We must absolutely end the corporate control of the government, yet it is difficult to imagine that this would be possible within the current system. Our government is owned and held hostage by corporations, and technology companies that spy on our citizens on behalf of the government; and a judicial system that allows the punishment of whistleblowers. No one from inside this system is likely to disrupt it. We witnessed the democratic party destroying both of Bernie Sander's attempts to run for president, even though he was ahead in the polls. Everyone with eyes to see and ears to hear understands the problem, the real challenge is how to fix it. The system is rigged against the good guys.
Hi Annemarie, I hear your voice! I think the only way we can prevent human extinction on our planet as well as facing the current global quest of authoritarian rule is by having a collective, organized series of rallies/proposed policies, whereby the old white males fearful of people of color dominating the planet understand that their power and greed is totally diminished by love, and we must make an effort to ignore and abandon their rule--whether corporate or governance. If humans fail to do this or understand the energy/creativity born of love, well, we just won't continue to exist on Earth. Equally important, I think the momentum is building for positive paradigm shifts once those now confused realize the truth of what's happening from a macro perspective. I have not given up yet! Best to you.
Other methods can work, like getting most to not go to work for three days--then, see how corporate America responds (workers at all levels and pay scales). This can work!
I don't disagree. I think if we stand united we can do it. Here is the problem ----- we all want slightly different things and can't agree. For example, I love animals and would not join major initiatives like the ones you're describing unless we included an end to factory farming and related proposals. Others who follow Marianne / Bernie etc. might not care about animals. I am using this as an example. We are united in many ways (ending corporate greed and bringing back a sense of a moral compass) but we are not 100% united. That is the problem.
Hi, I am certified in sustainable agriculture and livestock management and share your concerns. Also, Marianne has repeatedly expressed her views on pets and farm animals in loving ways, often in prayers too. So it's a matter of clearing confusion among people. Most all sentient beings from humans to amoebas seek love, protection, and care. All governance needs to support sustainable actions for the well-being of all: other criteria, like money won't cut it anymore. We must restore Earth.
Thankyou Marianne. As an Englishman I am not too qualified to add much to what you say about the USA. But your readers might be aware that in the UK the Tory party is in the process of throttling itself by electing (strictly from its membership, not the general electorate) an ever more absurdly unqualified Prime Minister and in the process increasingly abandoning even the most cursory commitment to providing the country with a health service, with clean water etc etc.
The legacy of Covid and the War in Ukraine of course make it worse but as you say Marianne the unregulated influence of Capital is the root of the problem. Our governments need to grow some courage and some insight.
Every word of this resonates with me. But voting has become the opium of the masses. Eventually, elected officials become behold to their benefactors.
Our true power is in the invisible. All I know to *do* is hold a vision of a world that works for everyone. In doing so, I have received marching orders from the universe and gotten involved in a congressional race in my district.
But what more can we do to evoke this great transformation our country needs?
I hear your voice. Besides supporting progressive candidates that understand the importance of policies that support democracy, well, try having honest conversations with those who oppose your views. Ask them what they want in life and how is it any different for anyone else. We must begin to mend the hole in the fabric of American life. Then, if necessary, we will need to gather the masses in every city and town in America and say: enough is enough we must excel beyond our founding fathers often privileged notions to create the America we know is possible.
Amazing piece of writing! You get to the very core of what’s happening in this country corporate greed and income disparity. Thank you for your words and leadership during these very troubling times. (And also for your daily meditations in which every day I find comfort and guidance).
This applies equally to the UK and I have posted it since I want to see people wake up to what is happening. I don't think they realise. Thank you for an excellent and important article.
