Obama promises ‘year of action’ in address
WASHINGTON — Promising a “year of action,” U.S. President Barack Obama announced Tuesday in his state of the union address that he will bypass Congress and take unilateral action to implement a broad range of policy initiatives unless lawmakers agree to his agenda.
He said the U.S. government has for several years been “consumed by a rancorous” debate over the size of the federal government. “When that debate prevents us from carrying out even the most basic functions of our democracy — when our differences shut down government or threaten the full faith and credit of the United States — then we are not doing right by the American people.”
“America does not stand still — and neither will I,” he continued. “So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Speaking for more than an hour, he said a significant part of his program will be to target the growing income gap between the rich and everybody else that, government figures show, is swelling the ranks of the poor and threatening the middle class.
“Inequality has deepened,” he said. “Upward mobility has stalled. The cold, hard fact is that even in the midst of recovery, too many Americans are working more than ever just to get by — let alone get ahead. And too many still aren’t working at all.”
“Opportunity is who we are,” he added. “And the defining project of our generation is to restore that promise.”
Firing his first shot across the congressional bow, he started the day by issuing an executive order raising the minimum wage, to $10.10 from $7.25, for employees of federal contractors. These include, for example, civilian workers who service federal buildings and military bases.
“No one who works full time should ever have to raise a family in poverty,” he said.
He urged Congress to extend the hike to all Americans. “Give Americans a raise,” he said to great applause from Democrats.
Obama has been calling for an increase in the minimum wage, which for years has been below the poverty line, since 2008. The Republicans have refused, claiming — wrongly, according to most economists — it would result in job losses. Some Republicans favour lowering it to $3.00.
Obama promised he will take executive action to create a “starter” retirement fund for all Americans and a series of job-creating programs. In addition, he called on Congress to broaden access for the disadvantaged to pre-education and college. He will also act unilaterally, if necessary, to instigate immigration reform, infrastructure development and stronger environmental regulations.
“Immigration reform will grow our economy by more than $1 trillion over the next two decades,” he said. “And for good reason: when people come here to fulfil their dreams — to study, invent, and contribute to our culture — they make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everyone.”
On his international agenda, Obama said he intends to continue with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. Obama also addressed the more promising issue of Iran, saying a diplomatic settlement to restrict its nuclear program and to establish normal relations would go a long way in easing tensions across the Middle East.
“If John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan could negotiate with the Soviet Union, then surely a strong and confident America can negotiate with less powerful adversaries today,” he said.
Sal Russo, chief strategist and co-founder of Tea Party Express, called the speech “stale.”
“He’s talking about using executive orders rather than working with Congress,” he said.