I like what McCain said Bom Bom Bom Iran....

Healthcare should not be considered as a commodity. If you buy something and you realize that it was not what you paid for , the government does not have anything to do with that. The private sector and the competition and some other institutions will probably fix your problem. But HEALTH is not a car, a house, etc. so the government SHOULD guarantee everyone has access to it, even those who for crazy reasons, would not WANT it.

PS. I think McCain thinks that by calling us "his friends" he is showing "leadership" but he is making a lot of people uncomfortable

Obama is right for our country

The last time I checked, $5000 was nowhere near enough to purchase health insurance, and if we were taxed on it, as well, how would that affect our ability to pay for it? McCain's plan seems like a very, very bad idea!

I live with socialised medicine. The NHS. It has its faults, and is not a model that would work in a nation such as America for geographic, financial and political reasons. HOWEVER, the principle of treatment available at the point of need is important, and access to the means to ensure you get that should indeed be a right.
Being left on a gurney in a parking lot for 19 hours overnight to die after a stroke, and only treated when found to be alive in the morning is unacceptable. Being sent a $7000 invoice for being put in a cab from a private hospital to a charity hospital 18 miles away is despicable.
The way the average American who may not be able to afford top-notch cover is brushed aside by corporate providers of healthcare at the point of need and left to rot is disguting. How a doctor can take his hipocratic oath, yet walk past a patient left outside to die whilst on his way to morning meeting with a coffee and danish is beyond understanding.

Bringing in a mutually responsible system where the patient comes first not the shareholder, or indeed where the patient IS the shareholder is a responsible way forward.
The USA will need a system quite unique to those seen elsewhere with varying degrees of success. The current path and McCain's options will not see that happen.

umm..doesnt the $5000 tax credit that mccain wants to give u to purchase ur choice of health care, encourage people to peddle it as a commodity?? I'm from india and my knowledge in the matter is limited and i may be wrong but isnt obama's health care plan more pro-middle class? Common sense says so!!

A friend of mine, an American citizen, got a $50,000.00 bill, from which he has to pay $10,000.00, after staying 5 days and a half in the hospital (and after waiting for 15 hours in an emergency room before he was admitted). How can you Americans afford that? You can't get ill unless going to bankrupticy. You do need a change in your health system. You deserve better, living in the richest country in the world. Obama's proposal seems to lead to a better system, in my opinion

Wow they were really well behaved huh! Some mud slinging, but it was certainly not what the media had hyped it up to be.

Greetings from Port Douglas, Australia! My wife and I live in Alabama but have been traveling around the world for the past month and a half. We were looking so forward to watching this debate but our hotel has no news channels...only re-runs of cricket matches and Aussie kids shows. It's bad.

Anyway I just wanted to give a thought out to everyone in the US. We've been to Iceland, Paris, Dubai, Maldives, Bangkok, Bali and now Australia and EVERY time we tell people we're from the US they ask, "Obama"? Even if they don't speak more than 10 words of English they ask if we are for Obama. The good news has been that we are for Obama because the next word they say is, "McCaaaaain" with their thumbs pointed down.

After Obama spoke in Berlin and so many people against Obama were saying how they wanted a President of the US not a president of the world...or something to the tune of "we don't care what the world thinks". But the fact is, the US has put it's hand in every corner of the world, and we have no choice but to listen to our neighbors around us.

Obama. For the US. For the world.

I was very often thinking that McCain looked old and was rambling – I think Obama won hands down.

So, let me get this straight...a $5000 tax credit to buy insurance. Does McCain know how much an insurance policy for a family of four actually costs? Apparently not.

Oh, and it's a TAX credit, which means it doesn't HAVE to be spent on health insurance. Good thing, too, because by the time the Republicans are finished, the Average American ™ will need that check to buy bread and milk.

In light of his comments above, I just may be placing a write-in vote for PAUL FARRANT FOR US PRES!!!

A friend of mine in the US got a bill for $6000 after having treatment for a toothache and had to pay the credit card over the next year. The US legs much behind other less developed countries in terms of having the best care available for all the citizens. Whats the point of having the best medical institutions and doctors when 90% of the people living next to them cannot afford to get the medical attention. Obama is right. McCain is wrong and I think if Americans cannot descern this difference they are probably not half a clever as we are made to believe they are.

Congratulations to USA, you can't avoid to elect Obama after this debate. Obama is acting like a leader, McCain like a whining kid. Who wants a whiner as President?

As an American living in Australia and having dual citizenship, I say each American should have the right to have health care. Australia has a national health care system and I love it. But if you earn over $ 50,000 per year salary, you are either taxed a levy to help subsidize the national health care or the tax levy is waved if you pick up a private insurance to help with the higher costs of Hospital stays and voluntary procedures. I am happy to pay for "private" health insurance to take the burden off the National system. I am also happy to have the National system provide me with the basic coverage that all Americans should have.

McCain is still looking very inept running little jokes here and there will not solve americas problems. Saying i WILL SOLVE I WILL SOLVE IT DONT MEAN ONE HOOT. McCain it seems cannot be corrected on anything he is so inflexible. Even when he has previously lied during this campaign he still refuses to correct this.

I'm an American who has lived all over the world, and while American health care is very good, it is the most expensive place to get medical care. I had my son in Australia, and I stayed in a fantastic, private hospital for a week (without health insurance) and the whole thing cost me just $3000. When my young son got sick, a public hospital took him in and gave him great care for several days – and it didn't cost anything at all. Americans deserve that kind of care, without having to go bankrupt to get it. McCain's plan is just going to lead to more of the same – the people who couldn't afford it before aren't going to be able to afford it under a McCain administration either.

McCain is not inspiring, Obama is. McCain Is establishment, Obama is a breath of fresh air.Obama is our better chance for a detente with the World and thus enhancing our leadership position and economy

Daniel Burson.

Channel SBS is an australian free to air channel that showed the debate live....

Must just be in a hotel that is providing insufficient service!

