‘State of the Union is a blueprint for the president’s hopes to accomplish’
On Jan. 28, the President of the United States, Barack Obama gave his fifth State of the Union address.
The State of the Union is basically a blueprint for what the president hopes to accomplish in the coming year.
The president gives proposals on what he would like to see the country move forward. He also tries to address some of the problems Americans are currently facing.
University of South Dakota Sophomore Derek Steele wanted the people to be the President’s focus.
“I just want him to focus on what the people want,” Steele said. “Not what benefits the pockets of him and everyone else in Washington.”
Obama presented plenty of ideas to not only Congress, but to the American people as well. There were three moments in the speech, however, I thought stood out from the rest.
The president made it clear from the beginning he would bypass Congress if necessary when trying to pass legislation.
“What I offer tonight is a set of concrete, practical proposals to speed up growth, strengthen the middle class, and build new ladders of opportunity for the middle class,” Obama said. “Some require Congressional action and I’m eager to work with all of you. But America does not stand still, and neither will I.”
As president, Obama is clearly willing to take executive action to get things done if Congress is unwilling to work with him.
Among these “concrete practical proposals” included an increase of the minimum wage and a program which would connect schools to broadband wireless.
According to a CNN poll conducted and broadcast after his speech, only 30 percent want the president to act alone without Congress on issues. It remains to be seen what the President will decide to do.
One of the more controversial topics discussed was the problem of minimum wage. Halfway through the speech, Obama revealed his plan to increase the minimum wage for federal funded contractors to $10.10, claiming those who “cook our troops meals or wash their dishes…shouldn’t have to live in poverty.”
He then urged those in local office to take their own initiative to raise the minimum wage and not “wait for Congress to act.”
In closing, Obama introduced Corey Remsburg, a United States Army Ranger, who on his 10th deployment, was struck by a bomb which nearly cost him his life.
He was in a coma for months and has had multiple procedures and surgeries along with rehab he has to go through every day.
Obama used the ranger’s tragic story as a metaphor for America’s persevering nature.
“Sometimes we stumble; we make mistakes … but for more than 200 years, we have put those things aside and placed our collective shoulder onto the wheel of progress.”
This was a special moment not only because it was a story of hope and overcoming obstacles, but also because the president had actually met Remsburg before the incident. He wasn›t just some random person who was invited to the event.
