The Collection

State of the Union Address

       “You will remember this 50 years from now.” These were the words my uncle shared with me as history was that fateful Monday night. On January 12, 2016, President Barack Obama delivered his final State of the Union Address. His address was focused on four main topics: equal opportunity in the economy, the need for continued technological advancement, US safety in regards to foreign affairs, and the state of the current political arena.

          First, putting all the rumors to rest, he staked the claim that the United States has the “strongest and most durable economy in the world.” To back up this claim, he pointed to the unemployment rate which has been cut in half since he took office, the recovering auto industry, and the falling deficit which has been cut by three fourths. With all of these positive strides, he repeated referred to the challenges of the “new economy” we have built, and pointed to the need of the both parties to work together in the areas in which they broadly agree.

            His second topic was the need for continued technological advancement. Part of this advancement, he urged, should be in the medical field. To this point, he tasked Vice President Biden with leading the race to a cure for cancer. He continued on to address climate change, saying that even if anyone still denies the facts, why pass up the opportunity for the US to produce the energy of the future.

            Third, the president addressed the complex challenge of keeping the US safe without isolation and nation building. In a bold statement, President Obama address the allegations of America’s declining strength, saying, “The United States is the strongest country in the world/ Period.”  He continued on to detail the various conflicts abroad, such as renewed Cuban relations, Russian aggressions, the instability in the Middle East, and ISIS. 

            His fourth and final topic was the status of today’s politics. He urged both parties to recognize the need to renew the trust between the people and their government. He challenged all American citizens to demand the change they desire to see, not only in who they elect for office, but also in the policies they support.

            As 2016 is an election year, President Obama’s address not only shows the progress of the country during his eight years in office, but also points to the direction that the country will be heading when the next president takes office. Whether the next president is a Democrat or Republican, he or she will need to have a basic idea of the United States’ position in the world and this address provides a good general idea as it is highly likely that they will face many of the same issues. With a new leader comes a new agenda. As the next president’s time in office continues and the country changes, this address be a resource that they reflect on to compare the progress that their administration has made to that of the leader before them. Eventually, when it is time for time to deliver their own State of the Union Address, this speech will provide an example of the structure of this kind of address. Hopefully, no matter who the next leader of our great nation is, we will hear them conclude their address with the same words as President Obama, “I am confident in the strong state of our union.”