We discussed the American presidential election in our global phone-in programme Talking Point.
BBC News website, BBC World Service Radio and American National Public Radio's WLRN station also brought together opinions from around the world in special phone-in debate.
This is the first page of your comments on the US election.
Your comments:
As an American, I am disgusted by and ashamed of the behaviour of this administration. I am frightened for the future of this once great nation if we must endure four more years. Bush and his cronies are counting on the ignorance and apathy of a frighteningly large number of Americans.
Lezlie Nann, Philadelphia, PA, USA It angers me when fellow Americans do not realise that the whole world relies on each other. I am sick of the "only America matters" attitude. People seem fine going and getting ourselves involved in the business of other countries but get angry when others show interest in ours. America DOES make choices that are relative to the world so the interest and concern is valid. The biggest issues for me this election are Iraq, outsourcing, and education. I am voting for Kerry. He has sense.
Aimee Long, Ironton, OH, USA
I feel a great sense of apprehension as the election nears. Like many informed Americans, I am greatly disturbed by the problems with our "democratic" electoral system, as well as the long-term consequences of four years of renegade leadership, and am deeply disturbed by the prospect of four more.
Stu Bryson, Boise, Idaho USA
The voters of the US will have their votes and choices negated by the machinations of the legal lobby and its hordes of greedy legal counsels.
Charles Lund, Madrid, Spain
The electorate is not being told the truth about what has happened and is occurring now in Iraq, just as it was lied to about the so-called Tonkin incident which was fabricated to excuse American interference in Vietnam. Similarly, the turnaround in the US economy is startling; the Americans again will look to divorce themselves from the responsibility of paying for their involvement in an expensive war. The rest of the world will ultimately pay through higher rates, inflation, stagnation and a lower US dollar. Neither man has a solution for the problems the US, and by inference the rest of the world now faces. The world is in for a rocky four years regardless which of the two main candidates win the presidency.
Tony Cartmer, Sydney, Australia We in the rest of the world cannot choose for the Americans. But the Americans should remember the responsibility that providence has thrust on them to choose between self-destructive arrogance and world respect.
Dr Babatunde Bello, Lagos
I believe that the result of this election will have a major impact on the rest of the world...whether in a good or a bad way. I'll do what I can with my vote to try and set this country on the right track away from fundamentalism.
Ryan, Georgia, USA
I will be glad when the election is over. There has been too much media hype with the risk of voters making decisions based on emotion rather than knowledge. I will vote for the current President Bush and should he not be elected, I will support Kerry and pray for him. The most important issue for me is having someone in office who is a leader, not a follower of opinions, someone who has the courage of his conviction - not someone easily swayed by opinions of all others, someone who seeks the best for the US - not someone who seeks the best for his or her self.
Penny, USA
The outcome of this election has the power to change the world as we know it. On one hand if Bush is re-elected our troops will no doubt stay stationed over in Iraq and to keep this war going we may have to reinstate the draft, Roe V. Wade may be overturned, and the constitution may be amended for the first time in over 100 years. Also if Kerry is elected we may soon see our boys returning home, healthcare could change for the better by becoming cheaper and available to all, and our relations with other countries would most likely get better across the board. I think that ever single issue affects me and is therefore important and I think that at this point Senator Kerry is the candidate with the people's views and well-being in mind.
Cari, Indianapolis, IN, USA People seem to either love Bush or hate him. The tough choices he has had to make mostly stem from his own deeply flawed foreign policy.
Mustaqeem, UK
There are millions working hard and praying for a change in the White House on November 2nd. Bush refuses to change his failed policies on jobs, healthcare, and Iraq. Another four years of Bush will further sink the United States into depths unknown.
Matt Baumann, Winona, Minnesota, USA
I think Bush has got it all wrong. He started a war without any regard for the UN and now the country is paying dearly for it. He has let down the American people by hoodwinking them into believing that Saddam was the real threat to the war with doctored intelligence reports. The people of America should know that voting him out will be a sure step in ensuring that America becomes less of a target state for terrorists.
