Does any one remember the republican party's vow not to work with President Obama after he was elected President four years ago? Does any one remember the republicans refusal to act on the debt ceiling even though they rubber stamped Bush's many debt ceiling increases while he and the republican party who controlled both houses of congress turned Clinton's balanced budgets and surpluses into record deficit spending and debt for 8 straight years.
No one seems to understand the republican party;s real political goal, it has two faces. Bankrupt the federal government so programs such as social security and medicare will be no more and sabotage democratic administrations so they will fail.You see, for the record, republican administrations can not compete with democratic administrations in creating a sound economy, job creation, low unemployment, good wages for the middle class and progress for the people and the country. That is why they impeached President Clinton and vowed not to lift a finger to work with Obama.
Republicans knew Obama would bring the nation and its people back from Bush's second great republican depression and reverse the record job losses and a failed economy. The leaders who control the republican party today not only have no character or courage they have no shame and practice a conservative ideology that is unAmerican in nature. They are traitors to their own country and the people who elect them.
And if anyone thinks the republicans will work with Obama during the next 4 years they need to get a life.
Note: This commentary was written by John Lucia
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
President Obama's First Term In Office Has Been Positive For The Country and Its People
Not often in American history do we find our newly elected Presidents assuming office facing a economic calamity, massive job losses and a financial meltdown along with record budget deficits and debt. In fact it has happened only twice in the last 83 years. The great depression of 1929 and the second great depression of 2008, and both happened on the republican watch.
We know how democratic President Franklin Roosevelt rallied the people with his policies and brought the country back to economic health and put the country back to work. That story has already been written in history. Now we have another democratic President, Barack Obama who has been dealing with the second great republican depression of 2008. The job of returning our country and its people to economic health is not yet complete but we do know how much has been accomplished by the Obama administration so far in his first term in office.
The President's policies, including the stimulus, opposed by the republicans in congress reversed the massive job losses that hit 700,000 a month in 2008. That was the first step in new job creation that has added over 5.2 million jobs in the past 30 straight months. Unemployment that reached 10% for one month and was predicted by economist to stay above 9% for all of 2011 and 2012 was at 7.8% at the end of September 2012.
The federal budget deficit hit a yearly record of $1.42 trillion at the end of Bush's last fiscal year and still stands as a record today. Obama's first three fiscal year budgets ended in deficits of $1.29, $1.2 and $1.1 trillion, still high but less than Bush's record and Bush inherited the greatest economy, greatest job creation and greatest balanced budgets and surpluses. President Obama's fourth fiscal year budget that will end 9/30/13 is projected to come in with a deficit of less than a trillion dollars. Progress has indeed been made on cutting the federal budget deficit on Obama's watch.
Total federal spending during Bush's first three fiscal years increased a total of 21% over the previous three fiscal year budgets. At the end of Obama's first three fiscal year budgets total spending was down 1.7% in his first year, up 4% in his second year and down 1.7% in his third year for a total increase in federal spending for Obama's first three years of 6/10th of a percent. No republican President has cut federal spending in over 52 years. So much for republicans being fiscal conservatives.
All economic indicators are positive along with job creation. The country and its people have come a long way since the second great republican depression. We still have much room for improvement and the President's policies will continue to move the country in the right direction. Republicans in congress still fefuse to do any thing that helps the President and the country. They are traitors to the people who elected them to do their job and are traitors to their country for their unAmerican behavior.
I wrote a commentary early in Obama's administration that it would be a democratic President that turned things around for the country and its people and President Obama has lived up to the challenge. Presidents Roosevelt, Clinton and Obama have all lived up to the democratic party's pledge to govern according to the needs of the country and its people and have not succumbed to an ideology that preaches division, religious intolerance and greed. And that says it all.
All budget numbers above taken from the CBO records and or Treasury Department reports.
We know how democratic President Franklin Roosevelt rallied the people with his policies and brought the country back to economic health and put the country back to work. That story has already been written in history. Now we have another democratic President, Barack Obama who has been dealing with the second great republican depression of 2008. The job of returning our country and its people to economic health is not yet complete but we do know how much has been accomplished by the Obama administration so far in his first term in office.
The President's policies, including the stimulus, opposed by the republicans in congress reversed the massive job losses that hit 700,000 a month in 2008. That was the first step in new job creation that has added over 5.2 million jobs in the past 30 straight months. Unemployment that reached 10% for one month and was predicted by economist to stay above 9% for all of 2011 and 2012 was at 7.8% at the end of September 2012.
The federal budget deficit hit a yearly record of $1.42 trillion at the end of Bush's last fiscal year and still stands as a record today. Obama's first three fiscal year budgets ended in deficits of $1.29, $1.2 and $1.1 trillion, still high but less than Bush's record and Bush inherited the greatest economy, greatest job creation and greatest balanced budgets and surpluses. President Obama's fourth fiscal year budget that will end 9/30/13 is projected to come in with a deficit of less than a trillion dollars. Progress has indeed been made on cutting the federal budget deficit on Obama's watch.
Total federal spending during Bush's first three fiscal years increased a total of 21% over the previous three fiscal year budgets. At the end of Obama's first three fiscal year budgets total spending was down 1.7% in his first year, up 4% in his second year and down 1.7% in his third year for a total increase in federal spending for Obama's first three years of 6/10th of a percent. No republican President has cut federal spending in over 52 years. So much for republicans being fiscal conservatives.
All economic indicators are positive along with job creation. The country and its people have come a long way since the second great republican depression. We still have much room for improvement and the President's policies will continue to move the country in the right direction. Republicans in congress still fefuse to do any thing that helps the President and the country. They are traitors to the people who elected them to do their job and are traitors to their country for their unAmerican behavior.
I wrote a commentary early in Obama's administration that it would be a democratic President that turned things around for the country and its people and President Obama has lived up to the challenge. Presidents Roosevelt, Clinton and Obama have all lived up to the democratic party's pledge to govern according to the needs of the country and its people and have not succumbed to an ideology that preaches division, religious intolerance and greed. And that says it all.
All budget numbers above taken from the CBO records and or Treasury Department reports.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
James Varney, The New Conservative Journalist On The Times Picayune Editorial Page
It matters not the name of so called conservative journalists, they all have so many things in common. The first words out of their mouth is, "I am a conservative" which implies they think they are elite and they and only they have the answers to everything. They all promote republican talking points like a bunch of robots and have a record of promoting misleading information. Conservative republicans today inside and out side of congress in leadership roles preach a conservative republican ideology that is unAmerican.
Mr. Varney's editorial published in the Times Picayune of October12 is so childish. He does not understand when a lie is a lie. Conservatives will take anything to the extreme. He talks about the growth in government workers but fails to mention how many jobs have been created in the private sector.
Varney talks about unemployment being over 8% for 43 months and glides over the second great republican depression under the George W. Bush administration that made that possible. Of course Varney had little good to say about unemployment dropping to 7.8%. And never would he mention that unemployment under Reagan stood above 10% for ten straight months and Reagan was not handed a depression.
Varney's editorial of October 19 was even more childish. He claims that Obama did not seek republican support and just ignored what the republican leaders in the U.S. House and Senate said soon after Obama took office. That is they would not work with the President and their goal was to make Obama a one term President. He then went on to rewrite the Clinton Presidency by saying his great success was signing on to republican initiatives. The fact of the matter is that the democratic controlled congress in 1993 passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plans with out the vote of any republicans in the House or Senate. They all predicted doom and gloom and all voted no. The President's initiatives were his own.
I would much rather be an American first and foremost and have knowledge of the facts where ever that leads. As President Clinton articulated so many times, "when you operate on an ideology you have to come to a conclusion before you have the facts". Remember those WMD in Iraq that did not exist except inside Bush and Chaney's ideological mind.
This writer will take Americanism over conservative ideology any day. Thank goodness the Times Picayune carries E.J. Dionne's editorials to set the record straight.
Mr. Varney's editorial published in the Times Picayune of October12 is so childish. He does not understand when a lie is a lie. Conservatives will take anything to the extreme. He talks about the growth in government workers but fails to mention how many jobs have been created in the private sector.
Varney talks about unemployment being over 8% for 43 months and glides over the second great republican depression under the George W. Bush administration that made that possible. Of course Varney had little good to say about unemployment dropping to 7.8%. And never would he mention that unemployment under Reagan stood above 10% for ten straight months and Reagan was not handed a depression.
Varney's editorial of October 19 was even more childish. He claims that Obama did not seek republican support and just ignored what the republican leaders in the U.S. House and Senate said soon after Obama took office. That is they would not work with the President and their goal was to make Obama a one term President. He then went on to rewrite the Clinton Presidency by saying his great success was signing on to republican initiatives. The fact of the matter is that the democratic controlled congress in 1993 passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plans with out the vote of any republicans in the House or Senate. They all predicted doom and gloom and all voted no. The President's initiatives were his own.
I would much rather be an American first and foremost and have knowledge of the facts where ever that leads. As President Clinton articulated so many times, "when you operate on an ideology you have to come to a conclusion before you have the facts". Remember those WMD in Iraq that did not exist except inside Bush and Chaney's ideological mind.
This writer will take Americanism over conservative ideology any day. Thank goodness the Times Picayune carries E.J. Dionne's editorials to set the record straight.
Friday, October 19, 2012
The Second Presidential Debate: Romney's Big Lies Concerning The Federal Budget Deficit
Make no mistake, Mitt Romney lied when he said President Obama presided over four straight budget deficits of over $1 trillion. The President has had only three fiscal budget years since he was elected President and his fourth fiscal budget year began October 1, 2012 and will end September 30, 2013. Obama's first fiscal budget year began October 1, 2009.
It was George W. Bush's record single year budget deficit of $1.42 trillion that ended September 30, 2009 that Romney is trying to pass onto Obama and was the first ever single year fiscal budget deficit over a trillion dollars. The President's record for his first three fiscal year budgets came in with the following deficits: First fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 $1.29 trillion. The second year fiscal budget ending September 30, 2011 $1.2 trillion. The third fiscal year budget ending September 30, 2012 $1.1 trillion. See Note 1 below.
The numbers show that even though Bush inherited a record economy and balanced budgets from the Clinton administration, Obama did a better job at controlling deficit spending than Bush even though Bush bequeathed to Obama the second great republican depression and the first ever single year trillion dollar budget deficit. Bush, like his father and Reagan never balanced one one federal budget on his watch.
Romney also lied when he said Obama doubled the federal deficit. The numbers above show that was a blatant lie. Romney has become a serial liar concerning many issues though out this campaign, most of which has already been exposed. Romney is a man that can not be trusted with the truth or run the nations business. He has had more than enough time to tell the American people what he would cut to pay for his $5 trillion tax cut and refused to do so until after the election. This is a man who is afraid of the truth.
The way to stop the blatant lies of Romney and other republicans is to turn them off at the ballot box. Hopefully, the people will get the message.
Note 1: The deficit number shown above for Obama's third fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/12 was taken from a report from the Treasury Department to the Associated Press. The CBO will publish the final number in its official reports when ready.
It was George W. Bush's record single year budget deficit of $1.42 trillion that ended September 30, 2009 that Romney is trying to pass onto Obama and was the first ever single year fiscal budget deficit over a trillion dollars. The President's record for his first three fiscal year budgets came in with the following deficits: First fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 $1.29 trillion. The second year fiscal budget ending September 30, 2011 $1.2 trillion. The third fiscal year budget ending September 30, 2012 $1.1 trillion. See Note 1 below.
The numbers show that even though Bush inherited a record economy and balanced budgets from the Clinton administration, Obama did a better job at controlling deficit spending than Bush even though Bush bequeathed to Obama the second great republican depression and the first ever single year trillion dollar budget deficit. Bush, like his father and Reagan never balanced one one federal budget on his watch.
Romney also lied when he said Obama doubled the federal deficit. The numbers above show that was a blatant lie. Romney has become a serial liar concerning many issues though out this campaign, most of which has already been exposed. Romney is a man that can not be trusted with the truth or run the nations business. He has had more than enough time to tell the American people what he would cut to pay for his $5 trillion tax cut and refused to do so until after the election. This is a man who is afraid of the truth.
The way to stop the blatant lies of Romney and other republicans is to turn them off at the ballot box. Hopefully, the people will get the message.
Note 1: The deficit number shown above for Obama's third fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/12 was taken from a report from the Treasury Department to the Associated Press. The CBO will publish the final number in its official reports when ready.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Vice Presidential Debate Of October 11, 2012
Vice President Joe Biden won the debate with U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan hands down and big time. He won because he is one of only a few in public service who has devoted his life to the profession and was knowledgeable about the subject matter in the debate. Paul Ryan was not knowledgeable about the subject matter and gave the standard republican talking points as answers.
The Vice President is and was well informed on domestic and foreign matters and blew Ryan away on the abortion, Afghanistan, the stimulus, Romney's tax plan and the economy. Ryan's comment on the economy actually described what happened under the Bush's second great republican depression. Journalists failed to pick that up. Ryan smiled a lot but was uncomfortable with his talking point answers and lack of knowledge.
Joe Biden's performance confirmed why the President picked him to be his running mate in 2008. He is more than qualified to be V.P. and is just a heart beat away from the Presidency and could step up if that ever became necessary. Ryan's performance confirmed he is a long way from being qualified to serve as the V.P. much less President.
Knowledge, substance and facts was on display for the President and Vice President in both their debates and was absent from Romney and Ryan. Being agressive in debates with out substance does not qualify Romney to be President, it only gives the news media a reason to fill up air time. Joe Biden appeared to be agressive because he had command and answers to the subject matter that Ryan could not answer or answered falsely, therefore the V.P. won the debate because of his knowledge.
Understanding the past is still the key to the future and without knowledge, substance and facts past failures will be repeated. President Obama and Vice President Biden are the clear choice for the next four years, have learned from the failed policy of trickle down economics which was tried in the past. The President's economic policies are working and moving the country in the right direction for full employment. The President's reelection will assure the country and its people of a better future.
The Vice President is and was well informed on domestic and foreign matters and blew Ryan away on the abortion, Afghanistan, the stimulus, Romney's tax plan and the economy. Ryan's comment on the economy actually described what happened under the Bush's second great republican depression. Journalists failed to pick that up. Ryan smiled a lot but was uncomfortable with his talking point answers and lack of knowledge.
Joe Biden's performance confirmed why the President picked him to be his running mate in 2008. He is more than qualified to be V.P. and is just a heart beat away from the Presidency and could step up if that ever became necessary. Ryan's performance confirmed he is a long way from being qualified to serve as the V.P. much less President.
Knowledge, substance and facts was on display for the President and Vice President in both their debates and was absent from Romney and Ryan. Being agressive in debates with out substance does not qualify Romney to be President, it only gives the news media a reason to fill up air time. Joe Biden appeared to be agressive because he had command and answers to the subject matter that Ryan could not answer or answered falsely, therefore the V.P. won the debate because of his knowledge.
Understanding the past is still the key to the future and without knowledge, substance and facts past failures will be repeated. President Obama and Vice President Biden are the clear choice for the next four years, have learned from the failed policy of trickle down economics which was tried in the past. The President's economic policies are working and moving the country in the right direction for full employment. The President's reelection will assure the country and its people of a better future.
Monday, October 8, 2012
September's Unemployment Rate Comes In At 7.8%: Another First For Politidose
"Politidose" your daily dose of political commentary had another first concerning the latest unemployment number. The U.S. Labor Department had more good news for the economy and unemployment. 114,000 new jobs were created in September making it 31 straight months of positive job growth. The unemployment rate fell from 8.1% in August to 7.8% last month. The numbers continue to confirm that the President's policies are working and that the second great republican depression was met with sound economic policies.
