While watching President Obama's 2014 State of the Union address, the author had more questions than answers on the topics discussed. The author questions raising the minimum wage to $10.10 nationally, arguing that lower wages wouldn't be needed if the government spent tax dollars more wisely. The author also critiques the politicians' inability to come to reasonable conclusions on improving healthcare and their immature shutdown of the government. In addition, the author is skeptical about improving education when job opportunities are decreasing and education costs are rising.

1. Opinions/Thoughts over the State of the Union Discussion
While watching the State of the union discussion that was given by Barack Obama on
January 28, 2014 I found myself developing more questions than answers to the topics that were
being addressed. The first question I came upon is when Obama had promised to raise the
minimum wage to $10.10 from the current $7.85 that exists as minimum wage now. In the live
stream video, he also promises to work with states, local governments, as well as congress to not
only raise minimum wage according to state, but raise it nationally. His argument? Better pay is
needed to support the economy as well as the right thing to do. My argument? Better pay
wouldn’t be needed if the government didn’t spend the citizens and tax payer’s money on
pointless things and unrealistic objectives.I know I’m no politician and they obviously know
more than me about what benefits the economy and how this thing works, but sometimes I think
there has to be a better solution. Other proposals discussed in the video were things like
improvements in health care. My thoughts on this topic, honestly? Our politicians need to suck it
up, get together, and come to a reasonable conclusion. Shutting down the government jobs for a
week was immature and a waste of time. Moving on, other topics included immigration reform, a
smarter national security approach to things such as the war in Afghanistan, and last but not least
improvements to education to ready Americans for the jobs of ‘American’s tomorrow.’ If
politicians and the government don’t step in, do less talking and more doing, than ‘American’s
Tomorrow’ is not looking too bright. What’s the point in improving education when the
probability of getting any job at all in decreasing by the minute. Improving education sounds
well at the moment, but with better teaching comes an increase of cost to attend whether we
think so or not. School is already not in some peoples budget, and if it is, they are going to be
paying off government loans to pay off the education they received until they’re 30.