For 400 years so much of our male leadership in America has betrayed all human beings. The solution will include more women and moms in positions of power. Their heart and grace will be a massive part of the light that rebuilds humanity. The other part of the solution is to begin building children who are so mentally and emotionally positively empowered that they cannot possibly become seduced by the insanity that has devoured so many good people. The Adams sisters and their, "Paper for Water" are examples of our human potential to do great things. This needs to be the norm not the exception. If we want better people in the white house we are going to have to build better people. One generation at a time. Dismantling what the white man has done and still is doing, may well be our highest priority. We need generations of female presidents to undue the harm the white man has done.
Hope you send us a registration link for Feb 16!!! Guess what, my song Don't Lose Heart made it to #1 in 180 countries last summer! Glad you're in D.C.!!! CandaceAsher.com
Indeed, seize the day too! We're in a horrid crisis worldwide so those with any sense of a moral compass must be supported. I appreciate your good work! Thanks for sharing the new link! 😊
Candace, I listened to your song and enjoyed it! Sometimes Europeans are ahead of Americans when it comes to people with great music talent like yours. Keep it moving forward! Cheers!
That is so dear of you! I found your concert organization, too! Europe put me on the maps decades back and then in my covid pivot again - from the house!!! I appreciate your taking the time to write me. Have my first video concert invite resultantly! Tell me about you!!!! Stay well and lol Don't Lose Heart!!!
"Either the experiment is going to end, or it’s going to be revitalized. Which one it will be is entirely up to us" ... And it is up to us ... We need to support these candidates and tip the balance in Congress from a "Corporatist Congress" to a "For the People Congress" ... We need to donate and support them! ... Thank you Marianne ... Your voice is needed!
I agree with you and also believe we must form a coalition of women who have the hearts and minds to make these changes. After the very first debate in 2020 when they broke all the democratic candidates into 2 groups over 2 nights. I sent an email from Twitter to you Marianne, Tulsi, Yang, Beto, Castro and suggested you all form a coalition with each other and any others you thought understood the need. Tell everyone at the second debate if any of you won the nomination for president the rest would be in the executive admin. We all know that didn’t happen.
But it can and must happen now. Women are more than 50% of the voters, runs this coalition as a non party, all parties welcome, all the independents, 3rd parties and former non voters will join you. It will take all of us to over come the power elite corruption of the duopoly. As it gains momentum the frustrated, humanity first, congress members will join in this coalition.
I’m so proud of the Justice Democrats for helping get more young people of color and integrity into politics. RepresentUS.com for the years of state level work to get RCV. Yang’s HumanityForward for supporting candidates at all levels and you Marianne for doing the same now.
I think if you are willing and I know you are able to start this Coalition of Independent Women for Humanity. We could have an executive administration of all women. Mothers, grandmothers, young, single, married, widowed. But passionate about real, honest, humanity first governance.
Please bring this idea to the table for a conversation.
I’m counting on you. It’s your time to lead this coalition of Women.🌏🕊💕
Good seed ideas here but we cannot totally disenfrancise men although that is what has happened to us for centuries! There are many men who wish to save Mother Earth as well as their children and the women they truly love. We need to invite them to join with us! Your idea has great merit.
I think there are some REALLY good ideas in this post:
a) Form a coalition of like minded candidates and promise to lift each other up as a heavily populated campaign unfolds. (I would have chosen different candidates but the idea is sound). The press organizes candidates into groupings anyway. Declare your own, and understand that there is strength in connections.
b) Make women's issues PRIMARY. And - make them CROSS PARTY issues. It's not too hard to find out what most women, most MOMs in particular, want or need to see happen from their elected officials. While men still tend to run things (sometimes into the ground) women are still overwhelmingly raising children and determining the future of the nation with their choices in the family. Even when they work in the economy, they hold the nation together.
This is especially true when a nation is at war (which is most of the time, I'm afraid).
Thanks, Gayla, for a visionary idea. Visioning politics in a new way is what Marianne has been talking about for the last few months. This is proof that you took her seriously.
c) I agree that RCV (ranked choice voting) is an essential tool for changing the discussion about political campaigns, taking the power to elevate some candidates and diminish others away from the press. The Dem Primary in 2020 would have yielded very different results if this was the way we elected our candidates. Don't think it's possible to put this in place at the national level for some time, but localities can experiment and show the way.