Romney and the republicans have been saying for over a year they wanted to see unemployment under 8% so what was their reaction when the Labor Department announced that it was 7.8%? They accused the Obama administration of cooking the books. Romney and friends can not bring themselves to say anything positive about the economy because the middle class is being put back to work and they can not relate to the 47% and the middle class. Romney and his party are really a pittiful bunch.
I wrote a previous commentary dated November 30, 2010, almost two years ago, titled, "The U.S. Economy Is Back On Track" and pointed out that the Federal Reserve and the cable news channels were predicting an unemployment rate staying over 9% for all of 2011 and 2012. I pointed out in that same post that unemployment would be below 9% and closer to 7% for 2012. How did I know that would happen? I knew because democratic administrations have set a precedent in handling the economy and job creation much better than republican administrations. That is a fact that can easily be checked out by those in doubt.
If President Obama is reelected and the democrats can controll both houses of congress the President's job bill that has been before the republican house for almost a year will be passed by the democrats and the country and its people will have full employment within 18 months. That jobs bill has passed the democratic controlled Senate and is fully paid for.
That is another prediction I will stand by. Keep up the good work Mr. President.
Romney and the republicans have been saying for over a year they wanted to see unemployment under 8% so what was their reaction when the Labor Department announced that it was 7.8%? They accused the Obama administration of cooking the books. Romney and friends can not bring themselves to say anything positive about the economy because the middle class is being put back to work and they can not relate to the 47% and the middle class. Romney and his party are really a pittiful bunch.
I wrote a previous commentary dated November 30, 2010, almost two years ago, titled, "The U.S. Economy Is Back On Track" and pointed out that the Federal Reserve and the cable news channels were predicting an unemployment rate staying over 9% for all of 2011 and 2012. I pointed out in that same post that unemployment would be below 9% and closer to 7% for 2012. How did I know that would happen? I knew because democratic administrations have set a precedent in handling the economy and job creation much better than republican administrations. That is a fact that can easily be checked out by those in doubt.
If President Obama is reelected and the democrats can controll both houses of congress the President's job bill that has been before the republican house for almost a year will be passed by the democrats and the country and its people will have full employment within 18 months. That jobs bill has passed the democratic controlled Senate and is fully paid for.
That is another prediction I will stand by. Keep up the good work Mr. President.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu Is No Friend Of America
BiBi, Israel's prime minister is once again trying to undermine the foreign policy of President Obama concerning Iran and the middle east. In previous commentary I pointed out how Israel's leaders in the past have tried to undermine the peace process in the middle east and if any one starts a war in that part of the world it will be Israel with its nuclear weapons.
Now comes BiBi who wants President Obama to draw a line in the sand concerning Iran. He is trying to control and make foreign policy for the U.S. and Obma should reject his right wing extreme policies. Israel has a stock pile of nuclear weapons and a system to deliver those weapons. What BiBi and Israel want is the ability to use their military power in the middle east with impunity. It should be remembered that the leaders of Israel supported a war with Iraq over WMD that did not exist and they knew that those weapons did not exist.
President Obama needs to keep BiBI at arms length and tell him and Israel to stay out of the foreign policy of the U.S. Our leaders should not be willing to stoop so low as the leaders of Israel have done over the years.
Now comes BiBi who wants President Obama to draw a line in the sand concerning Iran. He is trying to control and make foreign policy for the U.S. and Obma should reject his right wing extreme policies. Israel has a stock pile of nuclear weapons and a system to deliver those weapons. What BiBi and Israel want is the ability to use their military power in the middle east with impunity. It should be remembered that the leaders of Israel supported a war with Iraq over WMD that did not exist and they knew that those weapons did not exist.
President Obama needs to keep BiBI at arms length and tell him and Israel to stay out of the foreign policy of the U.S. Our leaders should not be willing to stoop so low as the leaders of Israel have done over the years.
A Revised Job Report and Count For The U.S. Economy
The U.S. Labor Department announced on Sept. 28 that the economy created 386,000 more net jobs than it originally reported for the year ending in March. Total new jobs added was 453,000 new jobs and a loss of 67,000 government jobs for a net gain of 386,000 new jobs.
The latest report on consumer spending for the balance of 2012 is up and so is the consumer confidence index concerning the economy. Part time hiring for the holiday season will be robust as reported by the retail sales industry. The profound effect of the second great republican depression still demands a slower recovery than normal, but the President's policies are working, having a positive effect on the economy and job creation and slowly moving the country and its people to a full and lasting economic recovery and job creation. And like in the past the republican party has nothing to offer the country or its people and have been a traitor to the people they represent by refusing to do any thing to help the President's policies move the country and its people forward.
Yes, November 6 will be a very important election. The American people need to step up to the plate and reject the policies that produced the second great republican depression.
The latest report on consumer spending for the balance of 2012 is up and so is the consumer confidence index concerning the economy. Part time hiring for the holiday season will be robust as reported by the retail sales industry. The profound effect of the second great republican depression still demands a slower recovery than normal, but the President's policies are working, having a positive effect on the economy and job creation and slowly moving the country and its people to a full and lasting economic recovery and job creation. And like in the past the republican party has nothing to offer the country or its people and have been a traitor to the people they represent by refusing to do any thing to help the President's policies move the country and its people forward.
Yes, November 6 will be a very important election. The American people need to step up to the plate and reject the policies that produced the second great republican depression.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
The First Presidential Debate of 2012 In Denver
The Presidential debate of October 3 between President Obama and Mitt Romney is over and the post comments have begun by the news media, the public and other pundits. Those who take the view that being aggresive is what decides the debate believe Romney won the debate. Those who take the view that susbstance and facts is what decides debates believe the President won the debate. There are also post debate comments that President Obama should have hit Romney on his comments about the 47% and false comments on other issues made by Romney.
There is no question Romney lied about Obama's health care plan when he said it cuts $760 billion in medicare benefits. There is no question that Romney lied when he said he presented no plans of a $5 trillion tax cut that will benefit the wealthy. Both of those lies have been exposed during the last several months of the campaign.
Obama's health care plan cuts $760 billion not in medicare benefits but in payments to doctors and providers who have been over charging medicare which he mentioned in the debate. Romney's planned $5 trillion tax cuts was given to the news media by Romney many months ago with no details of how the cuts would be paid for. Andrea Mitchell with NBC put that up on the T.V. screen after the debate and confirmed that Romney indeed promoted that plan.
Did it occur to anyone that maybe President Obama did not want to expose the viewers to a tit for tac debate that would serve no purpose other than to confuse the public. The 47% comment, the $760 billion comment and the $5 trillion comment came out of Romney's own mouth and has been discussed during the campaign many times over. Romney convicted himself at the debate with his own lies. He must have mentioned the $760 billion and the $5 trillion 10 times. Just think of how the debate would have gone if Obama had to reject Romney's lies 10 times with tit for tac.
Jim Lehrer who moderated the debate let the viewers down with his selection of questions and with letting Romney push him around the rules he set up for the debate. I believe after the American people have time to absorb and separate the substance and facts of the debate from the sad story of falsehoods, they will give President Obama " A Rocky Mountain High".
There is no question Romney lied about Obama's health care plan when he said it cuts $760 billion in medicare benefits. There is no question that Romney lied when he said he presented no plans of a $5 trillion tax cut that will benefit the wealthy. Both of those lies have been exposed during the last several months of the campaign.
Obama's health care plan cuts $760 billion not in medicare benefits but in payments to doctors and providers who have been over charging medicare which he mentioned in the debate. Romney's planned $5 trillion tax cuts was given to the news media by Romney many months ago with no details of how the cuts would be paid for. Andrea Mitchell with NBC put that up on the T.V. screen after the debate and confirmed that Romney indeed promoted that plan.
Did it occur to anyone that maybe President Obama did not want to expose the viewers to a tit for tac debate that would serve no purpose other than to confuse the public. The 47% comment, the $760 billion comment and the $5 trillion comment came out of Romney's own mouth and has been discussed during the campaign many times over. Romney convicted himself at the debate with his own lies. He must have mentioned the $760 billion and the $5 trillion 10 times. Just think of how the debate would have gone if Obama had to reject Romney's lies 10 times with tit for tac.
Jim Lehrer who moderated the debate let the viewers down with his selection of questions and with letting Romney push him around the rules he set up for the debate. I believe after the American people have time to absorb and separate the substance and facts of the debate from the sad story of falsehoods, they will give President Obama " A Rocky Mountain High".
Friday, September 21, 2012
Mitt Romney And The 47 Percenters
Mitt Romney's comment concerning the "47%" that was caught on tape at a fundraiser really defines Romney's lack of knowledge and respect for the average American and also those Americans who are not wealthy.
Romney was actually born into another world that the average American is not exposed to. He has no idea how the 47% live, work and get along. Nor does he have any idea what it is like to lack affordable health care or a job. That is the Rosetta Stone to he and his wealthy backers who are trying to buy this Presidential election.
Romney has never served in the armed forces like millions of the 47 percenters have and as a result can not relate to them, their families or their hardships. He could not even find time to talk about the military at the republican national convention or the war going on in Afghanistan where they are in harms way.
The big problem is that Romney represents a republican conservative ideology that is unAmerican and also represents what the leadership of the republican party in and out of congress stands for today. The news media reported that those people at the fundraising in question paid $50,000.00 a pop to attend. Does anyone think any of the 47% attended this fundraiser? It just reinforces where Romney's allegiance lie.
America and its people can not afford to turn America over to an ideology that is unAmerican and anti middle class. We the people have worked too hard to move democracy forward.
Romney was actually born into another world that the average American is not exposed to. He has no idea how the 47% live, work and get along. Nor does he have any idea what it is like to lack affordable health care or a job. That is the Rosetta Stone to he and his wealthy backers who are trying to buy this Presidential election.
Romney has never served in the armed forces like millions of the 47 percenters have and as a result can not relate to them, their families or their hardships. He could not even find time to talk about the military at the republican national convention or the war going on in Afghanistan where they are in harms way.
The big problem is that Romney represents a republican conservative ideology that is unAmerican and also represents what the leadership of the republican party in and out of congress stands for today. The news media reported that those people at the fundraising in question paid $50,000.00 a pop to attend. Does anyone think any of the 47% attended this fundraiser? It just reinforces where Romney's allegiance lie.
America and its people can not afford to turn America over to an ideology that is unAmerican and anti middle class. We the people have worked too hard to move democracy forward.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Another Sad Moment For Conservative Republicans
This writer over the past several years has commented how the republicans use personal attacks against democrats because they can not compete on the issues. The latest personal attacks against President Obama concerns the terror attack at the U.S. Embassy in Lybia and the killing of 4 Americans is a prime example. Romney, Ryan and a host of other republicans accused the President of failing to protect our people at the embassy. Then some republican member of congress including Louisiana rep's Steve Scalise and Jeff Landry sent a letter to the President criticing the embassy for an apology about a anti Muslim film.
What chaps the so called conservatives is the fact that President Obama has kept America safe both home and abroad better than past republican Presidents. Reagan sent our Marines to Lebanon in 1983 to appease Israel and terrorists blew up the Marine compound killing 241 Marines and wounding many others. None of those terrorists have been brought to justice.
The worst foreign terror attack on U.S. soil happened on 9/11 and killed over 2000 Americans. It happened on the republican watch of George W. Bush and it happened while he was trying to talk tough. If you follow the conservative rhetoric, one would have to assume that Reagan and Bush failed to keep the country safe. But you did not hear them say that at the time.
Republicans have no character or courage and are a sad example of being a man and Scalise and Landry are the worst of the lot. Former republican Presidential candidate John McCain and then V.P. Dick Chaney during the election of 2008 told the American people that if Obama was elected America would not be safe. A man with character and courage would never use scare tactics on the American people. The President has not only kept America safe, he brought Bin Laden to justice.
The American people should get the picture by now. Republicans have no record of positive accomplishments so they try to bring the democrats down to their level. That is why they want to see democrats fail and that is what drives their personal attacks.
Its hell when you can't ack like a man and you have no character or courage.
What chaps the so called conservatives is the fact that President Obama has kept America safe both home and abroad better than past republican Presidents. Reagan sent our Marines to Lebanon in 1983 to appease Israel and terrorists blew up the Marine compound killing 241 Marines and wounding many others. None of those terrorists have been brought to justice.
The worst foreign terror attack on U.S. soil happened on 9/11 and killed over 2000 Americans. It happened on the republican watch of George W. Bush and it happened while he was trying to talk tough. If you follow the conservative rhetoric, one would have to assume that Reagan and Bush failed to keep the country safe. But you did not hear them say that at the time.
Republicans have no character or courage and are a sad example of being a man and Scalise and Landry are the worst of the lot. Former republican Presidential candidate John McCain and then V.P. Dick Chaney during the election of 2008 told the American people that if Obama was elected America would not be safe. A man with character and courage would never use scare tactics on the American people. The President has not only kept America safe, he brought Bin Laden to justice.
The American people should get the picture by now. Republicans have no record of positive accomplishments so they try to bring the democrats down to their level. That is why they want to see democrats fail and that is what drives their personal attacks.
Its hell when you can't ack like a man and you have no character or courage.
Friday, September 14, 2012
The U.S. Economy Continues To Create Jobs
The U.S. economy created over 90,000 jobs in August and unemployment fell to 8.1% from 8.3% the previous month. August was the 30th straight month of positive job creation compared to 14 straight months of job losses that went as high as 700,000 a month during the previous Bush administration. The wall street banks predicted in 2010 that unemployment would stay above 9% for all of 2011 and 2012 and they have been proven wrong.
The positive job growth has been accomplished with out any help from republicans in congress and their attitude of doing nothing to help the President move the country forward. It is a reminder how the democratic controlled congress in 1993 passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan and every republican in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate voted against it and predicted doom and gloom. The republicans were wrong big time then and nothing has changed for the republicans in congress in 2012. Their conservative ideology is still unAmerican.
History is repeating itself. It was Clinton's policies that created the greatest economy and job creation and now it is President Obama's policies that is laying the ground work for another lasting economy and job creation for the country and its people. The GOP is a non participant in those things that have made America and its people great. They are attracted to the wedge issues that divide America because of their unAmerican conservative ideology.
The second great republican depression is coming to an end. The middle class has suffered much and it is time the wealthy start paying their fare share and pull their own weight. President Obama has outlined his plan to see that it happens. He asked the American people for their vote at the democratic convention so he could complete the job. I believe the voters should give him that chance. The alternative is unacceptable.
The positive job growth has been accomplished with out any help from republicans in congress and their attitude of doing nothing to help the President move the country forward. It is a reminder how the democratic controlled congress in 1993 passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan and every republican in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate voted against it and predicted doom and gloom. The republicans were wrong big time then and nothing has changed for the republicans in congress in 2012. Their conservative ideology is still unAmerican.
History is repeating itself. It was Clinton's policies that created the greatest economy and job creation and now it is President Obama's policies that is laying the ground work for another lasting economy and job creation for the country and its people. The GOP is a non participant in those things that have made America and its people great. They are attracted to the wedge issues that divide America because of their unAmerican conservative ideology.
The second great republican depression is coming to an end. The middle class has suffered much and it is time the wealthy start paying their fare share and pull their own weight. President Obama has outlined his plan to see that it happens. He asked the American people for their vote at the democratic convention so he could complete the job. I believe the voters should give him that chance. The alternative is unacceptable.
The New Orleans Saints Bounty Gate and The BP Oil Spill
If you are asking yourself what in the world do those two events have in common that would be a reasonable question. And strange as it may seem, what they have in common is that the news media, printed, radio and television have never told the real story concerning both events and as a result the people have been exposed to what the news media does best today, that is, take up time and space.
