State of the Union Review: An adult speech for difficult times

An adult speech for difficult times

The president’s state of the union address was a refreshing discussion of economic truth in these tough times. America is facing a changed economic environment: the rate of innovation and technical change have slowed while the globalization has moved manufacturing and IT jobs overseas. He chose these tough times to discuss the america’s economic future in three broad categories: Innovation, education and infrastructure investment. Mr. Obama liked all of these ideas under the theme: “Winning the future.”

He opened with remarks on the shooting in Tucson. He then moved on to talk about bi-partisan cooperation. He referenced the success of the lame-duck session in passing several pieces of legislation. Then, getting down to business, he described the changing the jobs climate the American worker faced. “The rules have changed. In a single generation, revolutions in technology have transformed the way we live, work and do business.” The US is completing in a globalized world against India and China.

We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. (Applause.) We have to make America the best place on Earth to do business.
He hinted that we must compete for jobs and industries which in the past would have been handled by US industry.

So how will the US win the future ? President Obama proposed programs in there areas.
Encourage American innovation with new programs for biomedical research, information technology and clean energy. The new investments will be paid for by eliminating subsidies for the oil companies. An additional goals is by 2035 , 80 percent of the America’s energy will come from clean energy.

Educate our kids. Prepare 100,000 teachers in science, technology, engineering and math. And reform immigration to keep educated kids in the country
Thirdly, rebuild America – Repair crumbling bridges and roads. Invest in high speed rail.

He proposed several miscellaneous programs…

1. Improve the business tax system by eliminating loopholes and deducations.
2. Have congress pass the Korean free trade agreement. Add new free trade agreements with Panama and Columbia.
3. Reduce the deficit. Freeze domestic spending for five years . However, he noted, he would affect on only 12 percent of the budget. Real budget reductions require cuts in domestic spending, defense spending, health–care spending and reducing tax subsidies.
4. Reorganize the federal government

And some programs he opposed…

1. He continues to oppose to extending tax cuts for the rich.
2. He restated that he is unwilling to change the healthcare bill, “so let’s move on.”

He discussed the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nearing the end of his speech, he covered some real life examples of American perseverance. Then finally, he ended with a call for the US to move forward. To loosely paraphrase the president, “We have work ahead, but we do big things.”