This document will analyze the state of the union addresses of President John F. Kennedy, Ronald Regan, and Barack Obama. In this research paper, the author will summarize each speech, compare and contrast the three, as well as provide multiple literary articles that analyze each and provide the author’s personal opinion.
On January 14, 1963 President John F. Kennedy addressed 435 Representatives and 100 Senators. The eighty-eighth congress was made up of 259 Democrats and 176 Republicans. President Kennedy began with foreign policy. He went on to of speak domestic issues and the end of the recession, but stressed economic urgency. He stated that a reduction in income tax would achieve the desired results.
Kennedy moves on to American life, stating that we should support our youth and positive educational and social programs such as the Peace Corps. He then expresses his concern of the general health and wellness of citizens, and introduced numerous programs. President Kennedy stresses the security of democracy and our competition for furthering current technology such as the space program, new forms of arms, as well as our defense against tyrant forces.
Finally, JFK returns his focus to foreign policy. He offers ideas on nuclear defense and his ultimate economic goals of trade and growth. He comments on developing nations and believes that communism must be prevented from entering these new, fragile structures and that it is our job to help.
On February 4, 1986 President Ronald Reagan presented his state of the union address the ninety-ninth congress. The congress was made up of 435 Representatives and 100 Senators that consisted of 253 Democrats and 182 Republicans. He begins with the progress of the nation. He speaks of economic growth, new jobs, the cutting of interest rates, and falling inflation. He brings up the broken federal budget system and states that in order to create a balanced budget, it would be necessary to reduce the federal budget.
Regan next emphasizes national defense and defense against soviet domination being a top government priority. Ronald Reagan believes in a free and fair form of trade with other nations and hopes to eventually achieve a level playing field for all contenders.
Reagan shifts to American day to day life. He states although crime rates have fallen there are new evils to be aware of. He continues to speak on the youth in the community, family life, issues with the welfare program, and his pro-life views. Reagan promises a land that is free, peaceful, and actively negotiating with other nations for a better chance at democracy.
Current president, Barack Obama presented his state of the union address on January 28, 2014. He gave this speech to the 435 Representatives and 100 Senators who made up the 112th Congress. This particular group consisted of 192 Democrats and 243 Republicans. Obama introduced his speech with the progress made in America. He believes that the citizens make the state of the...
