Obama unveils a progressive agenda

Against the backdrop of his approval rating sliding below 50 per cent, President Barack Obama laid down his progressive agenda for this fiscal year in his State of the Union Address on January 28. This was his fifth address to the nation since he took office of presidency in 2009.

President Obama presented an optimistic framework that will reward hard work, renew economic security for middle class families, improve unemployment situation, increase minimum wages for federal employees and defend his affordable health care act which is under attack by Republican-dominated House of Representatives. The president called for broadband infrastructure in schools and libraries to provide children with high-quality education. He said that US treasury would float a new federal retirement bond for those whose jobs do not offer retirement benefits. This is indeed a new idea.

 In his speech Obama said that if the Congress failed to initiate forward-looking steps to solve problems of the country, he would act alone by applying presidential power to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.

The women constitute a major vote bank in America. Therefore, women issues drew the attention of the president in view of Congress elections in November. Since the House of Representatives is dominated by the Republican, the Democrats need majority seats in the House of Representatives to implement the progressive agenda of the president who is a Democrat. He, therefore, emphasised on the role of the women in society by saying when women succeed, America succeeds. He said woman deserve equal pay for equal work. There should not be any discrimination.

The president gave rosy picture of the state of the union by pointing out unemployment rate was falling, school test scores were rising, housing prices were recovering, deficits were shrinking, manufacturing jobs returned to America since 1990's, and more oil was produced in America now. The president gave credit  to First Lady Michelle  Obama for reducing rate of childhood obesity through her campaign against obesity.

Addressing cheering lawmakers Obama pointed out that business leaders had declared that China was no longer the destination for investment while America turned out to be one. He urged the Congress to close loopholes of tax code and restore unemployment insurance for unemployed manpower. He urged the Congress to bring immigration reform bill to his desk for signature which bipartisan Senate had already prepared. He spoke of rebuilding country's infrastructures like roads and bridges to create more scope for work.

On the issue of foreign policy, Obama touched on the issues of Afghanistan, Syria, conflict in the Middle East, and Iran. He spoke briefly about the success of American diplomacy which is backed by the threat of foce. He said diplomacy was working towards achieving peaceful resolution of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. While praising successful American diplomacy in defusing the crisis centring Iran's  nuclear  programme, the president gave warning not to bring any further sanction bill against Iran which might derail the final talks with the country. If Congress brought any such bill, President emphatically said: "I will veto the bill".

Mohammad Amjad Hossain             is a retired diplomat                     from Bangladesh. amjad.21@gmail.com