America First In War, Time to Be First in Peace

My fellow Americans,

Today, we celebrate an International Day of Peace. Peace is one of those words whose meaning is much powerful than many think. And in today's conflict torn world, there is nothing we need more than peace. Whether it is the barbaric advance of the Islamic State, the violent civil war in Syria, the chaotic anarchy in Libya, or even the violence in our own nation, peace should be our first priority.The past Presidential administrations have claimed peace is their goal, but reality paints a different picture.

Over the past two administrations, America has been at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, involved in conflicts that have no definite resolution. As George Washington once said, America should be "First in War, AND FIRST IN PEACE." Our nation has been first in war for a long time, and it is now time we become first in peace. America faced a possibility of ending the civil war in Syria through supporting reforms to Assad's government, but President Obama's administration refused and demanded Assad step down before any peace could happen, plunging Syria in deeper civil war and resulting in floods of refugees fleeing to Europe.

I do credit this administration for working to improve our relations with Cuba, but we need to extend that kind of treatment to all our South American brothers and sisters. For to long, America has acted with an attitude of indifference towards all those nations south of us. America needs to move on to a new era of treating nations with respect and dignity, and only using military force as the last resort. As a survivor of a bloody revolution, I know just how brutal war is, and I will personally do everything in my power as President to resolve conflict at home and abroad diplomatically before using force.

~Katniss Everdeen