No election in recent memory has occurred during a period when Americans were as concerned about the economy - about whether they will be able to put bread on the table next year or even next month - as they are now.

If your decision on how to cast your ballot for president is being made out of such concern, your vote should go to Sen. John McCain. His pledges for action to help American families promise real help - not just bigger, more expensive government. His record proves that he understands the economy.

In fact, it is clear that McCain understands economic issues far better than does his opponent for the presidency, Sen. Barack Obama. That was proven in 2005 and 2006 - when McCain and three other senators tried to avert the financial crisis that is occurring now.

McCain was one of just three co-sponsors of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005. The chief sponsor was Sen. Charles Hagel, R-Neb. Other co-sponsors were Sens. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., and John Sununu, R-N.H.

Their proposal was an attempt to curb the excesses of the mortgage giants "Fannie Mae" and "Freddie Mac."

In supporting the bill, McCain told his fellow lawmakers of outrageous abuses committed by "Fannie Mae" and "Freddie Mac" executives. He added, "If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that 'Fannie Mae' and 'Freddie Mac' pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole."

But few listened. Obama, then beginning his term in the Senate, joined with other liberals in rejecting any consideration of the bill.

For the quarter-century that he has served in Congress, McCain has been a staunch, active proponent of the idea that the cost of government ought to be reduced - and that Americans ought to be able to keep more of their hard-earned dollars instead of sending them to Washington, D.C.

McCain wants a temporary freeze on increases in government spending, except for national security and the care of our veterans. While it is in effect, McCain wants to go through the federal budget, item by item, slashing away at waste. Tens of billions of dollars a year can be saved.

Obama's economic policies can be summed up in two points:

First, he wants to expand the size of government tremendously. Despite his populist promises, that will mean higher taxes for most Americans. "The rich" simply don't have enough money, even if Obama took it all, to fund his expansion.

Second, Obama's view of the current crisis is flawed. He refuses to blame the laws, passed by liberals in Congress, that encouraged abuses regarding mortgages. His idea is simply to impose more bureaucratic regulations on financial institutions without addressing the root cause of the problem.

McCain, as we have seen, attempted to forestall the crisis in 2005 and 2006. Obama and other liberals blocked him. In effect, they deserve a major share of the blame for the crisis.

By reining in irresponsible financial institutions, cutting the size of government, and providing relief for all taxpayers, McCain will provide a shot in the arm for the economy.

Though there are many reasons to vote for McCain, that one alone ought to be enough. We urge thoughtful, concerned area residents to vote for McCain for president, in an attempt to get the economy moving again.