If it's any consolation, according to some archeologists, the initial human civilizations were peaceful, cooperative and egalitarian. There is hope that a return to love, can turn it around. https://youtu.be/BRV8EiXS_q4
The Course teaches that a problem needs to be tackled at it's source. It also teaches that there are no problems. Heal the problem of the separation that never really occurred and you have the answer. Everyone needs to be taught to transcend the ego. Everyone needs to read and study A Course in Miracles. Miracles will save the world. (I do apologise that what I have written isn't exactly in line with the intention of today's article but this is 'Transform' and as Gandhi said and is regularly quoted as saying "to transform the world we must begin with ourselves.")
I am totally inspired that we are moving out of the old world and allowing the unfolding of a new world, or the world that's always been here that we haven't been open to before - the Heaven on Earth that is often referenced. I believe in this world because it's the only world I hear about in all the different zoom calls and events that I attend. I don't have TV and I haven't for over 30 years so I am not exposed to the world that is presented in the media. We are moving out of a world of survival and into a world of thrive, because more and more people are talking about what they want more of instead of talking about what they don't want. I have an intention that I say everyday that maybe some of you all might be interested in saying as well -
Humanity – WE feel and know that OUR highest good is now coming to US. WE hold OUR miracle intention -that all governments of the world are transformed, benevolent, loving custodians of the people they serve, working towards global peace, Unity and Universal abundance. …..with Love in OUR hearts and WE see it manifesting in OUR lives in perfect timing. WE give thanks, And so it is.
A simple formula is all that is needed. Point out that they are dividers by showing their division. Expose their puppeteers by showing their strings. I support you all, your power together is compelling.
Thank you for focusing on the corporate corruption issue. This is fundamental. This is why our corporate media simply cannot be trusted. As they lied us into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are now trying to lie us into a wasteful war with Russia. This why our corporate owned politicians deceive us. (Professional con artists are always skillfully convincing.) Schumer and Pelosi are every bit as corrupt as McConnell and McCarthy. This corruption is deeply entrenched and will not be simple to root out. But being aware of it is the necessary starting point.
You have great intentions but the solution is to elect Representatives that are Independents. Both Parties have an image problem and too much baggage. When Tulsi could not break through in the polls, I came up with a solution to get an Independent Party candidate, elected as President.
It is going to start with transforming the mindset of many Americans. Then there has to be a sensible and practical presentation, of what is possible. There will no longer be red or blue states, since the winner takes all will be eliminated. The same total of Electoral votes can still exist but they become proportional. Rank choice voting should also be implemented. The Presidential candidate with the most Electoral vote wins, will be President. There would be set requirements, that would require a certain % of votes from a certain amount of states. The existing polling system needs to be replaced with a modern version. The country gets split up in 10 equal segments, with the same population and similar demographics. People that participate in the polls, would be selected and compensated like jury duty. It would have a certain number of individuals from each age segment and have a balance of male/female/other; white/poc/other, etc. They would have to watch a 1-2 minute video segment of each candidate. Candidates would no longer have to travel all around the country to campaign. Channels like C-Span would broadcast “civil debates”. Each segment of the population will have a 2 week period to campaign. The entire process would be over in 20 weeks. There would be no need to have GOP/DEM/Other, primaries and conventions.
There is some very creative thinking in this post.
Again, answering Marianne's call to ReVision Politics in the 21st Century, and come up with solutions to the old ways of doing things.
We've given the infrastructure of elections and the massive, media driven, profit motivated press WAY too much power to shape our elections.
Don't know how much of this might be able to put in place but love that you have thought this through and designed a new election system that could work differently. We need something to replace the "presunmed nominee" system.
The press decides who's going to win before the field is even set.
I am a bit confused so are you saying that the following method would be facilitated and the rest of America would not vote at the polls or by mail, etc.? So the segment speaks for the rest of us?: "The country gets split up in 10 equal segments, with the same population and similar demographics. People that participate in the polls, would be selected and compensated like jury duty. It would have a certain number of individuals from each age segment and have a balance of male/female/other; white/poc/other, etc. They would have to watch a 1-2 minute video segment of each candidate."
My gut response is that many people would be offended by this approach if I understand it correctly. (I think what draws people to democracy is the opportunity to cast their vote!) Please clarify when you have time. Thanks!
