Reaction to the 2013 State of The Union

The State of The Union 2013, the fourth given by President Barack Obama informed citizens of the agenda and methods to be used by the President during his second term. My predictions of what topics President Barack Obama would address the State of The Union was somewhat accurate.

The President began the night giving a summary of what topics were to be covered in his speech. President Obama briefly spoke about bringing troops home, an improving economy and job creation.

President Obamas first topic of the night was about the government working for the people. Obama said a smarter government and not a bigger government is what the people need

President Obama said “The American people don’t expect the government to solve every issue. They don’t expect those of us in this chamber to agree on every issue but they do expect us to put the nation’s interest before party.”

President Obama then turned his focus to the economy and reducing the deficit. I predicted the president to talk about the economy, one of the most important topics concerning the country. Tax cuts were talked about as I predicted they would be discussed. President Obama offered solutions and plans to reduce spending as well as ways to help progress the nation. Obama said nothing he would propose tonight as solutions would increase the deficit by a single dime.

Health care was a topic I did not predict President Obama would address.

President Obama said “We must accept the need of modest reform.”

Health care is still a big issue in our country, President Obama early on in his speech addressed a need for the wealthiest of Americans along with the middle class to work together to support the nation. Reforms from either party were given as alternate solutions as long as they didn’t violate the guarantee of a secure retirement.

President Obama talked about job creation, a topic I predicted he would discuss. Apple making products in the United States and companies investing in broad based growth were ways Obama discussed that things would be different.

President Obama discussed climate change and events that have occurred around the world and told congress that these events probably were not a coincidence. Climate change was a topic that piggy backed into a discussion about a clean energy movement and how us as a nation, should take advantage of the opportunities presented by the use of clean energy. I predicted Obama would speak about clean energy since it has been one of those most talked about issues since the presidential debates.

President Obama said “America’s energy sector is just one part of an aging infrastructure badly in need of repair.”

President Obama touched on a lot of topics during the inauguration some of which I predicted correctly and some I did not touch on. One thing I believe remains consistent about Obama throughout his presidency is a willingness to work and compromise. Change was the slogan of Obama’s campaign 4 years ago and change along with compromise on behalf of both parties is the only way for the nation to succeed.

 

 

 

Preview of The 2013 State of the Union

The state of the union is a speech given annually by the President to inform citizens about the agenda to be set forth by his cabinet.  President Barack Obama will give his fourth State of the Union (SOTU) address Tuesday, Feb 12. The speech will take place at the House Chamber to a joint session of the 113th Congress.

During the SOTU, President Obama will lay out the plan of his office for the upcoming fiscal year. Obama hinted at what topics he might address at the Presidential Inauguration. A big issue will be gun control, expect the President to reiterate the policies he recently supported such as improving background checks for those attempting to obtain a gun and a ban on military-style assault weapons.

 Job creation has been a big topic of debate since Obama took office, expect the President to discuss his plan for creating more jobs and lowering the unemployment rate.  During the inauguration and Presidential debates, Obama discussed having a better infrastructure in regards to creating more jobs, expect a plan on how this will be accomplished. The President spoke about how important schools and teachers were to the nation and how this would help with the creation of jobs not only in the immediate future but also years down the road.

“We can’t have an energy strategy for the last century that traps us in the past. We need an energy strategy for the future – an all-of-the-above strategy for the 21st century that develops every source of American-made energy.” - President Barack Obama, March 15, 2012

Piggy backing off of the creation of jobs, the President Obama will reiterate his policies on clean energy and explain how his stance will help to create jobs within filed of work. Obama supports clean energy and has said before it would help stimulate the economy and help job growth.

 Tax cuts is still a big issue and among the people. Obama wants to make sure he continues to protect the middle class, President Obama will touch on the fiscal cliff bill set in motion that has already saved middle class families from potential tax hikes.

The economy remains a big issue within our country , Obama said  "the state of our economy is a concern that rises above all others," the State of the Union will take place two weeks before congress is set to meet and discuss the next set of economic deadlines.  Obama will lay out a plan of how the country will move forward in regards to improving the economy. Addressing the debt ceiling and cutting the spending budget will be hot topics for President Obama as well.

"It will reflect our shared interests in the following areas: advancing a comprehensive nuclear agenda to strengthen the nonproliferation regime, reduce global stockpiles and secure nuclear materials," Vice President Joe Biden said, when asked about the State of the Union.

With a period of war ending the President Obama will explain ways the U.S. will improve on its relationship with other countries around the world. Obama said that ending a decade of war and the amount of nuclear weapons around the world will make this a safer planet for everyone.