What is the basic tenet behind that rhetoric and can the rationale be supported. Does the state have to be controlled by a republican governor and republican legislature; does the majority of the state's voters have to be registered republicans; Is it just a political thing; does the political history have any thing to do with it.
When is a state a conservative state. Is it based on the political party running the state; Is there a difference between an elected conservative politician and the average conservative voter; Are elected office holders and voters really conservative just because they claim to be; Is cutting the state budget a conservative act if it hurts the state and the people; Are tax loopholes and special tax breaks for those who need them the least conservative.
Has the election of democrat John Bel Edwards turned the state democratic overnight. The news media has already picked up the election results and put Louisiana back as a democratic state in the deep south. This writer does not buy any of the news media hype of a republican state or conservative state. Voter turn out has been less than 50% for many years now so who knows the mind of the majority of voters who stay home on election day.
Conservatism has been dead since the Newt Gingrich era started in the early 80's. It has since been all right wing conservatism with extreme positions on every issue. Does any one really believe Bobby Jindal is a real conservative? If the people of Louisiana are real conservative why would they have voted for Jindal twice?
The state of Louisiana is what ever it is at the time. Ditto its people. Politically it will be democratic for the next four years. We do not know what the mind set of the voters will be four years from now. The first words out of a republican's mouth are usually, I'M A CONSERVATIVE. The first words flashed on the screen at the Fox News Network is, FAIR AND BALANCED. This writer believes you are what you are by your deeds and not by what you proclaim to be.
The same thing can be said about Louisiana and its people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Democratic Louisiana Governor Elect John Bel Edwards Defeats Republican U.S. Senator David Vitter In Run Off Election
Louisiana state representative from Amite, John Bel Edwards became governor elect Saturday night with a smashing victory over David Vitter. The decisive win by Edwards will put Louisiana, a deep south state in the democratic column on January 11, 2016. The election of democrat Edwards proved the news media and the pundits all wrong in their predictions that Louisiana would remain a republican state like the rest of the south.
"PolitiDose" was one of the first, IF NOT THE FIRST news outlet to endorse Edwards and listed reasons why a democrat could win the state. The news media and the pundits kept up a steady drum beat that Louisiana was a REPUBLICAN STATE AND A CONSERVATIVE STATE. They were wrong on both counts and I will have a commentary on that matter coming soon, so stay tuned.
Julia O'Donoghue wrote an election article in the Times Picayune dated 11/22 concerning the election results. She must be a conservative because she said Edwards came out of no where to take down a republican in a red state. Really????? She must have forgotten Edwards received 40% of the vote in the first primary and over 646,000 votes Saturday in the run off. That does not sound like Edwards came out of no where. Julia also said in the article that Edwards surprisingly attracted a number of endorsements including the Louisiana Sheriff's Association and the Louisiana State Troopers Association. This writer was not surprised at all.
Mr. Edwards ran a positive campaign about the future of Louisiana and its people. The republicans ran a campaign against each other and President Obama and a negative one at that which is par for conservatives and their party. Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature is leaving governor elect Edwards a fiscal disaster to deal with much like George W. Bush left President Obama to deal with. Don't look for the news media in Louisiana or the republican party to give Edwards the ample time needed to deal with the mess left to him. One can tell by the narrative in Julia's article she is not happy with Louisiana becoming a blue state in January.
Governor elect Edwards will have a lot of tough work to do once he takes office and even before as he has already acknowledged. But this writer feels Edwards will do what democrats do, that is take care of the people's business to move the state and its people forward. The days of negativity and division will be gone when Edwards steps into the state capitol and the past should be a reminder our politics should never go there again.
Good luck and best wishes to governor elect Edwards as he attempts to create policy that will benefit the state and all its people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
"PolitiDose" was one of the first, IF NOT THE FIRST news outlet to endorse Edwards and listed reasons why a democrat could win the state. The news media and the pundits kept up a steady drum beat that Louisiana was a REPUBLICAN STATE AND A CONSERVATIVE STATE. They were wrong on both counts and I will have a commentary on that matter coming soon, so stay tuned.
