President Obama’s State of the Union Speech was held on January 27, 2010. The speech's focal point was job creation, but he touched on a few other important issues as well; issues such as healthcare, climate change, financial regulations, tax cuts, and foreign policies among other topics of discussion. The speech was listened to world-wide and is sure to have received a host of unique reactions.
During the speech, President Obama promised to make job revival the top priority this year. He acknowledged that jobs must be our main focus in 2010. He also mentioned that in order to boost the economy, we must boost trade. He promised to double US exports over a five year plan, and suggested that lawmakers start to approve trades with South Korea, Panama, and Columbia. In proclaiming job creation the main focus of 2010, President Obama acknowledged that healthcare would no longer be the focus of his legislative agenda although he encouraged Congress not to walk away from his plan.
Barack Obama also called for passing a new climate and energy bill to help make clean energy more profitable in America. He said we need to make a new generation of safe, suggesting new forms of transportation, nuclear power plants, and offshore destinations for oil development. On the topic of financial regulations, Obama stated that he is interested in protecting our economy. A financial market is vital for creating new jobs. He proposed giving small businesses $30 billion dollars to help them stay alive.
President Obama said that we need to cut taxes for small businesses, first-time homebuyers, and parents. Tax increases were not discussed however. Obama expressed confidence in the Afghan war, but he did not really get into the subject as job creation remained the main focus of the speech.
In my opinion, I expected a little more from the speech, but I was over all impressed and relieved with the speech as a whole. I am in total agreement with the fact that in order to better our economy, we must open a window for jobs. I myself have noticed a massive decrease in job openings over the past three years and it is certainly something we need to improve on. Another point I was interested in was the tax cuts associated with first-time buyers, parents, and small businesses. Overall, I was impressed with the speech.
