Jean Shinoda Bolen: "Kucinich *Can* Be Elected"

[scarletwoman]

Wholehearted support + Word of Mouth + Internet = Geometric Progression = Kucinich

http://www.awakenedwoman.com/bolen_kucinich.htm

Chances are that you will hear about Dennis Kucinich, Democratic candidate for President, from someone you know who has heard him speak. Imagine having someone run for president who is intelligent, principled, spiritual, courageous, a person with depth, humor and compassion! (invariably, there's lots of positive adjectives). And, your friend will comment, "You'll really like what he stands for!" All true. Chances are that you then may hear yourself parroting the voice of conventional wisdom: "Yes, but how could Kucinich possibly win?" One of the "Yes, but . . . " discouraged comments I even got from one of my friends was," He is a wonderful man but he will not be president, he is too short and too radical."

Listen up! This article is about how twenty-first century communication plus wholehearted, altruistic support makes it possible for Dennis Kucinich to become the Democratic candidate who beats Bush. This potential is a mathematical reality based on the social dynamics of reaching a critical mass. As unlikely as it may seem at first glance, Kucinich can be elected.

The ideas that support this possibility are drawn from The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell, The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People are Changing the World, by Paul H. Ray and Sherry Ruth Anderson, and my own The Millionth Circle: How to Change Ourselves and The World inspired by the Hundredth Monkey story and Rupert Sheldrake's theory in A New Science of Life: The Hypothesis of Morphic Resonance, which sustained the anti-nuclear activists when conventional wisdom said that mere citizens could not stop the superpowers from their inevitable destructive course. The success of the women's movement and the end of the nuclear arms race between the United States and Russia are examples of how ideas that initially were resisted and thought to be impossible became reality.

John F. Kennedy was the first president elected with the help of television coverage, Dennis Kucinich can be the first president elected with the help of websites and emails. In the last presidential election, 106 million of the 156 million registered voters actually voted. There are probably only two or three degrees of separation between those of us who have or will respond positively to Kucinich early in this election and the number of people needed to win the Democratic nomination, which is the first task.

The largest identifiable group that hold the similar views as Kucinich are the fifty million Cultural Creatives, sixty percent of whom are women. According to the data and research, we are Americans who care deeply about ecology and saving the planet, about relationships, peace, social justice, self-expression, and spirituality. We are both inner directed and socially concerned. We are optimistic, altruistic and idealistic, believe in gender equality and reproductive choice. Especially relevant in a political campaign, we are volunteers, activists, and contributors to good causes. Neither those of us who fit into this category nor political strategists realize that in numbers and in influence that we have the potential to shape 21st century America by our active, wholehearted support of Dennis Kucinich. (A second category of voters who respond to Dennis Kucinich as one of their own are working class people. This is a whole other constituency that trust him to do right by them.)

