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Our Opinion: Keep presidential election frenzy in correct perspective

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Ron Ferrance: Donald Trump in tune with ‘everyday Americans,’ unlike his opponent

<p>During this tumultuous campaign season, a lot of essential policy discussions have been overlooked.</p><p>Economic policy is not known for being a &#8220;hot topic,&#8221; especially during a campaign that seems to focus on damage control. Economic policy, however, is arguably the most important aspect of a presidency.</p><p>Hillary Clinton&#8217;s economic plan not only makes sense, it has been studied by independent economists who agree that this is the best plan for America. By contrast, Donald Trump&#8217;s plan would destroy jobs, encourage our already inequitable tax system, give more money to the wealthiest Americans while ignoring the middle class, and do the absolute least to empower women in the workforce.</p><p>Secretary Clinton is known for being extremely well-versed in policy and, more important, policy implementation. She was a key policy implementer during her husband&#8217;s presidency, and the economic plan that she has laid out proves that.</p><p>A key tenet in Clinton&#8217;s economic plan is to ensure that wealthy Americans, large corporations, and Wall Street pay their fair share in taxes. She has vowed not to raise taxes on those making less than $250,000 a year. Trump, on the other hand, wants to raise taxes on middle-class families while giving the wealthiest Americans a tax break. This type of economic plan has proven to be ineffective.</p><p>We need a president who will protect our middle-class families, just like those in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We do not need a president who is going to give breaks to Americans like himself.</p><p>Clinton has laid out a plan to make the biggest investment in good-paying jobs since World War II. While job creation has certainly been on the uptick during the Obama administration, our work is far from done. Clinton&#8217;s plan is to vigorously invest in our infrastructure, advance our commitment to research and technology, establish the U.S. as the clean energy superpower of the world, and strengthen American manufacturing.</p><p>Trump, on the other hand, does not even have his own products made in America. How can we trust someone who does not even use the resources we currently have in our country?</p><p>Clinton also vows to provide tax relief and expand access to capital to small businesses. This is a critically important part of helping to stimulate our economy. We cannot give breaks to Wall Street while ignoring Main Street. That is not smart economic policy, and it is not part of our fundamental American values.</p><p>It is a fact that nations that invest in their women perform superiorly both socially and economically. Clinton&#8217;s economic plan includes guaranteed paid family and medical leave to care for a new child or seriously ill family members. No woman should be held back in the workforce for starting a family or for simply being a woman.</p><p>Clinton knows that the best way to stimulate an economy is to invest in women. She has released a plan to work to close the pay gap. Even in 2016, women still make considerably less than men. Clinton also has a plan to make quality child care affordable for working families. An integral part of empowering women in our economy is raising the minimum wage. Women represent nearly two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers in America. A higher minimum wage will help to lift millions of women out of poverty and strengthen our economy.</p><p>It is evident in Clinton&#8217;s economic plan that she understands vitally important tenets that affect our economy. Clinton understands what is needed to help strengthen our economy and, in turn, strengthen our citizens. She knows that you cannot continue to prevent wealthy Americans from paying their fair share and expect our middle class to grow. Clinton knows that when you empower a nation&#8217;s women, you empower a nation.</p><p>Hillary Clinton&#8217;s economic policy demonstrates that she is not only the president we need, she is the president we deserve.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Beth A. Gilbert</p><p>Guest columnist</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Beth A. Gilbert, a Democrat, is a Wilkes-Barre councilwoman. She represents the city&#8217;s District C.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Beth A. Gilbert: Hillary Clinton has better grasp of nation’s economic situation, solutions