Obama Hails ‘Most Progressive Era in Human History’

President Barack Obama is again hailing the state of the planet under his administration, as he prepares to hand the White House to his presidential successor in January 2017.

“We are fortunate to be living in the most peaceful, most prosperous, most progressive era in human history,” Obama boasted during a speech in Germany today.

He admitted that his observation was counter to the media narrative that highlighted bad news in the world, but continued to take the long view of his place in human history.

“If you had to choose a moment in time to be born, any time in human history, and you didn’t know ahead of time what nationality you were or what gender or what your economic status might be, you’d choose today,” he said confidently.

He cited the growth of democratic government, wealth, health and education around the globe combined with a “global economy” that lifted more people out of poverty. He also cited a more “tolerant” planet of different races and sexual preferences.

“Around the world, we’re more tolerant — with more opportunity for women, and gays and lesbians, as we push back on bigotry and prejudice,” he said.

He admitted that there continues to be suffering in the world, citing economic inequality, slow economic growth, and fears of terrorism.

Obama warned against divisive political rhetoric of politicians in Europe trying to exploit global fears to create an “us vs. them mentality” between Muslims and immigrants.

“If a unified, peaceful, liberal, pluralistic, free-market Europe begins to doubt itself, begins to question the progress that’s been made over the last several decades, then we can’t expect the progress that is just now taking hold in many places around the world will continue,” he said.