On Tuesday, Feb. 24th, President Barack Obama made his first address to Congress live for the entire nation to see. During his speech, lasting close to an hour, the president discussed his main objectives while in office.Obama started off talking about the country’s current recession. “If you haven’t been personally effected by this recession you probably know someone who has. A friend, a neighbor, a member of your family,” said President Obama signifying the struggle effecting our nation. Quickly countering the problem with solutions, the president proceeded into his plans for recovery.One of Obama’s solutions included the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Already in effect, the A.B.R.A. is a two year plan focused on improving the private sector: recovering roads and bridges, creating new methods of transportation, laying solar panel and broadband. The plan also includes tax cuts, tax credits for college tuition, and extended unemployment benefits. Overall the plan is intended to save and create 3.5 million jobs.The president assured the people that the United States financial system is secure. “You should also know that the money you have in your banks is safe, your insurance secure. You can rely on the continued operation of our financial system, that’s not the source of concern,” he said. Obama’s plans for restoring the country’s confidence in our financial system include restarting lending. His new lending fund provides auto, college and small business loans to responsible citizens. Furthermore, it launches housing plans that help lower monthly payments and refinance mortgages with lower interest rates. President Obama wrapped up the discussion saying that his administration will act with full force to provide banks the support they need, ensuring a public institution. However, he was very adamant when he said, “This is not about helping banks, it’s about helping people.”Obama also talked of a budget he plans on handing into Congress over the next week. Obama said this budget will be a guideline for his first term in office and would focus on three key points: energy, health care, and education. The president is set on researching clean, profitable, and reusable energy. He also noted that health care reform is of urgent importance. President Obama proposed passing a budget that will cut the national deficit in half by the end of his first term. He also mentioned that his administration is going through the country’s current budget, weeding out waste, fraud, and abuse in all forms. For more information on the country’s budget visit recovery.gov, a website committed to tracking federal spending.The president was brief when talking about the two wars our country is currently involved in. He discussed finding a way to conclude the war in Iraq, leaving the country to its people and responsibly ending the war. He is more focused on the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan and bringing down Al-Qaeda.In his short time in office, President Obama has presented confidence to the people. He has been working hard to fulfill the promises he made to get in office, and continues leading the country towards a better tomorrow for America. “We will rebuild. We will recover. And the United States will emerge stronger than before,” President Obama said