(MUCH more -- please go to the link and read the whole piece!)

~~~ Jean Shinoda Bolen, M. D. is a Jungian analyst and clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. An internationally renowned lecturer and workshop leader, she is author of The Tao of Psychology; Goddesses in Everywoman; and Close to the Bone. She is also a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and a past chairperson of the Council of National Affairs of the APA.

Btw, Goddesses in Everywoman -- one of my ALL TIME favorite books!

sw

[RevolutionStartsNow]

1. Bumpersticker sighting

Was driving to work today and saw a Kucinich bumpersticker. Made me :)
Not sure if he saw my Dean sticker, but at least that's 2 of us out on the road who are already engaged in this critical election.

One enemy I think that gets forgotten in all the candidate-to-candidate sniping and even the Bush-bashing is the non-voter. No matter who you support, one thing people should be doing to make a difference is getting out the vote.

[leftyandproud]

2. yes yes yes!!!

Come on Dean supporters!! We all know Kucinich is TWICE as progressive as any other candidate!!...He will push a REAL agenda with NO compromising on principle. Let's get behind him!!

[Egnever]

5. We all know Kucinich is TWICE as progressive as any other candidate!

Sadly this is exactly why he wont win. If he gets the nod i will hapilly vote for him but unfortunately the largest voting block in america is in the center, anything too obviously left or right freaks them out and they vote against it.

[scarletwoman]

10. The only thing that will rescue our Republic from destruction

IS Progressivism! The "center" votes against its own interests because they are uninformed. If we don't fight HARD to shift the debate in this country to life-centered values over money-centered values, we may as well give up on democracy altogether.

Catering to the "center" is bringing us to full out corporate feudalism -- this is NOT the future I want for my progeny. If progressive movements throughout our history had rolled over and yielded to the "center", we would still have Jim Crow laws and no votes for women.

I'm working for a paradigm shift, I'm working for the expansion of consciousness, I'm working for a mass movement to change the direction of our country from war and death and fear to peace and life and hope.

Dennis is the ONLY one who stands for these things. The "center" only moves through the efforts of the leading edge -- and THIS is the campaign of the leading edge. NOTHING less will do!

As Jim Hightower says, "There's nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos."

sw

[LWolf]

16. You said it, scarletwoman.

I can't say it any better:

I'm working for a paradigm shift, I'm working for the expansion of consciousness, I'm working for a mass movement to change the direction of our country from war and death and fear to peace and life and hope.

Dennis is the ONLY one who stands for these things. The "center" only moves through the efforts of the leading edge -- and THIS is the campaign of the leading edge. NOTHING less will do!

[DrFunkenstein]

3. If A Jungian Shrink From San Francisco Says So...

Who has their finger on the pulse of America like Jean Shinoda Bolen?

Now if it was Diane Dreher...

[DrFunkenstein]

14. No One Has Read Diane Dreher?

So sad. She's another San Francisco Taoist feminist. Her book "Tao and Inner Peace" really changed my life. I give it the highest recommendations. I'm pretty sure she has a Taoism for Women book out, too.

[scarletwoman]

17. Sorry, no, not familiar with her.

But now that you've brought her up, I'll be sure to check her out.

Thanks!
sw

[Desertrose]

4. Thanks for posting this sw

have been so busy today didn't get a chance ...but I was so excited to get the email!

wahooo!!! Dennis is picking them up left & right!!!


Peace
DR

I know -"Goddesses in Everywoman" and the feminists!

[Nashyra]

6. My entire family is from Ohio

and not one of them will vote for Kucinich, I would work or vote for any Dem candidate but I don't think he could beat *. The RNC and the RW would eat this guy for lunch and unfortunately the media would help them.

[scarletwoman]

11. You're most welcome of course!

I was really excited about this! Goddesses in Everywoman was one of the seminal books in my personal spiritual journal back when it first appeared. The quality of the people who are endorsing Kucinich is AWESOME!

It's TIME! It's time to break out of the old destructive patterns and SHIFT THE MASS CONSCIOUSNESS!!!!

sw
:bounce:

[Larkspur]

7. I love Dr. Bolen, but she's betting on the wrong horse

Dean is the political equivalent of Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit was underrated but he had natural talent and heart, both of which Dean has. Kucinich has too much goofiness to be taken seriously by the general audience. Dean is like Harry Truman, a straight talking fighter.

And Dean is building a movement that will generate coat tails for other candidates. Kucinich is not.

[Larkspur]

8. Also, unlike Dean, Kucinich will not be as focused on Prez run

because his House seat will be due up for election next year. He'll have to choose which battle to fight.

[revcarol]

19. He's doing great walking and chewing gum at the same time now!!

A man of tremendous energy and talents, can be there and faithfully represent his constituency AND run for President at the same time.

I don't know how he does it, but he's doing a great job. Saw him in Santa Fe, he's charismatic as well as thoughtful. Talked for 1/2 hr. and took unrehearsed unscripted questions for 1/2 hour, at the END of a busy day!!

[Desertrose]

20. and he's the only candidate who has made 100% of the votes...

in the Congress...not Kerry or Gep or Lieberman....only Dennis Kucinich!


To say he can't do more than one thing at a time- he already is & doing it well...sure you're not speaking about your candidate?? Is Dean currently holding office?? or is his main job campaigning???

Gotta give DK great credit for not missing a single House vote & still campaigning & still speaking at colleges etc on behalf of the Dept of Peace...

Don't give me your Deanspeak, Larkspur...I've heard it already....and I'm not impressed.

Peace
DR

[Larkspur]

22. Dean was elected to Vermont's governorship 5 times

and that's historic.

He decided that it was time to try for the top governorship of the US -- the Presidency of the United States. It was his choice, and after 5 terms as Vermont's governor, he had a right to step down and concentrate on one of the most grueling races in American politics.

The fact that Dean can concentrate on his campaign 100% means that he can focus on the race, the issues, and the concerns people have. His winning strategy that is inspiring people around this nation is proof that he made the right choice.