Julia O'Donoghue wrote an election article in the Times Picayune dated 11/22 concerning the election results. She must be a conservative because she said Edwards came out of no where to take down a republican in a red state. Really????? She must have forgotten Edwards received 40% of the vote in the first primary and over 646,000 votes Saturday in the run off. That does not sound like Edwards came out of no where. Julia also said in the article that Edwards surprisingly attracted a number of endorsements including the Louisiana Sheriff's Association and the Louisiana State Troopers Association. This writer was not surprised at all.
Mr. Edwards ran a positive campaign about the future of Louisiana and its people. The republicans ran a campaign against each other and President Obama and a negative one at that which is par for conservatives and their party. Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature is leaving governor elect Edwards a fiscal disaster to deal with much like George W. Bush left President Obama to deal with. Don't look for the news media in Louisiana or the republican party to give Edwards the ample time needed to deal with the mess left to him. One can tell by the narrative in Julia's article she is not happy with Louisiana becoming a blue state in January.
Governor elect Edwards will have a lot of tough work to do once he takes office and even before as he has already acknowledged. But this writer feels Edwards will do what democrats do, that is take care of the people's business to move the state and its people forward. The days of negativity and division will be gone when Edwards steps into the state capitol and the past should be a reminder our politics should never go there again.
Good luck and best wishes to governor elect Edwards as he attempts to create policy that will benefit the state and all its people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, November 21, 2015
The Republican Party and Fox News Reaches A New Low.
If the republican party, several of their Presidential candidates and the Fox News network had their way one would think the terrorists attack on Paris actually took place in the United States and by Syrian immigrants. That is the seed they have tried to plant in the minds of the American people. It is the same concept taken by President Bush and VP Dick Cheney in blaming Saddam Hussein for the attack on America on 9/11/01. Bush and Cheney went even farther by saying Saddam trained Al Queda terrorists which was false.
It is the same old scare tactics to harm the President and frighten the American people. The leaders of France have done the opposite by telling the people to be vigilant but to go about their own lives. France's President Hallonde even repeated that France would accept refugees.
The establishment of America was founded on courage, not fear, character, not slander and the American spirit, not a disturbed ideology. The republican Presidential candidates, their party and Fox News have undermined America's spirit, courage and even the American Presidency with their inflammatory comments and right wing extreme pronouncements.
America is still the beautiful, the land of the free and the home of the brave. It will remain that way as long as the people elect serious public servants and tune out those who try to undermine what has made America a great nation, a great people and the leader of the world.
This comment written by Joe Lorio
It is the same old scare tactics to harm the President and frighten the American people. The leaders of France have done the opposite by telling the people to be vigilant but to go about their own lives. France's President Hallonde even repeated that France would accept refugees.
The establishment of America was founded on courage, not fear, character, not slander and the American spirit, not a disturbed ideology. The republican Presidential candidates, their party and Fox News have undermined America's spirit, courage and even the American Presidency with their inflammatory comments and right wing extreme pronouncements.
America is still the beautiful, the land of the free and the home of the brave. It will remain that way as long as the people elect serious public servants and tune out those who try to undermine what has made America a great nation, a great people and the leader of the world.
This comment written by Joe Lorio
Friday, November 20, 2015
New Orleans Sports Writers Ron Higgins and Jeff Duncan: Out Of The Loop On LSU and Coach Les Miles
Ron Higgins comment in a Times Picayune article dated 11/20/15 concerning LSU's Loss to Notre Dame in last seasons Music City Bowl was a self serving statement. Higgins is just now finding out that Miles' offensive play calling and selection is not good enough to compete with the top teams in the SEC and that Miles is from the old school. Well lets see, Miles has been at LSU for 11 seasons and Higgins is just now understanding Miles problem. This is the same Higgins who said LSU would beat Alabama this year and early on predicted LSU would throw to its tight ends more and have them more involved in the offense. Yeah right, it did not happen.
Jeff Duncan in a Times Picayune article dated 7/31/15 took issue with a USA today Amway coaches pre season poll that ranked LSU 13. Duncan took issue with the poll and said LSU was a prime candidate to be in the playoff position and that the poll did not give LSU enough respect. This writer wrote a commentary here in "PolitiDose" dated 8/1/15 titled, LSU, Jeff Duncan and the preseason football poll and explained why ( 3 reasons) the coaches poll may have ranked LSU 13.
