Between the war in the Middle East, our masses of national debt, the controversial health care plan, and the government shut down, the current condition of America is frustrating for the majority of us concerned with the issues that have gone unresolved for the last few years. Congress has been at a stalemate for months, torn between the Democrats and Republicans while Obama has been struggling to force his plans between the cracks, ultimately resulting in a lack of any sort of progress by government. Annually, the president gives a State of Union address to Congress that allows him to report on the condition of the nation and outline his legislative agenda; this year’s was delivered on January 28, 2014.

In the past, the trend in Obama’s speeches has been: This is what needs to change. However, this year he approached his address with more vigor and a sense of initiative, even stating that he intends to take some matters into his own hands to cause change.

[1] Many political observers expected the 2014 State of the Union to focus on economy, as it did. He called for a “year of action” and “opportunity,” hoping to fulfill the goal of improving the middle class. He called for a tax reform, claiming that “our tax code is riddled with wasteful, complicated loopholes that punish businesses investing here, and reward companies that keep profits abroad… Let’s work together to close those loopholes… and lower tax rates for businesses that create jobs right here at home.” In turn, this would raise wages. [2]

Obama showed his support for the raising of minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10; “In the year since I asked this Congress to raise the minimum wage, five states have passed laws to raise theirs,” he stated. He announced that for federal employees, he could raise the wage himself, however he is encouraging businesses to do this on their own. “To every mayor, governor, state legislator in America, I say, you don’t have to wait for Congress to act; Americans will support you if you take this on,” he encouraged them. [2]

[1] He also proposed renewed investment in infrastructure and called on Congress to undo the “sequestration” cuts from last year that scaled back government research grants. Domestic issues he acknowledged included the state of U.S. education, an immigration reform, recent gun-violence, the Voting Rights Act, and the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care).

On the topic of Obama Care specifically, he said, “Now I do not expect to convince my Republican friends of the merits of this law. But I know that the American people are not interested in refighting old battles.”  [2] Many statements similar to this were spoken in the Address, and as we analyze his speech, we find that it is true that the 2014 State of the Union is very accusatory towards Congress… Arguably, it should be. He says, “…and that’s why Congress should undo the damage caused by last year’s cuts…” and, “…this Congress needs to restore the unemployment insurance…” The blame he places on Congress for their inadequacy in passing regulations, to the point that the government was shut down, was taken quite humorously by those of us that watched or listened from outside of the chamber of the House. I hate to say that is was probably received much differently within.

Considering Congress was his direct audience, Obama sent a very clear message in his address that he wants to see progress and resolution. As we proceed into 2014, it’s not just American citizens hoping for new recovery in the nation, but Obama as well.