Self-Help Guru Marianne Williamson Thinks America Needs a Moral and Spiritual Awakening
Candidate: Marianne Williamson
State of Residence: California
Campaign Website: https://www.marianne2020.com
Short Bio: Marianne Williamson is an acclaimed lecturer, activist and author of four #1 New York Times bestselling books. She has also been a popular guest on television programs such as Oprah, Good Morning America, and Bill Maher. A quote from the mega best seller A Return to Love, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…” is considered an anthem for a contemporary generation of seekers.
Williamson ’s other books include The Law of Divine Compensation, The Age of Miracles, Everyday Grace, A Woman’s Worth, Illuminata, Healing the Soul of America, A Course in Weight Loss, The Gift of Change, Enchanted Love, A Year of Miracles, and Tears to Triumph: The Spiritual Journey from Suffering to Enlightenment. Her newest book, A Politics of Love: Handbook for a New American Revolution, will be published in 2019.
Williamson is a native of Houston, Texas. In 1989, she founded Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that serves homebound people with AIDS in the Los Angeles area. To date, Project Angel Food has served over 11 million meals. Williamson also co-founded the Peace Alliance. [Personal Website Bio]
Fun Fact: Williamson appeared many times on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and was often called Oprah’s spiritual adviser. [Vox]
On the Issues
Health Care: Backs universal healthcare. Williamson supports universal health care coverage. She has also backed policies that would restrict the marketing and production of highly-processed and sugary foods. She has also called for greater government investment in programs aimed at reducing patient overcharges and environmental toxins and diseases. [PBS]
Jobs/Economy/Taxes: Increase minimum wage by region, repeal corporate tax cuts in 2017 tax law. Williamson has put forward a four-step plan to reduce income inequality. It includes providing cash relief through a universal basic income; creating jobs through Green New Deal legislation; boosting government funding for early education and childcare services, paid family leave, sick leave, and caregiving; and introducing a universal savings program, which would be available to children at birth. Williamson has proposed paying for the plan by rolling back tax cuts to the wealthy and big businesses. [PBS]