President Barack Obama greets Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the congresswoman from Arizona who has miraculously survived being shot in the head, as he arrives on the floor of the House Chamber to deliver the State of the Union address Tuesday. Official White House photo by Pete Souza. President Obama used his election-year State of the Union address to issue a loud call for economic equality based on “responsibility from everybody,” a theme prefacing his 2012 campaign message.

Obama said the goal of economic equality was a return to American values and “the defining issue of our time.”

In the address—“Blueprint for America Built to Last”— Obama appeared before a sharply divided joint session of Congress to take the of fensive and pledge that while he would work with lawmakers, he also intended to “fight obstruction with action.”

Repeating that he would not “back down,” Obama said, “no challenge is more urgent” than to support the middle class.

Take a look inside the West Wing as the 2012 State of The Union Address is written. Photo by Pete Souza, provided by the White House. “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 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,” Obama said.

Obama took an indirect swing at GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney— who released his much anticipated tax returns earlier in the day-—by renewing his call for the so-called “Buffett Rule,” named after billionaire investor Warren Buffett.

The rule seeks to ensure that middle-class workers do not pay a higher tax rate than their well-to-do bosses and Obama’s proposal dictates that those making more than $1 million would pay a minimum effective rate of at least 30 percent, more than double the rate Romney expects to pay this year.

It would also eliminate tax deductions for those making more than $1 million—including for housing, health care, retirement and child care—and would end federal subsidies such as food stamps and unemployment benefits for millionaires.

“We don’t begrudge financial success in this country,” the president continued. “We admire it. When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich. It’s because they understand that when I get tax breaks I don’t need and the country can’t afford, it either adds to the deficit or somebody else has to make up the difference…That’s not right. Americans know it’s not right.”

“People cannot afford losing $40 out of each paycheck this year,” he said. “There are plenty of ways to get this done. So let’s agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama. Pass the payroll tax cut without delay. Let’s get it done!”

The President provided Congress with a wish list of sorts to achieve a sound economy, and his hour-long address included four major cornerstones: manufacturing, energy, education and values.

"Think about the America within our reach, a country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high paying jobs," Obama said. "A future where we're in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren't so tied to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded."

Obama provided new details in the speech on how to invest in jobs domestically though “insourcing.”

He proposed eliminating tax deductions for companies that move U.S. jobs overseas and called for an “international minimum tax” to be imposed on a company’s overseas profits. He also proposed a tax credit for companies that move jobs back to the U.S.

The president also unveiled a new mortgage crisis unit that will be directed by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. The new offi ce would be created within the Unit on Mortgage Origination and Securitization that investigates misconduct and illegal activity in the housing market.

Obama also touted his foreign policy accomplishments. Keeping up with his campaign pledge, Obama said he brought the troops home from Iraq. He also said he delivered justice to 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden and that the nation has made important progress in Afghanistan and joined with allies and partners to end the Libyan regime of Moammar Gadhafi.