The biggest issue with the existing system is in the way the early polls have such a factor on how much media attention a candidate gets and if they get in the debates, how much time they get to speak. If 500,000 people were selected to be “qualified poll takers”, you would have a much better outcome and fairer results. You would still have a voting system but it would be modernized as well. People could vote on their smart phones and online, as well as in person. Advanced voting would be encouraged. All voting would require a triple stage process. 1 government portal and 2 independent portals. In order for a vote to count, it has to be the same in all 3. We need to find every possible flaw in our existing system and remove or replace it. We should not be counting on a 1 or 2 states, to be the swing states. By having a proportionate “Electoral System”, we make every vote count and a fairer system that people want to participate in.
He's right. Thanks, David, for your creative ideas and thanks for identifying the core of the problem - current elections are career builders for an army of press personalities. They deliberately report on and build the contest like it's some kind of Super Bowl.
American democracy is a cherished institution, not a contact sport.
We need better models than "the war in the battleground states".
I'm tired of a system that doesn't even count my NYS vote til the contest is over in April (this was SO true in 2020) and presumes my vote because I trend liberal. I want options, and I want for the candidates and the nation to CARE as much about what I think as some yahoo in Iowa or New Hampshire. Or South Carolina for Christ's sake.
The current situation harkens back to another trying time when the late John Prine sang in "Chain of Sorrow":
You can gaze out the window, get mad and get madder
Throw your hands in the air, say, "What does it matter?"
But it don't do no good to get angry,
So help me, I know.
For a heart stained in anger grows weak and grows bitter.
You become your own prisoner as you watch yourself sit there
Wrapped up in a trap of your very own
Chain of sorrow.
So the new generation of leaders who will cut the strings pulled by corporatists (great neologism by the way) offer promise and keep me from staring out the window getting madder by the day. Instead of protecting opiod peddlers, we need to protect the human resources that make the United States strong.
I am one of those cynical people and I believe that the experiment is dead. There are still incredible people like you out there who keep fighting, but this is a nation of functional idiots and if people have not woken up to this moment, they will never will. I will still attend since I try to do what you encourage as in "You don't have to win the war, but you can't abandon the struggle", but I have no hope. Every progressive candidate that I have supported and gave money too, either lost to corporate shills by wide margins (Nina Turner and Alex Morse come to mind) or just betrayed their promises after election (AOC, attending gala like a moron, or Edd Markey for promoting censorship). The progressive movement has been abject failure and seems to only promote cowards and liars. The absolute corruption in our government has been present for decades and has been in the open for the past 20 years and things are getting worse and population is becoming more and more stupid, hateful and divided.
Orez, many times I too have shared your discouragement but I think it is up to us--those who are still awake--to help improve our country's situation before it's too late. We can do it but we must muster all the courage and strength: we can!
Good idea about RCV--being tried in many communities but requires massive support by residents but it's necessary too. It's common sense.
Also, while thinking of our dismal voters rights problems, it seems our country is going backwards due to polarization. So to reunite, I don't think we should be placing labels or parties first but sound common sense candidates. The super powerful and rich love it when we fight between and among our political parties--meanwhile, they rule and control! The way around them and their dark money is a massive unification of thought about true equity in all matters large and small.
Blessings to all who are open to listening to Marianne and participate in this substack! We can win but we must be willing to do things differently-so many, many things, like getting rid of lifetime appointments at our U.S. Supreme Court. Nuts! Also, legislative terms in office need to be shorter as well. Otherwise, we get stuck in the quagmire of toxins. We can do so much more!
"So to reunite, I don't think we should be placing labels or parties first but sound common sense candidates. The super powerful and rich love it when we fight between and among our political parties--meanwhile, they rule and control!"
This is one reason that at this time I do not support the ultra left proposals like erasing student debt PLUS free college for all PLUS free health care for all PLUS Green New Deal (impossible to pass with that name). It's just a laundry list of impossible legislative goals in today's political climate and - look -not everyone agrees with this stuff.
The Left/Progressive candidates on Marianne's radar are intelligent, empathic and visionary but... the numbers at the polls simply won't get many of them to the finish line if they don't adjust their expectations/demands.
There's nothing - NOTHING - more urgent in these pandemic times than giving ppl equal access to health care. nothing. And addressing the greed of pharma.
I don't see that on Marianne's list - just give them all Medicare and somehow the money (and public approval) will rain down from heaven. That's not how policy is shaped, passed and stabilized. The way she envisions doing it - the swipe of the POTUS pen - is draconian, unstable, even unconstitutional. POTUS does not make policy and POTUS does not have the power of the purse. That's with the Congress for a reason.
