Obama: 'state of our union is getting stronger'

President Barack Obama discussed plans for boosting the American economy, job creation, and better education and opportunities for students Tuesday night during the annual State of the Union address.

"The state of our union is getting stronger," Obama said. "And we've come too far to turn back now.

Obama's speech mainly focused on the economy- creating jobs, bringing manufacturers back to America and tax cuts. Obama said 3,000,000 jobs have been created in the past 22 months, which is the most Americans have seen since 2005. He also said American manufacturing companies are creating jobs and hiring people for the first time since the ‘90s.

He laid out a blueprint for his vision of the American economy in a plan he called, "An America Built to Last." This plan focuses on bringing American manufacturing back to the United States, taxing multinational companies, bigger tax cuts for American-based manufacturers and doubling that deduction for those who are high-tech manufacturers.

"No American company should be able to avoid paying its fair share of taxes by moving jobs and profits overseas," he said. "From now on, every multinational company should have to pay a basic minimum tax. And every penny should go towards lowering taxes for companies that choose to stay here and hire here."

He also conveyed the importance of education and teachers in the lives of students. He challenged legislatures to give schools the resources needed for their students and, in turn, challenged schools to be flexible with teachers using creativity and passion in their teaching processes. He also challenged states to require students to stay in school until they graduate or reach the age of 18.

Additionally, he spoke on the behalf of students facing a doubling of student-loan interest rates in July.

"At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July," Obama said. "Extend the tuition tax credit we started that saves middle-class families thousands of dollars. And give more young people the chance to earn their way through college by doubling the number of work-study jobs in the next five years."

He also used the address to highlight many of his accomplishments in office for the past three years.  He discussed the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda leader, whom he said is no longer a threat and added that for the first time in nine years there are no troops in Iraq.  He also commented on the progress in Afghanistan. 

"From this position of strength, we've begun to wind down the war in Afghanistan," he said. "Ten thousand of our troops have come home. Twenty-three thousand more will leave by the end of this summer. This transition to Afghan lead will continue, and we will build an enduring partnership with Afghanistan, so that it is never again a source of attacks against America."

The president's next move will be to focus on his re-election campaign before the November election .  Regardless of a second term, he promised Congress what they can expect from him and what he expects from them.

"With or without this Congress, I will keep taking actions that help the economy grow," he said. "But I can do a whole lot more with your help. Because when we act together, there is nothing the United States of America can't achieve."