Obama-8 Intelligent, workable ideas. Very little mudslinging.
McCain-4 Too much mudslinging. Muddy, dubious ideas.

Occasionally, they both dodged the questions.

In particular, Tom Brokaw's question about the Senior British General and Consultant's statements, yesterday morning (our time) that the War in Afghanistan CANNOT be won by military might. That was annoying. I really wanted to hear a straight answer on that one.

They both ran overtime.

McCain was far to wordy, and not on point, a lot of the time... He kept slagging Obama off, which was unattractive. His attacks on Obama were, in some cases, known lies.

Obama was a bit annoyed, and let it show, slightly. He's ahead, and I don't think this will cost him. His health-care and energy-policy answers were on point. I liked the 'moral' point about 'genocide' - non-involvement diminishes ANYONE who stands by and lets it happen.

McCain doesn't seem to understand that there have been numerous 'holocausts' since the Nazi Holocaust. The Khmer Rouge in Cambodia... Rwanda... Bosnia... to name a few.

@ Paul Farrant

I don't know that socialised medicine would NOT work well in the USA. It has never been tried. I'd like to see 'profit' taken OUT of health-care in the USA. Obama didn't answer the 'Commodity' question adequately. McCain didn't answer it at all.

Also for Daniel – if you have the net and can't get live streaming on here, try the BBC News channel online. It was live on our screens and the net is a relay of that. Worth a try anyway.

Obama will earn u respect america...Mccain can barely earn himself any..and he certainly doesnt treat his peers with any respect either! How on earth could he refer to obama as "THAT ONE" ?!!
Prea from India

Excuse me, but did you all hear McCain say this: I KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO TAKE BIN LADEN AND I WILL DO THAT?
Why haven't he given this WORLD NEWS STRATEGY to Bush administration so they could do so?
It would have saved a lot of life's and also a lot of money used on the US operations in Afghanistan.

I think that if Obama wins the elections, the whole world (sane) will celebrate, and the US will probably will not be hated anymore, or less, at least.

Barack Obama is a statesman. McCain always sounds like he is trying to hard to convince people. I am so glad Barack insisted on a rebuttal on the tax issue – to counteract the lies that McCain insists on continuously spewing.
America needs new young blood with forward thinking – not someone who continuously lives in the past. McCain keeps telling everyone what a maverick he is and how many times he has voted against his own party. Seems to me that he has voted against his own party that many times he should be a Democrat! McCain kept saying that Obama hadn't voted against his own party. Maybe thats because Barack didnt have the need to – not like McCain did because of Bush's moronic policies especially Bush's foreign policy.

Hi Jonathan, hi USA. I am writing from Sydney Australia and just want to share important views with the American people about healthcare, immigration and bank regulations. Here in Australia, we are light years ahead of you guys. We have a compulsory government MEDICARE program similar to what Obama is suggesting. It works fine and covers everybody who can't afford private heath insurance. I suggest you send some people hear to learn about our program.

Secondly, we have a full proof immigration system where it is MANDATORY for every worker (guest,student or ctizen) to have TAX NUMBER and is strictly ILLEGAL to hire a person without one. The trick is for a person to get the tax number they should be in Australia legally, failure to which they can trace you with your tax number or of you don't have one you can't work and pay rent hence can't live in OZ.

Finally, our banking system is well regulated and the RBA knows they job (they just cutt 100bp yesterday to sheild OZ from U.S crisis). You may want to learn one-or-two things about us. My departing note is that America is at cross-roads, any mistake in this election, U.S is finished. Good news is Australia would be the rising force to reckon with in the world in the absence of U.S.

I think the one new critique I heard about McCain's health plan that was not answered and was very compelling was when Obama pointed out that crossing state lines to buy health insurance (for $5000?) would cause insurance companies to rush to states where they could provide less care under state regulations. It stands to reason that if health care is a commodity and not a right, then the profit motive would cause companies to take advantage of McCain's deregulation of state insurance rules.

The disdain that McCain has of Obama was highlighted by calling him "that one". Not nice

Well said Tom – as another Australian (from Melbourne) if America adopted a similiar health care program to Medicare they would be streets ahead. Thank god for Whitlam.

Obama stated clearly what he intends to do and where he wants to take the economy. He has a vision and a plan to get there. mccain seems to think that by carrying on the same Bush policies, he will somehow get a different outcome.....!!!

Mccain is unspecific about tackling issues which does not instill any confidence in these troubled times.Obama seems to be able to understand and seems to have a much better grip about the economy and has more realistic ways to get us out of this mess.Mccain referring to Obama as "that one" did not help and was definitely not Presidential behaviour.

Just to add to my earlier comment. Here is a message for Senator McCain and his supportors. Mr. McCain brags that he is an expert in foreign affairs and military strategy. Well, I am outside U.S.A. and views the world from a different angle, what Mr. McCain is missing is that America has inadverntly weakened itself by going solo in the war on terror i.e in Iraq. Now America is almost bankrupt as a result of its wars, and can't even challenge North Korea or Iran. Obama at least knows that by involving other nations, it lowers the financial and human cost on U.S.A, for example Australia and othe countries have committed lots of resource for war in Afghanistan, but if America continues to alienate others, I forsee many countries pulling out of Afghanistan as they did in Iraq and definitely America won't win alone, it will be another Vietnam. So, people of America, vote wisely next month, the destine of your country is in your hands.

I do not understand why McCain feels the need to refer to everyone as "my friends." NEWSFLASH: NOT EVERYONE IS YOUR FRIEND, MCCAIN.

I read an article some time ago about how huge medical bills were one of the root causes of the sub prime market collapse. People saddled with big medical bills essentially gave up on their houses to concentrate money on their health. After all, what point is there in having a house if you're dead??

I don't think this should be overlooked, I've got a few friends who had to remortgage in order to pay medical bills and they had medical insurance! Their treatment just cost way more than they were insured for.

I from aussie but have to miss my lectures to watch the US debate. I think McCain's "it's easy we all know it" comments are so annoying not for me in particuar but for those who took their time to ask the qns.

