That is what Erick Erickson has attempted to accomplish in his column that appeared in the Times Picayune of May 31 in the "Reflection" section titled, " ISIL Sprang Up On Obama's Watch." Erickson, the right wing conservative columnist is up set because republican Presidential candidates who are running for their party's nomination has had a difficult time answering questions about their support of the war and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist and Bush's failure to take responsibility for the failure of that war.
Erick is also upset because President Obama ended the war as he said he would do when he campaigned for President. The right winger complained that Obama should have left American troops in Iraq and if he would have done that there would be no ISIL. Erickson rewrite of the facts exposes his true character. The reason no American troops were left in Iraq is because Iraq would not guarantee America and its troops immunity from Iraqi laws. Bush could not get Iraq's government to do so before he left office so the matter fell to President Obama when he took office. Obama ended our troop deployment when Iraq's governing body failed to vote on the matter.
The U.S. withdrawal from Iraq did not change the fact that Iraq's prime minister al-Maliki was running the Iraqi government as he had been for over a year. He was backed by the Bush administration to be the prime minister against other candidates. The so called Bush surge in Iraq was supposed to give al-Maliki the time necessary to unite Iraq's various factions but instead he made things worse for the Sunni's and failed to have a united government.
ISIL was created on al-Maliki's watch at a time American had no presence in Iraq and was created as a sister organization of Al Queda in Iraq and it happened because Iraq was a destabilized country made possible by the war and occupation over WMD that did not exist and the removal of Saddam from power
who kept Al Queda and other terror groups out of Iraq.
What really chaps Erickson and other conservative journalists is for years they have tried to plant the republican seed that democrats are soft on terror and the country's defense and that republicans are best at protecting America and its people. The facts tell a different story. The worst foreign terror attack on U.S. soil happened on 9/11/01 and it happened on the watch of President George W. Bush and it happened while he tried to talk and act tough.
The worst foreign terror attack against America on foreign soil happened on the watch of President Ronald Reagan when terrorists blew up the Marine compound in Lebanon killing 241 U.S. Marines. Reagan was also talking tough at the time and told the terrorists they could run but could not hide. But the fact is that the terrorists who were responsible for planning the cowardly act were never brought to justice by the Reagan administration.
What chaps Erickson and conservatives even more is the fact that President Obama has kept America safe from terror attacks since he has been in office and has brought Bin Laden and other terror leaders to justice. His administration has done so because of policy and priority and not a show off attitude of the so called republican chicken hawks.
Erickson can not rewrite the history of the Bush failure in the unnecessary war in Iraq over WMD that did not exist. As a reminder to Erickson, General Colin Powell, Bush's Secretary of State during Bush's first term in office told Bush during the run up to war in Iraq, "if you break it, you own it." Well President Bush broke Iraq and he still owns it. And worse, he left town without fixing it.
And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Cokie and Steve Roberts: The Latest Journalists In A Tizzy Over Hillary's Campaign Style
Cokie and Steve are the latest media people bent out of shape because Hillary Clinton is taking her campaign directly to the people instead of through the news media and its journalists per their commentary in the New Orleans Advocate dated 5/22/15. In fact they ask the question, "what is she afraid of?" Well, with 18 months left to the election this writer believes she is not afraid of anything.
It seems Cokie and Steve are the ones who are afraid as the people who vote are not up set the way Hillary's campaign is moving. And maybe Hillary understands the role social media now plays in elections. For those who follow politics Hillary's positions are known on the issues because she has been around long enough and has spoke to the issues for many years.
What Cokie, Steve and the cable news networks want is to rehash Benghazi, her Iraq vote, her personal emails and other issues that have been put to bed. To them, its really not about answering questions, she has already done that and been there.
Let me assure Cokie and Steve that when the Presidential primaries start Hillary will find the time to sooth their ego's with conversations. That is soon enough because the debates will be in full swing. In the meantime the news media has enough ink and air time to say what ever they want to say about Hillary.
