Obama’s Farewell

On Tuesday, January 11, 2017 President Obama gave his farewell speech in his adopted hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Obama focused on the highs of his presidency and on the importance of a peaceful transfer of power.

“If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our history — if I had told you that we would open up a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Iran’s nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, take out the mastermind of 9-11 — if I had told you that we would win marriage equality and secure the right to health insurance for another 20 million of our fellow citizens — if I had told you all that, you might have said our sights were set a little too high.”

-President Obama

Even though most people don’t believe Obama was the best President, he still accomplished many things. In his stressful eight years in office, Obama was able to bring jobs back to America and was able to bring jobs back from foreign soil. He was able to bring down Osama Bin Laden with the help of the United States Military and Seal Team Six. Obama opened trade with Cuba,  The United States has had an Embargo on Cuba since October 19, 1960. Obama lifted the Embargo on March 21, 2016. He brought forth his controversial Obama Care that brought healthcare to over 20 million Americans.

Obama leaves a legacy that will have a long lasting effect on the country. He now will soon part ways from the White House and give way to President Elect Donald Trump. President Elect Trump was elected in a controversial election involved with a hacking scandal by the Russian Government. The election left the country in shock and riots quickly followed.

“In 10 days the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy. No, no, no, no, no. The peaceful transfer of power from one freely-elected President to the next. I committed to President-Elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me.”

-President Obama

Obama gave a short and heartfelt message to the country that is still in fear over the President elect.

“I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written.”

-President Obama