During his visit to Los Angeles Trade-Technical College last Thursday, President Barack Obama expressed optimism about the U.S. economy while outlining ways the country could continue the forward momentum.

President Barack Obama speaks at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College during his West Coast visit last week. He also visited Canter’s Deli on Fairfax Avenue. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

Prior to his speech, Obama visited Canter’s Deli on Fairfax Avenue and had lunch with four Americans, including Kati Koster, a Pepperdine University graduate, who had written him letters.

Koster, a first-generation college student, wrote to Obama to express her frustration about feeling trapped; no matter how hard she worked, it seemed as if she could not rise above her socioeconomic class.

“So, L.A., I’m here because I am listening to Kati’s story. I’m listening to Americans all across the country, everybody who works their tail off, is doing the right thing, who believes in the American Dream [and] just wants a chance to build a decent life for themselves and their family,” Obama told the audience in the college’s courtyard. “You are why I ran for president in the first place. And I am always going to be listening to you.”

He said the 2008 economic crisis cost millions of Americans their jobs, homes and sense of security, but the country is recovering. Obama said U.S. businesses have added 10 million new jobs over the last 52 months, and the unemployment rate is at its lowest since September 2008.

“And this past year, we saw one of the fastest drops in nearly thirty years in the unemployment rate,” he added. “The decisions we made not only to rescue the economy, rescue the auto industry, but to rebuild it on a new foundation — those decisions are paying off.”

The president said the U.S. is more energy independent, as evidenced by the fact that the country is the leading producer of oil and gas. America has also tripled the amount of electricity it is getting from wind power, Obama said.

“But it’s not just the energy sector,” he said. “In education, our high school graduation rate is at a record high. The Latino dropout rate has been cut in half since 2008. More young people are earning their college degrees than ever before. Meanwhile, 401(k)s have restored their value. Fewer homes are underwater. Millions more families have the peace of mind of affordable health care when you need it because we did pass the Affordable Care Act.”

Obama said the economic downturn showed the resilience and resolve of America.

“And because of that, we’ve recovered faster, we’ve gone farther than almost any country on Earth since the economic crisis,” he said. “For the first time in more than a decade, business leaders around the world have declared that the number one place to invest is not China; it’s the United States of America. And our lead is growing.”

Obama said the U.S. has every reason to be optimistic, but officials must continue to make decisions that ensure the economic gains are beneficial for the country as a whole.

“That’s what’s at stake right now — making sure our economy works for every working American,” he added.

Obama said the country needs to focus on training workers to fill the positions that have been created. He said Americans are the best workers in the world — if they’re given the chance.

The president mentioned the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, which he signed on July 22. The legislation helps communities update and invest in job training programs in fields such as high-tech manufacturing, clean energy, information technology and health care, Obama said.

“My administration has taken some steps on our own,” he said of expanding training opportunities. “We’ve rallied employers to give the long-term unemployed a fair shot at a job. We’re offering grants to community colleges that work with companies to expand apprenticeships. We’re helping cities identify fields with job openings, and custom-tailor programs to help workers earn the skills employers are looking for right now, whether it’s welding metal or coding computers. If your job has been stamped ‘obsolete’ and shipped overseas, or displaced by new technology, your country should help train you to land an even better job in the future. And that’s something we can do if we work together.”

Obama said Congress has impeded the progress by not passing legislation that would provide women with equal pay, help people manage student loan debt or raise the minimum wage, which has not been increased in five years.

“So I’m not going to stop trying to work with Democrats and Republicans to make a difference in your lives,” the president added. “But I’ve got to call things as they are. What’s really going on is that Republicans in Congress are directly blocking policies that would help millions of Americans.”

He said he would like to see Democrats and Republicans work together to thwart a trend that could stymie the country’s progress: the growing number of corporations that are using a loophole to declare that they are based in another country and get out of paying taxes.

“They’re keeping most of their business here,” Obama said. “They’re keeping … their headquarters here in the U.S. They don’t want to give up the best universities and the best military, and all the advantages of operating in the United States. They just don’t want to pay for it. So they’re technically renouncing their U.S. citizenship.”

He said only a few big corporations are “cherry-picking” the rules so far, but officials must close the loophole — coined “the Holy Grail” of tax loopholes by one corporate attorney — through tax reform.

“I’m not interested in punishing these companies,” Obama said. “But I am interested in economic patriotism. Instead of doubling down on top-down economics, I want an economic patriotism that says we rise or fall together, as one nation, and as one people.”

He advised Americans to stay involved, as there are “plenty of folks” who are counting on people being cynical and apathetic, which gives more power to special interests that benefit from the status quo.

“Cynicism is fashionable these days,” Obama said. “But I got to tell you, cynicism didn’t put a man on the moon. Cynicism did not create the opportunity for all our citizens to vote. Cynicism has never won a war, or cured a disease, or started a business, or fed young minds. I believe in optimism. I believe in hope.”­­