Obama promises 'blueprint' for economy

U.S. President Barack Obama said Saturday his State of the Union Address will introduce his "blueprint" for "an economy that's built to last." In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama recounted recent steps his administration has taken without Congress to promote training and hiring of military veterans, expedite loans to companies involved in rebuilding roads and bridges and increase tourism from abroad. Obama announced the tourism initiative Thursday in Florida. "Tourism is the number one service we export," the president said Saturday. "Every year, tens of millions of tourists come from all over the world to visit America. They stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, and see all the sights America has to offer. "That's good for local businesses. That's good for local economies. And the more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work," he said. "Too often over the last few months, we've seen Congress drag its feet and refuse to take steps we know will help strengthen our economy," Obama said. "That's why this is the latest in a series of actions I've taken on my own to help our economy keep growing, creating jobs, and restoring security for middle-class families." The president again said he would work with Congress, as well as states and private-sector leaders, "to find ways to move this country forward." "But where they can't act or won't act, I will," he said. "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," he said. "An economy that's built to last."