Kingsley Eke, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
I hope that the Americans vote well. I do not want to comment any further than this: I wish you a president that is on the one hand interested in the social and commercial well-being of the US citizens and who understands on the other hand the importance, fragility and complexity of international relations and stability. It is a hard job which requires a real personality. Whatever the outcome we non-Americans have to accept and deal with it. The decision has a huge impact on the rest of the world for sure, but it is and stays US vote!
Susanne, Germany
I think that it is pretty sad that if given other choices for President, half of the US population would not vote for either candidate. It seems that it has come to the point that only millionaires can run for the office of the president. What we in the US need is a person to run this country that has a basic understanding of human nature, has a kind heart and can listen to others and understand their views, which our current thief (oops I mean President) doesn't seem to have. There needs to be campaign finance reform, where each candidate gets a certain amount of money and air time on the TV for commercials. If they run out of money, or the allotted time on the air, too bad. In the US the almighty dollar has become the main goal and who ever has the most, wins. I don't believe that our founding fathers thought that would ever happen. And I do not believe they would approve. I know I don't.
Sarah Tyrrell, Littleton NH, USA
What I find interesting is how many people outside the US are saying, "Because the US influences us so much, we have a big stake in this." While it is true that the US influence extends beyond our borders, it is also true that our influence is greatly exaggerated by people looking to avoid responsibility. It is much easier to blame a far-away, all-powerful entity when things go wrong than it is to analyze your own contributions to the situation.
Jim , NJ, USA
 |  I am simply tired of all of the hullabaloo about the election |
To be clear, I am a supporter of the President and will vote for him. I am simply tired of all of the hullabaloo about the election. I would like for November 2 to be yesterday. It really doesn't matter in the long run who wins. The US will muddle through. Should Mr. Kerry win, he will be my president and I will respect him for the responsibility he will carry.
Judy Bower, Texas, US Mind our own business? Whenever there is a crisis in the world... the first question asked is: "What is America going to do about this?" Be careful what you wish for people... you might get it.
Laura Clarke, USA
We hear so much about the President's role as Commander in Chief, but why does no one care that his equally crucial role in the constitution is that of chief diplomat?
Ed, London, UK
Which ever of the candidates wins the elections, one of their more pressing priorities is to embark on a hearts and minds 'war' to win back favourable opinion. I notice most of the barbed comments here are between Americans and Europeans. I think the Americans should look across the Pacific as well and see what an appalling reputation they have here in Asia. The past 4 years have done untold harm to the opinions of the average Asian and I suggest, humbly, that the American voter take this into consideration. After all, the future power base will be in Asia. Don't pretend otherwise so better get mending those fences!
Stephen, Bangkok, Thailand
| I would have to say that world opinion strongly influences about 50-60% of US voters |
The US is, and always has been, a nation of immigrants. For that reason we have always considered the opinions of foreigners with great respect, especially the British. I would have to say that world opinion strongly influences about 50-60% of US voters, and that is a good thing. Often times we are a little too close to the subject to get a good view.
Brent, Philadelphia, USA The international community should try to understand that, right now, Americans are focused on how to protect themselves. We don't see a lot of support in the international community. We believe we have an approach to fight terrorism. We don't see any other countries with strong proposals for fighting terrorism. Perhaps if we had, we wouldn't be having this conversation now.
Andrea, NY, USA
To Andrea of NY: We don't see a lot of support in the international community because we shunned the international community. We used to have leaders who were actively engaged with the rest of the world, but our current president would rather spend his working days on his ranch than meeting with other world leaders. Nothing personal, Mr. Bush, but you are negligent in your job duties. Maintaining international diplomacy is job one, and he is either incapable or unwilling to meet the task. Sadly, many Americans seem to have forgotten the importance of such diplomacy, as it is vital to our security.
