posted January 29, 2016 07:05 PM            

But who in their right mind would vote for Clinton?

posted January 30, 2016 02:04 AM            

Like Bernie Sanders in 2016, FDR ran a populist campaign, promising to rebuild an economy that worked for all people. He was called a "radical socialist" by media mogul, William Randolph Hearst, while detractors of Bernie Sanders say he is a socialist, meaning it as a dismissive putdown. Also, just like today, policy in Washington was determined by the wealthy. FDR ran against an establishment politician who had spent 30 years in the House of Representatives and who later went on to become Speaker of the House.

FDR signed the Glass-Steagall Act, which curtailed the power of the big banks and Wall Street. Bernie Sanders wants to reinstate this Act, which creates a wall between banks in the usual sense and investment banking and prevents the banks from gambling with depositors' money. Like FDR, Sanders wants to rein in a bloated financial sector that endangers the U.S. economy. FDR put millions of people to work by creating projects to rebuild the country's infrastructure. Sanders wants to do the same. FDR established the minimum wage and Social Security, which created a safety net for the nation's elderly against poverty in old age. Sanders wants to help workers by raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour and to expand Social Security and Medicare.

The era of FDR saw bold policies enacted into law. Today, the Sanders campaign is calling for equally bold measures. So, what's the astrological correlation with these events? FDR's first term occurred during a Uranus-Pluto cycle, the square between 1928-1937. The banking crisis leading up to the Great Recession in 2008 came at the beginning of the current Uranus-Pluto square. Uranus-Pluto calls for bold ideas and a transformational presidency. This is due to the "mutual activation" of the intensifying and empowering effect of Pluto on Uranus (bold ideas) and the liberation and awakening of transformative energies (Uranus to Pluto). It's the reason I cite as to why the energy and enthusiasm is with the Sanders campaign and not with Hillary Clinton, the establishment candidate he is running against. Also during this cycle, socialism gains favor, so it's no surprise that a self-described democratic socialist is running a viable campaign for President, why the label "socialist" hasn't doomed Sanders' campaign, and why the socialist policies of FDR enjoy wide support by the public.

As for the front runner on the Republican side, Donald Trump, according to his website, his proposals cover five areas:

Immigration reform, i.e., building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico and having Mexico pay for it,

Tax cuts for the middle class. A single person earning less than $25,000 and a married couple earning $50,000 or less jointly will pay no income tax.

Reforming the tax code. He wants to simplify the tax code reducing the number of tax brackets to four, instead of the seven now in place. Businesses regardless of size will pay 15% in taxes maximum. He also calls for the elimination of the inheritance tax. Trump wants to pay for tax cuts by closing loopholes and doing away with most deductions available to the very wealthy.

Second Amendment. Trump wants to insure Second Amendment Rights and proposes a tough on crime agenda.

Veterans' Administration. He wants to reform the Veterans' Administration to better serve the needs of our veterans.

U.S.-China trade policy. He wants to change U.S.-China trade policy to favor America businesses and workers. He says the U.S. needs a tougher bargaining position vis-a-vis China.

Trump's proposals reflect typical Republican priorities, but he also projects a toughness and strength that appeals to voters. Also, he's an outsider financing his own campaign and can't be bought. Voters in this election cycle are drawn to that. As to whether he can win a general election against Clinton or Sanders, the current polls say no.

posted January 30, 2016 02:50 AM            

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Originally posted by Faith:
Maybe it's an issue of "strike the shepherd scatter the flock."

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I had to look that up, and found out it's a biblical reference.

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But..."the shepherd" would have to be someone who resonated with a lot of people and could get them to cooperate, in an extreme kind of way. Typically people will only change their habits under force of religious or deep intellectual conviction. Gandhi had the people making their own cloths, spinning their own cloth, changing their idea of how critical the concept of fashion was, just to gain freedom. Would Americans ever go to those lengths, willing to change for Change?

