Commentary & Analysis of Obama's Last United Nations Speech as President

Bards Logic commentary and anlysis of President Obama's last speech to the United Nations as POTUS.

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We discuss his statements:

We see too many governments muzzling journalists, and quashing dissent, and censoring the flow of information.

Moreover, the collapse of colonialism and communism has allowed more people than ever before to live with the freedom to choose their leaders.

In order to move forward, though, we do have to acknowledge that the existing path to global integration requires a course correction.

That’s why we’ve worked with other nations to create higher and clearer standards for banking and taxation — because a society that asks less of oligarchs than ordinary citizens will rot from within. That’s why we’ve pushed for transparency and cooperation in rooting out corruption, and tracking illicit dollars, because markets create more jobs when they’re fueled by hard work, and not the capacity to extort a bribe.

Now, I will admit, my belief that governments serve the individual, and not the other way around, is shaped by America’s story.

I’ve noticed as President that at times, both America’s adversaries and some of our allies believe that all problems were either caused by Washington or could be solved by Washington — and perhaps too many in Washington believed that as well. (Laughter.) But I believe America has been a rare superpower in human history insofar as it has been willing to think beyond narrow self-interest; that while we’ve made our share of mistakes over these last 25 years — and I’ve acknowledged some — we have strived, sometimes at great sacrifice, to align better our actions with our ideals. And as a consequence, I believe we have been a force for good.

More of the Speech can be heard on the show.