Howard, Sacramento, USA
I think that the US election is extremely important to world affairs. It could change the trend of things in my country (Liberia) thus affecting me directly. Our world is becoming radical on a daily basis and with a man like Bush as the leader of the only super-power one can be assured that radical nations, radical individuals and radical situations will be promptly brought under control. This is not to mean that President Bush is a radical president but that he has the guts. He has what it takes.
Jerry J. Tiehn, Accra, Ghana
Given how much America influences the rest of the World, for good and for bad, I don't really think it's unreasonable that the rest of the World should make it's views known. Yes, a few of the comments being made by non-Americans are probably a bit hysterical. But they're no more hysterical than a lot of comments being made by Americans themselves, on both sides of the political divide.
Myself, I don't think the sky is going to fall in, whoever wins. But, still, I think Kerry would be quite a lot better president than Bush. Let's face it, it's not as if he would have a hard act to follow.
Mark MacCallum, Wellington, New Zealand
The more I hear non-Americans complain about our President Bush, the stronger my support for him becomes. It truly is none of your business. If you don't like what the US is doing in the world, take it up with your government before you start crying about ours. Most of us Americans are happy with the tough choices President Bush has made.
Clifford Burton, Pennsylvania, USA To Clifford: If America minded its own business and didn't interfere in the rest of the world then we wouldn't have such strong opinions of the American leadership. Fact is, whoever gets elected we are going to be on the receiving end, so we have as much right to comment as Americans do.
Andy, UK
I think the citizens of the United States need to understand that a vote for Bush is a slap in the face to the world community. America can be forgiven for not knowing what their current president would do during his four years in office, but if re-elected, they are wilfully accepting an Administration that has made this world less safe through both his irresponsible economic policies and his military campaigns. I haven't elected George Bush, however I, like the rest of the world, must live with the results of his actions everyday, and I resent it.
Kendra Hawke, Toronto, Canada
Those who are hysterically anti-Bush are the same people who were hysterically anti-Clinton and will always be anti-American. Face up to the truth you people. Let the Americans decide what they want without interference.
Dave, Cambridge, England
I get an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think about George Bush continuing four more years in office. In the past few years, I have gone from living comfortably to several bouts of unemployment and eventually bankruptcy. The broken promises of this administration ring loudly in my ears. America's safety net is fragile at best, and this president has no desire to rectify that unfortunate fact. People like me from the shrinking ranks of the mighty American middle class are slowly gaining focus on the real issues that affect us and how we should vote. Our deficit is going through the sky while our international reputation has gone rock bottom.
Barry, Alabaster, Alabama, USA The US elections are so flawed that we will never know who actually wins. Our "democracy" is all about money, negative TV advertising, and outright cheating at the polls. We might as well just come right out and sell the presidency to the highest bidder. It would be more honest than the farce we now are obliged to endure.
Joe, Santa Fe, USA
This election is critically important to the entire world. Those who scoff at the Bush Administration's policies are either ignorant of or in denial of reality. This Administration toppled the Taliban and Saddam Hussein regimes, paving the way for democracy and freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq and greater stability throughout the world. It put terrorists on the defensive and successfully eliminated a significant portion of the al-Qaeda leadership. It pressured Libya to give up its WMD programs and hand over its equipment. Bush has made some of the best and hardest decisions since Ronald Reagan. The world will be better off with Bush as President.
Drew, Anniston, Alabama, USA
I am scared to death Bush will have another term. Worst President this nation has had in over 75 years. The USA can overcome really bad administrations but it can take decades to repair the damage. I am going to help out in Nevada to get out the vote. I haven't been this involved since 1968. The stakes are so high I feel obliged to make this effort as a citizen. As was said in 1968 and applies with equal weight today... "the whole world is watching". I hope we don't disappoint!
Terry Day, San Francisco, California, USA Real Americans and decent human beings not only care about ourselves but about our neighbours as well. I am paying close attention to what the world thinks about this election. The world is in a terrible state right now and to ignore that is deplorable; any American that would chose to do so gives our country and its people a bad name. Ultimately, I will vote based on my own beliefs, but I can honestly say that I weigh many factors into making my decision not just those which are to my direct benefit.
