President Obama delivers his 2013 State of the Union address. (AP file photo)

President Barack Obama aims in Tuesday night's State of the Union address to outline his plans to help middle class people left behind by the economic recovery through tax increases on the most wealthy and by signing trade deals to expand markets for American goods and services. The idea of raising the top capital gains and dividends tax rate to 28 percent from 23.8 percent is popular with Democrats who are looking beyond Obama's tenure to the 2016 elections. But it seems dead on arrival with Republicans who control both houses of Congress. For Obama, seeking to burnish his legacy with two years left in office, the speech will be his best opportunity of the year to talk to millions of Americans watching on television about the improved economy six years into his tenure, which began with the Democrat facing a crippling financial crisis/Reuters. More here.

Question: Are you better off today than you were six years ago?