Truer words can’t be spoken. I’m almost fearful that we as a culture and country will sadly fall into the abyss of authoritarianism. I say this because our young people are becoming less interested in education, more intoxicated by mindless social media, angrier and more hostile in their sense of entitlement ( but entitlement to what?), they feel every feeling has to be bowed down to at the expense of reason, yet there is no interest in anything outside themselves - not a sustainable model for a country teetering on the brink. Our story may have sadly come to an end, the arrogance of those who let the American Dream wither because they believed it infallible now watch it die at the hands of a party who has morphed into a tyrannical group of white people ( men mostly and women who should be ashamed of themselves) who look at everyone else as the other to be snuffed out and they do it in the name of the Christian god. How vile and oppressive. We are already in the elevator going down - it will take a miracle before this country burns in hell. And the good people are the victims of the abuse.
Sherri, I have had similar thoughts. Meanwhile, though, I think we must know there's a higher force of intelligence from the Cosmos that I believe, along with many learned individuals, will help us feeble humans rise above our current dire condition. Also, I think a global social paradigm shift is underway, and it will manifest even more when people realize those spouting misplaced notions of civil liberties have all their rights taken away! Meanwhile, we need to personally, calmly address person-by-person the misguided, oftentimes nonrational views trending around us. Once people finally realize the other is no other life will be better! Best to you. Stay strong.
Hi Joan, agree completely about a higher cosmic force and I live by that. What I’m afraid of is like in a Jules Verne novel so to speak that paradigm shift may not include the US as we know it. Yes, those of us who know better and speak truth from the heart and understand this higher collective consciousness may end up off grid. Maybe not in the next 10-30 years but as an evolutionary process and create a different society that is more healthful. Great empires have fallen that were much older than this country and that is the problem - the Republican Party has terminal cancer and the Dems are nearsighted ( is that the word ) and can’t seem to even come together with themselves long enough to treat the cancer. The Dems need another Obama or JFK or someone like that who will yank us out of the abyss. Biden for as good a man as he is is not strong enough. The Dems need a dynamic leader or else the cancer will spread.
Indeed, Sherri, we need to go beyond the weakness not only of Biden but Obama and JFK too--they succumbed to the military-industrial complex--JFK belatedly. But even more important, is the voice of the collective. We are now facing global extinction; thus, all hands on deck, as Marianne has urged, because we are all 'one' on this planet--nations no longer apply. We are in this together! So consider the global picture not just the U.S. And I am pleased that Marianne did a global tour to remind folks everywhere that we are facing tough times and need to make sensible choices.
It is global. And we need a charismatic conscious global leader who people will get behind in the name of democracy and personal accountability and personal freedom regardless of the country they live in or come from. People used to look to the US and many still do but we are not the role model anymore and so unless that leader emerges from our ranks and challenges what is happening on all levels ..I do not know..it is not going to come from another superpower because they are all going in the same sad direction. Marianne is such a leader, she would have to run again for office but people would have to ready for her.
Sadly, Sherri, I don't think the world is ready for Marianne yet. I think her greatness resides in helping to wake up the collective; then, let's see what happens. A nomination of her for the Nobel Peace prize would boost her visibility. Her work is truly significant: inclusive and not too divisive!
I agree with everything here. My question is what is the path forward? We need leaders like you, Robert Reich, Bernie Sanders and others to guide us. The path forward isn't voting simply for the democrats. They have done very little to help change anything. I was so disappointed when I saw that Biden and the Democrats sided with the pork industry in the Supreme Court case that's pending around gestation crates (pork industry refuses to give them enough room to turn around). So, I don't think the Democrats are the solution. If we vote Green then it puts the Republicans in power and same problem. So, what is the path forward? What do we actually do to transform our country in the right direction so that morals and doing the right thing matter again?
Good questions Melissa! I think we need to get folks collectively to refuse to be suckered in by the current systems: tough but best ways--labor strikes and walkouts at nonlabor corporate entities and governance systems too. Let moguls figure out the truth once their employees no longer turn up for work--then, what will they do? I am including top executives in this walkout if they aren't living by fear. Anyone else have some ideas?
