As we enter the 20th Century in our classroom and studies, we approach an exciting time period in which America’s reforming impulse took shape in several different forms.  One group of reformers took on alcohol and the Prohibition Experiment took off in 1920 when the 18th Amendment went into effect.  More reformers focused on the plight of the urban poor and downtrodden and had hoped that this situation could be remedied with laws.  Yet still a 3rd reform impulse attemtped to take on city hall and the federal government by changing the way people were elected and how people voted.  By 1920, women had earned the right to vote with the 19th Amendment.   Lastly, the power of big business seemed unstoppable and incompatible in the home of the modern world’s first democracy (where profits trumped one man= one vote easily).  Corporate giants like Standard Oil and Northern Securities were broken up by the Supreme Court as harmful to the American economy because they limited competition. 

When I asked you to look at what you might reform in America, I’m sure you could find things to reform.  President Obama outlined many programs or areas that he would like to see America work on for the next year. 

He wanted to help make not just new manufacturing jobs but also more white collar professional jobs too, and part of this is b/c the economy has changed so much in the past generation or two:

“The rules have changed. In a single generation, revolutions in technology have transformed the way we live, work and do business. Steel mills that once needed 1,000 workers can now do the same work with 100. Today, just about any company can set up shop, hire workers, and sell their products wherever there’s an Internet connection.”

The president reminded us of our history as a democratic pioneer:

“…we are the first nation to be founded for the sake of an idea -– the idea that each of us deserves the chance to shape our own destiny. That’s why centuries of pioneers and immigrants have risked everything to come here. It’s why our students don’t just memorize equations, but answer questions like ‘What do you think of that idea? What would you change about the world?'”

Finally, the president stated a major initiative (and how to pay for it):

“…in a few weeks, I will be sending a budget to Congress that helps us meet that goal [of reaching a level of research and development that we haven’t seen since the Cold War]. We’ll invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology…And to help pay for it, I’m asking Congress to eliminate the billions in taxpayer dollars we currently give to oil companies. (Applause.) I don’t know if — I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’re doing just fine on their own. (Laughter.) So instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy, let’s invest in tomorrow’s.”

President Obama also wants to hire 100,000 new teachers as well.  And he mentioned keeping undocumented immigrants (maybe the new buzz word for illegal aliens?) in the U.S. after they’ve been educated here. 

Then the president mentioned rebuilding our infrastructure from high speed railroads to broadband internet access. 

“Within 25 years, our goal is to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail. (Applause.) This could allow you to go places in half the time it takes to travel by car. For some trips, it will be faster than flying –- without the pat-down…Within the next five years, we’ll make it possible for businesses to deploy the next generation of high-speed wireless coverage to 98 percent of all Americans.”

And, newsflash, the recession is practically over!  He wants to put a freeze on domestic spending (not military). 

“But now that the worst of the recession is over, we have to confront the fact that our government spends more than it takes in. That is not sustainable. Every day, families sacrifice to live within their means. They deserve a government that does the same.   So tonight, I am proposing that starting this year, we freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years. (Applause.)”

A repsonse to Obama’s SOTU Address:

“Not exactly a Sputnik moment” – http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2011/0126/Mr.-President-this-is-not-exactly-a-Sputnik-moment

Michelle Bachman’s reply for the GOP – http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2011/0126/Michele-Bachmann-State-of-the-Union-response-where-she-and-Obama-may-agree

Your job – list three to five things that you would want to reform on a local, state or national level (with a very brief explanation as to what you think is wrong), and then write more on one of them and why you think that particular reform needs to go to the top of the country’s agenda. 

Due Friday, January 28 before 11:59 p.m.

250 words minimum.

Sources:

1. SOTU Transcript: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0126/State-of-the-Union-transcript-2011-Full-text-of-the-president-s-speech