Fox News journalists who moderated this latest debate lived up to their reputation of offering the nation and its people zero information with their silly questions. And of course the candidates showed how silly they really are once again by debating who is the most conservative. They all think it is more important to be conservative than to be an American.
The conservative republicans still try to pass themselves off as the elite but they have no viable answers as to how the country and its people can move forward in the 21st. century. They are still trying to live and project the Reagan ideology of trickle down economics. That in itself should be a sign to the people to reject the republican nominee in the general election.
Reagan's and Bush's record deficit spending and debt is something the republican presidential candidates will follow to continue Reagan's ideology to deprive the federal government of sufficient revenue to maintain the quality of life that social security and medicare recipients enjoy today. President Clinton's administration built a sound fiscal bridge to the 21st. century but the present republican candidates supported the policies of George W. Bush that blew the bridge up.
The candidates would continue the Reagan and Bush policies per their own words. The past is still the key to the future and the past has proven a democratic philosophy is so much superior than a conservative ideology at moving the country and its people forward.
Prior to the election of President Obama the republican party controlled the white house 20 of the previous 28 years. During that period of time Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 never articulated an economic policy or a fiscal policy to balance the federal budget. In the 2008 campaign John McCain followed the same script and now the present republican candidates still can not articulate what they stand for or how they would address the nations problems. They are still stuck on abortion, gay marriage, gays in the military, personal attacks and their signature item of blame the democrats.
This writer has been around since Franklin Roosevelt's time and I can not think of a more sorry bunch of republican presidential candidates. Hopefully one day soon the republican party in general will shed its right wing radical and neocon anti American ideology and take part in a real debate on the issues. Thiry one years of a failed conservative ideology is enough. And that really says it all.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Another Unbalanced Budget for Bobby Jindal and Louisiana
If you think you heard this story before, it is because you have and in fact it has been repeated in every one of Jindal's state budget since he became governor. In two articles published on the subject matter in the Times Picayune dated Dec. 15 and 17 writer Ed Anderson reported the following: Jindal's chief budget architect told lawmakers Friday that the state is running $251.3 million short of funds and cuts in dozens of programs will be necessary to keep the books in balance through the end of June.
Revenue collections are off by about $198 million so far this budget year that ends June 30. One of the articles pointed out fiscal office chief economist Greg Albrecht told the panel. He said the biggest shortfall is in the state's collection of personal income tax, which is off about $142 million from earlier projections. The oil and gas severance tax followed it closely, down about $128.5 million from what had been projected.
Albrecht's analysis said the severance tax on oil and gas is down because increasing amounts of oil and gas production is occuriring that are substantially tax-exempt. He said that gas production appears to be diverting away from taxable production as development of the largely tax-exempt Haynesville Shale site in north Louisiana continues.
The short fall in the severance tax is just another ongoing example how big oil is in bed with our elected officials who grant tax exemption to the oil and gas industry. The industry lobbies for and receives tax exemptions for drilling in the Haynesville shale and then divert their other drilling to this project so they can invoke their tax-exempt status. It is the old shell game. Our elected officials knew this would happen but still granted the exemptions and to top it off did not adjust the revenue short fall that would come about because of the exemption when addressing the budget.
Jindal and the republican controlled legislature balance the state budgets with accounting gimmicks and over stating revenue and announce the budget is in balance only to have announcements such as the above a few months later of the budget being out of balance. This writer has been pointing out Jindal's game on the budget and predicted this would happen again in this budget year. Like conservative republicans on the national level, Jindal's administration gets into the pockets of the average citizen 100 different ways. Somethings never change. No republican President has presided over a balanced federal budget in over 50 years and Jindal has not balanced one state budget since he has been governor.
When it comes to accurate information on the state budget or the oil and gas industry, log into politidose not the Times Picayune who's two articles on the subject matter are written as though those things just happen. The same Times Picayune and Oil industry who blamed everything on the government that took place during the BP oil spill. What a shame.
Note: See previous commentary dated 11/5/11 titled, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Revenue collections are off by about $198 million so far this budget year that ends June 30. One of the articles pointed out fiscal office chief economist Greg Albrecht told the panel. He said the biggest shortfall is in the state's collection of personal income tax, which is off about $142 million from earlier projections. The oil and gas severance tax followed it closely, down about $128.5 million from what had been projected.
Albrecht's analysis said the severance tax on oil and gas is down because increasing amounts of oil and gas production is occuriring that are substantially tax-exempt. He said that gas production appears to be diverting away from taxable production as development of the largely tax-exempt Haynesville Shale site in north Louisiana continues.
The short fall in the severance tax is just another ongoing example how big oil is in bed with our elected officials who grant tax exemption to the oil and gas industry. The industry lobbies for and receives tax exemptions for drilling in the Haynesville shale and then divert their other drilling to this project so they can invoke their tax-exempt status. It is the old shell game. Our elected officials knew this would happen but still granted the exemptions and to top it off did not adjust the revenue short fall that would come about because of the exemption when addressing the budget.
Jindal and the republican controlled legislature balance the state budgets with accounting gimmicks and over stating revenue and announce the budget is in balance only to have announcements such as the above a few months later of the budget being out of balance. This writer has been pointing out Jindal's game on the budget and predicted this would happen again in this budget year. Like conservative republicans on the national level, Jindal's administration gets into the pockets of the average citizen 100 different ways. Somethings never change. No republican President has presided over a balanced federal budget in over 50 years and Jindal has not balanced one state budget since he has been governor.
When it comes to accurate information on the state budget or the oil and gas industry, log into politidose not the Times Picayune who's two articles on the subject matter are written as though those things just happen. The same Times Picayune and Oil industry who blamed everything on the government that took place during the BP oil spill. What a shame.
Note: See previous commentary dated 11/5/11 titled, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Another BIG FIRST For Politidose
President Obama must have read two of the many commentaries I have written concerning the economic mess the republican administration of George W. Bush left the country in with the failed policy of trickle down economics and tax breaks for Corporate America and the wealthy. See Notes 1 and 2 below.
In a speech in Kansas Tuesday 12/6 the President finally noted how Bush's policies did not work or prevent the great economic collapse and record job losses we are still dealing with today. He also pointed out how the present republican Presidential candidates would continue those same failed policies if elected. He also noted that republicans in congress are also pushing those same failed policies.
Politidose has been in front in reporting the failure of the republican party and their lies. Their lack of having any record of balancing the federal budget in over 50 years, their lack luster record on job creation, their record of more than doubling the national debt has been well documented in politidose. The sad part of all is the failure of news journalists at the major networks, including cable TV have given the republicans a free ride and actually join in the republicans talking points.
Some of those journalists have moderated in the recent republican Presidential debates circus and have turned out to be a big clown just like the candidates with their silly questions. And now the biggest clown of all, Donald Trump will moderate the next republican circus.
What really is a blow to our political system and the republican party is the right wing conservatives have taken over the party. There are no moderate republicans who are willing to stand up and say enough is enough and this circus must stop for the sake of the nation and its people. Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich who are leading the field according to most polls have refused to stand up and be an American first. Instead, a conservative ideology comes first along with personal attacks on Obama because they can not articulate or debate the real issues.
President Obama and the democratic party have their faults, but America and their people will continue to do better on a democratic watch.
Note 1: Understanding the Past Is Still The Key to The Future, dated 9/19/11
Note 2: The Speech President Obama Should Make To The Nation dated 10/16/11
In a speech in Kansas Tuesday 12/6 the President finally noted how Bush's policies did not work or prevent the great economic collapse and record job losses we are still dealing with today. He also pointed out how the present republican Presidential candidates would continue those same failed policies if elected. He also noted that republicans in congress are also pushing those same failed policies.
Politidose has been in front in reporting the failure of the republican party and their lies. Their lack of having any record of balancing the federal budget in over 50 years, their lack luster record on job creation, their record of more than doubling the national debt has been well documented in politidose. The sad part of all is the failure of news journalists at the major networks, including cable TV have given the republicans a free ride and actually join in the republicans talking points.
Some of those journalists have moderated in the recent republican Presidential debates circus and have turned out to be a big clown just like the candidates with their silly questions. And now the biggest clown of all, Donald Trump will moderate the next republican circus.
What really is a blow to our political system and the republican party is the right wing conservatives have taken over the party. There are no moderate republicans who are willing to stand up and say enough is enough and this circus must stop for the sake of the nation and its people. Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich who are leading the field according to most polls have refused to stand up and be an American first. Instead, a conservative ideology comes first along with personal attacks on Obama because they can not articulate or debate the real issues.
President Obama and the democratic party have their faults, but America and their people will continue to do better on a democratic watch.
Note 1: Understanding the Past Is Still The Key to The Future, dated 9/19/11
Note 2: The Speech President Obama Should Make To The Nation dated 10/16/11
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
November Report On The Economy and Unemployment
The U.S. Labor Department announced that the economy added 120,000 jobs in November and that the jobs added for September was revised upwards by 52,000 for a gain of 210,000 and that October was revised up by 20,000 for a gain of 100,000 jobs. It was also found that small businesses are planning to add workers than at any time since September 2008.
The unemployment rate fell to 8.6% from 9% the previous month. Both the job picture and unemployment continue to improve from the worst depression since the great depression and once again it is happening on the watch of a democratic administration who has had no help from the republican party. The job numbers are a far cry from when Bush left office when job losses were running at 500,000 plus per month.
On another positive note, consumers spent a record $52.4 billion over the Thanksgiving weekend. Since consumer spending represents 70% of the economy one can see how that positive affect plays an important role in the economic recovery.
The republican Presidential candidates debates have shown that the republicans have learned nothing from their failed economic policies. As of this day they are still preaching tax cuts for Corporate America and the wealthy, eliminating regulations and trickle down economics as an economic policy. Of course they know very well that is what gave the country and its people record deficit spending and debt and the worst meltdown of the economy and record job losses and the hole the Obama administration is now getting us out of.
President Roosevelt rescued the economy, the nation and its people after President Hoover left office; President Clinton did the same after 12 years of Presidents Reagan-Bush 41 and now President Obama is doing the same thing after President George W. Bush.
The undisputed facts show that a liberal philosophy serves America and its people much better that a republican conservative ideology. And that really says it all.
The unemployment rate fell to 8.6% from 9% the previous month. Both the job picture and unemployment continue to improve from the worst depression since the great depression and once again it is happening on the watch of a democratic administration who has had no help from the republican party. The job numbers are a far cry from when Bush left office when job losses were running at 500,000 plus per month.
On another positive note, consumers spent a record $52.4 billion over the Thanksgiving weekend. Since consumer spending represents 70% of the economy one can see how that positive affect plays an important role in the economic recovery.
The republican Presidential candidates debates have shown that the republicans have learned nothing from their failed economic policies. As of this day they are still preaching tax cuts for Corporate America and the wealthy, eliminating regulations and trickle down economics as an economic policy. Of course they know very well that is what gave the country and its people record deficit spending and debt and the worst meltdown of the economy and record job losses and the hole the Obama administration is now getting us out of.
President Roosevelt rescued the economy, the nation and its people after President Hoover left office; President Clinton did the same after 12 years of Presidents Reagan-Bush 41 and now President Obama is doing the same thing after President George W. Bush.
The undisputed facts show that a liberal philosophy serves America and its people much better that a republican conservative ideology. And that really says it all.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Iran War Drums At The Republican Presidential Debates
The last Republican Presidential Debate drew the following question from CNN moderator Wolf Blitzer. "Would you support or join in an Israel attack on Iran." The question and answers from the candidates, with the exception of Ron Paul were chilling.
The question and answers show just how far the news media and candidates would stoop and succumb to the glorification of war and the willingness of even discussing such a horrid question. First of all the question should never have been asked because America does not attack another country who has not threatened us with war. (The exception of course was Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist)
Secondly, the candidates should have pointed out that such a question was out of order and not keeping with America's ideals or policy and there fore would not answer the question. Most of the candidates did answer the question and said they would either support or join Israel in a strike on Iran.
It should be chilling to all Americans how casually those candidates would be willing to attack another country and send our men and women in uniform into harms way with a blink of an eye. Some of those candidates cut and ran during their generations war and never wore the uniform of their country. Like the Iraq war, they would treat Iran like just another foot note in history while our troops would bear the burden.
Our country's past great Presidents considered committing our nation to war as serious business and never resorted to a reverse Pearl Harbor attack. They knew the ravages of war and had the courage and wisdom to protect and defend our country with American ideals and moral authority.
The fact of the matter is that the U.S. and the international community know more about Iran's nuclear development than they know about Israel, India and Pakistan's nuclear development. Iran has had international inspectors at their facilities, Israel, India and Pakistan's facilities has been closed to outside inspection and are the greatest threat.
If in fact Iran is developing a nuclear capacity for military use they would not try to attack Israel or the U.S. That would be suicide for them and their leaders are well aware of that and are not stupid. The U.S. and Europe was in a cold war with Russia for over 40 years. Russia was a elephant compared to Iran and they knew better than to attack the west.
The republican debate gave the American people a good taste of just how easy it will be to take the country to war once again if one of those candidates become President that supported the idea of joining or supporting Israel in an attack on Iran. The U.S. should be reviewing our relations with Israel because their leaders can not be trusted.
President Obama's level headed foreign policy has not only kept America safe but great harm has been done to Al Queda's ability to continue its terrorist attacks against America. Our country is winding down an eight year nine month war with Iraq and we are still at war over ten years in Afganistan and now many republican Presidential candidates are willing to go to war again in Iran. And those candidates call themselves fit to be President and Commander in Chief? Hopefully the American people have caught on to their incompetence.
The question and answers show just how far the news media and candidates would stoop and succumb to the glorification of war and the willingness of even discussing such a horrid question. First of all the question should never have been asked because America does not attack another country who has not threatened us with war. (The exception of course was Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist)
Secondly, the candidates should have pointed out that such a question was out of order and not keeping with America's ideals or policy and there fore would not answer the question. Most of the candidates did answer the question and said they would either support or join Israel in a strike on Iran.
It should be chilling to all Americans how casually those candidates would be willing to attack another country and send our men and women in uniform into harms way with a blink of an eye. Some of those candidates cut and ran during their generations war and never wore the uniform of their country. Like the Iraq war, they would treat Iran like just another foot note in history while our troops would bear the burden.
Our country's past great Presidents considered committing our nation to war as serious business and never resorted to a reverse Pearl Harbor attack. They knew the ravages of war and had the courage and wisdom to protect and defend our country with American ideals and moral authority.
The fact of the matter is that the U.S. and the international community know more about Iran's nuclear development than they know about Israel, India and Pakistan's nuclear development. Iran has had international inspectors at their facilities, Israel, India and Pakistan's facilities has been closed to outside inspection and are the greatest threat.
If in fact Iran is developing a nuclear capacity for military use they would not try to attack Israel or the U.S. That would be suicide for them and their leaders are well aware of that and are not stupid. The U.S. and Europe was in a cold war with Russia for over 40 years. Russia was a elephant compared to Iran and they knew better than to attack the west.
The republican debate gave the American people a good taste of just how easy it will be to take the country to war once again if one of those candidates become President that supported the idea of joining or supporting Israel in an attack on Iran. The U.S. should be reviewing our relations with Israel because their leaders can not be trusted.
President Obama's level headed foreign policy has not only kept America safe but great harm has been done to Al Queda's ability to continue its terrorist attacks against America. Our country is winding down an eight year nine month war with Iraq and we are still at war over ten years in Afganistan and now many republican Presidential candidates are willing to go to war again in Iran. And those candidates call themselves fit to be President and Commander in Chief? Hopefully the American people have caught on to their incompetence.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Aftermath: The Assassination Of President John F. Kennedy
Forty eight years ago today America lost a young President on the streets of Dallas whose life was taken by an assassin. That cowardly act set in motion a cover up and lie that is still with us today. President Kennedy was not killed by Lee Oswald who actually did not fire a rifle that day in Dallas. He was the patsy, just as he told the Dallas police while in their custody.