The real story of the Saints bounty gate is that the Saints head coach, Sean Payton, let bounty gate happen and as a result was suspended from the team for the 2012 football season and left his players and team with out a leader. Sean Payton let his team down, let the fans down and gave a bad example to thousands of youngsters. Payton's actions were irresponsible for a head coach and jeopardized all the Saints have accomplished. Payton's arrogance displayed the worse in professional sports by believing he was above it all. The news media, especially printed news focused on everything else instead of the real story.
In the case of the BP oil spill the real story that was never told was the oil industry in general lied for the past 40 years by telling the people they had the technology and equipment available to plug any blow out TIMELY and remove any spilled oil from the waters of the gulf before that oil reached shore. The BP event proved they did not have the technology or equipment available to do the job TIMELY. To add insult to injury, the oil industry announced 3 months after the blow out that they were forming a company to do what they said they could do in the first place.
The news media during bounty gate tried to blame the NFL and even went to bat for Payton and the Saints players. They choose to ignore the real story of Payton's arrogance and his irresponsible actions that harmed his own team and left them without a head coach. Mr. Benson should have disciplined Payton for his actions long ago.
The news media during the BP spill and some elected officials from Louisiana tried to use the BP spill to blame President Obama for the moratorium instead of telling the real story. They became a tool of the oil industry and instead of telling the real story, they participated in a fairy tale much like the Warren Report. Football fans, football in general and the American people have been betrayed by a news media who is more interested in hype and filling up news time. Elected officials in the case of the B:P spill could care less because they live and work in con games and do the bidding of the oil industry because of their campaign contributions.
The late Paul Harvey had a part of his news cast called "the rest of the story". Today's media can't even tell the "real story".
The real story of the Saints bounty gate is that the Saints head coach, Sean Payton, let bounty gate happen and as a result was suspended from the team for the 2012 football season and left his players and team with out a leader. Sean Payton let his team down, let the fans down and gave a bad example to thousands of youngsters. Payton's actions were irresponsible for a head coach and jeopardized all the Saints have accomplished. Payton's arrogance displayed the worse in professional sports by believing he was above it all. The news media, especially printed news focused on everything else instead of the real story.
In the case of the BP oil spill the real story that was never told was the oil industry in general lied for the past 40 years by telling the people they had the technology and equipment available to plug any blow out TIMELY and remove any spilled oil from the waters of the gulf before that oil reached shore. The BP event proved they did not have the technology or equipment available to do the job TIMELY. To add insult to injury, the oil industry announced 3 months after the blow out that they were forming a company to do what they said they could do in the first place.
The news media during bounty gate tried to blame the NFL and even went to bat for Payton and the Saints players. They choose to ignore the real story of Payton's arrogance and his irresponsible actions that harmed his own team and left them without a head coach. Mr. Benson should have disciplined Payton for his actions long ago.
The news media during the BP spill and some elected officials from Louisiana tried to use the BP spill to blame President Obama for the moratorium instead of telling the real story. They became a tool of the oil industry and instead of telling the real story, they participated in a fairy tale much like the Warren Report. Football fans, football in general and the American people have been betrayed by a news media who is more interested in hype and filling up news time. Elected officials in the case of the B:P spill could care less because they live and work in con games and do the bidding of the oil industry because of their campaign contributions.
The late Paul Harvey had a part of his news cast called "the rest of the story". Today's media can't even tell the "real story".
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sports Journalism, New Orleans Style
Does any one in the New Orleans news media really understand how important a role the head coach of the Saints team or any team for that matter really plays? One would never think so reading and listening to reports for the past several months prior to the first regular season game this past Sunday.
The reports from sports journalists the last several months have gone something like this: The Saints are united and ready; they have been there and done that; they have the players and motivition; they have a seasoned coaching staff; they know what Sean Payton wants; they have Drew Brees; they know what has to be done; etc, etc, etc. And finally when Sean Payton's picture was hung at training camp with the caption, "just do yur job" they became sure of the outcome. Every thing was just going to be great.
Then along came the Washington Redskins and the story lines of the sports journalists after the game began to change. They now had questions about Payton not being there on the sidelines and then hedged their bets with the worn out cliche of "its only one game, and that the Saints lost their first game last year also." There was all kind of second guessing going on by journalists, something they do well but have no objective value.
How could they have missed the opportunity to inform the fans before the season started that the Saints could very well be in for a long and rough season without their head coach. I wonder if Mr. Benson was buying any of this reporting. If he is on board, maybe he will be reducing Payton's salary when he returns, if he does return.
I feel sorry for the poor fans who get caught up in all this reporting and get high only to be brought back down because of reality. Reading the funny's for this writer is more entertaining than reading or listening to reports by sports journalists. There are many good assistant coaches and there are many of them who will never be head coaches. The Saints are operating without a head coach, that is the bottom line and it does really matter.
The reports from sports journalists the last several months have gone something like this: The Saints are united and ready; they have been there and done that; they have the players and motivition; they have a seasoned coaching staff; they know what Sean Payton wants; they have Drew Brees; they know what has to be done; etc, etc, etc. And finally when Sean Payton's picture was hung at training camp with the caption, "just do yur job" they became sure of the outcome. Every thing was just going to be great.
Then along came the Washington Redskins and the story lines of the sports journalists after the game began to change. They now had questions about Payton not being there on the sidelines and then hedged their bets with the worn out cliche of "its only one game, and that the Saints lost their first game last year also." There was all kind of second guessing going on by journalists, something they do well but have no objective value.
How could they have missed the opportunity to inform the fans before the season started that the Saints could very well be in for a long and rough season without their head coach. I wonder if Mr. Benson was buying any of this reporting. If he is on board, maybe he will be reducing Payton's salary when he returns, if he does return.
I feel sorry for the poor fans who get caught up in all this reporting and get high only to be brought back down because of reality. Reading the funny's for this writer is more entertaining than reading or listening to reports by sports journalists. There are many good assistant coaches and there are many of them who will never be head coaches. The Saints are operating without a head coach, that is the bottom line and it does really matter.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's Failed Policies
In my commentary dated 6/23/12 titled "Bobby Jindal's Record On Unemployment" it was pointed out how President Obama did a better job of reducing the national unemployment rate in his first three years in office than Jindal did reducing unemployment in Louisiana in his first three years in office.
Now we have a report by the Times Picayune dated 8/18/12 where the Louisiana Bureau of Labor Statistics reported unemployment in Louisiana for July was 7.6%, up from 7.5% in June and 7.3% in July 2011. The increase for July was the third straight month unemployment increased in Louisiana. The sacred cow known as the $8 billion give away of tax incentatives to business is not creating jobs. That $8 billion has been off the table during all of Jinda's administration even though he has not balanced any budgets since he has been in office and budget cuts have resulted in state lay offs that have added to the state unemployment numbers. See Note 1
Jindal and the republican party that control the legislature have been a disaster to Louisiana much like the Bush Administration was to the U.S. and of course when Jindal served in congress during that time he rubber stamped Bush's failed policies. He followed the lead of Paul Ryan. Jindal has also copied the republican line of personal attacks because like republicans in general, he can not debate the issues. It's hell when you are a republican and feel so inadequate.
One can easy notice that republicans do not dare talk about Bush's record in this Presidential campaign because it would remind the people of the second great depression and their involvement in it. And when Jindal leaves office republicans who aspire to his job will not be talking about his record either because it will remind the people of Louisiana Jindal's failed policies.
Now we have a report by the Times Picayune dated 8/18/12 where the Louisiana Bureau of Labor Statistics reported unemployment in Louisiana for July was 7.6%, up from 7.5% in June and 7.3% in July 2011. The increase for July was the third straight month unemployment increased in Louisiana. The sacred cow known as the $8 billion give away of tax incentatives to business is not creating jobs. That $8 billion has been off the table during all of Jinda's administration even though he has not balanced any budgets since he has been in office and budget cuts have resulted in state lay offs that have added to the state unemployment numbers. See Note 1
Jindal and the republican party that control the legislature have been a disaster to Louisiana much like the Bush Administration was to the U.S. and of course when Jindal served in congress during that time he rubber stamped Bush's failed policies. He followed the lead of Paul Ryan. Jindal has also copied the republican line of personal attacks because like republicans in general, he can not debate the issues. It's hell when you are a republican and feel so inadequate.
One can easy notice that republicans do not dare talk about Bush's record in this Presidential campaign because it would remind the people of the second great depression and their involvement in it. And when Jindal leaves office republicans who aspire to his job will not be talking about his record either because it will remind the people of Louisiana Jindal's failed policies.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The Kennedy Brothers, John, Robert, Ted, Wealth and Public Service
The Kennedy brothers had wealth but did not work in the private sector to create or increase that wealth. Instead they choose to work in the public service. Their wealth was created by their father who taught them along with their mother that public service was an honorable profession. In fact their parents schooled them at an early age in politics and world affairs and talked about such matters at the dinner table according to many reports.
All three brothers wore the uniform of their country and John Kennedy served in the pacific as a P.T. Boat commander during WWII. The older brother Joe was killed in WWII on a secret flying mission and it was said had brother Joe lived he too would have gone into public service. Despite being wealthy, the Kennedy brothers served their country.
While serving in public office the Kennedy brothers did not cater to the well off or the wealthy. They spoke for and represented the comman man. Special interest groups did not write legislation for them nor were they granted special favors. When John became President he started the push to rid the oil industry of its special tax treatment called the "depletion allowance" which was passed by the Johnson administration. The President also took on big steel, U.S. Steel when they lied to him that they would not raise prices and then did so. U.S. Steel after pressure from the President rolled back their price hikes.
The Kennedy brothers had compassion for their fellow man, did not engage in wedge issues to divide the American people and always talked about the real issues concerning the country and its people. They also recognized the difference between actual threats to the country and those that were preceived. President Kennedy refused to launch a preemptive strike against Cuba during the 1962 missile crisis that the joint chiefs and the neocons were pushing for and wisely decided on a quaranteen. The President also had the character and courage to push for and have adopted a nuclear test band treaty. Senator Ted Kennedy had the character and courage to vote against an invasion of Iraq over WMD that did not exist. He was proved right when he said Iraq was no threat to the security of the U.S. The war actually proved his position was the rigtht one.
The Kennedy brothers believed government could do good and needy things for the country and its people and that government did have a role to play. They also believed in the free market system, promoted it with sound economic policies and always put the country and its people first. Although they served at a time when income tax rates were much higher for the wealthy than they are today, that played no role in their policy. President Kennedy reduced taxes while in office and were balanced to help the economic recovery that had been in progress for 22 uninterrupted months. (President Kennedy's State of the Union speech in January 1963.)
Many wealthy politicians today who serve in or seek public office approach public service as a means to promote their own ideology not based on what is good for the country and its people but what is best for their own self interest. Instead of an economic policy they have a tax policy. Instead of a foreign policy they try to talk tough. Instead of having compassion they promote wedge issues to divide the country.
The Kenned brothers service to the country and its people is a good example how out of touch todays public servants are. And in the middle of a Presidential campaign some candidates refuse to release all of their tax returns and address the real issues. Yes, there was a time in America when wealthy public servants stood tall and put their country and its people first. And yes, there was a time in America when wealthy public servants and the wealthy did not mind paying their fair share in taxes with out loop holes. It is very obvious why the Kennedy brothers were popular with the voting public. They were the All Americans of public service.
It is easy to see why so many public servants today are so jealous of the Kennedy brothers. They feel inadequate and do not measure up. Yes there was a time in America when public service was an honorable profession. Today, the wealthy spend their time trying to buy public servants with their campaign contributions and decieve the public with their Pac money advertising. They have brought dishonor to public service and our country. And that really says it all.
All three brothers wore the uniform of their country and John Kennedy served in the pacific as a P.T. Boat commander during WWII. The older brother Joe was killed in WWII on a secret flying mission and it was said had brother Joe lived he too would have gone into public service. Despite being wealthy, the Kennedy brothers served their country.
While serving in public office the Kennedy brothers did not cater to the well off or the wealthy. They spoke for and represented the comman man. Special interest groups did not write legislation for them nor were they granted special favors. When John became President he started the push to rid the oil industry of its special tax treatment called the "depletion allowance" which was passed by the Johnson administration. The President also took on big steel, U.S. Steel when they lied to him that they would not raise prices and then did so. U.S. Steel after pressure from the President rolled back their price hikes.
The Kennedy brothers had compassion for their fellow man, did not engage in wedge issues to divide the American people and always talked about the real issues concerning the country and its people. They also recognized the difference between actual threats to the country and those that were preceived. President Kennedy refused to launch a preemptive strike against Cuba during the 1962 missile crisis that the joint chiefs and the neocons were pushing for and wisely decided on a quaranteen. The President also had the character and courage to push for and have adopted a nuclear test band treaty. Senator Ted Kennedy had the character and courage to vote against an invasion of Iraq over WMD that did not exist. He was proved right when he said Iraq was no threat to the security of the U.S. The war actually proved his position was the rigtht one.
The Kennedy brothers believed government could do good and needy things for the country and its people and that government did have a role to play. They also believed in the free market system, promoted it with sound economic policies and always put the country and its people first. Although they served at a time when income tax rates were much higher for the wealthy than they are today, that played no role in their policy. President Kennedy reduced taxes while in office and were balanced to help the economic recovery that had been in progress for 22 uninterrupted months. (President Kennedy's State of the Union speech in January 1963.)
Many wealthy politicians today who serve in or seek public office approach public service as a means to promote their own ideology not based on what is good for the country and its people but what is best for their own self interest. Instead of an economic policy they have a tax policy. Instead of a foreign policy they try to talk tough. Instead of having compassion they promote wedge issues to divide the country.
The Kenned brothers service to the country and its people is a good example how out of touch todays public servants are. And in the middle of a Presidential campaign some candidates refuse to release all of their tax returns and address the real issues. Yes, there was a time in America when wealthy public servants stood tall and put their country and its people first. And yes, there was a time in America when wealthy public servants and the wealthy did not mind paying their fair share in taxes with out loop holes. It is very obvious why the Kennedy brothers were popular with the voting public. They were the All Americans of public service.
It is easy to see why so many public servants today are so jealous of the Kennedy brothers. They feel inadequate and do not measure up. Yes there was a time in America when public service was an honorable profession. Today, the wealthy spend their time trying to buy public servants with their campaign contributions and decieve the public with their Pac money advertising. They have brought dishonor to public service and our country. And that really says it all.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Super Pac's Political Wealth
People who contribute to Super Pacs who use that wealth to openly lie in their political ads are undermining the American political system. Those contributors represent what is wrong with the political system today. Why are there so many wealthy people willing to support lies instead of having an honest debate. Why has the wealthy stooped that low?
When the tax rates were 90% for the wealthy, the Pacs were no where to be seen. That is a good reason alone to raise the tax rate on the wealthy and see what happens. Maybe they would think twice and discover some courage to stand up and stand with America. The contributors who fund the pacs are the greatest threat to democracy and American itself because their sole purpose is to control the elected officials they support.
The news media abet's the pacs because of their purchasing power. They gladly broadcast the pac's ads when they know the ads are not truthful. There really is no such thing as a watch dog news media when it concerns the public good. The sad fact of all of this is that the voters really have a short memory and only 3 and half years after the second great depression of 2008.
When the tax rates were 90% for the wealthy, the Pacs were no where to be seen. That is a good reason alone to raise the tax rate on the wealthy and see what happens. Maybe they would think twice and discover some courage to stand up and stand with America. The contributors who fund the pacs are the greatest threat to democracy and American itself because their sole purpose is to control the elected officials they support.
The news media abet's the pacs because of their purchasing power. They gladly broadcast the pac's ads when they know the ads are not truthful. There really is no such thing as a watch dog news media when it concerns the public good. The sad fact of all of this is that the voters really have a short memory and only 3 and half years after the second great depression of 2008.
