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The lawsuit by the Authority is aimed at forcing dozens of Oil and Gas companies to repair damage to a buffer zone of wet lands and ridges as reported in the Times Picayune of July 24. The lawsuit was filed in state court because the on shore operations of those oil companies comes under state regulations. The
destruction of Louisiana's environment by the industry's operations for the past 40 plus years has been given lip service by past governers and state elected officials that make up the legislature and they have failed to hold the industry accountable for the massive damage done to the environment.
Louisiana's officials get an F for their failure to act and now they want BP to pay for the damages caused by the industry over the years. And of course Louisiana's elected officials are still receiving big bucks in campaign contributions from the industry and they still fail to hold the industry accountable as of this very writing. President Obama stood tall after the BP well blow out that took the lives of 11 rig workers. A moratorium was instituted against Gulf drilling until some answers could be found as to the cause and his administration has held BP accountable for their actions. Many of Louisiana's representatives opposed the moratorium just like they opposed to enforce Louisiana's regulations concerning the destruction of the environment because of drilling, production, pipe line and dredging operations.
The federal government stepped up to the plate concerning the BP situation. Louisiana's elected officials have been AWOL for the past 40 plus years on the environmental rape of Louisiana's wet lands and marshes. Former governor David Treen had the answer with his proposal called CWEL (Coastal Wetlands Environmental Levy) which he spoke about many times over and was the subject of a letter to the editors to the editors of the Times Picayune published on 3/9/09. The Times Picayune also ran an article dated 9/19/09 concerning a Pipeline Volume Tax. Those ideas went no where in the state legislature because of the industry's financial clout.
So now, the Authority who filed the suit has done what Louisiana's elected officials should have done long ago to bring the industry to justice. This writer has written several past commentaries here in PolitiDose concerning the subject matter and CWEL. Governor Treen saw the problem and had a valid answer that should have been given serious thought and debate over the years especially since the damage continues to take place. But our state officials have a better idea and answer, let BP pay for it all. That really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Charles Krauthammer's Silly Editorial
Charlie boy's editorial titled "A Modest GOP Agenda For 2013" is another example how conservative journalists and republicans in congress are so culpable in their own stupid party and unAmerican conservative ideology. His recomended Modest Agenda for the GOP is as follows.
1) Oppose further expansion of the entitlement state. 2) Reform the tax code. 3) Secure the border. 4) Demand clarity on Afghanistan. First of all there has been no expansion of the so called entitlement state. Charles boy is talking about the AHCA but that is needed because the states have failed to take care of the problem within their own borders. Federal spending under Obama has increased at the smalest rate since the Clinton administration. The administrations of Reagan and Bush 43 had the largest increase in federal spending in the past 32 years.
Reform the tax code by the republican party is a joke and Charlie knows that because of the republican's relationship with the wealthy and special interest groups. Charlie also knows that the republicans controlled both house of congress during most of the Bush 43 years in office and had an opportunity to reform the tax code then and failed to do so. If tax reform takes place one can be sure it will happen on a Democratic President's watch.
Secure the border for immigration: The republicans had a chance to do that under Bush 43 also and failed. They flipped flopped then and they are currently doing the same thing. Demand clarity on Afghanistan: President Obama has already done that and announced the date of the U.S. withdrawal. Obama has already put to bed Bush's war with Iraq over WMD that did not exist. When it comes to Afghanistan, Charlie boy is thinking of Bush's mishandling in fighting that war and had no clarity on the subject matter when he left office. He just turned it over to the President.
Charlie is well aware that the GOP in congress has had a Modest Agenda since the President was elected in 2008 so what is new. That Modest Agenda was to not lift a finger to work with Obama because they want to see him fail and take the country along that path. Their agenda has not changed in 2013. Charlie as a journalist, the republicans as a party and conservatism as invoked by the leaders of the party in and out of congress have no positive accomplishments that move the country and its people forward. They are really chapped that once again it is a democratic administration that has moved the country forward out of the second great republican depression that was caused by Bush's policies. And that says it all Charlie boy.
This commentary written by John Lucia
1) Oppose further expansion of the entitlement state. 2) Reform the tax code. 3) Secure the border. 4) Demand clarity on Afghanistan. First of all there has been no expansion of the so called entitlement state. Charles boy is talking about the AHCA but that is needed because the states have failed to take care of the problem within their own borders. Federal spending under Obama has increased at the smalest rate since the Clinton administration. The administrations of Reagan and Bush 43 had the largest increase in federal spending in the past 32 years.