President Kennedy was killed as the result of a conspiracy because he was changing the status quo and because he challanged the cold war mentality of those in high places who profited by keeping the cold war alive. When the President arrived in Dallas the right wing conservatives in Dallas greeted him with un-American "Wanted for Treason" posters and other greetings not fit to be published. President Obama has been greeted by similar charges from todays right wing conservatives and the birthers.
Kennedy was moving the country away from a cold war nation with policies that disturbed the status quo. The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis was a good example when he sought a resolution to that problem far different than the Joing Chiefs of Staff wanted to pursue. The Presidents decision was the right one and the Chiefs were mad as hell that they did not get their invasion. They thought they could push the young President around but Kennedy knew and respected the responsibility he had as Commander in Chief.
President Kennedy was a combat veteran of WWII having enlisted in the Navy. His PT boat crew saw action in the Pacific. There has been a lot of wealthy people who used their wealth and connections to stay out of the military during war and peace, but not Kennedy and his brothers. They all served their country in uniform. As a veteran, Kennedy understood war and was not about to send Americans to war just to support the status quo or to try to act tough.
The un-American ideology that greeted Kennedy when he arrived in Dallas is still being played out today by the right wingers and their personal attacks on President Obama and his policies. They do not have the mental capacity to compete in a open society in a civil way so they choose to divide the country and its people with un-American tactics.
To those Americans who knew, loved and respected and supported President Kennedy and his policies know America and its people would be better off today had he lived. Kennedy also had the respect and support of foreign leaders who believed in his youthful and new approach to world problems.
A bright American light was put out in Dallas 48 years ago by cowards who could not compete with the ideas of a young American President who knew where he wanted to take the country for a better world for its people, its children and future generations. The future was very much on his mind during the Cuban Missile Crisis and especially the children who had no say. That is one reason he choose the option of the quarantine.
The cowards and their conspirators involved are the worse Judas. Those in the intelligence community who know the real story of what happened in Dallas and have remained silent are the worst of the bunch. They put the secret of the intelligence community above their country and are traitors.
America and its people were young and full of energy when they elected President Kennedy. This writer was of age and remembers his administration very well. Everyone seemed to relate to Kennedy and his wife. The Presidents time in office had been referred to as "Camelot." It was a time when most people understood as a nation and people much could be accomplished.
The cowards extinguished that light but the American people who knew President Kennedy will always remember the promise he held for all of us and our nation.
President Kennedy was killed as the result of a conspiracy because he was changing the status quo and because he challanged the cold war mentality of those in high places who profited by keeping the cold war alive. When the President arrived in Dallas the right wing conservatives in Dallas greeted him with un-American "Wanted for Treason" posters and other greetings not fit to be published. President Obama has been greeted by similar charges from todays right wing conservatives and the birthers.
Kennedy was moving the country away from a cold war nation with policies that disturbed the status quo. The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis was a good example when he sought a resolution to that problem far different than the Joing Chiefs of Staff wanted to pursue. The Presidents decision was the right one and the Chiefs were mad as hell that they did not get their invasion. They thought they could push the young President around but Kennedy knew and respected the responsibility he had as Commander in Chief.
President Kennedy was a combat veteran of WWII having enlisted in the Navy. His PT boat crew saw action in the Pacific. There has been a lot of wealthy people who used their wealth and connections to stay out of the military during war and peace, but not Kennedy and his brothers. They all served their country in uniform. As a veteran, Kennedy understood war and was not about to send Americans to war just to support the status quo or to try to act tough.
The un-American ideology that greeted Kennedy when he arrived in Dallas is still being played out today by the right wingers and their personal attacks on President Obama and his policies. They do not have the mental capacity to compete in a open society in a civil way so they choose to divide the country and its people with un-American tactics.
To those Americans who knew, loved and respected and supported President Kennedy and his policies know America and its people would be better off today had he lived. Kennedy also had the respect and support of foreign leaders who believed in his youthful and new approach to world problems.
A bright American light was put out in Dallas 48 years ago by cowards who could not compete with the ideas of a young American President who knew where he wanted to take the country for a better world for its people, its children and future generations. The future was very much on his mind during the Cuban Missile Crisis and especially the children who had no say. That is one reason he choose the option of the quarantine.
The cowards and their conspirators involved are the worse Judas. Those in the intelligence community who know the real story of what happened in Dallas and have remained silent are the worst of the bunch. They put the secret of the intelligence community above their country and are traitors.
America and its people were young and full of energy when they elected President Kennedy. This writer was of age and remembers his administration very well. Everyone seemed to relate to Kennedy and his wife. The Presidents time in office had been referred to as "Camelot." It was a time when most people understood as a nation and people much could be accomplished.
The cowards extinguished that light but the American people who knew President Kennedy will always remember the promise he held for all of us and our nation.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Grover Norquist Just Met His Match
Republicans in congress almost to the last man have signed a pledge introduced by Norquist never to raise taxes. Some republican Presidential candidates signed the pledge also. Even though a politicians pledge should be made to the people who elect them, those republicans decided to side with Norquist and be dammed with the needs of the country and its people.
But now it has been reported that a band of millionaires stormed Capitol Hill Wednesday to urge congress to tax them more. Norquist retorted by saying they could just pay the IRS more in taxes than they owe if they want too. The millionaires had the last laugh and told Norquist if he wanted low taxes and less government, renounce your American citizenship and move to Somalia where they don't collect taxes.
It is ovbious millionaires know they do not pay a fair share of taxes because of all the tax loopholes that favor the wealthy. They also know that a tax increase will not affect their bottom line. The reality for them is they understand their present tax burden is less than it was 50 years ago. The country does have some wealthy people who put their country first instead of greed and do have an understanding of why they should pay their fair share in taxes. That says it all.
But now it has been reported that a band of millionaires stormed Capitol Hill Wednesday to urge congress to tax them more. Norquist retorted by saying they could just pay the IRS more in taxes than they owe if they want too. The millionaires had the last laugh and told Norquist if he wanted low taxes and less government, renounce your American citizenship and move to Somalia where they don't collect taxes.
It is ovbious millionaires know they do not pay a fair share of taxes because of all the tax loopholes that favor the wealthy. They also know that a tax increase will not affect their bottom line. The reality for them is they understand their present tax burden is less than it was 50 years ago. The country does have some wealthy people who put their country first instead of greed and do have an understanding of why they should pay their fair share in taxes. That says it all.
Knowing The Facts To Gain Knowledge
Once again Washington Post journalist E.J. Dionne is at the top of his class in an editorial published in the Times Picayune dated 11/17/11 titled, "Turning Budget Failure Into Success." Without going over the complete article which deals with the so called Super Committee, deficit reduction, spending cuts and raising revenue one statement Mr. Dionne made is at the top of the list as to why we are having this debate in the first place.
Said Mr. Dionne: But genuine compromise can't happen because republicans refuse to accept any significant tax increases. This is not a partisan statement. It is just a description of the facts. It is maddening that the media are so desperate to avoid being attacked as "liberal" that they cannot describe the situation as it is.
That is a powerful statement by Mr. Dionne how the media and their journalists have failed to report the facts concerning the subject matter, and the same thing this writer has pointed out more than once here in Politidose over the last two or three years. The attitude of the media, especially the Sunday programs like Meet the Press allow the republicans to lie thru their teeth and then not say a word. In other words they have failed their responsibility as journalists.
The country and its people are in need of more journalists like Mr. Dionne who are not afraid of reporting the facts and telling things like they are.
Said Mr. Dionne: But genuine compromise can't happen because republicans refuse to accept any significant tax increases. This is not a partisan statement. It is just a description of the facts. It is maddening that the media are so desperate to avoid being attacked as "liberal" that they cannot describe the situation as it is.
That is a powerful statement by Mr. Dionne how the media and their journalists have failed to report the facts concerning the subject matter, and the same thing this writer has pointed out more than once here in Politidose over the last two or three years. The attitude of the media, especially the Sunday programs like Meet the Press allow the republicans to lie thru their teeth and then not say a word. In other words they have failed their responsibility as journalists.
The country and its people are in need of more journalists like Mr. Dionne who are not afraid of reporting the facts and telling things like they are.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Happy Birthday To The United States Marine Corps
This is a day tardy but happy 236th birthday to the Marine Corps and to all Marines who have proudly worn the eagle, globe and anchor. Semper Fidelis and Once a Marine Always a Marine continue to define the standard that the Corps and its Marine brothers practice.
Duty, honor, commitment and the ability to go the extra mile is alive and well in this 236th year. To our Marine brothers who are in harms way our thoughts and prayers are with you and we ask the Supreme Commandant to guide you home safely to family and friends. May your sacrifice never be forgotten or taken for granted.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES
Duty, honor, commitment and the ability to go the extra mile is alive and well in this 236th year. To our Marine brothers who are in harms way our thoughts and prayers are with you and we ask the Supreme Commandant to guide you home safely to family and friends. May your sacrifice never be forgotten or taken for granted.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Iraq: Some Republicans Just Can Not Let Go:
Senators David Vitter, Joe Lieberman, Lindsey Graham and John McCain joined in a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee to ask the Committee to hold a hearing on the Obama's administration decision to bring home almost all remaining U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year. They said the withdrawal is likely to be viewed as a strategic victory by our enemies in the middle east, especially by the Iranian Regime.
Those four senators stated reason is a slap in the face to our men and women in uniform who gave so much in a war those four senators supported over WMD that did not exist. Who cares if the world thinks it is a strategic victory by our enemies. Those senators certainly did not care that the war was a major strategic blunder when they supported the war. As for Iran, the war brought Iran and Iraq closer together so the supporters of the war were the ones who committed the biggest strategic blunder of them all.
McCain a veteran, has failed to understand what war is all about. Graham and Vitter served in the reserves to dodge the draft so they would not be called to active duty. Bush landed on an aircraft carrier and proclaimed the war in Iraq was mission accomplished. Those four senators must not have said a word to Bush when he made that statement. Bush himself could have landed on a real aircraft carrier in combat during the Viet Nam war but he was busy skipping his duties in the Air National Guard. Lieberman does not have a service record that I can find, so he tries to talk tough at the expense of our troops.
President Obama's decision to end the war was the right decision. The unnecessary war over WMD that did not exist destabilized Iraq and gave Al Queda an opportunity to operate in Iraq and kill Americans. The U.S. has the military power and know how to take care of its interest and national security without occupying Iraq.
The Senate Armed Service Committee should tell those four senators to take a hike, or pick up a rifle and go to Iraq themselves.
Those four senators stated reason is a slap in the face to our men and women in uniform who gave so much in a war those four senators supported over WMD that did not exist. Who cares if the world thinks it is a strategic victory by our enemies. Those senators certainly did not care that the war was a major strategic blunder when they supported the war. As for Iran, the war brought Iran and Iraq closer together so the supporters of the war were the ones who committed the biggest strategic blunder of them all.
McCain a veteran, has failed to understand what war is all about. Graham and Vitter served in the reserves to dodge the draft so they would not be called to active duty. Bush landed on an aircraft carrier and proclaimed the war in Iraq was mission accomplished. Those four senators must not have said a word to Bush when he made that statement. Bush himself could have landed on a real aircraft carrier in combat during the Viet Nam war but he was busy skipping his duties in the Air National Guard. Lieberman does not have a service record that I can find, so he tries to talk tough at the expense of our troops.
President Obama's decision to end the war was the right decision. The unnecessary war over WMD that did not exist destabilized Iraq and gave Al Queda an opportunity to operate in Iraq and kill Americans. The U.S. has the military power and know how to take care of its interest and national security without occupying Iraq.
The Senate Armed Service Committee should tell those four senators to take a hike, or pick up a rifle and go to Iraq themselves.
More Evidence Of The Transfer Of Wealth From The Middle Class To The Wealthy
Any one following "politidose" knows my take on the subject matter. Now a report comes out from the Congressional Budget Office that found over the past three decades average after tax income for the top 1% of U.S. households had increased 275% while middle income households saw a 40% rise and those at the bottom of the scale rose 18%.
That is just one of many reminders how wealth has been transfered to the wealthy from the middle class. When you put that together with the large bonuses for CEO's and executives, the elimination of jobs and benefits for the average workers and the use of third world country labor it is easy to understand what is going on in our country today and why "occupy wall street" is growing strong.
In a report by Marian Wright Edelman, President Childrens Defense Fund the gap between CEO's and the average workers pay was 325 to 1 in the year 2010. And that 25 of the 100 paid highest CEO's took home more in pay than their companies paid in income tax. Those number continue to grow every year while the middle class suffers the burdens.
The wall street banks monopolies should be broken up, corporate America and the wealthy's special tax breaks and treatment with tax loopholes should be cancelled. Elected officials who's ties to the special interest groups should be banned and the responsibility should be put on elected officials to act themselves in refusing to take campaign contributions or any money from special interest. It is time they devote their job to what is best for the country and its working people who bear the burden of all taxes.
That is just one of many reminders how wealth has been transfered to the wealthy from the middle class. When you put that together with the large bonuses for CEO's and executives, the elimination of jobs and benefits for the average workers and the use of third world country labor it is easy to understand what is going on in our country today and why "occupy wall street" is growing strong.
In a report by Marian Wright Edelman, President Childrens Defense Fund the gap between CEO's and the average workers pay was 325 to 1 in the year 2010. And that 25 of the 100 paid highest CEO's took home more in pay than their companies paid in income tax. Those number continue to grow every year while the middle class suffers the burdens.
The wall street banks monopolies should be broken up, corporate America and the wealthy's special tax breaks and treatment with tax loopholes should be cancelled. Elected officials who's ties to the special interest groups should be banned and the responsibility should be put on elected officials to act themselves in refusing to take campaign contributions or any money from special interest. It is time they devote their job to what is best for the country and its working people who bear the burden of all taxes.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu
Both men offer a stark contrast in how to govern the state and city. Jindal governs by using the usual conservative talking points about blaming every one else when things go wrong in the state. Next to Billy Nungesser he is the little mouth that roars but really has nothing to say of value to the people or the state.
Jindal has had a big problem balancing the state budget since he took office. The previous democratic administration left him a $1 billion surplus and he blew it big time like Bush did with the Clinton administration surpluses. Jindal has not really balanced any state budgets in fact, but only through the legislature's accounting gimmicks. The present state budget is supposed to be in balance but before the fiscal year is over Jindal will announce it is out of balance like his previous budgets.
His hypocrisy came to light in an article published in the Times Picayune of 9/29 concerning of all things the federal budget. You know that big brother he hates so much. In the article written by Michelle Hunter, Jindal before the JPEDC said this about the federal debt. It's not acceptable for us to borrow from our children and grandchildren. It's not acceptable for us to run up this massive debt. The massive debt Jindal talks about happened on the watch of George W. Bush and it happened while Bobby Jindal was a member of congress and while the republicans controlled both houses of congress. The whole time those massive deficits and debt was taken place Jindal and the republicans were silent and in fact rubber stamped Bush's failed policies.
Mayor Landrieu on the other hand does not govern by trying to talk tough or blame others. He faced the city's financial problems and the crime issue with new budget plans, a new police chief and was transparent in doing so. The city is moving forward and the people can see progress. Landrieu is a people's politician who rolls up his sleeves and goes to work. His reorganization of city government is working and many new and improved operations of city government will be coming on line.
Landrieu stepped up to the plate concerning the proposed VA Medical Complex at a time when Vitter and other republicans were trying to scuttle the plans. Landrieu wrote an editorial that blew their phony arguements away. Those loud mouths that like to roar can't even control their own phony rhetoric. Landrieu knows and understands how to get things done without using so called tough talk.
The city in the next four years under Landrieu will do better than the state under Jindal. Just wait and see and remember you read it first here in politidose.
Jindal has had a big problem balancing the state budget since he took office. The previous democratic administration left him a $1 billion surplus and he blew it big time like Bush did with the Clinton administration surpluses. Jindal has not really balanced any state budgets in fact, but only through the legislature's accounting gimmicks. The present state budget is supposed to be in balance but before the fiscal year is over Jindal will announce it is out of balance like his previous budgets.
