I agree with your moving description of our current situation. It is going to get worse before it gets better. To prepare for the opportunity in a few months or even a few years to truly influence and change people's minds through love, please articulate a vision of positive outcomes for our future. You have mentioned that we need such a vision and I know the light that burns bright within your soul is guiding you to articulate that with us and for us. We the People are the bright light that will motivate a lasting change from this existential darkness. We need to articulate a vision, with a real plan, motivated by our love for each other and this beautiful world, in order to offer a real alternative to the allegiance to greed and hate that the Trump Republican conservative team is pursuing.
You have once again nailed it! Now if every human being could read this and take it to heart. We'll do our best to spread the Truth. And right the wrong wherever we encounter it.
Maybe this "ugly horrible bill" that just got signed is what was needed as the final straw to get people's attention and wake up. There are a lot of poor republicans who maybe thought that only the health care of democrats was going to be cut and they had no idea it included them. Now, maybe once this gets set into motion, there will be enough people - on both sides - to call for impeachment proceedings to get this person out of office so we can begin building a new model of government that serves the best interest of all our citizens and not just the ones with money.
words fail, prayers in my heart and on my mind. Creator, help us be patient for the changes that must come, help us be kind even when we have fear and feel such rage and despair. Keep us safe in the storm. Amen.
Thank you, ma'am. I feel like my personal empathy has been slipping a tad. But that opens a door, which you remind me I must close. There is such bellicose anger, rage, hatred. And there's plenty to be enraged about. I'll keep doing what strengthens my spirit. Neither will I blindly forgive the perpetrators of the atrocities aimed at destroying our constitutional republic. I will be a spiritual warrior.
Marianne, thank you so very much for your ever strong, wise and loving voice. I am not and shall not be wavering in my commitment to continue "building that beautiful world we know in our hearts is possible". (Charles Eisenstein)
Still, I read and listen to your every offering because your words of truth and confident spirit never fail to encourage me on. Many Blessings❣️🙏🏼
Bravo!. … Very well written Marianne … The thing that scares me the most is … will enough people stay awake long enough to push back hard when it’s time to vote … and … will Trump use the Post Office or ICE or State Election Boards to keep Democrats and Independents from voting in opposition to his Administration ???
Everything you write is True on a deep level (as it feels to me). I am on a mission every day to help however I am able.
But a Congressperson who does not even read a bill they are required to vote on - when did that become okay? For eff’s sake, that is literally their job! That these tossers can admit they didn’t read the bill and not feel ashamed- geeze, we have lost the plot. That should be grounds for them to be dismissed. I Know there is no means set up to “dismiss” a member of congress for not doing their job - but there SHOULD be.
For decades, bills have been mostly written by lobbying consultants and staff. The CONgress who uses this practice knows no more about the bill than a student who buys a term paper from a paper mill knows what's in the paper.
But to say that "I didn't know" regarding their financing an ICE to serve as a plutocrats' desired police force for controlling American citizens in their homes and communities because the regular Army is forbidden to do that by our Constitution, or to remove access to health care from the most vulnerable is a BALD-FACED LIE! Do not buy into it from a representative of either of this two-headed cartel party who tries to now hide from what they did in an informed, premeditated action.
Very nice writing but it’s more a rant. I suggest that you present 2 alternate POVs to create an informed argument. And also provide credible evidence AND experts for all 3 sides. Because your intro was highly critical and one sided, you only reached those who agree with you, and turned away any chance of reaching or persuading those who you are trying to influence.
Please take my advice as I’m a university professor teaching communication and effective rhetorical methods.
i'm not concerned with excuses--bc with rants the writer is only reaching an audience that has already agreed with him/her. therefore, rants are ineffective in presenting a POV, and it doesn't matter if it's not persuasion--the writing is out there, so do you want to create discourse, or whine and complain just like Stephan Colbert--which is why CBS dumped his ass.
Tell us, Dr. Soriano, what part of this is a mere rant? Marianne presents facts and figures to support her statements. She does not indulge in simple ad hominem attacks, but shows us where the current trajectory of the Administration's policies are leading. Who, pray tell, should we ask to tell us the "other side's" point of view? Should we grant equal time to Stephen Miller? Paul Dans? Russell Vought? How about Pam Bondi, who has asured us that the Epstein Files are a chimera? I know at least some of what the "other side" would say. They have said it to the world, in the text of Project 2025. They have said it, in the text of the Reconciliation Act of 2025. They say it, every day, in the public statements of President Trump, Deputy Chief of Staff Miller, General Bovino, Tom Homan, even Ron De Santis.
