Obama’s forthright analysis of the future

By Lesley Russell
Updated April 24 2018 - 9:34pm, first published January 14 2016 - 8:08pm

President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address had clear messages for Americans, for politicians – especially for his Republican opponents, and for the world: the United States remains strong, economically sound and an international leader. But this upbeat assessment came with a warning: the gains made under his presidency and the nation's standing in the world are at risk because of growing inequalities, the failure to harness innovation and technology to solve problems like climate change, the inability to see foreign aid as an essential part of national security, and because too many Americans feel that their voices don't count in political debates.

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