In her first major economic policy speech since she announced her candidacy for the Democratic Presidential nomination, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sounded a progressive, populist message which she said is needed if the United States economy is to move forward.
In remarks made at the New School in New York City, Clinton said?that higher wages are driven by strong, fair, long-term growth.
Clinton opened her speech by saying:
“It still seems to most Americans that I have spoken with that it (the economy) is stacked for those at the top.”
Secretary Clinton also noted:
“Twice now a Democratic president has had to come in and clean up the mess left behind. We have to build a growth and fairness economy–you can’t have one without the other.”
There was also a hint of new policies which might be implemented in a Clinton Administration, though no specifics were offered:
“The defining economic challenge of our time is clear: We must raise incomes for hardworking Americans so they can afford a middle-class life. We must drive strong and steady income growth that lifts up families and lifts up our country.”
In addition, Clinton criticized what she called the?”short-termism” of corporate America, adding:
“Many business leaders see this. They’ve talked to me about. One has called it the problem of ‘quarterly capitalism.’ ?They say everything’s focused on the next earnings report or the short-term share price. The result is too little attention on the sources of long-term growth: research and development, physical capital, and talent.”
The solution, Secretary Clinton said, is to invest in workers:
?I’m not talking about charity ? I’m talking about clear-eyed capitalism. Many companies have prospered by improving wages and training their workers that then yield higher productivity, better service, and larger profits. Workers are assets. Investing in them pays off. Higher wages pay off. And training pays off.”
But perhaps the most interesting part of the speech were Clinton’s comments on unions, which would appear to be a direct shot at Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who formally announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination Monday:
“It’s time to stand up to efforts across our country to undermine worker bargaining power, which has been proven again and again to drive up wages. I will fight back against these mean-spirited, misguided attacks.”
Watch Secretary Clinton’s Address?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufA9CvTXO04
