According to a Times Picayune article dated 12/20/13 a Louisiana legislative auditor's office reported some oil and gas severance taxes went uncollected from 2009 to 2012 that cost the state millions of dollars in tax revenue. All because the state revenue department shut down a computor program in 2010 that was used to identify delinquent taxpayers. The programs had been sending erroneous bills. Now the state says the computor program will come back on line late in December.
Senator Edwin Murray asked, "why couldn't we just fix the program, rather than turn it off?" Other legislators wondered why it had took so long to get the automated system back up. Governor Jindal has been silent on the issue. It seems like when the oil and gas industry is involved, they get a pass on everything including not paying the severance tax due the state timely for three years while the computer was shut down.
Jindal was outspoken against President Obama when the Affordable Care Act computer system was having problems. However, the President took the steps to take care of the problem and did not shut the system down. Jindal, like most republicans who continue to want to see the President, the country and its people fail, have no character or courage. They are also not serious public servants.
When the head of a state allows his revenue department to shut a computer program down that flags oil and gas companies that have not paid their taxes on time instead of taking care of the problem, you have a governor who failed to do his job. How many years does it take Bobby?
Republicans are good at making a lot of noise. Democrats are good at serving the public. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
The Ron Higgins, Skip Bertman, Nick Saban and LSU Saga
Ron Higgins article that appeared in the Times Picayune of Dec. 13 concerning Saban leaving LSU has as many holes as swiss cheese. In this writers judgement, Saban wanted out at LSU for reasons never made public. I respect Skip Bertman as a person, as a coach and as a athletic director, but his reasons as to why Saban left LSU for Miami as articulated by Higgins does not wash.
Higgins says Bertman told him LSU could not compete with Miami's monetary offer and then says Saban would not leave Alabama for Texas because of money. In fact Bertman was quoted as saying Saban is not a money guy. Saban was smart enough to let it be known while he was at LSU that he might one day return to pro football. That gave him an out when Miami called. Saban had no excuse about the NFL because he previously coached there.
For what ever reason, Saban used the Miami offer as the perfect cover to return to college football at the most opportune time for him. Saban was smart enough to know he would never have the success at coaching in the NFL as he would coaching in college.
Make no mistake, Saban wanted out at LSU for some reason and laid the ground work for his departure when proclaimed he would keep the door open to return to the NFL. I also happen to believe Saban did a poor coaching job at LSU in the year after LSU won the national championship. His mind was not on LSU football.
Perhaps one day fans will be told the true story of why Saban left LSU. I feel sure Saban let his feelings be known to some one.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Higgins says Bertman told him LSU could not compete with Miami's monetary offer and then says Saban would not leave Alabama for Texas because of money. In fact Bertman was quoted as saying Saban is not a money guy. Saban was smart enough to let it be known while he was at LSU that he might one day return to pro football. That gave him an out when Miami called. Saban had no excuse about the NFL because he previously coached there.
For what ever reason, Saban used the Miami offer as the perfect cover to return to college football at the most opportune time for him. Saban was smart enough to know he would never have the success at coaching in the NFL as he would coaching in college.
Make no mistake, Saban wanted out at LSU for some reason and laid the ground work for his departure when proclaimed he would keep the door open to return to the NFL. I also happen to believe Saban did a poor coaching job at LSU in the year after LSU won the national championship. His mind was not on LSU football.
Perhaps one day fans will be told the true story of why Saban left LSU. I feel sure Saban let his feelings be known to some one.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Friday, December 27, 2013
What Will The New Year Bring Politically?
A repeat of past mistakes or the wisdom to learn from the past and create a better future. January 2014 will begin President Obama's second year of his second term in office. The economy will enter the new year with welcomed economic gains in job creation, an increase in the GDP, lower unemployment and a reduction in the Federal Deficit. The war in Afghanistan will come to an end this year so the new year does project a progressive year for the country and its people.
The Affordable Care Act is picking up steam dispite the online application problems that took place at the start up and the republican's opposition to throw up any road block it could muster to create more problems just because they want to see the program and the President fail. The republicans have learned nothing from their past 40 votes to defund the ACA and as a result the future for them will be like the past.
Since 2014 will be a year of congressional elections, if congress chooses to play politics instead of addressing the country's priority to keep the economy moving forward, the future will be like the past with political gridlock. That must not happen as it did in 2013.
President Kennedy understood that our problems are man made and there fore can be solved by man and that past mistakes could be corrected with leadership and courage. He understood history and pursued a future that would not look like the failed past.
President Obama will do the country and its people well by addressing the future and staying above petty politics of the moment. The economic ground work for continued progress has been established and now it is time in 2014 to make full employment a reality, rising wages for the average American a standard and a tax system that is fair where everyone pays a just share of the tax burden.
The road map for the future should avoid the mistakes of the past and it can be accomplished if leaders are mindful of history and our past. President George W. Bush was not and there fore his policies doomed the future of his administration and the economy.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Note: See previous commentary dated 12/28/10 titled, What Will The New Year Bring Politically.
The Affordable Care Act is picking up steam dispite the online application problems that took place at the start up and the republican's opposition to throw up any road block it could muster to create more problems just because they want to see the program and the President fail. The republicans have learned nothing from their past 40 votes to defund the ACA and as a result the future for them will be like the past.
Since 2014 will be a year of congressional elections, if congress chooses to play politics instead of addressing the country's priority to keep the economy moving forward, the future will be like the past with political gridlock. That must not happen as it did in 2013.
President Kennedy understood that our problems are man made and there fore can be solved by man and that past mistakes could be corrected with leadership and courage. He understood history and pursued a future that would not look like the failed past.
President Obama will do the country and its people well by addressing the future and staying above petty politics of the moment. The economic ground work for continued progress has been established and now it is time in 2014 to make full employment a reality, rising wages for the average American a standard and a tax system that is fair where everyone pays a just share of the tax burden.
The road map for the future should avoid the mistakes of the past and it can be accomplished if leaders are mindful of history and our past. President George W. Bush was not and there fore his policies doomed the future of his administration and the economy.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Note: See previous commentary dated 12/28/10 titled, What Will The New Year Bring Politically.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
The Saints Loss To Seattle Surprised No One Except Most Of New Orleans Sports Journalists
The domination of Seattle's defense against the Saints offense should be no surprise to anyone who is objective in their evaluation of the Saints. The Saints three losses have been to teams with the best defensive coaches in the NFL. The Jets, the Patriots and the Seahawks. Seattle's head coach was called the best of them all in the NFL by ESPN's John Gruden who knows a little about the game.
New Orleans's journalists continue to talk about Brees's prolific passing and Payton's genius offense play calling but neither one deserve that title. Five of the Saints victories this year came at the expense of teams who are playing 500 or less ball. Brees was not the only passer who was prolific against those teams. Good defensive coached teams do not let receivers run wild and unchallenged.
After 12 games of play only 13 of the 32 teams in the NFL have a winning record and that trend has been going on for many years. In other words there are a lot of bad teams playing football in the NFL. No wonder records are falling every day. Individual players pile up records over a period of time but what has their team accomplished. The case can be made that Eli Manning has done more for his team than brother Peyton or Brees have done for their teams. Eli's team has won two world championships. Peyton and Brees teams have each won one and they have been playing longer than Eli.
Sports journalists in New Orleans jobs depend on the Saints for their livelyhood and that is why they cling to cliches and hype in their reporting and can not be objective in their evaluation of the Saints. The city did produce one sports writer with the Times Picayune that did pick Seattle to win the game. Jim Henderson, the voice of the Saints commentary after the Saints games are a joke. His after the fact breakdown is laughable.
Yea, Payton and Brees are good at what they do but prolific and genius should be measured with caution. When the Saints started the season in good fashion many sports journalists were projecting them champions of their division and talking about home field advantage thru out the playoffs. Now after the loss to Seattle and the Panthers up next they are in a panic. Those journalists were ready to project the future after only the first 6 games. The last time I checked the Saints do play a 16 game schedule.
Lets see, Green Bay, Dallas, Pittsburg, New England and San Francisco won multiple world championships and had great quarterbacks. I wonder how today's sports journalists would describe those head coaches and quarterbacks? Its a question to ponder.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
New Orleans's journalists continue to talk about Brees's prolific passing and Payton's genius offense play calling but neither one deserve that title. Five of the Saints victories this year came at the expense of teams who are playing 500 or less ball. Brees was not the only passer who was prolific against those teams. Good defensive coached teams do not let receivers run wild and unchallenged.
After 12 games of play only 13 of the 32 teams in the NFL have a winning record and that trend has been going on for many years. In other words there are a lot of bad teams playing football in the NFL. No wonder records are falling every day. Individual players pile up records over a period of time but what has their team accomplished. The case can be made that Eli Manning has done more for his team than brother Peyton or Brees have done for their teams. Eli's team has won two world championships. Peyton and Brees teams have each won one and they have been playing longer than Eli.
Sports journalists in New Orleans jobs depend on the Saints for their livelyhood and that is why they cling to cliches and hype in their reporting and can not be objective in their evaluation of the Saints. The city did produce one sports writer with the Times Picayune that did pick Seattle to win the game. Jim Henderson, the voice of the Saints commentary after the Saints games are a joke. His after the fact breakdown is laughable.
Yea, Payton and Brees are good at what they do but prolific and genius should be measured with caution. When the Saints started the season in good fashion many sports journalists were projecting them champions of their division and talking about home field advantage thru out the playoffs. Now after the loss to Seattle and the Panthers up next they are in a panic. Those journalists were ready to project the future after only the first 6 games. The last time I checked the Saints do play a 16 game schedule.
Lets see, Green Bay, Dallas, Pittsburg, New England and San Francisco won multiple world championships and had great quarterbacks. I wonder how today's sports journalists would describe those head coaches and quarterbacks? Its a question to ponder.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
A Change In The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Part II
On July 4, 2013 this writer pointed out how one of President Truman's famous sayings related to the ACA. President Obama recently made a third change to the act by delaying the on line application for Small Business people for one year. Small Business can still go directly to the health exchanges during the delay period and still sign up and receive health coverage. The on line delay was to make the computer program more user friendly for the Small Business community.
The President's actions so far in the matter demonstrates how government should work when plans go astray and the program in question is worthwhile for the country and its people. The republicans noise machine has its nose bent out of shape because of Obama's chnges and the conservative media are falling over itself with their continued attacks on the President and the ACA.
President George W. Bush and the republican controlled congress passed the Prescription Drug Benefit in 2004 that gave the people the donut hole. President Bush said at the time the program would cost no more than $400 billion over the next decade which ends in 2014. The government now says the cost has already exceeded $900 billion and by the time the decade is over will cost approximately $1.07 trillion. Thats almost triple the predicted cost. Did any one hear of any clamor from the republicans on their own programs over run on costs. Ditto, the conservative news media. Republicans in congress at the time knew the $400 billion cost was a fairy tale but did nothing about it and neither did President Bush. The program also had its rollout problems but republicans were silent on that also.
The republicans forgot President Trumans famous saying concerning their Prescription Drug Benefit. On the other hand President Obama's actions on the ACA shows President Truman's theory was correct when congress passes legislation and corrective action has to be taken. It is just another example of a democratic President doing the right thing on a piece of major legislation. President Truman's wisdom on the matter is still a guide line for future legislation.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The President's actions so far in the matter demonstrates how government should work when plans go astray and the program in question is worthwhile for the country and its people. The republicans noise machine has its nose bent out of shape because of Obama's chnges and the conservative media are falling over itself with their continued attacks on the President and the ACA.
President George W. Bush and the republican controlled congress passed the Prescription Drug Benefit in 2004 that gave the people the donut hole. President Bush said at the time the program would cost no more than $400 billion over the next decade which ends in 2014. The government now says the cost has already exceeded $900 billion and by the time the decade is over will cost approximately $1.07 trillion. Thats almost triple the predicted cost. Did any one hear of any clamor from the republicans on their own programs over run on costs. Ditto, the conservative news media. Republicans in congress at the time knew the $400 billion cost was a fairy tale but did nothing about it and neither did President Bush. The program also had its rollout problems but republicans were silent on that also.
The republicans forgot President Trumans famous saying concerning their Prescription Drug Benefit. On the other hand President Obama's actions on the ACA shows President Truman's theory was correct when congress passes legislation and corrective action has to be taken. It is just another example of a democratic President doing the right thing on a piece of major legislation. President Truman's wisdom on the matter is still a guide line for future legislation.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thankful To Have Known President John F. Kennedy
I was 29 years of age when President Kennedy was killed in November of 1963. Old enough to remember his administration and President's Roosevelt Truman and Eisenhower before him. Being a follower of politics since my teen years I feel I know the Presidents who have served since Kennedy's death also and how they all performed.
President Kennedy came from a wealthy family but did not cater to the wealthy. He was raised and taught that public service was an honorable profession and if used properly, would move the country and its people forward and that was the hallmark of his public life. As Commander in Chief, he had military experience having served in the Pacific during WWII. He used that experience along with his military's advisors advice to help him make military decisions during the "cold war."
Although he was in office only 2 years and 11 months the people of America answered his call to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" and lit the fire of hope, patriotism and a feeling of can do. The majority of America, young, middle age and the elderly supported his administration and he made us all feel young and productive.
The President also had the support of the free world and those oppressed. The "peace corps" he established bridged the gap between America and many parts of the world where America had no hands on contact. The President also made it clear he thought people around the world should decide its own destiny. Because of his faith in our couintry and its people he called America never to negotiate out of fear but never fear to negoiate. Many of todays politicians wrongly associate negotiate with weakness.
Kennedy knew first hand what war was all about and would never start an unnecessary war. People who were close to Kennedy said he always thought about the casualties of children in war and the fact that they never have a say so in the matter. He was a student of history and well versed in what took place before he became President and was mindful of the future. He publically stated that our problems on Earth are man made and therefore can be solved by man and that is what his policies addressed.
He supported the "arts" and knew the history of the "arts" and the role played in developing our country. Civility was a part of the President's persona and not personal attacks which is SOP for many politicians today. He believed in a free press and below is a speech he gave on the subject matter. President Kennedy's decision to explore outer space for peaceful purposes and put a man on the moon underscored his knowledge of what space exploration would do for future generations. It also put America on the moon first.
His wisdom and knowlege of history was displayed when he went to W. Berlin in June of 1963. It was estimated that more than a million people gathered to hear his speech which was perhaps the most famous single moment of the "cold war"according to some. Kennedy's speech made the case that communism was not the wave of the futurethe Russians were promoting. He also pointed out that the Berlin wall was a vivid demonstration of the failure of the communist system. Kennedy closed out his speech by saying, "all free men, where ever they may live are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man I take pride in the words,"ich bin ein Berliner." (I too am a Berliner) The people of Berlin loved his speech and loved the President.
