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A Few Thoughts On Obama’s Epic Last State Of The Union & Why The Future Depends On Us

January 13, 2016 | Posted at 12:58 pm | by Corinne (Follow User)

Photo Credit: (Image courtesy of WhiteHouse.gov)

From time to time it has to be said and reminded to us, that America’s future and the greater world’s future, depends on each of us. For me, there were two of the most epic, hard-hitting quotes of President Obama’s last State of the Union address Tuesday that made this point clear:
 

“And if we want a better politics, it’s not enough to just change a Congressman or a Senator or even a President; we have to change the system to reflect our better selves.”
 

“So, my fellow Americans, whatever you may believe, whether you prefer one party or no party, our collective future depends on your willingness to uphold your obligations as a citizen. To vote. To speak out. To stand up for others, especially the weak, especially the vulnerable, knowing that each of us is only here because somebody, somewhere, stood up for us. To stay active in our public life so it reflects the goodness and decency and optimism that I see in the American people every single day.”
 

WATCH: Obama’s Final State of the Union Address


 

I appreciate that in his final address to America, Obama chose not to focus on particular programs, instead he chose to focus on the big picture of the country’s future. The bigger picture being that if we want to change how things are done and what is happening in various areas, then we have to change ourselves and work together to do so. We must begin to come together and act.
 

(Image courtesy of White House.gov)

(Image courtesy of White House.gov)


 

He made it clear that nothing will be accomplished by continuing to simply accept the state quo, nothing will be accomplished by continuing to argue with one another, and nothing will be accomplished by continuing to think someone else will take care of it. I really believe that we all honestly know these truths deep down within ourselves, but I believe often we fail to act on them.
 

We have to start taking a stand and speaking out about the injustices, the innovations, and the changes needed within our society. We have to be the ones to take action and to begin to realize that our actions matter.
 

READ: Obama’s State of the Union Address


 

For our generation and future generations to come, perhaps the most important educational statement President Barack Obama made was about higher education. Costs for 4-year degrees continue to rise; similar to PK-12 education, the government is contributing less and students are required to shoulder those costs. Although President Obama stated “the United States of America is the most powerful nation on the earth,” the U.S. is still the only developed nation that doesn’t have free, or nearly free, higher education.
 

In addition to the reforms in PK-12 education, Obama has pushed for two-years of free community college. Also, during Obama’s term, there have been reforms to the loan programs for higher education and he made clear its priority: “We have to make college affordable for every American because no hardworking student should be stuck in the red,” President Obama stated in his address.
 

Obama also acknowledged how the job market is definitely not the same as it used to be. No longer can high-school and college-graduates enter into the job market and remain at the same company, in the same field, for 30 years. Social Security and Medicare were two important facets of American government and President Obama called for action to strengthen the programs. Still, for those American “short of retirement” he claimed the ACA is about “filling the gaps in employer-based care”.
 

(Image courtesy of White House.gov)

(Image courtesy of White House.gov)


 

Of course, the Affordable Healthcare Act, sometimes incorrectly referred to as Obamacare, was mentioned in his State of the Union address. The numbers, and success, of the ACA is still under great debate. But President Obama stated 18 million have gained coverage and health care inflation has slowed. President Obama admitted, “We won’t agree on health care anytime soon.”
 

In addition to the ACA, President Obama announced a national effort in medical research. Specifically placing Vice President Joe Biden “in charge of mission control” to promote the American scientist discovering a cure for cancer.
 

Still, President Obama emphasized that the progress seen in his last seven years in office only happened because “of the choices we make together” – placing it on us that the country’s future and the future of the greater world is up to us to shape.
 

Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina delivered the GOP response, echoed President Obama’s sentiments. She stated during her speech, “There is more than enough blame to go around,” in response to to “problems facing America today… We need to be honest with each other, and ourselves.”
 

And we really do need to start working together. With his presidency soon coming to an end, it seemed appropriate for President Obama to pose this question to the nation in his epic speech: “Will we respond to the changes of our time with fear, turning inward as a nation, and turning against each other as a people? Or will we face the future with confidence in who we are, what we stand for, and the incredible things we can do together?”
 

And yet again, it goes to how we have to make choice to work together.


 

We need to begin to really work together in order to better our world and to bring the changes within it that we wish to us. We must come together for the future of America and the greater world. It’s all up to us.
 


 

I think Obama’s speech will definitely go down in history as one of the best speeches of all time. His presidency has not only been historical, but one that I feel represents the impact that we all can have on each other’s life now and in the future.
 

 

Ashley M. Williams of RIZZARR also contributed to this article.