Luke, Baltimore, USA
So many people are taking what they hear or read through the media... as fact. I am researching all information, so I can vote with good conscience. Knowledge is power, and I need to feel that I chose wisely, without emotions leading my vote. I want to do everything I can to choose the right person. I am leaning towards Bush.
Katie J. Ryan, Kalaheo, Hawaii, USA
If anyone in the world could explain why we are sending our troops oversees to help "develop" democracy for Iraq when we can't even feel secure that our votes really do count right in the US, I would love to hear the explanation. After voting Republican for many years, I do not feel that my best interests and the best interests of my children really matter. Our day to day life is worse than it has been in years, my health care is worse and costs more and now I have to worry about my elderly parents and in-laws fighting for a chance to receive a flu shot or better yet, pray to the "Republican gods" that they might get lucky and be "chosen". I find myself being consumed with talking about politics and find myself having nightmares regarding the outcome.
Lisa, Ohio, USA
Bush has made a lot of mistakes. He has also had to deal with a lot of very difficult situations. Going into Iraq may have been a bad choice in hindsight, but it did change the status quo which was also undesirable. If Kerry gets elected, he will discover that all his plans are easier said than implemented.
Rebecca, Chicago, Illinois All those who claim Bush is the only one who can save the world from terrorism are totally in the dark. Bush has done NOTHING to secure the US from terrorists. The only thing he has done is set forth the radical right's agenda for America and used terrorism as an excuse to do it.
Lane, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
It defies belief that after the 2000 election fiasco in Florida, Day 1 of the 2004 voting has already shown up new glitches in the voting system - and guess where? Previously, Third World countries had to submit to the control of UN representatives to supervise their elections, but it appears that we must now join the league of these countries to try to give at least a semblance of a fair election. Thanks, Jeb and George, for dragging us down.
Jurgen W. Schulze, Miami, USA
There is one thing I have noticed the last few weeks. Many Americans are tired of the labels being put on both parties. The Democrats as liberal weaklings and Republicans as stuffy rich people. I have noticed that many moderates in both parties are slowly revolting against the stereotypes. Recently a prominent former Republican Governor has stated that they want their party back from the religious right and many Democrats, especially in the South, are tired as being portrayed as liberals. The fierceness of this political season may signify an awaking in American politics - we can only hope so.
Mike Daly, Miami, FL, USA I just read your article on polling in the US election. I have been called daily for weeks, live in a battleground state, and would not in a million years tell anyone my feelings or those of my spouse. It would just unleash a barrage of increased calls from the other party. We have decided and my spouse will vote this week. He has a business trip to Asia and will be away on election day. We have decided...keep guessing.
Sharon, Pennsylvania, USA
I will vote for John Kerry this election, even though I live in Texas which will undoubtedly send its electoral votes to Bush. In another election, I might have just stayed home, but I want Bush to know that not all Texans agree with his far-right ideological approach to policy and his disregard for the rest of the world. Not to mention his bloody and unnecessary war, which has sent thousands of maimed soldiers to the military hospital here.
Lynn, San Antonio, Texas
I am always fascinated by how many people from various parts of the world are so strongly concerned with American politics. What they don't seem to realise is that the vast majority of Americans don't care about their opinions or how they think this election will effect their countries. Americans care about America. It is that simple. For good or bad, what the effects of the election are on the rest of the world doesn't really matter to us. Come November 2, America will vote for America's sake, regardless of what the rest of the world may think.
Joshua, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Joshua from Ohio would do well to finally realise the impact of American intervention in foreign politics. If American politicians are so strongly concerned with foreign politics, it is only natural that foreigners should be strongly concerned about American politics.
F. Naderi, Tehran, Iran
To Joshua in Cleveland: I'm correcting you: Most people in the world are acutely aware that the US does not care what they think. (Decades of US foreign policy has made this clear.) You present this to the international community as though it were news. The sad truth is that what happens in your country affects the rest of the world and so we have opinions about it. This doesn't mean we believe you care.
