Wow, were those really Democrats at the Democratic National Convention?

Frontiersman editorial board

The Democrats have fired their biggest salvo in the 2004 presidential campaign -- the biodegradable balloons dropped on the Democratic National Convention in Boston on Thursday, and political junkies have about one month to analyze what happened before the Republicans kick off their own convention in New York.

National nominating conventions have come in pretty much one flavor since the '80s. You may remember during July there was patriotic ice cream in the supermarket freezer -- it was red, white and blue, but it was all vanilla. That's how Democratic and Republican conventions have been. A lot of flash and little flavor.

Democrats have been particularly cautious since Newt Gingrich succeeded in defining "liberals" as anti-God, fiscally irresponsible doves incapable of managing the budget, national security or the country's moral compass. Democratic conventions in that environment have largely looked like Republican conventions, minus the conviction.

This year's Democratic convention seemed different, at least a little. Perhaps it's because the dems are in the minority in both chambers of Congress, and they're out of the Oval Office, as well. Perhaps it's because the issues seem so much more meaningful this year -- the country is engaged in a war that grows less popular every day, affordable health care is a problem for millions of Americans, well-paying jobs are being lost to foreign markets and the economy continues to lag despite signs of recovery.

Whatever the reason, the Democrats seem willing to shout rather than mumble for the first time in decades, and that can only improve the election process, no matter who wins in November.

It is unfortunate that our system has become so dominated by the two major parties, and it has been tragic that the two parties have seemed so alike for more than 20 years. Opening the door for legitimate alternative parties will take time and determination -- and some constitutional changes. The least we can hope for in the meantime is that the two parties we have are distinguishable from one another.

Without debate and clear alternatives, democracy is weakened. Only when candidates and parties are courageous enough to speak earnestly and honestly can that debate and those alternatives exist.

We hope this lively Democratic convention is a sign of better things to come and we look forward to the Republican National Convention beginning Aug. 30 in New York.