Two months after the resounding defeat of his party in midterm elections, Bush has urged people to mobilize for the prosperity of the country, in his traditional speech on the state of the Union. Addressing representatives of Congress, Barack Obama made the leap to innovation and investment in education and research. He also expressed hope that Republicans and Democrats work together.
For over an hour, he outlined his policy in 2011 and was applauded repeatedly. "This is a bet that Barack Obama overall has proposed to members of Congress, said on FRANCE 24 Marjorie Spangle, co-founder of the website" I love politics. "He called for innovation in both the economic sphere, creating jobs, and political matters, he calls on all parliamentarians to work together. "
If the Senate is still a Democratic majority, the House of Representatives is dominated by Republicans since the mid-term elections (November 2010). For the first time, representatives from both sides sat side by side on Capitol Hill in Washington, and wore a ribbon in honor of Gabrielle Giffords, a Democratic congresswoman injured in the shooting of Tucson. His seat remained empty."This tragedy reminds us that we are part of a whole, the American family, which goes beyond political parties," Obama said at the outset of his speech.
"Launch our Sputnik!"
While the country is now facing an unemployment rate of 9.4%, the U.S. president has spent most of his speech on the economy. "Yes, the world has changed. The rules have changed. And for many of us, this change has been difficult to manage.I heard the frustration of Americans who have seen their salaries shrink to a trickle and their jobs disappear. "
Barack Obama has especially highlighted the growing competition from India and China - now the largest research center in the world solar industry. "This should not discourage us," he said yet. The United States still the most prosperous economies. "
To meet these challenges and create jobs, Bush has advocated the use of innovation and investment in research, information technology, infrastructure and clean energy.By comparing current America to those of the Cold War, Barack Obama said that if the Soviet Union was capable of launching the satellite Sputnik into space in 1957, the United States had then been able to create new industries and millions of jobs. "Let's launch, we too, our Sputnik!" he said.
Barack Obama has stressed the importance of education, with emphasis on the responsibility of parents and teachers. He also asked Congress to eliminate subsidies for oil companies to invest more in the future of energy. "I do not know if you noticed, but the oil companies are doing well for themselves," he said."I challenge you," he added in 2035, 80% of our electricity will be produced by clean energy sources. "
To reduce the budget deficit of $ 400 billion in coming years, Barack Obama has proposed to freeze all spending "excessive" state over a period of five years. "Republicans continue to claim the reduction of public spending, said William Meyer, FRANCE 24's correspondent in Washington. But the magnitude of this decline will surely not be sufficient for them."
"A campaign speech"
"In his speech, Barack Obama spoke of the crisis, but not negatively," said Marjorie Paillon its side.He stressed how the U.S. would sublimate these expenses, to make investments for the future. "
Steven Ekovich, professor of political science at the American University of Paris FRANCE interrogated on 24 with his State of the Union is like "largely to a campaign speech," while the presidential election will be held in 2012 the United States.
In terms of international politics, finally, Barack Obama affirmed his country's solidarity with the Tunisians. The United States "support the democratic aspirations of all peoples," he said.
He also said the terrorist network Al Qaeda "had never been under greater pressure in Pakistan," since the attacks of Sept. 11.In Afghanistan, "thanks to our heroic troops, there is less of Afghans who are in the grip of insurgents," he said. The United States will work with a fifty countries to establish "a lasting partnership" with the Afghan government. As for American soldiers, they begin to reenter the United States in July, he added.
