JOPLIN, Mo. — Both political conventions are now over. What are the results? That now becomes the question.

My conclusion is that the fundamental messages are the same from both sides, with the differences being how to achieve the goals enunciated in such messages.

Look at where we are today as a nation. Forget how we arrived at this point. Just look at reality today.

Our economic growth is lousy and we could drop back into a recession. Unemployment is far too high and stagnant. Interest rates are historically low, but many wonder for how much longer. Many are gravely concerned about income distribution in America today. Immigration reform is sorely needed. Being able to ensure adequate health care for all Americans is needed. Our national ability to influence foreign affairs is of concern to many as well.

Each party addressed those problems, and in essence neither party disagrees that we must improve each and every one of those issues over the next four years. Only fringe elements of each party would add much more to that list.

I submit that the fundamental goals of each party are essentially the same. Even former President Bill Clinton acknowledges that reducing our national debt and deficits is a fundamental concern. Some are not so sure about President Barack Obama’s sentiments in that regard, however.

Now let’s jump to the character issue, considering the mudslinging from each side. A pox on such mudslingers. In my view, both Obama and his challenger, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, are decent, sincere men with almost exactly the same ultimate goals for America over the next four years. Sure. They are radically different in style and in how to achieve the same goals. But I believe both would move heaven and earth to achieve the same goals listed above.

We should stop debating character, human concerns, compassion, empathy, etc. at the individual level, as both men have plenty of such character to become president.

Now the debate should become how to achieve essentially the same goals like growing our economy, reducing unemployment, controlling future interest rates, enhancing our ability to influence foreign affairs, etc. Therein the stark differences become apparent, in the details and at a much more fundamental level — the level of the philosophy of governing America today.

The resounding message from the GOP is that we are not in very good shape today, generally, and we Americans can do better: Just follow the GOP’s lead and they will move us in the direction toward a better America.

Democrats, on the other hand, do not say, outright, that we are in bad shape. In fact, Democrats suggest we are about as good as we can get today: Stick with us to move forward toward a better future.

The Democrats also say we could be better off today if only they had their way. But I hope Americans are now tired of such excuses and ignore that particular blame game of failure.

I encourage all voters to ignore the spin coming from both sides now. Make your own decision as to how you view the state of America economically and in foreign affairs. Get into the details to the extent that you can understand the nuances of how each party wants to move forward over the next four years.

Can we do better with a different approach — an approach that puts more control back into the hands of individual Americans at least in terms of economic prosperity?

Bill Clinton would pick a middle ground and win the election in my view. But he is not running. We have what we have today to choose between.

When one makes a decision to vote at such a fundamental level, either way, spin should have no impact on such an individual voter decision.

I would also suggest that if you as individual voters cannot decide such a fundamental question — more individual freedom versus more government control — then you are no different than our Congress over the past two years. That governing body surely can’t make such decisions, or at least they have failed miserably to do so for a long time now.

Now whose fault might that stalemate belong to, Congress or we the people?



Anson Burlingame lives in Joplin.