Creating the Future

Like a malevolent cyclone whirling across the land, mowing down all we hold dear, the destructive forces inherent in Bush administration policies are wreaking havoc in the nation. We all know the litany: tax policies that are transferring wealth from the middle class to the very wealthy; a crippling of environmental regulations that is destroying our national heritage; a sea of red ink that will take future generations decades to overcome; an aggressive and militant foreign policy that is not only counterproductive but is devastating our armed forces; and many other examples too numerous to mention. In fact, these policies and their harmful consequences generate so much controversy and ire that it has been difficult to focus on constructive alternatives. Instead, we are constantly thrown into a defensive posture, attempting to ward off the bulldozing onslaught of a radical agenda and the politically motivated character assassinations that accompany it.

As an alternative to our perpetual and self-defeating (though justified) outrage, let us consider the transformational potential of energized, focused thought. In other words, the concept that what your mind focuses on will grow. From this line of thinking, an argument could be made that by angrily focusing on the radical GOP agenda and its dark consequences, we have actually been empowering that to which we are vehemently opposed. On the other hand, what has been largely missing from progressive discourse, and what it is now time to create, is a crystal clear vision of the path we choose for America in the years ahead.

Let us begin with national security. Rather than a War on Terror, it is a War on Foreign Fuel Dependency that must be mobilized. A focused, government-mandated policy to develop alternative fuel sources and vastly greater fuel efficiency can end our dependency on Middle Eastern oil in a few years, with the added bonus of greatly reducing our contribution to global warming. In addition, we would no longer need to maintain a military presence in the Middle East to protect our oil supply. Our increasing energy independence would therefore remove a major irritant in our relations with the Arab World - the ever-burgeoning number of our military bases on their soil - and dilute much of the rage currently fueling terrorism. New jobs would be created in this country, new industries born, and a general strengthening of the American economy would transpire. Within a few decades there could be a radical transformation of how our country uses energy – efficiently, without pollution, and independently. This is doable, but it requires leadership, which has been essentially non-existent under George Bush and his Republican-led Congress. Instead, Korea, Japan, and China are taking the lead in building fuel-efficient cars, GM is losing a over a billion dollars a quarter building cars no one wants, Americans are losing jobs, our trade imbalance is continuing to expand, and increasing billions are going to support those military bases. The latest Bush energy plan gives 98% of its tax incentives and subsidies to the fossil fuel industry and the development of nuclear power. A courageous and clear alternative plan, focusing on real fuel efficiency and renewable energy sources, should be boldly set forth by progressives so that the nation can begin to envision what is possible. The ramifications would impact the environment, the economy, and national security.

Secondly, but of equal importance, ALL corporate money must be removed from politics. No donations should be allowed for any political campaign or elected official other than by private individuals or non-profit interest groups, and only within designated limits. The decrease in fundraising can be offset by a requirement that television and radio stations donate a certain amount of time to candidates for several weeks prior to elections. This may sound radical given the status quo, but the corporate money that saturates the political system keeps politicians beholden to their large financial backers and not their constituents. Corporations are not people with moral and personal concerns. Their only motivation is profit. They essentially pay politicians to back off from environmental cleanup regulations, tax enforcement, and limitations on monopolistic practices.

Bluntly stated, if we cannot remove all corporate money from the political trough, we can kiss our democracy good-bye. On the other hand, by ending this scandalous practice, politicians would be free to support what they feel is in the best interest of their constituents, not in the interest of their corporate campaign contributors. There would no longer be any reason to gut environmental regulation to protect polluting industries from taking responsibility for their own clean-up, no reason to protect the already bloated incomes of the pharmaceutical giants, no reason to spend money on unnecessary weaponry and promote unnecessary wars to benefit the defense industry. It is not coincidental that George Bush received $48 million from the Texas energy industry during the 2000 election and has received $58 million since, while the nation’s energy policy consists primarily of tax cuts and subsidies to these same extraction industries and only a pittance for alternative energy and conservation practices. It is also not coincidental that the lavishly GOP-donating pharmaceuticals benefited enormously from the Medicare drug bill which did not include any bargaining for reduced group-drug costs for seniors. And it is additionally not coincidental that the Bush Social Security boondoggle would benefit a moribund investment industry, also a huge sponsor of the Bush and related GOP campaigns, while it eventually will cut benefits to middle class and poor recipients. It is time to perform radical surgery to completely separate corporate money from politics and remove a malignancy that is killing our democracy.

