Bring Back the US Peace Movement

By Roger Copple

The insanity of US foreign policy, the emergence of the Surveillance-Police State, and the destruction of the planet by corporate capitalism necessitate a return of the anti-nuclear, anti-war, nonviolent Peace Movement. 

We may laugh at religious fanatics who hold signs that say, “The End is Near!” But democracy (in whatever limited degree we had it), privacy, and ecological sustainability are ending.  International bankers and transnational corporate executives or the military-industrial-security-financial complex continues to “hijack” the US government as it seeks to gain control of every country, creating a sinister New World Order.

There actually does need to be a New World Order, but it has to be built from the bottom-up, with an emphasis on personal freedom (such as marijuana/hemp legalization and the freedom to visit Cuba), democracy, ecological wisdom, radical egalitarianism, social justice, and nonviolence. 

Dividing the world map into 500 legislative rectangles of equal population, while taking all money out of politics, would be one way to create a democratic world government.  The World Legislative Council could then make executive and judicial branch appointments. 

Expecting real change to come through better Democrats and Republicans is often a great disappointment.  The two-party system is corrupt, and third parties under the current system will never get an equal voice. 

Writing to members of Congress, writing articles, and signing petitions to get new federal amendments passed--such as striking down the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling of 2010, which now increases the corporate influence of politics--can take decades to create the needed change.  Moreover, about 10 other major changes are needed to further expand democracy and promote peace.  The millions of Egyptians who recently massed together in one place in unity can teach us a lot.    

The problem with the Occupy Movement was that the demonstrators could not agree on a list of specific demands, equally supported by other peace movements around the world.  Here is a proposed list of 10 demands that can create the changes needed to save the planet before it is too late:   

1. Dismantle all nuclear weapons and nuclear energy power plants the world over as soon as possible.

   2. The US government must bring home all its troops and close down its 700-1000 military bases around the world. It can still defend its own borders.  

3. The money previously spent on the military will now be used to create jobs that build our nation’s infrastructure: “[A]nd they shall turn their swords into ploughshares…” (Isaiah 2:4). 

4. The influence of money will be taken out of politics.

5. The US House of Representatives will be elected through a system of Proportional Representation, and the US Senate will be abolished.  The 7 largest national political parties will be empowered in a unicameral, national legislature.   

6. The Electoral College System for electing a president will be abolished.  A president must win by a majority of individual votes (not just a plurality of votes) using the method of Instant Runoff Voting. 

7. Congress, not the president, will select Supreme Court judges who will serve for 9 year terms. 

8. There will be a non-hierarchical or grassroots approach to public schools:  The neighbors who live within the boundaries of each public elementary, middle, and high school will establish their own school philosophy and curriculum using public funds.  There will no longer be federal, state, county, or township control of neighborhood schools.  This will improve neighborhood togetherness and community solidarity. 

9. The Federal Reserve will be abolished, and Congress will oversee a publicly owned banking system like the State Bank of South Dakota. 

10. The United States will work to establish a democratic world government that provides equal pay for equal work, with no one earning more than 3 times the wages of the lowest paid worker, using a system of workplace democracy. 

Marches on Washington D.C., state capitols, and city government buildings can be coordinated to occur simultaneously 4 times a year until the US Congress, as urged by masses of citizens, implements the above 10 demands through the passage of federal amendments and laws.  Representatives who do not support the 10 demands will be voted out of office.  It is time to begin. 

Roger Copple is 63 years old. He retired 3 years ago in 2010 from teaching general elementary, mostly 3^rd grade, and high school special education in Indianapolis.  He now lives in the Bradenton/Sarasota area of Florida.  He is deeply grateful that he stuck it out to get a teacher’s pension and started getting his Social Security early at age 62.  He now hopes to make a contribution to society through further study, reflection, and writing.  Roger can be emailed: roger.copple@gmail.com   His website: www.NowSaveTheWorld.com (you must type the 3 w’s to visit it)