Gandhi was a student of Thoreau, of Civil Disobedience fame. You know, in many ways (but not all) it's a lot harder to practice civil disobedience now, than it was then. The laws are more numerous and draconian than in Thoreau's day.

And we are not as inclined to take a deep look at things, for all the reasons everyone already knows.

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If I recall correctly, Gandhi had a Leo Moon in the 10H, so he did resonate with millions of people. This is just my opinion, but he was an evolved soul, meaning he was open to influxes of spiritual energy. He thus had a charisma and a power to influence that an ordinary person doesn't. I think the same was true of Martin Luther King. For me, they're fascinating examples of the intersection of spirituality and politics.

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Typically people will only change their habits under force of religious or deep intellectual conviction

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True. We also do so under extremity or adversity, like poverty or starvation. The French Revolution comes to mind, which by the way was during a Uranus-Pluto cycle. Maybe the reason why the Occupy movement didn't gain wider traction was because conditions haven't deteriorated enough to generate widespread suffering and therefore opposition. Maybe if it had, the ruthless response of the state could have been neutralized. But maybe we're reaching a tipping point, I don't know.

By the way, speaking of the French Revolution. Hillary has been quoted as saying she wants to raise a billion dollars for her campaign, which reminds me of Marie Antoinette saying "let them eat cake." I mean, there are people working two and three jobs just trying to make ends meet! Just think what real good a billion dollars could do.

posted February 01, 2016 03:35 AM            

Looking at the U.S. chart, transiting Jupiter is conjunct the U.S. Neptune, exact, lighting up the Mars-Neptune square. Mars-Neptune is, among other things, inspired action or action driven by ideals. Jupiter expands whatever it touches, therefore, to act (Mars) and to dream (Neptune) greatly (Jupiter). It's no wonder we're seeing a massive groundswell of motivated people inspired during this primary season to participate in the Iowa caucus, some of them who have never before been involved in politics. Also, the numbers of people coming out to Iowa from all over the country, knocking on doors, phone banking, and texting for their candidate is phenomenal!

Transiting Mars squares the U.S. Moon, so lots of anger out there as well.

posted February 02, 2016 10:12 PM            

His nodal return, which indicates a major crossroads, certainly is now given Sen. Sanders' finish in the Iowa Caucus last night, coming from 50 points behind the most well funded and formidable political machine in U.S. history to a virtual tie, against all odds. What an exciting night!

posted February 03, 2016 03:25 AM            

Richard Tarnas, in "Cosmos and Psyche," speaking of Jupiter's significance in a collective context states:

"Through this historical development [of ideas from Platonic, Hermetic, Arabic, medieval and Renaissance], Jupiter has been associated with the principle of expansion and magnitude, providence and plenitude, liberality, elevation and ascendancy, and with the tendency to experience growth and progress, success, honor, good fortune, abundance, aggrandizement, prodigality, excess and inflation.

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It also has a frequent association with the realm and aspirations of culture, especially high culture, high principle, higher learning, breadth of knowledge, liberal education, cultured erudition, a wide and encompassing vision. In general, it seems to impel a movement towards encompassing greater wholes and enlarging one's world, embracing higher principles of order, higher orders of magnitude, broader horizons of experience.

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When Jupiter and a second planet enter into cyclical alignment, the coinciding events suggest Jupiter's archetypal influence to be one of magnifying and supporting the second planetary archetype with an expansive, elevating quality--"crowning" it, as it were--granting it success, honoring it, bringing it to fruition, cultural ascension..."

In this case, it's the revolutionary impulse toward freedom and awakening that is "crowned" when Jupiter aligns in opposition to Uranus (a full moon effect). Tarnas, a historian who has researched and meticulously documented correlations between planetary alignments and history for over 30 years, also states that Jupiter coming into alignment represents a climax of the Uranus-Pluto cycle.

posted February 03, 2016 03:30 AM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
It looks like it could be a Cruz/Clinton race.

