Here are links to three references mentioned above, and a related video from MSNBC.
Al Gore could challenge Hillary Clinton for presidency
Why the GOP Should Fear Al Gore in 2016
The Case for Al Gore in 2016 (MSNBC) (VIDEO)
The Case Against Al Gore in 2016
My own posts on Al Gore, since 2007, can be accessed via Label Cloud in the sidebar.
Another look at Al Gore's natal chart, using data from astro.com.
Blog friend mike's comments under my post in June last year (Run Al, Run!) included these astrological pointers:
He does have some very beneficial astrological transits in the coming couple of years. Jupiter will be in his first-house of Leo conjuncting his natal Mars-Saturn-Pluto and forming sextiles and trines to other natal planets. Several eclipses will be on his Sun-Neptune opposition, as the transiting North-South Nodes conjunct these two planets. He has transiting Chiron on his Mercury (Chiron just went retro at this point, adding more significance). The recent grand cross involved his Sun-Neptune, which may have invigorated his philosophical interests...and the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square has just finished with his Sun-Neptune involvement. The transiting South Node was conjunct his North Node about a year ago, which tends to induce a re-evaluation of responsibilities to the self.
There's a straightforward interpretation of Al Gore's natal chart by astrologer David Railey at Star IQ, HERE. I don't know when it was written, but I suspect several years ago. I don't immediately agree with all of it, but then, I wasn't in the US in the days when the adjective "wooden" was attached to Gore. I've not perceived this about him at all. The last paragraph of Mr Railey's piece is a nice summing up:
In his heart of hearts (Sun in Aries), Gore would probably like to be more aggressive and direct, but would that ring true for him? His Pisces Mercury adds empathy and imagination, while his Capricorn Moon brings restraint, both very un-Aries traits. Yet, a balanced combination of Aries’ pioneering edge, Capricorn’s sense of duty and Pisces’ compassion suggests a range of power, commitment and caring that could serve the nation well.
What's missing in that summing up, for me, is mention of the Leo stellium in Gore's first house: Pluto/Saturn/Mars in Fiery leader-oriented Leo - transformative intensity (Pluto); authority, science, status (Saturn); dynamic energy & natal Sun's ruler (Mars). Oh my!
I suspect that Al Gore realizes that non-Republican voters are fickle, lazy, and apathetic regarding voting hygiene. We currently have a Republican Congress, due to non-Republican impassiveness...the Republicans vastly out-numbered other voters in last year's elections. Only a third of ALL registered voters cast a ballot nationwide. Republicans cast two votes for every one Democratic vote in the 2014 Texas gubernatorial election, with only 25% of ALL registered voters casting a ballot. Pathetic!
ReplyDeleteIf one can't decide who to vote for, at least cast a vote AGAINST the one least preferred...LOL.
Al is probably much more influential in his current role as an independent business person, with non-apologetic political connections.
The comments offered are not what this congresswoman wanted! I doubt this facebook page will be up for long:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/mcmorrisrodgers/photos/a.405156824771.195673.321618789771/10153225909544772/?type=1
[From] "Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers
This week marks the 5th anniversary of #Obamacare being signed into law. Whether it's turned your tax filing into a nightmare, you’re facing skyrocketing premiums, or your employer has reduced your work hours, I want to hear about it."
mike ~ Non-Republicans, those who are at all politically aware, have likely felt too uninspired by the menu to make the effort of getting out to vote. Apathy, acquiescence, passivity - all factor in too, and continue to muffle and muzzle long after elections have been decided and things proceed in bad directions.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, Al Gore must be aware of this. I don't see his current position as being very influential though. One could say about Elizabeth Warren that she's more use in the Senate than as a candidate in 2016, not the same for Gore.
I guess he's become too comfortable, having been "out of the game" for so long. Still can't help hoping though. :-)
mike (again) ~ I expect Ms McMorris Rodgers is right now saying "Oops!!!"
ReplyDeleteThough our goals and motives may differ from those of Cathy McMorris Rodgers, supporters of H.R. 676 (The Expanded and Improved Medicare For All Act) have a great deal to say about the ongoing failures of Obamacare:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/01/23/when-your-health-business-system-sick
https://www.healthcare-now.org/blog/unable-to-meet-the-deductible-or-the-doctor/
http://www.commondreams.org/author/donna-smith
It's hard to know why more people aren't talking about the obvious problems with Obamacare . . . maybe a lot of the folks who've had good experiences can comfortably afford the more expensive Gold or Diamond Plans, or maybe they have enough disposable income to be able to afford the additional costs associated with high deductibles, copays and services or drugs which are not covered.
My husband and I can't and I know others who aren't able to either. We're not alone. Last year, I wasn't able to find an appropriate doctor who would accept my coverage under Obamacare, though in retrospect it might've been a blessing in disguise since it saved us money by not going.
It's why a lot of us continue to advocate for a more humane, inclusive and *universal* form of healthcare - one that includes affordable access to health, vision, dental and long-term care, regardless of income, age or race (HR 676).
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Twilight ~ My understanding is Al Gore's Generation Investment Management has a stake in our current healthcare system of profit.
At a time when others are urging socially conscience investors (if such a thing even exists) to *divest* from healthcare, that fact alone makes me wary of Al Gore.
I also ran across another article on Al Gore's company, Generation Investment:
http://www.wnd.com/2012/09/al-gore-bails-from-green-energy-investment/
The 2012 article describes the fund as being "typical", invested in the usual stocks ~ like Colgate, Palmolive, Ebay, Amazon, commercial real estate, healthcare etc.
