State of the Union

In tonight’s State of the Union address, President Obama presented a vision of new and restated initiatives. Upbeat and unsurprising, some of the speech was encouraging such as closing corporate loopholes, investing in national infrastructure, providing for world-class early education, uplifting women and men for equal pay, and supporting Israel from foreign threats. It was inspiring yet hollow. The threat of executive order was disheartening, as was the continued push for the Affordable Care Act.

Overall, much of the address was deserving of applause, though it was mostly gesture. Many Republican-leaning groups will be quick to respond with negativity. Anyone listening with fairness would have found more to agree with than not. But the general theme of the address was what President Obama’s remaining time in office will be dominated by: the pen.