by Hector Balderas
Daily Lobo guest columnist
Today, New Mexicans will help our nation pick our next president - and UNM students have the opportunity to play a key role in the outcome.
There is one key question in this election: Who is ready to be the best president and make the real change we need starting on Day 1?
Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Clinton will stand up for New Mexicans and all Americans every single day she is in the White House. From Las Cruces to Albuquerque to Shiprock to Taos, New Mexicans know Clinton has the experience we need to bring about the real changes we want. If you want to know what kind of leader Clinton will be, just look at what she has already done. From dedicating her life to improving the lives of others to fighting for universal health care even when it wasn't popular, Clinton has what it takes to lead our country toward a brighter tomorrow.
Clinton is ready to end the war and fix our economy. She has the strength and experience to deliver change on both of these major challenges facing our nation. She is a doer, a fighter and a champion.
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Clinton is committed to strengthening our schools and making college more affordable and accessible for all Americans. Her education plan would simplify student aid, provide additional help for college students who perform public service and lower the cost of college through a $3,500 tuition tax credit.
Clinton has also proposed a Student Bill of Rights to protect college students from unfair lending practices and to make it easier for students to repay their loans. As part of the bill, she will give students the right to fair monthly payments that do not exceed a percentage of their incomes, as well as access to fair interest rates and fees. She will also ensure students have the right to choose their lenders and to borrow without being exploited.
Clinton knows Americans are tired of the failed policies and divisive tactics of the Republican Party and President Bush. Democrats want a candidate who can take on the Republicans in November. For 16 years, Clinton has stood up to the Republicans' attack machines and the special interests. They've thrown everything they had at her, and it has only made her stronger.
Clinton is the only candidate with a plan to provide truly universal health care that leaves no one out. She is dedicated to investing in a clean-energy future that will curb global warming and jump-start the economy by creating green-collar jobs.
As Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said, Clinton will be a tireless champion for the voiceless, someone who will represent the people's interests, not the special interests.
I've had the privilege of meeting Clinton and seeing her amazing leadership first-hand. I'm proud to support Clinton because she believes it's time for America to start setting and reaching big goals again.
Our generation and the youth vote have already played a tremendous role in early primaries and caucuses in other states. Today is our chance to make our voices heard across America.
Today, we have the chance to make history by electing Clinton as the Democratic nominee. I know that if you stand up and vote for Clinton today, you can count on her to work her heart out to bring about the change we need.
New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas is the youngest Hispanic elected to a state position in the nation and was named one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the U.S. by Hispanic Business magazine.
