We are in a time ongoing social progress and political change. But today’s political climate is brimming with accusations, hate, lies and bigotry. After a long two-year election period, we are left with two candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Yet neither seems to fit what we envisioned two years ago.
There is still one clear choice. We at City on a Hill Press endorse Hillary Clinton, not because she is the lesser of two evils but because she is the most qualified to do the job.
Clinton embodies the traditional political dynasty, with ties to two separate presidential administrations and friendships with powerful banking groups like Goldman Sachs. But the same experiences causing voters grief have given her the battle scars and know-how to tackle the exceedingly difficult position of commander-in-chief.
Her record in office is not without serious misgivings, including issues of email server security, promoting U.S. intervention in Libya and her implications of involvement with the death of Honduran environmental activists. She’s far from the perfect candidate. But if we are going to hold her accountable, we must also review the qualifications of her primary opponent, Donald Trump.
Unlike Clinton’s lengthy political resume, Donald Trump runs a multibillion-dollar real-estate company catalyzed from his massive family inheritance with a history of not paying contract workers, losing investor funds and bankruptcies. This potential president was accused of raping his first wife, is currently in a civil trial for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl, and in the last six months, at least 12 women have come forward accusing Trump of sexual assault. Trump is racking up a long list of heinous allegations.
We must also compare the future of our administration under both candidates. The next commander-in-chief will face a series of crucial issues such as nominating a new Supreme Court justice, continuing or replacing the Affordable Care Act, addressing costs of higher education and reforming campaign finance. Hillary Clinton has far more qualifications and has the temperament to manage these decisions.
With the vacated seat of Antonin Scalia, there is a chance to appoint a justice in the most powerful court in the nation. The next president’s choice for the Supreme Court will have a lasting legacy that will continue long after they leave the White House.
Trump’s campaign released a list of 21 potential justices, including names like Sen. Mike Lee, who claimed minimum wage, child labor laws and Social Security are unconstitutional. Trump’s candidates’ choices don’t represent a conservative ideology, they represent a dangerous and inaccurate interpretation of the U.S. Constitution that could haunt the country far beyond his presidency.
While Hillary Clinton has yet to release any potential candidates, she has made it clear that her justice appointees will support overturning the controversial Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission, protect reproductive rights and ensure LGBTQIA+ civil liberties.
Trump is also considered the biggest threat to the American economy. His plans to slash taxes would add as much as $10 trillion to the U.S. debt. Analysts on both sides have predicted his policies could launch the nation into a two-year recession, which would be the longest economic struggle since the Great Depression.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton intends to massively reduce college debt, invest in clean energy and early childhood education and expand the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to a series of tactical tax plans, her current economic package would essentially add no national debt.
In truth, Hillary Clinton is not the general public’s dream president. But her vision for the country offers so much more hope for our nation. And her’s is a dream for a country not filled with accusations, excuses and ultimately hate.
Clinton offers potential campaign finance reform, protection of civil liberties and expansion of social welfare programs that benefit the entire nation. If Trump stands by even a fraction of the misogyny, racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia and lies that he has spewed on the campaign trail, his possible presidency would certainly promote divisiveness and dangerous action against communities throughout the country.
We cannot allow Donald Trump to lead our country. And right now, it is entirely possible. A few weeks ago Clinton had over an 80 percent probability of winning, and many across the country sighed in relief.
But with the reopening of her private email investigation, Clinton’s numbers have plummeted dangerously low, below those of Trump. Currently, a poll by The Washington Post and ABC news has Donald Trump leading by one point. Now is a more crucial time than ever.
So, while we at City on a Hill Press do not ask voters to overlook Clinton’s controversies and flaws, we endorse Hillary Clinton for president. She offers far greater stability and a stronger future for the nation. A vote for Trump is a vote for devastating financial turmoil, massive cuts to crucial social welfare programs and a legitimization of his bigotry and downright stupidity.