Tom Hunsberger, Canadian in Mexico
Between President Bush's four year record in the White House and Senator Kerry's twenty year record in the Senate, it is clear that neither man is qualified to be President of the United States. Both have fatal flaws which make them entirely unsuitable. As with far too many elections, many voters will feel that they are choosing the lesser of two evils, not someone they truly and fully trust and endorse. Small wonder, politicians have come into such disrepute.
Mark, USA
There are two options in this election, you can vote based on fear or vote based on hope. A vote for Bush is to chose to allow yourself to be ruled by fear. There is no hope in Bush's message, only fear.
Joseph Wilkinson, Whitehaven, UK America is the most fair and transparent democracy in the world, where almost every person who has a public position has to be elected. Furthermore, there are so many checks and balances in the system that no one person or an entity has everything to say in anything.
At the end of the day, only President Bush can save this world from falling into the hand of terrorists, because no other leader in the world has the guts to stand up to the terrorists and I am proud of the leaders of the countries who have decided to go to Iraq to help him achieve that objective. They would not have taken a stand if President Bush had not done that, just look at the history.
Andrew Pieris, Alkmaar, Holland
America is an independent sovereign country and should stay that way. Electing a man who would give a veto to the international company over any serious American foreign policy should not even be considered. Bush is the only choice.
Roy Kinston, Melbourne Australia
If the opposition Labour party had won the election in Australia instead of John Howard's Liberal party that would have been a triumph for terrorists, as it happened in Spain. If Bush loses the election, thank God he won't, the terrorists will organise a party in the backyard of the White House. It will be the same thing with Tony Blair in Britain. Can the peaceful Western world sit by and see evil triumph against them? It is always a big no!
Sia Lizzy, Brisbane, Australia
The US elections have turned out to be the greatest show on earth. America votes and the rest of the world holds it breath in anticipation.
Raphael Luethi, Schaffhausen, Switzerland I think that it's almost a miracle that the world and the US economy are in the good shape they are after the 9/11 attack single-handedly tried to wipe out the economic, political, and military centres of the free world.
Bush has been a strong and steadfast leader who kept the world from falling into a state of panic that could have led to a massive global depression. He has not been perfect - no man can be - but if you look at the big picture, I for one am glad George Bush was our president during these dangerous times, and I pray (and believe) he will continue to be our president for the next 4 years.
Matt J, Guam, USA
Is it not strange that a country, so allegedly advanced in all respects of science and technology, has to allow some of its citizens to start voting 14 days ahead of the actual election date, just in order to try and obtain a fair and democratic outcome. This from a nation that is trying to export democracy under the threat of force to other nations?
Bob Beadman, Hong Kong
If US presidential candidates keep styling themselves as "the leader of the free world", shouldn't we all have a vote?
Alister, London, UK
| This is clearly the single most important US election in my lifetime |
This is clearly the single most important US election in my lifetime. It will define us as a nation. Up until now the US people have been in a strange kind of limbo. Since George Bush was not actually elected by a popular majority, the US people and the rest of the world could separate the actions of the Bush administrations from the will of the people. This allowed the US people, and others in the world, to distance themselves from the actions of this president.
That will be impossible after this election. It is nothing short of a referendum on whether the US wants to promote unilateral military action and disregard the rest of the world in the pursuit of our interests, or begin the process of restoring the US as a leader of nations under the rule of law rather than the rule of might.
Todd, Oxford, UK (US expat)
Although the subject of terrorism is an important one, it should not be the only factor in deciding a national leader. People should vote for the candidate that they feel will benefit them in the future in all aspects of life such as Jobs, Health, Education as well as national security. Most of the postings here only mention the 'War on Terror' and Iraq. What's the point of ridding the world of terrorists and dictators if your own people are jobless because they've had a sub-standard education?