I often wish my three children and two grand children were of age where they could have known JFK. I think they would feel as I do that our country today is lacking leaders with wisdom, courage and the commitment to public service In fact, today's leaders seem to lack the understanding what our political system is all about.
It is this writers opinion that our political system has changed for the worst since that tragic day in Dallas. Our country, our people and the people of the world lost its hero that day and 50 years later we have lost sight of what hero's are all about. The noise machine of being negative has taken center stage and our political system is paralized. I believe true hero's are still out there to lead this great nation and its people. We have just lost the wisdom and the ability to distinguish who they really are.
From a speech President Kennedy made in February 1962 on the twentieth anniversary of The Voice of America.
You are obliged to tell our story in a truthful way, to tell it, as Oliver Cromwell said about his portrait, "Paint us with all our blemishes and warts, all those things that might not be immediately attractive.
We compete with those who are our adversaries who tell only the good stories. But the things that go bad in America, you must tell that also. And we hope that the bad and the good is sifted together by people of judgement and discretion and taste and discrimination, that they will realize what we are trying to do here.
We seek a free flow of information.... We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
President Kennedy came from a wealthy family but did not cater to the wealthy. He was raised and taught that public service was an honorable profession and if used properly, would move the country and its people forward and that was the hallmark of his public life. As Commander in Chief, he had military experience having served in the Pacific during WWII. He used that experience along with his military's advisors advice to help him make military decisions during the "cold war."
Although he was in office only 2 years and 11 months the people of America answered his call to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" and lit the fire of hope, patriotism and a feeling of can do. The majority of America, young, middle age and the elderly supported his administration and he made us all feel young and productive.
The President also had the support of the free world and those oppressed. The "peace corps" he established bridged the gap between America and many parts of the world where America had no hands on contact. The President also made it clear he thought people around the world should decide its own destiny. Because of his faith in our couintry and its people he called America never to negotiate out of fear but never fear to negoiate. Many of todays politicians wrongly associate negotiate with weakness.
Kennedy knew first hand what war was all about and would never start an unnecessary war. People who were close to Kennedy said he always thought about the casualties of children in war and the fact that they never have a say so in the matter. He was a student of history and well versed in what took place before he became President and was mindful of the future. He publically stated that our problems on Earth are man made and therefore can be solved by man and that is what his policies addressed.
He supported the "arts" and knew the history of the "arts" and the role played in developing our country. Civility was a part of the President's persona and not personal attacks which is SOP for many politicians today. He believed in a free press and below is a speech he gave on the subject matter. President Kennedy's decision to explore outer space for peaceful purposes and put a man on the moon underscored his knowledge of what space exploration would do for future generations. It also put America on the moon first.
His wisdom and knowlege of history was displayed when he went to W. Berlin in June of 1963. It was estimated that more than a million people gathered to hear his speech which was perhaps the most famous single moment of the "cold war"according to some. Kennedy's speech made the case that communism was not the wave of the futurethe Russians were promoting. He also pointed out that the Berlin wall was a vivid demonstration of the failure of the communist system. Kennedy closed out his speech by saying, "all free men, where ever they may live are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man I take pride in the words,"ich bin ein Berliner." (I too am a Berliner) The people of Berlin loved his speech and loved the President.
I often wish my three children and two grand children were of age where they could have known JFK. I think they would feel as I do that our country today is lacking leaders with wisdom, courage and the commitment to public service In fact, today's leaders seem to lack the understanding what our political system is all about.
It is this writers opinion that our political system has changed for the worst since that tragic day in Dallas. Our country, our people and the people of the world lost its hero that day and 50 years later we have lost sight of what hero's are all about. The noise machine of being negative has taken center stage and our political system is paralized. I believe true hero's are still out there to lead this great nation and its people. We have just lost the wisdom and the ability to distinguish who they really are.
From a speech President Kennedy made in February 1962 on the twentieth anniversary of The Voice of America.
You are obliged to tell our story in a truthful way, to tell it, as Oliver Cromwell said about his portrait, "Paint us with all our blemishes and warts, all those things that might not be immediately attractive.
We compete with those who are our adversaries who tell only the good stories. But the things that go bad in America, you must tell that also. And we hope that the bad and the good is sifted together by people of judgement and discretion and taste and discrimination, that they will realize what we are trying to do here.
We seek a free flow of information.... We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Too Big To Fail: J.P. Morgan Chase, Part II
On April 17, 2010 I wrote a commentary for "Politidose" about the Wall Street Banks that were described as "too big to fail" and which received federal assistance that was part of a $700 billion bailout plan called TARP. I pointed out that any bank that was "too big to fail" was a monopoly and should be broken up by the federal government for the good of the country, the people and the economy.
J.P. Morgan Chase, one of the banks who received federal bailout money has been in the news recently and the federal government announced they have been fined billions of dollars for their illegal actions in the mortgage industry and other banking operations and that they are still under a criminal investigation for their actions. J.P. Morgan was one of the banks described as "too big to fail."
Now would be a good time for the federal government to break up this monopoly called J.P. Morgan but there is still no clamor in Washington to do so. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is the only elected official who has been consistent in her calls to have the justice department file criminal charges against the Wall Street Banks involved in the collapse and she has also been consistent in wanting them to be broken up.
President's Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman would have broken them up long ago and would have had the support of congress and the justice department to do so. But we now live in the age of wealth that is used to paralyze our elected officials and the enforcement of federal regulations. The corruptive practices of Wall Street is well known and how they use their influence to manipulate the markets and the federal regulatory system. Those federal agencies that have the power to regulate the U.S.banking system and the Wall Street banks need to step up to the plate and carry out their responsibilities. The people, country and the national economy has been cheated by business monopolies for too long. It is a classic case of influence by wealth and those involved need to pay the price big time.
Hopefully President Obama, congress and the justice department will move to break up those Wall Street Banks that make up the monopoly and send any one in those orginazations to jail if indeed criminal activity was involved. There is no better time than now.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
J.P. Morgan Chase, one of the banks who received federal bailout money has been in the news recently and the federal government announced they have been fined billions of dollars for their illegal actions in the mortgage industry and other banking operations and that they are still under a criminal investigation for their actions. J.P. Morgan was one of the banks described as "too big to fail."
Now would be a good time for the federal government to break up this monopoly called J.P. Morgan but there is still no clamor in Washington to do so. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is the only elected official who has been consistent in her calls to have the justice department file criminal charges against the Wall Street Banks involved in the collapse and she has also been consistent in wanting them to be broken up.
President's Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman would have broken them up long ago and would have had the support of congress and the justice department to do so. But we now live in the age of wealth that is used to paralyze our elected officials and the enforcement of federal regulations. The corruptive practices of Wall Street is well known and how they use their influence to manipulate the markets and the federal regulatory system. Those federal agencies that have the power to regulate the U.S.banking system and the Wall Street banks need to step up to the plate and carry out their responsibilities. The people, country and the national economy has been cheated by business monopolies for too long. It is a classic case of influence by wealth and those involved need to pay the price big time.
Hopefully President Obama, congress and the justice department will move to break up those Wall Street Banks that make up the monopoly and send any one in those orginazations to jail if indeed criminal activity was involved. There is no better time than now.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Friday, November 22, 2013
The Noise Machine and The Affordable Care Act
The Republican noise machine and their leading surrogate, the Fox News Network continue to try and undermine the Affordable Care Act and the Obama administration in general concerning the start up and the problems that have been encountered along the way. The noise has been ignored by the uninsured who have already signed up and are satisfied with the results. Having a chance to obtain health insurance is what is important to their cause and if more of the uninsured would follow that lead and tune out the negative voices the noise machine would die a painful death.
The President and democrats in congress should make it clear the Affordable Care Act will be implemented despite the republican noise and that the President will veto any bill that comes to his desk even if some democratics join in passing a bill that would effectively kill the Act. The President and democratic party are on the right side of this issue and should not let next years congressional elections scare them.
Those insurance companies who semt out cancellation notices to their policy holders and failed to inform them they had an option with the ACA are not good corporate citizens nor honest ones. The policy holders who received cancellation letters need to step up and find out just what options they do have with the ACA. It would be worth while to investigate and find out on their own so they can get a handle on the facts. Insurance companies are monopolies and they will not do any thing on their own to help the cause of the uninsured.
The noise machine and Fox News have no credibility on the subject matter because of the hatred they have for the President. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Republican cooperation with President Obama has been non existing in the past five years, so for them, the future is like the past. President Obama and the democrats in congress will be on their own so it will be up to them to stay the course and take the fight to the republican party and their noise machine.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The President and democrats in congress should make it clear the Affordable Care Act will be implemented despite the republican noise and that the President will veto any bill that comes to his desk even if some democratics join in passing a bill that would effectively kill the Act. The President and democratic party are on the right side of this issue and should not let next years congressional elections scare them.
Those insurance companies who semt out cancellation notices to their policy holders and failed to inform them they had an option with the ACA are not good corporate citizens nor honest ones. The policy holders who received cancellation letters need to step up and find out just what options they do have with the ACA. It would be worth while to investigate and find out on their own so they can get a handle on the facts. Insurance companies are monopolies and they will not do any thing on their own to help the cause of the uninsured.
The noise machine and Fox News have no credibility on the subject matter because of the hatred they have for the President. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Republican cooperation with President Obama has been non existing in the past five years, so for them, the future is like the past. President Obama and the democrats in congress will be on their own so it will be up to them to stay the course and take the fight to the republican party and their noise machine.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Sunday, November 17, 2013
MSNBC's Hardball Chat With Chris Matthews and Joe Scarborough On November 11
Chris and Joe's chat on "Hardball" appeared to be an attempt to show that in the past Democrats and Republicans worked together in Congress to get things done for the country and its people and that Republicans today have nothing to offer in the way of cooperation or policy. Of course anyone who follows our political system knows the problem today with Republicans did not start with the Tea Party, it actually started when Newt Gingrich became their leader in congress during the 90's. In fact President Reagan had a hand in that prior to Newt when he proclaimed "government is the problem".
Both Chris and Joe were promoting their new books during their chat and forgot history. Democrats in congress have always cooperated more with Republican administrations than Republicans in congress cooperated with Democratic administrations.
Joe served in congress from 1995 to 2001and supported the so called Gingrich revolution and signed onto the Republicans "contract on America" which America did not ask for. Joe also voted against the Small Business Job Protection Act and supported the impeachment of President Clinton over a sexual affair even though several Republicans in congress were having their own sexual affairs. The Republicans in congress when Joe was there acted against President Clinton just like todays's Republicans are acting against President Obama.
Chris worked in Washington also as an aide to Tip who was Speaker of the House for the Democratic party and often recalls how Reagan and Tip worked together. Joe spoke about how the Republicans worked with Clinton to balance the federal budget, but failed to tell the true story. The Democratic controlled both houses of congress in 1993 and passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan and not one single Republican in the U.S. House and Senate voted yes, they all voted no and predicted record unemployment, massive job losses, a failed economy and an explosion in the federal deficit. Of course they were all wrong and the people knew.
When Clinton's first balance budget and surplus came in at the end of fiscal year 1998 Clinton threw a party for the Democrats in congress. The Republicans in congress were not invited and their nose was out of joint because of that but the President reminded them they voted against his plan and did not deserve to be there. Republicans do have a history of trying to take credit for the good things that happen during Democratic administrations but it will not wash.
Chris and Joe seem not to have learned much about the Washington they worked in or the media they now serve in. They yearn for a return to the times between Ike and Reagan's year but have forgotten what has taken place between Reagan and Obama. This writer agrees with Chris and Joe that the Tea Party sucks and are a disgrace to our democratic system. But where have they been for the last four and a half years when the Republican leaders in congress promised not to do anything that would help President Obama move the country and its people forward, even after the second great Republican depression of 2008.
Seems like Chris and Joe forgot all about that.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Both Chris and Joe were promoting their new books during their chat and forgot history. Democrats in congress have always cooperated more with Republican administrations than Republicans in congress cooperated with Democratic administrations.
Joe served in congress from 1995 to 2001and supported the so called Gingrich revolution and signed onto the Republicans "contract on America" which America did not ask for. Joe also voted against the Small Business Job Protection Act and supported the impeachment of President Clinton over a sexual affair even though several Republicans in congress were having their own sexual affairs. The Republicans in congress when Joe was there acted against President Clinton just like todays's Republicans are acting against President Obama.
Chris worked in Washington also as an aide to Tip who was Speaker of the House for the Democratic party and often recalls how Reagan and Tip worked together. Joe spoke about how the Republicans worked with Clinton to balance the federal budget, but failed to tell the true story. The Democratic controlled both houses of congress in 1993 and passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan and not one single Republican in the U.S. House and Senate voted yes, they all voted no and predicted record unemployment, massive job losses, a failed economy and an explosion in the federal deficit. Of course they were all wrong and the people knew.
When Clinton's first balance budget and surplus came in at the end of fiscal year 1998 Clinton threw a party for the Democrats in congress. The Republicans in congress were not invited and their nose was out of joint because of that but the President reminded them they voted against his plan and did not deserve to be there. Republicans do have a history of trying to take credit for the good things that happen during Democratic administrations but it will not wash.
Chris and Joe seem not to have learned much about the Washington they worked in or the media they now serve in. They yearn for a return to the times between Ike and Reagan's year but have forgotten what has taken place between Reagan and Obama. This writer agrees with Chris and Joe that the Tea Party sucks and are a disgrace to our democratic system. But where have they been for the last four and a half years when the Republican leaders in congress promised not to do anything that would help President Obama move the country and its people forward, even after the second great Republican depression of 2008.
Seems like Chris and Joe forgot all about that.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Friday, November 15, 2013
Louisiana Purchased: Times Picayune Story By Manuel Torres and Lee Zurik
The only real news in this story is that the names of people and businesses are identified along with the amount of campaign contributions. The story line is old and known to any one who follows politics on a state or federal level. The known story line is that elected officials do indeed give special interest groups special favors because of the money received to run their campaigns.
Businesses and other groups along with the elected officials all give the same answer when the subject matter comes up. Their answer is there is no "quid pro quo" which Webster's dictionary describes "as one thing in return for another." In other words there is no connection between the campaign contributions given and the special treatment the donors receive. Of course everyone knows that is a fairy tale to the highest degree.
The corrupted money practice will only stop when voters condem both the elected officials and those special interest groups who care nothing about the harm they do to democracy, the political system and the people. Wealth and the ability to use it has been substituted in order to reward the few at the expense of the many.
Make no mistake, the influence that is sought thru campaign contributions and the favors granted by elected officials to those special intrest groups are not to advance the economy, jobs, the state or the working class, it is sought to transfer wealth from the average person to the wealthy that has been taking place now for many years.
In the November 13 article in the Times Picayune the following statement at the top of the article read. "the state isn't inforcing its limits on campaign contributions from PAC'S." If that sounds familiar its because the state is guilty of a lack of enforcement concerning the environmental damage caused by the operations of oil and gas drilling, production and pipeline operations in Louisiana and it has been going on for over 40 years.
