‘Return to Love’ author seeks fulfillment through politics





INDEPENDENT—Author and activist Marianne Williamson works the room at Calabasas Civic Center during her appearance there on Feb. 18.

INDEPENDENT—Author and activist Marianne Williamson works the room at Calabasas Civic Center during her appearance there on Feb. 18.

Humanitarian rather than economic values should be the guiding principles of society, says Marianne Williamson, a best-selling author and lecturer who has reinvented herself as a politician and is running for the 33rd U.S. Congressional District in the June primary.

Williamson, 61, is one of a dozen potential candidates who are lining up to run in the district that includes Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village. The winner will replace U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, who is retiring after a 40-year career in Congress.

The filing period for candidates is open until March 7. The top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the general election in November.

More than 120 people came to Founder’s Hall in the Calabasas Civic Center on Feb. 18 to hear from Williamson, an independent. Most of them were already fans of her work.

In 1997, Williamson published “The Healing of America,” calling for a more holistic approach to the country’s political system. The book examines the history and politics of America and offers solutions for the renewal of democracy. The writing was revised and republished as “Healing the Soul of America.”

Politics should be a vessel for “our deepest conversation among mature adults about where America is and where it needs to go. Instead, (the political arena) has become a container for our most shallow conversation,” Williamson said.

Instead of being the stewards of democracy, many politicians are fostering a legalized system of corruption and bribery, Williamson said.

An activist for social justice, Williamson founded Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that serves homebound people with AIDS and other lifethreatening illnesses in the Los Angeles area.

She also co-founded the Peace Alliance, promoting legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peacebuilding, and is a board member of the RESULTS organization, working to end the ravages of hunger and poverty throughout the world.

Williamson, who lives in Brentwood, said America is drifting away from its constitutional values. Although a proponent of free enterprise, she said predatory capitalism should not be tolerated.

“Today we’re living in a time when not enough people truly have a shot . . . and that’s not America. Too many people are falling into poverty through no fault of their own. We’re locked out politically, educationally and economically.”

She her goal is to work with like-minded legislators to reduce the influence of money in politics.

“I believe it’s the greatest moral challenge of our generation. We can’t deal with climate change issues as long as the oil companies dictate our policies,” she said, adding that healthcare reform also can’t succeed as long as insurance companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers are at the helm.

According to Williamson, fewer than two dozen independent representatives are needed in Congress to effect a shift in the status quo. Without change, the system will continue to chip away at people’s civil liberties.

She expressed concerns about government spying— and the incarceration of low-level drug offenders, who should receive treatment for their addictions instead of being jailed.

Williamson opposes fracking for natural gas and oil, and she’s against the use of nuclear power to generate electricity.

To solve the growing student debt problem, Williamson said that young people could perform a year of national service in lieu of repayment. Among other things, college graduates could teach computer skills to older workers to increase their employability, she said.

Regarding separation of church and state, Williamson said it’s one of the most enlightened aspects of the Constitution. She applauded religion as a foundation for many social movements, such as civil rights.

Tammy Kramer of Calabasas, who helped organize the Calabasas event, said Williamson would be an ideal congresswoman.

“I’ve been inspired by Marianne’s campaign, and I wanted to make sure that we have people in Calabasas aware that she is running. It gives us an opportunity as a community to express our concerns and ask tough questions so we can create a dialogue,” Kramer said.

Williamson isn’t the only candidate in the 33rd District race who is targeting local voters.

“I’m looking forward to visiting with voters in Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Topanga. I’m ready to fight for this community,” said Wendy Greuel, a leading Democrat in the race.


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