State of the Union 2011: Where Are We Now?

Every year the President of the United States is required to address the Congress and report on the state of the country. Through this speech, the President has the ability to set the agenda in Congress for the coming year by hitting on the key points of what he or she wants to change in the countries government and policies. Last night, President Barak Obama delivered this annual speech in the House of Repersentatives with the entire Congress present, except one member, the judges of the Supreme Court, and the leaders of the different branches of the military.

“The State of the Union Address is important because it is an opportunity for the President to set up goals for the country, report the status for the country and lay out any problems and possible solutions for the coming year,” Mr. Christopher Williams, U.S. History teacher, said.

One of Obama’s biggest points, and one of the largest worries for a large population of American’s is the massive debt we are accumilating, even at this very moment. The President lays out his plan for how to lower the national debt through the cutting of the government budget in agencies that are unneeded, such as the “12 different agencies that deal with exports,” or the “five different agencies that deal with housing policy,” or Obama’s “favorite example: The Interior Department is in charge of salmon while they’re in fresh water, but the Commerce Department handles them when they’re in saltwater.” For years the United States government has been spending more than it is making causing the national debt to rise sharply. By cutting the amount the government spends, President Obama not only hopes to create a balanced budget but a budget that produces the surplus that is needed to relieve some of the debt that has built up. Many find this to be a repeat of what he has been saying since before he took office two years ago. In his campaign he talked largely about decreasing the national debt, but he has only succeeded in raising it. Tired of just hearing about the plans the President has, many American’s are waiting for action.

“Obama addressed many problems, which is a good thing, but he also made too many promises,” David Campano, senior, said.

Another topic on the President’s agenda is the need to create jobs for American citizens. After spending billions of dollars on a bailout to create and secure jobs for American’s, and create economic stimulus, there is still an increase on unemployment throughout the nation as the Republican rebutle says, given by Paul Ryan, a representative from Wisconsin. Though, Obama is pushing a new trade bill with South Korea that is intended to increase job security in America, and increase exports. Obama says that he “would only sign deals that keep faith with American workers and promote American jobs.” This new trade agreement, Obama believes, follows with these ideals and will be going through Congress in the next weeks.

“I think the trade agreement should be passed. South Korea has always been an important ally of the United States. It would benefit both nations economies,” Ms. Kristina Moser, Government teacher, said.

Obama is pushing bipartisan cooperation between the Republicans and Democrats to help lead the nation into a closer union. One of the biggest policies he wants them to work together on is revising the Healthcare Bill to make it more effective but to, at the same time, cut costs and provide a wider availability of healthcare for all Americans. The Republicans on the other hand wish to completely repeal this bill and draft an entirely new one. They are pushing this point in the House even now.

“Obama’s speech was very inspiring. It seems as if our country really is going to change,” Darrin Spell, senior, said.

Another topic the different parties are having trouble coming to common ground for is taxes. President Obama wishes to reduce tax cuts for the top 2 percent of Americans, as does the democratic party, following their leader, but the Republican party wishes to continue tax cuts for everyone under the Bush Era Tax Cuts, or to completely do away with tax cuts if Democrats continue to push this new tax reform because Republicans are doing their best to take away all power that the Democrats have. Some citizens are calling this a childish attempt to show power, while others view this as an opprotunity to balance the government and get it back to a higher standard. Either way, the President wants to change this “versus” attitude to get the parties to work together for what is best not only for America as a whole but for each individual throughout the nation.

Speaking directly to small business owners, and about the growth of our nation through “innovation, education, and infrastructure,” President Obama gives what many call “an inspiring speech,” though some find it to be “propogandic” and “vague.” Throughout the next year, the President can expect to have many a close eye on him and the changes made in the nation.