State of the Union and free community college

Opinion

Amanda Guillen, Editor-in-Chief • January 13, 2016

Over the last seven years of President Barack Obama’s presidency the State of the Union addresses have been nothing short of poetic.

The 2012 presidential election was the first election that I was able to participate in and the Obama administration was the first that I was old enough to observe.

I grew up watching the State of the Union addresses with my parents and always knew that it was something important.

Now as an adult and a senior in college I realize that it is what makes the nation either breathe easier or harder depending on their views of the sitting president.

The president’s final State of the Union address was as promised: short, sweet and straight to the point.

The top moments that stood out for me were the president’s comments on homeland security, cancer, democracy, citizenship, the future after Obama, and most importantly to myself as a student, education.

He made sure to address his plan to make college affordable for every American and also highlighted his successes in reducing student loan payments to 10 percent of a borrower’s income.

President Obama also spoke about a proposal he made earlier this year to provide two years of community college at no cost for “every responsible student.”

The president said that providing two years of community college at no cost was something that he would keep fighting to get started this year.

As a college senior this is something that I can’t really wrap my brain around.

Providing two years of community college could be a great thing for everyone because it gives every American a chance at higher education.

With more students entering into community colleges around the country, the demand for more teachers, employees, bigger buildings will be necessary. This would provide more jobs for Americans around the country.

I do see this as problematic as well. The cost of providing education for any “responsible” American could be overwhelming for a country that has struggled with its debt.

Overall the president’s last speech was one that I will remember into this presidential election season.

Like the president, I am hopeful for more bipartisan efforts, working together is what makes this country stronger.

The State of the Union address was as successful as the president’s eloquence and patriotism.

I am looking forward to this new year and what it brings in the world of American politics.

Amanda Guillen may be reached at [email protected]

President Obama’s final SOTU address is about to begin. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

This is Paul Ryan’s first SOTU and POTUS’s last. #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

The president hoping in this next year the party’s will work on bipartisan issues. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

Some issues mentioned, gun violence, immigration and raising the minimum wage. #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

POTUS saying that this SOTU will be shorter than his last SOTU’s. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

“The United States of America right now has the strongest most durable economy in the world.”-POTUS #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

A growing economy that works for everybody has been a goal over the past 7 years, POTUS said. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

“We have to make college affordable for every American.” -POTUS #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

President mentions his free 2 years of community college plan for hardworking students. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

“America is about giving everybody willing to work a chance and a hand up.” -POTUS #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

“Food stamp recipients did not cause the financial crisis, recklessness on Wall St. did.”-POTUS #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

The Prospector has a reporter at the SOTU in D.C. follow @SHFWire for additional tweets. #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

POTUS addresses Cancer. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

“Let’s make America the country that cures Cancer once and for all.”-POTUS #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

“The United States of America is the most powerful nation on earth, period.” -POTUS #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

“Our troops are the finest fighting force in the history of the world.”-POTUS #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

POTUS’s address on Homeland Security brings the crowd to their feet, including SOTH Paul Ryan. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

President addresses restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba. #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

President addresses HIV/AIDS and American leadership and strength. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

POTUS addresses Equality. #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

Fixing politics and working together. POTUS addressing Democracy. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

POTUS addresses campaign finances and easier voting practices. #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

POTUS address Citizenship and the importance of the right to vote. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

“I believe in change because I believe in you.”-POTUS #SOTU16 — The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

POTUS completes his final SOTU address. #SOTU16

— The Prospector (@UTEP_Prospector) January 13, 2016

About the Contributor

Amanda Guillen, Editor-in-Chief

Amanda Guillen is a senior multimedia journalism major with a minor in women's studies. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and graduated from El Paso High School in 2011. She has been a part of The Prospector since summer 2013 and is currently Managing Editor. She has always had a passion for journalism and plans to become a television news reporter upon graduating from UTEP. In addition to being a full-time student and reporter, she is a part of two honor societies on campus, Alpha Lambda Delta and the National Society of Leadership and Success where she participates in community service regularly. Amanda also interns for KVIA Channel 7 the El Paso affiliate of ABC. Her love for the city of El Paso is something that led her to choose UTEP as her school of choice. She has enjoyed her past 3 years at the university and looks forward to an eventful school year.