Thanks Marianne, for the riveting piece. I agree with what you say, but I am unclear as to how we are to get out of this mess as both parties seemed entrenched and part of the problem. I was wholeheartedly behind Bernie when he ran, but have been reticent to vote ever since and recently, do not feel aligned to any party. You laid out the problem well here, but I'd love to hear your concrete solutions.
Gary, I think this is not necessarily a presidential campaign speech as much as a reminder wake up call on what's happening but, perhaps,, her voice is not reaching the right audience since so many news channels are bowing to corporate notions of what sells: fear/violence. Most on this substack are in alignment with Ms. Williamson except for a few here just to disrupt.
When I talk about the evil of neoliberalism peoples eyes glaze over. It was an ideology that was introduced with stealth and there was little opposition or critique. Here it was imposed and there was no analysis. And here we are waiting for the mystical trickle down effect nearly 50 years later. To me it was the validation of greed.
Marianne you are simply the best. Timing is everything, I wish you could be in a movie like the matrix as a boss or leader of some kind, that voters could see you as what you really are; a hope for the future.
Indeed, from moment to moment we must live with a gusto of love in our every breath! Otherwise, what's it all about? Love must overcome the fear based in our society due to the corporatists actions that Marianne so well describes.
It continues to astonish me how corporate America, and the politicians they prop up, so readily forget that their wealth and power was built upon the backs of their workers, and that by diminishing their value, they diminish their own prosperity. They pursue their greed and lust for power at their own - and everyone and the planet’s - peril.
We must absolutely end the corporate control of the government, yet it is difficult to imagine that this would be possible within the current system. Our government is owned and held hostage by corporations, and technology companies that spy on our citizens on behalf of the government; and a judicial system that allows the punishment of whistleblowers. No one from inside this system is likely to disrupt it. We witnessed the democratic party destroying both of Bernie Sander's attempts to run for president, even though he was ahead in the polls. Everyone with eyes to see and ears to hear understands the problem, the real challenge is how to fix it. The system is rigged against the good guys.
Hi Annemarie, I hear your voice! I think the only way we can prevent human extinction on our planet as well as facing the current global quest of authoritarian rule is by having a collective, organized series of rallies/proposed policies, whereby the old white males fearful of people of color dominating the planet understand that their power and greed is totally diminished by love, and we must make an effort to ignore and abandon their rule--whether corporate or governance. If humans fail to do this or understand the energy/creativity born of love, well, we just won't continue to exist on Earth. Equally important, I think the momentum is building for positive paradigm shifts once those now confused realize the truth of what's happening from a macro perspective. I have not given up yet! Best to you.
I agree with you. Our rallies will simply be ignored. Then what?
Other methods can work, like getting most to not go to work for three days--then, see how corporate America responds (workers at all levels and pay scales). This can work!
I don't disagree. I think if we stand united we can do it. Here is the problem ----- we all want slightly different things and can't agree. For example, I love animals and would not join major initiatives like the ones you're describing unless we included an end to factory farming and related proposals. Others who follow Marianne / Bernie etc. might not care about animals. I am using this as an example. We are united in many ways (ending corporate greed and bringing back a sense of a moral compass) but we are not 100% united. That is the problem.
Those who benefit from the status quo thrive on our division.
Melissa, note my response above to you.
Hi, I am certified in sustainable agriculture and livestock management and share your concerns. Also, Marianne has repeatedly expressed her views on pets and farm animals in loving ways, often in prayers too. So it's a matter of clearing confusion among people. Most all sentient beings from humans to amoebas seek love, protection, and care. All governance needs to support sustainable actions for the well-being of all: other criteria, like money won't cut it anymore. We must restore Earth.
You do it again and again - as it is right
Thankyou Marianne. As an Englishman I am not too qualified to add much to what you say about the USA. But your readers might be aware that in the UK the Tory party is in the process of throttling itself by electing (strictly from its membership, not the general electorate) an ever more absurdly unqualified Prime Minister and in the process increasingly abandoning even the most cursory commitment to providing the country with a health service, with clean water etc etc.