The bottom line when it comes to campaigns is that everyone knows what policies the democratic candidates will pursue because they articulate that during the campaign. The republicans simply campaign on personal attacks and divisive issues and never articulate policy. Maybe Cokie and Steve can tell America what policies the republicans have besides their conservative ideology, which is no policy at all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Another Big First For "PolitiDose"
Robert Mann's commentary in the Reflections section of the Times Picayune of May 24 pointed out the state of Louisiana's economic and fiscal problems by describing conditions this writer has pointed out many times in past issues of commentary here in "PolitiDose." Mann makes the following comments in his article. They should all be familiar to the readers of "PolitiDose."
Louisiana has the 4th. highest unemployment rate in the nation. Louisiana's economy does not produce enough tax revenue to support higher education, health care and other vital services. The State's average weekly earnings were down 1% over the last year adjusted for inflation. Louisiana's economic miracle is a mirage.
Our governor and his legislative enablers have handed big business the keys to the state treasury for seven years. They eagerly bestowed enormous tax exemptions and direct state appropriations on dozens of out of state corporations, all after recklessly slashing income taxes for the wealthy in 1980. Jindal and many conservatives have sold tax cuts as an economic panacea. The evidence does not support their policies. We punish the poor with higher tax rates than the rich and neglect our basis services -- all in service subsidizing big business by relieving them of the responsibility to support essential government functions.
It is very noticeable that the various forms of the media in Louisiana and even members of the state legislature are now finally talking about the above issues they were silent on since Jindal took office. And to top it off their silence took place at the same time Jindal and the legislature announced that the budgets were balance and then had to acknowledge 6 months before the end of the budget year the budgets were out of balance.
Trickle down economics of tax breaks for business is not an economic policy and does not increase needed revenue or create jobs. That conservative ideology of the republican party died long ago in favor of responsible policy making. Jindal will leave office learning nothing from the past and the republican party's bragging that Louisiana is a republican state is not very flattering.
"PolitiDose" will continue to lead the way with facts and inform the people while events are taking place. This writer has no interest in being a "follower." And yes, understanding the mistakes of the past is the key to a better future for all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
Louisiana has the 4th. highest unemployment rate in the nation. Louisiana's economy does not produce enough tax revenue to support higher education, health care and other vital services. The State's average weekly earnings were down 1% over the last year adjusted for inflation. Louisiana's economic miracle is a mirage.
Our governor and his legislative enablers have handed big business the keys to the state treasury for seven years. They eagerly bestowed enormous tax exemptions and direct state appropriations on dozens of out of state corporations, all after recklessly slashing income taxes for the wealthy in 1980. Jindal and many conservatives have sold tax cuts as an economic panacea. The evidence does not support their policies. We punish the poor with higher tax rates than the rich and neglect our basis services -- all in service subsidizing big business by relieving them of the responsibility to support essential government functions.
It is very noticeable that the various forms of the media in Louisiana and even members of the state legislature are now finally talking about the above issues they were silent on since Jindal took office. And to top it off their silence took place at the same time Jindal and the legislature announced that the budgets were balance and then had to acknowledge 6 months before the end of the budget year the budgets were out of balance.
Trickle down economics of tax breaks for business is not an economic policy and does not increase needed revenue or create jobs. That conservative ideology of the republican party died long ago in favor of responsible policy making. Jindal will leave office learning nothing from the past and the republican party's bragging that Louisiana is a republican state is not very flattering.
"PolitiDose" will continue to lead the way with facts and inform the people while events are taking place. This writer has no interest in being a "follower." And yes, understanding the mistakes of the past is the key to a better future for all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Campaign Finance Reform: The Story Continues
"PolitiDose" has offered several past commentary on how to effect campaign finance reform from special interest groups deep money pockets and their money influence in Washington. There is a very legal and working solution to the problem that the courts have no recourse on.
But oddly enough, a Supreme Court ruling a few years ago known as "Citizens United" opened the door for congress to implement campaign finance reform. The Supreme Court ruling basically said Corporations are people which opened the door for unlimited spending by Corporations on campaign ads. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney during the 2012 election said he agreed that Corporations are people.
If Corporations are people, the court opened the door for congress to say, okay, if Corporations are people you will be treated like the ordinary citizen and all Corporate Welfare tax breaks, loop holes and tax give aways are going to be eliminated. Congress has the authority to do that and bring balance to the courts decision. Does congress have the will to do that? No, because they lack character and courage as a legislative body. But if they would find the virtue to do that and stick to their guns Corporations would call off their lavish spending on political campaigns.
