We can all still make a difference : Shared by Kul Gautam

Thanks, Sam Daley-Harris & #MarianneWilliamson for this uplifting interview in these depressing times.
Kul

WE CAN ALL STILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE by Marianne Williamson

The inimitable optimism of Sam Daley Harris

Read on Substack

Summary of "TRANSFORM with Marianne Williamson"

The discussion features Marianne Williamson and her guest, Sam Daley-Harris, a long-time advocate for citizen involvement in politics. The central theme revolves around the importance of citizen action and lobbying to reclaim American democracy, even during challenging political times. Daley-Harris, who founded organizations like Civic Courage and Results, emphasizes that ordinary people can still make a significant difference.

They discuss how a "spectator class" of citizens has contributed to the current political climate and highlight that individual actions can still influence policy. Daley-Harris provides concrete examples of successful lobbying efforts, such as securing funding for global health programs like the Global Fund and USAID, despite attempts to cut them. He introduces the concept of "transformational advocacy," which involves recruiting and training citizens to move beyond simply signing petitions to actively lobbying officials, writing letters to the editor, and building community.

Williamson and Daley-Harris both stress the importance of not giving in to cynicism or hopelessness. They encourage people to find organizations to work with, to make constituent calls to elected officials, and to use their personal online platforms to share truth and counter misinformation. They argue that this period of political struggle is a "dark chapter," but one that citizens can emerge from stronger by actively participating and never again "taking their eyes off the ball." The transcript concludes with them promoting Daley-Harris's website, ReclaimingOurDemocracy.com, as a resource for people looking to get involved.

Sam’s book Reclaiming Our Democracy is a testament to what’s possible when citizens are engaged in the democratic process. Working through Civic Courage, Daley Harris and his volunteers have led successful efforts to block some of the draconian budget cuts in the Trump agenda, forming a bulwark against their cruelest effects.