Changing the face of the nation
Guest blogger Nora Walker still is having computer problems so I'm posting her item today. This is what Nora has to say about Hillary Clinton's visit to Fresno yesterday:
I attended the rally for presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, with my mother. I had never gone to a political rally before and was, as my generation says, uber excited. My mother and I got down to Fresno High around 6:30 a.m. and waited in line so we could get close. I was prepared with the usual. Pen, paper, and a camera like all the other eager supporters.
Fresno High had its time to shine with the jazz band, chamber choir, cheerleaders, and Principle Bob Reyes, all of whom did a wonderful job.
When Hillary finally arrived at around 9:45, we were anxious. The crowd had been handed signs that proclaimed Hillary for President and Clinton Country. (I kept both as souvenirs).
Listening to her speak was such a thrill. As a young American woman on the brink of adulthood, who can vote in the 2008 presidential election, and will soon have to go out and live in the "real world," this was one of those "moments." They are the moments in life where you think you can do anything; you have a realm of possibilities before you and nothing and no one can stop you; you are invincible.
As girls we are told that we can do anything we want. We are equal to men. We can do anything they can. Yes, there are women who are lawyers, doctors, legislators, and others who hold political office and have jobs in what was once a predominately male workforce. But how many of these women do you know, could you imagine yourself in their shoes?
Seeing Hillary standing on that stage not 8 feet away from me, was so empowering that I could see myself standing in hers. When you think about it and really bring it in to focus, women were given the right to vote in 1920, and in 2007 we now have a woman running for president.
How amazing. Seeing her in person and hearing her speak, really opened my eyes. You can watch her on T.V and listen to her on the news but you dont get the same feeling, the same empowerment, the thrill, the excitement.
Hillary Clinton symbolizes to me that through hard work and determination women can achieve their dreams.
Comments
What's so amazing to me(not in a good way) is that it has been decades since other nations elected female leaders, and in the U.S. we're still wondering if a woman can win. The amount of animosity and outright hatred that Ms. Clinton stirs up from the right wing is perplexing, to say the least.
She's not my first choice among the Democratic candidates (I prefer Obama), but I'd vote for her over anyone in the GOP field. May the best man or woman win!
Posted by: Mike D. | October 23, 2007 4:56 PM
Kudos to you Nora for showing an interest and the excitement to want to go to a political rally. You do have a voice and I am proud that you care enough to listen to the issues so you can vote with your beliefs and what you feel is best for our country. You may have witnessed history in the making if she wins.
A woman in the White House is what we have needed for sometime. I personally would have like to see Condoleeza Rice run.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | October 24, 2007 10:52 AM
What specifics could you possibly give that would make someone feel that Mrs. Bill Clinton could be effective at anything let alone running the greatest country on earth.Nora-I forgive you for your naivete. When I was 16 I would have voted for Jimmy Carter.Between then and when I was 20- I got a job ,moved away from home, started paying taxes, and voted for Ronald Reagan.When you leave home and are on your own-reality hits, and if your intelligent and self motivated you will become conservative.Mrs. Clinton has nothing to offer you.Never has-never will. Check her record.
Posted by: Brian Murray | October 25, 2007 7:13 PM
the "conservatives" have had their way for 27 years...how'd that work out?
Posted by: john swift | October 26, 2007 9:37 AM
There's nothing inevitable about that progression from liberal to conservative. I went the other direction - from a conservative when I was younger to mostly a liberal now. And I'm a homeowning, working class family guy. But there is much more to being a responsible citizen than voting in one's narrow perceived self-interests. The rights of others do matter, and keeping one's taxes as low as possible is not always beneficial in the long run.
Posted by: Mike D. | October 26, 2007 10:14 AM
I would like to see a flat tax so everyone pays their share and people don't get pregnant to get another free tax break. I would happily pay higher taxes to have the perks they have in other countries such as free medical care and low or no cost college as in many countries. We could learn from them.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | October 31, 2007 8:35 AM