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H.R. 808, The Department of Peace Act
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Visitor Comments 
S. Kincaid
February 6, 2009, 10:18pm (report abuse)Let's open this up for debate. I voted for the bill, because I find peace to be far preferable to war and consider it not at all socialist -- peace is, to me, a universal ideal. What do you think? We must have more civic participation in government, and voicing your opinion here is the best way to begin.
Frank Mallon
February 8, 2009, 1:07am (report abuse)It was always my understanding that the Department of Defense was just as involved with keeping the peace as it was in fighting war. The idea, as I understand it is that a strong defense should deter your enemies from attacking you, therefore maintaining a peace.
If you ask most members of the military I think you will find they would prefer peace to war, but are willing to fight a war if needed.
Having said all this, I am of the opinion that another cabinet-level department is probably just adding more bureaucracy when less would be preferable.
DW
February 10, 2009, 10:56pm (report abuse)Congress already did this with USIP and their new office on the mall between war memorials.
Free school for those promising to be federal employees. Hillary school 'Peace Academy.'
Ted Nunn
February 26, 2009, 7:38pm (report abuse)The Department of Defense is our best tool for resolving our international conflicts with violence. The Department of Peace would be our best tool for resolving conflict through nonviolence. In a dangerous, chaotic world, we need both tools in our toolbox. However, when all you have in your toolbox is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail. Right now, all we have is the DOD.
We need to start using the different tools we have at our disposal. Nonviolent conflict resolution is a mature science with proven techniques for building peaceful, enduring relationship built on mutual respect. The DOP would make sure we use the right tools for the given problem, including addressing issue of violence within our borders.
The Department of Peace is an idea whose time has come.
David Cockrell
March 19, 2009, 11:32pm (report abuse)You have to read this legislation. It is so profound in its effort to address domestic issues, including: teaching peace education in elementary school; develop policies that address domestic violence, including spousal abuse, child abuse and the mistreatment of the elderly. It also promotes racial, religious and ethnic tolerance. I have never read something so comprehensive. I want you to imagine a world without violence against women, minorities, children and the elderly. We can create peace here on earth. It isn't just a utopian idea. The legislation is 14 pages full of brave new ideas. We have to start now!!
Murphy from Resistnet.com
March 24, 2009, 8:28pm (report abuse)Besides adding government bloat, this act is nothing more than a smokescreen to reduce our military might and make the US vulnerable. Also, I cannot adhere to a policy seemingly set by the UN.
Myfavoritemenarethefoundingfathers
April 28, 2009, 12:16pm (report abuse)Is this a joke? The lunatics really are running the assylum. Sheeple wake up! It may already be too late to save this country. Government is not the answer to every problem, government IS the Problem. Washington said that government is like fire, a useful servant, but a dangerous master. Who out there believes that our government is any longer a servant to the people? It is becoming master, and putting in place all the mechanisms to enforce that power with a vengance if it ever decides to do so. NO more departments, committees, or bureacracy of any kind. Please!
Barbara Rivera
May 12, 2009, 12:34am (report abuse)Homes and schools are not safe for thousands of our children. The U.S. youth homicide rate is more than 10 times that of other industrial nations. We need a national structure to address violence in this country as well as innovative and effective approaches to international peacebuilding. A cabinet-level Department of Peace would have the institutional scope and power to address these issues. It is time for all citizens to enjoy fully the meaning of the words "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." These words sound hollow to the millions of individuals in this country who have no hope of achieving those 3 basic freedoms. When our homes, schools and communities are safe, we are more able to address challenges. When our financial resources are not overwhelmingly used to pay for results of domestic and community violence, when our youth are able to avoid the lure of gangs, and our prisons are no longer one of our #1 industries, we will thrive as a nation.
David Hazen
May 14, 2009, 10:57pm (report abuse)Nobody wants an inefficient, bloated bureaucracy. How could we make our government MORE efficient, even smaller? Is there something more socially useful we could do with our taxes?
I believe the monetary return that would come from preventing the costs of repairing the damage of violence in our homes, schools, communities, prisons, and battlegrounds is at least equal to the entire federal budget.
A Department of Peace is a whole-systems method for coordinating and focusing efforts that would cut the cost of dealing with violence. Current approaches are ineffective, wasteful, and contribute to bigger government bureaucracy because they are piecemeal, patchwork attempts to struggle with single issues. Would you rather spend your tax dollars on schools, health care, housing -- things that make representative government a worthwhile investment -- or do you prefer the status quo?
Dee Partridge
May 18, 2009, 8:02pm (report abuse)I know everyone is worried about more government, but HR 808 is about more EFFICIENT government, not just bigger. We need to make building a culture of peace in our country Number 1 priority! HR 808 is about supporting the programs that we know work, so that every child can benefit, every city can work on lowering gang violence, every state can lower their domestic abuse issues. Don't be afraid of more government when it is about making what we have work for us better, to make our communities safer. I think a Dept. of Peace makes the most sense at this particular time! BRAVO!!!
Lynn McMullen
May 18, 2009, 10:15pm (report abuse)allow us to invest in the programs that will reduce violence in our country, which is currently costing us over $300 Billion per year. The second leading cause of death for American youth aged 10-24 is homicide. There are soluctions. programs that reduce youth violence and just prison costs alone will more than pay for it. In every area of our society, in our homes, our communities, our sities and our world there are ways to get out of wars but we are no employing them. A Department of Peace would allow us to do this.
