We Americans are currently in very troubling times. Even before we began to experience the problems associated with the mortgage and investment crisis, we were already living with a $9 Trillion national debt, high gas and food prices, and the human and financial losses of the Global War on Terror. The budget deficit is growing larger and we continue to borrow money from countries like China.

Now, the federal government is involved in one of the largest economic bailouts of all time. Public trust in Wall Street and the government is low and I have to admit that I'm very afraid. Not afraid for myself, but afraid the long-term health of our economy and America's ability to be the world's most powerful nation.

It's too bad our debate topic was changed to Foreign Policy. The economy and other economic issues are definitely the most important topics on the minds of Americans. I can't think of a more important time for the candidates to discuss domestic issues and the health of the economy.

In regards to the trillion dollar bailout plan, the candidates will undoubtedly be taking different stances. Obama has already said that any new plan to stabilize the markets "needed to include new regulations on the financial system," according to a recent NY Times article. Here's the article:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/obama-no-blank-check-on-bailout/

McCain, who admitted that he doesn't know as much about the economy as he should, could have used the debate to lay out a framework for dealing with the crisis. I would've enjoyed seeing how he would deal with financial conservatives who may be afraid of further regulations from the federal government.

Instead, we'll be talking about foreign policy issues such as Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Israel. Don't get me wrong, these are all important issues with international importance. However, I feel like we are missing out on a golden opportunity to press the candidates on more pressing issues. Hopefully, our moderator will find ways of integrating domestic policy and the economy into his questions.