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All Americans deserve a fair shot at economic equality, says Obama
Richard Porritt25 Jan 2012
Barack Obama today promised a "fair shot" for everyone as he drew clear battle lines with the Republicans.
The President used his State of the Union speech to set out the themes of his re-election campaign after months of being overshadowed by the race for the Republican nomination.
But the Republicans were quick to attack Mr Obama's pledge, claiming his actions were divisive and "pro-poverty".
Millions of Americans watched the annual political set-piece live on television as Mr Obama spoke to a joint session of Congress and set out his achievements but, more importantly in election year, his plans for a second term.
He said the state of the union "is getting stronger" and remained buoyant over the economic recovery. But he added that there was a great "economic inequality" in America and restoring social mobility was "the defining issue of our time".
"We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by," Mr Obama said. "Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules."
His message about income inequality was timed to coincide with Republican candidate Mitt Romney's release of his federal tax returns yesterday. He revealed that he earned nearly $22 million in 2010 and paid tax at about 14 per cent, largely because his wealth came from investments, which are taxed at a lower rate. Mr Obama called for a new minimum tax rate of at least 30 per cent on anyone making more than $1 million a year.
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, who gave the formal Republican response, said: "No feature of the Obama presidency has been sadder than its constant efforts to divide us, to curry favour with some Americans by castigating others."
Although domestic issues dominated his speech, the president flagged up extending new ties and influence toward Asia, while claiming that old alliances in Europe and elsewhere were stronger than ever.
He also called for the creation of a new trade enforcement unit that would tackle unfair trade practices around the world. The president said the US would provide financing to put its companies on an even footing when China or others use unfair export financing to help their businesses.
Polling shows Americans are divided about Mr Obama's overall job performance but dissatisfied with his handling of the economy.
Reader views (5)
The hypothetical posed to Ron Paul did not involve a “poor man”, it involved someone who could afford coverage but elected not to buy it. To quote from the moderator’s own question: “A healthy, 30-year-old man has a good job, makes a good living, but decides, ‘You know what, I'm not going to spend $200 or $300 a month for health insurance because I'm healthy, I don't need it’ … Paul’s answer was that that was what freedom is all about, taking your own risks. The crowd’s reaction may still offend some delicate sensibilities but if one is going to “follow” it one should probably have the facts straight.
As for the difficult question of high medical costs and people who cannot pay them, it seems the only possibilities are (a) voluntarily paying them for him through charity, (b) medical practitioners voluntarily giving their talents free of charge as a gift or (c) the US Congress using its immense powers of compulsion to forcibly take the earnings of one American under penalty of imprisonment and handing it over to another American. Option (a) and (b) are great things and I support them. Option (c), not so much. I do not have the answer for the difficult problem but I am certain that simply saying "make everyone else just pay for him" brings with it its own set of problems.
- Rich, New York City, USA, 26/01/2012 14:41
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"Champagne Socialist" is a term normally used by followers of the politics of envy. Jealous of people who are successful and can maintain their morality and principles. People who are willing to pay their fair share in taxes, therefore spreading the wealth for the betterment of society. To continue with the analogy, if they drink champagne they have earned the right to and, crucially, they want everyone else to have some too. Your lot would rather see a man die of thirst or smash the bottle than share!
Look around you Rogan. The capitalist world is in meltdown, brought about by excessive capitalism and just plain greed. Socialism, and liberalism, tempers that excessiveness and ensures that everyone, not just the rich, derives some benefit from their labour. After-all, what worth is any economic system if it doesn't benefit its citizens. The real drones are the wage slaves and sweat shop workers required for excessive capitalism to work.
Oh, and you must get your US news from more than just the Fox Network or the likes of Beck and Limbaugh. No doubt some Tea Party members are "normal" but obviously confused. The remaining are veering to the extreme right, argue for tax increases for the poor but cuts for the rich; are in favour of forcing poor children to work; believe that Obama is a Muslim; believe that rape, child abuse and incest victims should be forced to give birth against their will; would police what consenting adults would do in the bedroom; don't believe in evolution and believe in "targeting" their Democratic opponents i.e. Gifford. Again, if you are happy to associate with these people that's your look out but very scary nonetheless.
- Veritas Noire, Purley, 26/01/2012 10:19
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Well now, lemme see - an advocate for socialism calling an advocate for capitalism a muddled thinker. How odd is that!?
The only thing I have ever seen from champagne socialist 'leaders' anywhere in the world is that everyone, except themselves, has to give something up in the name of equality - rounding down until they eventually have nothing that doesn't come under the heading of bread and circuses. Capitalism NEEDS ambitious people so it encourages people to strive to better themselves. As best I can make out socialism only requires drones to show up and agree with their political masters. Sorry mate, collectivism has failed as a national adhesive force wherever it has been tried. The best it can do is to get control and force solutions on people. When there is a choice, people tend to the middle of the road level of politics, testing the water of socialism once and a while because it sounds like a good idea, then finding out that it is anything but when the human element is factored in.
Ron Paul in the USA... the context? I'm no fan of his, btw. Hadn't heard that. I know of the Tea Party though. Mostly they're an amalgam of centre politics people nearing or actually in retirement seeing Obama stripping away all they have worked for and are fighting back, though not with the viral fantasies of the left wing attack dogs online. The left demonised them from word go - which kinda suggests they fear these people who want to continue thinking for themselves. I like it!
- Rogan, Irving, 26/01/2012 06:54
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@ Rogan, your comments betray your muddled thinking. What is wrong with aspiring to lift people out of poverty, to offer employment opportunity and to provide healthcare to millions, yes millions, if ordinary Americans who are unfortunate enough to be to poor. Surely a doctor should check your pulse, not your credit rating, if you need help.
It is Republicans, like our own conservatives, who believe in the race to the bottom. It is they who will sack individuals, close down whole businesses and decimate whole communities in order to protect their profits. It is they who will drive down wages but raise prices at the same time so that they can swell their own bank accounts. It is they who will use every trick in the book and exploit every loophole to avoid paying their fair share in taxes whilst the ordinary Joe is squeezed more and more.
If you follow American politics you will know that the Republicans tried to block extending Obama's payroll tax break for the working and middle classes. Yet these are the same Republicans who fight to keep Bush's tax cuts for the rich. Guess who's side they are on?
One final thing, when Paul confirmed that he would let a cancer sufferer who did not have health insurance die, the Tea Party audience cheered. Yes, they cheered the idea of a man dying because he is poor. These are the sort of people who you identify with. How sick! By the way, the NHS we are blessed with was created by the Labour Party back when they used to be Socialists.
- Veritas Noire, Purley, 25/01/2012 22:43
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"All Americans deserve a fair shot at economic equality, says Obama"
So, he's put his socialist cards on the table at last. And like all good socialists he wants everyone to round down rather than rise to the challenge of improving one's lot. Aspire to be ordinary should be his credo. It would be an improvement on what he has provided so far, anyway.
- Rogan, Irving, 25/01/2012 18:39
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