The document summarizes and provides commentary on President Barack Obama's 2014 State of the Union address. It discusses several of the policy proposals and goals that Obama outlined in the speech, including tax reform, raising the minimum wage, increasing funding for renewable energy and technology research. The author agrees with most of Obama's stances, except for his insistence on continuing diplomatic efforts overseas. The document concludes that overall it was a good speech that highlighted important economic issues.

1. Paul Smith
FYS 100
2/3/14
As many Americans watched, President Barack Obama gave the official State of the Union
address on January 28th, 2014. This annual after-election speech lays out the goals that the
President wants to accomplish during his four year term. President Obama’s State of the Union
speech had its high points and low points. There were many different topics that I agreed with,
such as the call for tax reform. President Obama wants to simplify the tax code for both citizens
and businesses, saying that “it’s too complicated and by simplifying it, profits could increase.” I
agree with this, as our country needs more revenue so we can try to cut the national debt down.
Another topic I strongly agree with is the minimum wage increase from $7.25 an hour to $10.10
an hour. Obama’s reasoning for this is that “No one working full time should have to raise a
family in poverty.” I strongly agree with this because impoverished areas with minimum wage
jobs would greatly improve in quality. Although, the downside to this is that prices would raise in
stores everywhere to offset the minimum wage increase. I also agree with Obama’s proposal to
give more funding to technology in order to find new ways of renewable energy. In addition, we
can also advance the technology we already have, furthering our knowledge and creating new
and innovative technology that we can use in our everyday lives. The only topic that I didn’t
agree with in his State of the Union speech was his insistence to continue diplomatic efforts
overseas. I believe that we should mind our own business so to speak - leave other countries
alone and let them be. We would have less problems with other countries if that were to happen.
These are just some of the topics I agreed and disagreed with, and overall, I thought it was a
good speech.

2. Works Cited
Spencer, Christopher V. Obama State of the Union 2014 Summary Highlights Economy. N.p.:
Guardian Liberty Voice, 2014. Web. 2 Feb. 2014. http://guardianlv.com/2014/01/obama-state-ofthe-union-2014-summary-highlights-economy/.