Reform the tax code by the republican party is a joke and Charlie knows that because of the republican's relationship with the wealthy and special interest groups. Charlie also knows that the republicans controlled both house of congress during most of the Bush 43 years in office and had an opportunity to reform the tax code then and failed to do so. If tax reform takes place one can be sure it will happen on a Democratic President's watch.
Secure the border for immigration: The republicans had a chance to do that under Bush 43 also and failed. They flipped flopped then and they are currently doing the same thing. Demand clarity on Afghanistan: President Obama has already done that and announced the date of the U.S. withdrawal. Obama has already put to bed Bush's war with Iraq over WMD that did not exist. When it comes to Afghanistan, Charlie boy is thinking of Bush's mishandling in fighting that war and had no clarity on the subject matter when he left office. He just turned it over to the President.
Charlie is well aware that the GOP in congress has had a Modest Agenda since the President was elected in 2008 so what is new. That Modest Agenda was to not lift a finger to work with Obama because they want to see him fail and take the country along that path. Their agenda has not changed in 2013. Charlie as a journalist, the republicans as a party and conservatism as invoked by the leaders of the party in and out of congress have no positive accomplishments that move the country and its people forward. They are really chapped that once again it is a democratic administration that has moved the country forward out of the second great republican depression that was caused by Bush's policies. And that says it all Charlie boy.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Creating a Fair U.S. Tax Code
Don't listen to congress when they say the tax code is a mess and has to be dealth with, corrected and made more simple because they are the ones who wrote the tax code to begin with. The Tax Code is a mess because Corporate America and the wealthy dictate what should be in the tax code and they use their campaign contributions as influence. That is why the code is swamped with tax exemptions, loop holes and exceptions that protect and help corporate America and the wealthy.
Make no mistake about it, the code can be simplified very simply with various tax brackets and no exceptions. Everyone should be expected to pay his or her fair share in taxes that finance the needs of the country and its people. Under the present system the wealth of the middle class in America has been transferred to the wealthy with trickle down economics and special tax breaks for corporate America and the wealthy.
Tax brackets can be done in a fair way when special interest are eliminated. And a minimum tax rate can be fairly established for those with a minimum income. The tax code change should be done with the country's priority being to establish a lasting economy that will put the country in full employment mode. Full employment was accomplished during the Clinton administration. Full employment and a fair tax code will allow our people to earn a good salary and at the same time pay taxes that keeps everything going. When the tax burden is shared by all, all will prosper. When the tax burden is shared by the few who happen to be the middle class, the economy, jobs and the American way of life detoriates.
Yes, the tax code can be made fair for all, absent all the loopholes and etc. Tax brackets can be drawn fairly for all income levels by putting America first. At the present time special interest is put first and the country and its people are paying the heavy price.
This commentary was written by John Lucia
Make no mistake about it, the code can be simplified very simply with various tax brackets and no exceptions. Everyone should be expected to pay his or her fair share in taxes that finance the needs of the country and its people. Under the present system the wealth of the middle class in America has been transferred to the wealthy with trickle down economics and special tax breaks for corporate America and the wealthy.
Tax brackets can be done in a fair way when special interest are eliminated. And a minimum tax rate can be fairly established for those with a minimum income. The tax code change should be done with the country's priority being to establish a lasting economy that will put the country in full employment mode. Full employment was accomplished during the Clinton administration. Full employment and a fair tax code will allow our people to earn a good salary and at the same time pay taxes that keeps everything going. When the tax burden is shared by all, all will prosper. When the tax burden is shared by the few who happen to be the middle class, the economy, jobs and the American way of life detoriates.
Yes, the tax code can be made fair for all, absent all the loopholes and etc. Tax brackets can be drawn fairly for all income levels by putting America first. At the present time special interest is put first and the country and its people are paying the heavy price.
This commentary was written by John Lucia
The Latest Economic Jobs Report For June
The Labor Department announced that the economy created 195,000 jobs in June, much more than was being predicted and that the unemployment rate remained at 7.6% because more of the unemployed was seeking work with the uptick in the economy. Those not seeking work are not counted by the Department.
They also reported that job creation for the previous three months was greater than they reported at the time and that for the first 6 months of the year the economy created an average of 202,000 jobs per month. That is a healthy number despite the lack of republican help and their goal of wanting to see America and its people fail. The republicans hate to see history repeat itself that confirms democratic administrations always out perform republican administrations concerning the economy and job creation.
