Speaking at the New School in Manhattan today, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton began to outline her "economic growth and fairness "economic agenda with a reminder and a challenge:
"Twice now a Democratic president has had to come in and clean up the mess left behind," she said, praising the economic records of her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and Obama. "We have to build a growth and fairness economy -- you can't have one without the other."Some of the actions Clinton called for to grow the middle class and restore fairness in economic benefits were:
"The defining economic challenge of our time is clear: We must raise incomes for hardworking Americans so they can afford a middle-class life," Clinton said. "We must drive strong and steady income growth that lifts up families and lifts up our country."
-- a focus by corporations on long-term research and development, physical capital and talent rather than quarterly profits;
-- apprenticeship tax credits for companies to hire and train new workers;
-- reducing barriers to women entering the workforce through equal pay, paid leave and affordable child care;
-- fighting efforts to weaken worker bargaining power; and
-- strengthening financial regulations.
As the campaign moves forward in the coming months, more will be added to flesh out the economic growth and fairness agenda, one that is tacking in a more progressive direction, thanks in part to the work of Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
UPDATE: Here's the transcript of her remarks (h/t Daily Kos).
