Business Week magazine says so.  Who would work if you can get everything you need by not working? Don’t have money for food? Get food stamps.  Don’t have insurance? The government will give it to you.  Need money to pay for heating? Hillary’s emergency energy assistance program will pay for it!  And I guess it doesn’t matter that she taxes the profits of big industries that we all have in our IRAs and portfolios since she’ll provide us with a retirement plan.  She allows no choice for individual choice, and she thinks that since the Bush government has failed that expanding it will only make us all better off. 

Belpre, Ohio’s needs are not far out of line of many small American towns. Many small towns are struggling to keep their identity in a changing world with global competition. But Hillary won’t help us whether we’re in small town America, suburban towns, or big cities.  She does not welcome free market initiatives, the very liberty that makes America great.  If America is manipulated into voting for Hillary by broad generalizations and politically charged talking points, we will lose the vibrancy of the American dream which is made possible because we live in a country that supports the free market, private initiative, and individual choice.  That may sound extreme, but I don’t think I’m being irrational. 

So before you cast your vote, think about which candidate will empower America to live the American dream, and I think you’ll find that Hillary Clinton is not that candidate.