As of this date the coaches poll has been accurate. The third reason this writer gave in the commentary should have been realized by sports writers long ago and all three reasons played a role in why LSU fell out of the top 10. One has to remember, it is not how you start the season, its how you end it.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Jeff Duncan in a Times Picayune article dated 7/31/15 took issue with a USA today Amway coaches pre season poll that ranked LSU 13. Duncan took issue with the poll and said LSU was a prime candidate to be in the playoff position and that the poll did not give LSU enough respect. This writer wrote a commentary here in "PolitiDose" dated 8/1/15 titled, LSU, Jeff Duncan and the preseason football poll and explained why ( 3 reasons) the coaches poll may have ranked LSU 13.
As of this date the coaches poll has been accurate. The third reason this writer gave in the commentary should have been realized by sports writers long ago and all three reasons played a role in why LSU fell out of the top 10. One has to remember, it is not how you start the season, its how you end it.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Bobby Jindal Did Not Suspend His Campaign For The Republican Presidential Nomination: The People Did.
It took the people of Louisiana 7 years to wise up to governor Bobby Jindal but the people out side of Louisiana where Jindal campaigned for the republican Presidential nomination, realized Jindal's lack of political understanding in just a few months and tuned his campaign out. His poll numbers nationally are much worse then his poll numbers in Louisiana.
Jindal now has to stay in Louisiana and tell the people how he is going to deal with the $500 million deficit for this fiscal years budget which began on July 1 that Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature said was balanced. Of course, everyone who reads "PolitiDose" should have known the budget was not balanced. On the state level, Jindal's budgets mimic the federal budgets under republican administrations as no republican President has balanced the federal budget since President Eisenhower in 1960. Yes, that is right 1960.
The Times Picayune who is backing David Vitter for governor has supported Jindal in the past and his budget cuts that have hurt higher education, health care and other services for the people. Another republican governor is not the answer. Jindal, Vitter and the Times Picayune deserve each other but the state and the people will do better with a democrat in the governor's office by the name of John Bel Edwards.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Jindal now has to stay in Louisiana and tell the people how he is going to deal with the $500 million deficit for this fiscal years budget which began on July 1 that Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature said was balanced. Of course, everyone who reads "PolitiDose" should have known the budget was not balanced. On the state level, Jindal's budgets mimic the federal budgets under republican administrations as no republican President has balanced the federal budget since President Eisenhower in 1960. Yes, that is right 1960.
The Times Picayune who is backing David Vitter for governor has supported Jindal in the past and his budget cuts that have hurt higher education, health care and other services for the people. Another republican governor is not the answer. Jindal, Vitter and the Times Picayune deserve each other but the state and the people will do better with a democrat in the governor's office by the name of John Bel Edwards.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, November 19, 2015
The Terrorist Attacks On Paris and The Bombing Of A Russian Air Liner Brings A New Phase To The War Against ISIS
ISIS claimed responsibility for both the attacks on Paris and the bombing of a Russian air liner and both France and Russia responded with attacks on ISIS targets in Syria. The United States supplied France with the intelligence on ISIS positions in Syria so those targets could be hit. France said they are now at war with ISIS. Russia's Putin said ISIS needs to be destroyed.
On another front, U.S. air power assisted Kurdish and Yazidi ground troops retake the city of Sinjar in northern Iraq from ISIS who had occupied the city for over a year. They also cut off the main road ISIS used to travel between Iraq and Syria for moving their military supplies. It was a major defeat for ISIS in a strategic location.
At home the attack on Paris woke up the republican chicken hawks to demand President Obama do more to fight ISIS and once again some want to see the President commit American ground troops in an active combat role. And once again the President has ruled that out and rightly holds the position that the best solution on the ground is middle east countries to do the combat on the ground with American and coalition air support and special operations supervision.