Glenn J, UK
After watching the three US presidential debates, I question the credibility of the information that is being passed on by Senator Kerry. Yes, terrorism is still strong today and yes, war is a terrible thing. However, Saddam Hussein was committing huge crimes and was a threat to the international community. Furthermore, how does Senator Kerry expect terrorism and the whole world to be a safer place in the space of 4 years? I believe Bush is trying to make the world safer but a war will take time.
Michael Tucker, Norwich, UK
Bush's presidency has not created terrorists. They have been there and will continue to be there. Bush has not operated in a vacuum. He inherited Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda from Clinton who had several opportunities to deal with the growing terrorist problem but did not. The economy has gone through complete upheaval since 9/11 and is on the road to recovery. To deny these facts is to refuse to see the whole picture. In today's world, that can be a dangerous thing.
Frank, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Voting for Kerry will not cause terrorism to go away. It is here to stay. Likewise, voting for Bush did not create the current terrorist situation. It already existed but we were uninformed of the danger. The key difference between John Kerry and George Bush, because let's face it in many aspects they are similar, is that George Bush has soured relations with the international community and John Kerry would be able to start fresh. It does not mean he is really going to do anything differently because most likely, he won't. However, he has a better chance of getting the international community to participate.
Chris, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
My fear is that if Bush is re-elected, the acts of terrorism around the world will continue and get worse. Ironically ordinary Americans believe that Bush will handle terrorism and homeland security better. It is Bush's foreign policy and his naivety that is fuelling the problems in this world today.
John Darcy, London, UK
The fact that the polls are still so close is testimony to the fact that John Kerry is an uninspiring candidate. Many voters, myself included, were hoping that the Democrats would put forth a clear choice, an alternative to Bush. Instead, we were presented with this flip-flopping senator with no major legislation to his credit and no passion about issues. Is it any wonder many voters are still undecided?
Sandy, Zanesville, Ohio, USA
I have set all other appointments aside so that I may vote on November 2nd. It will be my first time ever voting and I will soon turn 42. I have not voted in the past because my high tech job has caused me to move around frequently, making it difficult to keep my voter registration current and valid. We have now been here 3 years, a record for our family, and I am determined to vote in one of the most important elections of the past 5 decades.
Matt, Apex, North Carolina, USA
| I think the election process has to change, especially if we have another election like 2000 |
I think the election process has to change, especially if we have another election like 2000, where one wins the electoral and the other wins the popular. Mr. Bush did not have a mandate, yet he has become one of the most right leaning presidents we've seen, more so than his own father. That was not the wish of the majority of voters. The concept of electoral colleges was probably necessary in the past, but in today's society where people move from state to state more frequently, I cannot see how it is relevant now.
Maria, Chicago, USA In today's world, we need unwavering war on terrorism and for a global champion, Bush qualifies.
Hankie Uluko, Nairobi, Kenya
This election maybe as important to the rest of the World as it is for Americans. Americans want to know that their electoral system is not corrupt and the rest of us want to know that the World has a future which includes peace.
John M, Lyne Meads, UK
In truth this is another disappointing US contest between two mediocre candidates. The fact that Bush is still in with even a chance of victory is testament to the average ness of the Kerry campaign. As with Al Gore in 2000, and the Thatcher election victories of 1979 and 1983 in Britain, Bush's likely eventual triumph says as much about the opposition as about support for the incumbent President. It's all slightly depressing really, as the USA and the world deserves better.
Tim Bell, Bristol, UK
| One needs to consult history to find a time when we have had a poorer choice to make |
This will be my 8th Presidential election. One needs to consult history to find a time when we have had a poorer choice to make. Those who think a new day will dawn with Kerry's election will be sorely disappointed. Fortunately, I believe Congress got a big wake-up call over the past couple of years, with many a committee chair having several layers of egg on his face. So, whoever is elected will find himself on a much shorter leash, fortunately.
Richard, Houston, USA John Kerry and the stem cell research: out of several hundred issues going on today, do you really think he's going to make that a priority in the United States? Secondly, lots of presidents made promises in the past but have never kept them. So we don't even know if Kerry's going to keep this promise.
