dean beat bush?

[Beet]

Some Democrats will feel disappointed with the party either way. For the purposes of this campaign itself it doesn't matter if the party nominates someone who opposed or supported the war because that is in the past; the election will be decided on issues of the present and future. I propose five main dichotomies between the Democratic and Republican parties, both in the upcoming election and in the future beyond.

(1) Will the United States work with many nations to pursue humanitarian goals or will it go it alone?

(2) Will the government continue to regulate large corporations in a changing economy?

(3) Will the government seek to provide an equal opportunity for all, or go by strict procedural justice?

(4) Will American culture and the American people be by frozen by the radical Christian right?

(5) Will progress in providing civil rights for all continue or will gains be rolled back?

Underlying these questions are core ideological differences, some of which are expressed more explicitly than others: between means and ends in justice; between progress or reaction in philosophy and culture; between engagement or reaction in foreign affairs; and between engagement or apathy in economic affairs. Even if Bush wins by the significant margins he will probably win in 2004, and carry with him larger Congressional majorities, I hope and believe that the discussion and debate over these ideological differences will continue vibrantly.