And once again it is worthwhile to repeat as I have done so before many times over here in "politidose", if the U.S. House would have passed Obama's job's program that they have been sitting on for over a year and a half, our country would be at or near full employment by the end of the year. The republicans in the U.S. House are a pitiful lot and do not represent what America is all about. In fact they lack the basic self respect of what is expected of congress. And they get paid for this inaction.
This commentary written by John Lucia
They also reported that job creation for the previous three months was greater than they reported at the time and that for the first 6 months of the year the economy created an average of 202,000 jobs per month. That is a healthy number despite the lack of republican help and their goal of wanting to see America and its people fail. The republicans hate to see history repeat itself that confirms democratic administrations always out perform republican administrations concerning the economy and job creation.
And once again it is worthwhile to repeat as I have done so before many times over here in "politidose", if the U.S. House would have passed Obama's job's program that they have been sitting on for over a year and a half, our country would be at or near full employment by the end of the year. The republicans in the U.S. House are a pitiful lot and do not represent what America is all about. In fact they lack the basic self respect of what is expected of congress. And they get paid for this inaction.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Monday, July 8, 2013
The Abandonment Of The Algiers Ferry and The People of Algiers
Leave it to some politicans who have no courage to live up to their responsibility as elected officals and those who pushed to end the bridge tolls on the CCC to show their true colors and selfish ego's. Those people had no back up plans to keep the Algiers ferry in operation full time that the people have depended on for over 70 plus years, especially those who live in Old Algiers. (Algiers Point)
The vote to lift the tolls took away the financing of the Algiers ferry and eliminated millions of dollars in revenue for the state. All we heard from those who wanted the tolls to end was the excuse that the toll money was not being properly used. Never mind holding our elected officials accountable for the money to be spent wisely if it was not, they just wanted the tolls to go. They did not care about the people of Algiers who depend on ferry service to downtown New Orleans and the burden that would put on them.
The states elected officials should have made the decision themselves on the tolls instead of putting it up for a vote by the people, but that would have taken courage which is in short supply. So people who use neither the CCC or the ferry decided the fate of the people of Algiers. Free bridges, free streets, free ferry, free municipal services and free infracture repairs, let some one else pay. Now the people of Algiers have to pay the price because no one had a plan in place that would finance the ferry for full time operations immediately if the tolls were voted off.
Many of those who pushed the no tolls did not even bother to check the history of the Algiers ferry service and the positive role it played in the lives of the people in Algiers. And as of this writing there is still no financing available to keep the ferry in operation full time. Sadly, that really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The vote to lift the tolls took away the financing of the Algiers ferry and eliminated millions of dollars in revenue for the state. All we heard from those who wanted the tolls to end was the excuse that the toll money was not being properly used. Never mind holding our elected officials accountable for the money to be spent wisely if it was not, they just wanted the tolls to go. They did not care about the people of Algiers who depend on ferry service to downtown New Orleans and the burden that would put on them.
The states elected officials should have made the decision themselves on the tolls instead of putting it up for a vote by the people, but that would have taken courage which is in short supply. So people who use neither the CCC or the ferry decided the fate of the people of Algiers. Free bridges, free streets, free ferry, free municipal services and free infracture repairs, let some one else pay. Now the people of Algiers have to pay the price because no one had a plan in place that would finance the ferry for full time operations immediately if the tolls were voted off.
Many of those who pushed the no tolls did not even bother to check the history of the Algiers ferry service and the positive role it played in the lives of the people in Algiers. And as of this writing there is still no financing available to keep the ferry in operation full time. Sadly, that really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Saturday, July 6, 2013
LSU, The College World Series And Paul Mainieri
The dust has settled from LSU's early exit from the College World Series and in this writer's view sports journalists who cover LSU and the Series have yet to touch upon Mainieri's failure as a manager and coach in both of LSU's losses and especially in its opening game against UCLA.
LSU's failure to sacrifice bunt after lead off hitter Katz was walked to put him in scoring position on second base in the bottom of the ninth was a major blunder on Mainieri's part. LSU was only one run behind at the time with no outs. Instead of the sacrifice bunt the batter hit into a double play which virtually gave the game away with two out. Mainieri's failure to call the sacrifice bunt during both LSU games when needed showed he lacked the basic fundamentals of the game.
UCLA's manager and coach understood that his pitcher and LSU's pitcher were not going to give up many runs and there fore it was important to have runners in scoring posititon once they reached base. Their coach used the sacrifice bunt on several occasions to move the runners in scoring position and it worked. It mattered not if his runners scored on a hit or an error, it still counted and UCLA's winning run in that game came on an LSU error.