His hypocrisy came to light in an article published in the Times Picayune of 9/29 concerning of all things the federal budget. You know that big brother he hates so much. In the article written by Michelle Hunter, Jindal before the JPEDC said this about the federal debt. It's not acceptable for us to borrow from our children and grandchildren. It's not acceptable for us to run up this massive debt. The massive debt Jindal talks about happened on the watch of George W. Bush and it happened while Bobby Jindal was a member of congress and while the republicans controlled both houses of congress. The whole time those massive deficits and debt was taken place Jindal and the republicans were silent and in fact rubber stamped Bush's failed policies.
Mayor Landrieu on the other hand does not govern by trying to talk tough or blame others. He faced the city's financial problems and the crime issue with new budget plans, a new police chief and was transparent in doing so. The city is moving forward and the people can see progress. Landrieu is a people's politician who rolls up his sleeves and goes to work. His reorganization of city government is working and many new and improved operations of city government will be coming on line.
Landrieu stepped up to the plate concerning the proposed VA Medical Complex at a time when Vitter and other republicans were trying to scuttle the plans. Landrieu wrote an editorial that blew their phony arguements away. Those loud mouths that like to roar can't even control their own phony rhetoric. Landrieu knows and understands how to get things done without using so called tough talk.
The city in the next four years under Landrieu will do better than the state under Jindal. Just wait and see and remember you read it first here in politidose.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Republican Presidential Candidates And The Flat Tax
Trickle down economics is in the fore front again with several republican candidates for President, this time in the guise of a flat tax. It is Reagan and Bush all over again and their failed past. Romney, Perry and Cain are in the lead on the subject matter and once again the winners in their flat tax are Corporate America and the wealthy. The loosers are the middle class, working Americans. Corporate America and the wealthy also get to keep their exemptions and other tax breaks under the flat tax.
The issue of trickle down economics republican style is the product of what this writer has reported many times over. Repubulicans use their failed policies because they have no record of accomplishments for the country and its people to articulate. The idea is to keep the news media and the democrats from debating the real issues concerning the country.
It is very noticable the republican party and their Presidential candidates never talk about the last republican administration because it would remind the people they have nothing to say about the sad shape Bush left the country in. It would also be a quick reminder that the republican party controlled both houses of congress for most of Bush's eight years in office and rubber stamped his failed policies. Voters should also take note that the present republican Presidential candidates also supported Bush's failed policies at the time and were silent while record deficit spending and debt was the order of the day during the Bush years.
What really chaps the republicans is that the Obama administration has reversed the massive job losses that took place while they ran the country and as a result they will not lift a finger to help in the recovery. A recent republican governor of California called a few elected officials girlies, now we know he was really talking about republicans. That says it all.
The issue of trickle down economics republican style is the product of what this writer has reported many times over. Repubulicans use their failed policies because they have no record of accomplishments for the country and its people to articulate. The idea is to keep the news media and the democrats from debating the real issues concerning the country.
It is very noticable the republican party and their Presidential candidates never talk about the last republican administration because it would remind the people they have nothing to say about the sad shape Bush left the country in. It would also be a quick reminder that the republican party controlled both houses of congress for most of Bush's eight years in office and rubber stamped his failed policies. Voters should also take note that the present republican Presidential candidates also supported Bush's failed policies at the time and were silent while record deficit spending and debt was the order of the day during the Bush years.
What really chaps the republicans is that the Obama administration has reversed the massive job losses that took place while they ran the country and as a result they will not lift a finger to help in the recovery. A recent republican governor of California called a few elected officials girlies, now we know he was really talking about republicans. That says it all.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
An Unnecessary War Finally Comes To End
President Obama announced Friday that the Iraq war will come to an end eight years and nine months after being launched by President Bush over WMD that did not exist at any time during his administration. December 31, 2011 will be the ending date according to the President and our troops will be home for the holidays.
ThePresident displayed leadership and courage with his decision to end a sad chapter that took the lives of over 4400 brave Americans who served their country well and without complaining. Over 30,000 of our troops were wounded, many severly with the loss of limb and a life they once knew.
The reaction of most republicans to the decision was the usual so called tough talk about how we should stay in Iraq and finish the job. What job are they talking about? It is ironic that most of the tough talk comes from those who never wore the uniform of their country. The President's decision will still be the right decision even if Iraq restarts their civil war. That, along with Al Queda in Iraq and the road side bombings were born because of Bush's decision to launch an unnecessary war and occupation over WMD that did not exist. None of that violence was happening in Iraq prior to our invasion.
CBS announced that the cost of the war so far was in excess of $800 billion. And who paid the price of the war. Our men and women in uniform with many deployments, loss of life and limb and their families. Bush and the republicans did not think the people back home had to pay for the war or make a sacrifice. It all fell on the back of our troops.
It is a sad piece of American history to think that an American President used his power to start a war and occupation of another country over WMD that did not exist and for eight years and nine months be treated by the news media and the administration as just a footnote in history. Our men and women in uniform that paid a terrible price deserve better. And make no mistake about it, George W. Bush knew Iraq was no threat to the U.S. and had no WMD.
During the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 President Kennedy showed the American people and the world intelligence photo's of Russian missiles and war heads in Cuba. There was no doubt. Bush never did so with Iraqi's WMD because he knew along with the CIA they did not exist. There was nothing to take a photo of.
The past is still the key to the future and it is up to the people, the news media and our future Presidents to make sure an unnecessary war never happens again to our country.
Note 1: See my past two part commentary titled: The Rosetta Stone to The Iraq War dated 12-8 and 12-11, 2007.
ThePresident displayed leadership and courage with his decision to end a sad chapter that took the lives of over 4400 brave Americans who served their country well and without complaining. Over 30,000 of our troops were wounded, many severly with the loss of limb and a life they once knew.
The reaction of most republicans to the decision was the usual so called tough talk about how we should stay in Iraq and finish the job. What job are they talking about? It is ironic that most of the tough talk comes from those who never wore the uniform of their country. The President's decision will still be the right decision even if Iraq restarts their civil war. That, along with Al Queda in Iraq and the road side bombings were born because of Bush's decision to launch an unnecessary war and occupation over WMD that did not exist. None of that violence was happening in Iraq prior to our invasion.
CBS announced that the cost of the war so far was in excess of $800 billion. And who paid the price of the war. Our men and women in uniform with many deployments, loss of life and limb and their families. Bush and the republicans did not think the people back home had to pay for the war or make a sacrifice. It all fell on the back of our troops.
It is a sad piece of American history to think that an American President used his power to start a war and occupation of another country over WMD that did not exist and for eight years and nine months be treated by the news media and the administration as just a footnote in history. Our men and women in uniform that paid a terrible price deserve better. And make no mistake about it, George W. Bush knew Iraq was no threat to the U.S. and had no WMD.
During the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 President Kennedy showed the American people and the world intelligence photo's of Russian missiles and war heads in Cuba. There was no doubt. Bush never did so with Iraqi's WMD because he knew along with the CIA they did not exist. There was nothing to take a photo of.
The past is still the key to the future and it is up to the people, the news media and our future Presidents to make sure an unnecessary war never happens again to our country.
Note 1: See my past two part commentary titled: The Rosetta Stone to The Iraq War dated 12-8 and 12-11, 2007.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The Speech President Obama Should Make To The Nation
The do nothing attitude of the Republicans in congress, their past failures on the economy, job creation and their often stated goals of seeing Obama and the nation fail should prompt the President to give the following speech.
Before I was elected President the Republicans controlled the White House 20 of the previous 28 years. Their rhetoric during those years represents the same talking points they are using against my administration and democratic policies. Lets exmine the facts of that 28 year period.
The republicans say government regulations have destroyed the economy and jobs: Fact, it did not destroy the economy and jobs on President Clinton's watch as the nation, the economy, job creation and its people enjoyed the best of those benefits.
The republicans say democrats are the big spenders: Facts, Federal spending under the Reagan administration increased 50% in his first term and 25% in his second term. Under George Walker Bush it increased 28% in his only term. Under Bil Clinton it increased 14% in his first term and 14 % in his second term. Under George W. Bush it increased 28% in his first term and 33% in his second term.
The republicans say they are fiscal conservatives: Fact, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 never balanced one federal budget in the 20 years they ran the country. President Clinton, not only balanced the federal budget, his administration ended eight years where federal surpluses exceeded deficit spending. President Clinton also decreased the federal deficit four straight years in his first term in office. No republican President can say that.
The republican say democratic policies destroy jobs and republican policies create jobs. Fact, it was the George W. Bush dministration policies that destroyed jobs and at the greatest number since the great depression. More new jobs were created on the watch of Bil Clinton in eight years than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 in the 20 years they ran the country. Job creation under Reagan was 16.1 million, under Bush 41 it was 2.5 million, under Bill Clinton it was 22.7 million and under Bush 43 it was 1.1 million.
The republicans say the national debt exploded because of democratic policies and spending. Fact, The nationad debt increased 186% on Reagan's watch, 54% on Bush 41 watch, 31% on Bill Clinton's watch and 105% on Bush 43 watch. If those 3 republican Presidents would have balanced the federal budget like Clinton did the national debt would not be a problem as we speak today.
The republicans say federal regulation of business destroy their ability to compete and create jobs. Fact, The two greatest financial failures happened on Reagans and Bush 43 watch. The great failure of the Savings and Loan industry under Reagan and the great failure of the wall street banks under Bush 43. It was the lack of inforcement on those two Presidents watch that had a direct affect on those failures along with greed.
The republicans say their policies are better at keeping unemployment low: Fact, it was the democratic administration of Bill Clinton who had the best record of doing so. The unemployment rate on Clinton's watch never exceeded what it was at the time he took office. Unemployment on Clinton's watch was the lowest in 40 years and it stood at less than 4% for 5 months in his last year in office.
The republicans say their policies know how to create jobs in the private sector. Fact, over 90% of all new jobs created under the Clinton administration came from the private sector, the highest percentage in any administration. No republican administration who followed a democratic administration created more jobs than the democratic administration it followed. But every democratic administration that followed a republican administration did.
The true story and fact of those 28 years is that a democratic administration in only 8 of those years performed better for the country and its people in every area that counts. The 20 years of republican rule never measured up to their past or present rhetoric. The 20 year fiscal record of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 was a failure never seen before for America and the republicans in congress rubber stamped those failed policies.
The past can only be changed by future decisions and the future is now. Time is running short and I and congress need to act in a responsible way to chart a course of progress for the country and its people. It is time for the do nothing republican party to do something about the situation they created. They should not use their want to see Obama fail attitude at the expense of the country and the average American. It is past time for them to step up to the plate and shed their anti American ideology.
The nations economic recovery must put the average American first with job creation. That is the basic of a thriving and lasting economy. The ideology of trickle down economics and tax breaks for corporate America and the wealthy has proven to be a fairy tale for a lasting economy and job creation. That past has to be put to bed now for a better future for the country and our people.
If the republicans in congress continue to follow their do nothing policy I will no longer seek their imput and I will do those things I can legally do by executive order to keep the economic recovery and job creation moving forward.
As for my administration, I will be held accountable for what happens on my watch. The record job losses of 2008 was reversed on my watch by my policies and new hiring has taken place. Hiring is not the best and I have introduced a plan that would do better in that regard. I am not at all happy with the economic progress on my watch and I will continue to deal with that. I will also do what ever is necessary as time goes on and will not sit on the side lines. The economy, job creation and lowering the unemployment will continue to be my immediate and main focus. My present jobs plan before congress will put our people back to work and it will be a democratic administration once again who moved the country and its people forward.
Note 1: See past commentary concerning the 28 year period above.
Note 2: The U.S. Economy: Which Party Performs Best dated 1-27-08
Note 3: The Fiscal Legacy of George W. Bush dated 10-30-09
Note 4: Federal Spending: Fact vs Myth dated 10-31-09
Note 5: The National Debt: Betrayal and Devastation dated 12-10-09
Note 6: Job Creation for Presidential Terms: 1929-2008
Before I was elected President the Republicans controlled the White House 20 of the previous 28 years. Their rhetoric during those years represents the same talking points they are using against my administration and democratic policies. Lets exmine the facts of that 28 year period.
The republicans say government regulations have destroyed the economy and jobs: Fact, it did not destroy the economy and jobs on President Clinton's watch as the nation, the economy, job creation and its people enjoyed the best of those benefits.
The republicans say democrats are the big spenders: Facts, Federal spending under the Reagan administration increased 50% in his first term and 25% in his second term. Under George Walker Bush it increased 28% in his only term. Under Bil Clinton it increased 14% in his first term and 14 % in his second term. Under George W. Bush it increased 28% in his first term and 33% in his second term.
The republicans say they are fiscal conservatives: Fact, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 never balanced one federal budget in the 20 years they ran the country. President Clinton, not only balanced the federal budget, his administration ended eight years where federal surpluses exceeded deficit spending. President Clinton also decreased the federal deficit four straight years in his first term in office. No republican President can say that.
The republican say democratic policies destroy jobs and republican policies create jobs. Fact, it was the George W. Bush dministration policies that destroyed jobs and at the greatest number since the great depression. More new jobs were created on the watch of Bil Clinton in eight years than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 in the 20 years they ran the country. Job creation under Reagan was 16.1 million, under Bush 41 it was 2.5 million, under Bill Clinton it was 22.7 million and under Bush 43 it was 1.1 million.
The republicans say the national debt exploded because of democratic policies and spending. Fact, The nationad debt increased 186% on Reagan's watch, 54% on Bush 41 watch, 31% on Bill Clinton's watch and 105% on Bush 43 watch. If those 3 republican Presidents would have balanced the federal budget like Clinton did the national debt would not be a problem as we speak today.
The republicans say federal regulation of business destroy their ability to compete and create jobs. Fact, The two greatest financial failures happened on Reagans and Bush 43 watch. The great failure of the Savings and Loan industry under Reagan and the great failure of the wall street banks under Bush 43. It was the lack of inforcement on those two Presidents watch that had a direct affect on those failures along with greed.
The republicans say their policies are better at keeping unemployment low: Fact, it was the democratic administration of Bill Clinton who had the best record of doing so. The unemployment rate on Clinton's watch never exceeded what it was at the time he took office. Unemployment on Clinton's watch was the lowest in 40 years and it stood at less than 4% for 5 months in his last year in office.
The republicans say their policies know how to create jobs in the private sector. Fact, over 90% of all new jobs created under the Clinton administration came from the private sector, the highest percentage in any administration. No republican administration who followed a democratic administration created more jobs than the democratic administration it followed. But every democratic administration that followed a republican administration did.
The true story and fact of those 28 years is that a democratic administration in only 8 of those years performed better for the country and its people in every area that counts. The 20 years of republican rule never measured up to their past or present rhetoric. The 20 year fiscal record of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 was a failure never seen before for America and the republicans in congress rubber stamped those failed policies.
The past can only be changed by future decisions and the future is now. Time is running short and I and congress need to act in a responsible way to chart a course of progress for the country and its people. It is time for the do nothing republican party to do something about the situation they created. They should not use their want to see Obama fail attitude at the expense of the country and the average American. It is past time for them to step up to the plate and shed their anti American ideology.
The nations economic recovery must put the average American first with job creation. That is the basic of a thriving and lasting economy. The ideology of trickle down economics and tax breaks for corporate America and the wealthy has proven to be a fairy tale for a lasting economy and job creation. That past has to be put to bed now for a better future for the country and our people.
If the republicans in congress continue to follow their do nothing policy I will no longer seek their imput and I will do those things I can legally do by executive order to keep the economic recovery and job creation moving forward.
As for my administration, I will be held accountable for what happens on my watch. The record job losses of 2008 was reversed on my watch by my policies and new hiring has taken place. Hiring is not the best and I have introduced a plan that would do better in that regard. I am not at all happy with the economic progress on my watch and I will continue to deal with that. I will also do what ever is necessary as time goes on and will not sit on the side lines. The economy, job creation and lowering the unemployment will continue to be my immediate and main focus. My present jobs plan before congress will put our people back to work and it will be a democratic administration once again who moved the country and its people forward.