There is a very simple way that elected officials can end the corrupted practice that goes along with campaign contributions. They have the power to refuse any and all campaign contributions and there is no court in the land that can force them to do so. That would not cost the state one cent and would remove the money influence. Will Mr. Torres and Zurik's story change things for the better? I have my doubts. Elected officials have the authority of law to change the system, what is lacking is leadership, character, courage and the balls to do so.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Businesses and other groups along with the elected officials all give the same answer when the subject matter comes up. Their answer is there is no "quid pro quo" which Webster's dictionary describes "as one thing in return for another." In other words there is no connection between the campaign contributions given and the special treatment the donors receive. Of course everyone knows that is a fairy tale to the highest degree.
The corrupted money practice will only stop when voters condem both the elected officials and those special interest groups who care nothing about the harm they do to democracy, the political system and the people. Wealth and the ability to use it has been substituted in order to reward the few at the expense of the many.
Make no mistake, the influence that is sought thru campaign contributions and the favors granted by elected officials to those special intrest groups are not to advance the economy, jobs, the state or the working class, it is sought to transfer wealth from the average person to the wealthy that has been taking place now for many years.
In the November 13 article in the Times Picayune the following statement at the top of the article read. "the state isn't inforcing its limits on campaign contributions from PAC'S." If that sounds familiar its because the state is guilty of a lack of enforcement concerning the environmental damage caused by the operations of oil and gas drilling, production and pipeline operations in Louisiana and it has been going on for over 40 years.
There is a very simple way that elected officials can end the corrupted practice that goes along with campaign contributions. They have the power to refuse any and all campaign contributions and there is no court in the land that can force them to do so. That would not cost the state one cent and would remove the money influence. Will Mr. Torres and Zurik's story change things for the better? I have my doubts. Elected officials have the authority of law to change the system, what is lacking is leadership, character, courage and the balls to do so.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
The Federal Budget Deficit And Federal Spending: Another Huge First For"PolitiDose."
The Federal Government's fiscal year that ended 9/30/13 was President Obama's fourth fiscal year and the deficit came in at $680 billion, down from the $1.08 trillion deficit of fiscal year ending 9/30/12. Federal spending came in at $3.45 trillion, down 2.4% from fiscal year ending 9/30/12 that was $3.53 trillion. Federal revenue was up 13.3% to $2.77 trillion.
Any one who follows "PolitiDose" should not be surprised at the above numbers as it has been pointed out many times over that democratic administrations always do better than republican administrations in all area's of the budget and the economic well being of America. The news media in general are still ignorant concerning those matters and have no clue. They love to repeat the lies of republican talking points.
President Obama's four fiscal years has seen the smallest growth in federal spending in over 52 years. The following numbers tell the story.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/09 Bush's last fiscal year was $3.517 trillion.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/10, Obama's first fiscal year was $3.45 trillion, down 1.7% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/11 Obama's second fiscal year was $3.60 trillion, up 4.2% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/12 Obama's third fiscal year was $3.53 trillion, down 1.8% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/13 Obama's fourth fiscal year was $3.45 trillion, down 2.4% from previous year.
And once again as this writer has pointed out in the past it is a democratic administration that has controlled federal spending, reduced the federal deficit, created jobs, reduced unemployment and put the economy back on track. And it has happened despite the republicans promise to obstruct and do nothing to help the President and despite having to deal with the worst economic and fiscal depression since the great depression of 1929. And there should be no doubt in any ones mind that unemployment would be under 6% had the republican controlled house passed Obama's job's program to rebuild the nations infrastructure they have been sitting on for the past two years. That legislation was passed by the senate and was fully funded with out increasing the federal deficit. Our economic house would also be a lot stronger had the U.S. House acted.
When Vice President Chaney said in public, deficits don't matter while the Bush administration was turning President's Clinton's balanced budgets and surplusess into deficit spending and debt the republican party who controlled both houses of congress during most of Bush's time in office looked the other way and the news media was silent.
Yes, my fellow Americans democratic administrations with a liberal philosophy are better at moving the country and its people forward economically and in fiscal matters than republican administrations with a conservative ideology. The factual numbers published by the CBO, the Labor Department, the Treasury and other governmental agency's tell the real story. And information concerning the budget deficit, federal spending, the national debt, unemployment and other economic and fiscal matters can be found here in "PolitiDose" in past commentaries.
Special Note: No republican administration has reduced year to year federal spending in the past 50 years even when their party controlled both houses of congress or when congress was split.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Any one who follows "PolitiDose" should not be surprised at the above numbers as it has been pointed out many times over that democratic administrations always do better than republican administrations in all area's of the budget and the economic well being of America. The news media in general are still ignorant concerning those matters and have no clue. They love to repeat the lies of republican talking points.
President Obama's four fiscal years has seen the smallest growth in federal spending in over 52 years. The following numbers tell the story.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/09 Bush's last fiscal year was $3.517 trillion.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/10, Obama's first fiscal year was $3.45 trillion, down 1.7% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/11 Obama's second fiscal year was $3.60 trillion, up 4.2% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/12 Obama's third fiscal year was $3.53 trillion, down 1.8% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/13 Obama's fourth fiscal year was $3.45 trillion, down 2.4% from previous year.
And once again as this writer has pointed out in the past it is a democratic administration that has controlled federal spending, reduced the federal deficit, created jobs, reduced unemployment and put the economy back on track. And it has happened despite the republicans promise to obstruct and do nothing to help the President and despite having to deal with the worst economic and fiscal depression since the great depression of 1929. And there should be no doubt in any ones mind that unemployment would be under 6% had the republican controlled house passed Obama's job's program to rebuild the nations infrastructure they have been sitting on for the past two years. That legislation was passed by the senate and was fully funded with out increasing the federal deficit. Our economic house would also be a lot stronger had the U.S. House acted.
When Vice President Chaney said in public, deficits don't matter while the Bush administration was turning President's Clinton's balanced budgets and surplusess into deficit spending and debt the republican party who controlled both houses of congress during most of Bush's time in office looked the other way and the news media was silent.
Yes, my fellow Americans democratic administrations with a liberal philosophy are better at moving the country and its people forward economically and in fiscal matters than republican administrations with a conservative ideology. The factual numbers published by the CBO, the Labor Department, the Treasury and other governmental agency's tell the real story. And information concerning the budget deficit, federal spending, the national debt, unemployment and other economic and fiscal matters can be found here in "PolitiDose" in past commentaries.
Special Note: No republican administration has reduced year to year federal spending in the past 50 years even when their party controlled both houses of congress or when congress was split.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
The Affordable Care Act Brings The Republican's Anti-American Ideology To The Fore-front
"PolitiDose" seems to be the only news outlet that understands why the republican party spends all its time and energy on negative comments and anti-American propaganda against President Obama and the democratic party. The various hosts on cable news tells their viewing audience every night that they don't understand why the republican party acts as they do.
Well, beginning in 2007 and over the years since, "PolitiDose" explained in manny commentries that the republican party has no record of accomplishments or record of moving the country and its people forward so they attack and try to control the narrative which the news media gladly follow. That is why they have no policy to campaign on. The most recent example is the November elections when Romney's only policy was tax cuts and his campaign was about attacking the President.
Republican strategist believe as long as they attack democrats no one will ask them what they themselves stand for and the media obliges. Their current attacks against the Affordable Care Act is a good example. They say their idea's are better for the uninsured but had 8 years under Bush 43 to come up with a health plan and failed to do so. And they have had four and a half years under President Obama to come up with a plan and they are still batting zero for twelve.
The essence of the republican ploy is to obstruct any democratic administration into failure because democratic administrations always do better for the country and its people than republican administrations. That is why they tried and failed to bring down President Clinton over an affair. They could not attack Clinton on the economy, job creation, balanced budgets, low unemployment and etc.,so they tried to destroy his administration with impeachment.
They have been trying to destroy the Obama administration because once again it is a democratic administration that is reducing the federal deficit, creating jobs, improving the economy, reducing federal spending and reversing the damage to the country and its people that the Bush administration bequeathed to President Obama and the nation.
The republicans shut down the government three times in their effort to cripple President's Clinton and Obama. The last time it was done to destroy the economic recovery taken place after the second great republican depression of 2008. The party has become a traitor party because they can not compete with the democratic party in policy or ideas. They have zero policy ideas and are a disgrace not only to the office of the President and all Americans, they are a disgrace to our democratic system of government and a disgrace to the people they were chosen to represent. And to top it off they use lies as prt of their planned rhetoric.
The people should never forget it is estimated the republican shutdown of government cost the country $24 billion.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Note: For past commentaries dealing with the subject matter see A Fiscal Responsible Government dated 4/30/07, President Obama And Fiscal Stability dated 11/8/09 and An Economic Turnaround, Job Creation, and Fiscal Stability: There Is A Precedent. dated 12/14/09.
Well, beginning in 2007 and over the years since, "PolitiDose" explained in manny commentries that the republican party has no record of accomplishments or record of moving the country and its people forward so they attack and try to control the narrative which the news media gladly follow. That is why they have no policy to campaign on. The most recent example is the November elections when Romney's only policy was tax cuts and his campaign was about attacking the President.
Republican strategist believe as long as they attack democrats no one will ask them what they themselves stand for and the media obliges. Their current attacks against the Affordable Care Act is a good example. They say their idea's are better for the uninsured but had 8 years under Bush 43 to come up with a health plan and failed to do so. And they have had four and a half years under President Obama to come up with a plan and they are still batting zero for twelve.
The essence of the republican ploy is to obstruct any democratic administration into failure because democratic administrations always do better for the country and its people than republican administrations. That is why they tried and failed to bring down President Clinton over an affair. They could not attack Clinton on the economy, job creation, balanced budgets, low unemployment and etc.,so they tried to destroy his administration with impeachment.
They have been trying to destroy the Obama administration because once again it is a democratic administration that is reducing the federal deficit, creating jobs, improving the economy, reducing federal spending and reversing the damage to the country and its people that the Bush administration bequeathed to President Obama and the nation.
The republicans shut down the government three times in their effort to cripple President's Clinton and Obama. The last time it was done to destroy the economic recovery taken place after the second great republican depression of 2008. The party has become a traitor party because they can not compete with the democratic party in policy or ideas. They have zero policy ideas and are a disgrace not only to the office of the President and all Americans, they are a disgrace to our democratic system of government and a disgrace to the people they were chosen to represent. And to top it off they use lies as prt of their planned rhetoric.
The people should never forget it is estimated the republican shutdown of government cost the country $24 billion.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Note: For past commentaries dealing with the subject matter see A Fiscal Responsible Government dated 4/30/07, President Obama And Fiscal Stability dated 11/8/09 and An Economic Turnaround, Job Creation, and Fiscal Stability: There Is A Precedent. dated 12/14/09.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
President Obama Stood Tall
The President was the mature voice concerning the budget/shutdown/default issue and displayed his character and courage in staying the same course that moved the country and its people out of the second great republican depression. The President knows more about the federal budget than the republicans in congress and knows that federal spending has seen the smallest increase in over 50 years on his watch and that run away federal spending is not happening on his watch as republicans claim.
The republican's position on the subject matter was an ideology exercise and extension of the party's plan to sabotage the economy and the President was not going to let that happen. He articulated to the American people the harm that the republican's position would do to the country and the economy and he did so in a mature responsible way without personal attacks.
The people were exposed to the republican's childish attitude to the more mature attitude of the President and the democratic party who are more attuned to the needs of the country and its people and are not obsessed with personal attacks against the opposition party. The congress is in need of serious people who understand what public service really means and who are willing to work for the public good. The Tea Party clowns lack the basic knowledge of what government service is all about.
The President also continues to stand tall by reducing the deficit dramatically and putting the country on the right path to a balanced budget. This writer has pointed out in many previous commentary how it is republican administrations that have failed to balance the budget and has given the country record deficit spending. The President knows that deficit spending would not be a problem today if President George W. Bush had balanced the federal budget like Clinton did.
President Obama needs to continue to stand tall and be the mature President for America. The childish republicans in congress have been exposed for what they really are and what they are up to. The President needs to continue to push his programs for the benefit of the country and to continue to create jobs. Full employment is attainable if republicans will work with him.
Those who hate government should remember, the government is run by people and it takes mature people who are willing to put government service before their own misplaced ideology.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The republican's position on the subject matter was an ideology exercise and extension of the party's plan to sabotage the economy and the President was not going to let that happen. He articulated to the American people the harm that the republican's position would do to the country and the economy and he did so in a mature responsible way without personal attacks.
The people were exposed to the republican's childish attitude to the more mature attitude of the President and the democratic party who are more attuned to the needs of the country and its people and are not obsessed with personal attacks against the opposition party. The congress is in need of serious people who understand what public service really means and who are willing to work for the public good. The Tea Party clowns lack the basic knowledge of what government service is all about.
The President also continues to stand tall by reducing the deficit dramatically and putting the country on the right path to a balanced budget. This writer has pointed out in many previous commentary how it is republican administrations that have failed to balance the budget and has given the country record deficit spending. The President knows that deficit spending would not be a problem today if President George W. Bush had balanced the federal budget like Clinton did.
President Obama needs to continue to stand tall and be the mature President for America. The childish republicans in congress have been exposed for what they really are and what they are up to. The President needs to continue to push his programs for the benefit of the country and to continue to create jobs. Full employment is attainable if republicans will work with him.
Those who hate government should remember, the government is run by people and it takes mature people who are willing to put government service before their own misplaced ideology.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Payton And Brees Not So Prolific When Playing A Well Coached Defense
New England coach Bill Belichick knows you can not let opposing receivers run wild and not be challenged. He also knows at his age he could complete a pass to a wide open receiver so he had a defensive game plan to cover the Saints receivers in Sunday's game and the results shocked the Saints and their little world.
Belichick, who is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the NFL had his defensive backs in the pocket of Grahamn and Colston all day long and did not give them separation like so many other Saints opponets have done. The Patriot's defensive backs hands were also active in reaching in and knocking the ball away. The results were zero completions to Grahamn and two to Colston. They did not run wild this Sunday all by their lonesome.
The Saints were out coached and out played by a team that was with out the service of its four top receivers. That alone was a major accomplishment by the Patriots. Saints coach Playton's decision to defer the opening kick off as he did last week against the Bears did not work to the Saints advantage. Payton's play calling and selection in the last few minutes of the ball game tells this writer that he thought he had the game won. It fact it looked like the Saint's team had the game won with their looks on the sideline. A wise baseball player by the name of Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till its over." That should be a good lesson for the Saints.
After six games the won loss record of the Saints six opponents stand at 16 wins and 17 losses. Record of the Saints five opponents they defeated stand at 11wins and 16 losses. Only two of the five teams the Saints defeated have a winning record, the Bears are 4-2 and Miami is 3-2. Of the 32 teams in the NFL only 11 teams have a winning record and if history holds true at seasons end the results will be the same or close to it.
