Obama promises redistribution of wealth and to 'hunt down' terrorists
US President Obama tackles economic policies and terrorism in State of the Union Speech
Obama addresses economic issues and terrorism at his sixth State of the Union speech
US President Barack Obama has declared an end to the financial crisis, economic policies to benefit all Americans and work to ‘hunt down terrorists’
In his sixth State of the union address, Obama addressed the issue of economic inequality and vowed to implement ‘middle-class economics’.
Obama declared that America had turned a page after the worst recession since the Great Depression, and he said that he planned to build on this growth by providing working families with help in the form of sick and maternity leave and affordable childcare.
"Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort?"
However, Obama’s plans are not very likely to be accepted in the largely Republican Congress.
The US President also addressed the issue of terrorism and vowed to relentlessly hunt down "terrorists" from "Pakistan to the streets of Paris," before calling on Congress to approve new war powers against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.
Obama asked lawmakers "to show the world that we are united in this mission" with a war authorisation vote.
Republican lawmakers have said that they are prepared to work with him to pass such a measure, if he sends a proposal up to Capitol Hill.
"Instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, we are leading a broad coalition, including Arab nations, to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group," Obama said.
Furthermore, Obama promoted his administration’s work in mending relations with Cuba after 50 years of strife.
"Our shift in Cuba policy has the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere; removes a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba; stands up for democratic values; and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people,"
Obama also spoke abote that United States' support for Ukraine, a country that is facing a growing threat from Russian-backed separatists. Our support has further demonstrated the country's strong place in the international community.
"We're upholding the principle that bigger nations can't bully the small - by opposing Russian aggression, supporting Ukraine's democracy, and reassuring our NATO allies," he said.