Mainieri's failure to use the sacrifice bunt at the most critical time in the game must have left former LSU manager and coach Skip Bertman fit to be tied. There is no doubt in this writers mind that he would have called for the bunt in the bottom of the ninth if he were the coach. Skip Bertman did not win 5 National Championships only because he was a good coach and because he had good players. He won because he was aware and understood that executing the fundamentals of the game was the key to winning.
Mainieri's decision to have his batter hit away with Katz on first deprived his pitcher and team of a chance to win. His starting pitcher and team deserved better. So what did we hear from sports journalists who covered LSU. The same worn out hype: they won the SEC and the SEC Championship: they won more games than any other LSU team and etc, and etc. To them every thing was just fine and after all Mainieri did win a national title several years ago. The feeling being past performance will automatically win another national championship. LSU fans and the team deserve an objective report from sports journalists instead of excuses.
This writer has been a long time fan of LSU sports but in the last several years I have learned to expect the worst instead of the best in the so called big games because of poor coaching decisions in both football and baseball. LSU's two and out in the CWS should be Mainieri's rosetta stone to executing the basic's of baseball next season and beyond. Mississippi State won no titles this baseball year but they did make it to the CWS championship game. That should be enough to motivate Mainieri and sports journalists also.
This commentary written by John Lucia
LSU's failure to sacrifice bunt after lead off hitter Katz was walked to put him in scoring position on second base in the bottom of the ninth was a major blunder on Mainieri's part. LSU was only one run behind at the time with no outs. Instead of the sacrifice bunt the batter hit into a double play which virtually gave the game away with two out. Mainieri's failure to call the sacrifice bunt during both LSU games when needed showed he lacked the basic fundamentals of the game.
UCLA's manager and coach understood that his pitcher and LSU's pitcher were not going to give up many runs and there fore it was important to have runners in scoring posititon once they reached base. Their coach used the sacrifice bunt on several occasions to move the runners in scoring position and it worked. It mattered not if his runners scored on a hit or an error, it still counted and UCLA's winning run in that game came on an LSU error.
Mainieri's failure to use the sacrifice bunt at the most critical time in the game must have left former LSU manager and coach Skip Bertman fit to be tied. There is no doubt in this writers mind that he would have called for the bunt in the bottom of the ninth if he were the coach. Skip Bertman did not win 5 National Championships only because he was a good coach and because he had good players. He won because he was aware and understood that executing the fundamentals of the game was the key to winning.
Mainieri's decision to have his batter hit away with Katz on first deprived his pitcher and team of a chance to win. His starting pitcher and team deserved better. So what did we hear from sports journalists who covered LSU. The same worn out hype: they won the SEC and the SEC Championship: they won more games than any other LSU team and etc, and etc. To them every thing was just fine and after all Mainieri did win a national title several years ago. The feeling being past performance will automatically win another national championship. LSU fans and the team deserve an objective report from sports journalists instead of excuses.
This writer has been a long time fan of LSU sports but in the last several years I have learned to expect the worst instead of the best in the so called big games because of poor coaching decisions in both football and baseball. LSU's two and out in the CWS should be Mainieri's rosetta stone to executing the basic's of baseball next season and beyond. Mississippi State won no titles this baseball year but they did make it to the CWS championship game. That should be enough to motivate Mainieri and sports journalists also.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Friday, July 5, 2013
Many Thanks To Robert Mann and John Maginnis
Mr. Mann's comments published in the Times Picayune issue of June 30 in the Sunday's Reflection section titled, "State-sanctioned intolerance isin't business-friendly" and Mr. Maginnis's comments published in the Times Picayune of July 3 on the opinions page titled, " How The Disabled Community Lost" represented what journalism is all about. That is the ability to cut through the political spin of Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal and the republican controlled legislature and lay the facts before the people.
The two commentators exposed the governor's lack of compasion and his mismanagement of state government. Other editorial writers who have pushed the republican talking points of Jindal being a national candidate have failed the people of Louisiana by over looking the harm Jindal has done to the state. Jindal's failed sales tax plan was the latest ditto head ideology of republicans and the governor remains the leader of the stupid party in Louisiana.