Note 1: See past commentary concerning the 28 year period above.
Note 2: The U.S. Economy: Which Party Performs Best dated 1-27-08
Note 3: The Fiscal Legacy of George W. Bush dated 10-30-09
Note 4: Federal Spending: Fact vs Myth dated 10-31-09
Note 5: The National Debt: Betrayal and Devastation dated 12-10-09
Note 6: Job Creation for Presidential Terms: 1929-2008
Saturday, October 8, 2011
September U.S. Job Creation
The labor department announced there were 103,000 net new jobs created in September. The pundits were predicting the economy would show a loss of jobs. The department also revised its figures for July and August. July's new jobs total was revised from 85,000 to 127,000 jobs. August new jobs was revised from zero to 57,000 new jobs. The numbers are still not high enough to lower the unemployment rate but the President's policies continue to add jobs to the economy.
If it were up to the republican party in congress the country would still be losing jobs every month like it did under the previous administration. The party also knows if they pass the President's job bill he presented to congress the job creation numbers would be even higher and unemployment would start coming down. The three stooges, Boehner, McConnell and Cantor's game plan is still to let the country fail on the President's watch. They are well aware that democratic administrations always out perform republican administrations in job creation and being aware of what happened on their watch under the Bush administration they do not want to see another democratic administration be a success.
The fact of the matter concerning job creation, try this on for size. No republican administration that followed a democratic administration in the last 80 years created more jobs than the democratic administration they followed. But every democratic administration who followed a republican administration in that same time period created more jobs than the republican administration they followed. When one has the facts it is easy to understand why the present republican party want the Obama administration to fail.
Concerning unemployment I would point out again that the unemployment rate jumped to 10.1% in Reagan's 21st. month in office and stayed above 10% for 10 straight months. It was 7.5% when he took office. (Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics) The current 9% unemployment is unacceptable but any fair minded person can understand the situation Obama inherited was much worse than Reagan inherited.
The republicans need to pass the President's job plan policy and act like men for a change. If the President's plan does not work the voters will hold him accountable at election time. The republican's anti-American ideology and attitude has been a major failure to a sound economy, balanced budgets and job creation. That says it all.
Note 1: There are various reports on job creation during Presidential terms such as wikipedia. All contain minor differences in numbers but when put together all come to the same conclusion.
Note 2: See my commentary dated 11/5/2010 titled, "Job Creation for Presidential Terms 1929-2008.
If it were up to the republican party in congress the country would still be losing jobs every month like it did under the previous administration. The party also knows if they pass the President's job bill he presented to congress the job creation numbers would be even higher and unemployment would start coming down. The three stooges, Boehner, McConnell and Cantor's game plan is still to let the country fail on the President's watch. They are well aware that democratic administrations always out perform republican administrations in job creation and being aware of what happened on their watch under the Bush administration they do not want to see another democratic administration be a success.
The fact of the matter concerning job creation, try this on for size. No republican administration that followed a democratic administration in the last 80 years created more jobs than the democratic administration they followed. But every democratic administration who followed a republican administration in that same time period created more jobs than the republican administration they followed. When one has the facts it is easy to understand why the present republican party want the Obama administration to fail.
Concerning unemployment I would point out again that the unemployment rate jumped to 10.1% in Reagan's 21st. month in office and stayed above 10% for 10 straight months. It was 7.5% when he took office. (Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics) The current 9% unemployment is unacceptable but any fair minded person can understand the situation Obama inherited was much worse than Reagan inherited.
The republicans need to pass the President's job plan policy and act like men for a change. If the President's plan does not work the voters will hold him accountable at election time. The republican's anti-American ideology and attitude has been a major failure to a sound economy, balanced budgets and job creation. That says it all.
Note 1: There are various reports on job creation during Presidential terms such as wikipedia. All contain minor differences in numbers but when put together all come to the same conclusion.
Note 2: See my commentary dated 11/5/2010 titled, "Job Creation for Presidential Terms 1929-2008.
Governor Bobby Jindal And The Family Research Council
Republican Presidential candidates and Louisiana governor Jindal spoke at the Family values voter summit in Washington over the last few days. The get together with the Council is one of the many platforms so called conservative republicans use to rev up the religious right vote and use that platform to divide American between religious lines.
Forty eight years ago the republican party accused then democratic Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy with the rap that if elected he would be taken orders from the Vatican because he happened to be Catholic. They knew as a member of the U.S. House and then the U.S. Senate, Kennedy never wore his religion on his sleeve or promoted any religion for that matter. Their personal attack on Kennedy's religion is still strong as ever today as a method of operation.
Jindal and conservatives are hyprocrites because today they use the religious right to promote their political ambition. Kennedy never did that, period. According to the Times Picayune of October 8 Jindal tried to compare James Carville's remark, "its the economy stupid" to a "common sense of culture." Jindals comparison of oranges to apples showed how far he would stoop and how ignorant he is concerning Carville's remark. It is the way Jindal, conservatives and the religious right try to demonize democrats who can think for themselves.
Jindal and conservatives do not believe in the separation of church and state. They loss their moral compass long ago for political gain and the party used separation of church and state against Kennedy even though they knew it was not an issue. Even now at the Values summit mentioned above some are using the religious issue against fellow republican Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon. The conservatives and the religious right have no shame and that is a reflection of the type of values they preach.
Forty eight years ago the republican party accused then democratic Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy with the rap that if elected he would be taken orders from the Vatican because he happened to be Catholic. They knew as a member of the U.S. House and then the U.S. Senate, Kennedy never wore his religion on his sleeve or promoted any religion for that matter. Their personal attack on Kennedy's religion is still strong as ever today as a method of operation.
Jindal and conservatives are hyprocrites because today they use the religious right to promote their political ambition. Kennedy never did that, period. According to the Times Picayune of October 8 Jindal tried to compare James Carville's remark, "its the economy stupid" to a "common sense of culture." Jindals comparison of oranges to apples showed how far he would stoop and how ignorant he is concerning Carville's remark. It is the way Jindal, conservatives and the religious right try to demonize democrats who can think for themselves.
Jindal and conservatives do not believe in the separation of church and state. They loss their moral compass long ago for political gain and the party used separation of church and state against Kennedy even though they knew it was not an issue. Even now at the Values summit mentioned above some are using the religious issue against fellow republican Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon. The conservatives and the religious right have no shame and that is a reflection of the type of values they preach.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Another First For Politidose: Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer
Stephanie Grace in an editorial for the Times Picayune dated Oct. 4 made the case why former Louisiana Governor Roemer should be allowed to participate in the republican Presidential debates. That was welcome news coming from the largest newspaper in Louisiana, however, politidose was out in front on the subject matter long ago. My commentary titled, Buddy Roemer: Republican Presidential candidate dated 8/3/11 spoke about the issue and how the influence of the wealth lobby and our elected leaders are toxic for the public good.
The news media, T.V., printed and radio really do not pay much attention to the issue because they benefit directly from the wealth lobbyist pass around that support the political ads of the candidates that do their bidding. When it comes to the issues of wealth being transferred to the wealthy from the middle class and the serious problems Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 left the country in concerning federal deficit spending and debt, politidose has been well ahead of the main street news media on the subject matter and for the last several years.
If the news media wants to impact the real issues to the general public that affect them then I suggest they follow politidose. Ditto for the people themselves. Why buy a newspaper when you can read about those things that really matter and make a difference right here in politidose.
The news media, T.V., printed and radio really do not pay much attention to the issue because they benefit directly from the wealth lobbyist pass around that support the political ads of the candidates that do their bidding. When it comes to the issues of wealth being transferred to the wealthy from the middle class and the serious problems Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 left the country in concerning federal deficit spending and debt, politidose has been well ahead of the main street news media on the subject matter and for the last several years.
If the news media wants to impact the real issues to the general public that affect them then I suggest they follow politidose. Ditto for the people themselves. Why buy a newspaper when you can read about those things that really matter and make a difference right here in politidose.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Jeff Landry: Louisiana's Biggest Stooge Has Met His Match
U.S. Rep., Jeff Landry, one of Louisiana's three stooges in congress is once again showing his ignorance, lack of character and why he is unfit to serve Louisiana and its people. His nose was bent out of joint because of a recent visit to BOEMRE's regional office. He made an unscheduled visit and had to wait 30 minutes. He compared the agency's staffers to the Gestapo. BOEMRE's director Michael Bromwich in response to Landry's Gestapo remark wrote Landry the following according to a TP article dated 9/21/11.
Your comparison of the minor inconvenience you experienced to the tactics and methods of the Nazi secret police is simply unacceptable from anyone, but especially from a public official. In light of your defamatory remarks, our Gulf of Mexico Regional Office has asked me to advise you that its personnel will not be available to meet with you on Sept. 30.
Hooray for Mr. Bromwich and his staff people for their reaction to Mr. Landry's unAmerican behavior. Time and again Landry and the conservative republicans are incapable of discussing issues without personal attacks. The Times Picayune also wrote the following. Landry wrote to bromwich on Tuesday, if any apology is necessary it would be from you to me and more importantly to the hard working people of south Louisiana, many of whom are now unemployed as a result of decisions from your agencey.
Landry's last sentence: Many of whom are now unemployed as a result of decisions from your agency is proof of how the oil and gas industry and their lobby hold sway over him with their campaign contributions. His little boy comment that it was BOEMRE to blame for any unemployed workers follow the talking points of the industry. The idea is to blame government and not BP and the industry and their own failed safety enforcement.
Landry thinks of himself as elite. People with that attitude have other serious problems that they try to hide. His actions concerning this incident and the BP spill shows he cares nothing about the 11 rig workers who were killed, the workers of Louisiana or even the state. He and his party are truly a pitiful lot. Landry is anti everything that mAde this country great.
More government officials should continue to send Landry and other republicans to the little boy corner where they belong. Landry has earned the title, biggest stooge of them all.
Your comparison of the minor inconvenience you experienced to the tactics and methods of the Nazi secret police is simply unacceptable from anyone, but especially from a public official. In light of your defamatory remarks, our Gulf of Mexico Regional Office has asked me to advise you that its personnel will not be available to meet with you on Sept. 30.
Hooray for Mr. Bromwich and his staff people for their reaction to Mr. Landry's unAmerican behavior. Time and again Landry and the conservative republicans are incapable of discussing issues without personal attacks. The Times Picayune also wrote the following. Landry wrote to bromwich on Tuesday, if any apology is necessary it would be from you to me and more importantly to the hard working people of south Louisiana, many of whom are now unemployed as a result of decisions from your agencey.
Landry's last sentence: Many of whom are now unemployed as a result of decisions from your agency is proof of how the oil and gas industry and their lobby hold sway over him with their campaign contributions. His little boy comment that it was BOEMRE to blame for any unemployed workers follow the talking points of the industry. The idea is to blame government and not BP and the industry and their own failed safety enforcement.
Landry thinks of himself as elite. People with that attitude have other serious problems that they try to hide. His actions concerning this incident and the BP spill shows he cares nothing about the 11 rig workers who were killed, the workers of Louisiana or even the state. He and his party are truly a pitiful lot. Landry is anti everything that mAde this country great.
More government officials should continue to send Landry and other republicans to the little boy corner where they belong. Landry has earned the title, biggest stooge of them all.
The Do Nothing Republicans In Congress
If that sounds familiar it is because President Truman said that more than 50 years ago in discribing the republican party that served in congress on his watch. Not much has changed for the republican party for in the year 2011 they still rate as the "do nothing congress."
One would think the party were capable of stepping out of the past but their anti American ideology has proven too hard to shake loose from. They refuse to learn from the past because they still have the same problem of the inability to debate the issues and because of their inadequate feelings. The partys debates is a good example. It is a rerun of the many past republican debates and void of the real issues the country faces.
Truman knew how to deal with the republican party's "do nothing agenda"and President Obama is still learning. The past tells us the democratic party and a democratic President are still the best hope of moving the country and its people away from the past and still the best for solving the serious problems we face as a nation. The future will be bright as long as we keep democrats in our "democracy."
One would think the party were capable of stepping out of the past but their anti American ideology has proven too hard to shake loose from. They refuse to learn from the past because they still have the same problem of the inability to debate the issues and because of their inadequate feelings. The partys debates is a good example. It is a rerun of the many past republican debates and void of the real issues the country faces.
Truman knew how to deal with the republican party's "do nothing agenda"and President Obama is still learning. The past tells us the democratic party and a democratic President are still the best hope of moving the country and its people away from the past and still the best for solving the serious problems we face as a nation. The future will be bright as long as we keep democrats in our "democracy."
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Social Security: A True Success Story
Contrary to what conservative republicans are preaching, social security has not contributed one penny to the federal deficit problem. It is and always has been funded by social security taxes paid by individuals and empolyers and has always been solvent. Social security has always taken in more revenue than its paid out except during the Bush recession which has resulted in less taxes paid into the system because of the record job losses.
The federal government has had to rob over $4 trillion from the social security trust fund to pay for deficit spending and the majority of that deficit spending was by the Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 administrations who never balanced one federal budget in the 20 years they served and ran the country. It was a time of record deficit spending for those 20 years. Clinton balanced the federal budget, paid down debt and his administration ended 8 years with a net $62 billion surplus over all. Obama's first fiscal year budget ended in deficit spending and his second fiscal year budget that ends 9/30/11 will end in deficit spending also.
If not for social security more seniors and elders would be hurt by recessions and economic down turns. More would be in poverty, less in the middle class and much less income to take care of the basis necessities of life. It would result in more uninsured, ruin the stability of the economic life of those receiving social security benefits. We know what the unemployed people are going through, just think if you add the millions of people to that number if they did not have the safety net of social security. Most importantly, social security allows seniors to live in dignity and continue to participate in the quest for life. The latest census report as carried by the Times Picayune dated 9/14 showed social security kept about 20.3 million seniors and working age adults receiving disability payments out of poverty. That is a powerful statement of facts and illustrates how important a role social security plays in people's lives.
The republican party is bent on destroying social security. That is the purpose of their record deficit spending and creation of debt for the country. They want to starve the government of revenue so there will be no money to continue the program. The republican party's actions at the very moment prove that. Their allegiance is with corporate America, their lobby and the wealthy and is played out in their policies of special treatment to those folks. Their privatized plan for social security would be a boon for Wall Street, you know, those folks who participated in the financial scandal of the Wall Street Banks.
Social security can be made stronger by very minor adjustments, that has been pointed out many times over by various studies. The democratic party has always stood in the way of the republicans attempt to defund the program and should continue to do so. Any thing less would be a betrayal of the American people.
The federal government has had to rob over $4 trillion from the social security trust fund to pay for deficit spending and the majority of that deficit spending was by the Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 administrations who never balanced one federal budget in the 20 years they served and ran the country. It was a time of record deficit spending for those 20 years. Clinton balanced the federal budget, paid down debt and his administration ended 8 years with a net $62 billion surplus over all. Obama's first fiscal year budget ended in deficit spending and his second fiscal year budget that ends 9/30/11 will end in deficit spending also.
If not for social security more seniors and elders would be hurt by recessions and economic down turns. More would be in poverty, less in the middle class and much less income to take care of the basis necessities of life. It would result in more uninsured, ruin the stability of the economic life of those receiving social security benefits. We know what the unemployed people are going through, just think if you add the millions of people to that number if they did not have the safety net of social security. Most importantly, social security allows seniors to live in dignity and continue to participate in the quest for life. The latest census report as carried by the Times Picayune dated 9/14 showed social security kept about 20.3 million seniors and working age adults receiving disability payments out of poverty. That is a powerful statement of facts and illustrates how important a role social security plays in people's lives.
The republican party is bent on destroying social security. That is the purpose of their record deficit spending and creation of debt for the country. They want to starve the government of revenue so there will be no money to continue the program. The republican party's actions at the very moment prove that. Their allegiance is with corporate America, their lobby and the wealthy and is played out in their policies of special treatment to those folks. Their privatized plan for social security would be a boon for Wall Street, you know, those folks who participated in the financial scandal of the Wall Street Banks.
