The U.S. president, Barack Obama, in his annual message on the s tate of the country urged the Congress to take steps to close the reviled Guantanamo prison this year. On other issues, he called to pass the immigration reform and stressed the social inequality.
“With the end of the war in Afghanistan, this is the perfect year for the Congress to lift the remaining restrictions on prisoners’ movements and for us to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay,” Obama proclaimed during his annual speech on the state of the Union.
According to him, the U.S. “leadership” also depends on respecting “principles” put in serious doubt by the existence of Guantanamo and giving “example” in terms of respect for international securities.
“We are not only fighting against terrorism through intelligence activities and military actions, but also when we remain faithful to our constitutional ideals and give example to the world,” he said.
And “in a world of complex threats, our security and leadership depend on all elements of our power, including a strong and principled diplomacy,” he noted.
He calls to pass an immigration reform
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The U.S. president urged the Congress on Tuesday not to expect more and pass an immigration reform this year to reduce the deficit and make America a country that generates employment.
“Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have performed. I know that members of both parties in the chamber want to do the same, “Obama added during his speech in Washington.
“Let’s pass an immigration reform this year. Let’s do it, “told the president while being applauded by Congress men.
Critic of inequality
Amidst applause, Obama summarized the recent achievements of his government in reducing unemployment to the lowest levels in five years, increasing energy production, at the time of making America to retake top global investment destination.
But then, Obama touched the situation that has marked his term since 2011: the opposition of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives to most of his reforms, especially the fiscal ones.
Obama also criticized social inequality that has increased in the country despite the gradual economic recovery and called for actions to reverse this trend.
“Today, after four years of economic growth, corporate profits and stock prices have almost never been so high and those at the top have never been more successful. But average wages have hardly moved. Inequality has increased, “Obama denounced in his speech on the state of the nation, the annual address in which prioritizes his policies for the year that begins now.
Taken from Progreso Semanal (La Jornada newspaper)
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