The Romney-Ryan Ticket: The Con Game Begins And The Lies Become Larger and Larger
Unfortunately the news media has no plan of pointing out their con game, especially the Sunday morning talk shows. Ryan, the so called fiscal hawk served in the U.S. House all eight years that George W. Bush ran the country and rubber stamped Bush's record deficit spending policies that quickly erased the Clinton budgets that were balanced and in surplus. In fact they put the country back in deficit spending in Bush's first fiscal year in office and all eight years of his administration.
It should be noted that Romney is on record as a supporter of Bush's policies. Romney and Ryan's record proves they are no fiscal hawks and like Bush, would continue Bush's policies that gave the country and its people the second great depression.
Total federal spending during Bush's eight years in office increased 61% over Clinton's eight years in office. Total federal spending in Clinton's eight years in office increased only 28% over the previous eight years. Total federal spending during Bush 43's administration of four years increased 28% over the previous 4 years. Total federal spending in Reagan's eight years in office increased 75% over the previous eight years. And so far federal spending under the Obama administration is averaging an increase of approximately 2% per year. So much for the Republican lies of the Democrats being the big spenders.
Romney-Ryan will continue the lies during the campaign and have already done so concerning medicare, social security, taxes and a host of other issues. One can only hope the voting public will remember that there is not a dimes worth of diffeerence between the Romney-Ryan policies and the Bush policies that put the country and its people in the second great depression and destroyed the nation's fiscal health.
Note: Federal spending shown above taken from records of the Congressional Budget Office. See commentary dated October 31, 2009 titled Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth published here in politidose and commentary dated October 27, 2010 titled: President Obama's First Fiscal Year Budget.
It should be noted that Romney is on record as a supporter of Bush's policies. Romney and Ryan's record proves they are no fiscal hawks and like Bush, would continue Bush's policies that gave the country and its people the second great depression.
Total federal spending during Bush's eight years in office increased 61% over Clinton's eight years in office. Total federal spending in Clinton's eight years in office increased only 28% over the previous eight years. Total federal spending during Bush 43's administration of four years increased 28% over the previous 4 years. Total federal spending in Reagan's eight years in office increased 75% over the previous eight years. And so far federal spending under the Obama administration is averaging an increase of approximately 2% per year. So much for the Republican lies of the Democrats being the big spenders.
Romney-Ryan will continue the lies during the campaign and have already done so concerning medicare, social security, taxes and a host of other issues. One can only hope the voting public will remember that there is not a dimes worth of diffeerence between the Romney-Ryan policies and the Bush policies that put the country and its people in the second great depression and destroyed the nation's fiscal health.
Note: Federal spending shown above taken from records of the Congressional Budget Office. See commentary dated October 31, 2009 titled Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth published here in politidose and commentary dated October 27, 2010 titled: President Obama's First Fiscal Year Budget.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Senators David Vitter and Sherrod Brown's Weak Answer To The Wall Street Banks
In a Times Picayune article dated 8/8/12 by Bruce Alpert it was pointed out that the two Senators want the Federal Reserve to increase Capital Requirements for large banks so those large banks don't fail and require taxpayers another bail out. The large banks are described as the top six banks that are twice as large as the top 50 banks combined. Those six banks also have assets that equal 62% of the U.S. gross domestic product. The Senators also addressed those six banks as "to big to fail".
This writer in a commentary dated 11/17/2010 titled "To Big To Fail" published here in politidose pointed out that any business that was "To Big To Fail" constituted a monopoly and should be broken up. Vitter and Brown continue to offer lip service to the real problem of the financial collapse of 2008 and continue to fail and address the real problem of those monopolies. Vitter is one of the many so called conservatives who hate regulations on those banks and now he and Brown's Capital Requirements would prevent another collapse of those large six banks so they say.
Those banks monopoly failed to get Vitters and Browns attention before the collapse and now seek a band aid approach to the same problems. What they should be doing is urging congress and the President to act to break up those six large banks and the monopoly they represent. Congress, Presidents and the regulators in the past understood the danger and damage monopolies could do to the country and its people and broke up those monopolies. That is what should be done to those six banks that control 62% of the economy.
Four years after the financial collapse Vitter and Brown offer nothing concrete that would break up those monopolies and prevent a future repeat of the past. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Nothing will change until Vitter, Brown and congress understands that. How sad, and that really says it all.
This writer in a commentary dated 11/17/2010 titled "To Big To Fail" published here in politidose pointed out that any business that was "To Big To Fail" constituted a monopoly and should be broken up. Vitter and Brown continue to offer lip service to the real problem of the financial collapse of 2008 and continue to fail and address the real problem of those monopolies. Vitter is one of the many so called conservatives who hate regulations on those banks and now he and Brown's Capital Requirements would prevent another collapse of those large six banks so they say.
Those banks monopoly failed to get Vitters and Browns attention before the collapse and now seek a band aid approach to the same problems. What they should be doing is urging congress and the President to act to break up those six large banks and the monopoly they represent. Congress, Presidents and the regulators in the past understood the danger and damage monopolies could do to the country and its people and broke up those monopolies. That is what should be done to those six banks that control 62% of the economy.
Four years after the financial collapse Vitter and Brown offer nothing concrete that would break up those monopolies and prevent a future repeat of the past. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Nothing will change until Vitter, Brown and congress understands that. How sad, and that really says it all.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Does the "Financial Cliff" Really Exist?
The people are being told the country will go over the "Cliff" if congress does not reach an agreement on such matters by the end of the year. However, no "Financial Cliff" exist because cuts will not happen over night, not even in defense spending as some are talking about, but will go into effect over a period of time.
Part of the "Cliff" is the extension of the tax cuts. The senate acted in a responsible way when it voted to extend the cuts to those making $250,000.00 a year or less and let the rest expire. The U.S. house voted otherwise and not do anything to help President Obama or the country. If the President can not get an agreement on the senate vote before the tax expires then he should just let it expire. It was the republican controlled congress that put an expiration date on it in the first place so let them bear the burden if they fail to extend the cuts for the middle class.
The positive outlook on the economy and job creation will eontinue to get better and that will also reduce the effects of the so called "Cliff". Keep in mind the experts were dead wrong when they predicted that unemployment would stay above 9% for all of 2011 and 2012. I covered that in a previous commentary here in politidose.
The real danger to our economy and job creation is not the "Cliff" but the failed policies of the past that the republican presidential nominee says he will reintroduce if he is elected President. Keep in mind that 20 years of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 underperformed compared to the eight years under Bill Clinton. And now it is another democratic President who's policies are slowly leaving the second great depression behind.
Part of the "Cliff" is the extension of the tax cuts. The senate acted in a responsible way when it voted to extend the cuts to those making $250,000.00 a year or less and let the rest expire. The U.S. house voted otherwise and not do anything to help President Obama or the country. If the President can not get an agreement on the senate vote before the tax expires then he should just let it expire. It was the republican controlled congress that put an expiration date on it in the first place so let them bear the burden if they fail to extend the cuts for the middle class.
The positive outlook on the economy and job creation will eontinue to get better and that will also reduce the effects of the so called "Cliff". Keep in mind the experts were dead wrong when they predicted that unemployment would stay above 9% for all of 2011 and 2012. I covered that in a previous commentary here in politidose.
The real danger to our economy and job creation is not the "Cliff" but the failed policies of the past that the republican presidential nominee says he will reintroduce if he is elected President. Keep in mind that 20 years of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 underperformed compared to the eight years under Bill Clinton. And now it is another democratic President who's policies are slowly leaving the second great depression behind.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Mitt Romney: So Called Tough Talk By Another Republican
The presumed republican party nominee Mitt Romney was in Israel this week end trying to talk tough on Iran and the situation in the middle east and is trying to follow the footsteps of Presidents Reagan and Bush 43, so lets examine their record.
Reagan came into office talking tough on terrorists, sent our Marines to Lebanon to bail out Israel and terrorists blew up the Marine compound killing 241 Marines and wounding many others. And as of this writing none of those who planned and helped with the attack have been brought to justice. Reagan also told the American people he would not make deals with terrorists and then sold arms to Iran in what came to be known as Iran-Contra.
Bush 43 came to office talking tough and then the worst foreign terror attack on U.S. soil killed 2000 plus Americans on that tragic day. Bush 43 then started a war and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist at any time during his administration. The unnecessary war created Al Queda in Iraq that allowed them to kill more Americans and keep the U.S. tied down to a war that lasted 8 plus years.
Obama came to office and instead of trying to talk tough instructed the CIA that his top priority was to bring Bin Laden to justice and that is just what America did. They not only brought Bin Laden to justice but the President showed good judgement and leadership with the burial of Bin Laden at sea. There would be no place of worship by Bin Laden's terrorists followers. Obama's actions have also kept the country safe with out the so called tough talk.
Romney has now picked up the torch of republican so called tough talk and would follow Bush 43's foreign policy. He even has many of Bush's foreign policy advisers on his staff. Republican tough talk is a good show but has no record of working to keep America and its people safe. People who talk tough for the sake of talking tough end up sacrificing American lives when it is not necessary and are irresponsible.
Reagan came into office talking tough on terrorists, sent our Marines to Lebanon to bail out Israel and terrorists blew up the Marine compound killing 241 Marines and wounding many others. And as of this writing none of those who planned and helped with the attack have been brought to justice. Reagan also told the American people he would not make deals with terrorists and then sold arms to Iran in what came to be known as Iran-Contra.
Bush 43 came to office talking tough and then the worst foreign terror attack on U.S. soil killed 2000 plus Americans on that tragic day. Bush 43 then started a war and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist at any time during his administration. The unnecessary war created Al Queda in Iraq that allowed them to kill more Americans and keep the U.S. tied down to a war that lasted 8 plus years.
Obama came to office and instead of trying to talk tough instructed the CIA that his top priority was to bring Bin Laden to justice and that is just what America did. They not only brought Bin Laden to justice but the President showed good judgement and leadership with the burial of Bin Laden at sea. There would be no place of worship by Bin Laden's terrorists followers. Obama's actions have also kept the country safe with out the so called tough talk.
Romney has now picked up the torch of republican so called tough talk and would follow Bush 43's foreign policy. He even has many of Bush's foreign policy advisers on his staff. Republican tough talk is a good show but has no record of working to keep America and its people safe. People who talk tough for the sake of talking tough end up sacrificing American lives when it is not necessary and are irresponsible.
Voter Folly: The Results Have Been Worse Than The Cure
Almost two years ago voters decided to put control of the U.S. House in the hands of the republican party via their choice of Tea Party candidates and the results for the nation and its people have been a disaster. Little to nothing has been accomplished since then to move the country forward in a positive manner to help in economic matters or job creation.
Now come November the voters will have another chance. Will they reward the republican party again for their opposition to every inititive of President Obama or will they stand up and recognize their folly of two years ago. The U.S. Senate just the other day voted yes to extend the Bush tax cuts but only for those making $250,000.00 a year or less and to let the remaining tax cuts expire. Now the ball is in the court of the U.S. House for action and the republican's there have said they would vote against the matter. If that really happens and voters relect a republican controlled House in the November elections, that will confirm their folly.
Understanding the past is still the key to the future and despite all the ups and downs of the economy over time, democratic administrations have always out performed republican administrations in every category to move the country forward. Voters have to decide if they want to continue to repeat the failed policies of the pasts or learn from those failures and seek a better future.
Now come November the voters will have another chance. Will they reward the republican party again for their opposition to every inititive of President Obama or will they stand up and recognize their folly of two years ago. The U.S. Senate just the other day voted yes to extend the Bush tax cuts but only for those making $250,000.00 a year or less and to let the remaining tax cuts expire. Now the ball is in the court of the U.S. House for action and the republican's there have said they would vote against the matter. If that really happens and voters relect a republican controlled House in the November elections, that will confirm their folly.
Understanding the past is still the key to the future and despite all the ups and downs of the economy over time, democratic administrations have always out performed republican administrations in every category to move the country forward. Voters have to decide if they want to continue to repeat the failed policies of the pasts or learn from those failures and seek a better future.
Friday, July 20, 2012
The Talking Points Of The Wealthy Concerning Taxes
Taxes, no one likes them, especially income taxes but every one knows they are necessary until another source of revenue is found to operate local, state and the federal government. We also know that the Reagan and Bush 43 tax cuts benefited the wealthy the most and threw the relationalship out of kilter compared to the tax middle income Americans pay. Taking together with the tax loop holes and breaks that are tilted to help the wealthy and Corporate America, one can see how tax fairness is a real issue in the November elections.
The wealthy, which includes Mitt Romney responds to this unfairness with the following talking points: "We simply follow the tax laws and if loop holes exist we take advantage of that. We are not ashamed and take advantage of what ever the tax code allows". Journalists seem to get tongue tied by these talking points of the wealthy, Corporate America and Mr. Romney but the answer to the talking points is very simple. The wealthy, Corporate America and Mr. Romney spend millions of dollars in campaign contributions to members of congress to lobby them to write the loop holes and create those tax breaks in the tax code for their own self interest. Their money talks and there are enough people in congress who are willing to create those tax breaks and loop holes. In other words those tax breaks and loop holes are not earned, they are bought.
The latest loop hole to be exposed is that Corporate America can ship American jobs over seas and can deduct that expense on their taxes. Does any one believe that congress thought about this loop hole on their own? It shows what the wealthy will do to avoid paying their fair share and how many in congress are yes men to that wealth.
America was a better country in all phases when the wealthy paid their fair share. The wealthy now not only want to pay less, they now also do not care about the harm they have done to the country, its people, the economy and job creation. President Obama has a responsibility to see that congress changes the status quo of this unfair problem.
The wealthy, which includes Mitt Romney responds to this unfairness with the following talking points: "We simply follow the tax laws and if loop holes exist we take advantage of that. We are not ashamed and take advantage of what ever the tax code allows". Journalists seem to get tongue tied by these talking points of the wealthy, Corporate America and Mr. Romney but the answer to the talking points is very simple. The wealthy, Corporate America and Mr. Romney spend millions of dollars in campaign contributions to members of congress to lobby them to write the loop holes and create those tax breaks in the tax code for their own self interest. Their money talks and there are enough people in congress who are willing to create those tax breaks and loop holes. In other words those tax breaks and loop holes are not earned, they are bought.
The latest loop hole to be exposed is that Corporate America can ship American jobs over seas and can deduct that expense on their taxes. Does any one believe that congress thought about this loop hole on their own? It shows what the wealthy will do to avoid paying their fair share and how many in congress are yes men to that wealth.
America was a better country in all phases when the wealthy paid their fair share. The wealthy now not only want to pay less, they now also do not care about the harm they have done to the country, its people, the economy and job creation. President Obama has a responsibility to see that congress changes the status quo of this unfair problem.
The Greatest Story "NEVER" Told By The News Media
There was a best selling book by the title, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" that was about biblical times. The Greatest Story 'NEVER' Told concerns political time still fresh in our memories but some how was never told while the story was taking place nor was the ending results ever told by the national news media.
The story is about how a "business man" President with an MBA degree in just eight short years reversed the health of the nations fiscal house. That President was George W. Bush. When President Clinton left office the national debt at the end of his last fiscal year budget stood at $5.8 trillion, a very manageable number. The federal budget was balanced four years in a row with record surpluses and the national debt was actually paid down by almost one half trillion dollars. The talk actually turned to eliminating the national debt completly since our fiscal house was in such good shape.
But along came "business man" President Bush 43 who's party controlled both houses of congress and immediately plunged the nation back into deficit spending at the end of Bush's very first fiscal year budget. That deficit spending continued through out his two terms in office and at the end of Bush's last fiscal year budget the national debt stood at $11.9 trillion, a whooping increase of $6.1 trillion or 105% in only eight short years. Bush also left office with out balancing one federal budget during those eight years. Needless to say not one penny was paid down on the national debt.
