On the conclusion to the government shutdown and hindrance of default, President Barack Obama addressed the nation from the White House late Thursday morning. The president expressed his confidence in an economical bounce-back, and apologized to both federal and non-federal employees on the government’s misconduct throughout the 16-day shutdown.

Over the past two and a half weeks, the nation, as well as the world, witnessed Washington’s ineffective congressional leadership. The government shutdown spoke volumes on the legislative branch’s effectiveness. If our government cannot take care of the big issues, such as passing a budget and lifting the debt ceiling, how will its citizens expect them to vote on issues like immigration reform, women’s rights, agricultural reform, and energy?

President Abraham Lincoln once said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” And history attests to the internal deterioration of great cities, states, and empires, each reaching their ruin from the inside. If our society pleases to see an American future, we must guard ourselves from within our boarders.

The president asked for negotiations and unity; however, statements on Congress’s irrational actions of not passing a budget, although true, only added fuel to the fire. Nevertheless, the president did say, “If you don’t like a political policy or a president, run for office. Go and change the government, but don’t break it.”

This administration has identified those for it, and those against it. Throughout the shutdown polls indicated an eight percent growth in support of the president. Thursday morning a seasoned and poise president offered that spirit of hope he had campaigned upon. Listeners could once again believe in this administration, and its efforts for good.

Pressing forward the president announced administrative priorities, which would focus on comprehensive immigration reform, and a commitment to boarder restrictions. Most logically, the president declared that immigration reform would benefit US economy, paying back taxes up to 5% larger ($1.4 trillion) in the next 20 years.

“Thank you for your service, welcome back,” said President Obama with deep respect and sincerity to furloughed federal workers deemed unessential throughout the shutdown. He continued to speak on Washington’s workforce, and said: “Young people who come to this city, come to serve,” the president believed that they should be given the opportunity to do so freely.

The president’s initiatives seem promising; however, all branches of government will have to work together in order to be successful in accomplishing any of the proposed reforms. Although later that day Herman Cain declared on CNN that Republicans and Democrats will shutdown the government come February, I highly doubt that happening. Those that thought government was a problem could now see how much we relay on it.