We need a strong United Nations

World War I was the war to end all wars. This did not occur; it was simply an extension of the past. Wars continue today for racial, economic and religious reasons.

We created a United Nations, and although successful, it has been somewhat impotent in preventing wars. We need to strengthen this institution. We cannot afford a continuation of the past in which we fight wars, where at their end, we fail to reach a resolution for why it was caused in the first place. Any other objective would be dishonorable. We cannot put young Americans in harm’s way without giving them the resources they need to end the war quickly and permanently.

We must not go to war halfheartedly. If we determine that we must go to war, which we pray that we don’t, we must head to a resolution as soon as possible. The U.S. has been involved in conflicts like Vietnam, Korea and Libya, which create an immense drain on our economy, money, material, and far worse, our youth. We hate the loss of American lives for wars that fail. Continual wars teach our children only war and our children deserve much more.

We need to strengthen the ability of the United Nations to enforce peace and live within our own nations. Building coalitions should no longer be acceptable. It is time our world grew up and acted as a community of nations instead of spoiled tribes. The U.S. has a unique obligation to try to resolve significant disputes on a global scale, but they cannot impose their will on a community of nations, nor should they.

The largest tragedy that we are faced with today is the continuing loss of our children in purposeless warfare that uses our assets and gains us nothing.

John Kicmal

and residents of Alden Valley Ridge

Bloomingdale