The beauty of this type of campaign finance reform and the previous one I wrote about is that the courts have no legal authority in the matter, it could be done in a short period of time and would cost the tax payers zero. Robert Kennedy was quoted as saying the following: Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not. Its past time for congress to find a Robert Kenned out there who can make a difference in campaign finance reform.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
But oddly enough, a Supreme Court ruling a few years ago known as "Citizens United" opened the door for congress to implement campaign finance reform. The Supreme Court ruling basically said Corporations are people which opened the door for unlimited spending by Corporations on campaign ads. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney during the 2012 election said he agreed that Corporations are people.
If Corporations are people, the court opened the door for congress to say, okay, if Corporations are people you will be treated like the ordinary citizen and all Corporate Welfare tax breaks, loop holes and tax give aways are going to be eliminated. Congress has the authority to do that and bring balance to the courts decision. Does congress have the will to do that? No, because they lack character and courage as a legislative body. But if they would find the virtue to do that and stick to their guns Corporations would call off their lavish spending on political campaigns.
The beauty of this type of campaign finance reform and the previous one I wrote about is that the courts have no legal authority in the matter, it could be done in a short period of time and would cost the tax payers zero. Robert Kennedy was quoted as saying the following: Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not. Its past time for congress to find a Robert Kenned out there who can make a difference in campaign finance reform.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, May 22, 2015
The Times Picayune Is Becoming New Orleans HO-HUM Newspaper
Since its announced cut back in newspaper service in favor of the news on line, the Times Picayune has become a poor source of quality news in this writers judgement. Two articles that appeared in the Times Picayune of Sunday 5/17 by staff writer Bruce Alpert is an example. Alperts article on page one was concerning U.S. Senator David Vitter and his second article was about the republicans in congress and their funding problems for a transportation bill.
The first article takes up approximately 3/4 of a full page and talks about Vitter's provocative style to both republican and democrats with various amendments and opposition to health care subsidies and how he ruffles feathers. The only accomplishments the long winded article gives to Vitter is his vote for passage of a major water resource bill. Alpert touches on a couple of other measures he has joined with democrats to support.
That is not a lot of accomplishments for the man who wants to be Louisiana's next governor and has been a U.S. Senator for many years. Of course, anyone who follows the political process knows Vitter's record of accomplishments are pretty thin. The article ends up quoting Louisiana's Bill Cassidy as saying, Facing an administration hostile to our energy economy David has won fights with President Obama to keep our energy industry moving forward.
Alpert does not mention that oil production in the United States has increased 70% since 2008. That does not describe an industry that has been treated hostile by the President. Cassidy never described what fights Vitter won with the President .
The second article talks about the problems the House republicans are having to put together a long over due transportation bill to repair the nations roads, bridges and etc. Funding is their problem and the republicans can not agree on the source of funding. Raising the tax on gasoline is not favored by them in the article. Alpert reports there are 13,000 deficient bridges in Louisiana alone and that Louisiana has a $12.3 billion backlog in needed highway and bridge upgrades.
But the article was silent on reporting that the democratic controlled Senate passed a transportation bill over two years ago with enough republican support in that chamber that was fully funded with out increasing the federal deficit. The republican controlled House just sat on that bill, never even debated the bill or put it up for a vote. It just died there. .
The CBO noted that the Senate passed bill would have created over 1,000,000 new jobs in its first year. And now two plus years later the republicans still can't get their act together to fund an important bill that would help move the country and its people forward.
Vitter, with so few accomplishments on the federal level should give Louisiana's voters reasons to doubt that a Vitter administration in Louisiana would do any better that Jindal and his administration.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
The first article takes up approximately 3/4 of a full page and talks about Vitter's provocative style to both republican and democrats with various amendments and opposition to health care subsidies and how he ruffles feathers. The only accomplishments the long winded article gives to Vitter is his vote for passage of a major water resource bill. Alpert touches on a couple of other measures he has joined with democrats to support.
That is not a lot of accomplishments for the man who wants to be Louisiana's next governor and has been a U.S. Senator for many years. Of course, anyone who follows the political process knows Vitter's record of accomplishments are pretty thin. The article ends up quoting Louisiana's Bill Cassidy as saying, Facing an administration hostile to our energy economy David has won fights with President Obama to keep our energy industry moving forward.
