NBC News, MSNBC and Telemundo will host the first 2020 presidential primary debate in June of 2019. This is the ninth in a series of BFIA’s coverage and commentary of the announcement speeches by the declared Democratic candidates for president for 2020 in no particular order.  To view the previous candidate announcement posts type the candidate’s name in the search box on this page.

Let us be honest. In the race for the person to replace the worst president ever, there are 3 levels of candidates.  The first level is those who appear to be the top tier candidates who most likely have a real shot at becoming president; the second level are those who with some incredible luck may vault into the real race; the third tier are those who truly have little chance and are often running to push some ideas or philosophy.

In that third level is where we frequently find some of the most interesting candidates with ideas that often catch on and are appropriated by upper level candidates. This is where we find Marianne Williamson.

From her campaign website we find this about Williamson:

How My Career Began

In the early 1980’s, there was no professional niche involving non-denominational spirituality. Since I didn’t see myself becoming clergy or a religious academic or a traditional psychotherapist, I thought my speaking about A Course in Miracles to small groups was simply an avocation. I threw myself into teaching, counseling, and writing based on the teachings of the Course.”

Perhaps the most interesting part of the Williamson story are her ideas for the country. From the section Why I’m Running we get Williamsons analysis of how we got here and what we can do to right the ship of state:

Why I’m Running

Just as it’s been said that war is far too serious a topic to be left in the hands of generals,  the future of our country is far too serious to be left in the hands of traditional politicians. I have great respect for political experts, but the idea that only experienced politicians can lead us at this point in our history is preposterous. Experienced politicians led us into the wars in Vietnam and Iraq. Experienced politicians have led us to the largest income inequality since 1929. Experienced politicians have led us to the brink of environmental disaster. Experienced politicians have led us to where we are today. There are many other kinds of experiences needed in order to prepare the leader of tomorrow.

What we most need now is a political visionary — someone with a deep understanding of where we have been and where we need to be going. While car mechanics are important, they aren’t necessarily the ones who know how to drive you to where you want to go. It is unreasonable to expect the mindset that drove us into the ditch, to be able to pull us out of it. It’s not enough now to just know what’s happening inside Washington; we need someone who also knows what’s happening inside us. 

My campaign provides the American people with the option of choosing another way — not just a better version of same old, same old politics, but a genuine pattern disruption that allows for breakthroughs and possibilities that will not otherwise occur. It is for those who want the person sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office to be someone with an expanded sense of what is necessary, as well as what’s possible, in the 21st Century.

From what is essentially a sociopathic economic system, to a government that has become little more than a handmaiden to that system, to the dark influence of money on our politics, to the systematic neglect of millions of chronically traumatized children, to our need to fundamentally address issues of racial injustice, to our need to wage peace as well as to be prepared for war, to the sacrifice of America’s moral values within the public sphere — we need to do more than water the leaves of our democracy. We need to water the roots. We need to address the deep emotional and psychological dynamics within the average citizen that have led to the erosion of our political system. In order to have a moral and spiritual awakening in America, we need a leader who is a moral and spiritual awakener.

I believe I am that person.

Williamson’s brand of spirituality mixed with activism has been the basis for many movements in this country from abolition to worker’s rights. Her visionary ideas and ideals are the kind that have winnowed their way into the main political stream throughout our history. 

Williamson has a loyal following. According to politico.com as of Thursday, Williamson has qualified for the Democratic debates at the end of next month. Her presence will give Democrats and all others a different view of America’s problems.

As you read through her positions on issues you will be taken how she digs deep to find the roots of the problem.   

Marianne Williamson may be a game changer.