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Optimistic, hopeful, but a lot to be desired—A view from the left

President Barack Obama’s 2014 State of the Union Address touched on every topic I was hoping to hear about.

Repealing voter identification laws, immigration reform, stricter gun control, environmental awareness, student loan repayment rates, gender equality and economic disparity. But if there’s one thing I know about Obama’s administrations, it’s not to get my hopes up.

Not to place the entirety of blame on the man, but on an increasingly conservative House of Representatives.

This is now the fifth address Obama has delivered and it seems like we hear the same promises each year. Because of the lack of cooperation by extreme Republicans in the House, the president has had to turn to passing numerous executive orders to try to do right by Americans who are suffering from their pettiness. One such order Obama promised to pass in the address should raise minimum wage for government contractors.

Beautiful ideas were spoken tonight. He stood up for the little guy, the students, the women, the minorities who are at a disadvantage because of a growing disparity between rich and poor. I was also very moved by the standing ovation for Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg.

Even so, I remain pessimistic about the president’s 2014 agenda. I was hoping he would be tougher on uncooperative representatives. It’s time for Obama to call them out on their childishness.

Jasmine Aguilera may be reached at [email protected] and can be followed on Twitter @JasmineEIC.

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