The national news media was silent while the Bush administration was tearing down our nations fiscal health and was also silent how that administration's fiscal policies has cripled the nations fiscal health for many years yet to come even though it is being played out at the present time. The same news people are pushing the republican talking points that Mitt Romney, a "business man" is the best choice to put our fiscal house back in order. Never mind that his stated fiscal policies would be the same as Bush's policies.
Understanding the past is still the key to the future and democratic Presidents have a superior record than republicans in moving the country and its people forward in every area that counts the most. The only firsts the republicans lead in are: Deficit Spending and creating debt and the largest increases in federal spending in the last 32 years. They also lead in creating less jobs than democrats by far. There is really no propaganda if the news media told that story as it was unfolding. It would just be a story to help the American people understand what happened on Bush's watch and how a "business man" President with an MBA and a flawed conservative ideology let his country and its people down. And that really says it all.
Note: References to deficit spending and the national debt taken from the CBO records and records of the Treasury Department.
Note 2: See previous commentaries on deficit spending and the national debt published here in PolitiDose.
The story is about how a "business man" President with an MBA degree in just eight short years reversed the health of the nations fiscal house. That President was George W. Bush. When President Clinton left office the national debt at the end of his last fiscal year budget stood at $5.8 trillion, a very manageable number. The federal budget was balanced four years in a row with record surpluses and the national debt was actually paid down by almost one half trillion dollars. The talk actually turned to eliminating the national debt completly since our fiscal house was in such good shape.
But along came "business man" President Bush 43 who's party controlled both houses of congress and immediately plunged the nation back into deficit spending at the end of Bush's very first fiscal year budget. That deficit spending continued through out his two terms in office and at the end of Bush's last fiscal year budget the national debt stood at $11.9 trillion, a whooping increase of $6.1 trillion or 105% in only eight short years. Bush also left office with out balancing one federal budget during those eight years. Needless to say not one penny was paid down on the national debt.
The national news media was silent while the Bush administration was tearing down our nations fiscal health and was also silent how that administration's fiscal policies has cripled the nations fiscal health for many years yet to come even though it is being played out at the present time. The same news people are pushing the republican talking points that Mitt Romney, a "business man" is the best choice to put our fiscal house back in order. Never mind that his stated fiscal policies would be the same as Bush's policies.
Understanding the past is still the key to the future and democratic Presidents have a superior record than republicans in moving the country and its people forward in every area that counts the most. The only firsts the republicans lead in are: Deficit Spending and creating debt and the largest increases in federal spending in the last 32 years. They also lead in creating less jobs than democrats by far. There is really no propaganda if the news media told that story as it was unfolding. It would just be a story to help the American people understand what happened on Bush's watch and how a "business man" President with an MBA and a flawed conservative ideology let his country and its people down. And that really says it all.
Note: References to deficit spending and the national debt taken from the CBO records and records of the Treasury Department.
Note 2: See previous commentaries on deficit spending and the national debt published here in PolitiDose.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Louisiana's Grand Old Party: A Very Sad Bunch Of Public Servants
I wrote a commentary here in PolitiDose concerning Louisiana's three stooges in Congress, namely David Vitter, Steve Scalise and Jeff Landry. They seem to be in the news more than the other Louisiana representatives serving in congress but all of them collectively represent a very sad bunch of public servants for what once was called the Grand Old Party.
Those so called republican conservatives from Louisiana all served during the Bush 43 administration with the exception of Landry and rubber stamped Bush's policies that became the greatest job killers since the great depression; gave the country and its people the second great depression and meltdown of the economy and turned President Clinton's balanced budgets and surpluses into eight straight years of record deficit spending and debt; the largest single yearly budget deficit in the history of the country to the tune of $1.42 trillion. And then to top it off, the failure of the Wall Street Banks because Republicans looked the other way instead of enforcing regulations.
Those republicans along with Bobby Jindal, who also served in congress during the Bush 43 administration have done a poor job of bringing new jobs to Louisiana and their do nothing attitude explains why. The unemployment rate in January 2008 in Louisiana when Jindal took office was 3.8%. In May 2012 it was 7.2% an increase of 3.4%. State layoffs and budget cuts along with Jindal's inability to balance the state budgets have continued the job killing that goes along with republican administrations both on the federal and state level. Makes no different if republicans are representing Louisiana in the state legislature or congress, the result is the same, "disaster".
These are the very same Louisiana republicans who had a chance to cut federal spending while they served in congress during the Bush 43 eight years in office and instead gave the country and its people eight straight years of recoed deficit spending and debt. Federal spending was down 1.6% at the end of President Obama's first fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/10 compared to Bush's last fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/09. No republican President has balanced the federal budget since Eisenhower in 1960, over 50 years ago and no republican President in over 50 years has cut federal spending year to year.
The kicker with the Louisiana republicans is their support for Mitt Romney who's stated policies, if elected would ape the Bush policies that failed the country big time. Understanding the past is still the key to the future and the past talking points of republicans that they continue using today is a prescription for the third great depression. The country and its people deserve a better future.
Note: See my past commentaries here in PolitiDose about Jindal's failure to balance the state budgets even though Jindal and the state legislature has announced the budgets are balanced. A pure and simple fairytale.
Those so called republican conservatives from Louisiana all served during the Bush 43 administration with the exception of Landry and rubber stamped Bush's policies that became the greatest job killers since the great depression; gave the country and its people the second great depression and meltdown of the economy and turned President Clinton's balanced budgets and surpluses into eight straight years of record deficit spending and debt; the largest single yearly budget deficit in the history of the country to the tune of $1.42 trillion. And then to top it off, the failure of the Wall Street Banks because Republicans looked the other way instead of enforcing regulations.
Those republicans along with Bobby Jindal, who also served in congress during the Bush 43 administration have done a poor job of bringing new jobs to Louisiana and their do nothing attitude explains why. The unemployment rate in January 2008 in Louisiana when Jindal took office was 3.8%. In May 2012 it was 7.2% an increase of 3.4%. State layoffs and budget cuts along with Jindal's inability to balance the state budgets have continued the job killing that goes along with republican administrations both on the federal and state level. Makes no different if republicans are representing Louisiana in the state legislature or congress, the result is the same, "disaster".
These are the very same Louisiana republicans who had a chance to cut federal spending while they served in congress during the Bush 43 eight years in office and instead gave the country and its people eight straight years of recoed deficit spending and debt. Federal spending was down 1.6% at the end of President Obama's first fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/10 compared to Bush's last fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/09. No republican President has balanced the federal budget since Eisenhower in 1960, over 50 years ago and no republican President in over 50 years has cut federal spending year to year.
The kicker with the Louisiana republicans is their support for Mitt Romney who's stated policies, if elected would ape the Bush policies that failed the country big time. Understanding the past is still the key to the future and the past talking points of republicans that they continue using today is a prescription for the third great depression. The country and its people deserve a better future.
Note: See my past commentaries here in PolitiDose about Jindal's failure to balance the state budgets even though Jindal and the state legislature has announced the budgets are balanced. A pure and simple fairytale.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Trying To Digest An Editorial By Cokie and Steve Roberts
The editorial in the Times Picayune dated 7/13/12 titled "Shine A Light On Political Donations" by Cokie and Steve Roberts was timely, but unfortunately their solution of "disclosure" is not the answer. Every one knows the major Oil Companies and the Oil Industry in general give a lot of money to elected officials to keep their obscene tax breaks but that disclosure has not had any effect on our elected officials who continue those tax breaks.
Every one knows the PAC's and Super PAC's money for certain elected officials is a clear attempt to influence elections and receive favors but voters do not use that information to determine their vote. Voters believe more in talking points than any thing else because journalists give them no help in separating fact from fiction. A great example is the republican talking point that the democratic party are the big spenders in Washington and that they are responsible for deficit spending and run away debt.
However if one would only check with the CBO they would find that the largest increase in federal spending in the past 32 years happened on Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43's watch and so did deficit spending and the national debt. In fact if those 3 republican Presidents would have balanced the federal budget as President Clinton did, deficit spending and the national debt would not be a problem today. The sad part is republicans are still using those same talking points on shows like Meet the Press and others and journalists just let it slide like it is fact and never challenge those talking points. Are we supposed to believe that journalists don't know the CBO keeps the final federal budget numbers for all to see?
In this writers opinion which I have commented on here in politidose over the past years, the only solution that is viable to stop the buying of elected officials is for elected officials to refuse any and all campaign contributions from any source and be innovative and come up with a system where contributions are not wanted. People in the news media have to step up to the plate and put the blame where it belongs, on Corporate American and their lobby, the Pacs and super Pacs who give millions of dollars to elected officials to do their bidding and elected officials who eagerly take their money and do their bidding.
The news media is partly to blame because they are silent on the real problem. They love all the money the Pacs, Corporate America and their lobby give the networks in the form of political ads. They are also like the elected officials who take the money and then do their bidding even to the point of slanting news reports either in favor or against certain political candidates and elected officials.
The beauty of elected officials to just say no thanks is that the Supreme Court has nothing to say in the matter, it would not cost the tax payers one dollar and campaign finance reform would be real. There is nothing naive in all of this. The only requirement is character, courage and the will to get it done. Maybe Cokie and Steve could be the first ones to get the ball rolling and put the blame where it belongs.
Note: See previously published comments concerning Federal Spending, Debt and Deficit Spending published herein.
Every one knows the PAC's and Super PAC's money for certain elected officials is a clear attempt to influence elections and receive favors but voters do not use that information to determine their vote. Voters believe more in talking points than any thing else because journalists give them no help in separating fact from fiction. A great example is the republican talking point that the democratic party are the big spenders in Washington and that they are responsible for deficit spending and run away debt.
However if one would only check with the CBO they would find that the largest increase in federal spending in the past 32 years happened on Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43's watch and so did deficit spending and the national debt. In fact if those 3 republican Presidents would have balanced the federal budget as President Clinton did, deficit spending and the national debt would not be a problem today. The sad part is republicans are still using those same talking points on shows like Meet the Press and others and journalists just let it slide like it is fact and never challenge those talking points. Are we supposed to believe that journalists don't know the CBO keeps the final federal budget numbers for all to see?
In this writers opinion which I have commented on here in politidose over the past years, the only solution that is viable to stop the buying of elected officials is for elected officials to refuse any and all campaign contributions from any source and be innovative and come up with a system where contributions are not wanted. People in the news media have to step up to the plate and put the blame where it belongs, on Corporate American and their lobby, the Pacs and super Pacs who give millions of dollars to elected officials to do their bidding and elected officials who eagerly take their money and do their bidding.
The news media is partly to blame because they are silent on the real problem. They love all the money the Pacs, Corporate America and their lobby give the networks in the form of political ads. They are also like the elected officials who take the money and then do their bidding even to the point of slanting news reports either in favor or against certain political candidates and elected officials.
The beauty of elected officials to just say no thanks is that the Supreme Court has nothing to say in the matter, it would not cost the tax payers one dollar and campaign finance reform would be real. There is nothing naive in all of this. The only requirement is character, courage and the will to get it done. Maybe Cokie and Steve could be the first ones to get the ball rolling and put the blame where it belongs.
Note: See previously published comments concerning Federal Spending, Debt and Deficit Spending published herein.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The State Of Louisiana's Revenue Problem
Louisiana's revenue shortfall problem can be directly related to the $8 billion in lost revenue because of tax exemptions, credits and rebates that go mainly to business for so called job creation and other goodies that the business community lobby for. And of course, elected officials just can't pass up the campaign contributions that go along with their lobby friends.
That $8 billion give away of tax payers money represents 30% of the current $26.5 billion Louisiana budget. That is obscene to every person with common sense. Former governor Blanco not only balanced the state budget but left the Jindal administration a surplus of $1 billion when Jindal took office and a unemployment rate of 3.8%. Jindal and the state legislature has not balanced one state budget since Jindal took office over four years ago.
Here is how Jindal and the legislature has played the budget con game. Jindal announces the budget is out of balance and cuts need to be made. The legislature makes the cuts and then announces the budget is balanced and before the budget year is up, Jindal announces once again the budget is out of balance by millions of dollar and more cuts have to be made. That con game has continued into the past budget year and before this budget year ends Jindal will announce once again the current budget is out of balance by millions of dollars. In my previous commentary here in politidose, I pointed out the same con game would take place before the last fiscal year budget ended and it certainly did happen.
Now we read in the Times Picayune of 7/10/12 in an article by Ed Anderson that Senator Jack Donahue, sponsor of a resolution to create a panel to look into repealing or modifying some of the states tax breaks as a means of increasing revenue for the state. The article says state officials estimate the tax breaks could total $6.8 billion. However, District 102 representative Jeff Arnold in his news letter to the people he represents says the number is $8 billion.
What motivates the decision to look at this Corporate Welfare for business now and not the last four years of this budget con game. Have these elected officials finally seen the light or do they finally realize its time to find some character and courage and put a stop to this transfer of wealth from the middle class. All businesses should pay their fair share.
The last four years of the budget con game of cutting spending by this administration and legislature has gotten into the pockets of the middle class in a hundred different ways while those $8 billion in tax exemptions and etc., has not been touched. President Obama's stimulus has done more to create jobs nationally than Louisiana's $8 billion give away has done for the state. Mr. Anderson should write a commentary comparing how Louisiana's unemployment has done in the first three years under Jindal and compare that with how unemployment has done nationally under the first three years of President Obama. Better yet, Mr. Anderson can just log onto "politidose" and read this writers commentary about the subject matter only a few weeks ago.
The legislature's committee that is supposed to look into this tax exempt matter should remember what Warren Buffett has been saying all along. Taxes are not a burden to businesses making a profit or growing their business and that no good business man ever let taxes stop a new business adventure.
That $8 billion give away of tax payers money represents 30% of the current $26.5 billion Louisiana budget. That is obscene to every person with common sense. Former governor Blanco not only balanced the state budget but left the Jindal administration a surplus of $1 billion when Jindal took office and a unemployment rate of 3.8%. Jindal and the state legislature has not balanced one state budget since Jindal took office over four years ago.
Here is how Jindal and the legislature has played the budget con game. Jindal announces the budget is out of balance and cuts need to be made. The legislature makes the cuts and then announces the budget is balanced and before the budget year is up, Jindal announces once again the budget is out of balance by millions of dollar and more cuts have to be made. That con game has continued into the past budget year and before this budget year ends Jindal will announce once again the current budget is out of balance by millions of dollars. In my previous commentary here in politidose, I pointed out the same con game would take place before the last fiscal year budget ended and it certainly did happen.
Now we read in the Times Picayune of 7/10/12 in an article by Ed Anderson that Senator Jack Donahue, sponsor of a resolution to create a panel to look into repealing or modifying some of the states tax breaks as a means of increasing revenue for the state. The article says state officials estimate the tax breaks could total $6.8 billion. However, District 102 representative Jeff Arnold in his news letter to the people he represents says the number is $8 billion.
What motivates the decision to look at this Corporate Welfare for business now and not the last four years of this budget con game. Have these elected officials finally seen the light or do they finally realize its time to find some character and courage and put a stop to this transfer of wealth from the middle class. All businesses should pay their fair share.
The last four years of the budget con game of cutting spending by this administration and legislature has gotten into the pockets of the middle class in a hundred different ways while those $8 billion in tax exemptions and etc., has not been touched. President Obama's stimulus has done more to create jobs nationally than Louisiana's $8 billion give away has done for the state. Mr. Anderson should write a commentary comparing how Louisiana's unemployment has done in the first three years under Jindal and compare that with how unemployment has done nationally under the first three years of President Obama. Better yet, Mr. Anderson can just log onto "politidose" and read this writers commentary about the subject matter only a few weeks ago.
The legislature's committee that is supposed to look into this tax exempt matter should remember what Warren Buffett has been saying all along. Taxes are not a burden to businesses making a profit or growing their business and that no good business man ever let taxes stop a new business adventure.
