In a speech at the University of Kansas today in Lawrence, Kan., President Obama touched on themes including universal child care and programs that encourage students to get a college education.
Many of his points were heard earlier in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
Against a backdrop at the KU Anschutz Sports Pavilion where a sign read, “Middle Class Economics,” Obama outlined a universal child care program, where parents could receive up to $3,000 in tax credits.
Obama said the nation needs to look at child care not as a women’s issue, but an economic issue. Such a program would improve incomes for parents. Better early childhood education also would allow the children to earn more money later in life, he said.
Obama’s child care plan was well received by the audience, as was a plan to lower the cost of community college to zero. “Two years of college should be as free and universal as high school is today,” he said.
He also talked about equal pay for women, which received applause, about higher minimum wages, and about investing in high-tech infrastructure such as high-speed broadband.
All of his proposals would keep the economy growing, he said.
In addition, Obama said he is asking Congress to close loopholes that allow some corporations and individuals not to pay taxes, while others pay the full amount. He said Congress should stop rewarding companies for creating jobs abroad.
He also addressed the political climate in Washington, saying, “I don’t mind hearing ‘no’ to some things, but it can’t be ‘no’ to everything.”
Obama also touched on the theme that all Americans “share a common vision” and want a better country, a place where everybody has a place at the table.