No one is telling you what to believe, Dr. Soriano, and as for your reference to there being three sides, I am speaking as one who gives the benefit of doubt to people like Joe Rogan, Tucker Carlson and even Dan Bongino, each of whom seems to at least have a conscience and live by a code of ethics. Finally, I ask, are the words, the lamentation, of Martin Niemoller also to be construed as a rant?
good writing is good writing and when it comes down to controversial issues, it doesn't matter if you got a thousand stats--if the material is bias and strongly leaning toward the writer's POV ONLY, then it's ineffective and has little to no effect--other than those who already have a similar POV. the cliche is true--"you're preaching to the god damn quire." therefore, Dr Sir, you really need a course in how to properly employ a practical use of the Rhetorical techniques--something Sleepy Joe Biden lacked for four years. And please note, I WILL demonstrate my expertise in critiquing writing on Substack as commentary for increasing quality to broaden readership.
This looks very much like it was written by Artificial Intelligence. "Sleepy Joe Biden"-please. You counter Marianne's "bias" with your own. Well done, Professor.
Thank you for putting our thoughts into words and a call to action. It will certainly take each one of us… Think of how many innocent citizens are locked up right now because potus2 says so..This is against everything this country stands for.. “Home of the free”? This is
MAGA make America great again! Hopefully people that voted for him will RISE UP!!
NOW!! The daily change in tariffs is his attempt to Distract us from the Destruction going on and the quota to lock people up!!
It’s immoral and illegal and no due process!!
The state department was gutted and career u.s. civil servants fired… on Rubios watch..
This isn’t governance. It’s cruelty in costume.
ICE doesn't need expansion. It needs dismantling.
What’s being built isn’t safety. It’s a machine for dehumanization.
They want you numb. Don't give them that.
They want you hateful. Don’t feed them that either.
Keep your empathy sharp.
Keep your outrage holy.
Love is not soft. It is a line in the sand.
And we’re drawing it now.
what an excellent article.Thank-you MW !!
Outstanding... what you came in for.
Thank you for all your encouragement, Tim x
Thank you for such clarity. You are amazing. I voted for you too. Sure wish you had won.
I agree with your moving description of our current situation. It is going to get worse before it gets better. To prepare for the opportunity in a few months or even a few years to truly influence and change people's minds through love, please articulate a vision of positive outcomes for our future. You have mentioned that we need such a vision and I know the light that burns bright within your soul is guiding you to articulate that with us and for us. We the People are the bright light that will motivate a lasting change from this existential darkness. We need to articulate a vision, with a real plan, motivated by our love for each other and this beautiful world, in order to offer a real alternative to the allegiance to greed and hate that the Trump Republican conservative team is pursuing.
You have once again nailed it! Now if every human being could read this and take it to heart. We'll do our best to spread the Truth. And right the wrong wherever we encounter it.
Maybe this "ugly horrible bill" that just got signed is what was needed as the final straw to get people's attention and wake up. There are a lot of poor republicans who maybe thought that only the health care of democrats was going to be cut and they had no idea it included them. Now, maybe once this gets set into motion, there will be enough people - on both sides - to call for impeachment proceedings to get this person out of office so we can begin building a new model of government that serves the best interest of all our citizens and not just the ones with money.
words fail, prayers in my heart and on my mind. Creator, help us be patient for the changes that must come, help us be kind even when we have fear and feel such rage and despair. Keep us safe in the storm. Amen.
Thank you, ma'am. I feel like my personal empathy has been slipping a tad. But that opens a door, which you remind me I must close. There is such bellicose anger, rage, hatred. And there's plenty to be enraged about. I'll keep doing what strengthens my spirit. Neither will I blindly forgive the perpetrators of the atrocities aimed at destroying our constitutional republic. I will be a spiritual warrior.
Marianne, thank you so very much for your ever strong, wise and loving voice. I am not and shall not be wavering in my commitment to continue "building that beautiful world we know in our hearts is possible". (Charles Eisenstein)
Still, I read and listen to your every offering because your words of truth and confident spirit never fail to encourage me on. Many Blessings❣️🙏🏼
Bravo!. … Very well written Marianne … The thing that scares me the most is … will enough people stay awake long enough to push back hard when it’s time to vote … and … will Trump use the Post Office or ICE or State Election Boards to keep Democrats and Independents from voting in opposition to his Administration ???
