Biden’s State of the Union Address: A Tale of Two World Views
QUICK READ: Every morning President Biden awakens and asks: “What I can do to improve the lives of the American people?” Trump, by contrast, asks, “How can I increase my wealth and power and punish my enemies?” In his State of the Union address to the American people last Thursday, the President stressed their very different world views, values, policies, and future plans.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
President Biden’s State of the Union address presented a powerful defense of democracy, a robust critique of Donald Trump, and the vibrant progressive agenda he intends to pursue with Congress’ help if reelected.
Biden began by calling for congressional support of Ukraine and slamming his predecessor’s obsequiousness towards Putin to whom he gave permission “to do whatever the hell you want” to NATO members.
He emphasized Trump’s sympathy for dictators and his threat to democracy at home and abroad, highlighting his promotion of political violence culminating in the January 6 insurrection, threats to reproductive rights, labeling migrants as criminals and “vermin,” suppression of voting rights, and banning books. Biden also blasted Trump’s ignorant and dangerous COVID policy, which left more than 1 million Americans dead and the economy paralyzed.
Biden then outlined his administration’s numerous accomplishments and his plans for improving Americans’ lives over the next four years, describing our economic recovery, new infrastructure projects, rural broadband advances, health and prescription drug reforms, student debt relief, codifying reproductive freedom, promoting affordable housing, taxing the rich, and protecting the environment.
The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. Now we, and our MoCs, must trumpet it far and wide.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. As your constituent, I demand that you trumpet it far and wide and start on this blueprint now: · Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; · Protect Social Security; · Pass expanded Child Tax Credit; · Force companies and the rich to pay their fair share; · Provide military aid to Ukraine; · Support a two state-solution in the Middle East.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. As your constituent, I demand that you trumpet it far and wide and start on this blueprint now: · Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; · Protect Social Security; · Pass expanded Child Tax Credit; · Force companies and the rich to pay their fair share; · Provide military aid to Ukraine; · Support a two state-solution in the Middle East.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. It is time you took your marching orders from your constituents rather than the disgraced former President. As your constituent, I demand that you start on this blueprint now: · Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; · Protect Social Security; · Pass expanded Child Tax Credit; · Force companies and the rich to pay their fair share; · Provide military aid to Ukraine; · Support a two state-solution in the Middle East.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. As your constituent, I demand that you trumpet it far and wide and start on this blueprint now: · Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; · Protect Social Security; · Pass expanded Child Tax Credit; · Force companies and the rich to pay their fair share; · Provide military aid to Ukraine; · Support a two state-solution in the Middle East.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
All Americans deserve reproductive freedom, bodily autonomy, and the The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. It is time you took your marching orders from your constituents rather than the disgraced former President. As your constituent, I demand that you start on this blueprint now: · Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; · Protect Social Security; · Pass expanded Child Tax Credit; · Force companies and the rich to pay their fair share; · Provide military aid to Ukraine; · Support a two state-solution in the Middle East.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. As your constituent, I demand that you trumpet it far and wide and start on this blueprint now: · Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; · Protect Social Security; · Pass expanded Child Tax Credit; · Force companies and the rich to pay their fair share; · Provide military aid to Ukraine; · Support a two state-solution in the Middle East.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. As your constituent, I demand that you trumpet it far and wide and start on this blueprint now: · Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; · Protect Social Security; · Pass expanded Child Tax Credit; · Force companies and the rich to pay their fair share; · Provide military aid to Ukraine; · Support a two state-solution in the Middle East.
Script for Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. It is time you took your marching orders from your constituents rather than the disgraced former President. As your constituent, I demand that you start on this blueprint now: · Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; · Protect Social Security; · Pass expanded Child Tax Credit; · Force companies and the rich to pay their fair share; · Provide military aid to Ukraine; · Support a two state-solution in the Middle East.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The State of the Union address provides a clear blueprint for creating an America that works for all of us. As your constituent, I demand that you trumpet it far and wide and start on this blueprint now: · Pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act; · Protect Social Security; · Pass expanded Child Tax Credit; · Force companies and the rich to pay their fair share; · Provide military aid to Ukraine; · Support a two state-solution in the Middle East.
FURTHER READING
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/07/us/politics/state-of-the-union-takeaways.html
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/state-of-the-union-biden-03-07-24/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2024/03/08/1236782758/state-of-the-union-address-biden-trump
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-state-union-address-2024-rcna142240
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/03/joe-biden-got-the-job-done/
