Sadly, long after it has become clear that mass violence is a very counterproductive way to settle disputes, Russians and Americans are still channeling their children into the armed forces and war.

The recent announcement of a nuclear deal with Iran by the United States and other nations should draw our attention to the history of international nuclear arms control and disarmament agreements.  That history shows us how important and successful such agreements have been in curbing nuclear proliferation, reducing the number of nuclear weapons, and preventing nuclear war. 

Polls indicate that there is a widespread concern among Americans about the existence of economic inequality in the United States, as well as a widespread desire for government action to reduce it.

Although Christianity is a religion that professes love and peace, most white Evangelical Protestants in the United States have an enormous enthusiasm for guns.

Democratic socialism, which a century ago had considerable popularity in American politics, has been out of favor in more recent decades.  Nevertheless, the surprising strength of the candidacy of Bernie Sanders for the Democratic Presidential nomination indicates that it may be undergoing a revival in the United States.  At the least, a good showing by Sanders could strengthen the democratic socialist current in American life.

In 2013, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo initiated Start-Up NY -- a much ballyhooed program granting private businesses tax-free status-- with the promise that it would "supercharge" the state's economy and create thousands of new jobs.  Nevertheless, despite many millions of dollars of taxpayers' money spent on the program, it created only 76 jobs during the following year.  Using public funds to rehire the thousands of teachers laid off thanks to severe cutbacks in state funding for education would be a much better investment.

Forty years ago, at the end of the Vietnam War, millions had died, many more had been injured, and vast resources had been destroyed.  Today, the shift of Vietnam and the United States from warring enemies to cooperative partners raises new questions about the necessity for that terrible conflict.

Let us encourage Iran not to follow the bad example set by the nine nuclear powers, which have flouted the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty for up to 45 years.  And let us ask these nuclear-armed nations, with a total of about 16,000 nuclear weapons in their arsenals, when they are going to start practicing what they preach.

New York State -- particularly its largest city -- has played a central role in the long history of the American peace movement.

Can a dedicated socialist have a significant impact upon American life?  Lauren Coodley's biography of prominent socialist novelist and agitator Upton Sinclair shows that, with a lot of talent and fortitude, that kind of influence is possible.