Roger Olsen says Quadruple the number of Peace Corps volunteers serving in foreign land
A peace initiative
Jul 1, 2004
The Harrisburg Patriot
In President Eisenhower's 1961 farewell address he stated, "In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military- industrial complex." Our activities in Iraq are totally contrary to Ike's wise pronouncement. The military-industrial complex is on a tear.
To arrest this relentless expansion, I suggest a new approach: a peace initiative. Just think what a 10 percent chop of the military budget could do (that's in excess of $40 billion):
* Quadruple the number of Peace Corps volunteers serving in foreign lands.
* Develop people-to-people exchanges for various jobs throughout the world.
* Fund foreign exchange students.
* Fund performing arts exchanges (orchestras, ballets, opera).
These ideas all relate to learning more about our global friends. We would find they have different languages, religious practices and skin color.
But, all of humankind has basic needs: peace and security, adequate nutrition, shelter, decent medical care, family, satisfying work. Adoption of these peace initiatives would remove some of the tarnish we now have as viewed by other countries in the world. And, it would start to reduce that colossal military-industrial complex.
ROGER J. OLSON
Hershey
