We are in a state of change that can either broaden opportunity for Americans or widen the inequality that already exists. During the State of the Union Address on Jan. 12, President Obama talked about the changes he made over his presidency and the changes the country is seeing today. He stated that "Progress is not inevitable, it's the result of choices we make" and urged Republicans and Democrats alike to work together. He talked about four major questions that need to be answered this year:
1. How do we give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and security in the new economy?
2. How do we make technology work for us and not against us? Especially when it comes to solving urgent challenges like climate change?
3. How do we keep America safe and lead the world without becoming its policemen?
4. How can we make our politics reflect what is best in us and not what is worst?
President Obama reflected on some of the accomplishments of his presidency but also challenged everyone to think ahead about what is right for the country. He outlined goals for 2016 and urged Congress to compromise. The President was optimistic and authoritative but also said that he "cannot make changes on his own." He urged citizens to take part in the democratic process not only by voting, but by speaking out about concerns within their own communities. Here is why his four questions matter, and you should care about how they are solved.
First off, how do we give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and security in the new economy? President Obama cited that unemployment had been cut in half during his presidency and that the U.S. has the strongest economy in the world, but also stated that there is still plenty of progress to be made.
The way this question is answered could be the difference between poverty and a living wage. It could be the difference between an increased gap in inequality, where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The fate of many middle-class families rests in whether or not it is possible for everyone to have a fair shot at opportunity. You should care not only because it may affect you, but also because it can affect the well-being of the economy. If the President and Congress can create bills and opportunities for more Americans to pull themselves out of poverty, the economy will only be stronger. President Obama laid out a few proposals like bringing foreign work back to the U.S., creating a public pre-k for all, making college more affordable, and strengthening social security and medicare. Workers, start-ups, and small businesses should have more of a voice, not less; the rules in the economy should not work against them. The people should be a part of this change, not just recipients of new regulations.
The second question asked about technology's role in the problems of today. President Obama said that technology can work for us or against us, and we need to put it to use in the necessary places. On one hand, technology can automate jobs or make them easier, but automation can also cause people to lose their jobs and increase unemployment. On the other hand, technology is finding a cure for cancer. President Obama announced that a sum of money has been given over to one of the finest medical research centers in the world and that Vice President Joe Biden would be overseeing the increase in research towards finding a cure for cancer.
In addition, President Obama urged Congress to consider using technology to combat climate change with the same gusto. He cited that solar now employs more people than coal today in the U.S., and that wind power is now cheaper than coal in many parts of the Midwest. Despite this, he felt that attention to saving the planet is just as important as attention to medical research. The use of technology in medical research and combating climate change alike are critical for us all as citizens. Breakthroughs in either area can lead to cures for cancer and other diseases, as well as finding an alternative to gasoline.
The third question that needs answering is: how do we keep America safe and lead the world without becoming its policemen? President Obama made it clear that the U.S. has a very strong military and needs to take action against the terrorist group ISIL. He stated that his first priority "is to protect the American people." He alluded to Osama Bin Laden and the Benghazi perpetrator as terrorist threats that his administration took direct action in terminating. At the same time, America cannot step in to save every deteriorating government like they have in the past; we cannot afford to be the world's policemen.
The President urged Congress to take a vote for or against using arms against ISIL in the Middle East. He stated that the U.S. government is most definitely concerned with the terrorist threat, and should not be questioned. You should care about this because this decision will send troops of American citizens to the Middle East to go in combat against terrorist threats. We should not allow the terrorist group to shape our ideas and opinions about a major world religion either. While ISIL may be committing terrorist acts in the name of Allah, many Muslims renounce the group as not representative of their religion. We should take the time to understand our Muslim brothers and sisters instead of allowing a radical stereotype to make us blind. As American citizens, we have the ability to create a safe and welcoming community for our citizens and refugees.
The final question that President Obama addressed was how to make our politics reflect what is best in us and not what is worst. He said that our leadership at the U.S. depends on our example; that is why countries come to us for help. We are respected for our diversity and openness and cannot allow politics to change that. President Obama also talked about campaign finance reform, stating that we need to reduce the influence of money in our politics and act on good morals that reflect who we are as a country. President Obama said that Congress needs to do something to make it easier to vote, not harder.
This matters to us particularly because this is an election year. We must reject politics that target people based on race, religion, or gender. All of our voices matter, and we must vote wisely based on our own beliefs in who would make a better president. While it may be unlikely that any of President Obama's proposals get through Congress this year, he seemed optimistic that some sort of progress could be made. It matters for the future of the country that we as Americans are invested in the political process, and make our voices heard when they need to be. That is one of the many beautiful things about democracy; our freedom of speech should allow us to think critically about these four questions, and urge others to do so as well.
