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2016 president election

Obama Drops the Mic: State of the Union Highlights

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Last night, President Obama addressed the state of the union for the last time, and there were all of the feels.

In his brief but powerful speech, Obama reflected on the recession-ridden America of yesterday, critiqued the tumultuous America of today and expressed confidence in the America of tomorrow.

If Tequila Tuesday trumped watching the address live, we’ve got you. Without further adieu, here are GenFKD’s highlights from last night’s State of the Union address.

Move Over, Big Businesses

Although Obama quickly refuted any notion that America’s economy is declining, he did acknowledge that we’re in the middle of an awkward economic growing pain, thanks in part to the sharing economy and the role of technology in our shifting labor market.

“The economy has been changing in profound ways, changes that started long before the Great Recession hit and haven’t let up,” said Obama. “Today, technology doesn’t just replace jobs on the assembly line, but any job where work can be automated.”

With that said, Obama defended these economic shifts as positive inevitabilities that we’re better off embracing rather than spending time and money trying to suppress. “In this new economy, workers and start-ups and small businesses need more of a voice, not less. The rules should work for them.” said Obama.

“This year I plan to lift up the many businesses who’ve figured out that doing right by their workers ends up being good for their shareholders, their customers, and their communities, so that we can spread those best practices across America.”

It All Starts With a Good (and Affordable) Education

Obama referenced the right to an education as one of the few things that all Americans agree on. In addition to teaching students how to write code, focusing on the increasingly lucrative math, science and engineering fields and providing Pre-K for all, Obama still wants to “make college affordable for every American.”

“No hardworking student should be stuck in the red. We’ve already reduced student loan payments to ten percent of a borrower’s income. Now, we’ve actually got to cut the cost of college,” said Obama.

In addition to reducing student loan payments to 10 percent of the borrower’s income, Barry O suggests awarding responsible community college students with two years of schooling at no cost to them.

He pledged to get this initiative started before he leaves office in November, and encouraged the next president to see it through.

The Key to Success is Compromise

A significant portion of Obama’s speech was spent discussing the political polarization that has become an unfortunate fixture of his presidency.

He even cited the resulting gridlock and unsavory party relations as one of his “few regrets” during his time in office, essentially pleading the 2016 candidates, American citizens and bureaucrats to open their hearts and minds.

“Democracy does require basic bonds of trust between its citizens. It doesn’t work if we think the people who disagree with us are all motivated by malice, or that our political opponents are unpatriotic,” said Obama. “Democracy grinds to a halt without a willingness to compromise; or when even basic facts are contested, and we listen only to those who agree with us.”

Obama also condemned the use of furtive campaign practices heading into the election, calling out the strategic drawing of congressional districts and the all-too-powerful role of special interests in bankrolling elections. Wink, wink.

For the full transcript, head over to whitehouse.gov.

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