Finding Hope in the State of the Union Address

Even before he took his place at the podium, pundits, politicians and American citizens alike, were criticizing President Obama's State of the Union address. Many continue to do that today, and we'll let them have at it.

But last night the president reminded us that there is still much work ahead for all of us, and we wouldn't be doing our job here at Tonic if we didn't take this opportunity to highlight some of the evening's more positive moments.

A recap of 2009's noteworthy strides and what we can hope to accomplish in 2010:

Obama on The Bailout:

"Our most urgent task upon taking office was to shore up the same banks that helped cause this crisis. It was not easy to do. And if there's one thing that has unified Democrats and Republicans, it's that we all hated the bank bailout. I hated it. You hated it. It was about as popular as a root canal."

Results in '09: The financial system has stabilized, the economy is growing and the banks have returned most of taxpayer money. Clean energy investments have created jobs in states like California and North Carolina.

Looking ahead: After seeing big banks can give out big bonuses, Obama proposes they pay a modest fee to help return the balance of taxpayer money.

Obama on the Job Market:

"I realize that for every success story, there are other stories, of men and women who wake up with the anguish of not knowing where their next paycheck will come from; who send out resumes week after week and hear nothing in response. That is why jobs must be our number one focus in 2010, and that is why I am calling for a new jobs bill tonight."

Results in '09: Tax cuts for 95 percent of working families, tax cuts on first-time home buyers, 18 million Americans receive unemployment benefits, new jobs have been created through the Recovery Act.

Looking ahead: Obama calls for a new jobs bill to help small businesses secure loans and to inspire innovation and create projects like building clean energy facilities and high-speed railways.

Obama on Education:

"In the 21st century, one of the best anti-poverty programs is a world-class education. In this country, the success of our children cannot depend more on where they live than their potential... "In the United States of America, no one should go broke because they chose to go to college."

Results in '09: Launched national competition to improve schools, created tax-breaks for parents of college students and created Biden's task force on Middle-Class Families.

Looking ahead: Expand reform of elementary and secondary education in all 50 states, propose major reform for college tuition from tax-cuts to loans.

Obama on Health Care:

"By now it should be fairly obvious that I didn't take on health care because it was good politics. I took on health care because of the stories I've heard from Americans with pre-existing conditions whose lives depend on getting coverage; patients who've been denied coverage; and families even those with insurance who are just one illness away from financial ruin."

Results in '09: Senate passes a health care bill.

Looking ahead: Obama pleads with Congress to put down bi-partisanship and come to an agreement.

Obama on Homeland Security & The Military:

"I know that all of us love this country. All of us are committed to its defense. So let's put aside the schoolyard taunts about who is tough. Let's reject the false choice between protecting our people and upholding our values. Let's leave behind the fear and division, and do what it takes to defend our nation and forge a more hopeful future for America and the world."

Results in '09: Improving the way we care for our veterans, increased our troops in Afghanistan, prohibited torture, strengthened foreign relations and enforcing sanctions against violators of nuclear agreements.

Looking ahead: Plans to exit Afghanistan in 2011, help Haiti rebuild, support human rights of women in Arab nations and repeal the law banning Gays from the military.

But above all, Obama did what he does best: he attempted to restore our faith in the power of change. Hopefully he succeeded. Because, if there's nothing to hope for, then we may as well throw our collective arms in the air and call it a day.

"We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But a new year has come. A new decade stretches before us. We don't quit. I don't quit. Let's seize this moment to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more." --Barack Obama

Photo courtesy Wikimedia