Widespread torture of prisoners has defamed our international reputation. Illegal wiretapping has undermined precious constitutional rights.

The Iraq War, based on lies and without the support of the international community, has weakened us financially and morally while killing over 4,000 Americans and many more Iraqis. Over four million Iraqis are now refugees.

I do not agree that John McCain would continue the devastation of Bush’s years. He staunchly opposes torture. However, he denied that the rising financial crisis existed until he suddenly supported socialism for Wall Street.

I believe that if he and others in power had insisted upon enforcing the transparency that is the bedrock of capitalism, we could have been spared the current emergency. He opposed "regulation," including that of insisting that the irresponsible packagers of super-risky financial products reveal their products’ source and risk.

I disagree that the "surge" was successful because there were other factors that may have decreased the violence, and we don’t know whether it will continue when U.S. troops leave, as the Iraqi government seems determined they will.

I believe Barack Obama is a better candidate.

He seems much more fiscally responsible. His experience with community organizing means he understands the needs of "main street" and has learned how to promote them.

He has opposed the Iraq war from the beginning and shares my belief that there are better ways to confront the very real problems in this world. Talking with people is surely cheaper than bombing them, and I suspect it is usually more effective in making significant lasting positive change.

I will vote for Barack Obama on Nov. 4 and hope many others do too.