Health Care and Tax cuts or breaks; So what's new. This same rhetoric has been spewed by just about every presidential candidate for the past 30 years. Health care costs money and whether or not you make it mandatory or not someone has to pay for it and it costs more than anyone of these two candidates plans will pay! 5000 tax credits are just a drop in the bucket and raising taxes brings in revenue. How about reducing government and taxing every US company who has taken any part of their business outside of the US a large sum of money to pay for the needed Healthcare. Ooops maybe not. As soon as Congressional and senate leaders get wind of new money, they will find some way to pocket it for themselves instead of returning it to the true American people. This type of behhavior should fall under espionage and be severely prosecuted in my opinion.

Michael is right about the US companies taking their business outside of the US. Even though I live in Australia, I contract through my small American Business to a large American business. About every 12 – 18 months I have to deal with that fact that my job skills will get outsourced to another country. I have managed to stay afloat because I had the luxury of moving to a time zone that allows me to support the American business off hours. It really amazes me that I worry about job security every year and also take a pay cut every year for the last 5 years just to keep money coming in. Until a leader can make a decision that will keep our Americans employed and paying taxes, these guys in our US government might someday be out of a job themselves when the tax money dries up. In the mean time the US companies are laughing all the way to the bank.

McCain easily won't the economic debate, and McCain will always win when it comes to foreign policy. I also believe Obama is a dangerous man not only to us but especially to Israel.

Coming from the Philippines, a country where health care is practically unheard of (apart from private insurers), I was very pleased to hear how Obama said that health care is a "right." If the government takes care of its people's health, then the people can contribute more productively to the government.

The most our Department of Health can do is tell the citizens what to do and what not to do to avoid infection, and guess what? It doesn't really work. I see children with tumors bulging out of their faces begging for medicine. I'm a government employee who was lucky enough to be able to afford private health insurance because my government-given policy just isn't enough. The older employees in my institution, on the verge of retirement, decided to continue working simply because our government LOST COUNT of the years of service that my colleagues had rendered, saying they were not qualified to receive their benefits. And our government doesn't do a darn thing about it.

America, be thankful you have someone who actually believes that health care is a right. Here in the Philippines, I'm being insured by a corrupt, bleeding, putrefying "Government Service Insurance System" that can't even count right.

I find it scary that McCain is even within 20 points of Obama. There are many examples of Universal health care around the world that work. Health Care is a human right and should NEVER be treated as a commodity. As Hubert H. Humphrey and many others have said:

"The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged; and those in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped."

The present Government and McCain's mantra appears to be the opposite.

The test is if you can pay good...if not ...good luck!!

The question on healthcare came from the person in the audience.

"Is health care a commodity".

If you say here is 5000$ and buy one for yourself cos the State has other things to do then the answer is a resounding YES it is a commodity. It's valued at 5000 per family, here is your money, find your insurance and off you go stop coming to the president for help!!.

Let me also add to my original comment

"my friends you dont understand it only cost 5000 to fix it".

For someone living in Australia and have lived in America too let me say America's greatest strength is creativity and its ability to come with radical solutions for the most challenging problems. Today it needs a leader like that who is innovative, energetic and belongs to a new generation!!.

I want to believe that American voters are sober and intelligent enough to realise that the "old veteran" is past his "sell-by date" and that Obama has the vigour, the ideas and the integrity to do what he promises and to bring diplomacy back into the world. God help America and the world if Americans cannot see this!

Aren't the Republicans supposed to be the party that wants less government? Buying bad mortgages, is that McCains idea of less government?

I noticed in the debate mccain seems to breath very nervously, or like gasping for air? He clearly did not want to be associated with the bush admin although u r on the same party. What's the use of having a united party if u dn't want to be linked with? and based fr the debate, he is not specific at all. While Obama laid it all out there. If the voters want specific, then give a lot of time, that's why it's specific, details, knit my knit. Obama is very sharp and precise. He is the kind of president that surely will not only listen to the concern of americansbut is embedded in him because he has lived it. He is the true american dream. U can always see and feel that he is sincere and very intelligent. And he will surely make it to the white house. He has it. Obama will be the next pres. of the USA.

BHO: HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT!

I'm voting for:

THAT ONE!

[JSMcC: inner thoughts: "...and I don't shake hands with one of 'them'...]

@ Arianna

:-D :-D ROFLOL. Yes, that 'my friends' started to make me want to slap him, after about the third one. It's his version of the Sarah ImPalin wink. Supposed to put you at ease, but actually ends up seeming false and mannered.

It probably seemed even more false, because the rest of McCain's body-language was so tense and angry.

That business with pointing at Senator Obama, and calling him 'That one' ... I think it's safe to assume EVERYONE here was brought up better than to behave like that? Let alone on international television, whilst running for President of the USA! 'McNasty', they called him, when he was a cadet at the Naval Academy. Seems he still is, at times!

If barak Obama stopped rising to and trading with MCains shots and just went after the issues he would raise his standing and the quality of his message to the American people

The only ways to get government-funded health care in the USA at the moment:

1. Be over 67 years old; you get Social Security and Medicaid.

2. Be under 18 and live in a group-home, juvenile correctional facility, special-needs home, or psychiatric-hospital, as a Ward of the State; until 18, they even cover dental and eye care.

3. Qualify (and it ain't easy) for Social Security Disability Insurance - which a person can get if s/he has contributed 10 years into the Social Security Administration, and is deemed Disabled, by a team of doctors who work for the Social Security Administration. You'll then receive monthly SSDI cheques (not enough to pay rent in a bedsit) from the Federal Government, Social Supplemental Income from your County (which is important, because they pay your Medicaid premiums, and provide Medicare - which has been gutted since I lived in the States, so I don't know what it covers). You also qualify for food-coupons, assistance with paying for energy bills, but NO HELP WITH HOUSING.

:-( This is why I live in England today. I kept my British citizenship, for 40 years of living abroad. Best thing I ever did. Here, the housing isn't NICE, but it's a place to live. I'd rather have a roof, under which to starve, than have food-coupons, and live under a bridge! Those are the choices, for many people - more, now the economy's down the loo.

