2018 . Political Musings.

Waking up to the REALITY , were almost entering the 3rd decade of the 21st Century .  We made it through one roller coaster year . Musing here ,  the election farce of 2016. I REALLY believe it was a  farce.  It  has  already woken up many . It was a bizarre example of a two party state where a billionaire with no political experience somehow stoled the election away from a woman incumbent who ran before against Obama , lost . Lost again in a coup ! That the Russians middled . It was also the " best" election ever, because the Republican take over in Congress unveiled the true colors of the "party" .  How far to the alt-right the Republicans have swung was utterly amazing . As far as "UNITY" in the party , there were times that the Republican system was bickering among themselves over President Trump's  candor on twitter , his outrageous , often insulting outbursts , that seem to cater to racism , sexism , homophobia , misogyny . I think he as not touched every phobic subject . I think 2018 is going to bring out the worst of Trump .   IN the long  run it will win over many to the Democrats,  they will have have a better night, making gains in the House, and they may even take control of the Senate, a remarkable feat given the forbidding map they have ahead of them.  (1)>>Astrological. It's a tough road ahead for America . From 2008-2024, Trump patriarchy, government and capitalism—all areas that have been thrown into the spotlight “bigly” in 2017, and igniting a radical outcry from at least half of the country’s citizens. The voices of greed, selfishness, fear, and separation will get louder and louder this year. But we will also see a surge in our desire to learn, to advance, to overcome, to grow, connect, and rectify. A growing force floats unseen under the surface in search of common ground, of healing and sharing spreading in unlikely places. Even the populist uprising that helped elect Trump into office is proof of  false power and patriarchal reign. Many are still scratching their heads, watching blue-collar laborers rally behind a billionaire scion whose hands have never been dirtied by a day of hard work—so much that he can complain about the softness of Air Force One towels. Instead of “draining the swamp,” as promised, he filled his cabinet with oil tycoons, big pharma and Wall Street cronies. The manipulation was masterful—

Our "Current Affair(s) , Taxes , Government shutdown .............."

 (1.2)New Federal Tax Cuts . Trumpnomics . Recently FOX NEWS reported this " But the tax cut is even less popular than the president. And his approval rating is the lowest in history for any first-year president. The real problem is that tax cuts for the rich are not what candidate Trump promised his populist supporters " .  With that note , 2018 is going to open up with for a long wait . President Trump has spent months exhorting Republican lawmakers to send him a tax-cut (1.3)>>bill in time for Christmas—a $1.5 trillion stocking-stuffer for businesses and families. And on Wednesday afternoon, Congress delivered, as the House approved final passage of the GOP’s top legislative priority. But despite Trump’s impatience for tax cuts, he might not actually sign the landmark bill into law right away, White House advisers said. In fact, Trump might wait until the new year, pushing the outer boundary of the 10 days the Constitution gives the president to affix his signature to legislation passed by Congress. Under a 2010 “pay-as-you-go” law requiring Congress to offset any new spending or lower taxes, the $1.5 trillion bill would trigger automatic cuts to Medicare and other programs—across-the-board reductions that Republicans don’t want to be responsible for letting take effect. By waiting until the calendar turns to 2018 to formally enact the tax bill, Trump would push the automatic spending cuts to 2019 and buy Congress another year to waive them. (2)>>The Looming government shutdowns that we were so used to during the Obama era , just seem to getting reborn under a Republican controlled Congress. This year a shutdown might happen , but it will not be Democrat obstructionism . More like Republican bickering . As always, spending negotiations could attract additional hostage-takers from either or both parties who are willing to trigger a government shutdown by denying their votes to a spending bill over various demands, from abortion funding restrictions on the right to opioid research and treatment dollars on the left. And the unstable leadership from the White House won’t help.

