A $1.2 Trillion Modest Proposal

“The universe is change;

our life is what our thoughts make it.”

— Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

I have a modest proposal — let’s apply a new evidence-based “social technology” built on a public health foundation and developed in Washington State to:

1. Significantly reduce the $1.2 trillion in annual costs to Americans for violence by reducing the costs of violent crime, child abuse, war, rape, genocide, “honor” killings of women, “ethnic cleansing,” family violence, terrorism, slavery, and other forms of violence in the world (statistical information available upon request). The savings can be redirected to healthcare, infrastructure, economic relief, environmental program development, and other critical areas. A detailing of the costs is illustrated below.
   
2. Substantially reduce America’s 2.2 million prison population, moving many of those incarcerated from depleting government funds to becoming tax-paying Americans contributing to the nation’s economic health.
3. Reduce health costs by reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with violence and its effects (e.g., the 3.2 million cases of child abuse reported in the United States annually).
4. Increase America’s international stature and relationships by applying the PAR Model in areas of conflict.
5. Increase confidence in government, trust in each other, and the overall quality of life of all Americans.
6. Improve the overall quality of life of Americans and others throughout the world by making violence less pervasive and feared.
7. Leave a lasting legacy for generations worldwide — a gift of freeing, sustainable, and lasting peace.

Cost to the United States for
Domestic and International Violence
Fiscal Year 2008

Source: US Office of Management and Budget,
US Dept. of Justice, World Health Organization

A New "Social Technology"

The new social technology is the "Violence Integrative Prevention and Restoration (PAR) Model" — a new, evidence-based, cognitive approach to violence response and prevention built upon a public health foundation. It's a significant departure from the traditional “punitive” model for dealing with violence. The PAR Model incorporates new thinking about and language for describing violence, provides a new framework for preventing and responding to violence, and presents an effective alternative to the commonly-used traditional punitive-based approaches for dealing with violence.

The PAR Model can be applied in a broad range of settings including prisons, international conflicts, criminal/justice systems, schools, healthcare systems, communities, families, social service agencies, public health programs, relief projects, and peacebuilding initiatives. And — in addition to relieving some of the sorrow and suffering that comes from violence — early experience with the model suggests it could save us a fortune.

Save Enough to Pay for Two Obama Health Care Plans

If, by applying the PAR Model, we could save just 10% of our annual bill for violence (a fraction of the results obtained in early applications of the model), we would have an extra $124 billion each year. That's enough for two of the $60 billion health plans proposed by President Obama. Or, one $60 billion health plan, one $15 billion auto industry bailout, and another $49 billion for infrastructure jobs. Or, whatever. The point is, it can help us stop flushing away money that we desperately need for other things.

Based on early applications of the model, for every $1 invested in PAR Model programs, the return is expected to be $18.54. This doesn't count the added national wealth when, for example, those held in prisons go from costing American citizens to becoming tax-paying citizens themselves. This is the kind of investment we dearly need.

You Can Help

The proposal for putting the PAR Model to work requires the support of a broad range of people. The new "PAR Peace Initiative" is a good start. The Cascadia Peace Development Fund is building an initiative which will include partnerships with other organizations.

This is a time for profound change — a time that demands new and creative thinking. This is one of those historical pivot points when we're called to roll up our sleeves and set things right. The PAR Peace Initiative provides a rare opportunity to join together to do good and to do it quickly. We need you in this effort. Click here to visit the PAR Peace Initiative page and to learn how you can be involved.