Ironically, I was watching the news late last night and what McCain said about buying up the bad mortgages is almost exactly what the USA Federal Treasury had described when they said they’re going to use 300 billion to work with the individual companies to buy up the bad paper.

Hello from Singapore.

What is it with McCain? He walks and talks like a robot, it's quite pathetic.
Then there is that creepy laugh. Very strange

Obama has poise, grace and intelligence.

Obama you won sir, by far.

I have lived in both Britain and Australia and the Medicare in both countries is terrible. I wouldn’t wish social medical care on any country! God forbid!! Also, I wouldn’t live in England if they paid me. Somebody should ask why Scotland wants to brake away from the British union, and have already set up their own parliament!!

Jonathan Mann has repeatedly shown his tendency toward racial bias since Tiger Woods begin slipping in his rankings a couple of years ago. Tiger Woods has since regained his standings, but after seeing Mr. Mann practically titillated at the prospects of his becoming number two, I went from having a crush on him to having a strong distaste of him as a newscaster.

Placing him as commentator for what should be a non-biased and humorous look at politics was, in my opinion, irresponsible. If you compare the comments he makes in FAVOR of the Democratic ticket to ones made for the Republicans, CNN would see that there is a marked disparity.

Too bad, Jonathan, thank goodness you're Canadian, and let's just watch how this whole election turns out.

Karen

I am American living in Asia. I've lived in Asia for nearly 30 years. I've been sick and treated in hospitals in Korea, China, Taiwan and Indonesia. I had only one operation in the USA and it cost me more than all the illnesses and hospitalization I've experienced in 30 years in Asia.

Our US health system is the worst and most expensive! The Republicans and their big business buddies are destroying the country! It all started with Regan ... don't be fooled. It enough of the Republican lies and tricks. GO OBAMA. He has world experience and a vision for a better USA and thus a better world.

Mcsame why don't you just give up because you completely out of ideas....Go HOME and rest, Go sleep old man!. Watching mcshame yesterday just proved to me beyond doubt that he is just completely loosing it. Instead of focussing on issues like health care and the Economy, he instead just attacked Obama. 90% of mccain time was spent on attacking Obama than presenting issues affecting Americans and telling us his stupid ancient stories of Vietnam and war. we are tired of that crap Old man, cant you think of anything new. What a Bore you are Mccain, is that all you can talk about yourself being a prisoner of war. Tell us what you gonna do for the country. US is not a prision or Vietnam. I liked Obama so much yesterday coz he acted like a president. He was composed, confident and he hit the bulls eye not beating around the bush and to me I was the prize winner no doubt, he spoke what Americans wanted to know. As for Mcshame in the next debate if you have nothing new to say to Americans just stay at your home and save us the monotony and the lullaby war stories of yours!. Damn, when are we voting am just tired of watching this Old, outdated, old fashion and conservative Old McShame and his so called V.P Palin...You two Suck!!!. You can make a nice Couple together.

All the non- americans comments here prove why McCain should be elected. People cant wait to go to the US to work and live because its the best country in the world they want us to choose a president because he is a great or inspirational speaker. Anthony Robbins inspires million but I dont want him being president, often the most charismatic people are very poor leaders. The complete lack of leadership experience from Obama is similair to Bush who everone hates. Look to Obamas advisors as they will be running the country and these are old Washington politicians as always. He has not proven he can accomplish anything in a leadership position in government. His whole political career is geared toward being president with little or no experience. Look past the glitz of the presentation and the substance of the presentor which is suspect but hidden by excellen oratory skills.

MC Cain walks like a penguin but is less intelligent than a penguin

I have worked in medicine my whole life and I am with Tamara and
some of the others......$5000.00 a year is a joke believe me I know and then to be taxed and THEN (it gets worse) for people to have to go out and try to find something on their own "just ain't gonna happen"
Insurance companies are crooked too and will put all sorts of waivers and restrictions on policies..it is so bad now and drug companies
well I won't even go there. Insurance should be a right for every man women and child in this country.

The people remarking on Senator McCain's movements are sickening and depraved human beings. Do you not know he walks like that due to the torture he received in Vietnam? Is this the way Democrats think of the military? Please reassure me that the party who may control the White House and Congress do not all think like this.

Christine Debus, please come with me to a VA hospital and make your remarks.

Last night, McCain was downright nasty and condescending. If he thinks he will win over voters with that, he is dead wrong. Obama is truly articulate, extremely intelligent and such a class act. He' s right for America and for the world.

We were going to be greeted as Liberators in Iraq.
Who voted for this? – McCain
We are spending 10 billion dollars a month in Iraq
Who voted for this? – McCain
Soft spoken big stick!!? Another balderdash.
Who yelled and shouted bomb bomb bomb Iran? – McCain
George Bush in 8 yrs was supported 95% of the time.
By whom? McCain
For almost 3 decades he was in Washington.
Guess who? – McCain.
.. and he dares to talk about change
Guess who? – McCain

WOULD YOU RISK IT????

@Elove. what a joke of a statement.The pot calling the kettle black.McCain's campaign is run by 7 of the biggest lobbyists in Washington.everyone who runs the McCain campaign is tarnished.And to paint that accusation on Obama is ridiculous.Non-Americans like me want Obama to win because we dont want that America's stupid policies of last 8 years propogated by Bush and supported by McCain of bombing innocent people and keeping silent on real issues of genocide and creating a mess out of the global economy is persisted with.And one more thing about Judgement:McCain and you republican lot voted twice for the dumbest dumb president in the History of United States.That shows which person lacks judgement...its McCain who doesnt understand.Period.

