As the next presidential election looms, voters are left sifting through a sea of information, making it tough to discern fact from fiction. To aid in your decision-making process, here’s a rundown of the ten most prevalent myths surrounding Hillary Clinton.
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Hillary Clinton leaked classified information via her private email server.
The reality is more nuanced. Every Secretary of State has used a personal device to stay connected after hours, including Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. Hillary’s decision to use a private server stemmed from a request for a secure option from the NSA, which they denied. Instead, she opted for a server established by the Secret Service for her husband. While it was deemed improper to use her server without official approval, investigations revealed she did not commit any crimes.
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The Clinton Foundation is a front for money laundering.
This claim often stems from a book by Peter Smith, who has ties to right-wing media. The Clinton Foundation is actually rated highly by non-profit watchdogs for its transparency and effective allocation of funds. They focus on responding to health crises and environmental issues, not financial misconduct. Hillary and Bill’s tax returns show their income primarily comes from speaking engagements and book royalties.
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Donations to the Clinton Foundation bought access to Secretary Clinton.
While some individuals sought meetings with her after donating, those who succeeded were often already likely to meet with her as part of their roles. The donations were made to support causes she championed, not to gain preferential treatment. Such actions were not illegal, as she received none of the funds.
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Hillary Clinton approved a uranium deal with Russia due to donations to the Clinton Foundation.
This claim has been thoroughly debunked. The approval process involved nine other government agencies, and there was no financial gain for Clinton. The individuals implicated in the allegations had no ties to the company involved in the uranium deal.
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Clinton is responsible for the Benghazi attack deaths.
Hillary was not directly accountable for the tragedy in Benghazi. While she oversaw the State Department, it was a broader context of risks faced by diplomats abroad. In fact, fewer Americans died during her tenure compared to her predecessors.
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Hillary Clinton is a conservative.
Contrary to this belief, as a senator, Clinton was among the most liberal members of Congress. Early in her career, she fought for civil rights and healthcare reform, demonstrating her progressive values.
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Clinton is beholden to Wall Street.
Although she was compensated for speeches, there is no evidence of undue influence. During her time in the Senate, she championed stricter regulations for financial institutions, and her platform aims to tackle Wall Street corruption.
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She isn’t a feminist.
Hillary has long advocated for women’s rights, from her early work in education equality to her role as First Lady, where she famously declared that “women’s rights are human rights” at a UN conference. Her commitment to reproductive rights and plans for a gender-balanced cabinet further emphasize her feminist stance.
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Hillary Clinton is dishonest.
Fact-checkers have consistently found Clinton to be the most truthful among major candidates. The perception of her dishonesty often arises from the different standards applied to her as a woman in politics versus her male counterparts.
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She defended a rapist and laughed about it.
This narrative misrepresents her role as a public defender. Clinton was assigned a case against a man she believed was guilty, and she fulfilled her legal obligation. The laughter in a later interview was about her naivety regarding legal procedures, not about the crime itself.
In summary, many of the claims against Hillary Clinton are rooted in misinformation. Understanding these myths is essential for making an informed choice in the upcoming election. For those interested in exploring more about topics like pregnancy and home insemination, resources like the CDC’s fertility page can provide valuable insights, while platforms like Home Insemination Kit and Cryobaby’s Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit can offer practical guidance.