An elective peace

The presidential primaries are on in the U.S. and are making news. This has to be the longest presidential election cycle ever. I have a preference for who I’d like to see win the nominations, and I’m not going to tell you who.

What I’m going to do instead is ask a question.

Why aren’t any of the candidates talking about peace?

Sure, some of them are talking about getting our troops out of Iraq, and I’m totally for that, but no one is talking about peace, not even as a value to be pursued.

I’m beginning to think that until our elected officials start to treat peace as a priority, it’s not going to be in the consciousness of We, The People. And that’s where peace needs to be. In fact, even better, in I The Person.

There is a growing movement afoot in the United States to create a cabinet-level Department of Peace. Check it out at www.thepeacealliance.org. Their work is stellar, and this is a good thing. The trouble with it, though, is that it makes peace seem far away and something that needs to be taken care of by government.

I say it ain’t so. No, the peace we want is only going to be created by individuals who value peace.

When I was in college, the courses that weren’t a part of my major course of study were called electives. Who’s up for taking an elective on peace?

P. S. And don’t forget to elect peace when you vote!