Unpacking the State of the Union
What a classy president we have. President Joe Biden started off his State of the Union speech congratulating the newly sworn-in 118th Congress and Kevin McCarthy, the new Speaker of the House, as he turned to shake hands with McCarthy. The first of many zingers as Biden said, “Mr. Speaker. I look forward to working together.”
Some additional highlights of President Biden’s speech. “Two years ago, democracy faced its greatest threat since the Civil War and today, though bruised, our democracy remains unbowed and unbroken.” Standing ovation by half the room while Republicans had to remain in their chairs with their hands underneath them. The only Republican with any class was Sen. Mitt Romney who stood to applaud on a regular basis.
Continuing, Biden said, “I think the people sent us a clear message. Fighting for the sake of fighting. Power for the sake of power. Conflict for the sake of conflict (is Biden reading the Fox News mission statement?) gets us nowhere (except high TV ratings). Sadly, Congress today exists to have their staff issue memes, tweets and social media posts blasting the other side, instead of trying to make the average American’s lives better.”
Case in point, President Biden talked about how Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped insulin cost at $35 maximum for Medicare, however left out private insurance and cash pay. Biden said, “It cost the drug companies roughly $10 to make that insulin.” Why won’t Republicans agree to cap insulin costs? Duh! Because they serve their corporate masters who are more concerned about medical profits than your health.
When Biden talked about the infrastructure bill, he said, “I want to thank my Republican friends who voted for the law and my Republican friends who voted against it as well. I still get asked to fund projects in those districts. But don’t worry, I promised I’d be a President for all Americans and I’ll see you at the groundbreaking.” Bam!
The night’s toughest comment was Biden saying, “Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset.” That was met with loud booing by the Republicans.
Biden continued, “Anyone who doubts it, contact my office and I’ll give you a copy of the proposal (from Republican Sen. Rick Scott). It’s true and the majority Republicans want no part of cutting Social Security and Medicare as most of their voters are old, white people. Biden closed with, “So folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare are off the books now.” Biden was genius!
Then Biden pivoted to public safety. “Public safety depends on public trust. … Joining us tonight are the parents of Tyre Nichols.” Tyre was a 29-year-old Black man who was recently beaten to death by Black Memphis police officers. When Tyre’s parents stood in the gallery, the entire House floor rose for a standing ovation. Occasionally Americans can come together for a common good, where we don’t have to fight as the red or blue team.
After speaking of police abuse, Biden said, “Most of us here have never had to have the talk that Brown and Black parents have had to have with their children. Just as that cop, when they pin on that badge in the morning has a right to go home at night, so does everybody else out there.” He then spoke about the multitudes of issues that police officers have in dealing with the streets. They have to be cops, doctors, mental health counselors, homeless advocates. It’s a tough job. Biden then said, “I know most cops and their families are good, decent honorable people. The vast majority, they risk their lives every time they put that shield on. But when police officers violate the public trust, they must be held accountable.” Biden then went after assault weapons, which got a huge applause from one side of the aisle, while the other side shook their heads in disgust, knowing Americans need 30-round clips to go deer hunting.
Overall, Biden shot down Republican hecklers (looking at you, Marjorie Taylor Greene) like they were Chinese balloons. He cast his role as a bipartisan leader working for the average American, while Republicans are servants to their corporate and billionaire overlords. A simple message came through his State of the Union speech. When asked how do I define Democrats versus Republicans I say, “Which is more important, people or profits?”