Senator Hillary Clinton Is Already A Winner

In spite of the fact that Sen. Hillary Clinton is behind her opponent Sen. Barack Obama in number of popular votes, pledged delegates, and super delegates in the 2008 presidential democratic election, one would never know it. She looks, acts, and speaks like a winner.

Whether one supports Sen. Clinton or not there is much to learn from her in the way she has handled herself in this intense presidential campaign. For those of us in an intense battle fighting for our diverse learners what can we learn from Sen. Clinton?

1. Stay focused on the goal, not the obstacles even when those obstacles seem insurmountable.
2. Stay focused on one's message and be extremely articulate in presenting that message and make every speech your best speech.
3. Stay positive and never let on to those you are trying to influence in any way that you are discouraged or doubtful.
4. Fight to the end and give no heed to those who would encourage you to quit.
5. Be willing to invest your own resources to achieve what you believe in.
6. Reiterate over and over that you will fight for those who choose you.
7. Be present. In other words, whether speaking to a group or an individual, speak to the one and make each one feel that he or she is the most important person in your life at that moment.
8. Continually thank those who support you and don't focus on those who choose not to support you or who desert you when the going gets tough.
9. Let your compassion for people drive your toughness.

These qualities of Sen. Hillary Clinton have earned her respect from all sides of the political arena, even from those who are strongly opposed to her stands on a variety of issues. She may not win as the Democratic Presidential nominee, but she has already shown that she is a winner and an example for many others to follow.

Note: Senator Hillary Clinton is not my choice for 2008 presidential candidate.

Legislators Need To Be Compassionate

Article #3:

Legislators shouldn't punish immigrant children
By John Florez
Published: February 4, 2008—Deseret News

Religious leaders have said immigration is a moral and humanitarian issue and have asked we view it with compassion. It is a message that must not be lost on our Utah legislators, some of whom seem to be considering laws based on fear, rather than compassion, such as the one denying in-state college tuition for undocumented students.

Last week, Catholic Bishop John C. Wester said immigrants are part of the human family and should be treated with dignity. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has called for compassion regarding immigration and welcomes all, including undocumented residents. Our nation's policies have been based on humanitarian principles and promulgated by our religious institutions; we are viewed around the world as holding the moral high ground. Utahns, especially, take pride in upholding our "Utah values" of family, compassion and caring for one another.

We were taught in our schools that we live in the land of opportunity and that with hard work and sacrifice we could realize our dreams. Teachers made us believe in ourselves. I was one of those students — a son of immigrant parents — who had teachers that were tough but gave us hope and taught us to have big dreams. Now there is a new generation of students sitting in today's classrooms with teachers who tell them the same and still give them hope — to work, study hard and succeed.

However, some legislators appear eager to exploit the fear in those looking for vulnerable scapegoats, then use immigrants for political gain. They argue costs. Yet last week, on the House Education Committee's agenda, two bills were passed: One denies in-state tuition to motivated students who will contribute to society, which would have cost the state only $350,000; and the other appropriates $1.5 million for post high school education for prison convicts. The message: Commit a felony and you can get a college education.

Some legislators fail to see the negative consequences of their actions. They not only douse the dreams teachers have instilled in students but, most destructive, demean and marginalize those students. The result is that such policies relegate a group of motivated students to a lifetime of poverty, when they could contribute to our state. There may be another Bill Gates in that group.
What is at stake in the debate are the values that have made us the compassionate and moral society for which we take pride and others look to as a beacon of hope. Unlike past generations that built our country out of hope, some of our leaders today are trying to make political gain out of fear. Rather than working for the common good and promoting the principles we claim to hold dear — compassion, humanitarianism — some lawmakers seem eager to make scapegoats out of the most vulnerable group in our society, children who have no voice.

Our religious leaders have called for legislators to make policies that reflect our moral and humanitarian values, but lawmakers ignore those pleas, saying they are responding to the public's wishes. If that's the case, how come they didn't listen when they quickly gave $35 million for a soccer stadium and voted for school vouchers, both contrary to the people's wishes?
I like to think the average citizen wants to see public policies reflect the values we live daily and teach our children. But unless the legislators hear from all of us, it will be business as usual.

Every child deserves hope.


Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net