Nevertheless, making sure that the platforms are built on solid foundations is worthwhile work. They provide a history and philosophy that can be referred to when judging political parties in general and their candidates specifically.

With that in mind, the American bishops recently submitted testimony to both the Democratic and Republican platform committees. Their remarks were imbedded in their own very firm foundation: Pope John Paul II's admonition, made during his visit to America last fall, that democracy should safeguard human dignity and rights.

``We make our own the pope's reminder to us [upon his departure from the United States in October 1995] that `democracy needs wisdom,''' the bishops said, quoting the Pope. He also said: ``Democracy serves what is true and right when it safeguards the dignity of every human person, when it respects inviolable and inalienable human rights, when it makes the common good the end and criterion regulating all public and social life.''

In introducing 20 pages of written testimony, the bishops said: ``We insist that any political platform should be measured by how it touches the human person; whether it enhances or diminishes human life, human dignity and human rights; and how it advances the common good.''

Among their topics were such issues as abortion; arms control, arms trade and land mines; communications; crime, violence and capital punishment; discrimination and racism; domestic and international economic policy; education; the environment; euthanasia and assisted suicide; agriculture policy; health care; human rights; immigration and refugee policy; several areas of international affairs; and welfare reform.

As November approaches, when New Yorkers will elect not only a president but also a congressional representative, state legislators and local officials, on what platform will you as a voter make decisions? It should be a solid place to stand, not shifting sand.