@Lew
Then you must be rich enough to afford your own private healthcare but I will fight any attempt you make to deny the rest of us the RIGHT to access medicare. I can guess how you voted in our election 07 Lew and it would have been for the party taking us down the US road of privatised medicine. Thank goodness that party LOST.
But back to the US, it was a brilliant debate, an exceptionally high standard from both men. Go Obama so you can stop people bleeding to death on the streets and restore some dignity in the world.

most people on this board are fixated on the idea that winning a debate is equivalent to being an effective president..i also observe that most people feel that mouthing the middle class in every coversation no matter how inappropiate is equivalent to having empathy for the middle class and working people...sadly for most of you it aint, and the reverse is always the case...take it from me, i know..i am from Nigeria and we are saddled with our own little obama here, all rethoric and ideas but no clue in moving the country forward..

there is no substitute to experience and that maxim is more poignant to during difficult times...i am of the opinion that the greatest injustice this generation of americans could do to the coming generations, is to elect a president basically on rethoric, charm and over arching influence of the media to spin half truths and concot bogus polls..

America is at a threshold and the choice is theirs to elect a competent, experienced, firm, steady and i admit boring leader to provide effective ans sustainable leadership..or to appoint a smooth talking inexperienced novice on a personal journey of self discovery!

All those "foreigners" expressing their opinions here .... Thank goodness. They can't vote, but at least they can express their opinion. Americans should be informed of what folks in other countries are thinking ... because, like it or not, America plays a big, VERY BIG part in their lives. Those who think this doesn't matter or don't take this into consideration when they vote are doing OUR COUNTRY a disfavor and disservice, in fact, are down right unpatriotic.

DON'T FORGET YOUR ROOTS as if it doesn't matter. Live up to the dream of a better world that brought your ancestors to America!!

As an unemployed auto worker from Michigan, I find it disturbing that John McCain does not want a government which looks out for the health of its people. As Americans we should all have the same rights when it comes to quality health care. Why should a person have to suffer unneedlessly because they do not have health insurance and cannot afford to go to a doctor or buy the prescriptions they need? As someone who worked 40+ hours a week at a measly 10 dollar an hour wage, I can tell you 10 dollars an hour is not a living wage. I would love to see John McCain and his family try to live on 10 dollars an hour; I bet his opinion on government run healthcare would change if it were his family that needed coverage. His plan for healthcare is a joke, go ahead and try to find good insurance for 5 thousand dollars and good luck paying the taxes on it which McCain will impose. What will that leave you with? Even if you are under state aided insurance such as Medicaid, you might as well have none. Try to find a doctor or a dentist who will accept Medicaid clients as new patients. There are very few of them out there. I absolutely give McCain all of the respect he deserves for what he has given to our country and what he had to endure as a POW, but this does not mean he would be a President who would look out for all of America's citizens. Until the greed and lobbying stops in Washington, the only winners will be the rich and elite. I for one, cannot understand why this race is so close. It is truly disturbing to me that there are that many people in this country who are so ignorant to the facts and all of the rhetoric. I have always been a hard worker and give 100% to anything I do, but it sure does bring you down when you work as many hours as you can, but it will never be enough because of the meager wages paid by these big companies, while the CEOS bring home millions in bonuses every year. Until we get rid of the greed and corruption in our government, the rich will get richer and the poor will be destitute. In the long run we are working our way toward a war of the classes, rich vs. poor. We do not need another Civil War between Americans.

Think about it!
Tammy Fica

@ Lew

Ironically, I was watching the news late last night and what McCain said about buying up the bad mortgages is almost exactly what the USA Federal Treasury had described when they said they’re going to use 300 billion to work with the individual companies to buy up the bad paper.

Even MORE ironically, Senator Hillary Clinton submitted a bill like that in the Senate, back in the Spring...

and, assuming you're the same person,

@ Lew

I have lived in both Britain and Australia and the Medicare in both countries is terrible. I wouldn’t wish social medical care on any country! God forbid!! Also, I wouldn’t live in England if they paid me. Somebody should ask why Scotland wants to brake away from the British union, and have already set up their own parliament!!

It sure beats NO medical care. That's how I lived for two decades, because I couldn't afford insurance premiums in the USA. When I became Disabled, I got Medicare/Medicaid in the USA. Then, apart from finding doctors who were accepting new patients, and accepted Medicare/Medicaid - not always easy - I got really good medical care.

During those two decades I got VERY lucky. My only serious injury happened at work, and was covered by Workers' Comp, or I'd have been SCREWED! I DESTROYED my ankle. It had to be surgically reconstructed. If it had happened at HOME, I'd have been given a splint, a pair of crutches, maybe some vicodin, and sent home.

I was only rushed to the ER ONCE, with a life-threatening allergic reaction, and I was mostly covered by my student-insurance - I was in grad school at the time. That salad cost me $500 deductible ('excess', in England). How many grad-students have $500? I was pursued by collectors for a year. The insurance-bill was $45,000 and change!! Of course, I WAS rescuscitated, twice, in the ER. I was flat-line, stone-dead, twice, and brought back.

It scares me to death, now, remembering the chances I took, for 20 years, uninsured, in the USA.

After that, my doc, who allowed me to pay a sliding fee-scale, put me on shots, to prevent another allergic reaction. I didn't HAVE another one, until I was already Disabled, thank the gods.

You may have money, and you may have your health. You never know when you might lose either. Isn't it SMARTER to have socialised medicine (however flawed, and believe me, I'm no fan of the NHS, but I'm grateful for it) available, and allow people who want to, to opt OUT?

@ Dennis

Thank you, mate! It had to be said. I'm grateful it was said by a US citizen, as opposed to by me. I was never a citizen, but I lived in the USA for forty years. It was convenient, having a British passport, in the '70s, when I did a great deal of air-travel, particularly to India, because I didn't need a visa. I'm much less 'English', in the way I think, and the things I like, than I am 'American'. Forty years is a longish time. I love the USA.

I think the 'Corporate Health Industry' is an obscenity - morally, ethically, legally, medically... and virtually any physician in the USA will say the same. They don't like being told what they may and may not do, by some punk with an MBA. That's not why they became physicians.

The hospitals are OWNED by insurance companies - no conflict of interest there! Top-quality health care (like the pre-Thatcher NHS) should be available, at no cost, to all comers, in all countries.

