I think it’s important to note what subjects we haven’t discussed. We completely ignored the fact that this is a society divided by fear, hatred, and violence. And until we talk about what this society really is, now, I don’t know how we’re gonna change it. For  example, we haven’t discussed the rot that destroys our cities. We have all the resources we need to check it, and we haven’t used them, and we haven’t discussed why not. We haven’t discussed race in this country. We haven’t discussed poverty. In short, we haven’t discussed any of the sicknesses that may yet send this country up in flames. And we’d better do it. We’d better get it out in the open and confront it, before it’s too late. Thank you.

Bill McKay (Robert Redford), “The Candidate”, 1972

 

You know what made me think of this outstanding (and remarkably timely) movie I haven’t thought of in many years?

Marianne Williamson, bestselling author and spiritual leader-turned-Democratic Candidate for President.

Williamson, like Candidate Bill McKay, isn’t interested in talking about the problems facing this country, so much as why these problems exist in the first place. She understands the patient gets better when the disease is treated, not just the symptoms.

And, so far, she’s the only candidate who talks about the disease, in terms we’re not used to hearing from a Presidential candidate.

Just take this example from the first Democratic Candidates Debate:

I’m sorry we haven’t talked more tonight about how we’re going to beat Donald Trump. I have an idea about Donald Trump: Donald Trump is not going to be beaten just by insider politics talk. He’s not going to be beaten just by somebody who has plans. He’s going to be beaten by somebody who has an idea what the man has done. This man has reached into the psyche of the American people and he has harnessed fear for political purposes.

So, Mr. President — if you’re listening — I want you to hear me, please: You have harnessed fear for political purposes, and only love can cast that out. So I, sir, I have a feeling you know what you’re doing. I’m going to harness love for political purposes. I will meet you on that field, and sir, love will win.

Or this one from the second Debate, addressed to the other candidates:

If you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of the collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in this country, then I’m afraid that the Democrats are going to see some very dark days.

See what I mean? It all boils down to love versus hate. The root of the problems.

How many politicians do you hear framing their solutions for America in those terms?

And it’s resonating with a lot of Americans. Just as donald trump’s simple “Make America Great Again” mantra did with so many voters in 2016. Marianne Williamson has tapped into the psyche of America in a way the other candidates are ignoring, or simply don’t know how.

Sure, a lot of folks are laughing at her, especially in the media, for what they view as her wacky, New Age bull$#!t, but a lot of others believe in her and support her.

Williamson is extraordinarily smart. Just browse her campaign site, https://marianne2020.com to see how well versed she is on the issues, and her ideas on how to solve them. The lady’s done her homework.

And she’s different. Need I remind you what people liked about trump?

Would she be a great President? I frankly doubt it. She has no experience, and we’ve already seen what kind of trouble that can produce. Plus, her views on things such as vaccinations and mental illness are too controversial for some people. But, she has made herself part of the conversation, and I hope she stays in it as long as possible. If nothing else, she’s making it interesting.