Belichick's defense outplayed Payton's offense while Brady out played Brees and threw the winning touchdown pass with 5 seconds left on the clock to a rookie receiver. With so many teams playing under 500 ball it is hard to tell how good the good teams really are. Of course time will tell. In the mean time the Patriots put to bed the talk by New Orleans sports writers and journalists that this Saint team is on the same path as the 2009 team. The Saints are not out of it by no means but sports journalists should let the season unfold, trying to compare at this point in the season may fill air time and the newspaper articles but what does that accomplish.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Belichick, who is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the NFL had his defensive backs in the pocket of Grahamn and Colston all day long and did not give them separation like so many other Saints opponets have done. The Patriot's defensive backs hands were also active in reaching in and knocking the ball away. The results were zero completions to Grahamn and two to Colston. They did not run wild this Sunday all by their lonesome.
The Saints were out coached and out played by a team that was with out the service of its four top receivers. That alone was a major accomplishment by the Patriots. Saints coach Playton's decision to defer the opening kick off as he did last week against the Bears did not work to the Saints advantage. Payton's play calling and selection in the last few minutes of the ball game tells this writer that he thought he had the game won. It fact it looked like the Saint's team had the game won with their looks on the sideline. A wise baseball player by the name of Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till its over." That should be a good lesson for the Saints.
After six games the won loss record of the Saints six opponents stand at 16 wins and 17 losses. Record of the Saints five opponents they defeated stand at 11wins and 16 losses. Only two of the five teams the Saints defeated have a winning record, the Bears are 4-2 and Miami is 3-2. Of the 32 teams in the NFL only 11 teams have a winning record and if history holds true at seasons end the results will be the same or close to it.
Belichick's defense outplayed Payton's offense while Brady out played Brees and threw the winning touchdown pass with 5 seconds left on the clock to a rookie receiver. With so many teams playing under 500 ball it is hard to tell how good the good teams really are. Of course time will tell. In the mean time the Patriots put to bed the talk by New Orleans sports writers and journalists that this Saint team is on the same path as the 2009 team. The Saints are not out of it by no means but sports journalists should let the season unfold, trying to compare at this point in the season may fill air time and the newspaper articles but what does that accomplish.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Saturday, October 12, 2013
America and Its People Need A Democratic Controlled Congress In 2014
The November 2014 congressional elections will be one of great importance becuse the people will have an opportunity to say if they agree with a divided government or if they think we should change course and give President Obama an opportunity to work with a democratic controlled congress for his last two years in office.
The present government shutdown, budget battle, possible defaulgt and those that make up the republican party in congress today tell this writer the people and country would be better off with a democratic controlled congress. Our past history, especially in the last 33 years confirms this. The only party in that time period who vowed not to lift a finger to help the President move the country forward is today's republican party. Their vow to obstruck is unprecedented.
Every phase of our economy works better for the people with a democratic President and democratic controlled congress. President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan was passed by the democratic controlled congress in 1993 that gave the country its best economic times and fiscal stability with balanced budgets and surplusses. Every republican in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate voted against that bill. President Obama with a democratic controlled congress passed a $787 billion stimulus package that moved the country out of the second great republican depression, created jobs and helped in reducing the yearly deficits left by the Bush administration. The democratic controlled senate passed Obama's jobs program of rebuilding the nations infrastructure only to see the bill killed by the republican controlled U.S. House.
One could go back past 33 years and you would still find the nation and its people did better under democratic control. You would also find when congress is divided with a republican President, democrats worked with the President and did not obstruct or vow to make him a one term President. Nor did the democrats impeach any republican President over an affair or shut the government down.
To those voters who believe in balancing the federal budget vote democrat for it was President Clinton and President Lyndon Johnson who are the only two Presidents to balance the federal budget in the last 52 years. To those voters who believe federal spending is out of control, vote democratic because federal spending has grown at a much lower rate under Clinton and Obama than any republican Presidential administration in the last 52 years. Federal spending increases under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 increased dramatically. To those voters who believe in job creation vote democratic because job creation has always had its best years under democratic administrations. For instance, more jobs were created under Clinton in the 8 years he served than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 in the 20 years they ran the country.
To those voters who are concerned about taxes, vote democratic because they are better at fair taxation and protecting the average American. To those voters who want to see middle class income grow instead of being stagnet vote democratic because the greatest advancement in middle class income has happened on the democratic watch.
Wht is taking place at the present time with the republicans shutting down government services and having a past history of doing so is unAmerican and a discrace to congress. Their hatred for the President and their willingness to obstruct the President from moving the country from the second great republican depression is tantamont to treason. The older republican party is gone from the scene and the new republican party is mentally incompetent politically and their ideology makes them unfit for office.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The present government shutdown, budget battle, possible defaulgt and those that make up the republican party in congress today tell this writer the people and country would be better off with a democratic controlled congress. Our past history, especially in the last 33 years confirms this. The only party in that time period who vowed not to lift a finger to help the President move the country forward is today's republican party. Their vow to obstruck is unprecedented.
Every phase of our economy works better for the people with a democratic President and democratic controlled congress. President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan was passed by the democratic controlled congress in 1993 that gave the country its best economic times and fiscal stability with balanced budgets and surplusses. Every republican in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate voted against that bill. President Obama with a democratic controlled congress passed a $787 billion stimulus package that moved the country out of the second great republican depression, created jobs and helped in reducing the yearly deficits left by the Bush administration. The democratic controlled senate passed Obama's jobs program of rebuilding the nations infrastructure only to see the bill killed by the republican controlled U.S. House.
One could go back past 33 years and you would still find the nation and its people did better under democratic control. You would also find when congress is divided with a republican President, democrats worked with the President and did not obstruct or vow to make him a one term President. Nor did the democrats impeach any republican President over an affair or shut the government down.
To those voters who believe in balancing the federal budget vote democrat for it was President Clinton and President Lyndon Johnson who are the only two Presidents to balance the federal budget in the last 52 years. To those voters who believe federal spending is out of control, vote democratic because federal spending has grown at a much lower rate under Clinton and Obama than any republican Presidential administration in the last 52 years. Federal spending increases under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 increased dramatically. To those voters who believe in job creation vote democratic because job creation has always had its best years under democratic administrations. For instance, more jobs were created under Clinton in the 8 years he served than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 in the 20 years they ran the country.
To those voters who are concerned about taxes, vote democratic because they are better at fair taxation and protecting the average American. To those voters who want to see middle class income grow instead of being stagnet vote democratic because the greatest advancement in middle class income has happened on the democratic watch.
Wht is taking place at the present time with the republicans shutting down government services and having a past history of doing so is unAmerican and a discrace to congress. Their hatred for the President and their willingness to obstruct the President from moving the country from the second great republican depression is tantamont to treason. The older republican party is gone from the scene and the new republican party is mentally incompetent politically and their ideology makes them unfit for office.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Important Questions The Sunday Talk Shows Never Ask Their Republican Guest But Should.
If the Republican administration of G.W. Bush had balanced the federal budget like President Clinton did the federal deficit and national debt would not be a budget problem today, so why did your party fail to do so especially since the republican party controlled both houses of congress during most of Bush's eight years in office.
Why did your party rubber stamp Raising the debt ceiling on Bush's watch while the nations fiscal health was being eroded by run away deficit spending and debt. Bill Clinton took office after 24 straight years of deficit spending by previous administrations and put the nations fiscal house in order, balancing the federal budget, creating surpluses and paying down the national debt. Why did the Bush administration and the republican party blow all of that in Bush's very first fiscal year and for all the eight years he served.
Why are you shutting down the federal government and penalizing President Obama and the people because Bush and the republicans in congress did not take care of the counrty's fiscal problems when you had eight years to do so. The national debt doubled on Bush's watch. It stood at $5.8 trillion at the end of Clinton's last fiscal year which ended 9/30/01. That was an increase of $1.3 trillion or 31% from the previous 8 years. The national debt stood at $11.9 trillion at the end of George W. Bush last fiscal year that ended 9/30/09. That was an increase of $6.1 trillion or 105%. A whopping increase. Why did the republican administration let that happen to the country and its people. It was the largest increase in the national debt since the Reagan administration when the national debt tripled on his watch.
No republican President has balanced the federal budget since President Ike in 1960, that was over 52 years ago. But two democratic Presidents balanced the federal budget five times during that same period. The repubicans ran the country 28 of those years and the democrats 24 years, 4 years less than the republicans. How come republicans can not walk the talk about balancing the budget. How many more years do they need to do so.
Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 had 20 years to balance the federal budget and they faild even though they said they would. They failed to walk the talk. Why are republicans so awful at taking care of the country's fiscal health. President Clinton reduced the federal deficit every year in his first term in office. His second term were all balanced budgets and surplusses. The republican gang of three never reduced the deficit four years in a row like Clinton did and in fact none of them got control over reducing the deficit that would lead to a balanced budget. Why can't your party control deficit spending so a balanced budget can take place.
President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan was passed by the democratic controlled congress in 1993. Every republican in the House and Senate voted against that plan and they predicted on the floor of both chambers that the plan would tank the economy, bring about massive job losses, record unemployment and explode the federal deficit. They were proven wrong just like today they are wrong in shutting down the government. Will republicans ever have any positive economic plans for the people or will you continue to promote trickle down economics that has already proved to be a fairytale.
Finally Mr. Republican how could your party and Bush 43 leave such a fiscal and economic mess to President Obama and then after he was elected President tell the nation you wanted to make him a one term President and that you would do nothing to help the President move the country and its people forward. And now you are shutting down the federal government for your own party's mistake.
The above questions should have been asked long ago of the republicans by the Sunday talk shows and other journalists on cable TV. If that were done republicans would have a hard time shutting down the government and using federal spending and the budget to hold the country hostage with their phony trumped up charges. Those journalists have no probative value for their viewing audiences.
The American people are seeing first hand the unAmerican ideology of republican conservatism in congress and the destruction of the institution that represents democracy as envisioned by our founding fathers. The republicans in congress could never be a part of the greatest generation. That really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Above numbers on national debt taken from web site of The U.S. Treasury Department.
Why did your party rubber stamp Raising the debt ceiling on Bush's watch while the nations fiscal health was being eroded by run away deficit spending and debt. Bill Clinton took office after 24 straight years of deficit spending by previous administrations and put the nations fiscal house in order, balancing the federal budget, creating surpluses and paying down the national debt. Why did the Bush administration and the republican party blow all of that in Bush's very first fiscal year and for all the eight years he served.
Why are you shutting down the federal government and penalizing President Obama and the people because Bush and the republicans in congress did not take care of the counrty's fiscal problems when you had eight years to do so. The national debt doubled on Bush's watch. It stood at $5.8 trillion at the end of Clinton's last fiscal year which ended 9/30/01. That was an increase of $1.3 trillion or 31% from the previous 8 years. The national debt stood at $11.9 trillion at the end of George W. Bush last fiscal year that ended 9/30/09. That was an increase of $6.1 trillion or 105%. A whopping increase. Why did the republican administration let that happen to the country and its people. It was the largest increase in the national debt since the Reagan administration when the national debt tripled on his watch.
No republican President has balanced the federal budget since President Ike in 1960, that was over 52 years ago. But two democratic Presidents balanced the federal budget five times during that same period. The repubicans ran the country 28 of those years and the democrats 24 years, 4 years less than the republicans. How come republicans can not walk the talk about balancing the budget. How many more years do they need to do so.
Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 had 20 years to balance the federal budget and they faild even though they said they would. They failed to walk the talk. Why are republicans so awful at taking care of the country's fiscal health. President Clinton reduced the federal deficit every year in his first term in office. His second term were all balanced budgets and surplusses. The republican gang of three never reduced the deficit four years in a row like Clinton did and in fact none of them got control over reducing the deficit that would lead to a balanced budget. Why can't your party control deficit spending so a balanced budget can take place.
President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan was passed by the democratic controlled congress in 1993. Every republican in the House and Senate voted against that plan and they predicted on the floor of both chambers that the plan would tank the economy, bring about massive job losses, record unemployment and explode the federal deficit. They were proven wrong just like today they are wrong in shutting down the government. Will republicans ever have any positive economic plans for the people or will you continue to promote trickle down economics that has already proved to be a fairytale.
Finally Mr. Republican how could your party and Bush 43 leave such a fiscal and economic mess to President Obama and then after he was elected President tell the nation you wanted to make him a one term President and that you would do nothing to help the President move the country and its people forward. And now you are shutting down the federal government for your own party's mistake.
The above questions should have been asked long ago of the republicans by the Sunday talk shows and other journalists on cable TV. If that were done republicans would have a hard time shutting down the government and using federal spending and the budget to hold the country hostage with their phony trumped up charges. Those journalists have no probative value for their viewing audiences.
The American people are seeing first hand the unAmerican ideology of republican conservatism in congress and the destruction of the institution that represents democracy as envisioned by our founding fathers. The republicans in congress could never be a part of the greatest generation. That really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Above numbers on national debt taken from web site of The U.S. Treasury Department.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Ashleigh Banfield: Clueless Like CNN
CNN's morning host Ashleigh Banfield when interviewing Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary during the Clinton Administration on October 1 concerning the government shutdown showed her lack of knowledge concerning the subject matter. She asked Reich if the democrats would act the same way against the republicans in the future as the republicans were doing now with the shutdown over the Affordable Care Act . Reich replied that the republican's demands were so unprecedented he did not know. (A very good answer to a silly question)
Ashleigh was around during the George W. Bush administration and should have remembered the republicans controlled both houses of congress during most of Bush's eight years in office. She remembers also that the Bush administration turned Clinton's balanced budgets and surplusses into deficit spending in Bush's very first fiscal year and every year he served. That Bush asked congress to raise the debt ceiling on many occasions and congress did so without any restrictions like the republicans are demanding now on President Obama. The republican controlled congress did not get any demands from the democrats nor did the democratic party try to blackmail Bush with a government shutdown. So Ashleigh knew very well democrats have a record of keeping the government open no matter who is President.
The question was Ashleigh's way of interjecting a non issue to the subject matter and trying to plant the seed in her viewers mind that both parties act the same. The democratic view of the need to keep the federal government open and running with out any strings attached is well documented by their actions and has worked better for the country and its people. The sad record of the republican party is clear since this is the third time they have shut the government down. I guess that slipped Ashleigh mind.
They plan to obstruct as long as there is a democratic President in the White House becuse they themselves have no record of accomplishments for the country or its people.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The Stupid Party And Their Stupid Clowns
Make no mistake there is no difference between the Tea Party republicans and the republican party in general serving in the U.S. Congress. Their shutdown of the federal government has proven that beyond a doubt. The whole republican party has fell in line and has voted to not have a stand alone clean bill to extend the debt ceiling.
