Barack Obama entered the House chamber at around 8:12 PM CDT, looking grayer on the head than he was on the campaign trail, and rightfully so. He has been fighting for a health care plan, and health care reform with not much headway. He began his speech touching on the history of past SOTUs. Presidents have faced sad and low points in our country including 9/11, Civil Rights Violence, and the Depression. “We’ve moved on as one nation, one people. Again we have been tested. The worst of the storm is over, but now we are facing the debris caused by the storm.” A struggling, but improving economy, and unemployment at one of the highest rates in the history of the United States, are some of the problems America has been facing.
Obama ran for president to help face these struggles. He is tired of partisanship, pettiness, and shouting. He believes we should work through our moral differences for the betterment of the citizens of the United States. “We do not give up, quit, or let fear take away our spirit”. He focus a great deal on the state of the Economy. Many politicians and critics have said that Obama’s speech tonight wouldn’t discuss the state of our union, but to announce legislation. He focused a great deal on the state of our economy, our unemployment problem, and the growing debt of the United States. Obama said that we have recovered most of the money we spent on the banks. To recover the rest, propose a fee on the biggest banks. big bonuses means they can pay back the taxpayers. Under Obama, we have had 25 tax cuts, including tax cuts for 95% percent of working americans. There has also been no increase in income tax.
Obama also talked about the Recovery Act. The Recovery act has allowed more tax cuts and new jobs, has saved jobs and averted disasters. Retirement funds are starting to recover, and businesses are starting to invest again. But still, there are people without jobs. A New Jobs Bill has invested in new businesses, and is taking 30 billion of the money banks have repaid to use to help small businesses start. There is a new tax credit for hiring new workers or increasing wages of current workers. He is also going to get rid of capital gains tax for all businesses.
In order to put americans to work today, Obama said we need to “invest in tomorrow, in new technology”. Ideas include clean energies facilities and new ways of transportation. Obama also wants to slash tax breaks to companies that send jobs overseas, and give them to businesses that keep or create jobs. Another way of creating jobs is to export more products. If we double our exports, like Obama wants, it will give us the need to create more jobs to make these products. Close to 2 million jobs. “We need to push for open global markets” Obama said.
Another important topic President Obama discussed is education. He is launching a national competition to reward our nation’s schools who invest in reform and excellence. Obama said also that the best anti-poverty system is a first-class education. In this day and age, just a high school diploma doesn’t cut it to get a decent job. This is why Obama wants to make college more affordable for the american people. The house has already passed a bill that will revamp and support community colleges, and create ways to make four year schools more affordable, by a 10,000 dollar tax credit for americans who attend a four year college. He also called for Universities to cut the costs of tuition.
A hot topic of the recent weeks has been health care. Obama understands that both parties believe that health care costs should decrease for the american people. Obama’s approach would cut the deficit by 1 trillion dollars. He called out the republicans, saying “Let me know if there is a better plan that will lower premiums and create care for the uninsured”. “We must come together to finish the job for the american people, Lets get it done”. Obama received laughs from the republican party, about his plan to cut government spending. Rather than laughing, they should appreciate his attempt to cut government spending, like a conservative would want. He reminded people he took over the office with a deficit of almost 10 trillion dollars already in place, he has only added 1 trillion dollars worth too it so far.
Throughout the entire night, Obama has pushed Bi-partisanship. “Saying no to anything may be good short term politics, but it will accomplish nothing for the american people. We can do it together.” Obama also touched briefly on subject of the wars, and his want to pull most troops out of the middle east. He also discussed the right for Gay americans to have the right to serve there countries, and rights for women to get equal pay at work. The subjects of crime and immigration were touched on in the end.
Historically, the State of the Union is supposed to tell the american people what has gone on in the country over the past year. Obama did that, but he also touched on his plans for the future. The President believes America will become much stronger over time with his plans. He pushed for both parties to come together, and make a difference for the American people. The outcome of America looks bright, and I hope that both parties will come together to get our country back together.