Alpert does not mention that oil production in the United States has increased 70% since 2008. That does not describe an industry that has been treated hostile by the President. Cassidy never described what fights Vitter won with the President .
The second article talks about the problems the House republicans are having to put together a long over due transportation bill to repair the nations roads, bridges and etc. Funding is their problem and the republicans can not agree on the source of funding. Raising the tax on gasoline is not favored by them in the article. Alpert reports there are 13,000 deficient bridges in Louisiana alone and that Louisiana has a $12.3 billion backlog in needed highway and bridge upgrades.
But the article was silent on reporting that the democratic controlled Senate passed a transportation bill over two years ago with enough republican support in that chamber that was fully funded with out increasing the federal deficit. The republican controlled House just sat on that bill, never even debated the bill or put it up for a vote. It just died there. .
The CBO noted that the Senate passed bill would have created over 1,000,000 new jobs in its first year. And now two plus years later the republicans still can't get their act together to fund an important bill that would help move the country and its people forward.
Vitter, with so few accomplishments on the federal level should give Louisiana's voters reasons to doubt that a Vitter administration in Louisiana would do any better that Jindal and his administration.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Another Republican Fairy Tale: This Time By The St. Tammany Parish Republican Executive Committee.
Pete Egan and Michael Nation of the above Mandeville organization in a letter to the editors of the Times Picayune dated 5/10 titled, "Leadership means reducing the size of government" is a great example of two more republican ditto heads living in the conservative world of failed ideology.
The authors of that letter thinks the state needs to reduce the size and scope of government and not raise existing taxes to cure the problems the state has at the present time. They also say and I quote: We need to broaden the tax base in order to lower rates, so that more persons, both corporate and personal, share in the responsibility of paying for government. The easy road for our political leaders to take is to raise taxes; the harder path is to reduce spending.
Being republicans, both Egan and Nation should know that republicans in the state legislature signed a no tax pledge and have stuck to that and Bobby Jindal said he has cut $9 billion from the government since he has been governor. Yet, that combination has not solved the problem and has made things worse. Egan and Nation are full of it when it comes to cutting government. Trickle down economics has not worked on the state or federal level. Neither authors touches on the $8 billion of tax exemptions given to business and thinks those business taxes should not be raised. They also do not know the difference between a broader tax base vs. a fair share of the tax burden.
The problem Louisiana has is a republican governor and republican controlled legislature who put business first with massive tax breaks and give aways which reduce government revenues to fund governments responsibility to the people it serves. Louisiana lags the national level in job creation and in reducing unemployment despite all the tax breaks given to business.
Egan and Nations party has had almost 8 years to move Louisiana and its people forward but the party's ideology and failed policy has produced a $1.6 billion state deficit to close in Jindal's final fiscal year budget. And to think those two authors are recommending the same failed policy of reducing government and are silent on the reckless give away of tax revenue to business.
The answer to Louisiana's fiscal problems dictate a change from a conservative ideology to a true fiscal policy and only a democratic governor can bring about that change. Eight years on the federal level under President George W. Bush produced a fiscal failure not seen since the great depression and eight years on the state level under Jindal has produced the same fiscal failure. Bobby Jindal served in the U.S. Congress during the Bush administration and learned nothing. Egan and Nation are following in the same foot steps.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The authors of that letter thinks the state needs to reduce the size and scope of government and not raise existing taxes to cure the problems the state has at the present time. They also say and I quote: We need to broaden the tax base in order to lower rates, so that more persons, both corporate and personal, share in the responsibility of paying for government. The easy road for our political leaders to take is to raise taxes; the harder path is to reduce spending.
Being republicans, both Egan and Nation should know that republicans in the state legislature signed a no tax pledge and have stuck to that and Bobby Jindal said he has cut $9 billion from the government since he has been governor. Yet, that combination has not solved the problem and has made things worse. Egan and Nation are full of it when it comes to cutting government. Trickle down economics has not worked on the state or federal level. Neither authors touches on the $8 billion of tax exemptions given to business and thinks those business taxes should not be raised. They also do not know the difference between a broader tax base vs. a fair share of the tax burden.