On September 30 MSNBC's The Last Word show had as their guest Mr. Bruce Bartlett, a former economic adviser in the administration of President George W. Bush. Mr. Bartlett correctly described the Tea Party as clowns who care nothing about what the halls of Congress really strand for. That took character and courage on his part to say that being a republican himself. But it is obvious Mr. Bartlett is one republican who puts the country before party, especially when that party is run by clowns.
The shutdown is an extension of the republican party's vow to do nothing to help President Obama move the country and its people forward from the second great republican depression. They vowed to make him a one term President and when that failed they adopted their current position. Their unAmerican ideology and the lack of respect for democracy tell the real story of their cowardly acts.
Louisiana's republican representatives in congress chose to be clowns also and voted with the republican block to shutdown the government. The republican party can not break away from precedent. They shut down the federal government twice before during the Clinton administration. Maybe the clowns could find their niche under the big tent.
This commentary written by John Lucia
On September 30 MSNBC's The Last Word show had as their guest Mr. Bruce Bartlett, a former economic adviser in the administration of President George W. Bush. Mr. Bartlett correctly described the Tea Party as clowns who care nothing about what the halls of Congress really strand for. That took character and courage on his part to say that being a republican himself. But it is obvious Mr. Bartlett is one republican who puts the country before party, especially when that party is run by clowns.
The shutdown is an extension of the republican party's vow to do nothing to help President Obama move the country and its people forward from the second great republican depression. They vowed to make him a one term President and when that failed they adopted their current position. Their unAmerican ideology and the lack of respect for democracy tell the real story of their cowardly acts.
Louisiana's republican representatives in congress chose to be clowns also and voted with the republican block to shutdown the government. The republican party can not break away from precedent. They shut down the federal government twice before during the Clinton administration. Maybe the clowns could find their niche under the big tent.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Friday, September 27, 2013
Destination Saudi Arabia
That is the title of a want ad by Chevron Phillips Chemical Company that appeared in the Times Picayune of 9/22 and starts off as follows: Start your two year adventure at our S-Chem facility in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Chevron Phillips Chemical and its middle east affiliates offer competitive salaries, on in-country salary uplift premium, a comprehensive benefits package, commodities and service allowence, housing, bonus potential and more.
This ad really tells a sad story. American Oil, Gas and Chemical companies and their middle east affiliates are still tied so close together one can not separate them from the OPEC. That is one reason America has been so dependent on middle east oil. It is also one of the reasons why the price of a barrel of oil is manipulated and there fore relates to the high price of a gallon of gasoline.
The American Oil Industry is tied so close to middle east oil they can never be trusted to make America independent of foreign oil. It has not happened over the years despite the billions of dollars in tax breaks granted to them. And make no mistake the U.S. has enough oil deposits and the industry does have the technology to find, drill and produce that oil.
They are one of the most profitable industry year in and year out and yet they are untruthful in many of their pronouncements. Their operations in Louisiana have destroyed the wetlands, the coast and the marshes and they have yet to be held accountable by Louisiana's elected officials. They have also not repaired the damage they did like they agreed to do.
The Industry is the best example of Corporate America at its worst and the greed they represent.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
This ad really tells a sad story. American Oil, Gas and Chemical companies and their middle east affiliates are still tied so close together one can not separate them from the OPEC. That is one reason America has been so dependent on middle east oil. It is also one of the reasons why the price of a barrel of oil is manipulated and there fore relates to the high price of a gallon of gasoline.
The American Oil Industry is tied so close to middle east oil they can never be trusted to make America independent of foreign oil. It has not happened over the years despite the billions of dollars in tax breaks granted to them. And make no mistake the U.S. has enough oil deposits and the industry does have the technology to find, drill and produce that oil.
They are one of the most profitable industry year in and year out and yet they are untruthful in many of their pronouncements. Their operations in Louisiana have destroyed the wetlands, the coast and the marshes and they have yet to be held accountable by Louisiana's elected officials. They have also not repaired the damage they did like they agreed to do.
The Industry is the best example of Corporate America at its worst and the greed they represent.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
PolitiDose And Paul Krugman Report The Facts
New York columnist and economist Paul Krugman in an editorial dated 9/25 in the Times Picayune titled,"Freedom's Just Another Word For Not Enough To Eat" reported the fact that overall federal spending has been falling fast and runaway federal spending is not happening. If that sounds familiar it is because you read it here first in PolitiDose.
This writer in many past commentary here in PolitiDose has pointed out how federal spending at the end of President Obama's first fiscal year was down 1.6% compared to the previous fiscal year. The same was true of Obama's third fiscal year compared to his second fiscal year and that over all federal spending has seen the smallest increases in over 50 years on Obama's watch.
When republicans talk about runaway federal spending they accurately are describing what took place on the republican watch of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43. Republican lies on the subject matter has been countered by the facts and PolitiDose has been in front exposing their lies.
The American people deserve the facts but facts are not presented on the Sunday talk shows, cable news and certainly not on the Fox News Network. PolitiDose will continue to lead the way on those issues that really matter and make a difference and I feel sure Paul Krugman will do the same.
This commentary written by John Lucia
This writer in many past commentary here in PolitiDose has pointed out how federal spending at the end of President Obama's first fiscal year was down 1.6% compared to the previous fiscal year. The same was true of Obama's third fiscal year compared to his second fiscal year and that over all federal spending has seen the smallest increases in over 50 years on Obama's watch.
When republicans talk about runaway federal spending they accurately are describing what took place on the republican watch of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43. Republican lies on the subject matter has been countered by the facts and PolitiDose has been in front exposing their lies.
The American people deserve the facts but facts are not presented on the Sunday talk shows, cable news and certainly not on the Fox News Network. PolitiDose will continue to lead the way on those issues that really matter and make a difference and I feel sure Paul Krugman will do the same.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Will Pope Francis's Latest Statement Change The Political Rhetoric?
Pope Francis in his wisdom said the Roman Catholic Church had grown obsessed with preaching about abortion, gay marriage and contraception and that he has chosen not to speak of those issues despite recrimination from some critics. The Pope was speaking as head of the Catholic Church and not about our political system although the republican party is also obsessed with the subject matter and uses those issues to divide the country, especially during elections.
It remains to be seen if the republican party tones down its rhetoric but I doubt it. That opinion is based on the fact that the party's constant opposition to every thing is their way of trying to divert attention from the critical issues facing the country because they have no policies to move the country forward. In other words, keep the news media, the people and democrats busy answering their negative and divisive pronouncements and the real issues will get lost or pushed aside.
A good example is the present situation going on now with the budget and extension of the debt ceiling. The republicans have injected "Obamacare" into this issue and it does not belong there. They have no real sense of fairness and what is in the best interest for the nation and its people concerning the budget/debt ceiling so they use "Obamacare" as the wedge issue to divide the people and divert attention from the real issue.
The Pope also put his remarks in the context that the Church is a big tent with many more important issues that have an impact on all phases of the Catholic Church. This too can be related to our political system concerning the subject matter because the nation and its people are facing more serious problems that need to be addressed.
The United States is a nation of diverse ideas because of its people. It has been a big tent country for a long time and has worked well when the common good is put first. Our political system is not working well at the present time for the nation and its people. It is time for the republican party to join the human race and listen to the wisdom of Pope Francis. The democratic party could have chosen the tactics being used by the republican party when G.W. Bush was President, but instead gave his administration the benefit of the doubt and did not use wedge issues to divide the people and they did not obstruct.
The nation and its people have more problems of greater urgency than abortion, gay marriage and contraceptives. Those issues are personal issues that the people are capable of dealing with. The U.S. like the Catholic Church should not be obsessed with those issues and fail to address the broader problems and challenges that it faces. The people rejected the 47% notion in the November election in favor of the big tent that serves the nation and its people.
It is this writers hope that Pope Francis's comments can accomplish what our political system has failed to do.
This commentary written by John Lucia
It remains to be seen if the republican party tones down its rhetoric but I doubt it. That opinion is based on the fact that the party's constant opposition to every thing is their way of trying to divert attention from the critical issues facing the country because they have no policies to move the country forward. In other words, keep the news media, the people and democrats busy answering their negative and divisive pronouncements and the real issues will get lost or pushed aside.
A good example is the present situation going on now with the budget and extension of the debt ceiling. The republicans have injected "Obamacare" into this issue and it does not belong there. They have no real sense of fairness and what is in the best interest for the nation and its people concerning the budget/debt ceiling so they use "Obamacare" as the wedge issue to divide the people and divert attention from the real issue.
The Pope also put his remarks in the context that the Church is a big tent with many more important issues that have an impact on all phases of the Catholic Church. This too can be related to our political system concerning the subject matter because the nation and its people are facing more serious problems that need to be addressed.
The United States is a nation of diverse ideas because of its people. It has been a big tent country for a long time and has worked well when the common good is put first. Our political system is not working well at the present time for the nation and its people. It is time for the republican party to join the human race and listen to the wisdom of Pope Francis. The democratic party could have chosen the tactics being used by the republican party when G.W. Bush was President, but instead gave his administration the benefit of the doubt and did not use wedge issues to divide the people and they did not obstruct.
The nation and its people have more problems of greater urgency than abortion, gay marriage and contraceptives. Those issues are personal issues that the people are capable of dealing with. The U.S. like the Catholic Church should not be obsessed with those issues and fail to address the broader problems and challenges that it faces. The people rejected the 47% notion in the November election in favor of the big tent that serves the nation and its people.
It is this writers hope that Pope Francis's comments can accomplish what our political system has failed to do.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Sunday, September 22, 2013
The Republican Party Is Mentally Mixed Up
Today's congressional republicans are mentally mixed up in their political facts which has produced the ongoing saga unfolding today with the budget showdown over extending the debt ceiling. This mental breakdown concerning the facts is an excuse for their childish games of trying to change history.
The republicans rail against budget deficits, the national debt, federal spending and big government but those issues are a mirror image of past republican administrations problems, so they become mentally mixed up and they can not bring themselves to tell the people the truth.
They have mentally blocked out the fact that no republican President has balanced the federal budget since Eisenhower in 1960, that is over 50 plus years ago. But two democratic Presidents balanced 5 federal budgets during that same time span. They have mentally blocked out the fact that had Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 balanced the federal budget like President Clinton did deficit spending would not be a problem today. Worst of all they mentally block out the fact that the national debt tripled on Reagan's watch and doubled on Bush 43 watch and there fore a problem today. The national debt was not a problem when Clinton left office, it was a very big problem when Bush 43 left office.
The republicans are mentally mixed up on run away federal spending they claim on President Obama's watch but you see, federal spending has seen its smallest increases in the last 33 plus years under the administrations of Bill Clinton and Obama. Mentally the republicans are unable to accept that.
Republicans are mentally mixed up concerning big government. Ronald Reagan presided over the very first $1 trillion budget; George W. Bush presided over the very first $2 and $3 trillion federal budget. It was the administration of George W. Bush that gave the country and its people the very first single year budget deficit that exceded $1 trillion dollars. That really blew the mentally mixed up republicans so called conservative ideology. That is why they never talk about the accomplishments of the Bush 43 administration because there are none. So mentally to the republicans, what Bush bequeathed to Obama became Obama's doing.
Mentally the republicans have to create a showdown over extending the debt ceiling by trying to rewrite the political facts. They have no accomplishments in congress, no record of policies to move the country forward so they want to see the country and its people fail under the present democratic administration. Mentally they want to be able to say the Obama administration failed. Mentally in the republican's mind they would look at failure as redemption of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 massive deficit spending and debt for the 20 years they ran the country.
But those who are mentally honest and not afraid of facts will win the day and recognize how today's republicans in congress are really a sad, sad bunch.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Note: Reagan, Bush 41 nor Bush 43 took office with a depression as deep as the one left to President Obama.
The republicans rail against budget deficits, the national debt, federal spending and big government but those issues are a mirror image of past republican administrations problems, so they become mentally mixed up and they can not bring themselves to tell the people the truth.
They have mentally blocked out the fact that no republican President has balanced the federal budget since Eisenhower in 1960, that is over 50 plus years ago. But two democratic Presidents balanced 5 federal budgets during that same time span. They have mentally blocked out the fact that had Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 balanced the federal budget like President Clinton did deficit spending would not be a problem today. Worst of all they mentally block out the fact that the national debt tripled on Reagan's watch and doubled on Bush 43 watch and there fore a problem today. The national debt was not a problem when Clinton left office, it was a very big problem when Bush 43 left office.
The republicans are mentally mixed up on run away federal spending they claim on President Obama's watch but you see, federal spending has seen its smallest increases in the last 33 plus years under the administrations of Bill Clinton and Obama. Mentally the republicans are unable to accept that.
Republicans are mentally mixed up concerning big government. Ronald Reagan presided over the very first $1 trillion budget; George W. Bush presided over the very first $2 and $3 trillion federal budget. It was the administration of George W. Bush that gave the country and its people the very first single year budget deficit that exceded $1 trillion dollars. That really blew the mentally mixed up republicans so called conservative ideology. That is why they never talk about the accomplishments of the Bush 43 administration because there are none. So mentally to the republicans, what Bush bequeathed to Obama became Obama's doing.
Mentally the republicans have to create a showdown over extending the debt ceiling by trying to rewrite the political facts. They have no accomplishments in congress, no record of policies to move the country forward so they want to see the country and its people fail under the present democratic administration. Mentally they want to be able to say the Obama administration failed. Mentally in the republican's mind they would look at failure as redemption of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 massive deficit spending and debt for the 20 years they ran the country.
But those who are mentally honest and not afraid of facts will win the day and recognize how today's republicans in congress are really a sad, sad bunch.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Note: Reagan, Bush 41 nor Bush 43 took office with a depression as deep as the one left to President Obama.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Another First For PolitiDose On Louisiana's Economy
Robert Mann in an article published in the Times Picayune of Sept. 15 rightly reported Governor Jindal's mixed message concerning Louisiana's economic progress and strength. However, you read it first here in PolitiDose. This writer spoke out here in PolitiDose on several occassion, the last in a commentary dated Sept. 7 titled "Louisiana's Economic Progress: Not Very Much Has Changed At All" and reported the real state of the economy and how unemployment has been on the rise in Louisiana while the national unemployment has been in decline.
PolitiDose first reported the failure of the Jindal administration a few years go when it comes to the economy, job creation, balancing the state budget and how Jindal blew the state budget surplus left to his administration by the Blanco administration. It was pointed out also how Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature never really balanced one state budget since he took office and how Jindal's actions have gotten into the average workers pockets in so many different ways.
This is not the first time PolitiDose has been in front and in the lead on issues concerning the economy in Louisiana and the national economy. You can actually go back and look at commentary from 2009 to the present and find information that has been more accurate than the state and news media reports.
One would think that the news media would do a better job informing the public of Jindal's true record on the economy, job creation, balancing the state budget, unemployment and the $8 billion waste of yearly tax breaks for business. This writer and PolitiDose will continue to lead the way.
This commentry written by John Lucia.