Finally Bush has made many decisions in the past but at least he stood by them whether the public liked them or not. Kerry on the other hand seems to change his mind very frequently. The president should not be afraid to do what he thinks is right and carry out his decision until the end.
Mee Seong Im, Birmingham, UK
This is truly a pivotal time in America. Will voters care about the integrity of the candidate and the credibility of the Presidency? Will we prefer paying for the war in Iraq on our own, while increasing tax cuts for the top one percent? Will we allow President Bush continue to drive up the largest deficit ever while letting unemployment grow?
Integrity is the most important issue. Bush won in 2000 due to Clinton's perceived lack of candour. He will lose to Kerry because of reckless lack of honesty about Iraq.
Tom Naughton, Los Altos, USA
The US election disappoints me, only about 55% of the US actually votes, and of those who vote, an overwhelming number of individuals base their vote choice on peer pressure, media, and style instead of research on the candidates. If President Bush is re-elected, animosity and hatred towards the US from other World nations will continue to exponentially increase. If Kerry is elected, I hope those soiled relationships are remedied.
Brendan, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, US
As Indian Immigrant and US Citizen since 1999, it is very interesting to study and understand the American Politics. I am registered Republican and support the President George W. Bush. During the past four years it has been a challenging year for President George Bush to handle the Recession, Terrorism in US and around the World and Develop the International Diplomatic Relationship with all the World Leaders. Even with all these challenges, Bush has brought the nation back to the road of progress.
Moses Bhooshi, Davie, FL USA
I do not support the president's policies at home and especially abroad. I hope that Kerry can pull this off and get elected. I feel that the international community should voice their opinions and loudly since what Bush has done is a disgrace to our country and has made this world a more dangerous place. We can use all the help we can get in making a change for the better, especially since a lot of the decisions that are made in Washington affect the world.
Maureen Tynan, Dunkirk, NY, USA
September 11th united the world, and the Democratic and Republican party. Afterwards Bush divided everyone, and brought them farther apart than before, because he acted on ideology. Changing the president will give the USA more credibility and legitimacy in the world.
Emlyn Hagen, Munich, Germany
I grew up in a small industrial city in Pennsylvania, and I fondly recall the times that my parents and I drove the 3 hours to Washington DC for family vacations. My parents always impressed upon me the fact that Washington was a powerful place not just with regard to the United States, but to the rest of the world as well.
But I also remember something else: there were poor, crime-ridden, drug-infested, neighbourhoods within a short walk of the city's corridors of power (and the same is true today.) If we are going to "democratize the Middle East", shouldn't we Americans also put our time and energy into solving our social problems at home?
Josh, Oyster Bay, New York, USA
The President of the United States is the Captain of the world. The best candidate should be selected to the post.
Joy Nelliyattu, Nairobi, Republic of Kenya The US election has reached feverish pitch with both candidates promising enticing alternatives. However on closer scrutiny they have different approaches to bread and butter issues, the economy and the war on terrorism. John Kerry appears to be well-versed on most issues and offers more plausible solutions. He shone in the three debates and was streets ahead on international issues, on the economy, and on rebuilding America's shattered image abroad.
Living in Belgium, I would place high priority on the future president's ability to lead and form close ties with other nations and work closely with the United Nations. George Bush failed the test to work with other nations: his unilateralist stance has polarized the world and made it a more dangerous place with terrorists galore!
Pancha Chandra, Brussels, Belgium
The Bush campaign believes that 'the world is now a better place without Saddam in power'. They should also realise the world will be a safe secured and much better place to live, without Bush in power for another four years. I think he has completed his mission.
Turay Yayah, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Over the years many people in my profession (Physics) have moved to the US, along with my American Colleagues we are disgusted with the politics of the last few years. If things don't change many of us are thinking of leaving. Many ex-pats feel the same yet at the same time do call this country home. A lot of it has to do with reading the international press instead of getting you information from TV 'news'.
Simon Dicker, Philadelphia/USA
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