President Obama delivered his sixth State of the Union address, outlining his plan for "middle-class" economics before the Republican-controlled congress last night.
Obama said, "Tonight, we turn the page," arguing the country is prepared to move forward economically and stressing a focus on the middle class and a plan to provide two free years of community college to young Americans.
Reed Dudley, member of College Democrats of America and junior in anthropology, said she believes the president's proposals are stepping stones for our generation to succeed.
"I feel that the proposals that president Obama laid out are game changers for America's young people," Dudley said. "I thought it was a very strong middle-class State of the Union that really focuses expanding all opportunities, especially for young Americans."
According to Alicia Valenti, president of Auburn University College Democrats and senior in public administration, the group held a watch party in the Student Center.
"It made it much more fun because we were excited about the proposals and laughed at the Republicans' lack of enthusiasm," Valenti said.
Valenti said she believes the proposals will set the party up for the next election.
"I hope that it'll force people to questions the GOP's priorities," Valenti said.
However, members of Auburn University College Republicans and Auburn Conservatives for Tomorrow were not as excited about the President's proposals.
Elizabeth Slagle, vice president of the College Republicans and junior in business, said she believes the President's proposal for free college seemed like a good idea on the surface, but nothing in life is free.
"Someone has to pay for it, and that's taxpayers," Slagle said. "I firmly believe that now is the time for everyone, especially college students, to educate themselves and do research about what domino effects Obama's policies will ultimately have on us as we enter the workforce and pay taxes."
Alexander Mendez, member of Auburn Conservatives for Tomorrow and senior in political science, said he believes the President was too focused on new policies and not focused enough on past failed policies.
"The president spoke pretty inclusively about the middle class and his focus on wanting to have free community college and extending aid to students, but he didn't expand on how we wants to help students with student loans," Mendez said. "He only talked about the few (policies) that worked very minimally, in my opinion."
The full State of the Union address can be viewed here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu
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