The problem Louisiana has is a republican governor and republican controlled legislature who put business first with massive tax breaks and give aways which reduce government revenues to fund governments responsibility to the people it serves. Louisiana lags the national level in job creation and in reducing unemployment despite all the tax breaks given to business.
Egan and Nations party has had almost 8 years to move Louisiana and its people forward but the party's ideology and failed policy has produced a $1.6 billion state deficit to close in Jindal's final fiscal year budget. And to think those two authors are recommending the same failed policy of reducing government and are silent on the reckless give away of tax revenue to business.
The answer to Louisiana's fiscal problems dictate a change from a conservative ideology to a true fiscal policy and only a democratic governor can bring about that change. Eight years on the federal level under President George W. Bush produced a fiscal failure not seen since the great depression and eight years on the state level under Jindal has produced the same fiscal failure. Bobby Jindal served in the U.S. Congress during the Bush administration and learned nothing. Egan and Nation are following in the same foot steps.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, May 16, 2015
President Obama, The TTP Free Trade Agreement And Democrats In Congress
President Obama's quest for fast-track authority to negotiate a TPP agreement with Asian nations was blocked by democrats in the U.S. Senate which cut off debate in that chamber. The Senate needed 60 votes to debate the issue but could only register 52 yes votes. Both of Louisiana's republican senators, Bill Cassidy and David Vitter voted yes.
There were good reasons why democrats voted no. They are mindful how previous trade agreements have hurt the average American and union workers in favor of corporate America and is a major reason for the decline of the middle class and the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy. Democrats want the GOP to add several trade bills that will over come the deficiency of the TPP that will be fair to the middle class and those who are left behind before they vote to debate the issue.
The news media in their rush to judgement called the democrat's actions a revolt against the President but their vote was the democratic system working as it should and proved that democrats are not ditto heads like the republicans who adopt, repeat and rubber stamp their own party's policies. The TTP is now back in the republican's lap. They can do what is right for America and add those democratic provisions or they can continue to support only the special interest groups.
Legislation and policies that are fair and productive for the average American will be what the democratic party campaigns on and the people will continue to know where the democratic party stands on the important issues for the people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
There were good reasons why democrats voted no. They are mindful how previous trade agreements have hurt the average American and union workers in favor of corporate America and is a major reason for the decline of the middle class and the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy. Democrats want the GOP to add several trade bills that will over come the deficiency of the TPP that will be fair to the middle class and those who are left behind before they vote to debate the issue.
The news media in their rush to judgement called the democrat's actions a revolt against the President but their vote was the democratic system working as it should and proved that democrats are not ditto heads like the republicans who adopt, repeat and rubber stamp their own party's policies. The TTP is now back in the republican's lap. They can do what is right for America and add those democratic provisions or they can continue to support only the special interest groups.
Legislation and policies that are fair and productive for the average American will be what the democratic party campaigns on and the people will continue to know where the democratic party stands on the important issues for the people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Health Care And The Expansion Of Medicaid In Louisiana: Another Reason To Elect Democratic Candidate John Bel Edwards As Governor
The Louisiana House of Representatives voted and passed a resolution that would open the possibility for medicaid expansion next year after the new governor takes office. That according to a New Orleans Advocate article by Marsha Shuler dated 5/14/15. The three republican candidates for governor, Scott Angelle, Jay Dardenne and David Vitter's position has been an expressed interest in exploring the state's options but have made no commitment.
Democratic state representative John Bel Edwards has been a consistent expansion vote and pushed for medicaid expansion this year saying it does not make sense to wait. Edwards sponsored two bills that would allow medicaid expansion, HB-517, a constitutional amendment. ( Can't be vetoed) And HCR-3, a resolution to expand medicaid. (Can't be vetoed) Per Times Picayune article of 4/22/15
The republican controlled state legislature has refused to consider the medicid expansion for the last three years in support of Jindal's position. The republican's position to punt the matter to the next governor exposes their lack of political will to address the current budget problems of the state and will make balancing future budgets that more difficult.
The Affordable Care Act is working and so is the medicaid expansion part adopted by both democratic and republican governors for the uninsured in their states. Representative Edwards understands that the expansion of medicaid would help reduce the number of uninsured in Louisiana, would help control the state's health care cost and would also create jobs as previously reported.
