Steffi Badanes and Audrey Piehl
Reporters
On Jan. 25, 2011, President Obama gave his State of the Union Address to the United States House of Representatives. We share our thoughts on his speech, the state of our nation, and our hopes for the future.
Scroll to the bottom of this article for a video of the entire speech and look at the corresponding time spots in the comments.
Steffi: “We will move forward together, or not at all — for the challenges we face are bigger than party, and bigger than politics.”- I am proud that President Obama pointed out the fact that people have different views and come from different backgrounds, but in the end, we all come together as one. [0:02:13]
Audrey: “We are part of the American family…” – Does no one realize that all these “inspirational lines” are repetitive and uninspired rather than super duper encouraging? Yes, we know we need to work together, but how do we do that Mr. President? [00:03:26]
Steffi: “New laws will only pass with the support of Democrats and Republicans.” Regardless of whether Speaker Boehner likes compromise or not, it’s going to happen. We have to work together. [0:04:01]
Steffi: “At stake right now is not who wins the next election — after all, we just had an election.” We really shouldn’t be putting as much focus on the 2012 election right now. There are issues that need to be attended to now, not in 2012. [0:04:16]
Steffi: “Meanwhile, nations like China and India realized that with some changes of their own, they could compete in this new world.” – We have been given a wake-up call, reminding us that we are falling behind India and China in the math and science. We need to use this as motivation to challenge ourselves to keep up with the competition. [0:07:57]
Audrey: “Thirty years ago, we couldn’t know that something called the Internet would lead to an economic revolution.” – Kind of an interesting thought…what could be the next big “economic revolution?” Would it branch off of the internet, or be an entity all on it’s own? Brain teaser of the week kids! [0:11:31]
Steffi: I’m slightly shocked that there are people in the House who aren’t clapping about investing in biomedical research, information technology, and clean energy technology. These are the things that are going to help us advance even further. [0:13:21]
Audrey: “Today, with the help of a government loan, that empty space is being used to manufacture…” – Government loan are two dangerous words Mr. President, even when directed towards a successful and important cause. [00:14:10]
Steffi: “It’s not just the winner of the Super bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair.” YES! Thank you! Let’s focus on the more important and intellectual achievements in our country. [0:18:03]
Steffi: “For less than 1 percent of what we spend on education each year, it has led over 40 states to raise their standards for teaching and learning.” – Let’s say goodbye to No Child Left Behind, and proudly welcome Race to the Top. It’s time to raise our learning expectations. [0:18:59]
Audrey: “In South Korea, teachers are known as ‘nation builders.’ Here in America, it’s time we treated the people who educate our children with the same level of respect.” Yeah man! Teachers never get enough recognition, even if deemed by students as crazy or just plain lousy. [00:21:08]
Steffi: “When our own engineers graded our nation’s infrastructure, they gave us a ‘D.'” JFK Airport is a dump. Our infrastructure is so outdated. Europe and China all have high speed rails across their countries. [0:26:57]
Audrey: “So over the last two years, we’ve begun rebuilding for the 21st century…” – We’re starting to rebuild now for the 21st century? I guess the past decade doesn’t count…ouch. [00:27:45]
Audrey: “It’s about connecting every part of America to the digital age” – I agree; if we can get more small business owners and other professions connected to the global economy and network it would really make a huge difference. [00:29:19]
Steffi: “Instead of refighting the battles of the last two years, let’s fix what needs fixing and let’s move forward.” One of the best and most powerful lines of the night. [0:35:21]
Steffi: Cutting spending is the Republicans’ main issue. But what we need to take into consideration is how making certain cuts will affect, how Obama said, “our most vulnerable citizens.” [0:37:44]
Audrey: “I recognize that some in this chamber have already proposed deeper cuts, and I’m willing to eliminate whatever we can honestly afford to do without” – Was that just a nonchalant or perhaps unintentional metaphor for America’s obesity problem?! The First Lady must be very proud. [00:38:09]
Audrey: “This means further reducing health care costs, including programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which are the single biggest contributor to our long-term deficit.” – Ah here comes heath care! He admits it will add to the deficit, but adds it will be beneficial in the long run. That still seems a little iffy sir. [00:39:45]
Audrey: “We can’t win the future with a government of the past.” – But hasn’t that “government of the past” made the United States so unique, righteous, and for the most part, prosperous? Sure, new faces and new policies are great, but let’s not start throwing intricately designed inspirational terms left and right here. [00:42:32]
Audrey: “And America’s moral example must always shine for all who yearn for freedom and justice and dignity” – Let’s spread the justice man! [00:45:45]
Steffi: “The Iraq war is coming to an end.” We’re ending a war that really should have never begun. [0:47:24]
Audrey: “And as extremists try to inspire acts of violence within our borders, we are responding with the strength of our communities, with respect for the rule of law, and with the conviction that American Muslims are a part of our American family.” – Good point; it’s time for all the racial profiling and discrimination to end in our own country. [00:48:04]
Steffi: “This July, we will begin to bring our troops home [from Afghanistan]” Thank goodness, this war has gone on for far too many years; it was a waste of time and money. [0:49:12]
Steffi: Repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell: A big step forward for rights of all Americans, an even bigger step forward to ending discrimination. [0:54:54]
Audrey: “Reforming our schools, changing the way we use energy, reducing our deficit –- none of this will be easy.” – Wow that’s a lot of stuff to fix. But one of the best presidential characteristics Obama possesses is his ability to create a positive outlook while retaining realism. [00:55:57]
Audrey: “But Brandon thought his company could help. And so he designed a rescue that would come to be known as Plan B. His employees worked around the clock to manufacture the necessary drilling equipment. And Brandon left for Chile.” – The Chilean miners “miracle” is really a fantastic tale, with hindsight of course. It began as a tragedy but has really turned out to be one of the greatest modern day success stories. [00:59:30]
Video by whitehouse
So what did we think?
Steffi: Overall, I think that it was an inspiring speech. I love how he talked a lot about using our technological advances to benefit us in education, creating jobs, and improving everyday lives. I am truly happy that he has recognized that we need to stop putting political parties against each other and work together as one nation in order to move forward. That’s how we will win the future.
Audrey: Well, no one can deny Obama’s a wonderful speaker. With every hand gesture and dramatic pause one can sense a love for his country and hopeful demeanor, despite all that is going on. This State of the Union served less as a manual on how to “fix” America, but more as a pep talk to get us going. And I believe it succeeded.