So. I have my objection to the stated salad of policy goals, and the idea that they are the BARE minimum needed to achieve a just society. But I celebrate the ideals in them.
You make some common sense astute comments herein. But we can learn about social safety nets from our brothers and sisters residing in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc., where they have free health care, education, etc. What this does is enormously reduce the stress of every day life for them. And it still allows folks to become multimillionaires if they so desire so it's not anti-capitalism but giving people the ability to thrive instead of floundering to survive. I would be willing to give taxes for such a system since it's more sane and just than ours--we're now bowing to shadow powers and being seduced by money that's not the answer to happiness or peace--it's outmoded,misguided thinking.
We need a realistic approach to get us to the bare minium but mostly we really need to focus on the climate emergency that can help resolve all of these matters since new opportunities will arise via training, education, new careers, and a better existence for all. That's my top concern as we dilly-dally with the small stuff!
I agree that the climate issue is vitally important but I believe that as the ppl with Long COVID heal and try to recover some semblance of a normal life, their costs will go thru the roof. So for me that's an emergency at this time.
The climate emergency has been an emergency for DECADES.
We are all doing our best to adjust to a massive re-alignment of our economy and infrastructure to deal with it.
I honor your right to your opinion but many communities, like mine, have already declared a climate emergency--January 24, 2022. While things may seem expensive and dire now, well, they will escalate beyond your wildest imagination if we don't start confronting decarbonization!
Covid has temporarily blindsided us from addressing the real headwinds that we will be confronting all of us worldwide sooner than you think. I have studied this for over a decade and am certified in this arena. Also, I suggest you google our U.S. Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry, who reprimanded the world last week for delaying action.
We cannot continue to be sidetracked by pandemics and crazy political policies when the climate emergency is far, far worse. Ms. Donnelly, I understand your desire to address what appears to be the paramount hardship in front of you and many others; however, we all do what we must to carry on, and in the final analysis that means addressing climate change as the most historic concern facing humanity.
All my words said, I would be open to having further dialog with you on the climate change issue if there is a way for us to take our conversation off Marianne's page.
There must be a way for people to DM each other after they meet on Substack if they want to continue one on one dialog.
LMK if you, Marianne or anyone else knows how to do this.
Thanks and much love and solidarity with you, Joan.
You're preaching to the crowd when it comes to Climate Change.
My husband and two of his friends spent 7 years researching, writing and producing a film about the effect of climate change on the local economy. They interviewed a lot of scientists, ethicists and local figures while making their film.
Nobody who has spent 10 minutes addressing this issue is without grave concern for the climate. But we also know the operational reasons for resistance. They are far more complex than "the overlords won't allow for it". And the resistance is strong. It won't budge until more cities are destroyed by the effects, I'm afraid.
I'm focused on health care and protecting our health care workers right now because that is the immediate, pressing need.
And people can relate to it. Most common people cannot wrap their heads around what is happening to our planet because of climate change because most ppl don't have a planetary mindset.
They think of it as "science fiction".
I know as well as you do that climate change is Science FACT.
But right now, so is the pandemic.
So is what it is doing to our health care superstructure.
So are the needs of the people affected by COVID to get real relief.
That's what's most on my mind right now.
Said with love and enthusiasm for a wonderful conversation. <3
Marianne - I came here to talk about stumbling into your interview with Judy Woodruff during the 2020 campaign - the absolute best interview you gave, in my opinion - and how I would like to see you progress with your political interest if you REALLY want to be active in the coming elections (not as a candidate, but as an ORGANIZER, since here you seem to have a flair).
But when I read the comments below, I decided to engage your other readers.
There's some really good stuff in the comments here.
I hope you can really hear some of it, and take it into consideration.
For 400 years so much of our male leadership in America has betrayed all human beings. The solution will include more women and moms in positions of power. Their heart and grace will be a massive part of the light that rebuilds humanity. The other part of the solution is to begin building children who are so mentally and emotionally positively empowered that they cannot possibly become seduced by the insanity that has devoured so many good people. The Adams sisters and their, "Paper for Water" are examples of our human potential to do great things. This needs to be the norm not the exception. If we want better people in the white house we are going to have to build better people. One generation at a time. Dismantling what the white man has done and still is doing, may well be our highest priority. We need generations of female presidents to undue the harm the white man has done.