If France, Russia and other military powers in Europe stay tuned with U.S. air power ISIS can be defeated and the key to keeping ISIS and Al Queda out falls to the middle east countries and their people's determination to stay with the fight. Iraq and Syria are the big prize for ISIS and their success because both of those countries were destabilized. Iraq by the war and occupation over WMD that did not exist and Syria by their own civil war. A country that is destabilized is raw meat for terrorists.
President Obama kept America safe with out putting large numbers of American troops in harms way on the ground in the middle east and his policies should be supported by his opponents and the American people. He has made a commitment to fight terrorists and his administration has brought many of them to justice.
Some of the republican Presidential candidates are going off their rocker because of the terror attack in Paris. They are using that tragic act to spread fear again in America and attack the President. Their self proclaimed protector of America's national security has proved to be a fairy tale. Jeb Bush wants American combat troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria in an active combat role. That would ape what his brother George did in Iraq. Elections bring out the worse in republicans. Poor Jeb, he would do or say anything to get his poll numbers up. After all, he was once thought of as the favorite for the republican nomination.
Hang in there Mr. President and give the republicans hell like President Truman did so effectively.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
On another front, U.S. air power assisted Kurdish and Yazidi ground troops retake the city of Sinjar in northern Iraq from ISIS who had occupied the city for over a year. They also cut off the main road ISIS used to travel between Iraq and Syria for moving their military supplies. It was a major defeat for ISIS in a strategic location.
At home the attack on Paris woke up the republican chicken hawks to demand President Obama do more to fight ISIS and once again some want to see the President commit American ground troops in an active combat role. And once again the President has ruled that out and rightly holds the position that the best solution on the ground is middle east countries to do the combat on the ground with American and coalition air support and special operations supervision.
If France, Russia and other military powers in Europe stay tuned with U.S. air power ISIS can be defeated and the key to keeping ISIS and Al Queda out falls to the middle east countries and their people's determination to stay with the fight. Iraq and Syria are the big prize for ISIS and their success because both of those countries were destabilized. Iraq by the war and occupation over WMD that did not exist and Syria by their own civil war. A country that is destabilized is raw meat for terrorists.
President Obama kept America safe with out putting large numbers of American troops in harms way on the ground in the middle east and his policies should be supported by his opponents and the American people. He has made a commitment to fight terrorists and his administration has brought many of them to justice.
Some of the republican Presidential candidates are going off their rocker because of the terror attack in Paris. They are using that tragic act to spread fear again in America and attack the President. Their self proclaimed protector of America's national security has proved to be a fairy tale. Jeb Bush wants American combat troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria in an active combat role. That would ape what his brother George did in Iraq. Elections bring out the worse in republicans. Poor Jeb, he would do or say anything to get his poll numbers up. After all, he was once thought of as the favorite for the republican nomination.
Hang in there Mr. President and give the republicans hell like President Truman did so effectively.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
The Washington Redskins 47 ------- The New Orleans Saints 14
The Saints loss to Washington on Sunday by 33 points was just another example how bounty gate is still the albatross around the Saints neck. It was the fourth road loss out of the five road games they played so far. The Redskins were dominate and shut the Saints out in the second half.
Some New Orleans sports writers said after the Saints won three straight games they could turn the corner and be above .500 because the weakest part of their schedule was coming up with the Titans, Redskins and Houston. Well, instead, they loss the first two and will face Houston in two weeks. It turns out that the Saints are the weak link.
To top the week end off Payton announced that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was released. Payton made a mistake when he hired Spangnuolo as defensive coordinator for the 2012 season and then fired him and by releasing Ryan he made his second mistake when he hired Ryan in the first place. Payton now says the person he hired this season to work with Ryan, Dennis Allen will take over Ryan's responsibilities. Evidently Allen was not much help to Ryan and Payton certainly was no help looking over Ryan's shoulder all year.
This writer has written several past commentary concerning "bounty gate" and how it has affected the team and the coaches. The problems are still there and the players and coaches are having problems with each other. It shows on the sidelines. The Saints regular season record since the "bounty gate" season of 2012 including the first 10 games this year is 29-29. That is over three full seasons and there has been little progress.
