Biden’s State of the Union Address — Democracy Under Attack
Click to watch the trailer of "Pay or Die" by Scott Alexander Ruderman
Washington, March 8th — President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address, emphasizing key points that reflect the nation's current state and his vision for the future. In his speech, he underscored the simultaneous attacks on freedom and democracy at home and abroad, particularly pointing to Putin's aggression in Ukraine as a threat that must be countered with support for Ukraine. He condemned his predecessor without naming Trump directly, criticizing his approach towards Putin and highlighting the dangers of such actions on democracy: "My message to President Putin, who I've known for a long time, is simple. We will not walk away. We will not bow down. I will not bow down," Biden said, adding "In a literal sense, history is watching.” He also pitted President Ronald Reagan's famous "tear down this wall" line against Trump's recent promise to let Russia "do whatever the hell they want" to European countries. Biden also touted his legislative achievements to make the U.S. less reliant on China, adding "Frankly for all his tough talk on China, it never occurred to my predecessor to do any of that."
Regarding the Israel and Gaza conflict, he emphasized the need to protect innocent civilians. Biden underscored the humanitarian crisis, describing the destruction of homes, displacement of families, and the urgent need for food, water, and medicine in Gaza. The President outlined efforts to establish a six-week cease-fire and directed the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to set up a temporary pier in the Mediterranean to provide essential aid to Gaza. Biden stressed that Israel must allow more aid into Gaza without using humanitarian assistance as a bargaining chip and reaffirmed the importance of protecting and saving innocent lives. Additionally, he reiterated his support for a two-state solution as the only path to ensure security, democracy, peace, and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The State of the Union address was a pivotal moment in President Biden’s reelection campaign, positioning himself as a defender of democracy amidst growing challenges. His call for unity, truth-telling, and defense of democratic values resonated throughout his speech, setting the tone for critical discussions on safeguarding democracy in today's complex geopolitical landscape.
Transitioning to domestic issues, Biden underscored the importance of healthcare, specifically addressing the financial burden of insulin for Americans with diabetes. He advocated for a cap on insulin costs at $35 a month for all individuals with diabetes. This proposal aimed to expand on a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act that initially limited insulin prices for those covered by Medicare. Biden highlighted the disparity between the production cost of insulin, which is around $10 per vial, and the high prices charged by drug manufacturers, emphasizing the need to make essential medications more affordable for Americans.
As Trailer of the Week, we present you the film Pay or Die. A 2023 American documentary film, directed and produced by Scott Alexander Ruderman and Rachael Dyer, which won The Cinema for Peace Award for Global Health. The film follows three families as they struggle to afford insulin and battle lawmakers in Minnesota to bring down the price of insulin from $400 to $35.
In a letter to the Cinema for Peace Foundation, President Biden stated, “Cinema is more than just sound and scene - it reflects who we are as human beings. So often, the simple truths captured in films grip our hearts and remind us of our common humanity. Only with the truth comes healing, justice, repair, and another step forward in our pursuit of a more peaceful world. By elevating the works of visionaries who use the power of film to shed light on society’s greatest challenges, The Cinema For Peace Foundation is playing an essential role in fostering change through film.”