Hope you send us a registration link for Feb 16!!! Guess what, my song Don't Lose Heart made it to #1 in 180 countries last summer! Glad you're in D.C.!!! CandaceAsher.com
Visit SeizeTheHouse.com
Indeed, seize the day too! We're in a horrid crisis worldwide so those with any sense of a moral compass must be supported. I appreciate your good work! Thanks for sharing the new link! 😊
Candace, I listened to your song and enjoyed it! Sometimes Europeans are ahead of Americans when it comes to people with great music talent like yours. Keep it moving forward! Cheers!
That is so dear of you! I found your concert organization, too! Europe put me on the maps decades back and then in my covid pivot again - from the house!!! I appreciate your taking the time to write me. Have my first video concert invite resultantly! Tell me about you!!!! Stay well and lol Don't Lose Heart!!!
"Either the experiment is going to end, or it’s going to be revitalized. Which one it will be is entirely up to us" ... And it is up to us ... We need to support these candidates and tip the balance in Congress from a "Corporatist Congress" to a "For the People Congress" ... We need to donate and support them! ... Thank you Marianne ... Your voice is needed!
I agree with you and also believe we must form a coalition of women who have the hearts and minds to make these changes. After the very first debate in 2020 when they broke all the democratic candidates into 2 groups over 2 nights. I sent an email from Twitter to you Marianne, Tulsi, Yang, Beto, Castro and suggested you all form a coalition with each other and any others you thought understood the need. Tell everyone at the second debate if any of you won the nomination for president the rest would be in the executive admin. We all know that didn’t happen.
But it can and must happen now. Women are more than 50% of the voters, runs this coalition as a non party, all parties welcome, all the independents, 3rd parties and former non voters will join you. It will take all of us to over come the power elite corruption of the duopoly. As it gains momentum the frustrated, humanity first, congress members will join in this coalition.
I’m so proud of the Justice Democrats for helping get more young people of color and integrity into politics. RepresentUS.com for the years of state level work to get RCV. Yang’s HumanityForward for supporting candidates at all levels and you Marianne for doing the same now.
I think if you are willing and I know you are able to start this Coalition of Independent Women for Humanity. We could have an executive administration of all women. Mothers, grandmothers, young, single, married, widowed. But passionate about real, honest, humanity first governance.
Please bring this idea to the table for a conversation.
I’m counting on you. It’s your time to lead this coalition of Women.🌏🕊💕
Good seed ideas here but we cannot totally disenfrancise men although that is what has happened to us for centuries! There are many men who wish to save Mother Earth as well as their children and the women they truly love. We need to invite them to join with us! Your idea has great merit.
I think there are some REALLY good ideas in this post:
a) Form a coalition of like minded candidates and promise to lift each other up as a heavily populated campaign unfolds. (I would have chosen different candidates but the idea is sound). The press organizes candidates into groupings anyway. Declare your own, and understand that there is strength in connections.
b) Make women's issues PRIMARY. And - make them CROSS PARTY issues. It's not too hard to find out what most women, most MOMs in particular, want or need to see happen from their elected officials. While men still tend to run things (sometimes into the ground) women are still overwhelmingly raising children and determining the future of the nation with their choices in the family. Even when they work in the economy, they hold the nation together.
This is especially true when a nation is at war (which is most of the time, I'm afraid).
Thanks, Gayla, for a visionary idea. Visioning politics in a new way is what Marianne has been talking about for the last few months. This is proof that you took her seriously.
c) I agree that RCV (ranked choice voting) is an essential tool for changing the discussion about political campaigns, taking the power to elevate some candidates and diminish others away from the press. The Dem Primary in 2020 would have yielded very different results if this was the way we elected our candidates. Don't think it's possible to put this in place at the national level for some time, but localities can experiment and show the way.
d) the link to RepresentUS.com is broken. JFYI. :) <3
Excellent! Thank you for doing this Holy Work! xoxo
If it's any consolation, according to some archeologists, the initial human civilizations were peaceful, cooperative and egalitarian. There is hope that a return to love, can turn it around. https://youtu.be/BRV8EiXS_q4
The Course teaches that a problem needs to be tackled at it's source. It also teaches that there are no problems. Heal the problem of the separation that never really occurred and you have the answer. Everyone needs to be taught to transcend the ego. Everyone needs to read and study A Course in Miracles. Miracles will save the world. (I do apologise that what I have written isn't exactly in line with the intention of today's article but this is 'Transform' and as Gandhi said and is regularly quoted as saying "to transform the world we must begin with ourselves.")