Social security can be made stronger by very minor adjustments, that has been pointed out many times over by various studies. The democratic party has always stood in the way of the republicans attempt to defund the program and should continue to do so. Any thing less would be a betrayal of the American people.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Understanding The Past Is Still The Key To The Future: Continued
There is a reason why the past administrations of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 failed to achieve the economic and fiscal success of the Clinton administration. The former administrations never developed or adopted a broad economic plan as Clinton did. The former believed that their trickle down ideology was a policy that would address the economy, create jobs, balance the federal budget and have low unemployment. However none of those three administrations accomplished that. But the Clinton administration did.
President Clinton understood why the 12 years of Reagan-Bush 41 trickle down economics left his administration nothing but record deficits and a record increase in the national debt. Remember it "was the economy stupid" when Clinton defeated Bush 41. Clinton had the wisdom and savvy to learn from those past mistakes. He campaigned on an economic policy and after he was elected he introduced his economic and deficit reduction plan to the democratic controlled congress in 1993. Clinton's plan was passed by both houses of congress without any vote of any republican in either house of congress. They all predicted doom and gloom. It should be noted that the unemployment rate never exceeded what it was when Clinton took office during his full eight years as President. Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 never achieved that.
George W. Bush, Bush 43 when taking office took over a sound economy, record job creation, balanced budgets, surpluses, the lowest unemployment in over 40 years, the lowest average yearly price for a barrel of oil in over 30 years and a sound fiscal house. Bush 43 blew it all because he ignored the past success and lessons that Clinton learned and was bent on going back to the past of trickle down economics. The same old ideology of Reagan. Bush never developed a true economic or fiscal policy as Clinton did and the results of his eight years returned the past front and center. Only the great depression was worse.
Barrack Obama became President and inherited the carnage left by Bush 43. The situation was much worse than when the previous four Presidents took office. He also faced a republican party who vowed to make him a one term President from day one. President Obama failed to learn from the past also and failed to meet the dire situation of the country with a well thought out broad economic and deficit reduction plan. The stimulus worked to reverse the record job losses, saved and created jobs but did not put enough people back to work or reduce the unemployment rate to where it should be. Obama's actions were not based on ideology, but he lacked a true plan and still does not have one as of this writing. President Obama also showed a lack of leadership in thinking the republicans would work with him even after they said they would not. As a result the President lost a lot of valuable time pussy footing around with them and their unAmerican ideology.
It appears to this writer that our country and the average American is at a terrible disadvantage. In my judgement, Obama is a better choice than any of the announced republican presidential candidates because of their extreme right wing agenda that would return the country and its people back to the Bush 43 era. I also believe the democratic party has two or three people that would do a better job than Obama and show more leadership. I do not think any democrat would challange the President because that would probabley result in the election of the republican nominee.
I can not remember a worse time for the average American. The country is 14 months away from the next election and the republican's have completely ignored their plight by opposing every thing that Obama has proposed to get the country moving again and putting America back to work. Bill Clinton was a lot of things to a lot of people but his policies put the people and the country first. No one can successfully imitate another person in being President. One has to be himself but leadership, character, courage, wisdom with a knowledge of the past is the key to a successful future.
President Obama needs to make a decision as to his capabilities of dealing with the future. He is not going to change the republican hatred but does have enough authority as President to step out of the past. If the President is incapable of making that commitment he should not run for reelection and make it know in enough time for another democrat to run. I do not approach this subject casually. The country and its people deserve better than what is taking place now. But nothing is moving. The ball is really in the President's court and he has to show leadership, courage and wisdom for a better future.
President Clinton understood why the 12 years of Reagan-Bush 41 trickle down economics left his administration nothing but record deficits and a record increase in the national debt. Remember it "was the economy stupid" when Clinton defeated Bush 41. Clinton had the wisdom and savvy to learn from those past mistakes. He campaigned on an economic policy and after he was elected he introduced his economic and deficit reduction plan to the democratic controlled congress in 1993. Clinton's plan was passed by both houses of congress without any vote of any republican in either house of congress. They all predicted doom and gloom. It should be noted that the unemployment rate never exceeded what it was when Clinton took office during his full eight years as President. Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 never achieved that.
George W. Bush, Bush 43 when taking office took over a sound economy, record job creation, balanced budgets, surpluses, the lowest unemployment in over 40 years, the lowest average yearly price for a barrel of oil in over 30 years and a sound fiscal house. Bush 43 blew it all because he ignored the past success and lessons that Clinton learned and was bent on going back to the past of trickle down economics. The same old ideology of Reagan. Bush never developed a true economic or fiscal policy as Clinton did and the results of his eight years returned the past front and center. Only the great depression was worse.
Barrack Obama became President and inherited the carnage left by Bush 43. The situation was much worse than when the previous four Presidents took office. He also faced a republican party who vowed to make him a one term President from day one. President Obama failed to learn from the past also and failed to meet the dire situation of the country with a well thought out broad economic and deficit reduction plan. The stimulus worked to reverse the record job losses, saved and created jobs but did not put enough people back to work or reduce the unemployment rate to where it should be. Obama's actions were not based on ideology, but he lacked a true plan and still does not have one as of this writing. President Obama also showed a lack of leadership in thinking the republicans would work with him even after they said they would not. As a result the President lost a lot of valuable time pussy footing around with them and their unAmerican ideology.
It appears to this writer that our country and the average American is at a terrible disadvantage. In my judgement, Obama is a better choice than any of the announced republican presidential candidates because of their extreme right wing agenda that would return the country and its people back to the Bush 43 era. I also believe the democratic party has two or three people that would do a better job than Obama and show more leadership. I do not think any democrat would challange the President because that would probabley result in the election of the republican nominee.
I can not remember a worse time for the average American. The country is 14 months away from the next election and the republican's have completely ignored their plight by opposing every thing that Obama has proposed to get the country moving again and putting America back to work. Bill Clinton was a lot of things to a lot of people but his policies put the people and the country first. No one can successfully imitate another person in being President. One has to be himself but leadership, character, courage, wisdom with a knowledge of the past is the key to a successful future.
President Obama needs to make a decision as to his capabilities of dealing with the future. He is not going to change the republican hatred but does have enough authority as President to step out of the past. If the President is incapable of making that commitment he should not run for reelection and make it know in enough time for another democrat to run. I do not approach this subject casually. The country and its people deserve better than what is taking place now. But nothing is moving. The ball is really in the President's court and he has to show leadership, courage and wisdom for a better future.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The State Of The Union
It is broken, thanks to our elected officials in congress, especially the republican party who practice an anti American ideology, Corporate America and their lobby whose wealth allows them to influence congressional decision making that favor their own greedy self.
Never before has Corporate America, their lobby and elected officials been so blatenly outspoken against the middle class. The BP oil spill brought out the worse in the oil industry and many elected officials who did their bidding by blaming the President for the moratorium and wanting to put the industry back to work in the Gulf before all the facts were known on the explosion and spill that killed 11 rig workers.
The State of the Union has a republican party that rubber stamped President George W. Bush's failed policies that brought the nation record federal deficits for 8 years, a doubling of the national debt, record job losses, an economy that collapsed and turned out to be the worse since the great depression and a failed financial system built on greed and a lack of oversight. And that same republican party is now doing what ever it can to see Obama and the State of the Union fail.
The birth of the republican tea party pushed their party to the extreme right and has made the conservative's ideology more anti American than ever. Their behavior at the last republican Presidential debate that they sponsored showed their true lack of character, class, and their hatred for government. They also displayed an ignorance of what America and its democratic society is all about.
Corporate America and their lobby has bought America with its wealth. Their monopoly and business practices, especially their foreign operations have reduced the working middle class. They demand special tax breaks and receive them from members of congress who gladly do their bidding. As former republican Louisiana Governor Roemer said, Corporate America needs to decide whether they want to be a American company or a foreign company.
The democratic party also shares the blame for their being in bed with Corporate America and their lobby and going along with special treatment for them. But the fact of the matter they have worked with past republican Presidents and voted the President's agenda. They have never brought impeachment charges against a republican President just because they did not like him or want to see him fail. That distinction belongs to the republican party for their treatment of President Clinton.
This writer has written several commentaries how understanding the past is the key to the future. That is still the case today, but unfortunately wealth and greed has high jacked the future and the status quo of the past is well and alive. The future can be bright again if we as a nation are willing and committed to reverse the past, learn those lessons and bring the middle class back where it belongs in a democratic society.
Never before has Corporate America, their lobby and elected officials been so blatenly outspoken against the middle class. The BP oil spill brought out the worse in the oil industry and many elected officials who did their bidding by blaming the President for the moratorium and wanting to put the industry back to work in the Gulf before all the facts were known on the explosion and spill that killed 11 rig workers.
The State of the Union has a republican party that rubber stamped President George W. Bush's failed policies that brought the nation record federal deficits for 8 years, a doubling of the national debt, record job losses, an economy that collapsed and turned out to be the worse since the great depression and a failed financial system built on greed and a lack of oversight. And that same republican party is now doing what ever it can to see Obama and the State of the Union fail.
The birth of the republican tea party pushed their party to the extreme right and has made the conservative's ideology more anti American than ever. Their behavior at the last republican Presidential debate that they sponsored showed their true lack of character, class, and their hatred for government. They also displayed an ignorance of what America and its democratic society is all about.
Corporate America and their lobby has bought America with its wealth. Their monopoly and business practices, especially their foreign operations have reduced the working middle class. They demand special tax breaks and receive them from members of congress who gladly do their bidding. As former republican Louisiana Governor Roemer said, Corporate America needs to decide whether they want to be a American company or a foreign company.
The democratic party also shares the blame for their being in bed with Corporate America and their lobby and going along with special treatment for them. But the fact of the matter they have worked with past republican Presidents and voted the President's agenda. They have never brought impeachment charges against a republican President just because they did not like him or want to see him fail. That distinction belongs to the republican party for their treatment of President Clinton.
This writer has written several commentaries how understanding the past is the key to the future. That is still the case today, but unfortunately wealth and greed has high jacked the future and the status quo of the past is well and alive. The future can be bright again if we as a nation are willing and committed to reverse the past, learn those lessons and bring the middle class back where it belongs in a democratic society.
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Oil Industry, Their Lobby and Louisiana's Elected Officials are Proven Wrong Once Again
Does any one remember the dire predictions concerning the moratorium on Gulf drilling after the BP oil explosion and spill? The prediction was doom and gloom, 20,000 to 30,000 rig workers laid off and economic ruin for them. President Obama convinced BP to set aside $100 million to take care of their predicted plight. And who were those making those dire predictions? You are right, the ones listed in the title above.
But now comes David Hammer, staff writer in a Times Picayune article dated 9/7 pointing out that only 755 workers were affected who qualified for $11.4 million. A far cry from the 20,000 to 30,000 workers and the $100 million that was set aside. The article also points out the balance of the money will now be used for other area's that were harmed.
The oil industry, their lobby and those Louisiana elected officials who toe the oil industry line because of the industry's wealth and campaign contributions are always predicting doom and gloom. It goes back many years. They are now predicting doom and gloom because President Obama wants to end the special tax breaks afforded the oil industry for over 40 years. They are using the same lies, loss of jobs, loss of production, more dependent on foreign oil and etc.
When Edwin Edwards was elected governor in the 1970's outgoing governor John McKiethen left the state with a $30 million state deficit. Edwards proposed to eliminate the state natural gas tax rebates to Louisiana manufacturing that was costing the state millions of dollars in loss revenue. He also proposed raising the tax on natural gas. The oil industry, their lobby and certain elected officials opposed, given the same old worn out reasons given today, loss of jobs, loss of production, more dependent on foreigh oil and etc. Well the measures passed and sure enough the predicted doom and gloom never happened. Governor Edwards knew the oil industry as well as they knew themselves.
The oil industry, their lobby and those elected officials who do their bidding are proven liars. The voters who continue to believe their fairy tale predictions have no use for the facts. The doom and gloom talking points are the longest running fairy tale this writer can ever remember. That really says it all.
Note: It should be noted the Times Picayune also opposed the moratorium and gladly published the doom and gloom predictions. It should also be noted that at the time the T.P. opposed the moratorium BP was taking out full page ads in their paper almost on a daily basis.
But now comes David Hammer, staff writer in a Times Picayune article dated 9/7 pointing out that only 755 workers were affected who qualified for $11.4 million. A far cry from the 20,000 to 30,000 workers and the $100 million that was set aside. The article also points out the balance of the money will now be used for other area's that were harmed.
The oil industry, their lobby and those Louisiana elected officials who toe the oil industry line because of the industry's wealth and campaign contributions are always predicting doom and gloom. It goes back many years. They are now predicting doom and gloom because President Obama wants to end the special tax breaks afforded the oil industry for over 40 years. They are using the same lies, loss of jobs, loss of production, more dependent on foreign oil and etc.
When Edwin Edwards was elected governor in the 1970's outgoing governor John McKiethen left the state with a $30 million state deficit. Edwards proposed to eliminate the state natural gas tax rebates to Louisiana manufacturing that was costing the state millions of dollars in loss revenue. He also proposed raising the tax on natural gas. The oil industry, their lobby and certain elected officials opposed, given the same old worn out reasons given today, loss of jobs, loss of production, more dependent on foreigh oil and etc. Well the measures passed and sure enough the predicted doom and gloom never happened. Governor Edwards knew the oil industry as well as they knew themselves.
The oil industry, their lobby and those elected officials who do their bidding are proven liars. The voters who continue to believe their fairy tale predictions have no use for the facts. The doom and gloom talking points are the longest running fairy tale this writer can ever remember. That really says it all.
Note: It should be noted the Times Picayune also opposed the moratorium and gladly published the doom and gloom predictions. It should also be noted that at the time the T.P. opposed the moratorium BP was taking out full page ads in their paper almost on a daily basis.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
E.J. Dionne and Cynthia Tucker: Journalists With Facts
There are many journalists today who unfortunately loose sight of their role of informing the people of what takes place in the news today. Fortunately, there are two journalists who know the facts of the subject matter they report on and as a result enrich the American people. Those two journalists are E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and Cynthia Tucker, Editorial page editor of the Atlantic Constitution. They take time to separate hype and talking points from facts and tell an accurate story of the subject matter at hand.
Both are good at pointing out the real story behind the news and are up to date on the issues. When one reads or listens to their reports it is like night and day compared to other journalists. All of a sudden their reports propel you to reality and allow one to recall how this or that issue is totally different than other reports.
Mr. Dionne had a recent commentary concerning why the nation should move on since the 9/11 attack and Ms. Tucker had a recent editorial concerning "A perspective on taxes." Both appeared in the Times Picayune of September 8 and are timely, easy to understand and makes the case concerning two issues that have an affect on our current events.
The American people would be better informed if we had more journalists like Mr. Dionne and Ms. Tucker. Keep up the good work.
Both are good at pointing out the real story behind the news and are up to date on the issues. When one reads or listens to their reports it is like night and day compared to other journalists. All of a sudden their reports propel you to reality and allow one to recall how this or that issue is totally different than other reports.
Mr. Dionne had a recent commentary concerning why the nation should move on since the 9/11 attack and Ms. Tucker had a recent editorial concerning "A perspective on taxes." Both appeared in the Times Picayune of September 8 and are timely, easy to understand and makes the case concerning two issues that have an affect on our current events.
The American people would be better informed if we had more journalists like Mr. Dionne and Ms. Tucker. Keep up the good work.
The Presidential Debates: A Flawed and Manipulated System
The latest Republican Presidential debate on 9/7 at the Reagan Center in California illustrates how the debates have become a media show at the expense of the people. Those candidates who do not reach a certain poll number are excluded from the debates. They are deemed not to have enough support to be part of the debate.
The eight Republicans that appeared had the right poll numbers and were deemed qualified to be there. However, the moderators of the debate gave two or three of the candidates most of the air time and questions and ignored the rest. In other words the news media moderators decided which candidates the American people would hear. Not very democratic and once again illustrates how the news media uses its power to push certain candidates and their views. When candidates are found qualified to debate they should all be given equal time.
