Hillary Clinton announced her economic policy -- if elected president -- and it focused on boosting the middle class.

"For 35 years, Republicans have argued that if we give more wealth to those at top by cutting their taxes and letting big corporations write their own rules, it will trickle down, it will trickle down to everyone else. Yet every time they have a chance to try that approach, it explodes the national debt, concentrates wealth even more and does practically nothing to help hard-working Americans.

"Twice now in the past 20 years, a Democratic president has had to come in and clean up the mess left behind," added the former secretary of state. "I think the results speak for themselves."

After highlighting the economic policies and results of Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate said the country's economy is "not yet running the way we should." Clinton noted corporate profits are near records highs while Americans continue to work more hours, but the average American's work is not reciprocated in paychecks.

Clinton called for wage increases in an effort to boost the middle class. She said success will be measured by how much incomes rise for working families and not by the success of CEOs and managers.

Clinton's economic plan include employers to offer higher wages and benefits, which she claimed would increase competition among businesses as they seek hire hires and keep productive employees. Clinton said small businesses would be a priority under her administration, referring herself as the "small-business president." On improving small businesses, Clinton said entrepreneurs need to be empowered, have easier access to capital and tax relief.

According to Clinton, she seeks new public investments that will help the next generation of high-paying jobs and called for an infrastructure bank that would channel more public and private funds for airports, railroads, roads, bridges and ports.

"Our economy obviously runs on energy, and the time has come to make America the clean-energy superpower," said Clinton on the topic of renewable energy. "I advocate that because these investments will create millions of jobs, save us money in the long run and help us meet the threats of climate change."

Clinton's plan also called for fair pay and scheduling, paid family leave and earned sick days as proposals helping families. Tax reforms aimed at avoiding another Wall Street recession were also included.

The presidential candidate later continued about sharing profits, stating, "I will produce ways to encourage companies to share profits with their employees. That is good for workers and good businesses. Studies show that profit sharing that gives everyone a stake in the company's success can boost productivity and put money directly into employees' pockets. It's a win-win."

Daniel Garza, executive director of the right-leaning Libre Initiative organization, criticized Clinton's speech and said the former secretary of state's proposals will be the same as Obama's policies.

"Clinton promises a repeat of Obama's economic record that has led to a national debt of $18 trillion, a shrinking economy and a labor participation rate of 62.6 percent -- marking the lowest percentage of Americans working or looking for work since the 1970's," said Garza in a statement to Latin Post.

"These policies of greater regulation, higher taxes, and more government just don't work. Hillary Clinton wants to mandate private business to pay for everything in her agenda. The 'Washington knows best' approach will just continue to cripple entrepreneurship and hurt those most in need. It's clear she is disconnected with the reality Americans -- and especially Hispanics -- face in this economy."

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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