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posted February 03, 2016 03:32 AM            

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Originally posted by peony:
New PPP poll shows Clinton leading in Iowa 48% to Sanders 40%
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2016/01/clinton-still- leads-iowa-omalley-backers-could-help-sanders.html

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posted February 03, 2016 02:11 PM            

This is typical for them:

Rand Paul came in 5th: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/rand-paul/2016/02/01/paul-heading-5th-place-finish-iowa-caucus/79674770/

Fox pretends he's not in the race: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2016/primary-caucus-results/iowa

They did the same kind of crap to his father.

Not that I'm all gung-ho for Rand.

posted February 04, 2016 02:18 PM            

What I like about this election cycle is that despite that, issues like campaign finance and the role of money in politics and universal health care are being discussed nationwide on tv.

posted February 04, 2016 06:40 PM            

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February 4th and 6th: Democratic and Republican Candidates Engage Under Aquarius-Capricorn Vibes for it's a Sun Aquarius-Moon Capricorn blend of energies both nights with each sign ruled by Saturn, planet of government, the Establishment, the system, authority, accountability, responsibility, karma, and the status quo. And of course in modern astrology, Aquarius brings progressive Uranus to the debates--but the debates are weighted on the Saturnian side.

First, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders debate tonight February 4, 2016 (MSNBC 9:00 pm ET; Moon 00Cap) then Republican candidates will debate (aka, hurl insults at each other) this Saturday February 6, 2016 beginning at 8:00 pm ET (Moon 27Cap).

Since both debates come under the influence of the Spartan, steadfast, aloof blend of Sun AQ-Moon Capricorn, an *Image for Integration seems appropriate--simply apply to any of the 2016 presidential candidates as you wish!

Sun AQ-Moon Cap: 'A revolutionary is elected president.'

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posted February 04, 2016 06:55 PM            

Koch Brothers Network Ready to Oppose Trump

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The network has resources and technology rivaling the Republican Party's infrastructure and spent close to $400 million in 2015 on its goals to minimize the role of government in people's lives. But it also intervenes in electoral politics and will play a multimillion-dollar role in the 2016 presidential and Senate races.

The Koch network is holding off on endorsing a 2016 presidential nominee, though has narrowed its preferences down to five acceptable candidates: Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul and Carly Fiorina.

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According to the article, that "multi-millionaire dollar" figure referred to: $889 million.

posted February 04, 2016 07:18 PM            

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Originally posted by iQ:
Personally, I do not think Hillary would be a good President for the USA. Warren is light years ahead in capability and positive intentions.

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Yes, Clinton and Warren are not comparable. As much as a first woman president would be a crowning achievement of the era of civil rights and the women's movement of the 1960s during the immediately preceding Uranus-Pluto cycle, Hillary will perpetuate the status quo, and I predict things will continue to get worse under her administration. The times and I think the U.S. needs a transformational president, and neither her record, policy positions, or her own statements suggest she's it.

posted February 04, 2016 08:54 PM            

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Originally posted by peony:
Fox is corporate media with an agenda. All of the major news sources, whether on tv or in print in the U.S., with a few exceptions, are the establishment-corporate media with an agenda, and we all know that.

What I like about this election cycle is that despite that, issues like campaign finance and the role of money in politics and universal health care are being discussed nationwide on tv.

Also, we now have proliferating alternate sources of news and information online like The Young Turks and Democracy Now, blogs and social media that have the capacity to challenge the propaganda and spin of corporate media. A candidate running for POTUS in these times can raise millions of dollars in 24 hours, mobilize grassroots action, get their message out unfiltered bypassing the gatekeepers, and respond to events quickly, on the internet and social media sources like Facebook and Twitter.

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I'm enjoying your comments, peony.

I just don't always have enough interest in politics to think about it and formulate responses.

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its goals to minimize the role of government in people's lives

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That sounds "off" doesn't it? Suspicious.

I just remember them infiltrating & co-opting the Libertarian Cato Institute a few years ago, helping to turn most professing "libertarians" into as rabid & war-crazed neocons as the run-of-the-mill brainwashed Bush devotees were....

