President Barack Obama made his final State of the Union (SOTU) address today in Congress.
The address allowed the president to take stock of the government’s achievements and plan for the future.
The SOTU address was also one of Obama’s last opportunities to address the American people before presidential candidates commenced their campaigns for the federal election in November.
In case you missed it, here are the 10 most important points from Obama’s address.
1. Obama is looking to the future
Source: White House
Obama implored Congress and the people of America to carry forward the work his administration has done into the next presidency.
2. He posed four key questions to the people of America
Source: White House
2. How do we make technology work for us and not against us, especially when it comes to solving climate change?
3. How do we keep America and other nations safe without becoming the world's policeman?
4. How can we improve our political system to reflect the best America has to offer?
3. He proposed new initiatives for students and graduates to make them work-ready in a changing economy
The changing economy has brought struggles for new graduates who cannot to find employment once they've finished their education.
Obama highlighted that although this was not an issue faced by the youth in America alone, it defied the American ideal of opportunity, and required speedy resolution.
Obama noted that in his administration, high school drop-out rates had plummeted and the interest placed on student loans had been cut by 10 per cent.
His new proposals included: providing free pre-kindergarten for everyone, providing all students and schools with hands-on computer science classes to learn coding, recruiting more teachers, making tertiary education affordable and providing all high-school graduates with two years of free community college.
Source: White House
Source: White House
4. He implored Congress to provide a way for workers to feel secure about their livelihoods in a turbulent economy.
Source: White House
"I believe there is red tape that needs to be cut," he added, to which Congress gave a standing ovation.
But Obama said that in spite of the importance of the private sector, the government should not be "rigged" against low socio-economic groups.
"Food-stamp recipients did not cause the financial crisis, recklessness on Wall Street did," he said.
Obama proposed a wage insurance scheme and asked that both sides of government work together to find a solution.
5. He got pithy about healthcare
Source: White House
Obama went on to describe the strides made by the Affordable Care Act, which has allowed all US citizens to have access to health cover.
6. He had no empathy towards climate-change naysayers
"You'll be pretty lonely," Obama said to those who disputed the existence of climate change.
He said that the issues of global warming and climate change were not just issues for America but for the world, and encouraged Congress and the American people to put this at the top of their agenda.
Obama went on to describe his administration’s successes in implementing cleaner sources of energy.
He emphasised that solar-power plants had provided more jobs for Americans than coal power, providing a much-needed economic incentive for the left-leaning issue.
Source: White House
He also explained how America's foreign oil dependency had been cut by nearly 60 per cent and how he hoped the weaning-off of petrochemicals continued.
7. He emphasised the role of technology and innovation for the future
Obama touched on providing incentives for start-ups as well as encouraging American businesses to produce "the energy of the future".
"In this new economy, workers and start-ups need more of a voice," he said.
He emphasised America's need to invest in medical research and said it was close to providing widespread affordable treatments for HIV and Malaria.
He also placed finding a cure for cancer on the agenda. Quoting Vice President Joe Biden, Obama said, "It's personal, but I know we can do this."
Source: White House
8. He put terrorism into perspective
Source: White House
"We have to take 'em out," he said.
"Just ask Osama bin Laden. When you come after Americans, we go after you."
But he emphasised that "over-the-top claims this is World War III" would just play into ISIS's hands.
He also encouraged Americans to not give in to Islamophobia, stating that the actions of these groups were "not representative one of the world's largest religions".
9. He talked about America's role as a world leader, not as a global policeman
Source: White House
"It's the lesson of Vietnam. It's the lesson of Iraq. We should have learnt it by now," he said.
Obama made a push to move away from providing "charity" to other nations and proposed rallying "the world to work with us and make sure the world pulls its weight."
10. He shared his one regret from this presidency
Source: White House
"I'll keep trying to do better as long as I hold this office," he said.
He said several people in Congress also wanted a unified future but felt "trapped by the need to be elected".
Obama proposed reducing the place money had in political campaigning and adding measures to make it easier for people to exercise their right to vote.
He made one final plea to the American people - saying they needed to work together to actualise a better political system.
"That's what's meant by a government of, by, and for the people." he said.
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