Trump's 2019 State of the Union Was a Success
By Emily Smith (ersmith22@wisc.edu)
President Trump seeks compromise, but will the Democrats move past electoral politics for the good of the American people?
As President Trump addressed the new split congress in the 2019 State of the Union speech, he expressed a common theme of desire for compromise and unity. In his opening, President Trump acknowledged the American public’s hope for the congress to “govern not as two bodies, but as one nation.”
This hope was heartened by the bipartisan applause and standing ovation in response to one of the most notable quotes from the president’s speech: “…we must reject the politics of revenge, resistance, and retribution, and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise and the common good.” Even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a strident critic of this administration, stood with sincere applause.
By presenting his agenda for the future and recognizing the accomplishments of the past, President Trump addressed four main policy areas for bipartisan compromise and cooperation: trade, health care, criminal justice reform, and national security.
President Trump tackled the need for fair trade policies after looking back on his many wins in the booming economy such as record low unemployment for minorities and more women being in the workforce than ever before. The president looks forward to both parties putting politics behind them in order to put America and its citizens first by confronting China’s unfair trade practices, replacing the catastrophe of NAFTA with the USMCA, and signing into law the reciprocal trade act.
After the contentiousness that surrounded the repeal of the individual mandate in Affordable Care Act, the President presented an olive branch to the other side of the isle to improve healthcare. In congruity with the Democratic and Republican platform, he prioritized the need for lower healthcare and prescription drug costs and the protection of patients with pre-existing conditions.
Recognizing the problems of America’s criminal justice system, the president invited Matthew Charles from Tennessee who was sentenced to 35 years for selling drugs. While in prison he became a law clerk and mentored the other inmates. As a country that believes in redemption, President Trump commended both parties for signing the First Step Act which gives nonviolent offenders the second chance to reenter society. Charles is able reap the benefits of bipartisan cooperation as he will be the first person to be released from prison under the First Step Act.
As our nation continues to fight caustic battles of ideology, we erode the strength of our country in global relations. President Trump called on both parties to prioritize national security over politics saying, “We must be united at home to defeat our adversaries abroad.”
Only together can we find the power to rebuild our military and stand strong as one nation. President Trump also identified the need for the same standard of commitment from all nations in our alliances, not just hegemonic engagement of the United States as he alluded to the great majority of nations not paying their agreed share of GDP in NATO while the United States paid far beyond the requirement.
Even the president himself has agreed to compromise in controversial immigration policies; one of his signature issues. A wall is not a comprehensive representation of Republican immigration policy; however, specifically in this one facet, President Trump has agreed to a see-through barrier instead of a concrete slab. Also, he has granted to put the barrier in areas in the greatest need instead of lining the full border.
This State of the Union address displayed our president’s humble commitment to cultivate cross-party negotiations towards compromise. Whether the Democrats will meet Republicans halfway is skeptical for, after winning the house, Democrats have vowed to hinder every policy proposal made by the Republican party.
Our president’s bipartisan agenda seeks middle ground. It vows that the give and pull of either side in political dialogue should not be stifled by party politics, but rather bring forth compromise with representation of both ideologies with the good of the people of the United States as the main priority.
President Trump has reached out his hand in peace, but will the Democrats join him as the country sails towards victory and prosperity? I believe that the people of this great nation are tired of political divisiveness. In this respect, I plead that our elected representatives will not toy with the lives of the American people in defiance towards our president, but instead, “choose greatness.”