U.S. President Barack Obama is challenging Congress to back his plans to use the might of Government to kick-start the economy.  Stimulating growth and creating jobs will be the "North Star that guides our efforts", he added.

Throughout the address, Mr. Obama placed goal after goal before lawmakers of two houses that seem to be hopelessly gridlocked.  Minority Republicans are unlikely to back the President’s agenda, and accuse him of wanting to spend too much.  Mr. Obama says his proposals do not add a penny to the U.S. Federal deficit.

Mr. Obama wants congress to get serious about creating jobs by investing in infrastructure, clean energy and education.  He zinged conservative lawmakers for grandstanding against the Federal Stimulus that many credit with holding off a 2nd Great Depression, while happily welcoming Stimulus-funded, job-creating public projects to their home districts.

President Obama also called for action on gun violence and immigration reform, and said if Congress failed to act on legislation to combat climate change, he would use his Executive authority to do so.

He asked Congress to raise the minimum wage from the current $7.25/hour to $9/hour and then to tie it to the Cost of Living Index.