President Barack Obama has delivered a trove of prominent speeches in his first 12 months in office. But his first State of the Union address tonight is a momentous opportunity for him to lay out the agenda for his second year.

The topics, at home and abroad, are abundant — from health care to foreign wars, from unemployment to the Great Recession.

We look forward to the president's first State of the Union. Today, we offer the following as the speech we'd like to hear.

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My fellow Americans, our nation is great because we are a nation of great people. We do not shy from challenges. Our forefathers long ago cemented the principle of the American spirit, the American work ethic, the American character. Economic upheaval and international conflict will neither break us nor define us.

We wish such crisis did not occur. Yet, when we survive them we emerge as a stronger America, as a nation that can withstand innumerable challenges. The core of our character is unmatched.

Today, we stand better than we were 12 months ago. The fiery discussions over health-care reform have shown how important it is to remove inequality from our health system. We have started repairing our standing on the international stage. Our allies again know that we are a guardian of peace and a good friend to those who embrace peaceful ways.

Our international plate has been full during the past year, from global climate-change discussions to seeking better relations with the world's Muslim nations. It has been critical to re-establish our rightful place as an ally to those who seek to make the Earth a better, more peaceful, more environmentally friendly planet.

Of course, no international issue has been more important to the United States during the last year than the American soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The decisions made in 2009 were meant to give U.S. commanders what they need, to reduce the loss of life of U.S. soldiers, and to hasten the return of uniformed Americans back to American soil.

All of those issues remain critical today.

But, my fellow Americans, it is clear that 2010's overriding matter is the economy. Repairing it and making life better here at home is a top priority.

The Great Recession is far from over. Small signs of improvement exist; we're proud that the programs we have implemented have helped redirect the economy to the correct path. It's clear, however, that more work is needed before our fiscal woes are significantly lessened.

Recovery is happening, but at a snail's pace. Too many Americans are still suffering from the profound and overpowering effects of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Joblessness remains too high, jobs remain too scarce, and families are still losing their homes to foreclosures. Small businesses are still walking a paper-thin line between survivability and closure. Thousands of qualified and well-educated college graduates are earning their degrees and finding it impossible to get a job in their field, which undermines a portion of the entire higher-education process.

Making those troubles worse is the continued callousness seen on Wall Street, where CEO bonuses are still inciting outrage, both in my office and across the land. The large national banks that feel they're too big to fail — most of which have received federal assistance — cannot act as if they're beyond reproach or censure. Their overwhelming greed and gaudy deeds must be put in check.

Contrast that despicable behavior with middle-class Americans, who reside at the core of America's recession woes. Too many of their dreams have been shattered. Too many of their retirement accounts have been lost. Too many of their jobs have evaporated. Too many of their homes now sit unoccupied and owned by banks.

None of that is acceptable to me. It shouldn't be for you, either.

That's why job creation will be at the heart of our domestic policy during 2010. Without jobs, Americans suffer and America's economy stagnates. My administration and those in Congress cannot let the urgency to protect existing jobs and create new ones fall from our line of sight.

To Congress, my message is two-fold: We must keep pushing the envelope on legislation that will reduce unemployment. Job creation is an everyday job in 2010. As seen with the rancorous debate over health-care reform, worthwhile discussions too often descend into political chaos. Do not let concerns over this fall's elections muddy the job before you. Bring me fair legislation that will increase job creation and I will sign it into law.

Additionally, it's imperative that Congress joins me in redoubling efforts to reduce the federal deficit — but it must be done pragmatically, with the proper approach. It can't be a matter of politics. We must cut federal spending that is wasteful and/or redundant and streamline the system. However, our nation's desperate needs shouldn't be put on hold because of a freeze on most domestic programs. Finally, Congress must reform itself in order to reform the spending process. If they won't, I will with my veto pen.

To middle-class Americans, my message should be clear: Help is coming. The proposals unveiled on Monday will help you pay for child care, pay back your student loans and save for retirement while you work. There is more that this government can do, and will, but those plans will help our middle class as we move forward in our recovery.

That is a promise my administration will uphold.

Regrettably, it is impossible to stand here today and hide my deep frustration over our failure thus far to reform health care in America. That the strongest, wealthiest nation has millions of uninsured citizens is an abomination. Despite the steep opposition by Republicans to derail this effort, health-care reform remains a cornerstone necessity of my administration.

I am as committed to improving the accessibility and affordability of health care to all Americans today as I was one year ago. The need still exists. Congressmen of both parties must drop the steep partisanship and do what's right for Americans who need medical care.

The challenges facing America are immense. Many of them seem insurmountable. But never forget how daunting the challenges of past times seemed in their day, and that the United States' perseverance and inner strength is unrivaled.

America was great then, it is great today, and it will be great tomorrow.

God bless you and God bless the United States of America.