It seems nearly all candidates running for office talk about how they are going to create jobs for their constituents.

Politicians do not create jobs.

Businesses do.

However, companies are not in the business of creating jobs -- rather, companies exist to create profits.

If a company can be more profitable with fewer people, then it will. If a company can realize a return on the investment in creating a job, then it will.

Profitability is the goal and job creation is the byproduct.

When will the political conversation evolve from creating jobs to creating profitable companies?

Clearly, job talk equates to votes. Let's put propaganda aside, and instead focus on real economic prosperity for our region.

But it's not just politicians who must be held accountable. It's job seekers too.

In a recent job fair in Roanoke, there were 30-plus companies in attendance with a total of 600-plus jobs available.

Media outlets indicate how there are no jobs, but clearly there are.

The tough questions for job seekers to answer, that few will ask, are: (1) Are job seekers willing to acquire the skill sets needed to do the available jobs? (2) Are job seekers willing to take their less-than-ideal job? and (3) Are they willing and capable of creating their own job through an entrepreneurial startup?

Our region desperately needs all job seekers to answer yes to these questions, especially the final one.

We need to hold our politicians accountable, as well as those they are elected to serve.

Let's ask our political candidates to create tax incentives for new and existing small businesses -- and those willing to invest in them -- and reduce government regulation of the private sector.

Let's ask our fellow citizens to commit to lifelong learning, temporarily take jobs they are overqualified to perform, and think more about creating their own job through entrepreneurship.

Together, we all have a responsibility to walk the talk.

Stuart Meese is an enthusiast for the New River and Roanoke valleys who lives in Christiansburg and works for a Blacksburg technology firm.