Obama pushes for 'economy where everyone gets a fair shot'

9to5 member Bridget Piggery, comments on the state of the economy and President Obama's State of the Union Address, "Wow!  It's been very difficult," said Bridget Piggery.  "To me, my job is to find a job."

WASHINGTON- Declaring the American dream under siege, President Barack Obama called Tuesday night for a flurry of help for a hurting middle class and higher taxes on millionaires, delivering a State of the Union address filled with re-election themes.  Restoring a fair shot for all, the President said, is "the defining issue of our time."

Mr. Obama outlined a vastly different vision for fixing the country than the one pressed by the Republicans challenging him in Congress and fighting to take his job. He pleaded for an active government that ensures economic fairness for everyone, as his opponents demand that the government back off and let the free market rule.

No big surprise that the President and the Republicans are focusing on jobs and one example used during the speech has a tie to Milwaukee.

"A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home.  For the first time in fifteen years, Master Lock's unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity," said Mr. Obama.

Standing in front of a divided Congress, with bleak hope this election year for his legislative agenda, the President spoke with voters in mind.

"We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by," Mr. Obama said. "Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules."

A rare wave of unity splashed over the House chamber at the start. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, survivor of an assassination attempt one year ago, received sustained applause from her peers and hugs from many.  The President, too, embraced her as he made his way to the front.

Lawmakers leapt to their feet when Mr. Obama said near the start of his speech that terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, killed by a raid authorized by the president, will no longer threaten America.

At the core of Obama's speech was the improving but deeply wounded economy -- the matter still driving Americans' anxiety and the one likely to determine the next presidency.

"The state of our union is getting stronger," the President said, calibrating his words as millions remain unemployed.  Implicit in his declaration that the American dream is "within our reach" was the recognition that, after three years of an Obama presidency, the country is not there yet.

He spoke of restoring basic goals: owning a home, earning enough to raise a family, putting a little money away for retirement.  "We can do this," Mr. Obama said. "I know we can."

Jobs to be key election issue in Milwaukee, across country

One woman from Milwaukee had special interest in Mr. Obama's speech.   She said that being out of work feels a lot like being out of luck.

"Wow!  It's been very difficult, said Bridget Piggery.  "To me, my job is to find a job."

Piggery is trying to find a better future, but has been frustrated by her inability to find a good job.

"To be honest, I haven't gotten a call from McDonald's, and I haven't gotten a call from U.S. Bank."

Piggery, 35, listened to Mr. Obama's State of the Union speech.

She says she likes the President and voted for him, but she had hoped he would have done more about improving the economy.

"I do believe there are some things that he has done and made happen, and there are other things that he may have failed on."

Piggery, a single mother of four and volunteer at Milwaukee's 9-to-5, even went back to school to get an associated business administration degree, graduating in 2010.

She told TODAY'S TMJ4's Charles Benson that she wants to go to Cardinal Stritch University for a bachelors degree.

Piggery agrees with Mr. Obama that there are jobs out there, but sometimes, people need help with training and education.