State of the Union Address

'Obama State Of The Union Address Highlights Battle For The Middle Class'

Source: Huffington Post

By:  Michael McAuliff, Sabrina Siddiqui

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/21/obama-state-of-the-union-address-_n_6471266.html

President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address hinted at his goal to have a new, easier lifestyle for all those in the middle class, but the Republicans could not disagree more. “Obama mentioned the middle class at least seven times and touted ‘working’ people at least nine as he rolled out proposals to offer new child tax credits, raise the minimum wage, extend paid family leave and make college more affordable. He mentioned ‘families’ 16 times” (1). By doing all of this, Obama shows how important his goal is to him, but Republicans disagree, as they think it is not as easy as it might seem. Although it might seem as though Obama was very serious with his words, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers was disappointed that she did not hear more from him about how they can actually achieve these goals. “I thought he painted a little rosy picture of how things are, at a time when people continue to see their wages actually shrink, take-home pay shrinking. Job opportunities are not enough”, said Rodgers (1). Republicans were aware of the negative message they were giving off, but they also suggested that Americans would not buy Obama’s prescriptions. People also questioned how his words were any different from what he has said before; why this night is any different from all other nights? Sen. John Boozman made a very good point; he said “They understand that there’s nothing in life free. When you promise universal this, universal that, somebody’s going to have to pay for that, and the reality is the middle class always winds up paying the bill” (1). Getting the point of view from both the president and everybody surrounding makes one question whether Obama is actually going to keep his word this time or if he is just speaking so that the Americans ‘buy his prescriptions’?