I like some of Kucinich's ideas, but he doesn't inspire in me the confidence that he could be an effective executive in the White House. Yes, I'd rather have Kucinich than Bush, and know that Kucinich can do better than Bush, but I don't believe that Kucinich can create coattails to bring in Democratic reps and senators to help decrease the Republican domination of Congress. I would see a Kucinich Presidency as an embattled presidency against the Rabid Republicans, who would intentionally create gridlock so as to setup a retake over of the WH in 2008 by Jeb Bush.

Dean's campaign strategy shows that he sees this potential problem, and the need not only to take over the White House, but also the Senate, at least by 2004. Hopefully by 2006 and 2008, the House can shift to Democratic hold under a Dean Presidency.

[Desertrose]

23. I never mentioned what Dean did previously...

thats great - 5 terms ...good for him.

...Vermont state legislator, 1982-86; Lt. Governor, 1986-91; Governor, 1991-2002. Former chair, National Governors Association.

I feel you are wrong in your estimation of Dean bringing more Dems in on his coattails.... has he ever outlined his exact plan to do this?? Does he feel that it will just happen??

I've heard Dennis in person- speak his ideas to bring in more dems & liberals to the Congress...his ideas are sound and make sense...its all grass roots...populist dealing with people on a personal level.

It's very obvious we see each candidate through different lenses...its not a war or a battle...its simply each one of us trying to get the best we can for our country and the world...thats a cool thing...we just go about it in different ways....

I really like that DK always goes for a win/win solution to things...he sees a greater vision IMHO than does Dean...we can't go for a little change...we have to go all out 100% for the highest we can dream. Dennis has the vision that so many ( more than most people imagine) are seeking...

Peace
DR

[JohnKleeb]

24. I think Dennis well maybe on the basic level isnt a lot like RFK

but he can unite like RFK he could get a wide coalition. I bet the ATC's I work with would like him being that he is pro union. Dean's a good guy but Kucinich can unite the party I bet he can bring those who have voted green in and he can lure working class republicans and if we will support him he'll have Joe Democrat's support. He was a city councilman while many of us were partying not me having not been 23 yet but hes a true rags to riches story. I like and admire Dean but he just doesnt have my heart and me thinking wow this is why my ancestors came here. I like Dean but that country club quote was wrong no I dont care that his son broke in but I think Dean is more of the country club than Dennis.
Kucinich in 2004
ATC office kids for Kucinich lol

[Larkspur]

25. Dean has vision as well and a system to generate coattails

Talking about getting more Dems elected isn't good enough. Actually developing a flexible system that local and state level candidates can tap into while you are running for the highest office in the land is called test proofing on the run. The Dem Party is so far behind on developing customer service to party members and progressive voters that Dean has had to do the test flying while running for the Presidency, and boy, has he excelled at it.

[Gingersnap]

27. huh?

I honestly don't understand how Dean is developing a "flexible system" that will allow local and state level candidates to tap in. Do you mean his progressive campaign? Kucinich has that in spades.

Do you mean his "appealing centrism" and "electability"?

[DeanandBushSuck]

32. HEY! don't be slaming on the people of Vermont!

[DrFunkenstein]

15. I Had Called Dean Supporters Vague, But The Horse Analogy...

Is a little too much, even for me. The Deanies around here really need to get a grip. I've got a suggestion - why don't you ask Dean to put some substance in his "Issues" section of the website, instead of op-ed fluff. No wonder so many of you just talk about his character...

[Larkspur]

21. It was Kucinich in the SC debates that claimed the mantle of Seabiscuit

Kucinich was referring to himself being underrated, like Seabiscuit, but even an underrated winner like Seabiscuit needs talent and a good trainer to be successful.

Dean has got the entrepreneurial organizational skills that I see Kucinich lacking. That's the inate talent I see in Dean that none of the others have, including the more establish Dem candidates, like Kerry, Edwards, Lieberman, and Gephardt.

You may not like it, but talent is not awarded fairly by Nature. We all have to use to the best of our advantage what we have been given. Kucinich does have talent, but not where he needs it in the executive realm.

[genius]

9. If Lincoln and Jefferson can do it, so can Dennis

People will vote the issues and that means they will vote for Dennis.

[finding_skeletons]

12. No one responded to my question!

I just joined the boards when looking for some information. I posted in the previous Kucinich message hoping for an answer, but no on responded.

My friend told me that Kucinich voted to hold impeachment hearings against Clinton.

Is this true?

[scarletwoman]

13. Why don't you look for the answer yourself?

I could do a search to try to find the information -- but so could YOU. If knowing the answer to your question is important to you, then expend the effort yourself.

sw

[revcarol]

18. The answer is NO, he did not vote for impeachment.

x

[Mairead]

30. No, he didn't

He voted for the pre-impeachment hearings, the analog of voting to convene a grand jury to hear preliminary evidence.

When the question came up of whether to impeach--the analog of a grand jury saying there's enough evidence to indict--he voted a clear, solid No.

[LWolf]

26. "This potential is a mathematical reality....."

And I'm working to make it happen, one person at a time. I welcomed 2 to DK's campaign this week!

[RegenerationMan]

28. Kucinich will probably be out of money before New Hampshire

Kucinich is not raising enough $$ to stay in until New Hampshire. He will drop out to avoid looking ridiculous.

[LWolf]

29. "The sum of the smallest contributions

together exceed the power of the largest contribution. Together we can change the course of history."

Thank you for your contribution to the Kucinich Campaign.

Here's some hope for the pessimistic. Take action. The sum of every small action will change the current course of our nation. Welcome to DU!

https://www.kucinich.us/contribute.php

[DeanandBushSuck]

31. Kucinich is Behind because of Negative attacks by Dean