By Will Hall, Message Editor
ALEXANDRIA – Compassion is seen and not heard – it is doing something for someone else without the expectation of anything from anyone in return.
Unfortunately, it appears this concept is lost on the former secretary of state campaigning to be president.
As of the writing of this opinion piece, Sept. 29, it has been 46 days since the record rainfall in southern Louisiana caused widespread devastation, impacting an estimated 155,000 homes, many uninsured and a good portion of them destroyed.
Businessman and presidential candidate Donald Trump managed to visit the state within five days, and even donated a reported $100,000 to relief.
President Barack Obama completed his golf vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, first, but still came to Louisiana in nine days, offering personal comfort and federal aid.
But, a month and a half after the crisis, and 39 days after declaring “I am committed to visiting communities affected by these floods … to discuss how we can and will rebuild together,” Hillary Clinton has yet to show up and offer a single word of encouragement to even one of the nearly half million Louisianans impacted by the high waters.
Meanwhile, news reports document she attended 37 fundraising events in August that contributed $143 million to her presidential campaign – including a $33,400 per person event, Aug. 23, hosted by Hollywood A-list star Justin Timberlake, and “three events in ‘tony towns’ throughout the Hamptons” during the last weekend of the month, netting her an additional $11 million and change.
Even today, she is in Chicago for multiple events reportedly raising a combined $4 million.
But, so far, she’s made no effort to be in Louisiana.
Unfortunately, her preferential treatment of the rich and famous is well-established.
The Associated Press released their findings that during her first two years, alone, as secretary of state, more than half of her non-government meetings were with donors to her family’s charity, the Clinton Foundation.
Likewise, the Washington Examiner discovered she appointed 194 donors – individuals or members of groups who gave to her campaigns or family charity – to serve on advisory boards at the State Department, 40 percent of 511 such appointments during her tenure.
Louisiana is considered a red state, and Sec. Clinton possibly believes she has nothing to profit, politically, from making a stop here. But, continuing to snub the state reveals a character flaw that is unbecoming for someone who would seek the power and influence of the Oval Office. The title on the door reads, “President of the United States,” and the duties include responsibility for the welfare of the whole country, and not just the special interests of those from whom he or she might have something to gain.