The three republican gubernatorial candidates are afraid to take a stand one way or the other on the medicaid expansion even though they and the issue has been around long enough for them to make up their mind. The republican ideology that has been running the state has failed and another republican governor and state legislature will follow the same failed ideology.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Edwards has the political understanding and courage to do what is right and necessary to move Louisiana and its people forward with policies that address the many issues that have been neglected. Precedent is also on his side as the state and its people have always had its best years under democratic administrations, especially the average worker.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Democratic state representative John Bel Edwards has been a consistent expansion vote and pushed for medicaid expansion this year saying it does not make sense to wait. Edwards sponsored two bills that would allow medicaid expansion, HB-517, a constitutional amendment. ( Can't be vetoed) And HCR-3, a resolution to expand medicaid. (Can't be vetoed) Per Times Picayune article of 4/22/15
The republican controlled state legislature has refused to consider the medicid expansion for the last three years in support of Jindal's position. The republican's position to punt the matter to the next governor exposes their lack of political will to address the current budget problems of the state and will make balancing future budgets that more difficult.
The Affordable Care Act is working and so is the medicaid expansion part adopted by both democratic and republican governors for the uninsured in their states. Representative Edwards understands that the expansion of medicaid would help reduce the number of uninsured in Louisiana, would help control the state's health care cost and would also create jobs as previously reported.
The three republican gubernatorial candidates are afraid to take a stand one way or the other on the medicaid expansion even though they and the issue has been around long enough for them to make up their mind. The republican ideology that has been running the state has failed and another republican governor and state legislature will follow the same failed ideology.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Edwards has the political understanding and courage to do what is right and necessary to move Louisiana and its people forward with policies that address the many issues that have been neglected. Precedent is also on his side as the state and its people have always had its best years under democratic administrations, especially the average worker.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Monday, May 11, 2015
April's Unemployment And The Job Numbers
According to the Deartment of Labor, the U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in April and unemployment fell to 5.4%, down from 5.5% the previous month of March. It was the 62nd. straight month of positive job growth, the best performance since the 1990's during the Clinton administration.
Hourly wages increased 1/10 of 1% for a yearly average gain of 2.2%. Not a great gain for the average American and no where near the gains of corporate America's CEO's and executives. That battle is still being fought and the President still chides congress for their lack of effort to raise the minimum wage. This writer believes when the year is over the gain for the average American will exceed the 2.2% forecast.
The economy still needs more spending by comsumers. Continued job growth and increase in family income will produce that. The latest budget resolution passed by the republican controlled congress is a good example of their lack of knowledge concerning economics and fiscal matters and clearly indicates why President George W. Bush left office with the worst economic and fiscal crissis since the great depression.
Congress still has time to act on several pieces of legislation put forth by the President which would produce more jobs and increase the the buying power of America. The GOP has an opportunity to be a part of the recovery from the record 2008 recession, or they can continue to be remembered as the party who vowed to do nothing that would help the President's policies in moving the country and its people forward.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Hourly wages increased 1/10 of 1% for a yearly average gain of 2.2%. Not a great gain for the average American and no where near the gains of corporate America's CEO's and executives. That battle is still being fought and the President still chides congress for their lack of effort to raise the minimum wage. This writer believes when the year is over the gain for the average American will exceed the 2.2% forecast.
The economy still needs more spending by comsumers. Continued job growth and increase in family income will produce that. The latest budget resolution passed by the republican controlled congress is a good example of their lack of knowledge concerning economics and fiscal matters and clearly indicates why President George W. Bush left office with the worst economic and fiscal crissis since the great depression.
Congress still has time to act on several pieces of legislation put forth by the President which would produce more jobs and increase the the buying power of America. The GOP has an opportunity to be a part of the recovery from the record 2008 recession, or they can continue to be remembered as the party who vowed to do nothing that would help the President's policies in moving the country and its people forward.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, May 7, 2015
The U.S. Senate Follows Lead Of The U.S. House And Passes Budget Resolution
The republican controlled U.S. Senate rubber stamped the U.S. House budget and like the wasted time of voting over 50 times to repeal the ACA, the budget resolution will go nowhere fast. The democrats in the Senate voted no. Louisiana's Senators David Vitter and Bill Cassidy noted for the budget which calls for cutting $496 billion in non defense spending over the next 10 years.