PolitiDose first reported the failure of the Jindal administration a few years go when it comes to the economy, job creation, balancing the state budget and how Jindal blew the state budget surplus left to his administration by the Blanco administration. It was pointed out also how Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature never really balanced one state budget since he took office and how Jindal's actions have gotten into the average workers pockets in so many different ways.
This is not the first time PolitiDose has been in front and in the lead on issues concerning the economy in Louisiana and the national economy. You can actually go back and look at commentary from 2009 to the present and find information that has been more accurate than the state and news media reports.
One would think that the news media would do a better job informing the public of Jindal's true record on the economy, job creation, balancing the state budget, unemployment and the $8 billion waste of yearly tax breaks for business. This writer and PolitiDose will continue to lead the way.
This commentry written by John Lucia.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
President Obama And Foreign Policy Decisions
So far the President's foreign policy decisions are in tune with his campaign promises when he ran for President. His decisions have worked well for our country, its people and our men and women in uniform. America has not gone to war unnecessarlly and once again our relationship with our allies are strong after the Iraq war debacle.
The President ended the Iraq war that gave much relief to our military who had to cope with multiple deployments and a war that should have never taken place. The war in Afganistan will end next year and another chapter of multiple deployments for the military will end also.
Lybia, Syria and Egypt's civil wars and turmoil would have seen intervention by America had some members of congress had their way, but the President had the wisdom and courage to understand what was going on over there and knew America's military power to intervene was not the right policy. The President's willingness to use military force in Syria if needed and at some point in time brought Syria and Russia to the table of negotiation and before the United Nations. Syria's decision to destroy its stockpile of chemical weapons with Russia's consent will have an oppofrtunity to prove the saying, "sincerity is always subject to the truth." The ball is now in Syria's court and that is where it should be.
President Obama has kept our country and its people safe at home and abroad from any massive terror attacks such as those that happened in the past. The country's drone strikes aganist terrorists abroad have been successful with out committing U.S. forces on the ground and putting them in harms way. Osama Bin Laden was brought to justice because the President made that commitment his number one priority.
And so far the President has had the wisdom to not rush to judgement concerning foreign policy decisions because no issue is cut and dry and void of thought. Those in congress who opposed the President's decisions and want to put every thing in a time frame fail to act timely themselves on issues affecting the country. Israel and Palestine are now talking concerning their ongoing problem. No one has the wisdom to predict where those talks will lead but talking is healthy and does not cost lives. Bad decisions do, remember Iraq?
It is this writers judgement that congress and the American people should support the President's foreign policy. Everything is not perfect and there are always setbacks just as there are in life itself but over all the President has handled the situation well. Wisdom and courage go hand in hand in a complex world. It is easy to oppose but that position has never moved the United States forward or created a successful foreign policy.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The President ended the Iraq war that gave much relief to our military who had to cope with multiple deployments and a war that should have never taken place. The war in Afganistan will end next year and another chapter of multiple deployments for the military will end also.
Lybia, Syria and Egypt's civil wars and turmoil would have seen intervention by America had some members of congress had their way, but the President had the wisdom and courage to understand what was going on over there and knew America's military power to intervene was not the right policy. The President's willingness to use military force in Syria if needed and at some point in time brought Syria and Russia to the table of negotiation and before the United Nations. Syria's decision to destroy its stockpile of chemical weapons with Russia's consent will have an oppofrtunity to prove the saying, "sincerity is always subject to the truth." The ball is now in Syria's court and that is where it should be.
President Obama has kept our country and its people safe at home and abroad from any massive terror attacks such as those that happened in the past. The country's drone strikes aganist terrorists abroad have been successful with out committing U.S. forces on the ground and putting them in harms way. Osama Bin Laden was brought to justice because the President made that commitment his number one priority.
And so far the President has had the wisdom to not rush to judgement concerning foreign policy decisions because no issue is cut and dry and void of thought. Those in congress who opposed the President's decisions and want to put every thing in a time frame fail to act timely themselves on issues affecting the country. Israel and Palestine are now talking concerning their ongoing problem. No one has the wisdom to predict where those talks will lead but talking is healthy and does not cost lives. Bad decisions do, remember Iraq?
It is this writers judgement that congress and the American people should support the President's foreign policy. Everything is not perfect and there are always setbacks just as there are in life itself but over all the President has handled the situation well. Wisdom and courage go hand in hand in a complex world. It is easy to oppose but that position has never moved the United States forward or created a successful foreign policy.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Friday, September 13, 2013
The Latest Report On The U.S. Economy
The U.S. Labor Department announced that the economy created close to 170,000 jobs in August and that unemployment fell from 7.4% to 7.3%. August was the 42nd straight month of positive job growth and job creation. Other reports by governmental divisions showed that consumer confidence was up and that many economic indicators were stronger that anticipated.
The GDP is still less than 3% but was stronger then predicted. Overall the economy and job creation still needs to be stronger and sustained. At the same time of those reports it was once again pointed out how the nations infrastructure was aged and that many bridges are in danger of structural failure. President Obama's jobs bill that was passed by the U.S. Senate to work on the problem has been held up in the U.S. House for almost two years. That bill if passed by the U.S. House would create 1,000,000 new jobs but republicans continue to obstruct.
As reported here before, if the House had passed that bill the nation would be at full employment by the end of this year or early next year. Republicans hate to see another democratic administration bring back the country from another republican depression. President Obama's fourth fiscal year ends on September 30 and the final deficit will be much smaller than predicted and once again it is a democratic administration who is reducing the federal deficit and putting the country back on a course of balancing the federal budget. Democrats walk the talk when it comes to balancing the federal budget. Republican administrations only talk about balancing the federal budget but the last republican President to do so was Dwight Eisenhower in 1960 and when their so called conservative leaders, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush left office they were the biggest deficit spending Presidents at the time. That really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The GDP is still less than 3% but was stronger then predicted. Overall the economy and job creation still needs to be stronger and sustained. At the same time of those reports it was once again pointed out how the nations infrastructure was aged and that many bridges are in danger of structural failure. President Obama's jobs bill that was passed by the U.S. Senate to work on the problem has been held up in the U.S. House for almost two years. That bill if passed by the U.S. House would create 1,000,000 new jobs but republicans continue to obstruct.
As reported here before, if the House had passed that bill the nation would be at full employment by the end of this year or early next year. Republicans hate to see another democratic administration bring back the country from another republican depression. President Obama's fourth fiscal year ends on September 30 and the final deficit will be much smaller than predicted and once again it is a democratic administration who is reducing the federal deficit and putting the country back on a course of balancing the federal budget. Democrats walk the talk when it comes to balancing the federal budget. Republican administrations only talk about balancing the federal budget but the last republican President to do so was Dwight Eisenhower in 1960 and when their so called conservative leaders, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush left office they were the biggest deficit spending Presidents at the time. That really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Louisiana's Economic Progress: Not Very Much Changed At All
The unemployment rate in Louisiana has increased for 6 straight months while the national unemployment rate has been going down. According to the Louisiana Work Force Commission unemployment for December 2012 was 5.6%, for January 2013 it was 5.9%, for Feb. 6%, for March 6.2%, for April 6.4%, for May 6.8%, for June 7% and July 7%. As of this writing August unemployment numbers have not been reported.
In two articles published August 30 in the Times Picayune and the New Orleans Advocate a study released by the Louisiana Budget Project reported the following. Worker productivity has increased 35% since 1979 but the median income in Louisiana has been stagnant and has increased only 1%. That workers in the top 10% saw their income increase in the past 34 years and the bottom 10% saw their income drop. Over all manufacturing employment in Louisiana has declined 10% since 2008 and 20% since 2000.
There has been no project boom in Louisiana to reverse or counter the larger shift from higher to lower wage jobs or for pay to rise with productivity. Louisiana needs to create 4000 jobs a month to keep up with the growing population of working age adults and are now creating half that number now.
This report actually is a mirrow image of several recent reports on the national economy that showed how the top 2% of wage earners enjoyed the benefits of increased productivity over the past 30 plus years while the average wage earner saw their wages stand still even though they made the increase in productivity happen.
These reports confirm what this writer has commented on here in PolitiDose for the past few years. That wealth is being transferred from the middle class to the wealthy. The increase in production benefits are going to the CEO's and Exectives and not the workers who are loosing benefits while their pay is going no where. It is the robbing Peter to pay Paul effect and Paul just happens to be the wealthy.
Former Labor Secretary Robert Riech who served during the Clinton administration recently reported the same information and pointed out the Walton family who own most of Walmart's stock earn more than the bottom 40% of U.S. workers. The reports are not a pretty picture of what has been happening to middle class income nationally or in Louisiana. Just think how bad it would be had President Clinton not been elected. The middle class made its best gains in income on Clinton's watch during that 34 year span and in just about every area.
Dennis Lockhart, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on a recent visit to New Orleans in a Times Picayune article of September 6 said Louisiana has been beating the nation on indicators such as unemployment. Is it any wonder why people are so poorly informed on the issues when a Frederal Reserve Bank President makes such a false statement. The nation's unemployment rate today is lower than it was when President Obama took office, but Louisiana's unemployment rate is higher today than it was when Gov. Jindal took office. (See previous commentary here in PolitiDose concerning the subject matter.)
The economic facts tell a very different story than Gov. Jindal's press releases or Mr. Lockhart's statement.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
In two articles published August 30 in the Times Picayune and the New Orleans Advocate a study released by the Louisiana Budget Project reported the following. Worker productivity has increased 35% since 1979 but the median income in Louisiana has been stagnant and has increased only 1%. That workers in the top 10% saw their income increase in the past 34 years and the bottom 10% saw their income drop. Over all manufacturing employment in Louisiana has declined 10% since 2008 and 20% since 2000.
There has been no project boom in Louisiana to reverse or counter the larger shift from higher to lower wage jobs or for pay to rise with productivity. Louisiana needs to create 4000 jobs a month to keep up with the growing population of working age adults and are now creating half that number now.
This report actually is a mirrow image of several recent reports on the national economy that showed how the top 2% of wage earners enjoyed the benefits of increased productivity over the past 30 plus years while the average wage earner saw their wages stand still even though they made the increase in productivity happen.
These reports confirm what this writer has commented on here in PolitiDose for the past few years. That wealth is being transferred from the middle class to the wealthy. The increase in production benefits are going to the CEO's and Exectives and not the workers who are loosing benefits while their pay is going no where. It is the robbing Peter to pay Paul effect and Paul just happens to be the wealthy.
Former Labor Secretary Robert Riech who served during the Clinton administration recently reported the same information and pointed out the Walton family who own most of Walmart's stock earn more than the bottom 40% of U.S. workers. The reports are not a pretty picture of what has been happening to middle class income nationally or in Louisiana. Just think how bad it would be had President Clinton not been elected. The middle class made its best gains in income on Clinton's watch during that 34 year span and in just about every area.
Dennis Lockhart, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on a recent visit to New Orleans in a Times Picayune article of September 6 said Louisiana has been beating the nation on indicators such as unemployment. Is it any wonder why people are so poorly informed on the issues when a Frederal Reserve Bank President makes such a false statement. The nation's unemployment rate today is lower than it was when President Obama took office, but Louisiana's unemployment rate is higher today than it was when Gov. Jindal took office. (See previous commentary here in PolitiDose concerning the subject matter.)
The economic facts tell a very different story than Gov. Jindal's press releases or Mr. Lockhart's statement.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Monday, September 2, 2013
President Obama And Syria
The President's decision to consult congress concerning U.S. action in connection with Syria's use of chemical weapons on its own citizens that killed many including over 400 children was the right decision. Now the President is catching flack from all sides because of his decision. There are many so called "hawks" in congress and the news media and many of them never wore the uniform of their country during their generations war who are leading the charge.
It goes something like this: the action if any will be too late, too little, too much, not well thought out, no end game, should not get involved, a loss of credibility or all of the above etc, etc,etc. Dispite the flack the President has handled the situation well so far. The middle east is not a place for a U.S. President to over react and think the problems of that part of the world will be solved easily when they have been going on for over 2000 years. George W. Bush found that out too late and is still in denial.
The U.S. entered WWI and WWII late, the Gulf War of 1991 late after much consultation with allies and other middle east countries; entered the Afghanistan war late after the terror attack on 9/11/0l. Those decisions by our past Presidents did not constitute weakness and neither should President Obama's decision concerning Syria. The problem today is that our political system and the news media, radio, television, print and internet are always looking to blame some one. There are not many of us from the greatest generation who are still around in our political system or the news media to act civil and responsible.
Even some in Israel took a shot at the President according to an article in the New Orleans Advocate dated September 2. Some Israeli's criticized Obama's "inaction"; some said the delays sent a terrible message to terror states; Israel" media said Obama "zigzaged." Those who made those remarks should be ashamed since Israel is as much to blame as Palestine for not solving their mutual problem and have had more than enough years to do so.
The war and occupation in Iraq over WMD that did not exist should not be forgotten. It is a stalk reminder that that war destabilized the country and created AlQueda in Iraq who were not there killing people before the invasion. They were responsible for killing more Americans in that war than the Iraqi military and are still killing people in Iraq today. We had a President who thought he could remake that country into a legitimate democracy as a model for other middle east countries and never achieved that misguided goal. To top it off there was never a real debate , instead, there was a concerted effort to demonize any one who opposed the war. And of course the outright lies about WMD and the reconstitute of Iraq's nuclear program that also did not exist. Our country, its people and especially our men and women in uniform paid an awful price for that mistake.
President Obama should continue to be cautious concerning his final decision on Syria. He still has time to act in the best interest of the U.S. and should reject the advise of those who clamored for war in Iraq and are now pushing him on Syria. He should also remember that he has a responsibility greater than his military advisers and that President Kennedy rejected his military advisers during the Cuban Missile Crisis when they wanted nothing less than an invasion of Cuba. Kennedy made the right decision with the blockade. The middle east is much more volatile than Cuba so President Obama needs to remember his over all responsibility to the country and its people when he reaches a decision on Syria.
The bible tells us that man was placed in the Garden of Eden; that God spoke to Moses and Abraham; that Jesus walked, lived and was put to death and that all that happened in what is known today as the middle east. It all happened over 2000 years ago and the land is still in turmoll. So President Obama and no one else has the answers concerning the problems in the middle east or Syria. That is why it is so imortant for the President to seek wisdom in what ever decision he decides to make. Like wise, our elected officials in congress and those in the news media should understand their responsibility in keeping a civil tongue in their head. These types of challenges require mature thought, something in short supply in today's political environment.
Just maybe, the President's decision will start a dialog that will start a change for the better in the middle east for the next 2000 years. It is a long shot but anything is possible with wisdom.
This commentary written by John Lucia
It goes something like this: the action if any will be too late, too little, too much, not well thought out, no end game, should not get involved, a loss of credibility or all of the above etc, etc,etc. Dispite the flack the President has handled the situation well so far. The middle east is not a place for a U.S. President to over react and think the problems of that part of the world will be solved easily when they have been going on for over 2000 years. George W. Bush found that out too late and is still in denial.