Let us further remember that our democracy was created with the idea that all are equal and equally entitled to their differences, as long as they commit no harm to others. This concept has expanded to include minorities and women as the consciousness of the nation evolved, but the seed was there from the start. Thus, the beautiful image of a melting pot of people - with different religions and races and a cacophony of differing ideas and goals, merging their strengths but retaining their differences - becomes the ideal for modern America.

In the realm of ideas and religion, however, people often have very strong feelings, and sometimes sense that theirs is the one and only true perspective. Such fervor can be a great blessing as it can instill a very strong and abiding faith or set of ideals in an individual. But it is also why many wars have been fought over religion. One of the most important roles of government in a democracy is to guarantee that the individual’s right to think, speak, and believe as he or she chooses is protected and to guarantee that each citizen is given equal protection under the law. For these First Amendment freedoms to coexist with the government’s role as dispassionate protector of every citizen, however, these two aspects of a democracy, freedom and equality, must be totally separate. The concept of the separation of church and state resolves any potential conflict of interest that could develop were the government to ally itself, for example, with a particular religion to the exclusion of others. Simply put, the government cannot be a protector of all religions or belief systems if it chooses one over the others. And conversely, the individual is free to believe in whatever he or she chooses so long as there is no attempt to coerce others to agree or harm them for disagreeing. Although these ideas may seem obvious and in total alignment with what we have always been told about America, our current government has begun to diverge from this path. Recently, there has been a blatant attempt by radical Republicans to align the government with one religious tradition and its goals. An example of this growing religious influence in public institutions can be seen in the increasing power of Christian evangelicals, and a corresponding increase of harassment of other religions, at the Air Force Academy. It is time to understand clearly what the separation of church and state is about and to reinvigorate its presence in our democratic traditions.

Extrapolating from the government’s dispassionate role in protecting individual rights, we can draw some inferences for a sane foreign policy. Rather than evangelizing democracy in the Third World as the only correct form of government and militantly pursuing this objective, a truly democratic nation should respect the differences among nations and respect their right to grow or transform at their own pace, as well as respecting their right to disagree on matters of policy. Intervention should be encouraged only in the direst circumstances, such as genocide or the direct and imminent threat of another nation to our security. Negotiation, diplomacy, and an attempt to find common ground are always preferable. When our democracy is true to itself, and strong in its core principles, it will speak far more eloquently and effectively than the current big stick, bullying approach of the Bush Regime.

Focusing on the America that we choose to create rather than being distracted by the gross distortions of our founding principles and the caricature of our ideals with which we are presented today is a formidable task but one which will generate a future we would be proud to leave to our children. Let us envision an America where the government, well-separated from religious disputes and any particular theological position, would protect every individual’s rights and freedoms and would consistently protect the citizens from those who would do harm, including criminals, aggressor nations, and corporations whose policies or irresponsible polluting are contrary to the public interest. Let us envision a government that acts as an overseer and regulator to the economic sector, for those times when the profit motive eclipses the safety and health of the community. Let us imagine our elected officials free to act on what they perceive as in the best interests of their constituents because they would no longer be beholden to any corporate money. Let us envision intelligent and comprehensive policies for such issues as global warming, alternative energy development, conservation, terrorism, bankruptcy law, Social Security, health care, etc., without the corrupting influence of corporate self-interest. Although much of this may seem merely a fantasy at present, it is important to plant the seeds in the collective mind of the nation of that toward which we strive. The more these ideas are spoken of and shared, the more real they become and the more potential they have of one day manifesting in our world. As Walt Disney once said, "All our dreams can come true...if we have the courage to pursue them."

Coming back to the world as it is rather than as it might be, let us explore some elements of the current astrological landscape. The past two months have brought a vicious intensification of the culture wars, being played out first over the battle for Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube and, more recently, over the right to filibuster judicial nominations. On both sides, partisans are fighting for what they perceive as their “rights” under the law. The transit of Uranus square to its natal place (8Gemini55) in the US chart is stimulating this heightened controversy. We should not forget that Uranus’ transit to its own place back in 1861 brought on the US Civil War. The current controversy may in many ways be seen as a later incarnation of this same bitter conflict: two different cultures, with emphases on different values, religions, and traditions, clashing head to head within the same larger national context. With Uranus moving to its stationary position in June, we can expect this battle to continue at least through August 2005, intensifying significantly in July and August. A final phase is likely in January 2006. We should expect little compromise, with each side digging in its heels, and much rebellion against the status quo, all qualities of Uranus.