Saint fans need to remember, Payton presided over "bounty gate" and what has happened since. The sports writers in New Orleans can't seem to comprehend that.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Some New Orleans sports writers said after the Saints won three straight games they could turn the corner and be above .500 because the weakest part of their schedule was coming up with the Titans, Redskins and Houston. Well, instead, they loss the first two and will face Houston in two weeks. It turns out that the Saints are the weak link.
To top the week end off Payton announced that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was released. Payton made a mistake when he hired Spangnuolo as defensive coordinator for the 2012 season and then fired him and by releasing Ryan he made his second mistake when he hired Ryan in the first place. Payton now says the person he hired this season to work with Ryan, Dennis Allen will take over Ryan's responsibilities. Evidently Allen was not much help to Ryan and Payton certainly was no help looking over Ryan's shoulder all year.
This writer has written several past commentary concerning "bounty gate" and how it has affected the team and the coaches. The problems are still there and the players and coaches are having problems with each other. It shows on the sidelines. The Saints regular season record since the "bounty gate" season of 2012 including the first 10 games this year is 29-29. That is over three full seasons and there has been little progress.
Saint fans need to remember, Payton presided over "bounty gate" and what has happened since. The sports writers in New Orleans can't seem to comprehend that.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Plaquemine Parish Council Reverses Its Stand On Wetlands Lawsuit Against The Oil Industry.
The Plaquemine Parish council voted to drop the 21 law suits it authorized against the oil, natural gas and pipeline companies over the destruction of wetlands and other environmental damage caused by their exploration and production. The law suits were previously authorized by the council in 2012. The Times Picayune carried the story in an article dated 11/13/15.
Chris John, President of the Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association said he was proud of the council's vote to drop the suit. "PolitiDose" has made commentary on John's position in the past. He is a mouthpiece for the oil and gas industry and thinks the industry can destroy the environment all it wants too because they pay taxes. John and his group also opposed the moratorium on Gulf drilling after the BP blow out and explosion that killed 11 rig workers.
The council's vote indicates they want the BP fines to pay for the environmental damage done by the oil companies named in the suit. That is also John's position. President Obama stood tall and made sure BP was held accountable for their actions. He put the people and the environment first. The council put the oil and gas industry first with their vote and told the state and its people to go to hell. And Chris John praised their decision. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, November 14, 2015
More Reasons To Elect Democrat John Bel Edwards Louisiana's Next Governor
U.S. Senator David Vitter by his ads and pronouncements is running a campaign for governor against President Obama, not candidate Edwards. So in reality Edwards is unopposed and by Vitter's own choice. Vitter sticks to the republican script of being void of policy and is betting that Louisiana's voters will fall for his failure to articulate any knowledge of the problems Louisiana faces when Jindal departs.
Vitter's many years in congress is not an asset to run Louisiana's government nor does he have the everyday knowledge that Edwards has to understand just how bad Jindal has managed the state. The best examples are Louisiana's huge fiscal problem with the state budget, health care, education and diminished state revenue.
It is known that Vitter wants to finish his political career as governor of Louisiana, but that is really not a reason for being a serious public servant. That quality has already escaped him while serving in congress. Skipping most of the debates that took place before the first primary vote indicates an arrogance toward the people's right to know where he stands on the issues. Vitter really just wants a place to hang his hat until he retires.
Democratic representative John Bel Edwards is well aware of the challenges facing the next governor and has articulated his position on policy that he would pursue if elected. His time is spent in Louisiana and in the state legislature, the best way to really know what is taking place in state government. Electing Edwards Louisiana's next governor on November 21 is the best way to move Louisiana and its people forward for a better future.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Vitter's many years in congress is not an asset to run Louisiana's government nor does he have the everyday knowledge that Edwards has to understand just how bad Jindal has managed the state. The best examples are Louisiana's huge fiscal problem with the state budget, health care, education and diminished state revenue.
It is known that Vitter wants to finish his political career as governor of Louisiana, but that is really not a reason for being a serious public servant. That quality has already escaped him while serving in congress. Skipping most of the debates that took place before the first primary vote indicates an arrogance toward the people's right to know where he stands on the issues. Vitter really just wants a place to hang his hat until he retires.
