Well, Harry T of Wilton, it would seem to me that with the Republicans the Americans have also consistently" gotten the misery of poverty (sub-prime disaster) and world wars (Iraq, Afghanistan)" . So why do you think McCain will change any of that?

Narguesse Stevens, Montaigu-de-Quercy, France

The irony is that McCain has not been against the principal of progressive taxation - quote from the senator in 2000:

"So, look, here’s what I really believe, that when you are — reach a certain level of comfort, there’s nothing wrong with paying somewhat more."

Steve Turner, Boston MA, US

It's not capitalism that fails, it's socialists playing at capitalists that fails, and thats all Barak will be, a socialist, taking everyone's money, wasting it, and then telling people that capitalism does not work.

Arthur, Newcastle,

Why do the British seem so obsessed with American politics anyway?

steve, Tallahassee, Florida

Do you hear your own greed and stinginess? For those who say they work hard and don't understand why they should give anything away, I say this: Because, as a sentient human being on the planet, you have a moral, ethical and spiritual mandate to help those suffering, no matter why they suffer.

Laura Harrison McBride, New Windsor, Maryland, USA

For those of you who don't believe in spreading the wealth, perhaps you should check your pay stubs. You're already paying taxes and the disbursement of those taxes is in essence, spreading the wealth. Leave my health care alone and don't tax me for it! Obama 08.

Carol, Denver, USA

It is my experience that most republicans want less government but more spending, with a great belief in 'look after yourself'. I think they may privately vote differently because they only regard this as being for the 'other' guy. Now they are all the 'other guy'.

Jonathan Mills, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Senator Obama will become President Obama on Nov. 4th by dint of his passinate presidential ubiquitous style and the depth of humanaity and wisdom is on behalf of the American People, in all pledges.

The 44th President and next Democrat at the Whitehouse has understood that his mentor is now FDR

Cllr Patrick Smith, E4 6TA, UK

The US has spent about 7 TRILLION dollars on "poverty" since Johnson's Great Society programs of the 1960s. The government destroyed the black family by doing so. Obama's wealth redistribution schemes throw more money at a problem that can't be solved by wealth redistribution.

McCain/Palin 08

Jack , Charlotte, USA

How would you interview someone for a job, say as a CEO?

Would you give them a speech on a teleprompter, and only evaluate charisma/eloquence?

Or would you look to see what the business needed and previous experience that matched it? actual results achieved?

Ronald Reagan ran California.

Hugo van Randwyck, London, UK

Well the assasination plan on Obama says something.
A big generalisation, I know, but have you ever noticed that those who are assasinated are most often those who are a force for good in the world. Those who are not never seem to get assasinated.

Chris, Ashford, Middx, England

For all the commentors from the US who opposse "wealth distribution" I say this: too much is bad (the rich move away and SOME people will abuse the system); too little is bad (abject poverty remains).
But I also say this - look up and read about Tiberuis Gracchus - learn the lessons of history.

Richard Pickup, Wakefield, UK

Sen. Obama does not have a national health care plan, he wants people to keep the insurance they have and he will try to lower those costs. Hillary was the one with the national health care plan. I seriously hope he wins we do not need another Bush and Bushlette.

Leila, Orlando, USA

(Corporate) Socialism is already here; we might as well resign ourselves to it and the accompanying decline in our way of living. Socialized health care sucks (I know that from living in England). The bright side: yes, our leader will be the hottest on the planet!

Carol, NY, USA

Why should I work hard, get a good education, and land a good paying Job, if my government is going to take my money and give it to others less ambitious than I. Like in the animal world, it should be survival of the fittest. You choose your course in Life !

JAQUEBAUER, Ft Lauderdale fl , USA

While there is a definite need for a health care safety net in the US, we do not need an NHS-type program. I lived in the UK and saw it first hand. Any type of blanket health coverage plan will not work and will be quickly abused by those who now abuse our health insurance system.

Carmen, Nashville, US

An Obama victory would be terrible. He might establish a health care plan that would ensure that anyone falling sick was sure of good treatment. Shocking. This surely goes against America's long standing (unchristian) principle of helping the rich/strong and letting the weak perish.

Phil, Hong Kong,

I never thought that the great American dream would end by turning from "Yes, we can" to an attitude of "What's in it for me", but that's just what Obama promises. Handouts to the lower class, stagnation for the middle and the exit door for the wealthy as they move away. What a pity.

