President Obama delivers the first of a series of speeches on the economy. Obama reminds listeners of how the economy has changed, the effects of the 2008 crash, what his administration has done to correct things, and describes the recent positive trends. He describes a growing inequality and a concentration of wealth at the top which he says undermines the essence of America. Obama criticizes Republicans for their obstruction of policy proposals to create more jobs and protect the middle class. He also pledges to use executive authority to counter "gridlock, inaction, or willful indifference" by Congress. Obama lays out a series of initiatives for infrastructure improvements, education, business and industry retention and expansion, and high tech support saying, "America has to make the investments necessary to promote long-term growth and shared prosperity." Held at Knox College in Galesburg, IL.
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