President Barack Obama hammered themes of economic opportunity in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. "We are not doing right by the American people," he told Congress, slamming the partisan gridlock paralyzing Washington and urging Congress to join him — even as he vowed to skirt it if necessary to pursue his agenda. "America does not stand still — and neither will I," he said. He vowed a "year of action" and outlined a long list of executive actions he plans to take, from establishing a government-backed "myRA" retirement savings program to raising the minimum wage to above $10 an hour for federal contract workers. He also stressed themes of workplace equality for women. "It is time to do away with workplace policies that belong in a 'Mad Men' episode," he said. Obama concluded his speech with a tribute to a wounded U.S. military veteran that won a sustained standing ovation from most of the chamber.