Now I'm seeing they sued Cato...uh huh....

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Reduced to its simplest level, says Bruce Bartlett, a conservative economist and historian who briefly worked at Cato and who has fallen out with the Kochs, the dispute came down to control of the think tank’s post-Crane future....

As Bartlett put it, “It’s clear to me that the Kochs have abandoned libertarianism and essentially thrown in totally with the G.O.P. They are putting in place a structure that will gradually erode Cato’s independence and move it closer to the American Enterprise Institute and Heritage Foundation.”

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Nothing as odious as AEI and the Heritage Foundation. Bloodthirsty, immoral cowards who won't even unmask themselves to America.

Oh but wait...the Koch brothers posing as Libertarians and pretending to be for small government while fighting for the neocons of Patriot Act, police-state, World War III fame...

posted February 05, 2016 05:49 PM            

Here's the New Moon chart:

Sanders' chart is upthread. Here's Hillary's. Keep in mind that Astrodatabank rates this chart as a "D", so the TOB is unreliable. Doesn't matter here though because I'm looking at planets, not angles or house cusps.

The New Moon is a time of new beginnings, and for renewal energetically on subtle levels. It is about purification, letting go of the old and embracing the new, in the present and the future.

This New Moon appears to be very significant for Hillary, as the Sun-Moon conjunction opposes her Leo stellium. It doesn't make significant aspects to Sanders' chart, although as I've mentioned, he's undergoing a nodal return, so he's at a major crossroads in his life and I think his presidential campaign certainly fits that description.

Also, the New Moon chart is I think deeply significant for the country, because it falls on the U.S. Moon, tightly in the Gemini rising chart, with a wider orb in the Sibley chart.

I'd mentioned earlier that the U.S. presidential election will be under a Jupiter-Uranus opposition, with its expansive, liberating and awakening qualities.

But there is also a Saturn-Neptune square, which is about a darkening of the collective consciousness. What we often see under this configuration are unfortunate events and a general malaise. So it appears that there will be a cloud of some kind hovering over this election. Or, it could mean that a large number of people are going to be unhappy on January 20th, inauguration day. But, even without astrology, it's an easy prediction to make.

To complicate things even further, transiting Pluto squares the U.S. Saturn. This transit is diametrically opposite to the euphoric, expansive energy of Jupiter-Uranus. I think the correlation we're seeing is that archetypally, the Sanders campaign and his supporters embodies Jupiter-Uranus, and the Clinton campaign, most factions in the Republican party, with the exception perhaps of the Libertarian wing, and the political, financial, and media establishments embody Saturn-Pluto. (I'm seeing that some of Rand Paul supporters and some Republicans are now supporting Sanders.) Saturn-Pluto tends to energize conservatives. Jupiter-Uranus energizes progressives and youth.

As for the Democratic candidates, Clinton has a natal Saturn-Pluto conjunction, so I think she's personifying the current Pluto-Saturn square in the U.S. chart. Even though she is positioning herself as a progressive in the Democratic primaries, she is and is seen by many people as the establishment candidate.

posted February 05, 2016 08:43 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Faith:
That sounds "off" doesn't it? Suspicious.

...its goals to minimize the role of government in people's lives...

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"its" being the Koch Bros. network.

Well, they're corporate billionaires and don't want any government regulations to interfere with making money and profits.

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I just remember them infiltrating & co-opting the Libertarian Cato Institute a few years ago, helping to turn most professing "libertarians" into as rabid & war-crazed neocons as the run-of-the-mill brainwashed Bush devotees were....

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That's odd, I think the goals of libertarians and neocons are radically different.

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As Bartlett put it, “It’s clear to me that the Kochs have abandoned libertarianism and essentially thrown in totally with the G.O.P. They are putting in place a structure that will gradually erode Cato’s independence and move it closer to the American Enterprise Institute and Heritage Foundation.”

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I hope Cato is able to preserve its independence.

Thank you, Faith. I'm glad you're enjoying them.