It works in Canada. It works in Oz. It's been mucked up here... Needs a good house-cleaning, but it gets the job done.

From Britain's ITN News today, a report on 'Racism in the US Presidential Campaign'.

I've said a few of these things, in another thread... very vindicating to see it on the news here.

Look up 'More-4 News UK 08 Oct 08' to find this report. I don't know how to make video clips, or I'd You-Tube this, it's that good.

First, there was a consulant (sorry, can't remember the name) from Washington, D.C. Not only did he say outright, that 'Muslim' is code for 'Black', but he also went so far as to say he thought McCain seemed thought-disorganised, and that he answered questions with snippets of stump-speeches and insults against Obama, and as the 90 minute wore on, he seemed less and less able to stay on topic. He actually said, 'It makes one wonder whether he is fit to serve in the Senate, let alone be President'.

That, people, is one of the pair of elephants in the living room, about which NO ONE on CNN has said a word. His age IS an issue, if he's increasingly bizarre, resorting to winding up race-hatred in his campaign, and given the 'erratic' behaviour around the Senate 'bailout' bill - y'know, where he dashed off to D.C. to save the day - and the choice of Sarah Palin (which is not entirely supported by the Republican Party) on what appears to be a whim?

I am not saying he is or isn't losing his marbles. I agree with that commentator that McCain did seem thought-disorganised, toward the second half of the Debate, in particular.

His proposal to buy up all the bad-mortgages was, as Ron noted above, a complete U-turn. It happens not to have been one he told his advisors about, until after he said it. The Situation Room said that McCain's people had to explain it was a 'new policy decision' this morning.

As for the other elephant, the report followed three members of a Steelworkers' Union, going door-to-door, in Pennsylvania. They hear the 'he's Muslim' line all the time. They also hear 'I can't bring myself to vote for no Black boy'. The latter is unusual, but it happens.

I said this in a blog somewhere, yesterday night:

It's much easier to tell the world that he's Muslim, than it is to admit to yourself, that you're racist.

Isn't is strange, that the 'Muslim' lie has not died, and is even used by people who simultaneously find fault with Obama's Christian Pastor? That contradiction has left people completely unfazed.

Now, they've dragged in this guy, who, if you're involved in Education in Chicago, you're bound to have met, Bill Ayers. Yes, in the 1960s, he was a founding member of the Weather Underground. They were PEACE ACTIVISTS, engaging in property damage.
Read more here. about the pains they took, to make sure that nobody would get hurt.

Curiously, I remember the Weather Underground, and how much I admired them, for just that reason! Blowing property up is illegal, but so was the Viet Nam War, and, unlike the War, the Weather Underground never hurt people. I'm from Lower Manhattan. I have zero tolerance for terrorism.

In this case, I think Sarah Palin is playing very fast and loose with the Commandment against 'bearing false witness against thy neighbour'!

Bill Ayers - regardless of whether or not you think his activities were 'terrorist' in the '60s - is a Professor, at the University of Chicago. So was Barack Obama. They served on a committee together. How is what Bill Ayers was doing, when Barack Obama was eight years old have anything to do with who Barack Obama is??

Obviously, it doesn't. It's pure fear-mongering. Obama's 'Muslim'. Thus, it must follow that he's a 'Terrorist'. Well, there's a new high in playing to the basest fears of the mob-mentality in America!

It's cringe-worthy. I'm cringeing on behalf of people in the States. How stupid does the McCain campaign believe you all are?

I don't know how you can be an adult in America and not have healthcare. I am in a food industry non -mgt job and pay 48 bucks a week for Aetna, with an 80/20 split and a max out of pocket of $ 3000, after $750 deductable. This is for a family plan. Single coverage is appx $20. a week. I drive a 5 year old car and my wife does also. She just had a 5 hour arterial by pass and spent 8 days in the hospital. Surgeon $450, hospital $2000, and anesthsia appx $800. this was my portion.Aetna paid a lot more. It is a matter of prioritys If you are an adult with a family act like it ,buy less glitz, and take care of your self. If you have car or home insurance buy the most coverage you can afford not the save you specials that end up screwing you. If you can't get a job with benefits you should get a second job or go back to school.

This election is crazy. I lost my job two weeks ago. I live in North Carolina.In a small town.Our plant gave no warning. 475 people no job We get paid Till end Nov.But Employment checks want pay the insurance to keep it and pay bills. The people in our town are ILL. Our plant used a lot of water .Which brought a lot money into the. Some town workers have to cut hours. Our plant is going over sea. Company people say it has to keep up with world . I can't understand this.There is no jobs here maybe we should move overseas.

It's so funny how everyone forgets what has happened in the past, say with the Clinton administration. He was offered Bin Ladin (sp) three times and turned the offer down all three times.. There were several terriorist attacks on Americans during his 8 years and he did nothing. He talked, but he never walked . The Twin Towers had a bomb set off in the garage but with minor damage; the Cole was damaged, still nothing, a Marine barracks was attacked and several of "our" soldiers were either killed or badly wounded, still nothing was done and there were others. You people who so admire Obama are blind to who he really is. He has terriorist friends, he prefers the name Obama instead of Barry whcih he used when he was younger. His middle name is Hussain (sp). His minister is racist againt all white people and Obama listened to his views for more than 20 years. He has refused to salute the flag or wear a flag pin until he was advised to do so by his advisors as it didn't look good to the American people. We are headed to become a Socialist/Communism country becasue everyone wants the government to take care of them. Why not take care of yourselves as our forefathers did, as our founding fathers planned. Keep government out of our lives and we will prosper. Let the government plan your every move and take over more of your freedoms and the great country, America, will be no more. Run your own lives. Repulicans have made a lot of mistakes but look at Ronald Regans administration and you will see what it takes to be a real President of a great country. Do you really think that you can talk with the leaders of Iran, Russia, Afganistan, etc. and really get them to see the error of their ways? They will say "Oh, yes we are so bad and we will repent" and as soon as you turn your back you will be dead. Now, Obama says he can do this and he is probably right as he has many "friends" in these countries. I'm not saying that McCain is the answer but I know that he does not want to harm his country, as he fought too hard to honor it. Please, just open your eyes and don't listen to words when you see nothing to back them up. Talk, talk, talk – what are Obama plans to do all the things he says he will? He hasn't said has he? You people who are not American citizens do not have the right to voice any opinions; just pay attention to running your own country and keep your ideas about what America should do to yourself. Our business is not yours! America – you need to think for yourselves and stop running with the crowd. THINK!!!!!