Democratic representative John Bel Edwards is well aware of the challenges facing the next governor and has articulated his position on policy that he would pursue if elected. His time is spent in Louisiana and in the state legislature, the best way to really know what is taking place in state government. Electing Edwards Louisiana's next governor on November 21 is the best way to move Louisiana and its people forward for a better future.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
The Fourth Republican Presidential Debate
The republicans Presidential debate Tuesday night saw less candidates on the stage and three new moderators but no new questions of any significance. Fox business news sponsored the debate but this writer has never been impressed with Fox's business judgement.
The news media said Jeb Bush redeemed himself after his last debate performance. He has been their favorite since the beginning. In my judgement Ohio Governor John Kasich won the debate because his answers were of substance. His opponents position on the economy, tax cuts, jobs and the national debt are the same as President George W. Bush and America knows where that led too.
Kasich pointed out during the debate what he has said from day one, his opponents tax plans are nonsense and you can not deport 11 million immigrants in a humane manner. He also did more than just hold his own on foreign policy in the middle east. His opponents would basically revert to President Bush's middle east policies. The moderators threw candy to the republicans when they asked how they would create jobs and reduce the national debt. Of course they received no answer on the subject because the republican party's record on those two issues has been a disaster.
The moderators also wasted time on the immigration issue as the republican party will not take up the issue in congress until after the 2016 election. Does any one really believe that what the candidates are saying today will be the same after the election? Besides they are only talking about only one part of immigration.
All 8 candidates said they would not raise the minimum wage to $15 hour and indicated that would cost the economy jobs. There are no stats to back that up and is one of many fairy tales of the republican party in general and conservatives in particular. This writer had a good laugh when Rand Paul told Rubio he was not conservative enough. These guys just can not stand to be Americans first. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The news media said Jeb Bush redeemed himself after his last debate performance. He has been their favorite since the beginning. In my judgement Ohio Governor John Kasich won the debate because his answers were of substance. His opponents position on the economy, tax cuts, jobs and the national debt are the same as President George W. Bush and America knows where that led too.
Kasich pointed out during the debate what he has said from day one, his opponents tax plans are nonsense and you can not deport 11 million immigrants in a humane manner. He also did more than just hold his own on foreign policy in the middle east. His opponents would basically revert to President Bush's middle east policies. The moderators threw candy to the republicans when they asked how they would create jobs and reduce the national debt. Of course they received no answer on the subject because the republican party's record on those two issues has been a disaster.
The moderators also wasted time on the immigration issue as the republican party will not take up the issue in congress until after the 2016 election. Does any one really believe that what the candidates are saying today will be the same after the election? Besides they are only talking about only one part of immigration.
All 8 candidates said they would not raise the minimum wage to $15 hour and indicated that would cost the economy jobs. There are no stats to back that up and is one of many fairy tales of the republican party in general and conservatives in particular. This writer had a good laugh when Rand Paul told Rubio he was not conservative enough. These guys just can not stand to be Americans first. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Happy 240th Birthday To The United States Marine Corps
Happy Birthday Marines and to all those that ever wore the eagle, globe and anchor. To those Marines serving around the globe and in harms way we ask the Supreme Commandant to keep you safe and allow you a safe return home to your family and loved ones.
240 proud years of Marine history where commitment, honor and duty have been the hallmark of Marines everywhere. The discipline learned in Boot Camp is embedded in the corps motto, Once A Marine, Always A Marine. So on this special day we remember our brother Marines and wish them well and good health.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES.
Semper Fidelis
Joe Lorio
240 proud years of Marine history where commitment, honor and duty have been the hallmark of Marines everywhere. The discipline learned in Boot Camp is embedded in the corps motto, Once A Marine, Always A Marine. So on this special day we remember our brother Marines and wish them well and good health.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES.
Semper Fidelis
Joe Lorio
Sunday, November 8, 2015
George Will Puts Bill O'Reilly Down Where He Belongs
First it was Donald Trump who destroyed Reagan's 11th commandment of not speaking ill of a fellow republican which is the reason the republican Presidential campaign is in such a funk. Conservative journalists usually do not speak ill of their fellow conservative journalists but now comes George Will the conservative journalist for the Washington Post in a Times Picayune article dated 11/7/15 titled, "Slandering Reagan: The Assault That Defamed a Presidency" said Bill O'Reilly's book, Killing Reagan distorts Reagan's Presidency.