The legacy of Covid and the War in Ukraine of course make it worse but as you say Marianne the unregulated influence of Capital is the root of the problem. Our governments need to grow some courage and some insight.
So what do we DO? What do *I* do??
Every word of this resonates with me. But voting has become the opium of the masses. Eventually, elected officials become behold to their benefactors.
Our true power is in the invisible. All I know to *do* is hold a vision of a world that works for everyone. In doing so, I have received marching orders from the universe and gotten involved in a congressional race in my district.
But what more can we do to evoke this great transformation our country needs?
I hear your voice. Besides supporting progressive candidates that understand the importance of policies that support democracy, well, try having honest conversations with those who oppose your views. Ask them what they want in life and how is it any different for anyone else. We must begin to mend the hole in the fabric of American life. Then, if necessary, we will need to gather the masses in every city and town in America and say: enough is enough we must excel beyond our founding fathers often privileged notions to create the America we know is possible.
Amazing piece of writing! You get to the very core of what’s happening in this country corporate greed and income disparity. Thank you for your words and leadership during these very troubling times. (And also for your daily meditations in which every day I find comfort and guidance).
Amazing article! Thank you Marianne!!
This applies equally to the UK and I have posted it since I want to see people wake up to what is happening. I don't think they realise. Thank you for an excellent and important article.
Truer words can’t be spoken. I’m almost fearful that we as a culture and country will sadly fall into the abyss of authoritarianism. I say this because our young people are becoming less interested in education, more intoxicated by mindless social media, angrier and more hostile in their sense of entitlement ( but entitlement to what?), they feel every feeling has to be bowed down to at the expense of reason, yet there is no interest in anything outside themselves - not a sustainable model for a country teetering on the brink. Our story may have sadly come to an end, the arrogance of those who let the American Dream wither because they believed it infallible now watch it die at the hands of a party who has morphed into a tyrannical group of white people ( men mostly and women who should be ashamed of themselves) who look at everyone else as the other to be snuffed out and they do it in the name of the Christian god. How vile and oppressive. We are already in the elevator going down - it will take a miracle before this country burns in hell. And the good people are the victims of the abuse.
Sherri, I have had similar thoughts. Meanwhile, though, I think we must know there's a higher force of intelligence from the Cosmos that I believe, along with many learned individuals, will help us feeble humans rise above our current dire condition. Also, I think a global social paradigm shift is underway, and it will manifest even more when people realize those spouting misplaced notions of civil liberties have all their rights taken away! Meanwhile, we need to personally, calmly address person-by-person the misguided, oftentimes nonrational views trending around us. Once people finally realize the other is no other life will be better! Best to you. Stay strong.
Hi Joan, agree completely about a higher cosmic force and I live by that. What I’m afraid of is like in a Jules Verne novel so to speak that paradigm shift may not include the US as we know it. Yes, those of us who know better and speak truth from the heart and understand this higher collective consciousness may end up off grid. Maybe not in the next 10-30 years but as an evolutionary process and create a different society that is more healthful. Great empires have fallen that were much older than this country and that is the problem - the Republican Party has terminal cancer and the Dems are nearsighted ( is that the word ) and can’t seem to even come together with themselves long enough to treat the cancer. The Dems need another Obama or JFK or someone like that who will yank us out of the abyss. Biden for as good a man as he is is not strong enough. The Dems need a dynamic leader or else the cancer will spread.
Indeed, Sherri, we need to go beyond the weakness not only of Biden but Obama and JFK too--they succumbed to the military-industrial complex--JFK belatedly. But even more important, is the voice of the collective. We are now facing global extinction; thus, all hands on deck, as Marianne has urged, because we are all 'one' on this planet--nations no longer apply. We are in this together! So consider the global picture not just the U.S. And I am pleased that Marianne did a global tour to remind folks everywhere that we are facing tough times and need to make sensible choices.
It is global. And we need a charismatic conscious global leader who people will get behind in the name of democracy and personal accountability and personal freedom regardless of the country they live in or come from. People used to look to the US and many still do but we are not the role model anymore and so unless that leader emerges from our ranks and challenges what is happening on all levels ..I do not know..it is not going to come from another superpower because they are all going in the same sad direction. Marianne is such a leader, she would have to run again for office but people would have to ready for her.
Sadly, Sherri, I don't think the world is ready for Marianne yet. I think her greatness resides in helping to wake up the collective; then, let's see what happens. A nomination of her for the Nobel Peace prize would boost her visibility. Her work is truly significant: inclusive and not too divisive!
Exactly! And sadly. It is up to the fringe which is people like "us". 🙏🏻
Wow, God must be pretty angry - and we deserve it if we fail to love all mankind together !!
god is forgiving ...we are doing this to ourselves if we do not realize that god is forgiving. and that we do have to love all mankind together.
I agree with everything here. My question is what is the path forward? We need leaders like you, Robert Reich, Bernie Sanders and others to guide us. The path forward isn't voting simply for the democrats. They have done very little to help change anything. I was so disappointed when I saw that Biden and the Democrats sided with the pork industry in the Supreme Court case that's pending around gestation crates (pork industry refuses to give them enough room to turn around). So, I don't think the Democrats are the solution. If we vote Green then it puts the Republicans in power and same problem. So, what is the path forward? What do we actually do to transform our country in the right direction so that morals and doing the right thing matter again?
Good questions Melissa! I think we need to get folks collectively to refuse to be suckered in by the current systems: tough but best ways--labor strikes and walkouts at nonlabor corporate entities and governance systems too. Let moguls figure out the truth once their employees no longer turn up for work--then, what will they do? I am including top executives in this walkout if they aren't living by fear. Anyone else have some ideas?
Thanks Marianne, for the riveting piece. I agree with what you say, but I am unclear as to how we are to get out of this mess as both parties seemed entrenched and part of the problem. I was wholeheartedly behind Bernie when he ran, but have been reticent to vote ever since and recently, do not feel aligned to any party. You laid out the problem well here, but I'd love to hear your concrete solutions.
thank YOU Marianne
Go hard Marianne as we say in New Zealand. This sounds like a presidential campaign speech. The message needs to reach the masses.
Gary, I think this is not necessarily a presidential campaign speech as much as a reminder wake up call on what's happening but, perhaps,, her voice is not reaching the right audience since so many news channels are bowing to corporate notions of what sells: fear/violence. Most on this substack are in alignment with Ms. Williamson except for a few here just to disrupt.
When I talk about the evil of neoliberalism peoples eyes glaze over. It was an ideology that was introduced with stealth and there was little opposition or critique. Here it was imposed and there was no analysis. And here we are waiting for the mystical trickle down effect nearly 50 years later. To me it was the validation of greed.
Marianne you are simply the best. Timing is everything, I wish you could be in a movie like the matrix as a boss or leader of some kind, that voters could see you as what you really are; a hope for the future.
Ditto! But Marianne's helped more folks on a personal basis than any living president IMHO! We'll see what transpires.
A day at a time, is how we change the writing on the wall! PEACE
Indeed, from moment to moment we must live with a gusto of love in our every breath! Otherwise, what's it all about? Love must overcome the fear based in our society due to the corporatists actions that Marianne so well describes.
Thank you for your thought leadership!
Characteristics of true Fascism:
*putting the State before the individual
*Government and private business partnerships (Google, FB, Amazon, Pfizer etc) to control and squash dissention
Which political group does this describe?
Stop using one narcissistic moron as a scapegoat. This is what woke, liberal America has sown.
It continues to astonish me how corporate America, and the politicians they prop up, so readily forget that their wealth and power was built upon the backs of their workers, and that by diminishing their value, they diminish their own prosperity. They pursue their greed and lust for power at their own - and everyone and the planet’s - peril.