Most of you will know the Canadian Federal election results by now. I wrote below that it would be fierce competition, but it was only so among the running candidates in the various local ridings. We have had a dismal voting turnout. It seems US politics have completely overshadowed our interest in homeland politics. See below for commentary:
Apathy Gains Majority In Federal Election
by Matthew Good http://election.rabble.ca/
The federal election produced two results – a practically unchanged government and the lowest voter turnout in Canadian history.
While there are those that will shake their heads at that fact and claim it despicable, the stark reality is that a great many Canadians have simply become fed up with federal politics. This was, after all, the third federal election in four years, one that saw the Prime Minister break his own election law in an attempt to gain a majority, and one in which no party leader really stood out as quality leadership material.
After spending $300 million dollars of taxpayers money, this morning Canadians awoke to fact that another Conservative minority government is in power. True, the argument can be made that if more people voted the results might have been different – but then again, it can also be viewed as a lack of confidence and interest in this nation’s leaders.
We live in a democratic country – on paper anyway as perceived by millions of Canadians – and therefore should cherish the power that we have to elect our representatives, there’s no questioning that. But at the same time, there is the very real possibility that many Canadians saw this election for what it was – a political maneuver on the part of the Conservatives to gain a majority. Like it or not, that does not represent the people’s democratic interests, only the vanity of Mr. Harper who took a gamble yesterday and lost. That gamble could very well see Canadians return to the polls in another year, making it four federal elections in five years.
Lastly, there is the fact that this election cost Canadians $300 million dollars in a time global economic crisis. This morning Mr. Harper unveiled a new six-point economic plan to deal with the financial ramifications of the current crisis. Unfortunately for Canadians, $300 million dollars that could have been used to bolster social programs has evaporated for the sake of an additional sixteen Conservative seats in the House. Ironically, the addition of those sixteen seats will no doubt empower Mr. Harper to claim that the Canadian public has given his party a clear mandate to lead, despite the fact that it technically didn’t. When all is said and done, Canadians have to look at both the last government and this new government and ask a very serious question. If the last one wasn’t working because of political infighting which saw its ability to function diminished, how will this new one be any different? If the Parliamentary blame game is going to continue to consume the House, what did this election accomplish other than the establishment of the status quo?
Analytically speaking, Stephen Harper should have walked away with it. First, he faced easily one of the worst Liberal leaders in that party’s history. Second, he’s an economist, and his expertise, given what has been transpiring financially around the world, should have been far more pronounced. Truth be told, if he couldn’t do it last night he never will, a fact that should be resounding with Conservative supporters this morning – more so than the fact that the party has secured its second minority government in a row. The cold, hard truth is that if the Conservatives possessed the true support of the Canadian public they would have won a majority. Thus, the fact that they failed to do so in the most apathetic election since Confederation speaks volumes.
Canada’s Political Leaders
Who are they?
By Rose Marcus,
Evolutionary Astrologer
The Canadian Federal Election takes place on Tues, Oct 14, 2008. This date has two significant stellar influences. Most notably, it is the Harvest Full Moon. A Full Moon brings emotions and circumstances to a polarization peak, and so it is befitting for a call to action/for contesting and challenging opposing forces. Occurring at 1pm PDT across the Aries/Libra sign axis, you can expect emotions to be on the hot button. Watch the heated climate of our own Canadian election and also watch for a reactionary political scene in the US too. Do not under estimate the competition, this flared up Aries Full Moon suggests the election is sure to be a fierce battle.
The other important stellar factor to note is planet Mercury, which is now stationed at the tail end of its retrograde cycle. (Mercury retrograde completes on Oct 15 at 1:06 pm PDT.) Mercury is a planet that will swing either way, depending on its communication alliances with the other planetary influences. Economic equilibrium has been lost since Mercury has toured Libra (since Sept 25) and you can expect this uncertainty to continue, especially through this next week while the Full Moon flips the scales and continuing through until Nov 4 when Mercury will finally leave Libra and enter Scorpio. Voter alliances will continue to swing wildly too.
Mercury’s intensification in Libra and Venus empowered in Scorpio is indicative of Harper’s intention in calling this hasty election, namely to empower the Conservative government with a majority rule, but this stellar set up suggests that Harper may have betrayed himself with over confidence. Mars in Scorpio also suggests the opposing factions are a dynamic force to reckon with. While it looks likely that Stephen Harper will be re-elected with a minority government, (Mercury’s retrograde influence brings repeats) the stars suggest the opposition will gain more ground and that they are in tougher competition with themselves too. Expect the numbers to shuffle, especially re the opposition lineup. A Full Moon brings previously unknown factors to light and so the potential for the unexpected to come into being is intensified.
Here is a brief look at the individual players:
Stephen Harper, Conservative Party; current Prime Minister:
April 30, 1959, birth-time unknown, Toronto, Ontario
Sun in Taurus; Moon in Aquarius, Estimated Ascendant: Taurus
As leader of the Conservative Party and our present Prime Minister, Harper’s Sun shows the tenacity and stubbornness associated with the Taurus the bull. Once a course of action is determined, he will not sway off, that is unless it serves to do so. Harper’s Venus in Gemini is apt to break his own rules (case in point, the current election), but he is not like to be swayed by others unless he can see value or advantage. He is strong in Earth and so is likely to plow away despite obstacles. He shows good leadership ability. He is conventional and traditional, but also much shrewder than his honest Joe presentation. His Moon in Aquarius has social conscience, which is a good placement for a politician. He was born under the Third Quarter Lunar Phase, which suggests there is more to Harper than meets the eye. This down to earth veneer may cover up a much more intense, driven, and ambitious individual, one who is determined to reach his own objectives. Harper will reinvent himself more than an average Taurus. His current Lunar Phase (Gibbous) is one of diminished power and diminished personal satisfaction too. It suggests having to work from an underdog position, so it is not surprising that he is the leader of a minority government and that he has to fend off intense criticism. He will move into a more empowering phase in 2010. One month from now his Progressed Moon moves into Sagittarius, suggesting that once the election is out of the way, that he will certainly be on a (perhaps self righteous) mission.