Former Louisiana governor Buddy Roemer was not invited because his poll numbers did not measure up. He is out spoken about how campaign contributions from PAC's and lobbyist have poisoned our elected officials with their wealth and how elected officials are beholden to them instead of the people. The moderators, whose networks make money from political ads did not bother to talk about the subject matter at the debates. In fact the two or three candidates at the debate who got most of the questions are the candidates that are raising the most money to take out those ads.
The combination of wealth, the news media and elected officials who are beholden to the wealthy are toxic for America and its people. And that really says it all.
The eight Republicans that appeared had the right poll numbers and were deemed qualified to be there. However, the moderators of the debate gave two or three of the candidates most of the air time and questions and ignored the rest. In other words the news media moderators decided which candidates the American people would hear. Not very democratic and once again illustrates how the news media uses its power to push certain candidates and their views. When candidates are found qualified to debate they should all be given equal time.
Former Louisiana governor Buddy Roemer was not invited because his poll numbers did not measure up. He is out spoken about how campaign contributions from PAC's and lobbyist have poisoned our elected officials with their wealth and how elected officials are beholden to them instead of the people. The moderators, whose networks make money from political ads did not bother to talk about the subject matter at the debates. In fact the two or three candidates at the debate who got most of the questions are the candidates that are raising the most money to take out those ads.
The combination of wealth, the news media and elected officials who are beholden to the wealthy are toxic for America and its people. And that really says it all.
Monday, September 5, 2011
A New Low For Eric Cantor, Steve Scalise and Jeff Landry
Once again it took a disaster to bring out the worst in tea party republicans Cantor, Scalise and Landry. Cantor started it all after hurricane Irene hit the eastern coast when he said any federal aid to help the area should be matched by cuts to the federal budget. Louisiana's reps, Steve Scalise and Jeff Landry agreed like the ditto heads they are. Those are the same two who took up the fight in favor of the oil industry after the BP blowout and oil spill that killed 11 workers.
This is just another group of three stooges the conservatives cultivate from time to time. They are far right radicals and practice such an anti American ideology it is hard to think they were actually elected to congress. Both Cantor and Scalise were part of George W. Bush's record deficit spending spree and creation of record debt, a failed economy and record job losses.
The three stooges are void of having any wisdom, courage or character. The scary part is that they have no understanding of what democracy and humankind are all about. They think of themselves as elite but really show their ass. They are a loud mouth, plenty to say but no substance. That is really the trade mark of those three stooges.
None of the three stooges can debate the real issues because they have no positive record of accomplishments. That is why they and their party are always engaged in personal attacks. All three exhibit the trait of being insecure and ditto head followers. The strange thing is that they even look the part.
This is just another group of three stooges the conservatives cultivate from time to time. They are far right radicals and practice such an anti American ideology it is hard to think they were actually elected to congress. Both Cantor and Scalise were part of George W. Bush's record deficit spending spree and creation of record debt, a failed economy and record job losses.
The three stooges are void of having any wisdom, courage or character. The scary part is that they have no understanding of what democracy and humankind are all about. They think of themselves as elite but really show their ass. They are a loud mouth, plenty to say but no substance. That is really the trade mark of those three stooges.
None of the three stooges can debate the real issues because they have no positive record of accomplishments. That is why they and their party are always engaged in personal attacks. All three exhibit the trait of being insecure and ditto head followers. The strange thing is that they even look the part.
President Obama's Upcoming Address On The Economy and Job Creation
The most important thing President Obama can do in his Thursday's address to the nation and before a joint session of congress is to show leadership and courage on the subject matter. Leadership that shows he is in charge and that he wants and expects congress to implement his plans for jobs and the economy. Leadership that reminds the people that past republican policies has not worked and that they won't be revisited no matter what propaganda the republicans continue to spout.
Leadership that will remind the republicans he was elected in a national vote to lead the country and not members of congress. Leadership that calls out the republican party for what they are, obstructionist who want to see Obama and his policies and the country fail.
Courage to propose revenue increases and expenses that will create jobs that will truly put the country back to work. Courage to eliminate the tax breaks and loop holes afforded corporate America and the wealthy. Courage to cut cost by bringing all Ameican troops home who are serving abroad where they are no longer needed, such as S. Korea, Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Courage to stand up to the special interest lobby who are always looking for a hand out at the expense of the middle class. Courage to stand up for the middle class, those who make our democratic form of governing a true democracy, for without a middle class there is no democracy.
Leadership and courage to inform the Ameican people with facts that it is past republican administrations who are responsible for the great majority of the governments deficit spending and debt that has become a problem in our country and had the last three republican Presidents balanced the federal budget like President Clinton did the country would not be having a deficit and national debt debate or a job crisis. And above all leadership and courage to do those things the President has the power to do if the republicans in congress do not support his agenda to move the country forward.
Leadership and courage to direct the Small Business Administration to immediately stop giving work to fortune 500 companies and direct that work to those who are truly small business owners who would immediately have to hire workers. That was the intent of the Small Business Administration in the first place.
This is the time for the President to act with leadership and courage. The President needs to let the nation know that he will no longer be silent about the republican party's failures on the economy, job creation and the sad shape republican policies left the country to deal with, especially since they want to see him fail.
Leadership and courage will make the difference.
Leadership that will remind the republicans he was elected in a national vote to lead the country and not members of congress. Leadership that calls out the republican party for what they are, obstructionist who want to see Obama and his policies and the country fail.
Courage to propose revenue increases and expenses that will create jobs that will truly put the country back to work. Courage to eliminate the tax breaks and loop holes afforded corporate America and the wealthy. Courage to cut cost by bringing all Ameican troops home who are serving abroad where they are no longer needed, such as S. Korea, Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Courage to stand up to the special interest lobby who are always looking for a hand out at the expense of the middle class. Courage to stand up for the middle class, those who make our democratic form of governing a true democracy, for without a middle class there is no democracy.
Leadership and courage to inform the Ameican people with facts that it is past republican administrations who are responsible for the great majority of the governments deficit spending and debt that has become a problem in our country and had the last three republican Presidents balanced the federal budget like President Clinton did the country would not be having a deficit and national debt debate or a job crisis. And above all leadership and courage to do those things the President has the power to do if the republicans in congress do not support his agenda to move the country forward.
Leadership and courage to direct the Small Business Administration to immediately stop giving work to fortune 500 companies and direct that work to those who are truly small business owners who would immediately have to hire workers. That was the intent of the Small Business Administration in the first place.
This is the time for the President to act with leadership and courage. The President needs to let the nation know that he will no longer be silent about the republican party's failures on the economy, job creation and the sad shape republican policies left the country to deal with, especially since they want to see him fail.
Leadership and courage will make the difference.
Friday, September 2, 2011
The AT&T T-Mobile Merger: U.S. Justice Department Opposed
The Department of Justice sued in U.S. District Court to block the proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobil by AT&T. According to news reports the Justice Department filed its lawsuit because they believed the combination of AT&T and T-Mobile would result in tens of millions of consumers facing higher prices, fewer choices and lower quality products. In other words the consumer would be facing another created monopoly.
It is a known fact that corporate America's appetite for mergers and buy outs is to eliminate competition and there by have a monopoly. One can only hope the Justice Department is successful in its quest. They should also move strongly to break up the monopoly of the Wall Street Banks. Monopolies should no longer be allowed to flaunt their "too big to fail" ideology. I wrote a previous commentary on the "too big to fail" ideology and pointed out that any time you had a company that was "too big to fail" it indicated a monopoly.
Because corporate America and the Wall Street Banks have not lived up to their responsibility as responsible entities, the Justice Department should be active in seeking those monopolies out where they exist and sue to break them up. America and its people can not afford wealth and greed to be the defining force in its economic life. The negative impact of what the country and middle class are going through now should not be forgotten.
It is a known fact that corporate America's appetite for mergers and buy outs is to eliminate competition and there by have a monopoly. One can only hope the Justice Department is successful in its quest. They should also move strongly to break up the monopoly of the Wall Street Banks. Monopolies should no longer be allowed to flaunt their "too big to fail" ideology. I wrote a previous commentary on the "too big to fail" ideology and pointed out that any time you had a company that was "too big to fail" it indicated a monopoly.
Because corporate America and the Wall Street Banks have not lived up to their responsibility as responsible entities, the Justice Department should be active in seeking those monopolies out where they exist and sue to break them up. America and its people can not afford wealth and greed to be the defining force in its economic life. The negative impact of what the country and middle class are going through now should not be forgotten.
Bobby Jindal's Campaign Add: A Propaganda Fairy Tale
Bobby Jindal's T.V. add about job creation in Louisiana is a typical conservative republican fairy tale. The add shows a map of Louisiana with little signs popping up all over the state with the number of jobs created or will be created. One is especially laughable. It shows the Nucor Steel mill producing over 6000 jobs. And that is pretty good since the mill has not even been built yet.
The real story about job creation under Jindal is a sad tale. The unemployment rate in Louisiana when Jindal took office in January 2007 was 3.9%. The latest unemployment rate as of the end of July 2011 was 7.9% according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. And to think the state has approximately $8 billion tied up in special tax breaks for businesses who are supposed to use those tax breaks to create jobs.
The fact of the matter it is the national economy that create state jobs. The shutting down of Avondale shipyard proved that in a previous commentary I wrote. There has been a steady increase in unemployment since Jindal took office and his own policies have contributed to the unemployment numbers.
The national economy has experienced periodic down turns over the last 50 plus years. To help the state during such periods, past governors have handled the budget and the states economy far better than Jindal. Past governors took a balanced approach to put the states fiscal house in order and create jobs. Jindal's approach to state government is a ideology that is far different as to what a democratic government and society is all about. The people of Louisiana should recognize that Jindal's T.V. add tells a different story as to what is really going on. The governor could learn a lot from New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Jindal and many other state governors could never make the grade if they had no federal revenue to help them out. They would then have to raise revenue by some form of tax and look at themselves in the mirror. Of course, if they had character and courage to begin with, they would take care of their own state of affairs.
The real story about job creation under Jindal is a sad tale. The unemployment rate in Louisiana when Jindal took office in January 2007 was 3.9%. The latest unemployment rate as of the end of July 2011 was 7.9% according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. And to think the state has approximately $8 billion tied up in special tax breaks for businesses who are supposed to use those tax breaks to create jobs.
The fact of the matter it is the national economy that create state jobs. The shutting down of Avondale shipyard proved that in a previous commentary I wrote. There has been a steady increase in unemployment since Jindal took office and his own policies have contributed to the unemployment numbers.
The national economy has experienced periodic down turns over the last 50 plus years. To help the state during such periods, past governors have handled the budget and the states economy far better than Jindal. Past governors took a balanced approach to put the states fiscal house in order and create jobs. Jindal's approach to state government is a ideology that is far different as to what a democratic government and society is all about. The people of Louisiana should recognize that Jindal's T.V. add tells a different story as to what is really going on. The governor could learn a lot from New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Jindal and many other state governors could never make the grade if they had no federal revenue to help them out. They would then have to raise revenue by some form of tax and look at themselves in the mirror. Of course, if they had character and courage to begin with, they would take care of their own state of affairs.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Another First For Politidose
This writers past commentaries about how wealth has been transferred from the middle class to the wealthy and the problems it has caused has been well documented. It has also been pointed out how wealth has manipulated the stock market, the price of oil, the economy and our elected officials. Wealth has given us the monopoly of the Wall Street Banks who were responsible for the great financial meltdown of 2008. Wealth has also kept those Wall Street Banks from paying the price for their greed.
Now we find out that Warren Buffett comes to the rescue of Bank of America who's stock price has declined over 50%. Mr. Buffett has bought into Bank of America stock to the tune of $5 billion according to the report out of the Associated Press. Buffett according to the report said he considers the bank a strong, well led company. Mr. Buffett has enough wealth to manipulate a stocks price and in the first day of trade after the purchase the stock was up and Buffett had a paper profit of $357 million. Pretty good return even for Buffett, but his goal is long term so just think of what he will make when he decides to sell. Bank of America is one of the 6 Wall Street Banks mentioned above.
No one should get their nose out of joint because some people are wealthy. But when 1% of the most wealthy own 90% of all stocks and bonds and 6 of the largest Wall Street Banks have assets that equal 60% of the nations GDP, one can easily see how they can manipulate almost anything and they usually do. We are told that corporate America is sitting on $2 trillion of profit made just this year, Bank of America had cash and cash equivalent of $402 billion at the end of the second quarter. To top it off it is the wealthy who demand and receive tax breaks, tax loopholes and tax incentives from our elected officials who receive their campaign cash from wealthy donors and their lobby.
The common good of our nation and its people has been pushed aside by wealth and the greed it creates. The middle class quality of life and opportunity has been eroded by this transfer of wealth and the failure of our political leaders to stand up to the wealthy monopoly. Third world countries have no middle class and no power. Corporate America moves its operations to those third world countries for its cheap labor. Does any one think they pay their executives third world wages. They are really not American companies any more nor do they respect the American worker.
Warren Buffett pointed out in an earlier interview that corporate America pays on average approximately 15% in income taxes while the average family pays between 20 and 25% in income taxes. He said the wealthy should be taxed more, but what is he doing about it. The wealthy who say they despise big government are the ones looking for the handouts from big government. If the wealthy used their wealth to enhance the economy, create jobs, support the middle class, take care of their workers, big government would not be so big.
In fact government does have a role in life for our nation and its people. That is the essence of
Democracy. We see it at work after major disasters when people have no one else to look to. A democratic government has its roots in the common good of its people.
Once upon a time the U.S. had leaders who broke up monopolies in favor of the common good. Once upon a time we also had elected officials who served the public good instead of serving the wealthy and their lobby who are only looking out for their own special interest. It is the wealthy who now hold the upper hand. It can easily been seen by those elected officials who now openly flaunt their bidding.
Wealth has its place, but democracy is about government by the people and for the people. The type of wealth being flaunted today is not the American democracy we knew yesterday, or is it a positive force for making a stronger middle class. And that really says it all.
Now we find out that Warren Buffett comes to the rescue of Bank of America who's stock price has declined over 50%. Mr. Buffett has bought into Bank of America stock to the tune of $5 billion according to the report out of the Associated Press. Buffett according to the report said he considers the bank a strong, well led company. Mr. Buffett has enough wealth to manipulate a stocks price and in the first day of trade after the purchase the stock was up and Buffett had a paper profit of $357 million. Pretty good return even for Buffett, but his goal is long term so just think of what he will make when he decides to sell. Bank of America is one of the 6 Wall Street Banks mentioned above.
No one should get their nose out of joint because some people are wealthy. But when 1% of the most wealthy own 90% of all stocks and bonds and 6 of the largest Wall Street Banks have assets that equal 60% of the nations GDP, one can easily see how they can manipulate almost anything and they usually do. We are told that corporate America is sitting on $2 trillion of profit made just this year, Bank of America had cash and cash equivalent of $402 billion at the end of the second quarter. To top it off it is the wealthy who demand and receive tax breaks, tax loopholes and tax incentives from our elected officials who receive their campaign cash from wealthy donors and their lobby.
The common good of our nation and its people has been pushed aside by wealth and the greed it creates. The middle class quality of life and opportunity has been eroded by this transfer of wealth and the failure of our political leaders to stand up to the wealthy monopoly. Third world countries have no middle class and no power. Corporate America moves its operations to those third world countries for its cheap labor. Does any one think they pay their executives third world wages. They are really not American companies any more nor do they respect the American worker.
Warren Buffett pointed out in an earlier interview that corporate America pays on average approximately 15% in income taxes while the average family pays between 20 and 25% in income taxes. He said the wealthy should be taxed more, but what is he doing about it. The wealthy who say they despise big government are the ones looking for the handouts from big government. If the wealthy used their wealth to enhance the economy, create jobs, support the middle class, take care of their workers, big government would not be so big.
In fact government does have a role in life for our nation and its people. That is the essence of
Democracy. We see it at work after major disasters when people have no one else to look to. A democratic government has its roots in the common good of its people.
