Challenges and Solutions

Since this is the week for the Democrats' Convention, the press will be essentially cheerleading and giving the Democrats an opportunity to showcase their views. I don't have a problem with it as long as they do the same for the RNC convention. The American people deserve an opportunity to hear what the political parties have to say.

I'll probably watch portions of the convention. At least, I'll watch as much of it as I can stand. What I want to see is how the Democrats propose we deal with the major issues facing our country:

• The Global War on Terror - Many other nations lack the moral and political courage to even admit there's a GWOT, much less fight it. Still others seem to be content with half-measures accompanied by wishful thinking that somehow they won't be as affected. The Wahhabis and their spiritual comrades are bent on the destruction of democracy. How do the Democrats propose we deal with this problem? So far, I've heard them speak of "internationalizing" the effort and getting other nations involved, but I'd like to see how exactly they mean to do that. Can they do it without sacrificing the sovreignty of the US or without placing us at undue risk? From what I can see, John Kerry would like to "engage" other countries by appeasing them or at the very least place their interests above ours in certain key areas to buy their cooperation.
• Judicial Activism - It seems like we hear of strange decisions by the Ninth Circuit Court on a regular basis. Then there's the court who in Massachusetts decreed that legislators must allow for gay marriages. The Court is not supposed to make the laws, only to uphold them yet a great many judges seem to feel it is legitimate to rule by judicial decree. I don't see any concern on the part of Democrats about this issue or any desire to do anything about it.
• The Power of the Government vs the Freedom of the Individual - It seems there's an ever-present desire on the part of the federal government to regulate our lives. This extends even to the role of the federal government in relation to the states. Unfunded mandates are an increasing burden on the part of the states. How do the Democrats intend to rein in the power of the federal government? Do they even want to do so?
• Entitlement vs Personal Responsibility - As a nation we need to come to some consensus regarding the "rights" of our citizens. Do we have a "right" to basic health care? Is government primarily responsible for teaching our children right and wrong? How will the Democrats address the basic needs of our citizens? Will they address them in a way that empowers people or creates greater dependency?
• Public Integrity - Those in power must have integrity. Can the Democrats assure us that they will not abuse the public trust?