Clinton talks economic plan at Raleigh rally

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke about her vision for America’s economy to a crowd of about 2000 on Wednesday, June 22 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds Exposition Center. 

There, Clinton laid out her five goals: break through Washington gridlock to invest in new jobs, make college debt-free and transform the way Americans are prepared for the jobs of the future, require companies to share more of their profits with their employees and ship fewer profits and jobs overseas, close tax loopholes, and put families first while matching policies to how people actually live and work in the 21st century.

“We need to make sure our economy works for everyone,” Clinton said. “Not just those on the top.”

James Hunt, a former North Carolina governor renowned for his work in education, introduced the democratic presidential candidate.

“As the first lady of Arkansas, she was the workingest woman on education,” Hunt said. “She knows that economic growth and jobs depend on a good education and great public schools. I am proud to support her goal of ensuring that every child in America, in every zip code across our country, has access to a world-class education. She will lead us to that.”

In describing her goals, Clinton related healthcare, LGBT rights, income inequality, education, the student debt crisis and other separate issues under the umbrella of economic growth. 

“Let’s liberate the millions of Americans who already have student debt by making it easier to refinance, just like a mortgage,” Clinton said. “Let’s make it easier to have debt forgiven by doing national service. Let’s make it easier to repay what you owe as a portion of your income, so you never have to pay more than you can afford.”

As part of her economic plan, Clinton proposed several infrastructure improvements including plans to connect every household to broadband by 2020, construct a power grid with more renewable energy and rebuild roads, bridges and airports. 

Four large American flags and banners with Clinton’s slogan “Stronger Together” surrounded the stage. The event was a mix between a political rally and a rock concert, full of scenery and music. 

The 120 Minutes Band performed covers several of pop songs in order to entertain and excite the rally attendees including “Wonderwall” by Oasis, “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” by Shania Twain, “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oates and “Wavin’ Flag” by K’naan. Clinton entered and exited to “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten.

The supporters represented various age groups and different vocations. 

For his first political rally ever, Robert Mayo, an incoming freshman studying engineering, wore a “Bernie 2016” shirt to the Hillary event. 

“I’m an undecided voter, trying to see if she can make up my mind.” Mayo said before the rally. 

Mayo was most concerned about the economy, regulations, the political system and its integrity, and campaign finance.

Incoming president of the Wake County chapter of North Carolina Association of Educators, Paulette Jones Leaven, has been an educator for 34 years and currently teaches food and consumer science at Holly Springs High School. 

Leaven pointed to her “Schools Our Students Deserve” button and said, “This is what it’s all about. Not about me, not about my pay. It’s about the students.”

Not everyone who showed up to the rally was a supporter of Clinton. Protesters from both sides of the political aisle voiced their opinions on the side of Blue Ridge Road, away from the rally venue. 

The event organizers would not let the protesters into the Exposition Center or onto the fairgrounds with their signs, according to the demonstrators. The protesters were loosely connected individuals, rather than an organized group.

Kerry Kester and Arielle Bryant were protesting in support of Bernie Sanders.

“We’re protesting the theft of our democracy,” Kester said, holding a sign that read “$250,000 is not a speaking fee. It’s a bribe.” 

“I’ll never fall for the guilty trick to vote for her just because we share a common reproductive system,” Bryant said while holding a sign that read, “Things I trust more than Hillary Clinton: Flint tap-water, exit polls, mainstream media, gas station sushi and Trump’s hair.”

On the other side of the spectrum, Roseanne Sinatra supports Donald Trump, who is seen as a political outsider challenging the Republican establishment.

“Republicans are like the guy on prom night who will try anything to get in your pants,” Sinatra said next to another protester bearing the Gadsden flag, better known as the “Don’t tread on me” snake.