Peace Action West

Dear Peace Voter,

You are an internationally powerful person.

Although our country's standing has taken a hit these last few years, the fact is the United States still plays a powerful role on the world stage. You can help determine the shape that role takes as a new administration enters the scene.

Tools like this scorecard help you tell your representatives that you know the score. Let them know how you feel about their records on the foreign policy issues you care about. You can do that on the phone and by letters and email; through talking to representatives at their town hall meetings and local lobby visits; and through kudos or pink slips at the ballot box.

A new administration brings with it great hopes for a new foreign policy. Given the lack of progress on foreign policy issues over the last few years (as embodied in the 2008 scorecard), bold action is essential.  We need vocal, active political support for international cooperation, diplomacy and disarmament to make that a reality. The Cold War era approach that prioritizes the blunt instrument of military force over smart diplomacy, democracy, and development is still deeply entrenched. Whether the issue is tensions with Iran, the military budget, the Afghanistan war, or US and Russian nuclear weapons stockpiles, it will take strong public support to advance more peaceful solutions.

Congress will continue to play a central role in whatever new direction our foreign policy takes. And Congress listens to its constituencies. The voice of what President Eisenhower called the "military-industrial complex" is heard in most districts across the country and can drown out common sense. But not if the people in this country speak up loudly and often.

You can speak out for a new vision for US foreign policy. Together, we can advocate for 21st century tools like robust diplomacy, strong international laws and institutions, a just world economy, human development, and environmental sustainability.

While the United States remains powerful – and can use that power as a force for good – it's critical to recognize that our security is closely connected to that of other nations. The last eight years of unilateralism proved that we are living in the age of the global citizen, and the United States cannot truly make itself secure when it acts in isolation.

Through tools like this scorecard, you can make sure our country offers new models of cooperation that make the US more secure and solve global problems.  When you take action, you take your place on the international stage alongside all the world's citizens.

Thank you for your engagement and support,