Again, the author's motivations and concerns in reporting may be different than mine. If it's the truth, it's the truth ~ unless you happen to know of some factual error in the information?
I care about global warming too, just not to the exclusion of other important issues. I doubt very much if more unfettered capitalism is the answer to the problems we face.
P.S. I'm not a Republican or Democrat, nor am I a member of any other political party.
ReplyDeleteBernie is considering:
ReplyDelete"Sen. Bernie Sanders shares thoughts on presidential run"
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Sen-Bernie-Sanders-has-a-warning-about-income-6168606.php
Sorry, meant to type socially *conscious* investors rather than my original wording about investors with a social *conscience*, which may have been a better way of saying what I meant to say!.
ReplyDeleteLB ~ Many are aware of Obamacare's drawbacks, it has benefited some more than others, and a few not at all. It was all the current administration could (or would) allow though, and it was a tiny step only. to get anything better first crucial step would be to take political power from corporations. that ain't going to happen without revolution (and that ain't gonna happen) - or dire calamity on some front.
ReplyDeleteComing from the UK, the whole health care scene when I arrived here filled me with horror, any improvement on what it was seems like improvement, however small.
Re Al Gore's company's investments - he will feel supportive of Obamacare, no doubt, as he seems to remain a loyal Democrat. He's not my ideal by any stretch - Dennis Kucinich came nearer to that; but Al Gore does inspire confidence in me - gut reaction I suppose. We can't reasonably expect perfection in any politician, in all areas.
LB - I have the lowest level Bronze plan and my insurer is Humana. Humana sent a notice to me suggesting that I locate a doctor before I needed one. There were only two providers in my assigned area and they were no longer taking new patients. I called Humana about this conundrum and they quickly assigned a doctor within my zip code. This has nothing to do with my Native American benefit.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, the single-payer, less out-of-pocket expenses is the way to go. The Bronze and Silver plans are more toward catastrophic coverage. However, there are many "free" wellness provisions, such as screenings, immunizations, and annual health exams.
I investigated private health insurance coverage for me in 2008-2009 before ACA and my premium would have been $900/month, with $2000 deductible per year, and $20 co-pays. This is about the same amount a Platinum plan would cost for me currently, without tax credits. With tax credits for my slightly above poverty level, the Platinum plan would cost me $450/mo.
I hear what you're saying LB, but for many people, the current ACA works better and is far cheaper than what they didn't or did have prior. That isn't to say it shouldn't be better, but it is what we have right now.
mike (again) ~ I'd support Bernie Sanders, but I wouldn't be very confident about how far The Powers That Be would allow him to go. At least he'd get his messages to a wider audience.
ReplyDeleteOf the rest, Russ Feingold, Alan Grayson, Cory Booker would be good to have in any potential presidential line-up, but I haven't seen indication that any of them intend to run.
mike ~ I'm glad Humana was able to hook you up with a doctor within your zip code. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case for me and many others in my area.
ReplyDelete*Most* low-income folks can't afford anything other than the Bronze or Silver plans offered under the ACA, and many of us (even those of us who qualify for subsidies) still find the premiums unaffordable - especially considering we're being forced to pay for a defective insurance product we can't afford to use.
My experience isn't unique. The linked articles support this.
Though I recognize your and Twilight's right to disagree, I don't see either Obamacare or Al Gore's potential candidacy as being steps in the right direction.
LB ~ I appreciate your frustration with current situations.
ReplyDeleteBut what do you consider would be "steps in the right direction" ? Steps that would have some chance of being taken, that is!
Twilight ~ I think it's always helpful to become familiar with the facts and to talk honestly about Obamacare (and everything else). Also helpful to continue to support (and talk about) the alternative solutions that are available (H.R.676) and that extend beyond party lines.
ReplyDeleteWe can encourage our political leaders to do the same and in most cases, not vote for or sing the praises of those who consistently say one thing yet do another.
Adding, what's the point of providing 'free' screenings and health exams, when the exorbitant, out-of-pocket costs to treat the conditions they discover will still lead to bankruptcy and/or homelessness for millions of Americans?
I think it's reasonable to assume most Americans purchase health insurance hoping to be covered in the event of a catastrophic event, such as an illness, chronic condition or accident, and NOT just doctor's visit that diagnoses the ailment.
Twilight ~ Have you had a chance to read the link describing Al Gore's so-called 'green' investments as of 2012? It's very illuminating and not at all in keeping with his public persona.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I'm not saying he's a terrible person. He's just not someone whose values I share or that I'd vote for.
LB ~ Regarding Obamacare, and Al Gore I can only reiterate what I've already written.
ReplyDeleteThere are no perfect - or even any better - options right now. The core of all our woes is corporations' power over our politics. Until that's righted we are, as they say, screwed. I'm not into bashing my head against the wall or expecting unrealistic outcomes any longer.
I hated the thought of "lesser evils" a year or two ago; now, I realise that's all there'll be on offer without some drastic change occurring. When, and if, such a change occurs, if it be in my lifetime, I'll be keen to support change in any way I can.
"The core of all our woes is corporations' power over our politics."
ReplyDeleteTwilight ~ Based on what I've read, Al Gore seems to be a major player and contributor in this system of "corporations' power over politics" you've described.
To be fair, I don't think he's so very different from other non-corporate humans, except for the great wealth, power and political influence his corporate ties afford him.
LB ~ I do not have the enthusiasm to research further - but I feel that there are probably some facts regarding Al Gore's doings that would explain some of the things you find wrong about his dealings. Whatever else he is (and wealthy doesn't matter) I have him pegged as a man of integrity. Can't say more than that.
ReplyDeleteIf I am wrong, I am wrong. so be it.