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Battleground Elko: Clinton stands with Native Americans

By ALI HELGOTH - Staff Writer
Saturday, January 19, 2008 1:53 PM PST

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton addresses the crowd Friday at the Elko Indian Colony Gymnasium. (Ross Andr/son/Elko Daily Free Press)

ELKO - Speaking to a crowd that included members of the Western Shoshone Tribe, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Americans should look back to American Indian traditions as they try to move the country forward on a different course.

Clinton, in Elko the day before Nevada's caucuses, spoke to more than 1,000 people Friday at the Elko Indian Colony Gym.

At the end of her speech, when attendees were invited to ask questions, a steady flow of people left. Barrack Obama's speech was scheduled to begin at any moment in another part of town.

“You know our Native Americans often remind us that we should look not at the next election, but at the next generation,” she said.

“We should look over the horizon, we should ask ourselves what is it that we can do today so that those who come after, children and grandchildren and children unknown to us, will have the same opportunities and blessings that we inherited here in America.”

To create those opportunities, she advocated changes to the education system, an end to the war in Iraq, changes to the health insurance system and help for the economy.

Clinton vowed to overturn No Child Left Behind.

“This is one of the most important issues in this election,” she said. “It doesn't get a lot of headlines, but boy is it important.”

“I think that the No Child Left Behind hasn't worked. It's turned our children into little test takers and our teachers into test givers, and I don't think it's promoting learning.”

Clinton's plan to improve education includes preparing children for school, reducing the minority drop-out rate by half, expanding early-intervention mentoring programs and making college more affordable.

On the war in Iraq, Clinton said “when I'm president I will end the war in Iraq the right way.”

She said on day one of her presidency she would ask the joint chiefs of staff, secretary of state and security advisors for a plan to withdraw troops within 60 days.

Clinton said she would like to bring home civilians and does not want to forget about Iraqis who supported America.

“A lot of these Iraqis who are translators and drivers for the Army and Marines, they provide valuable services,” she said.

“America is an honorable country, so we will do everything we can to help those who helped us save the lives of our sons and daughters,” she said.

Clinton said as president she would close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

“I will never condone the use of torture, America is better than that,” she said.

On health care, Clinton said “I believe that health care is a fundamental right, and I believe it's time for America to provide it to every single man, woman and child.”

Clinton's health care plan would allow Americans to choose to keep their own health insurance or opt for a private insurance option available to Congress through a new Health Choices Menu or a public plan option similar to Medicare.

To improve the economy, Clinton advocated “green collar” energy jobs, which she referred to as the jobs of the future.

“If you look at Nevada, Nevada has the assets to be the leader in clean, renewable alternative energy - solar, geothermal, wind you name it, biofuels - I think we can put millions of people to work.”

To keep the economy strong, she said she opposed the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007.

“We need some reforms, we've got to make some changes, but that goes too far.

“It would undermine an industry, make it uncompetitive globally, put people out of work and frankly undermine a way of life.

“You're not going to have a president from me who doesn't understand the importance of hardrock mining.”

Clinton also advocated tax relief for middle class families, elimination of tax breaks for corporations that send jobs overseas, putting $25 billion into the low-income heating assistance fund and addressing the foreclosure crisis.

Prior to the end of her speech, Clinton reiterated her concerns about the caucus process.

“I'm afraid some people may feel that they can't come or they shouldn't come or they can't support the candidate of their choice.”

“I'm calling on all of the candidates and the unions to make it clear to all of their supporters and their members that people in Nevada - a free and independent state with very independent people who are free - to stand up for the candidate of their choice.”

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