President Obama Takes the High Road in State of Union Address

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President Obama Takes the High Road in State of Union Address

January 14th, 2016

Awake Goy

President Barak Obama delivers his last State of the Union address on January 12, 2016.

During a season of low road politics, President Barak Obama took the high road in his final State of the Union Address. His address, over an hour long, was replete with timely reminders of what has made this nation the envy of the world.

Initially, Mr. Obama briefly outlined some of the impressive accomplishments of his two-term presidency: the affordable health care legislation, clean air agreement among nations across the globe, marriage equality assurance in every state of the Union, a robust economy, restoration of diplomatic relationships with Cuba, reduction in carbon emissions, increase in availability of solar energy, and a strong leadership image around the world.

The President forcefully stated that those who project a negative impression of our economic progress and the state of our national security are simply engaging in political rhetoric, or emitting “political hot air”. “The United States is the most powerful nation on earth—Period…It’s not even close”, he exclaimed.

Mr. Obama then focused on challenges that the nation faces as we journey into the future, challenges that include: reinforcing and expanding on the progress already made in health care reform; expanding economic opportunities for all and making sure the tax burden is equably distributed; making sure we maximize the effective use of technology and minimize possible destructive fallout; keeping America strong and safe, and yet a compassionate nation.

The President emphasized that we must stay engaged in the world and not attempt to isolate ourselves as a nation, while simultaneously resisting unwise military intervention in unstable nation states.

The President also put forth the curing and eradication of cancer as a national goal that he compared to the space program launched under President John Kennedy; and he assigned Vice President Biden to head the effort.

“It is easier to be cynical, to accept that change is not possible and politics is hapless”, he retorted. And then he went on to implore the country to not fall victim to the “voices urging us to fall back into tribes, to scapegoat fellow citizens who don’t look like us or pray like us or vote like we do or share the same background.”

President Obama’s passionate refrain to the people of America was this: “The future we want—opportunity and security for our families; a rising standard of living and a sustainable, peaceful planet for our kids—all that is within our reach. But it will only happen if we work together.”