By Benjamin Linares
Part of the job of the President of the United States is to inspire, to bring Americans to their our feet and to make them feel even more American. The annual State of the Union address is an opportunity to do just that. I am not about to critique President Barack Obama’s every view and policy stance, this article would resemble The Lord of the Rings in terms of length and I just do not have that kind of time. However, based solely on the merits of the speech, the way it was written and the message it provoked, I believe it was a stylistically beautiful oratory performance. President Obama has always been a great speaker but this SOTU address was direct and uplifting, just as it should have been.
The president urged everyone, Congress, the courts, even the American people, to make 2014 a year of action. I agree with him. Let’s quit the partisan bickering and fix some things. He was adamant about fixing education, and stated that, “one of the best investments we can make in a child’s life is a high-quality early education.” So, let’s do it! Let’s build more schools, grow alternative education possibilities, hire new teachers, and increase the pay of educational employees. A good education is priceless. Let’s make sure that all of our children are getting one.
He also talked about winding down the war in Afghanistan. This is something that I believe we can make happen. It is time to bring our boys and girls home and focus on nation building here in America. We have the world’s strongest and bravest military, but we have spent too much money and lost too many lives fighting a war without an end in sight. We can come to an agreement with the Afghan people and president that will be mutually beneficial.
The president’s remarks on equality were just as uplifting. Why is it that, in 2014, in the 21st century, women make 77 cents for every dollar that her male counterpart makes? The president wants to change it; I want to change it. Women should have the right to make just as much as anybody else, not to mention be given maternity leave. It should not be an issue anymore; we can get rid of this once and for all, here, now, in 2014.
His closing was perhaps one of the most uplifting closings I have ever heard. Cory Remsburg, an injured Army ranger deserves every bit of praise Obama gave him. We should look up to this man; he was dealt an extremely hard set of cards but rose up and overcame his near-death experience.
“My recovery hasn’t been easy,” he said. “Nothing in life that’s worth anything is easy.” I think we should all thank Remsburg for his service and his compassion. Remsburg overcame his injury, and should inspire us to overcome ours.
Nothing on Obama’s agenda is going to be easy but, as the saying goes, “Nothing in life that’s worth anything is easy.” Obama did a great job firing us up; he inspired me and surely made me feel part of the country, he made me feel American. So, let’s get out there and make 2014 a year of action. Let’s accomplish the big things, strive for higher goals and show the world what Americans can really do.
