KARLA SHIRVANIAN | STAFF WRITER
In the midst of a struggling economy and unemployment rate at 10 percent, President Barack Obama gave his first State of the Union Address on Jan. 27.
In his address, Obama spoke about the resilience of Americans in the face of adversity, and the fact that people still remain hopeful and encouraged after one of most difficult years in history.
“It’s because of this spirit—this great decency and great strength—that I have never been more hopeful about America’s future than I am tonight,” Obama said. “Despite our hardships, our union is strong. We do not give up. We do not quit. We do not allow fear or division to break our spirit. In this new decade, it’s time the American people get a government that matches their decency, that embodies their strength.”
The president went on to speak about changes he proposes in various aspects of the government in order to improve the quality of life in America. He began by talking about the economy. Obama proposed a fee increase on the big banks in order to stabilize the economy.
“To recover the rest, I’ve proposed a fee on the biggest banks. Now, I know Wall Street isn’t keen on this idea. But if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need,” Obama said.
Obama also proposed $30 billion stimulus for small businesses to stay afloat in order to help those suffering from the weak economy. He also wants to encourage small business growth through a tax credit for small business owners who hire new employees or increase wages.
Building a better future is also something the president discussed. He said America should begin to build clean air facilities and rebates should be given to Americans who make their homes more energy efficient, which support clean energy jobs. Obama discussed financial reform, as well as the export of more of American products.
“The more products we make and sell to other countries, the more jobs we support right here in America,” Obama said. “So tonight, we set a new goal: We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support two million jobs in America. To help meet this goal, we’re launching a National Export Initiative that will help farmers and small businesses increase their exports, and reform export controls consistent with national security.”
Obama also discussed something that affects many people, education. He said today, in the 21st century, the best anti-poverty program is a good education. This is why the Elementary and Secondary Education Act will be reformed and he will work with Congress to expand reform to all 50 states. He encouraged the Senate to follow the House of Representatives to pass a bill to renew community colleges. He also proposed a reform that would affect all students who have, or are planning on attending college.
“To make college more affordable, this bill will finally end the unwarranted taxpayer subsidies that go to banks for student loans. Instead, let’s take that money and give families a $10,000 tax credit for four years of college and increase Pell Grants, Obama said. “And let’s tell another one million students that when they graduate, they will be required to pay only 10 percent of their income on student loans, and all of their debt will be forgiven after 20 years –- and forgiven after 10 years if they choose a career in public service, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they chose to go to college.”
Spending was also a predominant topic in the president’s address. He said that in 2011 government spending will be frozen. This freeze will not effect national security, Medicare, Mediaid and Social Security, but will force the government to work within a budget and be mindful in what is invested in and what needs to be sacrificed. Obama even said he would enforce the discipline by veto if he has to.
Through the address, Obama also spoke on the need for equal pay laws to be enforced and for women to receive equal pay as men in the workforce. Obama also said he would work with Congress to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy in order for homosexual Americans to serve in the armed forces. He also spoke about the need to fix the immigration laws.
“In the end, it’s our ideals, our values that built America–values that allowed us to forge a nation made up of immigrants from every corner of the globe; values that drive our citizens still. Every day, Americans meet their responsibilities to their families and their employers. Time and again, they lend a hand to their neighbors and give back to their country. They take pride in their labor, and are generous in spirit. These aren’t Republican values or Democratic values that they’re living by; business values or labor values. They’re American values,” Obama said.
In the end Obama spoke again about the spirit of the United States that has prompted the resilience in Americans and kept them hopeful in the midst of hardships.
“The spirit that has sustained this nation for more than two centuries lives on in you, its people. We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But a new year has come. A new decade stretches before us. We don’t quit. I don’t quit,” Obama said. “Let’s seize this moment — to start anew, to carry the dream forward and to strengthen our union once more.”