In the last two weeks, America has witnessed both the Democratic and Republican national conventions. The speeches made by Barack Obama, Mitt Romney and their supporters have given the American people a choice in the country’s direction. While the two leaders may disagree on the issues, their speeches did little to assure the American public that actual progress could be made on major issues facing the country.

Former President Bill Clinton placed the blame for dissatisfaction with government on Republicans. In his DNC speech, he said, “Though I often disagree with Republicans, I actually never learned to hate them the way the far right that now controls their party seems to hate our president and a lot of other Democrats.”

During Clinton’s speech, he recounted instances in which he has worked with Republicans. He said, “What works in the real world is cooperation.”

One year ago, Obama made a plea to Congress to pass the American Jobs Act.  He appealed to the American public to pass the act, which would invest in public sector jobs and infrastructure. The act would have raised taxes on the wealthy to fund these projects.

Many of Obama’s plans have been rejected by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and blocked in the Senate. His plans have merit, but will not be passed without more bipartisan support. In his acceptance speech at the DNC, he made little mention of the way he would put his plans into action.

Romney’s plans to cut taxes on high-income individuals to create job growth are plans Republicans can endorse and support. For these plans to be implemented, both sides will need to be satisfied. American democracy does not function if no compromise between parties exists.

Romney spoke about the success he had in business during his speech. He said, “The president has disappointed America because he hasn’t led America in the right direction. He took office without the basic qualification that most Americans have and one that was essential to his task. He had almost no experience working in a business. Jobs to him are about government.”

Some voters believe Romney’s business experience, alone, qualifies him to be president. If Romney intends to run the government like a business, he will be sorely disappointed. Government is not a business. Government is run for the collective good of the people — not for a profit. In business, leaders can have more authority over a company. In government, leaders collaborate to get legislation passed.

Romney’s plan for job growth, like Obama’s, has features which will not attract support from the opposing side. He wants North American energy independence at the cost of damaging the environment by expanding utilization of oil and coal. He also plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a plan that does not solve the nation’s healthcare problem.

Re-electing Obama or electing Romney will not instantly solve the nation’s problems. Even though the two have different visions, their visions are meaningless if they cannot act on them. Their plans will be unrealized unless they find a way to collaborate between the opposing sides.

If Americans value a federal government that can help improve job growth, they must elect a leader who can compromise.

Harmen Rockler is a senior newspaper journalism and political science major. His column appears weekly. He can be reached at horockle@syr.edu or followed on Twitter at @LeftofBoston.

Published on September 10, 2012 at 1:00 am