In a time during high unemployment rates and extreme poverty levels, the American people need to hear from someone who is determined to take action. During President Obama’s State of the Union Address, he shared with American citizens his plans to get our country back on track.
Americans have almost completely lost sight of what used to be the “American Dream.” We used to believe that with hard work and determination, we could at least have a comfortable life where we could afford a home and send our kids to college. Now, the middle class has nearly become nonexistent. “We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people will do well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by,” President Obama said, “Or, we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.” We need to restore how people view America back to the way they once did, as a place where freedom allows us to follow our dreams, and with hard work, we can accomplish anything.
“For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq,” President Obama said, “And for the first time in two decades, Osama Bin Laden is not a threat to this country.” Absolutely nothing is better than bringing our troops home to their families and out of harms way. Bin Laden’s death brought closure to many of those whose family members were killed during September 11.
President Obama proposed that now we use half of the budget that was spent on war to go towards rebuilding roads and bridges in our own country and use the other half to reduce our deficit.
Many want to blame President Obama for the current state of our country. Yet, six months before he took office, four million jobs had already been lost. After President Obama’s policies went into effect a couple of months after his term started, employment levels began to rise.
Americans have lost many jobs due to corporations moving their factories overseas. In an attempt to in-source jobs, President Obama proposed that we offer tax cuts to those who keep their jobs in America, and eliminate tax breaks for those who send their jobs overseas. “My message is simple,” President Obama said, “It’s time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs oversees, and start rewarding those that create jobs right here in America. Send me these tax reforms, and I’ll sign them right away.”
Our country is in desperate need of education reform. “Teachers matter,” President Obama said, “So instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo, let’s offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones. In return, grant schools flexibility: To teach with creativity and passion; to stop teaching to the test (No Child Left Behind); and to replace teachers who just aren’t helping kids learn.” Today, students can drop out of school at age 16. President Obama wants to pass a law that says students are required to stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18.
We have a long way to go to become the powerful nation we once were. It’s going to take a lot of hard work on everyone’s part.
“When we act together, there’s nothing the United States of America can’t achieve.” -President Barack Obama
Click here for the enhanced version of the speech.
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