Disclaimer: This is not a political endorsement of Hillary Clinton
I love people, powerful people. I’m fascinated by people who are go-getters. Needless to say that I feel increasingly drawn to Hillary Rodham Clinton a.k.a HRC who famously declared, “I’m a progressive who likes to get things done”.
I’m drawn to her because she is not afraid of facing the truth. HRC has been through several trials by fire, the most recent being the Benghazi hearings. I like how she always stays calm and never fails to make a point. She does not pontificate or mouth coma-inducing platitudes. HRC always has real solutions, a solid plan and hard arithmetic backing for everything she says or does, minus drama and melodrama. That inspires confidence.
I also see her as a person who can change her mind for the better in light of new information instead of doggedly holding onto rigid ideas. In 1996, HRC was a very strong supporter of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that defined marriage as only between a man and a woman.
(YEAH!) But today she admits that culture has changed and so have her views. She has openly accepted that she has changed her mind and wholeheartedly supports the LGBTQI community in the US. She has the guts to admit to that change of heart. That’s how human beings are, they do not hold on to a rigid thought to death. They change. Some change for the better. HRC changed for the better.
She is also not afraid to speak her mind. Her reprimand to Pakistan when she was Secretary of State, “You cannot grow snakes in your backyard and only expect them to bite your neighbours” rings in my ears to this day.
More recently, I clapped my hands and did a happy dance when she said, “I’m not shouting. It’s just that when women talk, some people think we are shouting.” Take that Bernie Sanders! I watched the Democratic debate twice and found Sanders’ “shouting” remark a little out of line because Hillary was calm, composed and statesman like all through.
Finally, I like her because she doesn’t alienate any segment of society. While her policies and plans aim at improving lives of the underprivileged, she doesn’t seek to punish the rich. Instead, she encourages them to be a part of the solution by giving them incentives to contribute to socio-economic development. She admits she is wealthy and is not ashamed of her money. She, however, reminds you that she wasn’t born into wealth and aims to give every American the opportunity to improve their lifestyle and financial condition.
It is this balance and this poise that makes her powerful.
Happy birthday Hillary Clinton. You were great at Madame Secretary and could be the youngest Madame President soon. (Fingers crossed) May your tribe increase!
(Harish Iyer is an equal rights activist working for the rights of the LGBT community, women, children and animals. ‘RainbowMan’ is Harish’s regular blog for The Quint)
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