NOTES AND COMMENTS: 

(1)>>Astrological. Saturn actually moves into earth sign, Capricorn on December 19-20, 2017, however its energy will intensify as the calendar flips over to 2018. You can read more about Saturn in Capricorn here. Uranus is another planet that is also shifting into an Earth sign in 2018. On May 16, the planet of great change and awakening will move into Taurus where it will remain until April 2026. Viewing the USA horoscope, the Trump administration should enjoy constructive financial management and substantial growth throughout 2018 with an enhancement indicated in the US economy, creating greater employment opportunities in the private sector, manufacturing, agriculture as well as the military. Both Jupiter (enlarge) and Uranus (change) form positive growth aspects for the country, together with new opportunities in Trump’s personal horoscope. President Trump will have much determination to stimulate the US economy and take care of the Indo-Asian situation especially during January 1 to May 14, and November 5 to March 6, 2019. The US economy under the Trump administration is set to improve throughout 2018 through good economic management. Immaterial of what the press report, Trump (astrologically speaking) and according to his horoscope, will triumph over the alleged Russian electoral influence innuendo and will never be impeached. The reason Trump does not appeal to the media or Democratic followers is that he is different, unpredictable and not as politically correct as many would like him to be. He is a new brand politician. Stock markets have hit record highs, oil prices remain low, consumer confidence is buoyant and inflation is under control with Trump's administration. Trump’s most pressured period in 2018 is during May 14 to November 5. North Korea will continue to be a stone in Trump’s shoe throughout 2018, especially during April- June, and he will not back down from threats or innuendos from Kim Jong Un.  Although Kim will continue to test long range missiles and nuclear explosions in 2018, there are no indications of a major crisis. According to Kim Jong Un’s horoscope he will be full of frustration and nervousness as global sanctions bite into his country’s economy and he will show inner fear to step over that line in the sand, knowing full well he would lose the battle and personal face with the North Korean people. China’s horoscope also shows greater cooperation with western nations to prevent an incident of any major destructive nature occurring. There will be a compromise between the United Nations, USA and North Korea within this two year cycle, as Saturn (stability) crosses the natal Sun of Kim Jong Un’s horoscope during this cycle. Times are changing and Trump and his administration will be recognised in the future for their unusual style of diplomatic composure. (1.2)New Federal Tax Cuts .  For 8 years some middle class people will get a tax cut. SOME! The deficit will increase by $1.4 trillion. The majority of tax cuts will go to the ultra wealthy. They are the ones who have been paying Congress to get these tax cuts passed. It is their money in action. One group paid $15 million to Congress to get this passed. Tax cuts to corporations will also add to their wealth.Corporations are making huge profits and some already pay no taxes or get refunds back from the government. Big Oil gets supplemental payments from the government. If corporations are now not willing to pay higher salaries nor increase jobs what makes you think anything positive will accrue to the economy? Corporate officers have already stated that they will give the additional money to CEO's, their investors and do whatever is necessary to increase their bottom line. Workers are nowhere in the picture.Guess we are supposed to be happy with our measly bit and watch the wealthy scarf up millions. We will pay when millions no longer have any medical insurance. [Back to the emergency room visits and the costs that are passed on to everyone.] The immediate cuts to Medicare will be $400 billion. There are no medical deductions for those with severe medical conditions or those in nursing homes SO far, Congress hasn't found the money to fund CHIP, the children's insurance for poor kids. The wealthy need more money much, much, much more than ill children.   (1.3)>>bill in time for Christmas—a $1.5 trillion stocking-stuffer for businesses and families. The Dems and majority of Americans lost on this 'issue' because the Republican'ts lied to their own members, who had reservations about supporting it, to get their votes. The biggest tax bill in a generation, done in secret with no hearings, no expert testimony, written by lobbyists for greedy corporations and wealthy campaign donors. The only reason profitable corporation have 3 TRILLION stashed off-shore is because they didn't want to pay ANY taxes on it, since it's 'foreign profits'. Now they'll be able to bring as much as they want back on-shore, with virtually no tax liability, since the big 'tax reform bill' didn't get rid of most of the special loopholes they have had for years. How the Republican'ts get from that 'gift' to middle-class wages rising significantly is a mystery.    (2)>>The Looming government shutdowns. A spending deal is not an optional agenda item like so many issues that are swirling around Washington (e.g., welfare or entitlement “reform” or an infrastructure package). Without the appropriations a deal makes possible, the federal government would have to shut down, and further delays without at least an agreement on spending levels (probably one that matches defense-spending increases conservatives want with comparable non-defense spending increases liberals want) probably won’t happen. There are also two red-hot non-appropriations issues with natural deadlines that make additional stopgap bills difficult: the need for a debt limit increase at some point relatively early in 2018, and the expiration of DACA protections for Dreamers in March as provided for in Trump’s September executive order endingObama’s initiative that gave nearly a million young unauthorized immigrants a work permit and safety against deportation.