We need change like Obama said

KNOWS HOW TO WIN WARS? I want believe that McCain really does! So he does know how to win wars yet he kept that secret formular to himself and from his friend Pres. George Bush, and most importantly from his fellow Americans. He let America loose several thousand young lives and several hundreds of thousands injured, and several billions of Dollars wasted when he had a secret formular for winning the war and capturing Bin Laden?

For a man who claims to be most patriotic and shows others as less patriotic how evil can he further be??? So he believes that the only time winning this war will make sense is if he is allowed to be president. He is so dumb that he could see that Americans would have give him the presidency if he brought this magic formular and the war was won. This is nothing but a syndrome of grand delussion.

One more thing to think about when it comes to Obama. Where did all of his money come from? When was the last time a Presidential canidate visited other countries before the election was even held? That cost "someone" a lot of money. I believe that Obama is a puppet with someone, or someone"s (a lot of someone's) holding the strings. If Obama is elected president he will "NOT" be president, not really. The ones who have financed his campaign will be the "Presidents" of America, Obama will simply do as he is told. I almost feel sorry for him but I believe he knows what is expected of him for the money that has allowed him to live in an expensive house, drive fancy cars and have more money to spend then any other canidate to date. When he went visiting other countries it appeared as if he was running for President of the world, not just of America. I was certainly surprised by his "visits" and going to countries who hate America and not be heavily guarded but walked around like anyone else. People who are "bought" will have to someday pay for the luxuries that were given to them. American's have turned into greedy, self-serving people who are looking out only for themselves and to hell with everyone else. Taxing the rich, as Obama indends to do, is a socialist idea. Everyone should be equal in what they make, how they live, what jobs they will be able to get, etc. America is the dream that the whole world wants to live. You can come here and make yourself successful if you work hard enough; you can become anything/one you want to be. This is the America everyone in the world envys. I believe the stock market is hurting right now because the people who have the money to invest are taking it out to hide it somewhere so that Obama can't tax the heck out of them. Obama's plan is already backfiring on him. Everyone should be treated and taxed the same. People who have worked hard should be able to keep their money and the people who are on Welfare should go find themselves a job. There are families on Welfare that have been on it for several generations. From grandparents to parents to their kids. They feel it is owed them for what? For being born in America? We have all (most of us) been born in America and the majority work hard to make their dreams come true. Obama is not a bad person, I think he was caught up in the excitment of going to expensive schools and being handed the good life after liveing relatively poor his whole childhood.
We will all pay for the decisions that Obama has made and I don't think that America will ever be the same again. Our 200 years are just about up and we will join the powers of the past like the Roman Empire who thought they would be in power forever. Power and greed have killed America and you who are voting for Obama must share the blame for its demise. God Bless America? I don't think so as we have turned our backs on Him and now we will pay the price.
God help the believers as the future is a bleak one. People, I will say it agian, do not run with the packs, think for yourself and think hard.

Health care is a right. I totally agree with that. Obama and Hilary is united on that one.
It's pretty obvious who made more sense and is in touch with the ordinary folks.

They are both politicians. They are both biased, they both have their own agendas (not the published ones) and they both want power (what power? we owe 10 trillion dollars to the world!!!). Since there is no power to be had; they both are not my choice. We need a third option that is neither liberal nor conservative. Neither capitalist nor communist, and neither a democrat nor a republican. In other words; OUT WITH THE ENTIRE CONGRESS and call for full elections for the house of representatives and the senate as well as the VP and the P. Each state nominates one candidate for the P and the VP and we, the people, elect the one. It's called "back to square one" politics.

Obama is dishonest, my gut and my heart tells me he does not have our best interest at heart. If he's just honest with the people we can just accept that. He also she be under investigation by the FBI or other agency, due to all of his associations. The man is a socialist and I'm afraid of what's going to happen if he gets in!

Michael West – you have a great idea. I'm not too happy with either canidate either.

I also don't remember the consitution saying that everyone has a "right "to health care. I went without health care for a few years as I'm sure everyone has at some time in their life. I didn't go crying to the government to take care of me, I took care of myself. The government needs to back off and get out of our lives. Now the "government" is thinking about taking over some of our banks! Give me a break! The "government" is already over a trillion dollars in debt and I don't think that includes the 700 BILLION dollars they are asking for now.

Lets see, now who are Obamas financial advisors? Could they be the very ones who were the top dogs at Fannie May and Max? Now just what are their names? Hummmmmmmmmmm? I think they are perfect choices to run Americas finances, don't you?

Obama says he is going to lower taxes for 95% of the people, I don't see how he will be able to do that and pay for all of the programs that he wants to fund(health care, education, welfare, etc..) If he just raises taxes on the top 5% of people, these people will just pack their money away in tax shelters and avoid paying the higher tax. What will then happen is Obama will have to lower the threshold of the "rich" people he will need to tax to pay for his programs.

as the two great candedeters in american our comments have vallidity. so obama is the right person. from the very bigging i look their running. but they are in to two ends. obama in high peak and th man he calling his freinds for pol obama commedian mr. mccain. americans don't take easy for hard easy. you should take an example george w bush look the crisis. now also rising the new leyer sen. mccain. look the above comments great financial advisor mr, obama talking always about the reality and the future of america but republicans are talking about him always. anyway we blieve in change is the faith full slogan.

Everyone is yelling, no, they are demanding "Change"! Not all change is for the good. When you are yelling for change, be specific about the changes you are wanting and make sure that just because "someone" says that he will give you change that the two of you are like minded. What "change" means to you can mean something entirely different to someone else, especially if that someone is seeking a very powerful office.

