From health care to education, policy proposals that do the most to help people live better lives are often met with the question, “But how are you going to pay for it?” That’s where Stephanie Kelton – the “people’s economist” – comes in.

A former Chief Economist on the Senate Budget Committee and Bernie Sanders advisor, Kelton says the money is available to us right now to do everything we need to do to change our society for the better.

Why then aren’t we spending it? Because, according to Kelton, we’ve been fed the “deficit myth” – the constant refrain that the only money available is money that will help those who already have a lot of it.

Kelton’s book “The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People’s Economy” turns economic thinking on its head and leaves us hopeful that a compassionate, more equitable society is possible.

Hang around after the interview for Ask Marianne: Marianne answers questions about arts in schools and the practice of peace-building.

Marianne Williamson is a bestselling author, political activist and spiritual thought leader.

For over three decades Marianne has been a leader in spiritual and religiously progressive circles. She is the author of 14 books, four of which have been #1 New York Times best sellers.