Senator Clinton on Change

Wait a minute now, wait a minute. I’m going to respond to this because obviously — making change is not about what you believe. It’s not about a speech you make. It is about working hard. (…)

I want to make change, but I’ve already made change. I will continue to make change. I’m not just running on a promise of change, I’m running on 35 years of change. I’m running on having taken on the drug companies and the health insurance companies, taking on the oil companies.

So, you know, I think it is clear that what we need is somebody who can deliver change. And we don’t need to be raising the false hopes of our country about what can be delivered. The best way to know what change I will produce is to look at the changes that I’ve already made.

Sen. Hillary Clinton at the Democratic Debate.

First, talking about making change and reminding us that you have been part of the system for 35 years seems counterproductive to me. You are reminding me that you are part of what we are trying to change. I’m looking at the changes you’ve made, Senator Clinton, and I do not want more of the same.

You’ve taken on the drug companies, have you? And the outcome of that was what, precisely? You gave seniors the infamous “donut hole” in their drug coverage and drug companies enjoy their highest profit levels ever. That’s not the kind of change I am looking for.

You’ve taken on the health insurance companies? Looks to me like they won. Certainly Nataline Sarkisyan, who died because her insurance denied her a liver transplant didn’t win and, like the drug companies, health insurance companies have the highest profit levels in their history. I’m less than thrilled with your accomplishment there.

You’ve taken on oil companies? They take oil out of public lands without paying royalties, gasoline is at its highest ever winter price, homeowners are going into hock to pay for fuel oil to heat their homes, and oil companies also have record profits. Who benefited from the changes you accomplished there?

False hopes? Just how cynical can you be? Hope, by definition, can never be false. What you offer is no hope at all.

Change begins with beliefs and speeches. Words do lead to change, and leadership is about making speeches and creating hope. In fact, that’s what leadership is all about. Empowering people and inspiring them into action, and it is words that do that. Yesterday is a cancelled check and the words and actions of the past will not lead to tomorrow’s change. To quote shamanic over at The Newshoggers, "..without the right words today, the actions of tomorrow will continue to fail us."

As they have failed us on your watch, Senator Clinton.