My article “Bring Back the Peace Movement” was posted on Democracy chronicles and at OpEdNews on 8-2-13. In my response to Philip Pease who had commented on my article, I clarified further what I believe is a proactive solution that can save the world before its too late. Please read it and give it some consideration.
For Peace and Happiness,
Philip Pease describes himself in his bio as follows:
Retired NASA systems engineer for Earth Science data systems. I consider myself a citizen of planet Earth and consider Nationalism and other such beliefs which separate ourselves from each other are outmoded and are detrimental to the well being of the earth and all of the creatures that inhabit it.
Here is Philip Pease’s comment on my article:
In my view the influence of big money on politics is the fundamental problem that must be solved. I see poll after poll on almost any policy question that shows we the people would choose a different path than what our elected politicians are choosing. Why is our government not aligned with what the people think? It is because our elected politicians are paid big bucks by big money interests to do what they desire (and what they desire is more wealth).
In short America no longer has a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Both Republican and Democrat political parties have sold out to big money interests.How to counter the fact that our representatives do not represent we the people but instead are servants of the wealthy?I joined the peace movement because I felt moral outrage that Americans were killing and being killed for no good reason.
Today I feel that same moral outrage that politicians are choosing to serve the multinational corporate interest (to make more profits) instead of the well being of the people.
I feel that to gain the support of the masses we need to have people feel outraged by what is happening in America.
There are so many things that are outrageous; but the one that is so corrupting is that politicians are choosing the greed of big money corporate interests over the well being of the 99% of the people. We the people need to have those politicians feel shame for their betrayal of the people when they let money influence their decisions; especially when ones decision does harm to we the people.
I suggest that a vast majority of people (whether religious or not) have a moral compass; and that compass tells them that doing harm to people in order for the wealthy to hoard more money is immoral. I believe that a large majority of people are morally outraged at politicians who accept money in exchange for their votes (which is exactly what is happening). At the heart of a peace movement is moral outrage.
Response to Philip Pease:
Very good comments, Philip. Thanks for sharing. Rob Kall’s latest article “Not even Cowards–Zombies” (which is currently at the top of the Home page of OpEdNews), says it all: There is a small percentage of people who are “awake,” and of that small percentage, there is an even smaller percentage of individuals who are energized and politically active.
That is why I believe we need a Peace Movement rally to gather in Washington D.C. four times a year with a precise set of common demands. I listed my ten demands in this article. What if all the participating progressive groups who support the March on Washington would list their most important ten demands for amendments and laws that should be passed by Congress to increase democracy and world peace.
OpEdNews could be the central Clearinghouse for determining what are the ten demands that are most common to all the participating progressive groups. Those ten demands would be the basis for our protest. As more progressive groups participate, the list of ten demands may change slightly, but that is okay. We need more than just a mass protest: We need to find out what are our common dreams and values. I am going to make this request of Rob Kall, editor of OpEdNews. I hope all of you will ask him too.
I submitted this article to over 50 progressive websites, and OpEdNews and democracychronicles.org have so far posted it. That is why I have so much faith and praise for those two websites. If there is someway you can spread the idea, I hope you take action and perhaps let me know about it as well by commenting below.
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