Stephane Dion, Liberal Party:
September 28, 1955, 5:00 am Quebec, Canada
Sun in Libra, Moon in Aquarius, Ascendant in Virgo:
Stephane Dion is a Libra Sun, with Venus in Libra close by. This influence should make him quite the charmer, but several planetary influences diminish some of his social finesse and popularity. Libra is the sign that correlates to culture and the arts, which, (unlike Harper, who has cut back on arts funding) is on his political preservation agenda. His Virgo rising (and Mars in Virgo) adds a level of vulnerability and self-consciousness and tend to place him at a disadvantage (he has to fight his way out of an inferior position.) His Moon in Aquarius is a good sign placement for dealings with the public, but in opposition to Jupiter in Leo can bring public dividedness, some will like and admire him, some will not. Still, Stephan has the chart of an honest and moral man. His Moon in Aquarius opposition Jupiter can display as arrogance, self-righteousness, tunnel vision, and grandstanding, but it also suggests an idealist, modernist/futurist, and astute visionary who is progressive in thought and generally stays a step ahead of the game. Saturn’s placement in Scorpio would suggest Dion has to work very hard to gain the trust and acceptance that (he feels) should come more readily. He will display the ambition, tenacity and shrewdness that is key for any politician who seeks high-ranking public office. He is outspoken when he feels justice has not been served. Dion was born at the time of the First Quarter Lunar Phase, which displays as a take-charge personality type. Sometimes this lunar pattern can translate into a driven, decision maker who feels compelled to forge ahead knowing the waves may be the price to pay in order to stay true to his vision. His carbon tax stance is contentious among the public who feel they will be gauged (Libra – added costs.) His Moon/Mars connection suggests deep passions that often come out of pent up frustration and that he has to worker harder than most for each of his wins/gains. This perfectionist combination makes him hyper-alert to flaws and loopholes. This is not a personality that will leave well enough along or say, “This is good enough”. When he isn’t being confronted and challenged to improve his game, he will actively challenge others to do so. He is currently in a Crescent Lunar Phase, which suggests he is in the process of building a stronger, more secure platform. The current stars suggest he will gain through his teammates; the Liberal candidates are sure to do well in many ridings.
Jack Layton, NDP:
July 18, 1950 Montreal, Canada 1:01 pm
Sun in Cancer, Moon in Virgo, Ascendant in Libra
Jack Layton’s kitchen table campaign is befitting for his nurturing Cancer Sun, a sign that correlates to home and family. His Moon in Virgo is also befitting for his concentration on the labor force, job creation, and health care. He has Mars in Libra with Neptune close by. His physical presentation is appealing and well delivered; he is articulate. Mercury in Leo adds confidence to his delivery. Layton’s Moon in Virgo receives criticism, but it is also a lunar placement that suggests a great deal of attention is directed to continuously improving one’s game. Moon in Virgo people are usually painfully aware of their flaws and shortfalls and while they can criticize others, they are just as hard on themselves. Layton is a New Moon personality type. This suggests he is a quick study, and a risk taker. He is one who will keep up to speed with his contemporaries and the current trends. His progressed Moon has just moved into Scorpio, suggesting he is gaining power and becoming more astute as a strategist. His chart is very influential on Oct 14. His Sun in Cancer intersects (forms a square) to the Full Moon, which places him/his party as the third wheel and perhaps as the tiebreaker of the day. Jack Layton’s chart is now in a phase of seeding for the future. He is the maverick to watch and his stars suggest he will be a history maker of significance. With his progressed Sun one degree from a conjunction with progressed Saturn, he is working toward a more prominent leadership role. He may be responsible for helping his party to break new ground (his lunar pattern.) The NDP has not yet been the official opposition, but under Jack Layton’s leadership, it is entirely possible, if not in this election then in the not too distant future. He enters into a new solidifying phase in May of 2009.
Elizabeth May, Green Party:
June 9, 1954, Hartford Connecticut, birth time unknown
Sun in Gemini, Moon in Libra (estimated)
Elizabeth is a thinker, an observer, and a people person. She is also highly opinionated (Sun in Gemini) Five planetary placements in Cancer suggest she is an emotional person, a natural caretaker and nurturer. Mars in Capricorn bestows her with ample executive ability; in opposition to Jupiter, we find an intensified ambition to control and to lead. This Mars/Jupiter “fighting for social justice” combination brings great skill in both legal and political careers. She is ethical, moral, a risk taker, and at time, can also be self righteous. Her Lunar Phase birth pattern is the First Quarter Moon, which adds confidence, independence and strong will. When passion is aroused, she is a determined a go-getter and will be more aggressive, outspoken, and competitive than the typical Libra Moon personality. We have seen some cooperative effort (Libra Moon) with Dion in order to gain more effectiveness against Harper and his Conservative Party. In contrast to the role Jack Layton plays, the current Saturn/Uranus opposition makes her a key teammate player. Overall, her chart benefits by association. The Green Party members should see an increase of support from voters. Her Progressed Moon in Virgo pegs her party as an underdog, but her lunar pattern is also one of gaining ground. In the future, the party will become an important ally to groom.
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