by B. R. GOWANI
On last Tuesday, President Barack Obama spoke to the people of the United States in the annual ritual known as the State of the Union address. Basically, the President proudly presents the things he did, or perceives he did, during the year and lays out the number of issues he would like to do during the coming year. During the address, as is usual, the people from the president’s party stands up and applause him whereas the members of the opposition express their displeasure. The vice president (at present it is Joe Biden) and speaker (this time it is John Boehner) sits behind the president. The speaker claps or frowns depending on what party he belongs to. Anyone watching the speech could have figured out that Boehner is from the opposite camp.
Few of the points from the address
Obama talked (read the transcript here) about his handling of relations with Iran. For not going to war against Syria and Iran, and for his healthcare program Obama deserves a pat on the back.
In his speech, Obama expressed his concern for the poor. But very next morning, the member of the House reached a bipartisan deal by 251-166 votes to cut $8.6 billion from the food stamps program which will affect 850,000 households. Just last November, the food stamp money was slashed by $5 billion.
Excuse for this heartless act was provided by Senate Agriculture Committee chair Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat.
“This bill proves that by working across party lines we can reform programs to save taxpayer money while strengthening efforts to grow our economy.”
Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat from Connecticut, felt the suffering people will go through due to cuts”
“This bill will do great damage to the nation’s most vulnerable while it goes out of its way to reopen loopholes for millionaires and billionaires.”
“Seniors will have to choose between food and warmth.” “These are our own people and if you vote for this bill you will have to look them in the eye.”
But Tim Walz of Minnesota was there to defend the cuts:
“Of course it’s not perfect. If you want perfect, you will get that in heaven and this Congress is closer to hell, but I am proud of this compromise.”
At the same time, farmers were awarded a free government subsidy of $50,000 to $125,000.
The immigration reform is one of the most important issues for Obama but he spoke very little:
“So let’s get immigration reform done this year.” “[Because] Independent economists say immigration reform will grow our economy and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades.”
The game is in the hands of Republicans unless Obama uses his presidential powers to do something for the undocumented people living in the US. Keeping in mind Obama’s record up till now and his lack of courage, it seems doubtful that he will use his presidential powers to give relief to the undocumented people.
Obama also recited the holy lines of the US capitalist scripture, which presidents dutifully recite about the US greatness:
“My fellow Americans, no other country in the world does what we do. On every issue, the world turns to us, not simply because of the size of our economy or our military might – but because of the ideals we stand for, and the burdens we bear to advance them.”
One more thing. The presidents and their men usually remember to bring someone from the armed forces to arouse patriotism and to support the military/industrial complex which can then continue the US global aggression.
U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg gives a thumbs up while receiving a standing ovation during the State of the Union, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. On his left is Ms. Michelle Obama. PHOTO/Michael Reynolds/EPA/NBC News
This time they got Army Ranger Cory Remsburg. He joined army at the age of 18. During his deployment in Afghanistan he almost got killed when a roadside bomb exploded. He was in coma for three months. He emerged brain-dead, lost his ability to speak, and partially paralyzed. He has somewhat recovered. He is not a hero but a fool who was lured and bundled off thousands of miles to fight a war the US establishment waged without any reason. He is a victim of the insane and power-hungry ruling class which doesn’t give a damn for anyone’s life.
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com