Government
Biden on the State of the Union: Economy, Israel and its Age
In his address, Biden also called for people to defend democracy in the USA with all their might. photo
© Shawn Thew/Pool EPA/AP
US President Joe Biden gives his State of the Union speech in front of both chambers of Parliament. He praises his economic policy, admonishes Israel – and discusses his age.
“If anyone in this room thinks Putin is going to go after Ukraine, that’s wrong. I assure you he won’t,” the Democrat warned.
Biden praises economic policy
He is betting that people in the USA will soon feel the results of his economic policy. “This takes time, but the American people are starting to feel it,” Biden said. “Wages continue to rise and inflation continues to decline,” said the Democrat. Instead of importing foreign products and exporting American jobs, the United States was now exporting American products and creating American jobs at home.
His goal is for the middle class to prosper. Because if the middle class was doing well, the rich would still be doing very well. It is important that unions become stronger.
Defense of democracy
In his address, Biden also called for people to defend democracy in the USA with all their might. “The threat to democracy must be averted,” said the 81-year-old. “My predecessor and some of you here are trying to bury the truth about January 6th,” he said, referring to former US President Donald Trump and the storming of the US Capitol on January 6th, 2021, when Trump- Supporters stormed the parliament building in the capital Washington.
Admonition of Israel
Biden also has clear words for Israel: “Israel must allow more aid deliveries to Gaza and ensure that humanitarian aid workers do not get caught in the crossfire,” he warned. “Humanitarian aid must not be secondary or used as a bargaining chip. Protecting and rescuing innocent people must take priority.”
Children have become orphans, people have lost their homes and been displaced. Many are without food, water and medicine. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Biden addresses his age
Finally, he also discussed his age. “Throughout my career I’ve been told again and again that I’m too young and too old. Whether young or old, I’ve always known what lasts,” said the 81-year-old. It is America’s idea that everyone is created equal and deserves to be treated equally throughout life. “We’ve never fully lived up to this idea, but we’ve never moved away from it either. And I’m not going to move away from it now.”
“Will not demonize immigrants”
When it comes to the issue of migration, which is important in the election campaign, Biden does not want to follow the policies of his predecessor Donald Trump. “I will not separate families,” he said. Biden said he would not ban people from entering the country because of their faith. Just a week after taking office, Trump imposed an entry ban for people from several predominantly Muslim countries, sparking outrage around the world.
The Republican also had families who had come to the USA illegally taken into custody for the entire duration of their asylum or immigration process. Referring to a recent statement by Trump, Biden continued: “I will not demonize immigrants and say they are poison in the blood of our country.”