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Kerry also pointed out that we should never fight a war without forming a plan to win the peace.

Keynote speaker Barack Obama called upon the country to practice the politics of hope, rather than cynicism and intimidation. He joined Kerry in pointing out that war should never be the first option, it should be the very last resort

Kerry and Obama agreed that we are not serving our servicemen as well as they are serving us. Reservists that are called up to active duty do not qualify for healthcare benefits upon their release. Kerry also called for an end to the “back-door draft” of members of the National Guard and Reserve, where their tours of active duty are arbitrarily extended beyond their initial call for duty.

Wesley Clark and Bill Clinton agreed that the safety and security of this country depend on the aide of our allies and we should act alone only when absolutely necessary. Alliances are a sign of strength, not weakness and a large, worldwide coalition will be necessary to combat global terrorism.

The speakers called for healthcare for all citizens and controlling the spiraling costs of medications through negotiation with the drug companies instead of for them.

Bush is apparently the sort of person who when driving on a mountain road suddenly makes an impulsive turn to the right and finds himself heading off a cliff would continue his course rather than change it.

Reagan called upon Americans to cast their votes for stem cell research, proclaiming “The theology of the few should not affect the health and future of the many. Former Vice President Al Gore pointed out that under the current administration over one million jobs have been lost. Our nation’s jobs are being sold overseas to the lowest bidder. While Bush claims that there are many new jobs, these jobs don’t pay as much and do not provide benefits. Many people who lost well-paying jobs are now working for a lot less, sometimes it takes two or more jobs just to make ends meet. This isn’t the American Dream, it’s a nightmare.

Worries over the economy were a major theme of the convention. Barack Obama claimed “It is not enough for just some of us to prosper.” The people must prosper if this is to remain a strong country. A strong middle class was the basis on which this Democracy was built. John Edwards called for investments in technology, controlled government spending and the elimination of the deficit.

Al Gore pointed out that Bush has created the largest budget deficit in the history of America. Gore and President Clinton also inherited a huge deficit, and a large national debt, which the American public had been told would have to be paid off by generations of our children.

In the 1990s the Clinton Administration balanced that budget, paid down the National Debt and left a $5 billion surplus for the Bush administration to inherit. In less than four years they squandered the surplus, ran up a $5 billion deficit and increased the national debt to over $7 trillion.

Kerry is confident that the Democrats can do it again and he has a fiscal responsibility plan to reduce the federal deficit by 50 percent in his first term of office.

John Dean told the convention delegates that the average American received a tax increase, not a decrease, from the Bush Administration. Only the top two percent of the very wealthiest people in this country benefited by Bush’s so-called tax cut. John Edwards called for a tax policy that rewards work --- not the wealthy. He called for roll backs of the tax cuts for the rich and the closure of corporate tax loopholes. Instead, they are calling for tax incentives for businesses that create jobs for Americans.

Bob Graham voiced his concerns that the energy crisis is a question of energy independence versus dependence upon an oil monopoly and reliance on our relations with the Saudi Royal Family.

Of course, the main concern of all the Democrats attending the convention, as well as the majority of Americans, is the current president, his mistakes, his failings and his refusal to take the blame for any of them.

Bush, who claimed he would be a “Uniter not a Divider,” has proven to be the most divisive. politician this country has ever known and has not only divided the nation he has alienated the world.

Bush, who points fingers at others accusing them of being “wafflers” claims to be a “war president” one day and a “peace president” the next.

Bush believes that it shows strength to “stay the course”, but intelligent people change their minds when situations change. They re-examine the issues and set a new course in a more positive direction. Bush is apparently the sort of person who when driving on a mountain road suddenly makes an impulsive turn to the right and finds himself heading off a cliff would continue his course rather than change it.

He attempts to convince the public that he is a strong leader, but as Joseph Biden pointed out, “It’s only leadership when someone is following!” And no other nations are following our example in Iraq.

Madeleine Albright pointed out that intelligence should be used to shape policy, it should not be twisted to enforce policy. Wesley Clark pointed to the administration’s use of propaganda techniques and quoted Roosevelt: “Repetition does not transform a lie into the truth.”

Al Gore pointed out the profound problems with the Bush administration. The Iraq War was badly managed in all aspects. He called for strong and intelligent leadership and the rebuilding of relationships with our allies in the cause of world peace. He pointed to the necessity of working with others to defeat terrorism.

Gore pointed to the major problems of this country: job loss, massive unemployment, the energy crisis, the rising gas prices, the lack of healthcare for millions of Americans and the outrageous costs of prescription drugs, the cutting back of veterans benefits at a time when we are a war and need new recruits, and the poor conditions of our schools and escalating costs of a college education. These are issues that are weakening America.

Jimmy Carter pointed out that Bush squandered the goodwill felt by the world toward America after 9/11. Carter feels that Bush lacks judgement, the ability to make good decisions, and that he has made an unbroken string of mistakes.

Bush’s bullying tactics have inflamed terrorism around the world, rather than reduce it. Carter condemned Bush’s “confused strategy of pre-emptive war” and his tactic of attempting to gain public support for his policies by increasing fear among the populace.

America cannot lead the world with leaders who mislead.