Everything you write is True on a deep level (as it feels to me). I am on a mission every day to help however I am able.
But a Congressperson who does not even read a bill they are required to vote on - when did that become okay? For eff’s sake, that is literally their job! That these tossers can admit they didn’t read the bill and not feel ashamed- geeze, we have lost the plot. That should be grounds for them to be dismissed. I Know there is no means set up to “dismiss” a member of congress for not doing their job - but there SHOULD be.
For decades, bills have been mostly written by lobbying consultants and staff. The CONgress who uses this practice knows no more about the bill than a student who buys a term paper from a paper mill knows what's in the paper.
But to say that "I didn't know" regarding their financing an ICE to serve as a plutocrats' desired police force for controlling American citizens in their homes and communities because the regular Army is forbidden to do that by our Constitution, or to remove access to health care from the most vulnerable is a BALD-FACED LIE! Do not buy into it from a representative of either of this two-headed cartel party who tries to now hide from what they did in an informed, premeditated action.
It is an inside job in many was, Marianne! It is the internal love and strength inside each of us. It is the "still small voice," within each of us.
Very nice writing but it’s more a rant. I suggest that you present 2 alternate POVs to create an informed argument. And also provide credible evidence AND experts for all 3 sides. Because your intro was highly critical and one sided, you only reached those who agree with you, and turned away any chance of reaching or persuading those who you are trying to influence.
Please take my advice as I’m a university professor teaching communication and effective rhetorical methods.
John Soriano Ph.D
I'm not a journalist, John.
This isn’t an exercise in method or persuasion. When a patient is bleeding out, there’s no need for two more people to round out the conversation.
We are in an emergency situation.
i'm not concerned with excuses--bc with rants the writer is only reaching an audience that has already agreed with him/her. therefore, rants are ineffective in presenting a POV, and it doesn't matter if it's not persuasion--the writing is out there, so do you want to create discourse, or whine and complain just like Stephan Colbert--which is why CBS dumped his ass.
Tell us, Dr. Soriano, what part of this is a mere rant? Marianne presents facts and figures to support her statements. She does not indulge in simple ad hominem attacks, but shows us where the current trajectory of the Administration's policies are leading. Who, pray tell, should we ask to tell us the "other side's" point of view? Should we grant equal time to Stephen Miller? Paul Dans? Russell Vought? How about Pam Bondi, who has asured us that the Epstein Files are a chimera? I know at least some of what the "other side" would say. They have said it to the world, in the text of Project 2025. They have said it, in the text of the Reconciliation Act of 2025. They say it, every day, in the public statements of President Trump, Deputy Chief of Staff Miller, General Bovino, Tom Homan, even Ron De Santis.
No one is telling you what to believe, Dr. Soriano, and as for your reference to there being three sides, I am speaking as one who gives the benefit of doubt to people like Joe Rogan, Tucker Carlson and even Dan Bongino, each of whom seems to at least have a conscience and live by a code of ethics. Finally, I ask, are the words, the lamentation, of Martin Niemoller also to be construed as a rant?
good writing is good writing and when it comes down to controversial issues, it doesn't matter if you got a thousand stats--if the material is bias and strongly leaning toward the writer's POV ONLY, then it's ineffective and has little to no effect--other than those who already have a similar POV. the cliche is true--"you're preaching to the god damn quire." therefore, Dr Sir, you really need a course in how to properly employ a practical use of the Rhetorical techniques--something Sleepy Joe Biden lacked for four years. And please note, I WILL demonstrate my expertise in critiquing writing on Substack as commentary for increasing quality to broaden readership.
Professor Soriano
This looks very much like it was written by Artificial Intelligence. "Sleepy Joe Biden"-please. You counter Marianne's "bias" with your own. Well done, Professor.
I love the bold print!
Thank you for putting our thoughts into words and a call to action. It will certainly take each one of us… Think of how many innocent citizens are locked up right now because potus2 says so..This is against everything this country stands for.. “Home of the free”? This is
MAGA make America great again! Hopefully people that voted for him will RISE UP!!
NOW!! The daily change in tariffs is his attempt to Distract us from the Destruction going on and the quota to lock people up!!
It’s immoral and illegal and no due process!!
The state department was gutted and career u.s. civil servants fired… on Rubios watch..
Thank you Marianne…