Obama’s suggests positive programs for baby boomer consumers in State of the Union address

Despite the fact that Republicans now control both houses of Congress, Pres. Barack Obama was upbeat in his State of the Union address Tuesday.

For baby boomers, now ages 51 to 69, many of the policy changes he’s suggesting would be helpful.

Boomers, who have been hard hit by the Great Recession, would benefit from of his middle class economics proposals such as a tax break for the middle class and free community college tuition for their kids.

Obama said with the growing economy, which includes less unemployment, the “shadow has passed. The State of the Union is strong.”

He said his ideas will be included in his budget proposal.

He cited as accomplishments a new agency to protect consumers from predatory lending, 10 million Americans gaining health insurance in the last year alone, a stock market that has doubled, the fastest economic growth in over a decade, a national deficit cut by two-thirds, a stock market that has doubled, and health care inflation at its lowest rate in 50 years.

“So the verdict is clear,” Obama said. “Middle-class economics works.”

In addition to college, he said his proposals will also address health care, housing, and retirement.

Obama also called for paid sick leave, equal pay for women, a higher minimum wage, and payment for overtime work.

He’s proposing closing loopholes in the Tax Code for those with accumulated wealth to pay for these items.

On foreign policy, Obama said it’s not in the country’s interest to send in the military as a first response in countries where there’s conflict.

On environmental issues, he said there’s no great challenge than climate change.

To get his proposals adopted, Obama said there are “good people” on each of the aisle, and he will appeal to lawmakers to break “tired old patterns.”

He said lawmakers need “to unite in common effort, and help our neighbors, whether down the street or on the other side of the world.”

But, most Republicans dislike Obama intensely. It will be surprising if many of Obama’s positive proposals for the middle class will be passed.