Department of Peace

As I admit that the ideas in this post are in no way original, I find them extremely pertinent to a world and country so focused on war and struggle.
I recently attended a conference at Webster University led by a man who possibly no better embodies a sustainable, peaceful, pragmatic lifestyle: Satish Kumar. (Please follow this link to one of the most eloquent publications which Kumar is and has been the editor for the past 30 years called Resurgence.) During this conference, the speakers stood in front of us and talked very clearly and passionately about Kumar's three word mantra: Soil, Society, and Soul. In short, he and his movement towards a more equal, sustainable, peaceful world supports a sustainable earth, an equal society, and a spiritual faith no matter what particular religious faith. One man particularly impressed the crowd and gave the final speech: Dennis Kucinich. I had heard a little bit about this humanitarian, environmental politician running for the Democratic Presidential Nomination; however, I knew very little about him. Then my ears perked up as he introduced an idea to me that I believe is worthy of discussion.
Kucinich and many others in this country and around the world are in favor of introducing a Department of Peace. The argument is that the U.S. has a Department of Defense (aka Department of War and Defense of the State). I urge you all to go read the bill that he has attempted to introduce into Congress multiple times. Here is the meet of the issue.

"The United States was founded on hope, optimism, and a commitment to freedom. We can once again become a beacon of hope for the world. To do that, we must reject the current administration's policies of fear, suspicion, and preemptive war. It is time to jettison our illusions and fears and to transform age-old challenges with new thinking. This is the idea behind my proposal to establish a Department of Peace. This is the idea to make nonviolence an organizing principle at home and abroad and dedicate ourselves to peaceful coexistence, consensus building, disarmament, and respect for international treaties. Violence and war are not inevitable. Nonviolence and peace are inevitable." (Source: Kucinich.us )

What would happen if we as a nation were to move this idea from an ideal to a reality? I end this blog post with one more idea to answer the aforementioned question: WE WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE NEVER TRY.

I do want to add that I believe Kucinich would have been too idealistic to be President of the United States; however, his ideas have the possibility of being revolutionary for the greater good of humanity.