ReMARCs: #SOTU: Making America Work

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama gave his 2015 State of the Union address and declared, “The shadow of crisis has passed, and the State of the Union is strong.”

I recently wrote about the positive outlook on the U.S. economy after the release of the December jobs report and the role of this Administration in helping to achieve that. I am optimistic that we are on a sustained path to recovery, but it is only a true recovery if it includes the majority of Americans – not a select few, while millions continue to struggle to find jobs and afford necessities like food, housing and education. We may be strong, but we can absolutely be stronger.

President Obama also asked a series of questions that I hope will give each of us pause as we look to address the challenges that weigh heaviest on our nation:

“Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort?…Will we allow ourselves to be sorted into factions and turned against one another — or will we recapture the sense of common purpose that has always propelled America forward?”

I believe that our nation can work – when we lead with possibility and not politics. Our nation can work – when we abandon sides in favor of solutions. Our nation can work – when we focus less on creating obstacles and more on creating opportunity.

Let’s get to work.