I am totally inspired that we are moving out of the old world and allowing the unfolding of a new world, or the world that's always been here that we haven't been open to before - the Heaven on Earth that is often referenced. I believe in this world because it's the only world I hear about in all the different zoom calls and events that I attend. I don't have TV and I haven't for over 30 years so I am not exposed to the world that is presented in the media. We are moving out of a world of survival and into a world of thrive, because more and more people are talking about what they want more of instead of talking about what they don't want. I have an intention that I say everyday that maybe some of you all might be interested in saying as well -
Humanity – WE feel and know that OUR highest good is now coming to US. WE hold OUR miracle intention -that all governments of the world are transformed, benevolent, loving custodians of the people they serve, working towards global peace, Unity and Universal abundance. …..with Love in OUR hearts and WE see it manifesting in OUR lives in perfect timing. WE give thanks, And so it is.
A simple formula is all that is needed. Point out that they are dividers by showing their division. Expose their puppeteers by showing their strings. I support you all, your power together is compelling.
Thank you for focusing on the corporate corruption issue. This is fundamental. This is why our corporate media simply cannot be trusted. As they lied us into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are now trying to lie us into a wasteful war with Russia. This why our corporate owned politicians deceive us. (Professional con artists are always skillfully convincing.) Schumer and Pelosi are every bit as corrupt as McConnell and McCarthy. This corruption is deeply entrenched and will not be simple to root out. But being aware of it is the necessary starting point.
You have great intentions but the solution is to elect Representatives that are Independents. Both Parties have an image problem and too much baggage. When Tulsi could not break through in the polls, I came up with a solution to get an Independent Party candidate, elected as President.
Wow, please share your solution: the US needs it!
We are losing our democracy in swift fashion and our SCOTUS is floundering--so all three branches of our government in big, big trouble.
It is going to start with transforming the mindset of many Americans. Then there has to be a sensible and practical presentation, of what is possible. There will no longer be red or blue states, since the winner takes all will be eliminated. The same total of Electoral votes can still exist but they become proportional. Rank choice voting should also be implemented. The Presidential candidate with the most Electoral vote wins, will be President. There would be set requirements, that would require a certain % of votes from a certain amount of states. The existing polling system needs to be replaced with a modern version. The country gets split up in 10 equal segments, with the same population and similar demographics. People that participate in the polls, would be selected and compensated like jury duty. It would have a certain number of individuals from each age segment and have a balance of male/female/other; white/poc/other, etc. They would have to watch a 1-2 minute video segment of each candidate. Candidates would no longer have to travel all around the country to campaign. Channels like C-Span would broadcast “civil debates”. Each segment of the population will have a 2 week period to campaign. The entire process would be over in 20 weeks. There would be no need to have GOP/DEM/Other, primaries and conventions.
There is some very creative thinking in this post.
Again, answering Marianne's call to ReVision Politics in the 21st Century, and come up with solutions to the old ways of doing things.
We've given the infrastructure of elections and the massive, media driven, profit motivated press WAY too much power to shape our elections.
Don't know how much of this might be able to put in place but love that you have thought this through and designed a new election system that could work differently. We need something to replace the "presunmed nominee" system.
The press decides who's going to win before the field is even set.
I am a bit confused so are you saying that the following method would be facilitated and the rest of America would not vote at the polls or by mail, etc.? So the segment speaks for the rest of us?: "The country gets split up in 10 equal segments, with the same population and similar demographics. People that participate in the polls, would be selected and compensated like jury duty. It would have a certain number of individuals from each age segment and have a balance of male/female/other; white/poc/other, etc. They would have to watch a 1-2 minute video segment of each candidate."
My gut response is that many people would be offended by this approach if I understand it correctly. (I think what draws people to democracy is the opportunity to cast their vote!) Please clarify when you have time. Thanks!
The biggest issue with the existing system is in the way the early polls have such a factor on how much media attention a candidate gets and if they get in the debates, how much time they get to speak. If 500,000 people were selected to be “qualified poll takers”, you would have a much better outcome and fairer results. You would still have a voting system but it would be modernized as well. People could vote on their smart phones and online, as well as in person. Advanced voting would be encouraged. All voting would require a triple stage process. 1 government portal and 2 independent portals. In order for a vote to count, it has to be the same in all 3. We need to find every possible flaw in our existing system and remove or replace it. We should not be counting on a 1 or 2 states, to be the swing states. By having a proportionate “Electoral System”, we make every vote count and a fairer system that people want to participate in.