Friday, July 6, 2012
The Failure Of State Governors
The "Affordable Health Care Act" would not have been needed if state Governors would have shown leadership, courage and character in making sure the uninsured with in their state borders were insured by their state. Instead, they ignored the issue because they would have had to raise taxes in order to take care of their own people. They promised no new taxes and like other state issues punted the problem to the federal government. When the federal government stepped in the Governors ranted and said it was a "states right issue", the same issue they ignored. The need for the "Affordable Health Care Act" is just another example why federal spending increases when Governors fail their responsibility to take care of their own people and the problems they face.
Louisiana's Governor Bobby Jindal on Meet the Press July 1 and in a Times Picayune article of July 2, in referance to the AHCA said Louisiana would not set up private insurance exchanges or expand medicaid in Louisiana. Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean pointed out that Louisiana is 48th in the country in terms of child poverty, 48th in the country in premature death and 48th in the country in terms of industrial accidents. Dean also pointed out that medicaid expansion would insure 340,000 people out of the 860,000 uninsured people. Little boy Jindal, like the good old boy conservative ditto heads repeated the same old republican talking point of electing Romney to repeal Obamacare. Gov. Jindal has had 4 plus years to work up a plan to insure Louisiana's uninsured and he failed to do so. Jindal and republicans call the AHCA Obamacare because they know Obama does care.
The little boy Governor also tried to compare Mardi Gras to the AHCA and also used the worn out republican talking point that Obama is pushing the nation toward European style socialism. Jindal must have his mind on the social corporate welfare system he supports for the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Hornets giving millions of dollars to those multi millionaire owner using tax payers money. Jindal and other state governors who fail to take care of their own state problems and then blame the federal government are first class hypocrits. And Jindal's comparasion of Mardi Gras to the AHCA is just one of a thousand reasons the little boy governor will not be the V.P. choice come November.
Louisiana's Governor Bobby Jindal on Meet the Press July 1 and in a Times Picayune article of July 2, in referance to the AHCA said Louisiana would not set up private insurance exchanges or expand medicaid in Louisiana. Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean pointed out that Louisiana is 48th in the country in terms of child poverty, 48th in the country in premature death and 48th in the country in terms of industrial accidents. Dean also pointed out that medicaid expansion would insure 340,000 people out of the 860,000 uninsured people. Little boy Jindal, like the good old boy conservative ditto heads repeated the same old republican talking point of electing Romney to repeal Obamacare. Gov. Jindal has had 4 plus years to work up a plan to insure Louisiana's uninsured and he failed to do so. Jindal and republicans call the AHCA Obamacare because they know Obama does care.
The little boy Governor also tried to compare Mardi Gras to the AHCA and also used the worn out republican talking point that Obama is pushing the nation toward European style socialism. Jindal must have his mind on the social corporate welfare system he supports for the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Hornets giving millions of dollars to those multi millionaire owner using tax payers money. Jindal and other state governors who fail to take care of their own state problems and then blame the federal government are first class hypocrits. And Jindal's comparasion of Mardi Gras to the AHCA is just one of a thousand reasons the little boy governor will not be the V.P. choice come November.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The U.S. Supreme Court Made The Right Decision
The Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Health Care Act as constitutional was a victory for America and the concept of "Justice being Blind". What was so American about the courts decision is the fact that a so called conservative Chief Justice did not use a conservative ideology to render his decision and instead acted like an American to deal with an American problem forced on the court by conservatives.
This writer has written many commentaries here in "politidose" pointing out that conservatism practiced today by the leaders of the republican party is un-American and that they are conservatives first and Americans some where down the line. And true to form after the decision the conservative leaders inside and out side of congress began their personnel assualt against the Chief Justice for his vote.
We have seen first hand the un-American attitude of the republican party in congress who vowed since day one they would do nothing to help move the country and its people forward since the second great depression (that happened on their watch) because they want to defeat Obama in the November elections. The leaders of the republican party today, Mitt Romney, John Boehner and Mitch McConnell have demonstrated their complete lack of leadership, character and courage with their un-American attitude and ideology toward the country and its people.
They and their party should not be chosen to lead the country in November. The election is indeed a very important one and being American should trump over the un-American ideology of conservatism that is being practiced today by republican leaders.
This writer has written many commentaries here in "politidose" pointing out that conservatism practiced today by the leaders of the republican party is un-American and that they are conservatives first and Americans some where down the line. And true to form after the decision the conservative leaders inside and out side of congress began their personnel assualt against the Chief Justice for his vote.
We have seen first hand the un-American attitude of the republican party in congress who vowed since day one they would do nothing to help move the country and its people forward since the second great depression (that happened on their watch) because they want to defeat Obama in the November elections. The leaders of the republican party today, Mitt Romney, John Boehner and Mitch McConnell have demonstrated their complete lack of leadership, character and courage with their un-American attitude and ideology toward the country and its people.
They and their party should not be chosen to lead the country in November. The election is indeed a very important one and being American should trump over the un-American ideology of conservatism that is being practiced today by republican leaders.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Bobby Jindal's Record On Unemployment
If one follows Louisiana politics it is easy to understand why Gov. Jindal is just another republican conservative ditto head. Like a good robot he follows the national party's talking points and attack against President Obama. Everyone has heard the talking point that the President's policies are job killers. (They are really talking about the Bush 43 administration) So lets examine the record.
Compare Jindal's record concerning unemployment in Louisiana to President Obama's record using the first three years in office of both and this is what you will find. The unemployment rate in Louisiana in January 2008 when Jindal took office was 3.8%. Three years later in January 2011 the unemployment rate in Louisiana was 7.8%, an increase of 4% in Louisiana. When Obama took office in January 2009 the national unemployment rate was 7.8%. Three years later in January 2012 the national unemployment rate was 8.3%, an increase of 1/2% in the national unemployment. President Obama did a much better job than Jindal in handling the unemployment problem.
In other words President Obama did a much better job at creating jobs nationally than Jindal did in Louisiana and Jindal had to contend only with his own state. 25% of Jindal's budget goes for tax breaks to businesses that is supposed to create jobs but the unemployment rate in Louisiana tells the real story. When you have no character or courage and no record to run on, conservatives always go on the attack. But they can not change their own sad record.
Louisiana Unemployment numbers shown above taken from Louisiana Workforce Commission and National Unemployment numbers taken from U.S.Labor Department.
Compare Jindal's record concerning unemployment in Louisiana to President Obama's record using the first three years in office of both and this is what you will find. The unemployment rate in Louisiana in January 2008 when Jindal took office was 3.8%. Three years later in January 2011 the unemployment rate in Louisiana was 7.8%, an increase of 4% in Louisiana. When Obama took office in January 2009 the national unemployment rate was 7.8%. Three years later in January 2012 the national unemployment rate was 8.3%, an increase of 1/2% in the national unemployment. President Obama did a much better job than Jindal in handling the unemployment problem.
In other words President Obama did a much better job at creating jobs nationally than Jindal did in Louisiana and Jindal had to contend only with his own state. 25% of Jindal's budget goes for tax breaks to businesses that is supposed to create jobs but the unemployment rate in Louisiana tells the real story. When you have no character or courage and no record to run on, conservatives always go on the attack. But they can not change their own sad record.
Louisiana Unemployment numbers shown above taken from Louisiana Workforce Commission and National Unemployment numbers taken from U.S.Labor Department.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Federal Spending, The Obama Administration and Republican Lies
Increases in federal spending continues to be lower under the Obama administration than the administrations of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 despite the lies of Mitt Romney, the republican party, conservatives in general and the right wing network of Fox News that have accused the democrats of being the big spenders. They have been wrong for over 30 years and during that 30 year period there has been only one democratic President who has served a full term. That was the administration of Bill Clinton that had the lowest increase in federal spending by far.
I wrote a commentary dated 10/31/09 titled Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth that documented the spending of Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton and Bush 43 and this report will include spending under President Obama for the first two full fiscal years of his administration. The President's third full budget fiscal year will not end until 9/30/12 so those numbers are not yet available. Lets examine how federal spending played out for the last two fiscal years of George W. Bush and the following two fiscal years of Barrack Obama.
Total federal spending at the end of Bush's 6th fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/07 was $2,728.7 trillion. Total federal spending at the end of Bush's 7th fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/08 was $2,982.5 trillion, an increase of $253.8 Billion or a 9% increase in federal spending. Total federal spending at the end of Bush's 8th fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/09 was $3.517.9 Trillion, an increase of $535.2 Billion or an increase of 18%.
Total federal spending at the end of Obama's first fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/10 was $3.455.8 trillion, a decrease in spending of $62.1 billion dollars and a decrease of 1.7%. Total federal spending at the end of Obama's 2nd fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/11 was $3.603.1 trillion, an increase of $147 Billion or and increase of 4%. The so called conservative administration of George W. Bush continued the big spending spree of Reagan and Bush 41while the administration of President Obama continued the precedent set by President Clinton of much smaller spending by the federal government.
The Obama administration has controlled federal spending much better that Bush 43, Bush 41 and Reagan contrary to the conservative republican lies and the news media still have egg all over their faces for not reporting the facts. If one reads my commentary mentioned above you will see that Republicans are the party of increased federal spending in whopping amounts and during the years they accused the democrats.
President Obama has also controlled deficit spending better than Bush 43 who holds the record of the largest one year fiscal federal deficit that ended his last fiscal year budget on 9/30/09 at $1.412 trillion. Obama's deficits are as follows: Fiscal year ending 9/30/10 $1.294 trillion and for fiscal year ending 9/30/11 $1.299 trillion. And if one has the character and courage to admit that Bush 43 inherited a much better economy than Obama did it makes Obama's administration look even better than the actual numbers.
In taking up the talking points of the republican party, Mitt Romney is just another ditto head when he talks about federal spending being out of control on Obama's watch and is just another conservative who is incapable of competing with the facts. I will end this commentary the same way I ended the one dated 10/31/09.
Conservative Republican Presidents are best at controlling federal spending?????????????? That is pure myth, the numbers speak loud and clear.
Note: All budget numbers shown above taken from the CBO reports published on line.
For related articles see my commentary dated 12/6/09 titled The National Debt: Betrayal and Devastation, and the Fiscal Legacy of President GEorge W. Bush dated 10/30/09.
I wrote a commentary dated 10/31/09 titled Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth that documented the spending of Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton and Bush 43 and this report will include spending under President Obama for the first two full fiscal years of his administration. The President's third full budget fiscal year will not end until 9/30/12 so those numbers are not yet available. Lets examine how federal spending played out for the last two fiscal years of George W. Bush and the following two fiscal years of Barrack Obama.
Total federal spending at the end of Bush's 6th fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/07 was $2,728.7 trillion. Total federal spending at the end of Bush's 7th fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/08 was $2,982.5 trillion, an increase of $253.8 Billion or a 9% increase in federal spending. Total federal spending at the end of Bush's 8th fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/09 was $3.517.9 Trillion, an increase of $535.2 Billion or an increase of 18%.
Total federal spending at the end of Obama's first fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/10 was $3.455.8 trillion, a decrease in spending of $62.1 billion dollars and a decrease of 1.7%. Total federal spending at the end of Obama's 2nd fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/11 was $3.603.1 trillion, an increase of $147 Billion or and increase of 4%. The so called conservative administration of George W. Bush continued the big spending spree of Reagan and Bush 41while the administration of President Obama continued the precedent set by President Clinton of much smaller spending by the federal government.
The Obama administration has controlled federal spending much better that Bush 43, Bush 41 and Reagan contrary to the conservative republican lies and the news media still have egg all over their faces for not reporting the facts. If one reads my commentary mentioned above you will see that Republicans are the party of increased federal spending in whopping amounts and during the years they accused the democrats.
President Obama has also controlled deficit spending better than Bush 43 who holds the record of the largest one year fiscal federal deficit that ended his last fiscal year budget on 9/30/09 at $1.412 trillion. Obama's deficits are as follows: Fiscal year ending 9/30/10 $1.294 trillion and for fiscal year ending 9/30/11 $1.299 trillion. And if one has the character and courage to admit that Bush 43 inherited a much better economy than Obama did it makes Obama's administration look even better than the actual numbers.
In taking up the talking points of the republican party, Mitt Romney is just another ditto head when he talks about federal spending being out of control on Obama's watch and is just another conservative who is incapable of competing with the facts. I will end this commentary the same way I ended the one dated 10/31/09.
Conservative Republican Presidents are best at controlling federal spending?????????????? That is pure myth, the numbers speak loud and clear.
Note: All budget numbers shown above taken from the CBO reports published on line.
For related articles see my commentary dated 12/6/09 titled The National Debt: Betrayal and Devastation, and the Fiscal Legacy of President GEorge W. Bush dated 10/30/09.
Friday, June 8, 2012
The Great Obstructionist Party
The Grand Old Party lost its real "Grand" a long time ago when it turned to Newt Gingrich as its leader in congress. That was a turn for the demise of the real GOP that in the past worked across party lines in congress to move the country and its people forward. The "Newt" finally had to resign his position as Speaker of the House in disgrace.
The torch in congress for the Great Obstructionist Party has passed to John Boehner, Speaker of the U.S. House and Mitch McConnell, minority leader in the U.S. Senate. Both men decided to take the party to a new low after Obama was elected President by promising to obstruct the President's agenda that would bring the country back from the second great republican depression and oppose the President's policies just to make him a one term President. That was an act of Treason against the country and its people and a violation of the public trust by elected officials.
As of this writing the Treason continues by those two republican leaders and the party it controls in congress. Their obstruction prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the republican party today practices and promote a conservative ideology that is anti-American in nature. The obstruction in congress by the republican party is a creditable reason why President Obama should be reelected in November. The President does have a positive record to run on and the people will be hearing about that record in the coming months.
The Great Obstructionist Party is a good reason also why the voters should put the democrats back in charge of both houses of congress in the November elections. Ditto for giving the democrats 60 votes in the Senate to stop the republican filibuster. The President needs another four years to complete the job and put the second great depression to bed.
The torch in congress for the Great Obstructionist Party has passed to John Boehner, Speaker of the U.S. House and Mitch McConnell, minority leader in the U.S. Senate. Both men decided to take the party to a new low after Obama was elected President by promising to obstruct the President's agenda that would bring the country back from the second great republican depression and oppose the President's policies just to make him a one term President. That was an act of Treason against the country and its people and a violation of the public trust by elected officials.
As of this writing the Treason continues by those two republican leaders and the party it controls in congress. Their obstruction prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the republican party today practices and promote a conservative ideology that is anti-American in nature. The obstruction in congress by the republican party is a creditable reason why President Obama should be reelected in November. The President does have a positive record to run on and the people will be hearing about that record in the coming months.
The Great Obstructionist Party is a good reason also why the voters should put the democrats back in charge of both houses of congress in the November elections. Ditto for giving the democrats 60 votes in the Senate to stop the republican filibuster. The President needs another four years to complete the job and put the second great depression to bed.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Governor Scott Walkers Recall Election
Democrats should have no fear of the republican talking point that what happened in Wisconsin would spread through out America like republican senator Rand Paul proclaimed after the election was decided. The people of Wisconsin made it clear they did not like or believe in recall elections and it was not about union rights or Walkers agenda.
The democratic party did turn out their party's vote at the polls and voted for Walker in double digits but support Obama in the November election over Mitt Romney. Some republicans are still upset over that prospect. The right wing news media tried to make a story out of President Obama not campaigning in Wisconsin before the elections and conveniently forgot to mention that President Obama has several reelection headquarters in Wisconsin that are active there while Romney has none.
It appears that the democratic party will take control of the senate in Wisconsin if the lead stands up. If that happens the democrats will be able to block any future attempts by Walker to eliminate workers rights. If that happens the recall election will take a new twist. Time will tell.