This writer has commented here in politidose many times concerning Jindal's lack of real leadership and the harm his budget cutting policies has done to the state and its people. I am happy to see Mr. Mann and Mr. Maginnis bring a thoughtful commentary to the Times Picayune readers. It was badly needed and I would urge them to keep the people up to date concerning the real issues facing the state.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The two commentators exposed the governor's lack of compasion and his mismanagement of state government. Other editorial writers who have pushed the republican talking points of Jindal being a national candidate have failed the people of Louisiana by over looking the harm Jindal has done to the state. Jindal's failed sales tax plan was the latest ditto head ideology of republicans and the governor remains the leader of the stupid party in Louisiana.
This writer has commented here in politidose many times concerning Jindal's lack of real leadership and the harm his budget cutting policies has done to the state and its people. I am happy to see Mr. Mann and Mr. Maginnis bring a thoughtful commentary to the Times Picayune readers. It was badly needed and I would urge them to keep the people up to date concerning the real issues facing the state.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Thursday, July 4, 2013
A Change In The Affordable Health Care Act
The Obama administration delayed for one year the implementation concerning the "Employer Mandate" provision in the AHCA and will now become effective in January 2015. The White House said the delay was a common sense approach that would reduce financial and regulatory burdens on small businesses. The Washington Post said it was a set back for the President's health care law. Republicans in congress described it as a "train wreck" and that the law is unworkable.
The cable news networks jumped in on the subject matter and gave their critique along with their guests. It did not take long for "spin" to take over the decision of the President. Cable networks have so much time on their hands "spin" automatically takes over. In the case of the republicans, we know they will do any thing possible to see the President and country fail.
The true story of the decision once again illustrates that democratic administrations policies are based on reality and facts and there fore reasonable changes should be made to legislation that works best for the country and its people. The President knows that the CBO said the AHCA will reduce future deficits and be a positive factor with the economy and people's lives. He also knows most state governors do not have the balls to provide health care for people living with in their state borders because they would have to raise state taxes to do so and they promised never to raise taxes in order to gain votes.
On the other hand, republican administrations make decisions based on ideology and have to ignore facts. That is why democratic administrations out perform republican administrations by a wide margin on all major issues. President Obama is showing wisdom concerning the AHCA in making changes that are in the best interest of the country and its people. He knows he can not count on republican support for any legislation that will move the country forward concerning health care.
What the business community should do now is use the extra time to honestly provide health care for as many employees as they possible can and be cooperative. The time is now for businesses to step up to the plate and take care of their employees who are responsible for businesses to exist.
President Truman was noted for his many sayings. One of his sayings below is still timely today and can be understood in relation to Obama's decision concerning the "employer mandate"
PRESIDENT TRUMAN; YOU CAN ALWAYS AMEND A BIG PLAN, BUT YOU CAN NEVER EXPAND A LITTLE ONE. I DON'T BELIEVE IN LITTLE PLANS. I BELIEVE IN PLANS BIG ENOUGH TO MEET A SITUATION WHICH WE CAN'T POSSIBLY FORESEE NOW.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The cable news networks jumped in on the subject matter and gave their critique along with their guests. It did not take long for "spin" to take over the decision of the President. Cable networks have so much time on their hands "spin" automatically takes over. In the case of the republicans, we know they will do any thing possible to see the President and country fail.
The true story of the decision once again illustrates that democratic administrations policies are based on reality and facts and there fore reasonable changes should be made to legislation that works best for the country and its people. The President knows that the CBO said the AHCA will reduce future deficits and be a positive factor with the economy and people's lives. He also knows most state governors do not have the balls to provide health care for people living with in their state borders because they would have to raise state taxes to do so and they promised never to raise taxes in order to gain votes.
On the other hand, republican administrations make decisions based on ideology and have to ignore facts. That is why democratic administrations out perform republican administrations by a wide margin on all major issues. President Obama is showing wisdom concerning the AHCA in making changes that are in the best interest of the country and its people. He knows he can not count on republican support for any legislation that will move the country forward concerning health care.
What the business community should do now is use the extra time to honestly provide health care for as many employees as they possible can and be cooperative. The time is now for businesses to step up to the plate and take care of their employees who are responsible for businesses to exist.
President Truman was noted for his many sayings. One of his sayings below is still timely today and can be understood in relation to Obama's decision concerning the "employer mandate"
PRESIDENT TRUMAN; YOU CAN ALWAYS AMEND A BIG PLAN, BUT YOU CAN NEVER EXPAND A LITTLE ONE. I DON'T BELIEVE IN LITTLE PLANS. I BELIEVE IN PLANS BIG ENOUGH TO MEET A SITUATION WHICH WE CAN'T POSSIBLY FORESEE NOW.
This commentary written by John Lucia
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