Introduction
This is an analysis of the State of the Union address delivered by President Barack Obama recently. In this article, I will outline the main points he addressed and show how he stated his social contract to the citizens of the US. My views and opinion are added to this analysis.
The Main Points
The President touched on eight areas that are of great interest to the US. He touched on the US debt and showed commitment to reducing it. He outlined various ways on how the debt will be reduced. He also touched on taxation and argued that local businesses struggling to create American jobs should have taxes levied on them reduced.
He was very clear on job creation and challenged Congress to pass the American Jobs Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act, increase the minimum wage and generally help American firms to employ more Americans. Climate change was also of concern to him and he pledged to take several steps towards fighting climate change. He also talked about immigration reforms, education reforms, security, and gun control proposals.
Social Contract
This address was a social contract to the people of the US. The President touched on key areas that affected everyday life of the citizens. Through the speech, he showed his commitment to run the government in a manner that will trickle benefits to the citizens.
The US debt affects the economy of the nation and he was loud and clear on his wishes to reduce it. Reduction of the debt will stabilize the economy and the people will benefit from this. This is expected of the government as the people governed are not in a position to manage the debt.
Another area that is sensitive to the people is that of job creation. The President promised to work hard and ensure a favorable environment is created to develop businesses that create American jobs. Creation of jobs is a government business and this is what he was exactly doing. By asking Congress to pass the American Jobs Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act, and also increase the minimum wage, he is fighting on behalf of the people to improve their welfare.
Reforming the immigration policies has been a very controversial topic in the US and a social issue affecting the people that need to be solved for once and for all. The President addressed this issue and noted that it was time to tighten the borders to avoid more illegal immigrants from flowing into the US.
Education and U.S. troops in foreign lands are two other sensitive issues to the people that he also addressed. The social calamities affecting people were also addressed showing the commitment of the president to creating a better environment for them.
Conclusion
There were eight areas that the President addressed in his speech namely: the US debt, taxation, job creation, climate change, immigration reforms, education reforms, security, and gun control proposals. These are sensitive areas and affect people on a daily basis.
He showed good will in the light of social contract law by addressing areas the government has a duty to fix and promising that action will be taken to ensure that reforms are realized in these areas for the benefit of the people. In my opinion, the president did well in the address and touched on issues that concern the people.