President Bush vowed that the Iraq war would not deter him from engaging the Democratic-controlled Congress on a sweeping domestic agenda, including helping states tailor their own plans for health insurance. The plan calls for a health care tax deduction of $7,500 for individuals and $15,000 for families. The tax break would apply whether people buy their own insurance or receive coverage through their jobs. Bush's speech also will include more about a new energy initiative, flexibility on meeting education standards, and renewed calls to work with Democrats on immigration and other issues. "I'm going to remind Congress that we've got to show the American people that we're capable of accomplishing some big things," he said. (USA Today)
• As the president delivers his State of the Union Address to Congress tonight, ask that the American people be given "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" the heart and the agenda of the Bush administration. United we stand; divided we fall. • "See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen." (Isaiah 32:1,3)