Nona, New York City, USA

Millions of pounds are poured into the National Health service in the UK and still waiting lists are the norm and medicine is constantly denied cancer patients.
How does the US expect a blanket Health service for all? It will take years to accomplish.
Pres.Bush for all his faults has kept US free.

Prudence Eely Bond McGuire BA, LONDON, ENGLAND- UK

Nobody is perfect, but I must say, Barack Obama is a better choice for the whole world than McCain is. Celebraties are donating money to people in Africa and such, but maybe they should use their money to educate America instead, there's so many 'stupid' people who NEEDS to be educated!

Dennis, NY,

You never know - as the world's richest country America may find a way of looking after all its citizens if they fall ill. Sounds kind of Christian rather than socialist.

Phil, Hong kong,

The Republicans want socialism that benefits corporations. All of you from other countries who overlook this are thankfully not voting in our election.

Aiyetoro, New York, USA

Yawn of the new politics.

How naive you must be to believe that?

Michal, London,

Barack Obama will not be the solution to America's woes. Socialistic policies will always breed indolence and dependence on the State. Government spending will only increase and demand more tax dollars.

Neil, Frankfurt, Germany

Considering the lethal economic damage by those "fiscal conservatives" Bush Cheney Gramm Delay Trott, etc., it is comical hearing the hysterical cries of socialism! wealth redistribution! out there re Obama. Bush redistributed the wealth, too - he took from the middle-class and gave to the rich.

Elizabeth Renant, Santa Fe, NM, USA

New ideas? Obama has not stated one new idea but just stirred around the old hash. I only hear a lot of hollow words when he speaks.

KBB, Vienna,

Harry T. Wilton, USA - Given that capitalism has just spectacularly failed, can you actually tell me why it is that socialism causes the horrors you outline?

Matthew, New York City, USA

Hey, I may be wrong on this but the Republicans are sending out fear message of a Democratically run Washington, but didn't we have the exact opposite 8 years ago and the whole thing went belly up?

John , Derby, England

Republican George W. Bush pumps nearly a trillion dollars of government money into the banks, a defacto nationalization and a gigantic hidden tax on the taxpayers. What is this called? Socialism. One doesn't have to look beyond core conservative Republicans to find a mother lode of socialism.

Mark Mulligan, Shepherdstown, US

JQuinn, take a good look back at Pres. Carter's comments on water and the current situation regarding the world's climate change. You consider him one of the "two worst" but history will regard him as a prophet. Redisbrution of weaIth is part of living in a democratic society. Wealth helps poor.

R Roberts, SW England, Uk

Too much unjustified promisses. Too good to be true. Actually, it was democrat Clinton who intriduced terrorism to American soil and job outsourcing through World Trade Egreement.

Mark Bernadiner, Pearland, USA

Leaders like Barack Obama are born when history needs them. America needs one like him for the peace and prosperrity of the world.

Monie, London, Uk

mr quinn above has forgotten to mention president clinton... no doubt, if he had remembered to mention him, we would only hear whining about his private or sexual affairs, completely ignoring the fact that he was among our greatest of presidents on both domestic and foriegn policy alike.

l smith, baltimore, usa

I have to say that Obama *sounds* presidential.
That may be a good thing, or a bad thing . . .

Arundel, South Coast, UK

It will be an interesting 4 years. Obama will be elected. But once the middle class realizes what Obama's vision for America really is, they will not accept it.

Steven, Colorado, USA

Senator Obama is a socialist. When was the last time a dedicated socialist with substantial political power did anything but grave economic harm? The world has looked for easy populist answers before, in return they have consistently gotten the misery of poverty and world wars.

Harry T, Wilton, USA

His platitudes are the petrol of his flim-flam machine. A modern day Confidence Man. Oh well, I can always look forward to saying "my leader is hotter than your leader".

Leslie, Atlanta, USA

The choice is near: new direction, regain respect at home and abroad, new policies, jobs creation or scaremongering rhetoric from the old one.

The choice of candidates to take us forward should be crystal clear. I've cast my ballot to come together as a nation and as a world partner.

NParr, Moses Lake, USA

I have lived through democratically controlled governments before. The DNC wants to ensure their voters are given money they don't earn, benefits they don't work for and rights that exceed those of others. Presidents Johnson & Carter were the two worst US leaders of 20th century, now Obama

JQuinn, Freemont, USA

That was a fiery Barack Obama delivering an impressive closing argument! America, let us put this intelligent unifying leader in office. He really is a transformational figure!
This is one American in the UK appealing to my compatriots at Home: A Vote for 'That One' is a Vote for Restoration!

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK