Yes, some of the ways Marianne addresses things are meaningful to me. Like on her website where she states the need to bring “higher wisdom” to politics and government and to “uplift hearts and minds.” She doesn’t always succeed in doing this in her speaking, but at least it is her authentic intent, I believe. I’m a little uncomfortable with her use of phrases like “dark psychic forces,” not because I don’t think there’s some truth to that, but because it contributes to a narrative of good vs. evil, and I don’t view the current cultural or world situation as that simplistic. But, a couple of conservatives have resonated with and agreed to that phrase, so I suppose she’s caught the attention or touched people she might not otherwise.
People with intelligence and courage and integrity and strength and conviction can withstand mockery and vitriol, and carry on. Many people in history have suffered much worse than mockery for espousing beliefs that were not understood or popular at the time. What much of the ridicule of her says to me, more than anything else, is, not just how unenlightened or anti-anything-that-smells-like-spirit, but uneducated so many people are, as well as lazy. There is plenty of information on her website and plenty of opportunity throughout the internet to get to know her better, what she stands for, her policy positions and such. The world is so far gone (or so not arrived) that someone who believes in waging peace and speaks of love as an appropriate element of governance is considered ‘wackadoodle?’ I think is the word I’ve heard a lot. She has answered multiple times in interviews when asked ‘what does love look like in governing,’ that it means saying ‘no’ to certain things, and that it is reflected in policies that are, among other things, inclusive. She gives examples of some of these policies.
All of that said, I do think she’s having an influence on the other Democratic nominees, to speak in larger contexts, to connect their wonk to some philosophy or vision or hope, or something, besides just dry points a, b, and c. She brings more historical education/context to the conversation than anyone else too, it seems to me. While I’m actually still surveying the entire field (Buttigieg looks good to me too), I do appreciate Marianne’s voice in the mix, very much.
As far as your question about us maybe working on developing something together in terms of moral messaging, here is my idea. Since you want to be president someday (and I don’t), and maybe run for political office much sooner, how about you start practicing by developing a message that speaks to interiors. You know, just put together maybe 10 sentences (or more or less, whatever) that are authentic for you, what you would like to get across to people as a form of, to use MW’s term, higher wisdom. You could PM me if you like, and I’ll share my views on it and add to it if you like. This would be fun, and there’s no rush on my end. Who knows what might come of it? You could also get input from the group on Discord.
And as for the group calls, thanks so much for the thorough update. I think I’ll pass on the Discord calls right now. Like you, I too have had some health issues. I hope we both continue to heal, but if needed, I’d be glad to pull out my crystals, light a candle, and do a healing ritual for both of us 