Guys, Obama was reelected as President.
Time to get over it.
It’s also time for President Obama’s State of the Union Address. The State of the Union Address is actually mandated by the United States Constitution for the President to give. So, the first thing to keep in mind when watching the Address is that Obama isn’t throwing this huge conglomeration together to toot his own horn.
Now that the Supreme Court has ruled the Affordable Care Act, otherwise commonly known as “Obamacare”, Constitutionally sound and Guantanamo is (sort of) closed, many anxious Americans may ask “What else?!”
Obama has framed a new bipartisan effort for budget relief and solving the Debt Ceiling and “Fiscal Cliff” along with beginning a new Transatlantic trade agreement with the European Union, however we must still question what Obama will do for “us”. From the First Generation students to the seniors who have seen and done it all, Americans are now clumped into an indescribable category who live and work together to get through the next recession and war in the unforeseeable future.
Fortunately, Obama did outline a plan that Americans can look forward in the now not so “unforeseeable” future. A compelling statement to raise the federal minimum wage to $9 per hour and increasing the state tuition to match the affordability of college is a declaration of optimism that is in the best interests for the middle class. I doubt that I have the IQ of a Congressman (or maybe I do, who knows?), but I’m sure that a pay increase and a little more focus on education is agreeable amongst all Americans.
In my last blog, #Real Talk: Women Fighting with Men, we learned that outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is repealing the ban on women serving in the frontlines of war. Obama’s support for the courageous women willing to fight in the most dangerous and terror-ridden zones of the world rang throughout the Chamber during his Address.
Obama’s new plan to withdraw every soldier from Afghanistan within a year is optimistic at best. We have all heard that before, so I can’t agree that this is either feasible or a realistic plan, however it is optimistic.
Obama continued his optimism when he stated that he will continue to aid America’s allies and those victims of violent regimes who are working toward a peaceful democratic government. These foreign policy issues may mean nothing to the common American citizen working paycheck to paycheck, yet it’s important for America to lead by example and aid those in need of help when their liberty has been breeched.
Finally, the President’s final focal point was bipartisanship; Obama insisted that the next change in American law is to create stricter gun laws and a ban on the sale of assault weapons to the public. The NRA (National Rifle Association) and the Republican-led House or Representatives both argue that back round checks on individuals anticipating purchasing a gun and placing an Assault Weapon ban is “unconstitutional”. The Second Amendment to the Constitution specifically reads,
“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
This is definitely still up to debate and, to provide legitimacy, interpretation by the Supreme Court.
In my opinion, the interpretation should be what an “arms” is, especially when considering an Assault Weapons ban. For example, if an AK-47 or Bazooka both fall into the category of “assault weapon”, then the Supreme Court would have to rule if A) it is necessary to start a militia and B) if a militia is even necessary for the security of the United States in the present day.
Think about it, the United States has the strongest and most well-regulated military in the world. The only threat to the United States in the present day is China and their continued sending on advancing their military. Even if China advances their military, the United States has a well oiled military machine filled with over 900 military bases worldwide.
Maybe college students and seniors don’t really need a Bazooka, but that’s just me.