He's right. Thanks, David, for your creative ideas and thanks for identifying the core of the problem - current elections are career builders for an army of press personalities. They deliberately report on and build the contest like it's some kind of Super Bowl.
American democracy is a cherished institution, not a contact sport.
We need better models than "the war in the battleground states".
I'm tired of a system that doesn't even count my NYS vote til the contest is over in April (this was SO true in 2020) and presumes my vote because I trend liberal. I want options, and I want for the candidates and the nation to CARE as much about what I think as some yahoo in Iowa or New Hampshire. Or South Carolina for Christ's sake.
I'm TIRED OF THE OLD MODEL.
And I see a lot of good in yours.
Thank you!
David, it's worth a shot! Keep this moving forward! I like the triple-stage process for authenticity and fairness too.
The current situation harkens back to another trying time when the late John Prine sang in "Chain of Sorrow":
You can gaze out the window, get mad and get madder
Throw your hands in the air, say, "What does it matter?"
But it don't do no good to get angry,
So help me, I know.
For a heart stained in anger grows weak and grows bitter.
You become your own prisoner as you watch yourself sit there
Wrapped up in a trap of your very own
Chain of sorrow.
So the new generation of leaders who will cut the strings pulled by corporatists (great neologism by the way) offer promise and keep me from staring out the window getting madder by the day. Instead of protecting opiod peddlers, we need to protect the human resources that make the United States strong.
I'll be sure to tune in.
I am one of those cynical people and I believe that the experiment is dead. There are still incredible people like you out there who keep fighting, but this is a nation of functional idiots and if people have not woken up to this moment, they will never will. I will still attend since I try to do what you encourage as in "You don't have to win the war, but you can't abandon the struggle", but I have no hope. Every progressive candidate that I have supported and gave money too, either lost to corporate shills by wide margins (Nina Turner and Alex Morse come to mind) or just betrayed their promises after election (AOC, attending gala like a moron, or Edd Markey for promoting censorship). The progressive movement has been abject failure and seems to only promote cowards and liars. The absolute corruption in our government has been present for decades and has been in the open for the past 20 years and things are getting worse and population is becoming more and more stupid, hateful and divided.
Orez, many times I too have shared your discouragement but I think it is up to us--those who are still awake--to help improve our country's situation before it's too late. We can do it but we must muster all the courage and strength: we can!
https://youtu.be/QOxKpCeJPRE
By the way, for those who didn't catch the nuance in the "RCV" reference,
here is some info to describe what it means :
First, the source page: https://campaignlegal.org/
This is one of their educational links:
https://campaignlegal.org/democracyu
A good explanation of Ranked Choice Voting:
https://campaignlegal.org/democracyu/accountability/ranked-choice-voting
RCV is one of many tools outlined in the Democracy-U policy page.
Very much worth the time for your *followers to read.
Have a great day, Marianne.
Good idea about RCV--being tried in many communities but requires massive support by residents but it's necessary too. It's common sense.
Also, while thinking of our dismal voters rights problems, it seems our country is going backwards due to polarization. So to reunite, I don't think we should be placing labels or parties first but sound common sense candidates. The super powerful and rich love it when we fight between and among our political parties--meanwhile, they rule and control! The way around them and their dark money is a massive unification of thought about true equity in all matters large and small.
Blessings to all who are open to listening to Marianne and participate in this substack! We can win but we must be willing to do things differently-so many, many things, like getting rid of lifetime appointments at our U.S. Supreme Court. Nuts! Also, legislative terms in office need to be shorter as well. Otherwise, we get stuck in the quagmire of toxins. We can do so much more!
Onward! 😊🙏💗☮
"So to reunite, I don't think we should be placing labels or parties first but sound common sense candidates. The super powerful and rich love it when we fight between and among our political parties--meanwhile, they rule and control!"
This is one reason that at this time I do not support the ultra left proposals like erasing student debt PLUS free college for all PLUS free health care for all PLUS Green New Deal (impossible to pass with that name). It's just a laundry list of impossible legislative goals in today's political climate and - look -not everyone agrees with this stuff.
