Bill Gates- original case for a movement to tranform the 2020 election

(This essay has been revised by more recent one)

Life has changed for most people, perhaps in the world, but certainly in the United States. Within a few weeks, this pandemic has preempted everything else that would have been the headlines, with little discussion of how the disease is affecting the upcoming election.

It would be easier if Bill Gates (William Henry Gates III) represented a wing of a political party, an organization  of individuals sharing the same values and goals.  Unfortunately, that's not the case. Like Jesus of Nazareth, Thomas Paine, and  Babe Ruth -- he is unique.  Most people who vie for the Presidency must have a desire for the fame and glorythat goes with the position, since they ignore its lethality, assassinations and attempts.

Gates' long interview with Fareed Fakaria on 4/26, along with his three part documentary of his extensive diverse humane projects around the world, convinced me that he, and sadly, only he, is the one who can change the inevitability of one of the two existing parties prevailing. 

It is self evident that the divisiveness between what is the TrumpRepublican party and the Democratic party is at an unsustainable level, which will escalate with a campaign between the two putative candidates.  No matter who is elected, the results will be a presidential party that builds on vilification of the opposition.  A two party election will inevitably continue to exacerbate raw hatred of the other; exemplified by Pelosi ripping up the text of a vindictive presidential speech in the midst of an impeachment trial with no possibility of removal.

Bill Gates, this mere mortal, is caught in a bind. He was graced by the luck of timing, genetics and parenting that allowed him to become what he is.  I see him as a unique individual where his God-given skills (He's O.K with "God," but as an idea, not a being) have put an obligation on him, perhaps to the world and country, but also to his  own children.

The ultimate direction of our country, be it a socialistic or more conservative bent, can only be resolved if we survive the escalating partisan hatred of another round.  Those who despise Trump must acknowledge that he warned us, "I could shoot a stranger dead on fifth  avenue,and not lose a vote from my supporters,"  There is no Democrat who will tolerate absolute amnesty for all of Trump's malfeasance, yet any revenge is certain to escalate forward to a dismal future.

It could be that the horror of our pandemic is an omen from a higher being --  that I absolutely deny exists --that it is time for wisdom and compassion rather than revenge. No Democrat could run on such a forgiveness plank, while Bill Gates could do so.  He is also more capable than anyone in political life to visualize the outline of the possibilities and risks of the accelerated expansion of Artificial Intelligence that is just around the corner.


I had written an argument for Bill Gates jumping in to get on the ballot for presidency this year.  Realizing the impossibility of this, there is another more viable approach to enlisting the rare qualities of Mr. Gates. Rather than his running for President, he would marshal his personnel friendships with such as Warren Buffet and perhaps George Soros to redirect much of their vast wealth to the immediate goal of forming a third party.

This has been done quietly by the Koch brothers over decades now, their becoming a major force in influencing and energizing the Republican party.  In the next few weeks, Biden will select a VP candidate and the campaign for presidency will begin.  We've had a taste of the violence that is certainly to accompany this contest, the ending of which is too distressing to visualize.

There are a handful of those with the resources to get on the ballot of enough states to capture at least the Presidency.  With Gates on the team, it could provide a new metaphor of what political discourse means.  It's a long shot, but the only one that I can conceive of.