The main theses appeal to Obama to the nation

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Addressing Congress with the latest annual speech, Barack Obama held on as if he had already become ex-president, the correspondent believes The Washington Post David E. Farrentold. He casually and thoughtfully, looking back at the past, spoke about the country that he leaves to his successors, and also quite frankly warned that he should not elect Donald Trump in his place.

The President of the United States identified four key issues in his presentation:

1. How can we ensure to all the fair right to security and access to favorable opportunities in this new economy?

2. How can America solve scientific and technical problems (cancer treatment, halting climate change)?

3. How can the United States avoid becoming the “world policeman”?

4. How can the Americans learn to think rationally together and end the bitter struggle between themselves, which is creating a stalemate in Washington today?

Domestic policy

Obama outlined the domestic political priorities of the last year of his work at the White House: correcting the immigration system, protecting children from armed violence, equal pay for equal work, paid leave, and raising the minimum wage.

Obama: the United States is now the strongest, most stable economy in the world

Obama responded to critics of his economic policy, stating that "the United States is now the strongest, most stable economy in the world." 14 million jobs created, 900 thousands of them in production, unemployment reduced by half. At the same time, Obama agreed that there is concern among Americans that the economy is undergoing fundamental changes, including with the introduction of new technologies.

On education

Speaking about education, Obama noted the need for free kindergartens, strengthening of school programs in the field of information technology and mathematics, and attracting good teachers. He also stressed the importance of affordable higher education by reiterating that responsible students study for free the first two years at public colleges.

Social sphere

Concerning the social sphere, the US president called for strengthening the social insurance and state medical care programs for pensioners. Obama also suggested introducing employee retraining and income insurance programs in the event of a job change. In addition, he called for a serious discussion of strategies to combat poverty in the United States.

Fight cancer

Games of politicians

Addressing the problems of the political process in the United States, Obama called for “an end to the practice of redrawing electoral districts so that politicians can choose their voters, and not vice versa,” to reduce the influence of money on politics, and to make voting easier rather than more difficult. The US President said that he intends to travel around the country with a campaign to promote these reforms, writes “Voice of America«.

Foreign policy

Obama: Ukraine and Syria are coming out from under the influence of Russia

In his message, Barack Obama also expressed the opinion that Russia is losing its influence in Syria and Ukraine. “Even as Russia's economy shrinks, it is investing resources to influence Ukraine and Syria, countries that are falling out of its control,” the president said in a speech quoted by Interfax. At the same time, according to Obama, the United States is “helping Ukraine defend democracy.”

The world community sees the leader in the US, not in Russia or China

The international community considers the United States, and not Russia or China, its leader, the text of the annual State of the Union message states.

“When it comes to extremely important international issues, the people of the world do not seek to be led by Beijing or Moscow, they call on us,” the American leader believes.

Obama calls on Congress to approve the use of military forces to fight the Islamic State

The US Congress must approve a bill to use US military forces abroad to fight the Islamic State (IS).

“If this Congress is serious about winning this war (on terrorism) and wants to send a message to our troops around the world, then you must finally authorize the use of military force against the Islamic State group,” Obama said. “Vote,” he urged American lawmakers.

The United States should not become the “world gendarme”

Barack Obama stressed that in approaching international problems, the United States will mobilize the rest of the world to share the burden. As examples, he cited Syria, the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, the fight against Ebola in Africa, the conclusion of a trade pact on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Obama plans and Republicans response

As in previous years, immediately after the report "On the situation in the country," Obama is going to go. This week he will visit Louisiana and Nebraska to mark the progress that, according to the White House, has been made in these states in reducing unemployment and improving access to health care.

On behalf of the Republicans, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, an American with Indian roots and a rising Republican star, whom many see as a potential vice-presidential candidate, made a response speech. She criticized the US President, saying that “the results of his activities significantly lag behind his pompous words,” writes “Voice of America«.

“The USA is the most powerful country on Earth. Period,” Obama said in another part of his speech.

As he walked out of the House chamber, Obama looked back and said, “Let me look at this one last time.”