David Hirsch
May 19, 2009, 12:47am (report abuse)Do you think you and your childern (grandchildren, nephews, neices, cousins, younger family or friends) live in a safer world with a LGM-118A Peacekeeper?
How many fanatics who think they have the moral high ground and are having a bad day, does it take to pull the trigger or otherwise upset what's keeping the pin to the myriad of atomic bombs in the world?
We reap what we sow so perhaps a sound investment to resolve violence issues domestic and abroad before a need for a defense against this violence occurs.
The idea is through communication and negotiations, grievances may be addressed and tensions settled before a violence takes root. These are principles of a civilized peaceful world and not of avarice corporate corruption, lies about wars and atrocities against humanity.
A department of peace would save money and lives is the bottom line.
Lynn Ellis
May 19, 2009, 7:07am (report abuse)We need a Department of Peace to bring focus to the crisis of violence facing this country. Domestic deaths in the U.S. continue to rise especially in the youth population. 85% of the Department of Peace funds will pay for prevention and education. We here so much about the number killed in war related conflicts and very little about those killed in domestic violence incidents. I would encourage those who oppose this bill to do some research on this and then decide. Thank you.
Judy Kimmel
May 19, 2009, 12:38pm (report abuse)Why should there be a question about investing in conflict resolution, peace keeping, violence prevention etc. etc.... Seems a no brainer to me. Cost savings ten to one...WE NEED this!
Dan Kahn
May 19, 2009, 1:26pm (report abuse)Hi - this bill, as I understand it, would promote our best available practices for dispute resolution and violence reduction - it would not replace any existing departments - like Defense or State or Education (85% of the bill's proposed spending is for domestic peace-enhancement), but would provide resources relevant to the work of all these areas. Soldiers in peace-keeping roles would have more thorough training in de-escalating tense situations. Police and other emergency services would be better equipped to defuse a domestic violence situation (where a very high percentage of police officer injuries are currently sustained). These are tools we all need - respectful, connective, life-enhancing communications. Let us make this a national priority. Like we formed NASA in the 50's to emphasize our "outer"
space travel possibilities - this would represent a national felt need to improve our dealings in inner and interpersonal space. This is not flaky - it is necessary.
win2
May 19, 2009, 3:13pm (report abuse)This sounds like a domestic propaganda department which we do not need.
This is not about foreign nations this is about us.
Case in point, of the $10,000,000,000 authorized yearly at the date of enactment, 85% is to be used domestically.
This is straight out of Orwell 1984. Jeesh, even the name "The Department of Peace" sounds like Orwell.
Congress could start by telling us why we the US citizens need a peace reeducation when it is Congress that approves the wars!
Terry Mason
May 19, 2009, 9:13pm (report abuse)20 years ago, insurance companies did not cover preventive care -- and doctors were rare if they advocated such action. Today, preventive care is the norm: we are advised to exercise, eat a healthy diet, and take medication to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure in order to avoid the heart attack that may lead to bypass surgery.
Why not invest in preventive actions against the violence in our society?
Those who eschew the notion due to a fear of bigger government are distracting from the main point: the violence in our society is unsustainable. We have to take action, now.
If not a Department of Peace, what? Offer solutions, please.
It was recently said that it's not an issue of larger government or smaller government: we need to focus on government that works.
Proactively building a more peaceful society for everyone should be an intention in a government that works in this country.
Let's make it happen.
David Hazen
May 21, 2009, 12:18pm (report abuse)win2: "start by telling us why we the US citizens need a peace reeducation when it is Congress that approves the wars!"
When we view Congress as an adversary and give up on befriending our member of Congress, we break the partnership agreement that our country was founded upon, and increase the probability that Congress will indeed create Orwellian institutions.
In 2007 nearly 17,000 people lost their lives and another 1.4 million were traumatized by interpersonal violence in the USA. It costs the federal government $300 billion per year, and the victims pay $500 billion per year (World Health Organization). The Center for Disease Control says we are dealing with an epidemic. It is spread and fed through the media and dysfunctional family systems, school systems, prison systems, and innumerable misdirected agencies and laws. The efforts to repress violence, to repair and control its damage, are uncoordinated, single-issue, and inefficient.
David Hirsch
May 21, 2009, 9:11pm (report abuse)"We can't shoot our way out of Afghanistan." -Gen. Barry McCaffrey
www.warisnottheanswer.com
“I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.” Abraham Lincoln quotes ( American 16th US President (1861-65).
Fallacy: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend"
Cartoonist Howard Taylor, using humor toward social critique, condenses the concept into 'Rule 29', "The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's enemy. No more. No less."
http://drybonesblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/enemy-of-my-enemy.html
A good soldier is not violent.
A good fighter is not angry.
A good winner is not vengeful.
A good employer is humble.
This is known as the Virtue of not striving.
This is known as ability to deal with people.
This since ancient times has been known
as the ultimate unity with heaven.
- Lao-tzu
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H.R. 808 would establish a Department of Peace. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "", url: "" });...