The Left/Progressive candidates on Marianne's radar are intelligent, empathic and visionary but... the numbers at the polls simply won't get many of them to the finish line if they don't adjust their expectations/demands.
There's nothing - NOTHING - more urgent in these pandemic times than giving ppl equal access to health care. nothing. And addressing the greed of pharma.
I don't see that on Marianne's list - just give them all Medicare and somehow the money (and public approval) will rain down from heaven. That's not how policy is shaped, passed and stabilized. The way she envisions doing it - the swipe of the POTUS pen - is draconian, unstable, even unconstitutional. POTUS does not make policy and POTUS does not have the power of the purse. That's with the Congress for a reason.
So. I have my objection to the stated salad of policy goals, and the idea that they are the BARE minimum needed to achieve a just society. But I celebrate the ideals in them.
You make some common sense astute comments herein. But we can learn about social safety nets from our brothers and sisters residing in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc., where they have free health care, education, etc. What this does is enormously reduce the stress of every day life for them. And it still allows folks to become multimillionaires if they so desire so it's not anti-capitalism but giving people the ability to thrive instead of floundering to survive. I would be willing to give taxes for such a system since it's more sane and just than ours--we're now bowing to shadow powers and being seduced by money that's not the answer to happiness or peace--it's outmoded,misguided thinking.
We need a realistic approach to get us to the bare minium but mostly we really need to focus on the climate emergency that can help resolve all of these matters since new opportunities will arise via training, education, new careers, and a better existence for all. That's my top concern as we dilly-dally with the small stuff!
I agree that the climate issue is vitally important but I believe that as the ppl with Long COVID heal and try to recover some semblance of a normal life, their costs will go thru the roof. So for me that's an emergency at this time.
The climate emergency has been an emergency for DECADES.
We are all doing our best to adjust to a massive re-alignment of our economy and infrastructure to deal with it.
I honor your right to your opinion but many communities, like mine, have already declared a climate emergency--January 24, 2022. While things may seem expensive and dire now, well, they will escalate beyond your wildest imagination if we don't start confronting decarbonization!
Covid has temporarily blindsided us from addressing the real headwinds that we will be confronting all of us worldwide sooner than you think. I have studied this for over a decade and am certified in this arena. Also, I suggest you google our U.S. Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry, who reprimanded the world last week for delaying action.
We cannot continue to be sidetracked by pandemics and crazy political policies when the climate emergency is far, far worse. Ms. Donnelly, I understand your desire to address what appears to be the paramount hardship in front of you and many others; however, we all do what we must to carry on, and in the final analysis that means addressing climate change as the most historic concern facing humanity.
All my words said, I would be open to having further dialog with you on the climate change issue if there is a way for us to take our conversation off Marianne's page.
There must be a way for people to DM each other after they meet on Substack if they want to continue one on one dialog.
LMK if you, Marianne or anyone else knows how to do this.
Thanks and much love and solidarity with you, Joan.
Joan, please.
You're preaching to the crowd when it comes to Climate Change.
My husband and two of his friends spent 7 years researching, writing and producing a film about the effect of climate change on the local economy. They interviewed a lot of scientists, ethicists and local figures while making their film.
Nobody who has spent 10 minutes addressing this issue is without grave concern for the climate. But we also know the operational reasons for resistance. They are far more complex than "the overlords won't allow for it". And the resistance is strong. It won't budge until more cities are destroyed by the effects, I'm afraid.
I'm focused on health care and protecting our health care workers right now because that is the immediate, pressing need.
And people can relate to it. Most common people cannot wrap their heads around what is happening to our planet because of climate change because most ppl don't have a planetary mindset.
They think of it as "science fiction".
I know as well as you do that climate change is Science FACT.
But right now, so is the pandemic.
So is what it is doing to our health care superstructure.
So are the needs of the people affected by COVID to get real relief.
That's what's most on my mind right now.
Said with love and enthusiasm for a wonderful conversation. <3
Marianne - I came here to talk about stumbling into your interview with Judy Woodruff during the 2020 campaign - the absolute best interview you gave, in my opinion - and how I would like to see you progress with your political interest if you REALLY want to be active in the coming elections (not as a candidate, but as an ORGANIZER, since here you seem to have a flair).
But when I read the comments below, I decided to engage your other readers.
There's some really good stuff in the comments here.
I hope you can really hear some of it, and take it into consideration.