Once upon a time the U.S. had leaders who broke up monopolies in favor of the common good. Once upon a time we also had elected officials who served the public good instead of serving the wealthy and their lobby who are only looking out for their own special interest. It is the wealthy who now hold the upper hand. It can easily been seen by those elected officials who now openly flaunt their bidding.
Wealth has its place, but democracy is about government by the people and for the people. The type of wealth being flaunted today is not the American democracy we knew yesterday, or is it a positive force for making a stronger middle class. And that really says it all.
Monday, August 22, 2011
America The Beautiful: Polluted By A Right Wing Republican Conservative Ideology
No longer is America The Beautiful as seen thru the eyes of the leaders of today's right wing conservative republican party. It started with the election of Ronald Reagan. Mr. Reagan preached that government was the problem. It was too big and too expensive Reagan said and when he left office he was the biggest spender of them all and the biggest deficit spender at that. The national debt increased 186% on his watch. Reagan's attack on the federal government was an attack on the American people, for without the people there would be no government. The baton was passed down that bread the leaders of the republican party that we know today.
Those leaders of the right wing conservative republican party today think of themselves as the elite and look down on everyone else, especially the middle class and those who are truly in need. They lack character, courage, American ideals and the basis integrity in dealing with those things that really matter and make a difference to our country and its people. They are shallow individuals who are indifferent to America and its people's needs. They prefer the wealthy, corporate America and their lobby. They openly lie to the people on matters of importance and engage in personal attacks because they have no record of accomplishments or progress they can talk about.
They can not compete with the voice of reason, it makes them feel inadequate,they talk tough but have no substance. They have never seen a record republican federal deficit they did not love or a national debt increase that bothered them in the least. The past republican administration is a great example.
Those party leaders of today put their anti American ideology before America, its needs and their candidates running for the republican Presidential nomination are running on an anti American platform. They would rather see the President and the country fail and have no real policy or program to keep America the Beautiful. They like to project themselves as "hawkish" but they are really "chicken" because they are not capable of debating the real issues. They hide behind the wedge issues of abortion, gay marriage, the separation of church and state. They have backed off "family values" since they have proved to be hypocrites on the subject matter.
Serving the general needs of the country and its people are not part of their being a public servant. To them America the Beautiful is no longer acceptable. They have substituted their anti American ideology for everything Beautiful America has always stood for. And that really says it all.
Those leaders of the right wing conservative republican party today think of themselves as the elite and look down on everyone else, especially the middle class and those who are truly in need. They lack character, courage, American ideals and the basis integrity in dealing with those things that really matter and make a difference to our country and its people. They are shallow individuals who are indifferent to America and its people's needs. They prefer the wealthy, corporate America and their lobby. They openly lie to the people on matters of importance and engage in personal attacks because they have no record of accomplishments or progress they can talk about.
They can not compete with the voice of reason, it makes them feel inadequate,they talk tough but have no substance. They have never seen a record republican federal deficit they did not love or a national debt increase that bothered them in the least. The past republican administration is a great example.
Those party leaders of today put their anti American ideology before America, its needs and their candidates running for the republican Presidential nomination are running on an anti American platform. They would rather see the President and the country fail and have no real policy or program to keep America the Beautiful. They like to project themselves as "hawkish" but they are really "chicken" because they are not capable of debating the real issues. They hide behind the wedge issues of abortion, gay marriage, the separation of church and state. They have backed off "family values" since they have proved to be hypocrites on the subject matter.
Serving the general needs of the country and its people are not part of their being a public servant. To them America the Beautiful is no longer acceptable. They have substituted their anti American ideology for everything Beautiful America has always stood for. And that really says it all.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Republican Party's Presidential Candidates
Some of the names have changed, but not the anti American ideology they preach. The two debates and their campaign speeches are a sad rerun of their recycled rhetoric. They still offer no plans to the American voters and instead they keep up their personal attacks against President Obama. Their oratory is still abortion, big government, federal spending, who among them is the most conservative, tax cuts for the most wealthy, special interest groups and tax breaks for Corporate America.
Their rhetoric goes back to the Reagan years, but now it is more right wing, hypocritical, actual lies, a disdain for the American voter, a love of the special interest groups and down right anti American. They still evoke Reagan's disdain for big government even though Reagan was the biggest federal spender in history when he left office.
This bunch of republican candidates want to finish the job Reagan started and George W. Bush almost finished, that is bankrupt the federal government. That was obvious when the candidates were silent during their party's desire to shut the government down concerning the debt limit extension.
Their campaign is about the same old failed policies of their party. Lower taxes for corporate America, less regulation and make the middle class pay more. Trickle down economics is still their number one policy agenda that has failed dramatically. What could be more dramatic than the pitiful shape Bush and the republican party left the country in when he left office. Their ignorance on the economy, job creation and balancing the federal budget is played out in their past failures.
It would be a devastating blow if one of those candidates would actually be elected President. Yet, it could happen because President Obama has not shown consistent leadership or called the republicans out for what they are. That is a disappointment to all Americans but Obama is still the best candidate to lead our nation even with his short comings. When the election of 2012 rolls around, hopefully the American voters will have realized that the republican party they put in charge in the U.S. House and the republican party candidates are not fit to lead our country with their anti American ideology.
Their rhetoric goes back to the Reagan years, but now it is more right wing, hypocritical, actual lies, a disdain for the American voter, a love of the special interest groups and down right anti American. They still evoke Reagan's disdain for big government even though Reagan was the biggest federal spender in history when he left office.
This bunch of republican candidates want to finish the job Reagan started and George W. Bush almost finished, that is bankrupt the federal government. That was obvious when the candidates were silent during their party's desire to shut the government down concerning the debt limit extension.
Their campaign is about the same old failed policies of their party. Lower taxes for corporate America, less regulation and make the middle class pay more. Trickle down economics is still their number one policy agenda that has failed dramatically. What could be more dramatic than the pitiful shape Bush and the republican party left the country in when he left office. Their ignorance on the economy, job creation and balancing the federal budget is played out in their past failures.
It would be a devastating blow if one of those candidates would actually be elected President. Yet, it could happen because President Obama has not shown consistent leadership or called the republicans out for what they are. That is a disappointment to all Americans but Obama is still the best candidate to lead our nation even with his short comings. When the election of 2012 rolls around, hopefully the American voters will have realized that the republican party they put in charge in the U.S. House and the republican party candidates are not fit to lead our country with their anti American ideology.
Monday, August 15, 2011
The American Electorate: Out Of The Loop On Facts
The American voters ignored the facts concerning the economy, job creation and balancing the federal budget when they voted the republican party to once again lead the U.S. House that gave the country a split congress. The electorate easily forgot that it was the policies of a republican President and his party that gave the country an economic calamity with record job losses, a financial industry failure and who reversed President Clinton's balanced budgets in the very first fiscal year budget of George W. Bush. A disastrous turn around for the country and its people in such a short time.
Then came the mid term election in November that gave the republican party control of the U.S. House. The party that vowed not to work with the President received the backing of the electorate despite the past horrible performance of the republic party that should have been fresh in the voters mind. To make matters worse they elected the extreme element of the republic party, the tea party. The voters used excuses like, "send them a message" and other hype to justify their actions. And now eight months later the republicans in congress continue their opposition to the President's agenda that would move the country and its people forward.
The Obama administration bailed the economy out of the ditch, arrested the record job losses and once again created new jobs that put the GDP back in positive territory. The voters wanted a miracle however because they thought the recovery and job creation was too slow. They forgot about the past record of the republicans failure, the severity of the recession and the fact that it took almost 10 years for our country to recover from the great depression. The Bush and republican meltdown was more than just the average recession.
So the electorate forgot about the past in their eagerness for a miracle and launched by their vote the republican farce that played out in extending the debt ceiling. The republicans looking to hold on to everything responded by voting against everything that would move the country forward by using the false claim of having a mandate by the electorate. No such mandate actually exist and the country and the voters who wanted change now find the country in worse shape since the November elections.
The tactics being used by the republicans in the U.S. house to keep the economy crippled until the next Presidential election is anti-American. It is nothing new and the voters knew that when they went to the polls to vote. The republican party, especially the tea party are laughing out loud that they fooled the voters once again. The voters are also finding out that the tea party took little time to align themselves with corporate America and their lobby to grab a share of campaign contributions.
It was President Clinton who reversed 12 straight years of record deficit spending by the Reagan -Bush administrations, paid down debt, accumulated surpluses and put our house in fiscal order. The republicans are not about to let Obama do the same thing after the George W. Bush disaster. That is what is behind the republican party's anti-American ideology.
Total federal spending at the end of President Obama's first fiscal year budget was down 1.6% from the previous last fiscal year budget of George W. Bush. The first time total federal spending was down in over 50 years. But what the hell, what voter needed those facts. They would rather listen to the republican hype and out right falsehoods. Those voter can not now claim they did not know what would happen because the past record of the republican party tells the true story and speaks for itself.
Then came the mid term election in November that gave the republican party control of the U.S. House. The party that vowed not to work with the President received the backing of the electorate despite the past horrible performance of the republic party that should have been fresh in the voters mind. To make matters worse they elected the extreme element of the republic party, the tea party. The voters used excuses like, "send them a message" and other hype to justify their actions. And now eight months later the republicans in congress continue their opposition to the President's agenda that would move the country and its people forward.
The Obama administration bailed the economy out of the ditch, arrested the record job losses and once again created new jobs that put the GDP back in positive territory. The voters wanted a miracle however because they thought the recovery and job creation was too slow. They forgot about the past record of the republicans failure, the severity of the recession and the fact that it took almost 10 years for our country to recover from the great depression. The Bush and republican meltdown was more than just the average recession.
So the electorate forgot about the past in their eagerness for a miracle and launched by their vote the republican farce that played out in extending the debt ceiling. The republicans looking to hold on to everything responded by voting against everything that would move the country forward by using the false claim of having a mandate by the electorate. No such mandate actually exist and the country and the voters who wanted change now find the country in worse shape since the November elections.
The tactics being used by the republicans in the U.S. house to keep the economy crippled until the next Presidential election is anti-American. It is nothing new and the voters knew that when they went to the polls to vote. The republican party, especially the tea party are laughing out loud that they fooled the voters once again. The voters are also finding out that the tea party took little time to align themselves with corporate America and their lobby to grab a share of campaign contributions.
It was President Clinton who reversed 12 straight years of record deficit spending by the Reagan -Bush administrations, paid down debt, accumulated surpluses and put our house in fiscal order. The republicans are not about to let Obama do the same thing after the George W. Bush disaster. That is what is behind the republican party's anti-American ideology.
Total federal spending at the end of President Obama's first fiscal year budget was down 1.6% from the previous last fiscal year budget of George W. Bush. The first time total federal spending was down in over 50 years. But what the hell, what voter needed those facts. They would rather listen to the republican hype and out right falsehoods. Those voter can not now claim they did not know what would happen because the past record of the republican party tells the true story and speaks for itself.
Monday, August 8, 2011
The Debt Ceiling Special Committee
The President, the leaders of the U.S. Senate and House and members of congress approved of a special commission of 12 to implement the cut of approximately $1.4 trillion from the budget over the next decade. The committee will be appointed by the leaders of each party. This action once again proves that we have a congress that is void of leadership and a President that has not yet learned to lead.
Then to top it off the House has taken a 5 week vacation while the country still is in economic trouble and job creation has been forgotten. The republican party is again taking the lead in trying to prolong the economic problems they and the Bush administration created to sabotage the re election of President Obama.
Appointing committee's is nothing new for congress. It is a way to dodge their responsibilities and put the spot light on some one else. The special committee will be no different than others and corporate America's lobby will be on them like gravy on rice to protect their interest. It will be business as usual and the can will be kicked down the road once again. The republicans on the committee only responsibility is to make sure Obama, the American economy and job creation fail. They do not want to see another republican sponsored depression and recession turned around again on a democratic President's watch.
The news media is no help to the American people. They relish the fact that the congress is dysfunctional, it gives them a perpetual story to report on. They feed the dysfunction of congress by interviewing the same 12 or 15 members of congress over and over again and the people never hear from the hundred's of other members of congress who have something important to say.
The country was coming out of the economic chaos that was brought about by Bush and the republican's failed policies. And things have been getting worse since the republicans took control of the house. The best hope for America and its people is for Obama to start calling out the republican party for their unAmerican ideology and for the people to return both houses of congress to democratic control in the next election and give the democrats at least 60 votes in the senate to cut off debate so the democrats can enact a democratic agenda.
The proof is before our very eyes how the republican agenda has failed. Do the people need any more proof? It is noticeable that the republican party does not talk about the Bush administration and never mention the Clinton administration. There is a reason why, one was a great success, the other was a failure.
Then to top it off the House has taken a 5 week vacation while the country still is in economic trouble and job creation has been forgotten. The republican party is again taking the lead in trying to prolong the economic problems they and the Bush administration created to sabotage the re election of President Obama.
Appointing committee's is nothing new for congress. It is a way to dodge their responsibilities and put the spot light on some one else. The special committee will be no different than others and corporate America's lobby will be on them like gravy on rice to protect their interest. It will be business as usual and the can will be kicked down the road once again. The republicans on the committee only responsibility is to make sure Obama, the American economy and job creation fail. They do not want to see another republican sponsored depression and recession turned around again on a democratic President's watch.
The news media is no help to the American people. They relish the fact that the congress is dysfunctional, it gives them a perpetual story to report on. They feed the dysfunction of congress by interviewing the same 12 or 15 members of congress over and over again and the people never hear from the hundred's of other members of congress who have something important to say.
The country was coming out of the economic chaos that was brought about by Bush and the republican's failed policies. And things have been getting worse since the republicans took control of the house. The best hope for America and its people is for Obama to start calling out the republican party for their unAmerican ideology and for the people to return both houses of congress to democratic control in the next election and give the democrats at least 60 votes in the senate to cut off debate so the democrats can enact a democratic agenda.
The proof is before our very eyes how the republican agenda has failed. Do the people need any more proof? It is noticeable that the republican party does not talk about the Bush administration and never mention the Clinton administration. There is a reason why, one was a great success, the other was a failure.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Buddy Roemer: Republican Presidential Candidate
Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer announced his candidancy to join the republican field for their party's nomination for President. In doing so Roemer made it clear that corporate America and their lobby are running things in Washington because of the wealth they pass around in campaign contributions. He also made it clear that is why the status quo in Washington exists.
In his announcement, Roemer showed how campaign finance reform can easily be done by refusing to accept campaign contributions from corporate America and their lobby. Roemer understands that he will probably not be able to compete with the rest of the field who will be more than willing to sell their soul. But the beauty of his decision is that it is the only true way of reform because there are no laws or court in our land who can force him to take campaign contributions or find it to be unconstitutional.
The other beauty part is that it does not cost the tax payers one cent or tie up time in congress passing empty campaign finance reform laws with all the loop holes elected officials love to do. The news media should give Roemer the same coverage they give to others but they won't because most of today's news media is owned by corporate America who support the status quo.
The country needs more candidates like Roemer who reject the buying of elected officials. If enough candidates would do that over a period of time it would catch on. The voting public should understand that to refuse campaign contributions is the only true and workable campaign finance reform that will work for the benefit of America and the people. Voter should express that in the voting booth.
This writer has written several commentaries concerning the subject matter. Maybe just one touched a cord with Mr. Roemer and started the ball rolling. Hopefully, real campaign finance reform the easy way will take hold and set an example of how this simple change will return government to the people and for the people. We already know the status quo of wealth for votes does not work. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Are there any other candidates out there that have the character and courage? And that really says it all.
In his announcement, Roemer showed how campaign finance reform can easily be done by refusing to accept campaign contributions from corporate America and their lobby. Roemer understands that he will probably not be able to compete with the rest of the field who will be more than willing to sell their soul. But the beauty of his decision is that it is the only true way of reform because there are no laws or court in our land who can force him to take campaign contributions or find it to be unconstitutional.
The other beauty part is that it does not cost the tax payers one cent or tie up time in congress passing empty campaign finance reform laws with all the loop holes elected officials love to do. The news media should give Roemer the same coverage they give to others but they won't because most of today's news media is owned by corporate America who support the status quo.
