During the past four years, President Barack Obama has brought the U.S. economy back from the brink of collapse, the auto industry back to life, our heroes back from war, and our enemies to justice. But this election is not just about how far this nation has come — it is also about where this nation is going.

This election is about which candidate understands the challenges and choices a family faces. It is about which candidate can be trusted to stand up for the middle class and for everyone working hard to get into the middle class. It is about which candidate believes hard work should pay off and that everyone should do their fair share, get a fair shot and play by the same rules.

Unlike former Gov. Mitt Romney, the president has been consistent and clear about his vision and values. He has been talking about it every day with Americans across the country.

First, he will help create a million new manufacturing jobs and double exports so manufacturers can stamp “Made in America” on more products.

Second, he will cut the nation’s oil imports in half and produce more American-made energy — such as oil, natural gas, wind, solar and biofuels — creating 600,000 jobs in natural gas alone, all while doubling the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks.

Third, the nation must reduce its deficit in a balanced way. The president put a plan on the table to cut the deficit by more than $4 trillion in the next decade. On top of the $1 trillion in spending that has been already cut, he would ask the wealthy to pay a little more and cut spending that isn’t needed throughout the budget.

Finally, the president believes that after a decade of war, it is time to do some nation-building here at home. He would use half the savings from ending the war in Afghanistan to help pay down the national debt and invest the rest in fixing roads, runways, bridges and schools.

President Obama is fighting for everyone, not just some people, and will move this country forward with a new economic patriotism.

Romney, in a private meeting with large campaign contributors, described 47 percent of Americans as people who think of themselves as victims, and who refuse to take responsibility for their lives. But that 47 percent includes the men and women in the Armed Forces; senior citizens on Social Security and Medicare; students who need help to get through college; and many others who don’t deserve such comments.

This nation cannot afford to go back to the economic policies that contributed to its problems. We can’t afford to go backward. We must move forward.

George Mitchell, Washington, D.C.