Another characteristic of Uranus is its tendency to illuminate the truth in a sudden flash of awareness. The Schiavo case illustrates this point. All at once, it became quite clear that the Right Wing extremists were attempting to coerce the judiciary to ignore all legal precedent in order to force them to conform to fundamentalist ideology. The Radical Right was also seen as intruding upon a private family controversy and disregarding the personal choices of the patient and her husband to further an extremist agenda. Moreover, intrusive Republican politicians were seen to be opportunistically using this affair for political gain. This increasingly obvious abuse of power has been compounded by the Right’s attempt to squash the Senate filibuster and its failed attempt to castrate the House Ethics Committee. The return of Uranus square its own place in July and August 2005 and again in January 2006 may bring further stark realizations about the Radical Right’s abusive tactics and extremist agenda. The lightning-like flashes of understanding likely under this transit may well continue to illuminate what a somnolent nation sorely needs to see.

Interestingly, Democratic Senator Harry Reid, the Senate Minority Leader, is simultaneously under a powerful Uranus transit. Reid, born 12/2/39 in Searchlight, Nevada, has a natal Sun/Mars square, suggesting qualities of great strength and a willingness to step up to a challenge with hard work and determination. His biography gives many examples of this assertive and tough configuration, from time spent in the mines with his father, to boxing in high school, to a brief time as a Capital policeman, and, finally, to a career as a lawyer and then a politician. Beginning in March 2005, this powerful natal Sun/Mars energy has been greatly intensified and called into play by transiting Uranus, conjunct Reid’s Mars (8Pisces) and square to Reid’s Sun (9Sagittarius). It remains quite active through mid September 2005, and, as with the Uranus transit in the US chart, will be quite noticeable in the summer months, returning briefly in January and early February 2006. September will have the additional energizing force of a slowly moving Mars conjunct Reid’s natal Uranus. Reid will be outspoken, determined, forceful, and courageous during this entire period. Setbacks for him are possible the first week of June and at the end of June and the first week of July, during Saturn’s transits square his Saturn and subsequently square his Node. Given that the second Saturn transit is during the July 4th recess, the possibility emerges of Bush pushing through some recess appointments during this time, dealing a brief, unexpected blow to Democratic strategy.

Another big name in the news lately is John Bolton, recently nominated by George Bush to be UN ambassador. What is striking to me as a mental health professional is the clearly pathological implication in the multitude of testimony against Bolton. We are not just talking about a strong ideological bent that colors policy decisions or even twists intelligence to preconceived dogma. Although such traits would be problematic enough, of even grater concern regarding Bolton is that there seems to be a gathering body of evidence of an explosive temperament and a willingness to trample the rights of others, as well as to deceive and manipulate, to pursue predetermined goals. And there is every reason to believe that these extremely troublesome character traits will resurface in the future, barring psychiatric treatment and probably medication.

Bolton was born November 20, 1948, in Baltimore. The potential for his bursts of uncontrolled anger can be seen in his natal Mars/Jupiter conjunction opposite Uranus. This is a very aggressive and willful configuration that suggests difficulty in accepting restraint or compromise. Intensified in 2001 and 2002 when converse Mars moved to oppose natal Pluto, this configuration will be further inflamed from December 2005 through November 2006, when transiting Pluto will be conjunct Bolton’s Mars. In addition, the increased agitation and raw aggression in this aspect will be irritated by the converse progressed Sun square Uranus during the same period. Unexpected, upsetting events (Uranus) are likely to agitate Bolton’s already explosive temperament, causing enormous potential for his anger to burst through what little control he has. At least one embarrassing international incident is quite possible if this configuration finds him in the prominent position of UN Ambassador.

At the moment, Saturn is squaring Bolton’s natal Venus. Without a birth time, we can only estimate that this transit will last through May 21, give or take about 6 days. Saturn here suggests that the burden of ongoing personal criticism is taking its toll and will continue to do so through the duration of this transit. A successful nomination is unlikely while it is still in effect. On May 12, when the Senate committee is set to vote on whether to send Bolton’s nomination to the Senate floor, the Sun will be sextile Saturn, triggering this aspect. The Moon will be conjunct Saturn by the following morning. These aspects indicate an unsuccessful vote for Bolton in the committee. The White House, however, is threatening to push the vote to the Senate floor in spite of the outcome of the committee vote. If this occurs and the final vote comes after the transit of Saturn to Bolton’s Venus (roughly after May 21), Bolton will have a chance of winning the nomination. Should this happen, expect major fireworks from him come December 2005 and beyond.