The U.S. entered WWI and WWII late, the Gulf War of 1991 late after much consultation with allies and other middle east countries; entered the Afghanistan war late after the terror attack on 9/11/0l. Those decisions by our past Presidents did not constitute weakness and neither should President Obama's decision concerning Syria. The problem today is that our political system and the news media, radio, television, print and internet are always looking to blame some one. There are not many of us from the greatest generation who are still around in our political system or the news media to act civil and responsible.
Even some in Israel took a shot at the President according to an article in the New Orleans Advocate dated September 2. Some Israeli's criticized Obama's "inaction"; some said the delays sent a terrible message to terror states; Israel" media said Obama "zigzaged." Those who made those remarks should be ashamed since Israel is as much to blame as Palestine for not solving their mutual problem and have had more than enough years to do so.
The war and occupation in Iraq over WMD that did not exist should not be forgotten. It is a stalk reminder that that war destabilized the country and created AlQueda in Iraq who were not there killing people before the invasion. They were responsible for killing more Americans in that war than the Iraqi military and are still killing people in Iraq today. We had a President who thought he could remake that country into a legitimate democracy as a model for other middle east countries and never achieved that misguided goal. To top it off there was never a real debate , instead, there was a concerted effort to demonize any one who opposed the war. And of course the outright lies about WMD and the reconstitute of Iraq's nuclear program that also did not exist. Our country, its people and especially our men and women in uniform paid an awful price for that mistake.
President Obama should continue to be cautious concerning his final decision on Syria. He still has time to act in the best interest of the U.S. and should reject the advise of those who clamored for war in Iraq and are now pushing him on Syria. He should also remember that he has a responsibility greater than his military advisers and that President Kennedy rejected his military advisers during the Cuban Missile Crisis when they wanted nothing less than an invasion of Cuba. Kennedy made the right decision with the blockade. The middle east is much more volatile than Cuba so President Obama needs to remember his over all responsibility to the country and its people when he reaches a decision on Syria.
The bible tells us that man was placed in the Garden of Eden; that God spoke to Moses and Abraham; that Jesus walked, lived and was put to death and that all that happened in what is known today as the middle east. It all happened over 2000 years ago and the land is still in turmoll. So President Obama and no one else has the answers concerning the problems in the middle east or Syria. That is why it is so imortant for the President to seek wisdom in what ever decision he decides to make. Like wise, our elected officials in congress and those in the news media should understand their responsibility in keeping a civil tongue in their head. These types of challenges require mature thought, something in short supply in today's political environment.
Just maybe, the President's decision will start a dialog that will start a change for the better in the middle east for the next 2000 years. It is a long shot but anything is possible with wisdom.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Friday, August 30, 2013
Steve Scalise: Louisiana's Biggest Phony
Louisiana's U.S. Representative Steve Scalise in a commentary published in the New Orleans Advocate of Aug. 27 showed just how phony he really is. Accoridng to the article Scalise was one of 80 republicans in the U.S. House who signed a letter that threaten to shut down the federal government rather than funding the ACA. Scalise then equivocated and said he opposes shutting down the federal government. One can not get any phonier than that.
Scalise is party to the republicans in congress who failed to address the health care issue even though they controlled the White House for 8 years prior to the election of President Obama. They failed to address the issue during the health care debate during Obama's first term and had no health plan or policy to present to the American people as an alternative to the ACA.
Now the little boy says the republicans have a study committee in congress drafting an alternative to the ACA that would be ready in September. (really) And republicans brag that they are best to govern. Scalise also did not speak the truth when he said, "the President admitted his own health care law has problems." The President did what a good public servant would do, delay the mandate for employers for one year. Unlike Scalise and member of congress who never ammend the legislation they pass, the President was willing to make a decision he felt would be better for health care in the long run.
The people should remember that Scalise and his party confirmed their phony ideology 40 times when they voted to defund the ACA. That is the type of substance they stand for. Four years and 8 months after the second great republican depression and Scalise and his party still have nothing to offer the country and its people. That really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Scalise is party to the republicans in congress who failed to address the health care issue even though they controlled the White House for 8 years prior to the election of President Obama. They failed to address the issue during the health care debate during Obama's first term and had no health plan or policy to present to the American people as an alternative to the ACA.
Now the little boy says the republicans have a study committee in congress drafting an alternative to the ACA that would be ready in September. (really) And republicans brag that they are best to govern. Scalise also did not speak the truth when he said, "the President admitted his own health care law has problems." The President did what a good public servant would do, delay the mandate for employers for one year. Unlike Scalise and member of congress who never ammend the legislation they pass, the President was willing to make a decision he felt would be better for health care in the long run.
The people should remember that Scalise and his party confirmed their phony ideology 40 times when they voted to defund the ACA. That is the type of substance they stand for. Four years and 8 months after the second great republican depression and Scalise and his party still have nothing to offer the country and its people. That really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Journalists E.J. Dionne and Michael Barone
Both journalists recently had a commentary published in the New Orleans Advocate of Aug. 26 and 27. Mr. Dionne's article titled, "GOP Threat Would Bring Armageddon" and Mr. Barone's article titled, FDR Could Teach Obama Effectiveness" were generations apart.
Dionne's Liberal philosophy and commentary showed his understanding of what is happening today in America and how the republican party is obstructing the ability of President Obama to move the country forward. It is a commentary of daily events to keep the people informed and accurately describes how the republican party today has been held hostage by a radical right tea party faction.
On the other hand, Barone with his conservative ideology trys to compare President Obama with FDR, a democratic President who Barone and conservatives never did support. Like conservatives in general today Barone can not comment about the daily events that are happening today as Dionne articulated. He can not talk about the real issues facing the country at the moment so he finds any excuse to avoid the issues.
Liberal journalists and the democratic party continue to be the best hope for America and its people because they believe they have a responsibility to face the issues and place those issues before the people.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Dionne's Liberal philosophy and commentary showed his understanding of what is happening today in America and how the republican party is obstructing the ability of President Obama to move the country forward. It is a commentary of daily events to keep the people informed and accurately describes how the republican party today has been held hostage by a radical right tea party faction.
On the other hand, Barone with his conservative ideology trys to compare President Obama with FDR, a democratic President who Barone and conservatives never did support. Like conservatives in general today Barone can not comment about the daily events that are happening today as Dionne articulated. He can not talk about the real issues facing the country at the moment so he finds any excuse to avoid the issues.
Liberal journalists and the democratic party continue to be the best hope for America and its people because they believe they have a responsibility to face the issues and place those issues before the people.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
The Jindal Pledge For Louisiana: No New Taxes Or Increase In Taxes. YEAH RIGHT.
Many past commentaries by this writer here in PolitiDose pointed out how the republican's ditto head pledge of no new taxes gets into the pocket of the average citizen 100 different ways. Just two of those many ways was highlighted recently.
The expiration of the tolls on the GNO bridge along with legislation that was passed and signed into law by Jindal that would ban the use of toll money for the ferries should the bridge tolls be extended is a prime example of getting into the pockets of the average citizen. In order to keep the ferries running the City Council in New Orleans approved a new fare schedule that will dramatically increase the charge to cross the Algiers-New Orleans ferry that will fall on the backs of the average citizen to use that service.
In a Times Picayune article dated 8/23/13 by Bruce Alpert concerning a speech given by President Obama about making college affordable it was pointed out that in the past 5 years state funding for higher education in Louisiana has been cut by almost $700 million and that 70% of funding now comes from tuition and fees. The increases in tuition and fees for student is just one more example of how Jindal's policies has gotten into the pockets of the average citizen and at the same time Jindal preaches no new taxes.
Jindal's budget cuts in Louisiana represents that ditto head republican conservative ideology that pass the burden of those budget cuts to the average citizen to pay. All the while businesses in Louisiana still enjoy the $7 Billion of tax exemptions with out having to worry about loosing their social and corporate welfare status.
Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature is no friend of the people of Louisiana. The governor has spent so much time trying to create a national image for himself that his approval rating is less than 30% according to one of the latest polls. The people of America have had its best days under democratic administrations and the people of Louisiana have had its best days under democratic administrations. Some things never change.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The expiration of the tolls on the GNO bridge along with legislation that was passed and signed into law by Jindal that would ban the use of toll money for the ferries should the bridge tolls be extended is a prime example of getting into the pockets of the average citizen. In order to keep the ferries running the City Council in New Orleans approved a new fare schedule that will dramatically increase the charge to cross the Algiers-New Orleans ferry that will fall on the backs of the average citizen to use that service.
In a Times Picayune article dated 8/23/13 by Bruce Alpert concerning a speech given by President Obama about making college affordable it was pointed out that in the past 5 years state funding for higher education in Louisiana has been cut by almost $700 million and that 70% of funding now comes from tuition and fees. The increases in tuition and fees for student is just one more example of how Jindal's policies has gotten into the pockets of the average citizen and at the same time Jindal preaches no new taxes.
Jindal's budget cuts in Louisiana represents that ditto head republican conservative ideology that pass the burden of those budget cuts to the average citizen to pay. All the while businesses in Louisiana still enjoy the $7 Billion of tax exemptions with out having to worry about loosing their social and corporate welfare status.
Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature is no friend of the people of Louisiana. The governor has spent so much time trying to create a national image for himself that his approval rating is less than 30% according to one of the latest polls. The people of America have had its best days under democratic administrations and the people of Louisiana have had its best days under democratic administrations. Some things never change.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Defunding The Affortable Care Act
The republicans cry to defund the Affortable Care Act is a continuation of their mental inability to cope and compete with democratic success in legistative matters that have helped the average American over the years. Their opposition to every thing that comes out of the Obama administration tells just how far they have gone down the road of feeling inadequate as a party and as individuals. They think very little of the American people's capacity to judge.
The republicans say they have a better answer on health care but lets examing their record. Republicans controlled the White House 20 of the 28 years prior to the election of Obama in 2008, yet they never had a plan or policy on the health care issue to introduce to congress for debate or a vote. During the George W. Bush administration they controlled both houses of congress and still had no policy or plan to introduce to congress for a debate or vote. When you add the 4 years Obma has been in office the answer is the same and as of this writing they still have not introduced any plan to replace the Affortable Care Act which means they have had 32 years of doing nothing on the issue.
When a political party stands for nothing and have no plans or policy to talk about you have a party that is mentally committed to personal attacks, obstruction and opposition with an unAmerican ideology. Normally political partys of the past had the mental capacity to compete with idea's of the opposite party, but todays republican party has chosen to obstruct rather than compete. They really are a pittiful party.
This commentary was written by John Lucia
Note: The republican party controlled both houses of congress the first 6 years of the George W. Bush administration.
The republicans say they have a better answer on health care but lets examing their record. Republicans controlled the White House 20 of the 28 years prior to the election of Obama in 2008, yet they never had a plan or policy on the health care issue to introduce to congress for debate or a vote. During the George W. Bush administration they controlled both houses of congress and still had no policy or plan to introduce to congress for a debate or vote. When you add the 4 years Obma has been in office the answer is the same and as of this writing they still have not introduced any plan to replace the Affortable Care Act which means they have had 32 years of doing nothing on the issue.
When a political party stands for nothing and have no plans or policy to talk about you have a party that is mentally committed to personal attacks, obstruction and opposition with an unAmerican ideology. Normally political partys of the past had the mental capacity to compete with idea's of the opposite party, but todays republican party has chosen to obstruct rather than compete. They really are a pittiful party.
This commentary was written by John Lucia
Note: The republican party controlled both houses of congress the first 6 years of the George W. Bush administration.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
The Speech President Obama Should Give To The Nation
Fifty four months after the election and reelection of President Obama the republicans in congress are still in their mood of obstruction and once again say they will shut government down if they do not get their way. The republican's lack of respect for the President and the people they were elected to represent is a clear case of a party out of control and mentally unbalanced in their approach to governing. Because of the republican's position, the President should call a news conference and give the following remarks.
I will not listen to the advise of the republican party concerning the budget deficit, the national debt, the economy, federal spending, job creation or unemployment because their party has the poorest record on the subject matter in the last 52 plus years. They are the party who returned the country to deficit spending and debt which was not a problem when President Clinton left office. No republican President has balanced the federal budget in the last 52 plus years. They are the party with the worst job creation record in the past 52 plus years; they are the party with the highest sustained rate of unemployment in the last 52 plus years; they are the party with the highest increase in total federal spending in the last 52 plus years; they are the party with the worst economic record in the past 52 plus years and gave the country the second great republican depression in 2008; they are the party that gave the country the greatest collapse of the financial industry in the 1929 great depression, in the early 1980's with the Homestead Savings and Loan and in 2008 with the second great depression of the Wall Street Banks. The also gave the country the very first single year federal budget deficit that exceded $1 trillion.
All of the above can be easily checked out on line at the CBO site where the official records are kept. The republicns in congress have not lifted a finger to help the country out of the second great depression and have opposed my inititives to move the country forward. In light of their past failures and their present position of obstruction I will continue to do all in my power to move the country forward and to promote the election of democrats that would return congress under democratic control.
Now a special note to all Americans. The republicans in congress are full of it when they talk of federal spending being out of control on my watch. The fact is total federal spending on my watch has seen the smallest increase in the last 52 plus years. Total year to year federal spending has actually decreased on my watch twice in my first 3 fiscal years in office. My 4th fiscal year will end September 30, 2013 and it will show that federal spending on my watch is still under control. No republican administration has had a year to year decrease in total federal spending in the past 52 plus years.
The republicans in congress can continue to play their childish games on the country and its people but I will not be a part of it. I have given them 4 and a half years of opportunity to work with a President who was elected and reelected by the American people to implement the policies I campaigned on and those policies will be pursued. The republican position of opposition and obstruction with a conservative ideology that has already proved to be a failure is the greatest insult to the country and its people. Threrfore, I as President will not seek any advise from the republicans in congress concerning the issues contained herein.
The President could articulate the above better than this writer but the substance should be retained. President Obama should take the fight to them and I would love to see the President give this speech.
This commentary written by John Lucia
I will not listen to the advise of the republican party concerning the budget deficit, the national debt, the economy, federal spending, job creation or unemployment because their party has the poorest record on the subject matter in the last 52 plus years. They are the party who returned the country to deficit spending and debt which was not a problem when President Clinton left office. No republican President has balanced the federal budget in the last 52 plus years. They are the party with the worst job creation record in the past 52 plus years; they are the party with the highest sustained rate of unemployment in the last 52 plus years; they are the party with the highest increase in total federal spending in the last 52 plus years; they are the party with the worst economic record in the past 52 plus years and gave the country the second great republican depression in 2008; they are the party that gave the country the greatest collapse of the financial industry in the 1929 great depression, in the early 1980's with the Homestead Savings and Loan and in 2008 with the second great depression of the Wall Street Banks. The also gave the country the very first single year federal budget deficit that exceded $1 trillion.
