‘In Cuba, we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date’

Claiming that the country had turned the page, what appeared to be a loose and at times cocky President Barack Obama announced to the nation during his sixth State of the Union address that the “shadow of crisis has passed and the state of the union is strong.”

The president spoke for about an hour. It was his most ambitious and aggressive speech before the congress. It was a night of many firsts. He mentioned Cuba in a new light and made reference to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and the transgender communities. Some in the media, in fact, reacted by stating that if one didn’t know any better, you would have thought that the president’s party had just won the recent November elections.

Demonstrating his aggressiveness, President Obama threatened to veto any attempt to undo his health care and immigration initiatives.

During his address Obama became the first president to ask for the lifting of the Cuban embargo. He said:

“In Cuba, we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date.  When what you’re doing doesn’t work for fifty years, it’s time to try something new.  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. And this year, Congress should begin the work of ending the embargo.  As His Holiness, Pope Francis, has said, diplomacy is the work of ‘small steps.’  These small steps have added up to new hope for the future in Cuba. And after years in prison, we’re overjoyed that Alan Gross is back where he belongs. Welcome home, Alan.”

Seated behind First Lady Michelle Obama were presidential guests Alan and Judy Gross. When he was mentioned, Gross stood, waved to the crowd and mouthed, “Thank you”, numerous times in the direction of the President.

At the start of his speech President Obama said that the verdict is clear on the economy. He referred to it as “middle class economics” and assured that the country does better when everyone does better. He announced that his budget, which will soon be sent to congress, will ask for ways to help working families. One way of doing that, he said, was by lowering their taxes.

The President also challenged members of congress who refuse to raise the minimum wage by saying that if they thought one can live for under $15,000 a year, then they should “Try it!”

Also mentioned during Obama’s sixth State of the Union:

• Americans must upgrade their skills. As a result, he stated, he will be sending to congress a proposal to lower the cost of community college – “to zero!”
• We must build the most competitive economy ever. He urged congress to pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan to help us achieve a stronger economy. On this point he also asked the congress to allow him leeway to negotiate new, strong trade deals.
• He announced a new precision medicine initiative.
• He assured the protection of a free and open internet.
• He asked congress for permission for the use of force against ISIL.
• The President insisted on the support of democracy in the Ukraine.

Towards the end of his speech, President Obama said that “no challenge is greater than climate change.” He asked the congress, some of whom he slighted for their denial, to attack the issue seriously for the good of future generations. On this issue he also cited the Pentagon, who, he said, has called climate change an “immediate risk to our national security.”

The president ended his speech on a high note by stating that he still believed in this country and cited his now famous words that there are no red or blue states, but the United States of America.