In the wake of the election storm of 2008, democracy is challenged in many ways.  It must respond to international terrorism, disintegration of the wall separating religion from government, superficiality of sound-bite staged media coverage, the substitution of consumerist preference for wise leadership, and a selfish individualism corrosive of the common good.  On top of this, the election has stirred up a culture war wounding and disillusioning many.