With the campaign for the Whitehouse in 2008 heating up, it’s time to invest a little time in what I’d like to hear from a candidate on how they would aspire to lead the country. It’s easy to be against things, it’s much harder to articulate solutions. Thus far, I’m entirely underwhelmed with the slate of candidates – in fact – I’m depressed. They’re simply different shades of the same color.  

What would be more interesting? Hearing candidates espouse a set of Core Values we could all agree to live by, have them propose a course of action to “Rebuild America,” and outline specific plans around the following issues:

• How to conclude the war in Iraq
• How to establish energy security
• Reestablishing fiscal credibility and solvency
• Restoring the Federal government to a role of facilitator of activities in the country
• Infrastructure (roads, water, power, schools, healthcare) repair and upgrade

I have some ideas on each of these subjects and I’ll share them in time through a series of entries on the subject. But rather than being against Bush, against the war, against foreign policy, against domestic surveillance, against torture, etc. Let’s turn it around and talk about what we’re for and why it’s important. As much of a right-wing nut job as Ron Paul seems to be, there is one theme from his campaign that resonates very well with me: get back to the bare bones of what the US Constitution dictates. That’s a very good starting place. And from that, a recast of the Federal government to facilitate and enable life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. All of this needs to happen within a context of Core Values as well.

Are these the issues that concern you? How would you go about rebuilding America?