All of the above can be easily checked out on line at the CBO site where the official records are kept. The republicns in congress have not lifted a finger to help the country out of the second great depression and have opposed my inititives to move the country forward. In light of their past failures and their present position of obstruction I will continue to do all in my power to move the country forward and to promote the election of democrats that would return congress under democratic control.
Now a special note to all Americans. The republicans in congress are full of it when they talk of federal spending being out of control on my watch. The fact is total federal spending on my watch has seen the smallest increase in the last 52 plus years. Total year to year federal spending has actually decreased on my watch twice in my first 3 fiscal years in office. My 4th fiscal year will end September 30, 2013 and it will show that federal spending on my watch is still under control. No republican administration has had a year to year decrease in total federal spending in the past 52 plus years.
The republicans in congress can continue to play their childish games on the country and its people but I will not be a part of it. I have given them 4 and a half years of opportunity to work with a President who was elected and reelected by the American people to implement the policies I campaigned on and those policies will be pursued. The republican position of opposition and obstruction with a conservative ideology that has already proved to be a failure is the greatest insult to the country and its people. Threrfore, I as President will not seek any advise from the republicans in congress concerning the issues contained herein.
The President could articulate the above better than this writer but the substance should be retained. President Obama should take the fight to them and I would love to see the President give this speech.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's Self Serving "Point of View" Commentary
Jindal's commentary published in the Times Picayune of 8/11/13 titled, "New Orleans is America's Comeback City" was a blow your own horn piece of republican fairy tale. Jindal credits his policies for the progress New Orleans has made in just about every area.
The governor shows how small a person he really is by not mentioning Mayor Mitch Landrieu in his commentary and is typical of conservatives. The facts are very obvious that the election of Mitch Landrieu as Mayor of New Orleans was the catalist that started New Orleans on the move and in the right direction. The policies that Jindal brags about and says are responsible for the city's comeback were in place when Ray Nagin was Mayor but New Orleans stood still during Nagin's term in office.
Mayor Landrieu is a people person who had plans and a policy that would lift the city and its people up and his administration has been active in carrying the Mayors plan and policy. Landrieu has actually accomplished more for New Orleans and its people in the short time he has been mayor than Jindal has accomplished for the state and people during his time in office. The Mayor is a more responsible elected official who knows government and his leadership has been outstanding. New Orleans is the comeback city because of Landrieu's hard work and understanding of government and the many problems that go along with governing. Jindal has yet to understand that.
Landrieu does not govern by ideology and that is a big reason why he has been successful in moving New Orleans forward. It is this writers opinion that Mitch Landrieu is one of the brightest and attractive young leader in the democratic party who will be successful if he seeks higher office. I believe he should also seek national office at some point in time because he has leadership, character and courage. If that happens, remember you read it first here in PolitiDose.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The governor shows how small a person he really is by not mentioning Mayor Mitch Landrieu in his commentary and is typical of conservatives. The facts are very obvious that the election of Mitch Landrieu as Mayor of New Orleans was the catalist that started New Orleans on the move and in the right direction. The policies that Jindal brags about and says are responsible for the city's comeback were in place when Ray Nagin was Mayor but New Orleans stood still during Nagin's term in office.
Mayor Landrieu is a people person who had plans and a policy that would lift the city and its people up and his administration has been active in carrying the Mayors plan and policy. Landrieu has actually accomplished more for New Orleans and its people in the short time he has been mayor than Jindal has accomplished for the state and people during his time in office. The Mayor is a more responsible elected official who knows government and his leadership has been outstanding. New Orleans is the comeback city because of Landrieu's hard work and understanding of government and the many problems that go along with governing. Jindal has yet to understand that.
Landrieu does not govern by ideology and that is a big reason why he has been successful in moving New Orleans forward. It is this writers opinion that Mitch Landrieu is one of the brightest and attractive young leader in the democratic party who will be successful if he seeks higher office. I believe he should also seek national office at some point in time because he has leadership, character and courage. If that happens, remember you read it first here in PolitiDose.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Thursday, August 8, 2013
The Affordable Health Care Act And The Republican Party
The cost of health care insurance, health care itself and the number of people with out health insurance has increased and became a problem many years before President Obama took office in 2008. Employers, employees and those retired have felt the effects long before the President's election. The republican party in congress has vowed to defund and actually voted to repeal "Obanacare" (their term) 40 times in the U.S. House. Recently they have even talked about shutting the government down if Obamacare is not defunded.
Prior to President Obama's election the republicans controlled the White House and the country 20 of the previous 28 years. Reagan 8 years, G.H.W. Bush 4 years, Clinton 8 years and G.W. Bush 8 years. During the 20 year reign of republican control no President submitted a plan to congress to address the health care issue or the escalating number of people with out health insurance. They said they knew how to handle the problem but never had a plan or policy. And as of this writing they still do not have a plan or a policy even though they say they do.
President Clinton assigned his wife to handle health care reform during his term in office and the republicans killed that idea and it went no where. President Obama in the election of 2008 campaigned on health care reform, was elected and his administration passed the AHCA. The republicans said it was unconstitutional, took it to court and the Supreme Court ruled otherwise in favor of the administration. So now, 32 years later and the republican party still has no plan or policy for health care reform nor can they articulate how they would replace Obamacare and deal with the issue. The T.V. talk shows who play to the republicans on the subject matter never question them about their lack of a plan during the 20 years of republican rule.
The republican record of failure concerning health care is a mirror image of those same three republican Presidents who said they would balance the federal budget and then gave the country and its people 20 years of record deficit spending and debt. Those who follow politics and the facts understand why the republican party troday are a sorry bunch. The leaders of the party today could not have been a part of the greatest generation of WWII. They would not have fit in. The unAmerican conservative ideology they preach today has overwhelmed their sense of decency, compassion for their fellow man and their ability to work with democrats on the tough issues facing the country and its people. They make it a priority to use divisive issues such as abortion, religion, the gay community and etc., instead of talking about those issues that unite us.
Yes, there was a time in America when the republican party put the country and the people first. That was a time when good things happened. It is getting harder to remember those good things because the tea party has moved the republican party more and more in the direction of the extreme right and there is no republican willing to stand up and say enough is enough. Obamacare is just another phony talking point that make up a phony republican agenda. Government is not the problem. The problem is elected officials who run government with an unAmerican conservative ideology. Our leaders and the people of the greatest generation would never have put up with such an ideology, and neither should todays generation.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Prior to President Obama's election the republicans controlled the White House and the country 20 of the previous 28 years. Reagan 8 years, G.H.W. Bush 4 years, Clinton 8 years and G.W. Bush 8 years. During the 20 year reign of republican control no President submitted a plan to congress to address the health care issue or the escalating number of people with out health insurance. They said they knew how to handle the problem but never had a plan or policy. And as of this writing they still do not have a plan or a policy even though they say they do.
President Clinton assigned his wife to handle health care reform during his term in office and the republicans killed that idea and it went no where. President Obama in the election of 2008 campaigned on health care reform, was elected and his administration passed the AHCA. The republicans said it was unconstitutional, took it to court and the Supreme Court ruled otherwise in favor of the administration. So now, 32 years later and the republican party still has no plan or policy for health care reform nor can they articulate how they would replace Obamacare and deal with the issue. The T.V. talk shows who play to the republicans on the subject matter never question them about their lack of a plan during the 20 years of republican rule.
The republican record of failure concerning health care is a mirror image of those same three republican Presidents who said they would balance the federal budget and then gave the country and its people 20 years of record deficit spending and debt. Those who follow politics and the facts understand why the republican party troday are a sorry bunch. The leaders of the party today could not have been a part of the greatest generation of WWII. They would not have fit in. The unAmerican conservative ideology they preach today has overwhelmed their sense of decency, compassion for their fellow man and their ability to work with democrats on the tough issues facing the country and its people. They make it a priority to use divisive issues such as abortion, religion, the gay community and etc., instead of talking about those issues that unite us.
Yes, there was a time in America when the republican party put the country and the people first. That was a time when good things happened. It is getting harder to remember those good things because the tea party has moved the republican party more and more in the direction of the extreme right and there is no republican willing to stand up and say enough is enough. Obamacare is just another phony talking point that make up a phony republican agenda. Government is not the problem. The problem is elected officials who run government with an unAmerican conservative ideology. Our leaders and the people of the greatest generation would never have put up with such an ideology, and neither should todays generation.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The State of Louisiana Files Suit Against Texas Brine
Texas Brine was sued by the State of Louisiana for environmental damage concerning the sinkhole in an area around Bayou Corne which was discovered on August 3, 2012. The suit was announced by Governor Bobby Jindal and Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.
Patrick Courreges, a spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources said Texas Brine has not reimbursed the state for any of the $12 million already spent responding to the disaster. Jindal said the suit is just the next step in making sure Texas Brine does the right thing and properly addresses the mess it caused. The governor seems to have taken a cue from the suit filed the week before by the Southeast Flood Protection Authority-East who filed a law suit against a number of Oil and Gas companies over the environmental damage caused by their operations in the state.
It took Jindal one day shy a year to file the suit against Texas Brine to hold them accountable but has done nothing to hold the Oil and Gas industry accountable in the four plus years he has been governor. Maybe, just maybe Jindal and Caldwell will join the "Authoritys" suit against the industry and finally hold them accountable. The people in Louisiana should support both lawsuits because businesses do not live up to their responsibilities on their own when they damage the environment and as a general rule hate regulations.
Hopefully, the "Authority" has started a trend and will make government take care of its obligations in enforcing state laws.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Patrick Courreges, a spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources said Texas Brine has not reimbursed the state for any of the $12 million already spent responding to the disaster. Jindal said the suit is just the next step in making sure Texas Brine does the right thing and properly addresses the mess it caused. The governor seems to have taken a cue from the suit filed the week before by the Southeast Flood Protection Authority-East who filed a law suit against a number of Oil and Gas companies over the environmental damage caused by their operations in the state.
It took Jindal one day shy a year to file the suit against Texas Brine to hold them accountable but has done nothing to hold the Oil and Gas industry accountable in the four plus years he has been governor. Maybe, just maybe Jindal and Caldwell will join the "Authoritys" suit against the industry and finally hold them accountable. The people in Louisiana should support both lawsuits because businesses do not live up to their responsibilities on their own when they damage the environment and as a general rule hate regulations.
Hopefully, the "Authority" has started a trend and will make government take care of its obligations in enforcing state laws.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Steve Scalise and Chris John: The Latest Mouth Piece For The Oil and Gas Industry
Louisiana's U.S. Representative Steve Scalise is the latest elected official to take a swipe at the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East (SLF-PA-E) suit against 97 oil, gas and pipeline companies to restore damages to wetlands in Louisiana. In a Times Picayune article of July 2, Scalise is trying to demand transparency from SLF-PA-E concerning the lawyers hired to handle the suit and said the Levee Board could be forced to sell flood protection assets in order to pay for the suit.
John Barry, VP of SLF-PA-E said no flood protection assets are in jeopardy and that the whole point of the suit is to get the money needed to protect people from hurricanes. The choice really is simple: Protect oil companies from having to keep their written word and also obey the law, or protect people's lives and property from hurricanes. It really is that simple. Mr. Barry put Scalise in his place and shows how silly he really is.
What Scalise and other elected Louisiana officials are afraid of and see in the lawsuit is the state of Louisiana's failure to hold the industry liable for the destruction of wetlands, marshes and coastal area's. Scalise, like others who served in the state legislature while the damage was being inflicted were silent and done nothing to hold the industry accountable and all the while accepting campaign contributions from the industry. Scalise is still accepting campaign contributions from them.
Chris John in a "point of view" article in the Times Picayune of July 2 says the oil and gas industry has the states best interest at heart and trys to deflect the issue by talking about the industry's dollar investment and job creation in the state. John also said, we will continue to be part of the solution, a solution that puts Louisiana first, working together with the state leaders and the industry as a whole for a better sustainable Louisiana coast, not sitting in a courtroom for the next several decades. I believe the public knows pretty well that the industry continues to be part of the problem and not the solution.
That statement of John's is so self serving it belongs in a fairy tale. A note at the bottom of the article in fine print says John is President of The Louisiana Mid Continent Oil And Gas Assoc. In other words he is a mouth piece for the industry. What John did not say in the article is that he and his family owns and operates an Oil Field Trucking business in Louisiana that has been in operations for over 30 years. This writer worked in that industry for over 34 years so I can verify that.
Unlike President Obama's action concerning the BP blow out, Scalise and othr elected officials in Louisiana has turned their backs on the environmental damage done by the industry on state land and it has been an ongoing problem for many years. The lawsuit brings front and center just how beholden Louisiana's elected officials have been to the industry. Former governor David Treen had the answer to the problem with CWEL but our elected officials looked the other way, they wanted no part of it.
This commentary written by John Lucia
John Barry, VP of SLF-PA-E said no flood protection assets are in jeopardy and that the whole point of the suit is to get the money needed to protect people from hurricanes. The choice really is simple: Protect oil companies from having to keep their written word and also obey the law, or protect people's lives and property from hurricanes. It really is that simple. Mr. Barry put Scalise in his place and shows how silly he really is.
What Scalise and other elected Louisiana officials are afraid of and see in the lawsuit is the state of Louisiana's failure to hold the industry liable for the destruction of wetlands, marshes and coastal area's. Scalise, like others who served in the state legislature while the damage was being inflicted were silent and done nothing to hold the industry accountable and all the while accepting campaign contributions from the industry. Scalise is still accepting campaign contributions from them.
Chris John in a "point of view" article in the Times Picayune of July 2 says the oil and gas industry has the states best interest at heart and trys to deflect the issue by talking about the industry's dollar investment and job creation in the state. John also said, we will continue to be part of the solution, a solution that puts Louisiana first, working together with the state leaders and the industry as a whole for a better sustainable Louisiana coast, not sitting in a courtroom for the next several decades. I believe the public knows pretty well that the industry continues to be part of the problem and not the solution.
That statement of John's is so self serving it belongs in a fairy tale. A note at the bottom of the article in fine print says John is President of The Louisiana Mid Continent Oil And Gas Assoc. In other words he is a mouth piece for the industry. What John did not say in the article is that he and his family owns and operates an Oil Field Trucking business in Louisiana that has been in operations for over 30 years. This writer worked in that industry for over 34 years so I can verify that.
Unlike President Obama's action concerning the BP blow out, Scalise and othr elected officials in Louisiana has turned their backs on the environmental damage done by the industry on state land and it has been an ongoing problem for many years. The lawsuit brings front and center just how beholden Louisiana's elected officials have been to the industry. Former governor David Treen had the answer to the problem with CWEL but our elected officials looked the other way, they wanted no part of it.
This commentary written by John Lucia
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