Mccain, well republicans in genreral, get off your high,high horse. Who do you think you are fooling. Your double standards are sickening, lets see Palin comes out of the blue tooting her very inexperianced and belittling horn. And gets caught in her legal woes, they start bad mouthing Obama from the get go, then Obama is told to take back governor Lewis's comment. HU!! this is ridiculously racial and hypocritical . Somebody give the republicans a big-*<?$#% job. Please

Back to health care when a person is to scared to go to a doctor let alone the emergency room because they can't afford the minimum.
This fact is simply embarrasing for this country. Wake up America Public health care it works very well for many other great countries. And yes we do very well deserve it.
Thank you for the space

Here's my bottom line:
A President should possess and be capable of communicating a vision to the country, and the country should suspend its cynicism long enough to consider new possibilities.

He should identify and implement viable solutions that will stand the test of time. I don't want to hear about getting some money to spend (whatever's left after taxes) on current healthcare services. It's a disgrace that citizens of the wealthiest country on earth can be denied healthcare treatment simply because they have a "pre-existing condition" or can't afford it. Medical treatment should be a right, not a previlege.

Similarly, when it comes to transitioning this country off its oil dependency and onto clean renewable energy sources, I want to hear that innovativation and international marketability will be higher priorities than "cost oversight". The development and manufacturing of new energy technologies could not only be an enormous engine for our economy, it could also transform the health of our planet.

And when it comes to the command of our miltary, as much as I care that our President know how to win a war, I first want him to know how to win peace. Dialogue without preconditions is what we would expect from our allies and foes, therefore we should extend the same respect to them. Arrogance is no way to make new allies, let alone resolve conflicts.

For these reasons and more, I will be voting for Obama.

(BTW, that "overhead projector" that Obama voted for is actually a highly sophisticated planetarium projection system. He should be proud to have supported something that furthers the knowlege of our citizens. If McCain sees that as a negative, well, you figure it out...

There are no key differences between the two candidates. They both want to expand the Government. They both want to continue the printing press in the Federal Reserve and therefore debase and devalue the U.S. Currency. They both want to continue our foreign policy of interventionism. They both want to invade our privacy with the Patriot Act and the FISA Bill Amendments Act of 2008. The list of similarities far outweighs the differences.

As a diabetic I understand the need for health care. I find it unrealistic that McCain is offering folks taxation on beneifits and a maximum of $5,500.00 for a year. Does he have a clue how much most insurance companies will charge monthly for a healthy person much less a person that has illnesses such as diabetes. The monthly costs are ranging from $1000 to $2000 plus per month if you can find private insurance to cover you. Tat does not cover the co-pays and the higher deductables. I think he needs to get back in touch with the issues that really face health care.

Today I listened to a televised clip of a Pastor at a McCain rally and heard a racist prayer which ignited indifference and tried to provoke some Christian Americans to change their vote from Obama to McCain. I think America should realize that Obama had nothing to do with his name. That was his parents' decision. To cause such hatred to arise in the hearts of many americans is absolutely ridiculous, racist, cruel and ungodly. The Bible teaches us to love one another which is the greatest commandment in the Bible; but the attempts we have seen to destroy a person's character and integrity goes against every principle that has been taught to us by Christian America. Many Americans are deciding to vote for issues that affect them and will cause change in our present government. We are not voting for personalities, we are voting for the person who can successfully institute effective change. Whether that person is McCain or Obama is up to the American people and not propaganda. We will vote the issues. America is not ignorant of the devices that have been perpetrated upon us for years. We are definitely ready for change. We are forgetting those things which are behind and pressing forward to better days ahead. We are faced with serious issues with the economy, health care, wars, social security, poverty, education, housing, crime, aids epidemic, research, wasted spending, financial security, retirement, etc. This has affected all of us. We must stop all this madness with attacks on character and let's address the issues of our hearts.

Who's Who's among Americans to say, that we WILL vote for a Lt. and a SSgt. be it (DEMO) before we will vote for a over aged Capt. and a Pvt. be it (Rep). The world reconized the U.S. situation and know's that the economy needs the (Depo's) to make a change and carried out The U.S. plan of the future.

Rediram,
N.C.

Hi, I watched CNN daily and interested about the world news. It’s also very interesting to watch about the campaign for the new president. Of United States. In my opinion, Mccain is using a general ways of principles how was America before and at the moment. Bush is Republican it doesn’t mean that the mistakes done by the last elected president is fault of the new running as a president. Mc cain is talking about the principles, dignity and how he is proud to be American and served Amerca as a hero. Obama and Mc cain are talking the problem about the economic problems of America right now. Obama has a lot of plans to be considered. But the question is. Can he really do all this promises he gives to his campaigned. Don’t make a lot of promises. You can promised a lot, but if you are become the president. You can't just do all you promises to the people. Obama promised that he will make a change in America if he will Elected as the President of America, as well as Mc cain. I don't think that they can both gives the satisfaction of the American people, what the people needs to their daily lives. Even they promised a lot to do something to change America.

America is America. The matter here is the power they can have if they elected as the president of United States. The people will not be the beneficiary of their plans as they promised. The people have to help them to regulate the income of America.

I think the America should think very wise which candidates they want to be as their president. Both candidates have their own thought and plans for the better future of America. Who is the right President of United States. The people will decides.

Mc cain as a hero with proud and dignity as American and has a strong character to stay on foot to his decision no matter what as long as America is proud and not defeated.
Obama who served as a senator who is proud to be a candidates as a president of United States. A strong will of change for better future of America.
If I will choose, I will choose Mc cain as president and Obama as vice president…….

In relationship to their "stand" with taxes and the bailout, I would like to understand how the Congress can pass a bill to refund money to the financial companies that are taking homes away from people. How is this bailout going to help people who are about to lose their homes because of the banking system's mishandling of their mortgage system? I would like to have specific answers from both candidates on how this will help people, not the banks!