As to the Ukraine, this sounds like pure Biden:
“Let each of us here tonight in this chamber send an unmistakable signal to Ukraine and to the world. Please rise if you are able and show that, yes, we the United States of America stand with the Ukrainian people.”
As to Putin:
“Putin’s latest attack on Ukraine was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected repeated, repeated, efforts at diplomacy. He thought the West and NATO wouldn’t respond. He thought he could divide us at home, in this chamber and in this nation. Putin was wrong. We were ready,”
He then described months of preparations with our allies in anticipation of Putin's actions:
“We spent months building a coalition of other freedom-loving nations from Europe and the Americas to Asia and Africa to confront Putin. I spent countless hours unifying our European allies. We shared with the world in advance what we knew Putin was planning and precisely how he would try to falsely justify his aggression. We countered Russia’s lies with truth. And now that he has acted the free world is holding him accountable.”
He then announced to the Oligarchs that we are coming for their yachts.
“Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime no more.”
“We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets. We are coming for your ill-begotten gains,” he said.
He put the blame for Russia's tanking economing on Putin and Putin alone.
Biden then pivoted to domestic matters, including COVID:
“Thanks to the progress we have made this past year, Covid-19 need no longer control our lives,” he added. “I know some are talking about ‘living with Covid-19.’ Tonight – I say that we will never just accept living with Covid-19. We will continue to combat the virus as we do other diseases. And because this is a virus that mutates and spreads, we will stay on guard.”
After acknowledging Americans are suffering from inflation and don't have enough money to meet their bills, he outlined his planned response.
Biden said his plan to fight inflation would include investing in jobs at home, allowing Americans to get back to work while also making more of the products needed domestically.
“Lower your costs, not your wages. Make more cars and semiconductors in America. More infrastructure and innovation in America. More goods moving faster and cheaper in America. More jobs where you can earn a good living in America. And, instead of relying on foreign supply chains – let’s make it in America,” Biden said.
Those are all good ideas, but they take time. Americans need relief now. In my opinion, another tax-free payment of $1,400 or even better, $2,000. to all Americans, would be better and more effective in the short-run.