We are currently in the final phase of Saturn crossing US Mercury. As predicted numerous times by Starlight News, this has brought about a contraction in US currency and a scarcity of resources, in particular, oil. On a positive note, the Saturn influence has raised awareness of the precarious state of our national financial picture and the ongoing danger inherent in our gluttonous addiction to foreign energy sources. A significant undercurrent to this transit has been the simultaneous quincunx of Pluto to US Mercury, suggesting an ongoing and profound transformation in US trade, currency, and investment realities covering the period from early 2005 through late 2006.

In a few weeks, from May 13 through May 15, a powerful Mars/Uranus conjunction will occur just as Saturn moves into a one-degree orb of US Mercury for the final time, culminating around May 30, 2005. The Mars Uranus combination is likely to bring a temporary increase in violence, explosions, accidents and other sudden and destructive bursts of energy world-wide. In addition, this aspect is probably close enough to the square to US Uranus and the opposition to Bush’s Mars to indicate the possibility of unexpected and stressful events that impact the US in some way. The fact that it is followed by the two-week Saturn transit to US Mercury and the transit of Saturn quincunx transiting Pluto suggests that the repercussions of the sudden and explosive Uranus/Mars energy from May 13 through May 15 are likely to include a critically negative impact on US currency, trade, or oil availability.

In the article An Expensive School written shortly after the 2004 election, I compared the wild radicalism of Bush’s first term to the likely forced and frustrating restraint of his second. The Saturn influence in both Bush’s natal chart and in the Inaugural chart is such that he will be encountering far more resistance and difficulty than he did the first time around. Already we can see events conspiring to make it increasingly difficult for this GOP administration to exert its will on the world. The John Bolton nomination is running into mounting trouble, while the war in Iraq continues to be a cesspool of violence and potential civil war despite the White House spin. Tom Engelhardt has gone so far as to suggest that:

Iraq is proving a black hole for American power and something of a graveyard for the administration's global ambitions and energies.

Although June will mark the end of Saturn’s impact on Bush’s Cancer planets, September 2005 will herald the beginning of the year-long influence of this constraining, reality-focused energy on his Ascendant, Mercury, and Pluto conjunction. The Ascendant signifies where a person and the environment meet, suggesting Bush’s troubles will be very immediate and very burdensome. There is also some potential for ill-health with this alignment, though it can be the kind that is more encumbering and demanding than life-threatening.

Late July and August 2005, however, could present a problem to those of us who prefer our current Chief of State somewhat bridled. Uranus will oppose Bush’s natal Mars, Inaugural tertiary progressed Mars will conjunct Pluto, and transiting Jupiter will conjunct Bush’s Moon and Jupiter, while it conjuncts its own place in the Inaugural chart and squares Inaugural Venus and Mercury. The confluence of these planetary energies suggests that Bush will be daring, reckless, at times angry, and full of bold confidence but potentially lacking in good judgment. It is possible (hopeful) that at least some of these qualities will be experienced during vacation time in Crawford, although the strong Jupiter presence suggests visiting foreign dignitaries in that setting. A stunningly audacious (Uranus) recess appointment during this period can also not be ruled out. But whatever happens in August, September will bring troubles anew to our Commander-in-Chief, and the consequences of previous mistakes will once again act as a restraining influence.

The incoherence of many of the Bush regime policies is becoming increasingly difficult to obscure. Bush’s mounting frustrations and inability to move forward on a number of fronts gives Democrats an opening to paint clear and fresh alternatives that can move our nation forward into the 21st Century. The trap, as it has been for four and half years, is to get stuck in reacting to the whirlwind of destructive energy spawned by Bush’s extremist agenda. The multitude of failure, inconsistency, and confusion generated by that agenda, however, is now creating a window of opportunity for Democrats to take the lead in defining America’s goals and its future path as a nation. The time is now to put forth a bold, comprehensive vision that will fill the vacuum created by the bankrupt leadership of the Bush administration.