Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Help "from the other side"?

I sometimes wish that I'd experienced more elections in the USA. There's one politician in particular I'd like to have seen in action, and, if he had lived, perhaps running for the nation's highest office, President of the USA: Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone, who died in a plane crash in October 2002.



From an excellent article about Paul Wellstone by astrologer, Maya del Mar:
"Paul Wellstone, Man of the People". It starts:

"Senator Paul Wellstone’s plane crashed in northern Minnesota at 10:00 a.m. on October 25, killing him, his wife, their daughter, several campaign aides, and two pilots. He was there to attend the funeral of a co-worker, taking that time even in the midst of a hard-fought campaign. That’s how Paul Wellstone was; he really cared about people. Many saw him as their best friend."


Later in the article :
"Paul Wellstone was born on July 21, 1944 in Washington DC. His chart was dominated by Cancer Sun and Cancer planets, and Leo Moon and Leo planets. He was a quintessential Cancer-Leo, the man of the people, spreading sunshine to his audience. Someone said that the room lit up when he came into it. Leo likes its audience, and enjoys talking—witness Bill Clinton and Fidel Castro."


(In Wellstone's chart Sun and Saturn are in Cancer, Mars in Virgo and every other personal planet in Leo.)

And, poignantly:

"He died at this time of year when the veil is thinnest, and I feel him very close to the progressive movement, picking up on this crucial moment in time. Perhaps as its soul, he is more effective working on the other side."


Now, in 2008, comedian and Democrat, Al Franken is running for Paul Wellstone's old Senatorial seat in Minnesota, against present incumbent, Republican Norm Coleman. According to polls reported at Real Clear Politics HERE, Franken is leading in all but one poll.

Although I'm not sure I believe that people can "work from the other side", I do enjoy the idea that the late Paul Wellstone is indeed doing so this time around, when the country is most in need of his assistance, both locally and nationally.

From an article by Ezra Klein, written a year ago, to mark the fifth anniversary of Wellstone's death - "Remembering Paul Wellstone":

"Economic inequality, wage stagnation, and the health care crisis dominate the Democrats' domestic agenda, just as Wellstone always said they should. It's easier to be a liberal today, to be a progressive, to be proud. But there was a time when it wasn't. When liberalism in defense of peace was mocked, and moderation in service of imperialism was praised. In those days, it was hard to be a liberal. It must have been hard to be Paul Wellstone. He never showed it, though. He liked to quote Marcia Timmel. "I'm so small and the darkness is so great," she said. "We must light a candle," Wellstone would reply. He was ours. Would that he was here to enjoy the dawn. "


Indeed! Perhaps he is.

4 comments:

  1. He sounds like he was a good guy. However, from my experience of politicians, the good guys are the ones who SHOULD hold high office, but tend to be more interested in getting things done for the people, rather than their career.
    I'm reminded of Tony Benn's parting shot to Parliament (can't remember the exact words. but ...):

    'I'm leaving Parliament so I can devote more time to politics.'

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  2. I'd read some essays on Wellstone way back, T. By some of his friends and admirers. He was a well-respected man and an unusual: an honest politician.
    XO
    WWW
    PS Our election day is today. First time for me voting in Newfoundland. Polling station had the atmosphere of a kitchen party.
    There's been all sorts of talk here about "strategic" voting. I followed my own heart but sadly, my prediction is we are stuck with Harper, Bush Light.
    XO
    WWW

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  3. AN ~~~ I agree, the good ones know their priorities, and honour them.
    (And Tony Benn is an idol of mine!)
    :-)

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  4. WWW ~~~ Yes - and perhaps he was "too good for this place" ;-)

    I hope your election in Canada brings happier news than you expect.

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