US President Barack Obama promised Saturday to present a "blueprint for actions" to improve the country's economy and business climate, as he prepared for a major address to the nation next week. Obama will deliver his nationally-televised State of the Union Address before members of both chambers of Congress on Tuesday.
In his weekly radio and Internet address, the president said that his State of the Union speech will contain a plan to strengthen the US economy. "On Tuesday evening, I'll deliver my State of the Union Address, where I'll lay out my blueprint for actions we need to take together - not just me, or Congress, but every American - to rebuild an economy where hard work and responsibility are rewarded. An economy that's built to last," Obama said.
"In the meantime, I'm going to keep doing everything I can to make this country not only the best place to visit and do business - but the best place to live and work and build a better life," he added. The comments came after Obama on Thursday unveiled a proposal to boost jobs in the crucial electoral swing state of Florida and elsewhere by easing visa restrictions for new armies of middle class tourists from booming developing nations like China, India and Brazil.
The president underscored the importance of this proposal again on Saturday, saying Americans want more visitors coming to the United States and spending more money in the country. "It's good for our economy, and it will help provide the boost more businesses need to grow and hire," he said. The president promised to continue to work with Congress, states and business leaders to find ways to move this country forward. But he warned that he would act alone if other branches of government or the business community refused to cooperate. "Where they can't act or won't act, I will," Obama said.