After all the hype and cliches are forgotten about this election, President Obama will win the state in November. Have heart democrats, as Yogi Berra always said, "It aint over till its over." And you know in your heart, Yogi is always right.
The democratic party did turn out their party's vote at the polls and voted for Walker in double digits but support Obama in the November election over Mitt Romney. Some republicans are still upset over that prospect. The right wing news media tried to make a story out of President Obama not campaigning in Wisconsin before the elections and conveniently forgot to mention that President Obama has several reelection headquarters in Wisconsin that are active there while Romney has none.
It appears that the democratic party will take control of the senate in Wisconsin if the lead stands up. If that happens the democrats will be able to block any future attempts by Walker to eliminate workers rights. If that happens the recall election will take a new twist. Time will tell.
After all the hype and cliches are forgotten about this election, President Obama will win the state in November. Have heart democrats, as Yogi Berra always said, "It aint over till its over." And you know in your heart, Yogi is always right.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Wisdom, Knowledge, Leadership, Courage And Character: A Lacking In America
Yes, America and its people did possess those virtues at one time that led to the founding and greatness of our nation and its people. Those virtues were the hallmark of past great leaders of America. Today and for the past 30 years those virtues have been eroded by our political system that has succumbed to the demands of Corporate America and their lobby, the so called super PAC's funded by the wealthy, a news media not interested in facts and an electorate who has been led around by the nose and who have chosen to believe lies and fairy tales instead of seeking out the truth and the facts on their own.
Our elected officials on the state and federal level have taken the low road of accepting campaign contributions that amount to legal bribes from the wealthy special interest groups who's only concern is to seek concessions for their own benefit at the expense of the many. Elected officials have partnershiped with those special interest groups which has resulted in the greatest transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy. They are no longer public officials who represent the best interest of the people or the country. They have even gone so far as to allow some special interest groups such as the NRA to write legislation that affect the public good.
Those special interest groups have seduced elected officials to reduce their taxes that are at the lowest level in over 50 years and in many instances loopholes that allow those special interest to pay no tax at all. Corporate America and the special interest have turned their backs on America and its people by their ego demands of creating more wealth while ignoring their own responsibility to country in paying their fair share. Seven Wall Street banks control more than 60% of the economy thanks to their partnership with congress who regulate them and who are suppossed to break up monopolies. The wealth that the special interest groups pass around to elected officials take front and center stage while the public good is ignored. The most recent example is the second great depression that occured during the Bush 43 administration.
The major news media to a certain extent are owned by Corporate America and as a result are not in the business of being objective in their reporting. Some are not above using lies as a tool to influence the public. The news media, special interest groups and elected officials are a tight circle of wealth to influence an electorate that is uninformed on many issues. Take for instance the official republican talking point of the democratic party being the big spenders in Washington. The news media promotes that talking point of the republicans as fact but according to the CBO's own records it is the republican party that are the biggest spenders and have been so for the past 30 years. This has been previously reported and documented in my past commentaries published in politidose. The news media has access to the CBO records and the facts but they could care less.
Elected officials can easily end this partnership by refusing to take campaign contributions from Corporate America, their lobby, PAC's and all special interest groups and use innovation to come up with a new way to finance their campaigns where the people are in control. That would not cost the government one penny for campaign finance reform and no court in the land could change that. That action would be the first step in returning Wisdom, Knowledge, Leadership, Courage and Character to our political system. And that says it all.
Our elected officials on the state and federal level have taken the low road of accepting campaign contributions that amount to legal bribes from the wealthy special interest groups who's only concern is to seek concessions for their own benefit at the expense of the many. Elected officials have partnershiped with those special interest groups which has resulted in the greatest transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy. They are no longer public officials who represent the best interest of the people or the country. They have even gone so far as to allow some special interest groups such as the NRA to write legislation that affect the public good.
Those special interest groups have seduced elected officials to reduce their taxes that are at the lowest level in over 50 years and in many instances loopholes that allow those special interest to pay no tax at all. Corporate America and the special interest have turned their backs on America and its people by their ego demands of creating more wealth while ignoring their own responsibility to country in paying their fair share. Seven Wall Street banks control more than 60% of the economy thanks to their partnership with congress who regulate them and who are suppossed to break up monopolies. The wealth that the special interest groups pass around to elected officials take front and center stage while the public good is ignored. The most recent example is the second great depression that occured during the Bush 43 administration.
The major news media to a certain extent are owned by Corporate America and as a result are not in the business of being objective in their reporting. Some are not above using lies as a tool to influence the public. The news media, special interest groups and elected officials are a tight circle of wealth to influence an electorate that is uninformed on many issues. Take for instance the official republican talking point of the democratic party being the big spenders in Washington. The news media promotes that talking point of the republicans as fact but according to the CBO's own records it is the republican party that are the biggest spenders and have been so for the past 30 years. This has been previously reported and documented in my past commentaries published in politidose. The news media has access to the CBO records and the facts but they could care less.
Elected officials can easily end this partnership by refusing to take campaign contributions from Corporate America, their lobby, PAC's and all special interest groups and use innovation to come up with a new way to finance their campaigns where the people are in control. That would not cost the government one penny for campaign finance reform and no court in the land could change that. That action would be the first step in returning Wisdom, Knowledge, Leadership, Courage and Character to our political system. And that says it all.
Friday, May 18, 2012
LSU's Upcoming Football Season
This writer does not look for the Tigers to end the 2012 season with a won/loss record as good as last season. There are simply too many unanswered questions, the larger being does the team have confidence in coach Les Miles after the fiasco in the national championship game against Alabama.
The problem is not talent but how that talent is used by the coaching staff. The talents of too many LSU players have been wasted by Miles over and over again over several seasons. It was noticable that Miles was determined to make Jefferson the starting quarterback even after he got into trouble regardless how well Lee was playing.
LSU's players, fan base and students deserve better. When a team goes 13-0 and than looses in a rematch because the coach did not do his job it is hard to see how a so called experienced coach can recapture the confidence in his players. Time will tell.
The problem is not talent but how that talent is used by the coaching staff. The talents of too many LSU players have been wasted by Miles over and over again over several seasons. It was noticable that Miles was determined to make Jefferson the starting quarterback even after he got into trouble regardless how well Lee was playing.
LSU's players, fan base and students deserve better. When a team goes 13-0 and than looses in a rematch because the coach did not do his job it is hard to see how a so called experienced coach can recapture the confidence in his players. Time will tell.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Peyton Manning And Drew Brees Saga
The up coming NFL season for Denver and New Orleans could leave their fans shaking their heads in disbelief at the conclusion of the regular season. This writer has never witnessed a news conference like the one held by Denver to announce Manning's signing. It was too long with too many questions and answers and unfortunately void of the important answers that can not possibly be answered until the end of the season. What is ahead for Manning and Denver is as follows.
Will Manning be gun shy because of his neck injury and bail out and let the ball fly too soon? Will Manning be able to keep his cool and not think about his injury or being reinjured? Will Manning's timing, agility and athletic ability still be there after missing a full season? Will his desire to play be at the high level necessary to compete once the season gets underway? How much help will the team give Manning? That long news conference was a boon to the news media and hype but was clueless as for how Manning and Denver will end the season. That will tell the real story.
Drew Brees is still waiting to sign a contract with the Saints as of this writing. Some local sports journalists and many fans are on record thinking the Saints should give Brees whatever he is asking for salary wise. In fact one journalist said if Manning signed with Denver for $19 million than Brees is worth $25 million. That kind of logic or lack there of is one reason professional sports has so many problems. Brees has led the Saints to 4 winning seasons out of 6 years, no where near the number of winning seasons Manning led his team. Manning has also won more playoff games than Brees.
Fans and sports journalists should not be surprised if Brees and the Saints end up with a break even or 9-7 record at the end of the season. Their losses in the playoff the last two seasons were ugly to say the least and neither Brees or Sean Payton really had an answer. The coaches and players suspensions will have an affect on the team and its record despite the pep talk going on by journalists and the Saints orginazation. I am not a mind reader or have a crystal ball but I think I see the hand writing on the wall. Only time will tell.
Will Manning be gun shy because of his neck injury and bail out and let the ball fly too soon? Will Manning be able to keep his cool and not think about his injury or being reinjured? Will Manning's timing, agility and athletic ability still be there after missing a full season? Will his desire to play be at the high level necessary to compete once the season gets underway? How much help will the team give Manning? That long news conference was a boon to the news media and hype but was clueless as for how Manning and Denver will end the season. That will tell the real story.
Drew Brees is still waiting to sign a contract with the Saints as of this writing. Some local sports journalists and many fans are on record thinking the Saints should give Brees whatever he is asking for salary wise. In fact one journalist said if Manning signed with Denver for $19 million than Brees is worth $25 million. That kind of logic or lack there of is one reason professional sports has so many problems. Brees has led the Saints to 4 winning seasons out of 6 years, no where near the number of winning seasons Manning led his team. Manning has also won more playoff games than Brees.
Fans and sports journalists should not be surprised if Brees and the Saints end up with a break even or 9-7 record at the end of the season. Their losses in the playoff the last two seasons were ugly to say the least and neither Brees or Sean Payton really had an answer. The coaches and players suspensions will have an affect on the team and its record despite the pep talk going on by journalists and the Saints orginazation. I am not a mind reader or have a crystal ball but I think I see the hand writing on the wall. Only time will tell.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Falling Price For A Gallon Of Gasoline
A few months ago the American people were told by the experts to expect the price of gasoline to hit record levels and continue to increase through the summer months. As of this writing the price of a gallon of gasoline has not hit record levels, that distinction belongs to the G.W. Bush administration.
Then just a week of so ago President Obama and the Justice Departmnt announced an investigation has started to seek out how the price of oil (which affects the price of gasoline) has been manipulated by those dealing with oil futures who buy and sell oil on the open market and set prices. And what should have been to no ones surprise, the price of a barrel of oil and gallon of gasoline has been going down ever since and now the experts say the price will continue to go down during the summer months.
A legal investigation will get peoples attention every time, especially when the price of oil and gasoline are manipulated by those who benefit the most. Keep in mind production in the oil industry has been up, there has been no shortage and really no threat to drilling and or production world wide. Profits in the industry continue to increase and contrary to what oil industry executives say, federal and state regulations do not hinder the industry's drilling and production.
The President and Justice Department needs to follow through on their investigations and hold those accountable for their manipulation and speculation on the price of a barrel of oil. Those elected officials who are mouth pieces for the industry were just as wrong as the so called experts and are a pittiful bunch. It is way past time for congress to eliminate the billions of dollars of tax breaks for the industry.
Then just a week of so ago President Obama and the Justice Departmnt announced an investigation has started to seek out how the price of oil (which affects the price of gasoline) has been manipulated by those dealing with oil futures who buy and sell oil on the open market and set prices. And what should have been to no ones surprise, the price of a barrel of oil and gallon of gasoline has been going down ever since and now the experts say the price will continue to go down during the summer months.
A legal investigation will get peoples attention every time, especially when the price of oil and gasoline are manipulated by those who benefit the most. Keep in mind production in the oil industry has been up, there has been no shortage and really no threat to drilling and or production world wide. Profits in the industry continue to increase and contrary to what oil industry executives say, federal and state regulations do not hinder the industry's drilling and production.
The President and Justice Department needs to follow through on their investigations and hold those accountable for their manipulation and speculation on the price of a barrel of oil. Those elected officials who are mouth pieces for the industry were just as wrong as the so called experts and are a pittiful bunch. It is way past time for congress to eliminate the billions of dollars of tax breaks for the industry.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
April's Unemployment And Job Creation Numbers
The U.S. Labor Department announced the U.S. economy created 115,000 new net jobs in April and that unemployment fell to 8.1%, a decrease from the previous month. The state governments continue to lose jobs with cuts mainly becuse of state revenue decline.
April's new job numbers was the 26th straight month of job growth for the economy and a positive sign of a continued recovery from the second great economic depression and record job losses of the previous administration. Unemployment is getting close to the 7% range this writer predicted over a year ago while the so called experts were predicting a 9% unemployment rate through 2012. Those so called experts who were predicting a 9% unemployment rate through 2012 thought there would be no job growth. They were wrong on both counts.
Republican reaction to April's numbers were the usual negative sound bites that reflect their anti American ideology of wanting to see the President and the country fail. They have no economic record to run on just ask George W. Bush. President Obama needs to continue to do what ever is necessary to see that the economy continues to grow and create more jobs. He understands the republicans will do nothing to help move the country and its people forward.
April's new job numbers was the 26th straight month of job growth for the economy and a positive sign of a continued recovery from the second great economic depression and record job losses of the previous administration. Unemployment is getting close to the 7% range this writer predicted over a year ago while the so called experts were predicting a 9% unemployment rate through 2012. Those so called experts who were predicting a 9% unemployment rate through 2012 thought there would be no job growth. They were wrong on both counts.
Republican reaction to April's numbers were the usual negative sound bites that reflect their anti American ideology of wanting to see the President and the country fail. They have no economic record to run on just ask George W. Bush. President Obama needs to continue to do what ever is necessary to see that the economy continues to grow and create more jobs. He understands the republicans will do nothing to help move the country and its people forward.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Once Upon A Time In The National Football League
There was a time in the NFL when coaches were gentlemen, especially head coaches. Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry and Don Shula were three. All won two or more world championships and they acted and coached like gentlemen. They demanded much from their players and had a long record of winning seasons and play off participation.
They were also gentlemen off the field and gave much to professional football. They did not play favorite with their players and were a credit to the game. They also played the game themselves and would never be part of any bounty to hurt another player and put him out of the game.
Saints coach Sean Payton's arrogance and attitude to the game merited a years suspension and rightly so. He lacked the character and courage to be a gentlemen in his coaching and failed to look after his teams best interest in allowing bounty gate to take place. When a team looses its head coach because of improper actions that is a sad commentary of what is taking place in pro football. The leadership of the NFL is not with out blame. They have presided over the demise of sportsmanship in the NFL in favor of wealth for the NFL, the owners and players by their demands of Corporate Welfare using tax payers money.
Is there any wonder why arrogance has raised its ugly head? Yes, there was a time when the NFL had gentlemen coaches who had character, courage and respect for the game. That says is all.
They were also gentlemen off the field and gave much to professional football. They did not play favorite with their players and were a credit to the game. They also played the game themselves and would never be part of any bounty to hurt another player and put him out of the game.
Saints coach Sean Payton's arrogance and attitude to the game merited a years suspension and rightly so. He lacked the character and courage to be a gentlemen in his coaching and failed to look after his teams best interest in allowing bounty gate to take place. When a team looses its head coach because of improper actions that is a sad commentary of what is taking place in pro football. The leadership of the NFL is not with out blame. They have presided over the demise of sportsmanship in the NFL in favor of wealth for the NFL, the owners and players by their demands of Corporate Welfare using tax payers money.
Is there any wonder why arrogance has raised its ugly head? Yes, there was a time when the NFL had gentlemen coaches who had character, courage and respect for the game. That says is all.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
A Very Common Sense "Point of View"
Mr. James Farwell in a "point of view" editorial in the Times Picayune dated 4/4/12 concerning the Saints bounty-gate was right on target and reflected a most common sense understanding just how damaging the story is to the City, the people, the Saints and the NFL.
Mr. Farwell's suggestion of what the Saints and NFL should do with part of the "fine money" is a great American sports idea and a worthy one. That would be putting the money to good use in the hands of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission that is under funded and Mr. Farwell explains what that money would do for our youth. Every one knows that the NFL, its owners, coaches and players are surely not under funded.
This writer has written several commentaries concerning the Saints situation and I would say that Mr. Farwell's editorial and politidose's commentaries share the same basic understanding of what has happened with this situation. It is well past time for those in professional sports to grow up and take responsibility for their un professional behavior. I recommend Mr. Farwell's editorial be read by every one.
