Hi, everybody. In my State of the Union Address, I talked about the idea of opportunity for all.

 

Opportunity is the idea at the heart of this country-that no matter who you are or how you started out, with hard work and responsibility, you can get ahead.

 

I ran for President to restore that idea, and I'm even more passionate¹ about it today. Because while our economy has been growing for four years, and those at the top are doing better than ever, average wages have barely budged²（挪动）.

 

Too many Americans are working harder than ever just to get by, let alone get ahead-and that's been true since long before the recession hit.

 

We've got to reverse those trends. We've got to build an economy that works for everyone, not just a fortunate few. And the opportunity agenda I laid out last week will help us do that.

 

It's an agenda with four parts. Number one: more new jobs. Number two: training folks with the skills to fill those jobs. Number three: guaranteeing every child access to a world-class education. And number four: making sure that hard work pays off, with wages you can live on, savings³ you can retire on, and health insurance that's there when you need it.

 

I want to work with Congress on this agenda where I can.

 

But in this year of action, whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, I will. I've got a pen and a phone-a pen to take executive action, and a phone to rally citizens and business leaders who are eager to create new jobs and new opportunities. And we've already begun.

 

In Wisconsin, I ordered an across-the-board reform of our training programs to train folks with the skills employers need, and match them to good jobs that need to be filled right now.

 

In Pittsburgh, I directed the Treasury⁴ to create "my-RA," a new way for working Americans, even if you're not wealthy, to start your own retirement⁵ savings.

 

In Maryland, I rallied the leaders of some of America's biggest tech companies to help us make sure all our kids have access to high-speed internet and up-to-date technology to help them learn the skills they need for the new economy.

 

And at the White House, I brought together business leaders who've committed to helping⁶ more unemployed⁷ Americans find work, no matter how long they've been looking. And I directed the federal government to make hiring decisions the same way-based on whether applicants⁸ can do the job, not when they last had a job.

 

So when you hear me talk about using my pen and my phone to make a difference for middle class Americans and those working to get into the middle class, that's what I mean. And I'm going to keep asking students and parents and business leaders to help-because there are millions of Americans outside Washington who are tired of stale political arguments, ready to move this country forward, and determined⁹ to restore the founding vision of opportunity for all. And so am I.

 

Thanks, have a great weekend, and to our Olympians in Sochi, go Team USA!

点击收听单词发音