In his State of the Union Address tonight, President Barack Obama is expected to underscore the improvements that have taken place in the economy and lay out a number of proposals to help lift up America’s middle-class, largely decimated following the Great Recession.
According to excerpts released by the White House, Mr. Obama will try to persuade a skeptical Republican Congress to adopt measures that will work for all Americans and not just a few.
“At this moment – with a growing economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry, and booming energy production – we have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on Earth. It’s now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next fifteen years, and for decades to come,” Mr. Obama is expected to say.
“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.”
Over the last week, the Obama administration has telegraphed several proposals which are expected to be contained in his address. These include, eliminating the “trust-fund loophole,” which limits taxation of inherited assets.
Mr. Obama is also expected to call for a hike in the capital gains tax for the top earners from 23.8 percent o 28 percent.
Other proposals include a $500 boost for families with two working spouses, $3,000 child care tax credit, two years free community college education for qualified students and more paid sick leave.
“[..] the verdict is clear. Middle-class economics works. Expanding opportunity works. And these policies will continue to work, as long as politics don’t get in the way,” Mr. Obama is expected to say.
“That’s what middle-class economics is – the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.”
Mr. Obama is also expected to ask Congress Tuesday night to formally authorize the use of force against the terror group known as ISIS.
“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,” he will say. “We’re also supporting a moderate opposition in Syria that can help us in this effort, and assisting people everywhere who stand up to the bankrupt ideology of violent extremism. “
Mr. Obama plans to call for legislation to address the threat of cyber-attacks.