Vitter is running for Governor of Louisiana and is well aware how budget cuts in Louisiana by Jindal and the republican controlled legislature has failed to balance any Louisiana budget and the state now faces a $1.6 billion deficit for next fiscal year beginning June 1. The Senate resolution along with the House is another example of the GOP being yesterday's party of failed economics dominated by the conservative fairy tale of budget cuts and trickle down economics. Like Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 who never balanced one federal budget in the 20 years they served as President, this republican budget does not balance the federal budget for another 10 years. (Don't hold your breath)
President Obama said he would veto any spending that is in line with the republican budget that passed and has the votes in the Senate and House to uphold his veto if necessary. "PolitiDose" has reported from the very beginning that the GOP would not work with the President or any democrat for that matter because they themselves have no accomplishments for America or its people.
Continue to do the right thing Mr. President and let the GOP wallow in their own unAmerican conservative ideology.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Vitter is running for Governor of Louisiana and is well aware how budget cuts in Louisiana by Jindal and the republican controlled legislature has failed to balance any Louisiana budget and the state now faces a $1.6 billion deficit for next fiscal year beginning June 1. The Senate resolution along with the House is another example of the GOP being yesterday's party of failed economics dominated by the conservative fairy tale of budget cuts and trickle down economics. Like Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 who never balanced one federal budget in the 20 years they served as President, this republican budget does not balance the federal budget for another 10 years. (Don't hold your breath)
President Obama said he would veto any spending that is in line with the republican budget that passed and has the votes in the Senate and House to uphold his veto if necessary. "PolitiDose" has reported from the very beginning that the GOP would not work with the President or any democrat for that matter because they themselves have no accomplishments for America or its people.
Continue to do the right thing Mr. President and let the GOP wallow in their own unAmerican conservative ideology.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Is Offshore Drilling In The Gulf Of Mexico Safer Since The BP Explosion And Oil Spill?
Garret Graves, Louisiana's rep. in the U.S. House said it is in a Times Picyune article a few weeks ago. So has other elected officials and representatives of the oil industry. They say new safety regulations by the industry itself and new federal regulations put into effect after the spill are the reasons.
This writer has his doubts because no one has said any thing about the industry's ability to plug a blow out TIMELY and remove any spilled oil from the waters of the Gulf before that oil hits shore or any land area. That was the real story of the BP blow out and spill that only "PolitiDose" spoke about at the time in several commentaries.
Prior to the BP blow out, the industry always said they had the personnel and the equipment available if necessary to cap a blow out TIMELY and stop the flow of oil before it reached shore. The BP blow out proved they did not and oil flowed into the Gulf waters and on shore areas for over 2 months before the well was capped. That was not TIMELY and the industry had no such equipment available.
One also has to remember that the judge who presided over the case found BP put profit ahead of safety. It could very well happen again with another operator. Time will tell if the industry has changed and is ready if another blow out occurs of the same magnitude. Only then will we know if the industry has taken care of the "Real Story."
Having worked in the industry for 34 years, this writer remains skepital. After all, drilling has been going on offshore in the Gulf of Mexico for over 40 years. How long does it take to be prepared?
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
This writer has his doubts because no one has said any thing about the industry's ability to plug a blow out TIMELY and remove any spilled oil from the waters of the Gulf before that oil hits shore or any land area. That was the real story of the BP blow out and spill that only "PolitiDose" spoke about at the time in several commentaries.
Prior to the BP blow out, the industry always said they had the personnel and the equipment available if necessary to cap a blow out TIMELY and stop the flow of oil before it reached shore. The BP blow out proved they did not and oil flowed into the Gulf waters and on shore areas for over 2 months before the well was capped. That was not TIMELY and the industry had no such equipment available.
One also has to remember that the judge who presided over the case found BP put profit ahead of safety. It could very well happen again with another operator. Time will tell if the industry has changed and is ready if another blow out occurs of the same magnitude. Only then will we know if the industry has taken care of the "Real Story."