Mr. Farwell's suggestion of what the Saints and NFL should do with part of the "fine money" is a great American sports idea and a worthy one. That would be putting the money to good use in the hands of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission that is under funded and Mr. Farwell explains what that money would do for our youth. Every one knows that the NFL, its owners, coaches and players are surely not under funded.
This writer has written several commentaries concerning the Saints situation and I would say that Mr. Farwell's editorial and politidose's commentaries share the same basic understanding of what has happened with this situation. It is well past time for those in professional sports to grow up and take responsibility for their un professional behavior. I recommend Mr. Farwell's editorial be read by every one.
Monday, April 9, 2012
March 2012: Another Good Month For Job Creation And The Unemployment Number
The economy created 120,000 new jobs in March and the unemployment rate fell to 8.2% from 8.3% in February. Job creation has been in positive territory for 25 straight months and manufacturing in the U.S. is leading the way. Unemployment is getting closer every month to the 7% range, a far cry from 9% unemployment the pundits predicted for all of 2012.
The negative voices have tried to portray the 120,000 new jobs as weak compared to recovery of previous recessions. They are full of it because the George W. Bush recession can only be compared to the great depression and not any previous recessions. Can any one really remember another recession when the economy was loosing an average of 500,000 jobs a month? An economy in negative territory most of 2008 and some of 2009? A financial meltdown that Bush recommended to congress to pass a $700 billion bail out? Of course not, but it does not matter to those negative voices because their interest is only to see the President and the country fail.
The President needs to continue to do those things that will continue the forward movement of the economy and job creation. He has to stand fast against extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and continue working to see that Corporate America and the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes. The President should also insist that government expenditures should be matched with government revenue. And never again if war comes to our country should only our men and women in uniform and their families be asked to sacrifice for our country. It should be a shared sacrifice like in WWII.
The negative voices have tried to portray the 120,000 new jobs as weak compared to recovery of previous recessions. They are full of it because the George W. Bush recession can only be compared to the great depression and not any previous recessions. Can any one really remember another recession when the economy was loosing an average of 500,000 jobs a month? An economy in negative territory most of 2008 and some of 2009? A financial meltdown that Bush recommended to congress to pass a $700 billion bail out? Of course not, but it does not matter to those negative voices because their interest is only to see the President and the country fail.
The President needs to continue to do those things that will continue the forward movement of the economy and job creation. He has to stand fast against extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and continue working to see that Corporate America and the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes. The President should also insist that government expenditures should be matched with government revenue. And never again if war comes to our country should only our men and women in uniform and their families be asked to sacrifice for our country. It should be a shared sacrifice like in WWII.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Who Will Be The Republican Party's Nominee For President?
Does it really matter? After all is said and done the party's nominee will be like a robo call. The same ditto head conservative anti-American ideology that gave the country and its people the second greatest depression, job losses and financial failure. Based on previous republican campaigns, this one will be ugly and nasty because the candidate and party will have no record of accomplishment to run on, therefore the usual personal attacks.
President Obama in the 3 years and two months he has served has taken away the issue of the economy and the American people and country are better off today than they were four years ago. New job creation is exceeding job layoffs by a wide margin. Total federal spending is down compared with the Bush administration year to year.
America and its people have been kept safe from foreign terror attacks contrary to the predictions of republican presidential candidate John McCain and then V.P. Dick Chaney during the last Presidential election. Bin Laden and many of his terrorists have been brought to justice and can never harm the United States again. Tax cuts for the middle class has been in effect since Obama's election and the President is moving in the right direction of a more fairer tax for the country so everyone will have to pay his fair share.
The Iraq war is over thanks to the President's pledge when he ran for office. If it were up to the republicans, our men and women in uniform would still be in Iraq over WMD that did not exist. The U.S. now has a more coherent foreign policy based on real threats to our security and not on a conservative ideology that use our military power with impunity to start unnecessary wars and multiple deployments for our troops who end up paying the ultimate price. Our military drones are being used successfully to bring terrorists to justice without putting thousands of our people in harms way. These are just some of the many reasons the republican party and their candidate will use personal attacks against the President this election year and will be unable to debate the real issues.
It took the U.S. over 10 years to emerge from the great depression. President Obama and the democratic party are moving the country out of the second great depression in a shorter period of time despite the massive debt the last three republican Presidents has cast upon the country and its people. And seven months before the November election they still want to see the President fail.
President Obama should be reelected so he can continue the progress made for the country and its people.
President Obama in the 3 years and two months he has served has taken away the issue of the economy and the American people and country are better off today than they were four years ago. New job creation is exceeding job layoffs by a wide margin. Total federal spending is down compared with the Bush administration year to year.
America and its people have been kept safe from foreign terror attacks contrary to the predictions of republican presidential candidate John McCain and then V.P. Dick Chaney during the last Presidential election. Bin Laden and many of his terrorists have been brought to justice and can never harm the United States again. Tax cuts for the middle class has been in effect since Obama's election and the President is moving in the right direction of a more fairer tax for the country so everyone will have to pay his fair share.
The Iraq war is over thanks to the President's pledge when he ran for office. If it were up to the republicans, our men and women in uniform would still be in Iraq over WMD that did not exist. The U.S. now has a more coherent foreign policy based on real threats to our security and not on a conservative ideology that use our military power with impunity to start unnecessary wars and multiple deployments for our troops who end up paying the ultimate price. Our military drones are being used successfully to bring terrorists to justice without putting thousands of our people in harms way. These are just some of the many reasons the republican party and their candidate will use personal attacks against the President this election year and will be unable to debate the real issues.
It took the U.S. over 10 years to emerge from the great depression. President Obama and the democratic party are moving the country out of the second great depression in a shorter period of time despite the massive debt the last three republican Presidents has cast upon the country and its people. And seven months before the November election they still want to see the President fail.
President Obama should be reelected so he can continue the progress made for the country and its people.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
President Obama, The Affordable Health Care Act And The U.S. Supreme Court.
The Health Care Act and some parts of it have been in force since passed by Congress in 2009 and is serving millions of people who were previously uninsured. It is estimated that the law when fully implemented will cover 30 plus million people who are uninsured. So what should the President do if the Supreme Court strikes down the Health Care law?
In this writers judgement if that happens the President should insist that the state governors assume the responsibility of seeing that the uninsured within their borders are provided the necessary health care. It should be the governors responsibility any way to see that those 30 plus million citizens are taken care of. The federal government only stepped in because state governors refused to do so because they would have to raise taxes and do not have the leadership or courage to take that step. This would be a way for state governors to help reduce federal spending and take control of what happens inside a states border. But don't look for any governor to take that responsible lead. They love to bash the federal government but actually take the federal money gladly.
It is the governors who have put America in a bind concerning health care and its cost. They have failed to come up with a workable policy or program to administer the uninsured and rising health care cost within their own borders. When governors talk about the big bad federal government spending, its roots go back to the fact that governors have failed their own responsibility to its own people and left it up to the federal government to act. State governors need to be held accountable.
In this writers judgement if that happens the President should insist that the state governors assume the responsibility of seeing that the uninsured within their borders are provided the necessary health care. It should be the governors responsibility any way to see that those 30 plus million citizens are taken care of. The federal government only stepped in because state governors refused to do so because they would have to raise taxes and do not have the leadership or courage to take that step. This would be a way for state governors to help reduce federal spending and take control of what happens inside a states border. But don't look for any governor to take that responsible lead. They love to bash the federal government but actually take the federal money gladly.
It is the governors who have put America in a bind concerning health care and its cost. They have failed to come up with a workable policy or program to administer the uninsured and rising health care cost within their own borders. When governors talk about the big bad federal government spending, its roots go back to the fact that governors have failed their own responsibility to its own people and left it up to the federal government to act. State governors need to be held accountable.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
The Oil Industry Board Rooms: If Only The Walls Could Talk
Thursday, the U.S. Senate voted to block a proposal by democrats that would end the tax breaks(corporate welfare) for the five largest Oil Companies. The vote was 51-47 with four democrats voting with the republicans to block. If the walls in the board rooms of the oil industry could talk, the conversation would go something like this.
Well guys we did it again. Our campaign contributions to those spineless members of congress who voted for us continue to work. We did it again and we did not even have to lift a finger. They are our spokesmen for blaming Obama for the BP moratorum and the fact that we lied about our ability to plug a blow out timely and remove the spilled oil from the waters of the Gulf before it reached shore. Then after the blow out we announced the industry would have a system ready and available to deal with a similar situation in 18 months they were quiet as a mouse. They could have raked us over the coals for lying all those years but they looked the other way.
Our lackeys in congress are also covering our butts on the record sustained increase in the price of a barrel of oil and gasoline that began with the Bush 43 administration when the energy industry met with VP Chaney and our decisions were and still remain secret from the people. They even have the stupid voters convinced that it is Obama's policies that are the cause of the increase in prices.
Boy, the money we spread around to those spineless senators make us look good. They lead the charge for us and blame everyone else. The voters are lost and we can continue to have our lackeys do our bidding and keep the clueless voters in the dark. It does not get any better than this. How sweet it is.
Well guys we did it again. Our campaign contributions to those spineless members of congress who voted for us continue to work. We did it again and we did not even have to lift a finger. They are our spokesmen for blaming Obama for the BP moratorum and the fact that we lied about our ability to plug a blow out timely and remove the spilled oil from the waters of the Gulf before it reached shore. Then after the blow out we announced the industry would have a system ready and available to deal with a similar situation in 18 months they were quiet as a mouse. They could have raked us over the coals for lying all those years but they looked the other way.
Our lackeys in congress are also covering our butts on the record sustained increase in the price of a barrel of oil and gasoline that began with the Bush 43 administration when the energy industry met with VP Chaney and our decisions were and still remain secret from the people. They even have the stupid voters convinced that it is Obama's policies that are the cause of the increase in prices.
Boy, the money we spread around to those spineless senators make us look good. They lead the charge for us and blame everyone else. The voters are lost and we can continue to have our lackeys do our bidding and keep the clueless voters in the dark. It does not get any better than this. How sweet it is.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Paul Ryan's Republican Budget: A conformation of Conservative Sleaze
Like last year, Representative Paul Ryan offered another budget to the republican controlled U.S. House and will once again be defeated by the President and democrats in congress. Ryan and conservatives have proven themselves to be lackeys on budget matters and now with Romney's support it has closed the loop on conservatism and ignorance.
Ryan and Romney like to talk a good game of cutting spending and balancing the federal budget but were quiet as a scared mouse when Bush and the republicans who controlled both houses of congress were running up record federal deficits and record federal spending. That would have been the best opportunity to stand up and be counted but instead they did what conservatives do, they cut and ran.
The Ryan-Romney budget would reduce federal revenue, give the largest tax breaks and reductions to the wealthy and corporate America and would kill social security and medicare as we know it. If you think that sounds familiar it is because Republicans have tried the same thing in the past. The conservatives idea of reducing federal revenue for the government is to starve the government of money so programs for the needy can be killed.
Paul Ryan and his party had their chance to cut spending and balance the budget on their watch and they failed to do so. Thank the good Lord Bill Clinton came along when he did and reversed their sorry record of deficit spending and debt. President Obama's policies, if reelected will reverse the republican's mess and restore fiscal responsibility to the federal government. That scares the hell out of the conservatives.
Ryan and Romney like to talk a good game of cutting spending and balancing the federal budget but were quiet as a scared mouse when Bush and the republicans who controlled both houses of congress were running up record federal deficits and record federal spending. That would have been the best opportunity to stand up and be counted but instead they did what conservatives do, they cut and ran.
The Ryan-Romney budget would reduce federal revenue, give the largest tax breaks and reductions to the wealthy and corporate America and would kill social security and medicare as we know it. If you think that sounds familiar it is because Republicans have tried the same thing in the past. The conservatives idea of reducing federal revenue for the government is to starve the government of money so programs for the needy can be killed.
Paul Ryan and his party had their chance to cut spending and balance the budget on their watch and they failed to do so. Thank the good Lord Bill Clinton came along when he did and reversed their sorry record of deficit spending and debt. President Obama's policies, if reelected will reverse the republican's mess and restore fiscal responsibility to the federal government. That scares the hell out of the conservatives.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The New Orleans Saints: A Tainted World Champion
NFL commissioner Roger Goodel handed down the verdict on Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, head coact Sean Payton, assistant head coach Joe Vitt and former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, guilty for running a "bounty program" from 2009-2011. The NFL also slapped fines and or suspensions on those found guilty.
As reported in the Times Picayune of 3/22, Goodel also contended that Payton and Loomis orchestrated a web of lies to divert the attention of league gumshoes. That is not a flattering statement concerning two of the Saints top people. Their punishments given out by the NFL is well deserved and hopefully will be a reminder in the future for all concerned. Professional sports, especially NFL football is not a sport any more, it is a business and businesses do not like to be regulated. They like to give lip service to rules and regulations.
NFL owners, general managers, head coaches and players are all overpaid and think they are above it all. Part of the reason is greed and part is because the news media, especially sports journalists put them on a pedestal and give them idol status. How can they do anything wrong. It's the culture they live in. Owners who seek corporate welfare from the states are worse because they know some elected officials would do anything.
This writer in the past has been critical of N.O. sports journalists who cover the Saints for their hype and closeness to the organization and their failure to be objective, but Jeff Duncan and John DeShazier were right on target concerning their report on the subject matter in a Times Picayune article of 3/22. They stepped up to the plate and should be congratulated.
Some players just don't get it and Drew Brees seems to fall in that number for a quote attributed to him in Peter Finney's column of 3/22 in the Times Picayune. Quoting from the column Brees said, "I am speechless" Brees posted on his twitter account. Sean Payton is a great coach and mentor. The best there is. I need to hear an explanation for this punishment.
This writer is of the opinion that Goodel indeed gave a good explanation for the punishment. Where is Brees mind on the subject matter? Is he that far from reality that he is unable to comprehend why Goodel took the actions he did? The Saints, their coaching staff and the players from this day forward will have an opportunity to demonstrate how well they will handle the future. The final chapter in this sad story will be written at a later date.
As reported in the Times Picayune of 3/22, Goodel also contended that Payton and Loomis orchestrated a web of lies to divert the attention of league gumshoes. That is not a flattering statement concerning two of the Saints top people. Their punishments given out by the NFL is well deserved and hopefully will be a reminder in the future for all concerned. Professional sports, especially NFL football is not a sport any more, it is a business and businesses do not like to be regulated. They like to give lip service to rules and regulations.
NFL owners, general managers, head coaches and players are all overpaid and think they are above it all. Part of the reason is greed and part is because the news media, especially sports journalists put them on a pedestal and give them idol status. How can they do anything wrong. It's the culture they live in. Owners who seek corporate welfare from the states are worse because they know some elected officials would do anything.
This writer in the past has been critical of N.O. sports journalists who cover the Saints for their hype and closeness to the organization and their failure to be objective, but Jeff Duncan and John DeShazier were right on target concerning their report on the subject matter in a Times Picayune article of 3/22. They stepped up to the plate and should be congratulated.
Some players just don't get it and Drew Brees seems to fall in that number for a quote attributed to him in Peter Finney's column of 3/22 in the Times Picayune. Quoting from the column Brees said, "I am speechless" Brees posted on his twitter account. Sean Payton is a great coach and mentor. The best there is. I need to hear an explanation for this punishment.
This writer is of the opinion that Goodel indeed gave a good explanation for the punishment. Where is Brees mind on the subject matter? Is he that far from reality that he is unable to comprehend why Goodel took the actions he did? The Saints, their coaching staff and the players from this day forward will have an opportunity to demonstrate how well they will handle the future. The final chapter in this sad story will be written at a later date.
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