The country needs more candidates like Roemer who reject the buying of elected officials. If enough candidates would do that over a period of time it would catch on. The voting public should understand that to refuse campaign contributions is the only true and workable campaign finance reform that will work for the benefit of America and the people. Voter should express that in the voting booth.
This writer has written several commentaries concerning the subject matter. Maybe just one touched a cord with Mr. Roemer and started the ball rolling. Hopefully, real campaign finance reform the easy way will take hold and set an example of how this simple change will return government to the people and for the people. We already know the status quo of wealth for votes does not work. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Are there any other candidates out there that have the character and courage? And that really says it all.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Conservatism: The Ugly and UnAmerican Ideology, Chapter II
I wrote a commentary under the above title Jan 30, 2008. That is over 3 years ago and the republican party in congress and their leaders are showing how truly ugly and UnAmerican their ideology really is in the current debt ceiling debate. The party that is most responsible for the national debt being a problem wants the congress and the American people to follow their advise to finish the job they started to bankrupt the country.
The tea party is showing their hand in all of this with their extreme agenda but make no mistake, there is no difference between the tea party and the republican party. They are one and the same and that is why the republican party supported the tea party candidates with money in the last congressional election.
Voters who supported the republican party are receiving what they asked for. They should not be surprised by the damage being done to the country and have no right to be ignorant concerning the republican party's true ideology. I know many of them are complaining and saying that is not what they voted for but the republicans have a past history and the voters knew how conservatism as practiced by today's republicans is truly an ugly and unAmerican ideology. That says it all.
The tea party is showing their hand in all of this with their extreme agenda but make no mistake, there is no difference between the tea party and the republican party. They are one and the same and that is why the republican party supported the tea party candidates with money in the last congressional election.
Voters who supported the republican party are receiving what they asked for. They should not be surprised by the damage being done to the country and have no right to be ignorant concerning the republican party's true ideology. I know many of them are complaining and saying that is not what they voted for but the republicans have a past history and the voters knew how conservatism as practiced by today's republicans is truly an ugly and unAmerican ideology. That says it all.
Monday, August 1, 2011
A Failure In Leadership: Kicking The Can Farther Down The Road
The President and leadership of both parties in congress just kicked the debt limit can down the road again by an agreement on the debt ceiling that is in stages and does not address the problem. In fact it is an agreement that is open ended with no closure.
The President's lack of leadership and courage in dealing with the republican's anti American ideology is a preview of things to come for our nation and its people. The President caved on all the issues he said he supported, revenue enhancement, long term debt limit until after the election and not in stages, a fair and balanced approach and too many other issues he said he believed in.
President Obama and the leaders of congress showed their cowardice by their decision to appoint a super committee to do the work they themselves were elected to do. One can be sure the committee will fail and I will have a future commentary on that subject. Obama's decision to embrace this so called compromise and caving in to those who are responsible in the first place for the national debt to be a problem illustrates just how weak a leader he is. President's Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy would have called out the republicans for what they are, a bunch of hypocritical liers and fiscal thieves.
The President and the democratic party were on the right side of the issue when they opposed extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and on the right side of the issue concerning the debt ceiling with a balanced approach that would have increased revenue by canceling the tax loop holes and corporate welfare for Corporate America and could have made both cases if handled properly. The President's weakness, lack of leadership and courage on both issues is a prelude to what the average American is in store for.
President Obama has shed all the positive positions he took during the campaign and does not even have a message anymore that he is able to articulate. He talked about having lines in the sand he would never cross, but he let the republican's hot air move those lines back over and over again.
The President has failed his responsibility to the American people who elected him to lead instead of being led. The excuse that this is the best deal he could get indicates the President has been overwhelmed and does not understand what the Presidency is all about. Congress is beyond hope because they suck up to corporate America and the special interest lobby. The President does not have to put up with that and the constitution gives him the authority to look after the well being of the nation and its people. The President lacks those leadership qualities and the courage to step up to the plate and fulfill his constitutional responsibility and duties.
The President's lack of leadership and courage in dealing with the republican's anti American ideology is a preview of things to come for our nation and its people. The President caved on all the issues he said he supported, revenue enhancement, long term debt limit until after the election and not in stages, a fair and balanced approach and too many other issues he said he believed in.
President Obama and the leaders of congress showed their cowardice by their decision to appoint a super committee to do the work they themselves were elected to do. One can be sure the committee will fail and I will have a future commentary on that subject. Obama's decision to embrace this so called compromise and caving in to those who are responsible in the first place for the national debt to be a problem illustrates just how weak a leader he is. President's Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy would have called out the republicans for what they are, a bunch of hypocritical liers and fiscal thieves.
The President and the democratic party were on the right side of the issue when they opposed extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and on the right side of the issue concerning the debt ceiling with a balanced approach that would have increased revenue by canceling the tax loop holes and corporate welfare for Corporate America and could have made both cases if handled properly. The President's weakness, lack of leadership and courage on both issues is a prelude to what the average American is in store for.
President Obama has shed all the positive positions he took during the campaign and does not even have a message anymore that he is able to articulate. He talked about having lines in the sand he would never cross, but he let the republican's hot air move those lines back over and over again.
The President has failed his responsibility to the American people who elected him to lead instead of being led. The excuse that this is the best deal he could get indicates the President has been overwhelmed and does not understand what the Presidency is all about. Congress is beyond hope because they suck up to corporate America and the special interest lobby. The President does not have to put up with that and the constitution gives him the authority to look after the well being of the nation and its people. The President lacks those leadership qualities and the courage to step up to the plate and fulfill his constitutional responsibility and duties.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Raising The National Debt Ceiling
President Obama did not handle the extension of the Bush tax cuts at the end of last year very well and is failing to handle the debt ceiling issue a lot worse. The President needs to start showing leadership and courage and stop pussy footing around with the leaders of the republican party and their anti-American ideology.
Obama should tell the leaders to go take a hike if they don't raise the ceiling in a clean bill with no attachments and that he will fulfill his constitutional duty as President and not let the country default on its debt obligations. The republicans are never going to work with the President for the benefit of the country and its people and it is time for him to get tough and carry out the responsibilities he owes to the American people. Obama was elected by the people of all America, members of congress were not and he should be pushing his democratic agenda instead of playing games with the little boy republicans.
The President should also be reminding the people every day that it was the republican administration of George W. Bush and his policies that created the national debt problem, the economic meltdown, the record number of job losses and economic problems for the middle class. He should also point out that no republican administration has presided over a balanced federal budget in over 50 years and that deficit spending is their method of operation.
The President should also be telling the republicans he is not about to listen to them concerning the economy, job creation or any thing to do with fiscal matters since the republicans have no positive record of accomplishments on any of those issues that are so important to the U.S. and its people. Obama needs to do those things immediately and often and stop letting the republicans control the dialog with their lies.
If the President is not up to the leadership challenge and take charge with courage it is this writers hope that some democrat with leadership and courage will run for the democratic nomination in the next election. President Obama is better than any republican candidate but he is not fulfilling his duty as a leader and that is what a President should do, lead.
Obama should tell the leaders to go take a hike if they don't raise the ceiling in a clean bill with no attachments and that he will fulfill his constitutional duty as President and not let the country default on its debt obligations. The republicans are never going to work with the President for the benefit of the country and its people and it is time for him to get tough and carry out the responsibilities he owes to the American people. Obama was elected by the people of all America, members of congress were not and he should be pushing his democratic agenda instead of playing games with the little boy republicans.
The President should also be reminding the people every day that it was the republican administration of George W. Bush and his policies that created the national debt problem, the economic meltdown, the record number of job losses and economic problems for the middle class. He should also point out that no republican administration has presided over a balanced federal budget in over 50 years and that deficit spending is their method of operation.
The President should also be telling the republicans he is not about to listen to them concerning the economy, job creation or any thing to do with fiscal matters since the republicans have no positive record of accomplishments on any of those issues that are so important to the U.S. and its people. Obama needs to do those things immediately and often and stop letting the republicans control the dialog with their lies.
If the President is not up to the leadership challenge and take charge with courage it is this writers hope that some democrat with leadership and courage will run for the democratic nomination in the next election. President Obama is better than any republican candidate but he is not fulfilling his duty as a leader and that is what a President should do, lead.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Drilling Offshore Louisiana In The Gulf Of Mexico: Facts And Nothing But The Facts
The American people and especially the people of Louisiana have been out right deceived and lied to concerning offshore drilling in the Gulf Of Mexico, the impact of rigs working or not working, the moratorium and the effects there of. This commentary will provide the true facts and show what President's policies were best for the nation, the people of Louisiana and yes the best for the oil industry.
The deceivers opposed the moratorium after the BP spill even though the explosion took the lives of 11 rig workers and no one seemed to have the answer as to what caused the explosion. President Obama made the right decision with the temporary moratorium. The opposition shoved safety aside and did a disservice to the families of the 11 workers who lost their lives and the workers themselves. The deceivers will herein after be addressed as the opposition.
The opposition kept talking about rigs moving out of the Gulf, being idle, rig workers in the thousands being laid off and making America more dependent on foreign oil all because of the moratorium. However, as Boone Pickens pointed out, the nation was more dependent on foreign oil before the BP explosion.
The record you are about to read concerning offshore drilling in the Gulf off Louisiana will not only tell the real story of the deception but point out how the largest exodus of rigs from Louisiana offshore in the Gulf happened on the republican watch of President George W. Bush along with the highest sustained price of a barrel of oil in the past 40 years.
The below annual yearly average of rigs working offshore Louisiana in the Gulf under the following administrations are:
1) The administration of President George H. W. Bush:
1989 72 Rigs working
1990 76 ditto
1991 57 ditto
1992 38 ditto
The annual average of rigs working under Bush's time in office 60.75
2) The administration of President Bill Clinton:
1993 60 Rigs working
1994 78 "
1995 82 "
1996 88 "
1997 102 "
1998 106 "
1999 88 "
2000 118 "
The annual average of rigs working under Clinton's time in office 90.25
3) The administration of President George W. Bush:
2001 119 Rigs working
2002 92 "
2003 85 "
2004 79 "
2005 79 "
2006 73 "
2007 61 "
2008 53 "
The annual average of rigs working under George W. Bush's time in office 80.12
Note 1: The above number taken from Baker-Hughes rig count annual average by states 1987-2010 and is the bible of rig activity used by the oil industry. The numbers do not represent the high or low for the year but the average.
One must note the offshore rig count declined 34 rigs on President George H.W. Bush's watch from his first year in office to his last. It increased by 58 rigs on President Clinton's watch and increased every year except one. The rig count not only declined on George W. Bush's watch by 66 rigs, it also declined every year except one. Does any one remember the opposition asking what happened to those rigs that caused the exodus on Bush's watch and where did they go.
The annual average price of a barrel of oil on George H.W. Bush's watch was $33.26. Under Bill Clinton's watch it was $24.78 and under George W. Bush's watch it was $51.34. In fact the highest sustained annual price of a barrel of oil on George W. Bush's watch was the highest in over 30 years and lasted 6 straight years.
Note 2: The above numbers on the annual price of a barrel of oil was taken from Historical Crude Oil Prices posted at inflationdata.com. It does not show the highest or lowest yearly price but the average.
The above numbers show that the Clinton Administration and its economic policies provided the oil industry with the best conditions to operate under and they responded with rig activity. Clinton's policies also provided the American people and the people of Louisiana the lowest sustained prices of a barrel of oil and there fore gasoline in the last 40 years. The record also is complete that Clinton raised the Corporate tax rate during his administration and increased taxes on those making over $200,000.00 a year and it had a positive effect onthe economy and did not hurt drilling one bit. The opposition has egg all over their faces.
There were good reasons for the moratorium on Gulf drilling after the BP spill that anyone with common sense can understand. What happened on George W. Bush's watch with the more than doubling the price of a barrel of oil and the exodus of rigs from the Gulf is called greed and one can be justified in concluding it was the result of the secret decisions made by the Bush administration and the energy industry executives. Why operate more rigs when the price of oil was doubled.
You could go back to the Reagan years and the results would be the same. The Clinton record would knock Reagan's socks off. So much for the fairy tale of republican conservatism.
Special Note: For related comparison of the above Presidents see my past commentaries on the Economy, Deficit Spending, the National Debt and Federal Spending.
The deceivers opposed the moratorium after the BP spill even though the explosion took the lives of 11 rig workers and no one seemed to have the answer as to what caused the explosion. President Obama made the right decision with the temporary moratorium. The opposition shoved safety aside and did a disservice to the families of the 11 workers who lost their lives and the workers themselves. The deceivers will herein after be addressed as the opposition.
The opposition kept talking about rigs moving out of the Gulf, being idle, rig workers in the thousands being laid off and making America more dependent on foreign oil all because of the moratorium. However, as Boone Pickens pointed out, the nation was more dependent on foreign oil before the BP explosion.
The record you are about to read concerning offshore drilling in the Gulf off Louisiana will not only tell the real story of the deception but point out how the largest exodus of rigs from Louisiana offshore in the Gulf happened on the republican watch of President George W. Bush along with the highest sustained price of a barrel of oil in the past 40 years.
The below annual yearly average of rigs working offshore Louisiana in the Gulf under the following administrations are:
1) The administration of President George H. W. Bush:
1989 72 Rigs working
1990 76 ditto
1991 57 ditto
1992 38 ditto
The annual average of rigs working under Bush's time in office 60.75
2) The administration of President Bill Clinton:
1993 60 Rigs working
1994 78 "
1995 82 "
1996 88 "
1997 102 "
1998 106 "
1999 88 "
2000 118 "
The annual average of rigs working under Clinton's time in office 90.25
3) The administration of President George W. Bush:
2001 119 Rigs working
2002 92 "
2003 85 "
2004 79 "
2005 79 "
2006 73 "
2007 61 "
2008 53 "
The annual average of rigs working under George W. Bush's time in office 80.12
Note 1: The above number taken from Baker-Hughes rig count annual average by states 1987-2010 and is the bible of rig activity used by the oil industry. The numbers do not represent the high or low for the year but the average.
One must note the offshore rig count declined 34 rigs on President George H.W. Bush's watch from his first year in office to his last. It increased by 58 rigs on President Clinton's watch and increased every year except one. The rig count not only declined on George W. Bush's watch by 66 rigs, it also declined every year except one. Does any one remember the opposition asking what happened to those rigs that caused the exodus on Bush's watch and where did they go.
The annual average price of a barrel of oil on George H.W. Bush's watch was $33.26. Under Bill Clinton's watch it was $24.78 and under George W. Bush's watch it was $51.34. In fact the highest sustained annual price of a barrel of oil on George W. Bush's watch was the highest in over 30 years and lasted 6 straight years.
Note 2: The above numbers on the annual price of a barrel of oil was taken from Historical Crude Oil Prices posted at inflationdata.com. It does not show the highest or lowest yearly price but the average.
The above numbers show that the Clinton Administration and its economic policies provided the oil industry with the best conditions to operate under and they responded with rig activity. Clinton's policies also provided the American people and the people of Louisiana the lowest sustained prices of a barrel of oil and there fore gasoline in the last 40 years. The record also is complete that Clinton raised the Corporate tax rate during his administration and increased taxes on those making over $200,000.00 a year and it had a positive effect onthe economy and did not hurt drilling one bit. The opposition has egg all over their faces.
There were good reasons for the moratorium on Gulf drilling after the BP spill that anyone with common sense can understand. What happened on George W. Bush's watch with the more than doubling the price of a barrel of oil and the exodus of rigs from the Gulf is called greed and one can be justified in concluding it was the result of the secret decisions made by the Bush administration and the energy industry executives. Why operate more rigs when the price of oil was doubled.
You could go back to the Reagan years and the results would be the same. The Clinton record would knock Reagan's socks off. So much for the fairy tale of republican conservatism.
Special Note: For related comparison of the above Presidents see my past commentaries on the Economy, Deficit Spending, the National Debt and Federal Spending.
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