Having worked in the industry for 34 years, this writer remains skepital. After all, drilling has been going on offshore in the Gulf of Mexico for over 40 years. How long does it take to be prepared?
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, May 1, 2015
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders Announces He Is Running For President
The independent Senator from Vermont has entered the Presidential race. Sanders is not given the coverage by the national news media such as John McCain and Lindsay Graham enjoys but knows and understands the issues facing the country and its people. He especially will represent the middle class and working America. He is opposed to the present trade agreement known as TPP that is in the news at present.
The Senator will give a good account of what policies he will pursue if elected and will force other candidates to address issues they would prefer not to talk about. This writer would like to see V.P. Joe Biden and Howard Dean also run. Both would make excellent candidates.
Howard Dean, a doctor, former governor and former candidate for the democratic Presidential nomination bombed out in a speech after the Iowa caucus and learned a valuable lesson. He is up to date on the issues and is articulate and the one candidate who knows how to handle the republican attacks.
V.P. Biden is the best qualified of all candidates in this writers opinion and is a great debater. If he decides to run and wins, the Presidential transition would be very smooth. Biden is known for making statements the news media seems to have fun with but his honesty over shadows his one liners.
Sanders, as an independent, usually votes with democrats and their policies but it is not a given. His independence is toward the people he represents. He is excitable and not always a polished speaker but knows the issues and will fight the special interest groups. He will bring a new dimension and perspective to the Presidential race and that is a positive for the people and the country.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The Viet Nam War And The Fall Of Saigon
Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Viet Nam and the fall of Saigon. This writer will not rehash the war because enough has been said over the years but there is a story here that no one seems to realize that is still relevant today.
The story was covered by "PolitiDose" in a commentary titled, "The Leaders of North and South Korea Meet" dated 10/2/07 which pointed out that a divided country will always have problems when one part is poor and the other part is doing well and both are at each others throats. Viet Nam was a divided country because of colonialism by a foreign country which divided the people. The end of the war ended the division and produced one country that is now a united country who trades with America and enjoys a working relationship with the United States. There is no more North or South Viet Nam and no more threats. They now are also one people.
The so called military experts always said that if Viet Nam fell the domino theory would come into play and all of South East Asia would be lost to communism. Well, Viet Nam fell and the domino game never happened. Which brings us to Korea, a country that is still divided, one part economically stable and the other part a wasteland for its people. That divided country continues its tragic situation and will not change until it becomes one united country like Viet Nam.
World leaders, including U.S. Presidents should meet and bluntly tell both North and South Korea they have to find a path to unite the country without any outside interference. A united Korea is the only path to remove the tension, fears and threats of the Korean people and the world. Viet Nam is the example. A thriving country with no more civil war to fight over so called communism.
President Obama has sought a new path with Cuba that this writer wrote about a few years ago. He and other world leaders should put Korea on their to do list and find a way for the unification of Korea. It can happen and should happen. One country and one people. It can be worked out, the status quo is unacceptable.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
The story was covered by "PolitiDose" in a commentary titled, "The Leaders of North and South Korea Meet" dated 10/2/07 which pointed out that a divided country will always have problems when one part is poor and the other part is doing well and both are at each others throats. Viet Nam was a divided country because of colonialism by a foreign country which divided the people. The end of the war ended the division and produced one country that is now a united country who trades with America and enjoys a working relationship with the United States. There is no more North or South Viet Nam and no more threats. They now are also one people.
The so called military experts always said that if Viet Nam fell the domino theory would come into play and all of South East Asia would be lost to communism. Well, Viet Nam fell and the domino game never happened. Which brings us to Korea, a country that is still divided, one part economically stable and the other part a wasteland for its people. That divided country continues its tragic situation and will not change until it becomes one united country like Viet Nam.
World leaders, including U.S. Presidents should meet and bluntly tell both North and South Korea they have to find a path to unite the country without any outside interference. A united Korea is the only path to remove the tension, fears and threats of the Korean people and the world. Viet Nam is the example. A thriving country with no more civil war to fight over so called communism.
President Obama has sought a new path with Cuba that this writer wrote about a few years ago. He and other world leaders should put Korea on their to do list and find a way for the unification of Korea. It can happen and should happen. One country and one people. It can be worked out, the status quo is unacceptable.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
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