All of this is so true! I have tried raising my voice so many times but it’s is like a voice crying in the wilderness and no one is listening and there are not enough voices being raised. We need an army of voices.
Is it fair to say that the main reason why politicians are not receptive to the needs of many is because of institutionalized corruption enabled by Citizens United? If rich people and money rich corporations can give unlimited amounts of money to legislators, is it no wonder that there are VERY few politicians like AOC, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie? Is it fair to say that the USA is not a democracy because the vast majority of legislators care more about their donors rather than their constituents? And it's more than just "giving money"...it's also about promising lucrative jobs once a legislator leaves Congress. If big pharma, or the healthcare industry, or the military industrial complex (and I could go on) are allowed to offer legislators with nice jobs if/when they leave Congress, then it's impossible to expect legislators to be balanced. Bottom Line: America has no many disfunctions because legislators don't work for their constituents anymore....they work for the rich....so be definition wouldn't that make America more of an oligarchy and less of a democracy? And if we accept that truth, isn't the main goal to end the oligarchy if we want legislators to act in the best interests of their constituents? Corruption ruins everything. The spin-off effects are very wide and it leads to large disfunctions which result in income inequality and (in a roundabout way) needless suffering and death. So "yes" we should criticize the President (or any politician), but unless institutionalized corruption is removed from the system, we are just spinning our wheels (or bashing our heads against the wall).
Amen! Thank you, Elizabeth. We must support each other and ourselves. There is no other way to change. Who among us has all knowledge of every circumstance? We each have a part of the solution. Bloom where you are planted-in your community, in your family, in your life. Now is the time.
Thank you again for another hard hitting essay to snap us back to reality. I have found more than anything else, when I speak my truth as a woman I am demeaned, devalued or dismissed. Maybe it is because I pay particular attention to this- the words used, the body language of the other person. But it is clear to me when I step out of my role (as viewed/defined by someone else) I get pushback, from both men and other women. This collective, invisible fear that has taken hold of our culture since 2016 is traumatizing and debilitating. It feels like everyone is on e inch from going over the edge into some kind of abyss and the silent terror gripping everyone is ....well....terrifying. So they snap back at someone who isn't normalizing every thing or dares to question things. Even worse are those acting like nothing is going on at all. I have a solid community of friends around me which is comforting but it seems we are all living day to day, not sure of what is coming next. Sorry for the rambling but your post required some deep contemplation. Thank you again for always giving us the jolt we need.
I was told a week ago today I was not a good fit for the team at my nonprofit by email from my narcissist ED. My transgression? Asking why I was being paid 50% less than the person I was training and supporting. I had also asked that we mask in the office (a family resource center) and asked for a less bogus title. Rug pulled out from underneath me and a craft circle program I had poured my heart into cancelled. Really having a hard time even thinking about working for another nonprofit.
All of this is so true! I have tried raising my voice so many times but it’s is like a voice crying in the wilderness and no one is listening and there are not enough voices being raised. We need an army of voices.
Is it fair to say that the main reason why politicians are not receptive to the needs of many is because of institutionalized corruption enabled by Citizens United? If rich people and money rich corporations can give unlimited amounts of money to legislators, is it no wonder that there are VERY few politicians like AOC, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie? Is it fair to say that the USA is not a democracy because the vast majority of legislators care more about their donors rather than their constituents? And it's more than just "giving money"...it's also about promising lucrative jobs once a legislator leaves Congress. If big pharma, or the healthcare industry, or the military industrial complex (and I could go on) are allowed to offer legislators with nice jobs if/when they leave Congress, then it's impossible to expect legislators to be balanced. Bottom Line: America has no many disfunctions because legislators don't work for their constituents anymore....they work for the rich....so be definition wouldn't that make America more of an oligarchy and less of a democracy? And if we accept that truth, isn't the main goal to end the oligarchy if we want legislators to act in the best interests of their constituents? Corruption ruins everything. The spin-off effects are very wide and it leads to large disfunctions which result in income inequality and (in a roundabout way) needless suffering and death. So "yes" we should criticize the President (or any politician), but unless institutionalized corruption is removed from the system, we are just spinning our wheels (or bashing our heads against the wall).
Amen! Thank you, Elizabeth. We must support each other and ourselves. There is no other way to change. Who among us has all knowledge of every circumstance? We each have a part of the solution. Bloom where you are planted-in your community, in your family, in your life. Now is the time.
Thank you again for another hard hitting essay to snap us back to reality. I have found more than anything else, when I speak my truth as a woman I am demeaned, devalued or dismissed. Maybe it is because I pay particular attention to this- the words used, the body language of the other person. But it is clear to me when I step out of my role (as viewed/defined by someone else) I get pushback, from both men and other women. This collective, invisible fear that has taken hold of our culture since 2016 is traumatizing and debilitating. It feels like everyone is on e inch from going over the edge into some kind of abyss and the silent terror gripping everyone is ....well....terrifying. So they snap back at someone who isn't normalizing every thing or dares to question things. Even worse are those acting like nothing is going on at all. I have a solid community of friends around me which is comforting but it seems we are all living day to day, not sure of what is coming next. Sorry for the rambling but your post required some deep contemplation. Thank you again for always giving us the jolt we need.
I was told a week ago today I was not a good fit for the team at my nonprofit by email from my narcissist ED. My transgression? Asking why I was being paid 50% less than the person I was training and supporting. I had also asked that we mask in the office (a family resource center) and asked for a less bogus title. Rug pulled out from underneath me and a craft circle program I had poured my heart into cancelled. Really having a hard time even thinking about working for another nonprofit.
Some how you always seen to articulate so much of what I'm feeling. Thank you for all you do.