Letters: Obama's oratory

This refers to the editorial “Lame-duck speech” (January 24). The inaugural speech is not the State of the Union speech. It is an occasion for the person elected to lay out the contours of his agenda in a broad manner — even if it is less candid. Obama did that — rightly. Even so, he has been quite clear on what his approach is going to be in his second term. A progressive agenda is on the cards. An expansion of the government is expected. “No single man can train all the maths and science teachers we need,” claimed Obama. And, that is about hiring teachers (his favourite, when it comes to job creation). He also spoke of the need for collectivism, saying health care and social security benefits enable – not prevent – people to take the risks they take. “Preserving individual freedom requires collective action,” he said on the occasion. He indicated that “many” cannot be allowed to suffer for the benefit of “a few” — a clear indication to a redistributionist state. He spoke of his intention to ensure equality for gays and lesbians. Marriage equality will also be looked at. Climate change received special thrust. On foreign policy alone, he was less clear. Nothing on West Asia or Israel or North African crisis. May be, Obama avoided being too high on rhetoric because it leads to soaring expectations, just as it did the last time. But the essence of his objective is clear: an expanded government with a redistributionist agenda.

Raghu Seshadri, Chennai

Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201 · E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number