“If I am elected president..no.. when I am elected president”, John McCain says, reminiscent of when George W. Bush made a similar comment years ago, “...I will veto every pork barrel bill that comes across my desk... You will know their [bill supporters] names because I will make them famous”. Enthusiastic cheers roared behind him as he alludes to prosecuting pork barrel spending supporters. This was the best speech John McCain has given since his campaign began. Unfortunately for their campaign, it was given two days before the general election. And while it carried an echo of the “Braveheart” battle crys Barack Obama consistently delivers, it was no where near as compelling.

John McCain has been a good senator and has managed to walk the fine line between democratic and republican policies well. He signed on Sarah Palin to shore up his weakness with the main republican base because of his independent ideals. When running for president though, John McCain has completely lost his way. Assaulting Obama's perceived passionate beliefs as opposed to leading with his own. Here and there, a glimmers of righteousness bleeds through as in the case of correcting one of his constitutes stating Obama is an “arab”. Hopefully, when all of this is over John McCain re-finds himself and this campaign does not leave a mark on his political career. It may however.

That said, Obama's campaign has been inspiring, almost artistically beautiful at times. I'm sure Hollywood will eventually even make a movie about it. McCains campaign, in comparison, has been erratic and undisciplined. He has thrashed publicly trying to settle on what policies he should be supporting. He's made statements about how jobs shipped overseas will never come back and we should learn to accept this. Now he's saying otherwise. He's said that we should not help those under foreclosure pressure and then he creeped back in the other direction. He made the statement the “economy is fundamentally strong”, the day it collapsed. On many topics throughout his career, I've agreed with John McCain. Throughout this campaign, its been tough to identify, just where he stands. Its one thing to find a different perspective as the world changes and crisis arise, this McCains views have been changing almost daily.

Even two days before the election, their campaign still feels like its in startup mode, trying to feel out where they fit in the market. Ironically, on many issues they seem to be floating towards the policies that Obama has been championing. This is not to say Obama's campaign has been perfect. Statements about eliminating military size, programs and research have hurt him. His campaign however has been much more effective at softening these views and tactfully providing an answer. This again reiterates the difference between Obama and McCain. Obama has consistently seems prepared and performs in a prepared manor. McCain has been a visage of surprise.

I came into this election voting republican in the primaries. I'm coming out of this election voting for   Barack Obama. Barack has demonstrated a better advisorial staff, a more clear vision, and a more inspiring personality which will definitely help both in foreign policy and persuading the country to start spending again.

There were many arguments put forward countering this conclusion. None of them were absolutely compelling. Socialism for example. Systems like the fire department, the police department, the public school system, and the Army Corp. of Engineers are all technically “socialist” institutions. Additionally, there are many states like Nevada and New York that already give way more to the federal government than they get in return. This is also “socialism”. Pure capitalism would not have either of these. Think of a major city where only the rich have a fire department. The entire city would be burning down around the rich before anything is done. It would be unlikely with that much destruction, the fire department would be able to save even the rich areas. These are some things government has had to step in and create. Even the internet came out of a government program. This is not to say that there are government programs that aren't efficient. It is to say that socialism isn't bad just because its socialism.

Other things like taxes being raised are also a non-issue. Its pretty clear at this point that with the government debt being so high, taxes are going to go up no matter what. Both campaigns acknowledge that we can't continue spending at this rate. Foreign powers are buying our debt and this is a threat to national security. Its a taxation on our future and it won't continue forever. John McCain's plan is a catch-22.  The government expanded 40% under George W. Bush. The national debt continues to grow by billions every month. In order for John McCain to balance the budget, not raise taxes, continue this war and only freeze government spending on “non-critical” things like veterans benefits, he is going to have to raise taxes or layoff government employees. George Bush Sr. also made this promise. Remember “no new taxes”. Ultimately even he, the descendant of Reagan economics had to raise taxes or further increase government debt.

GDP went down 0.3% this quarter. Consumer spending is down. People have lost their jobs and those that haven't are afraid of losing them. The economy won't come back unless both of these concerns are addressed honestly and persuasively in the current crisis. John McCain's economic policy isn't completely honest in this perspective.

In less than two days we will know the outcome of this election and this discussion will become more than just hypothetical. In a different circumstance, John McCain's ideas, as they are, might have been effective. Currently, Obama's ideas are the most realistic approach to moving this country forward. On Tuesday, I will be voting for Barack Obama. I hope you will too.

Please leave comments below. I am interested in hearing your thoughts.

• McCain
• Obama
• economy
• taxes