Barack Obama said he telephoned administration officials in 2005 and warned them to do something to avoid economic disaster. He said they did nothing. He continued by saying John McCain's reputation for deregulation had worsened the disaster.

The deregulation he referred to must have been the 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. That deregulation repealed Great Depression-era bank regulations with the approval of former president Bill Clinton. McCain voted for the first version of the Gramm bill but did not vote on the final measure.

Joe Biden voted against the initial bill but for the final product. Unproved rhetoric!

McCain said in 2005 he cosponsored Senate Bill S190 to add oversight to prevent economic disaster. Obama not only didn't put his signature on the bill but also was only "present" when Democrats voted against the bill. Proven action!

Obama said he told Senate leaders if they needed help to negotiate a bill to solve the economic disaster, they could call him. More rhetoric!

McCain suspended his campaign and returned to the Capital to encourage negotiation on a bill to solve economic disaster. Real action!

Obama said President Bush's budgets are to be blamed for our economic problems. He failed to mention our Constitution requires spending bills originate in Congress. A president can only sign or veto bills sent him. Blame your actions on someone else? Omitted rhetoric!

McCain said he would veto bills that were laden with pork, relying on Citizens Against Government Waste and Taxpayers Union to cross check Congressional bills for hidden pork.

I'll always vote for action over rhetoric.

Richard J. Kuehl

Pinehurst