Will takes a shot at O'Reilly styling himself as an investigative historian and then points out O'Reilly's conclusions about Reagan that do not square with the facts. Will also hits O'Reilly's use of flimsy evidence in the book. Will ended the article by saying, "the book should come with a warning: CAUTION: You are about to enter a no-facts zone.
"PolitiDose" long ago said the Bill O'Reilly show was the biggest spin zone in television. Now George Will confirms that because a no-fact zone is the same as a spin zone. And of course the Fox News Network is the biggest spin zone in cable TV. Will is right on target concerning O'Reilly who is not really a journalist but try's to play the role when ever he thinks it is necessary.
O'Reilly is one of many who claim they are conservative but really are not. They are extremist with an agenda which define themselves as being elite. George Will's article did a good job in defining O'Reilly as a person who lives and writes in the spin zone. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Will takes a shot at O'Reilly styling himself as an investigative historian and then points out O'Reilly's conclusions about Reagan that do not square with the facts. Will also hits O'Reilly's use of flimsy evidence in the book. Will ended the article by saying, "the book should come with a warning: CAUTION: You are about to enter a no-facts zone.
"PolitiDose" long ago said the Bill O'Reilly show was the biggest spin zone in television. Now George Will confirms that because a no-fact zone is the same as a spin zone. And of course the Fox News Network is the biggest spin zone in cable TV. Will is right on target concerning O'Reilly who is not really a journalist but try's to play the role when ever he thinks it is necessary.
O'Reilly is one of many who claim they are conservative but really are not. They are extremist with an agenda which define themselves as being elite. George Will's article did a good job in defining O'Reilly as a person who lives and writes in the spin zone. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, November 7, 2015
The U.S. Economy Continues Its March Forward As The Unemployment Rate Falls
The U.S. Labor Department reported the U.S. economy created 271,000 new jobs in October, the 68th straight month of positive job growth. The unemployment rate came in at 5% down from the 5.1% in September. In a separate notice the Department reported that claims for unemployment insurance are near the historical lows.
The unemployment rate of 5% was the lowest since April of 2008. When President George W. Bush left office in January of 2009 it was 7.8% which was up from the 4.2% when he took office. The 5% rate is a dramatic turn around from what happened during the previous republican administration. The President needs to continue to push congress to pass his proposals that will keep the economy and job creation moving forward.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Bush 41, Bush 43, Jeb, Cheney, Rumsfeld, The News Media And A New Book
The news media jumped on the story of a new book about former President George H. W. Bush and what he thought about two top members of his son's administration, V.P. Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The book alleges that the elder Bush used the words iron ass, hawkish, arrogant and etc., to describe Cheney and Rumsfeld. That Cheney had his own empire and that neither served President George W. Bush well. As a result "W", Jeb, Cheney and Rumsfeld all came back with their rebuttal.
The news media tried to make the story some thing it was not. In fact it was a non news story because the people and the country was exposed too and lived through the lies of President George W. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. The real story is why did the elder Bush wait so long to express his anger. Maybe, just maybe he could have prevented an unnecessary war in Iraq over WMD that did not exist had he spoken up at the time. The fact is "W" was arrogant also but no father would ever say that about his son.
When the book comes out about the elder Bush for the public to read the people will be able to judge for themselves if the former President's words were meant to rewrite the history of his son's administration.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The news media tried to make the story some thing it was not. In fact it was a non news story because the people and the country was exposed too and lived through the lies of President George W. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. The real story is why did the elder Bush wait so long to express his anger. Maybe, just maybe he could have prevented an unnecessary war in Iraq over WMD that did not exist had he spoken up at the time. The fact is "W" was arrogant also but no father would ever say that about his son.
When the book comes out about the elder Bush for the public to read the people will be able to judge for themselves if the former President's words were meant to rewrite the history of his son's administration.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Another Huge, Huge First For PolitiDose
Paul Krugman, the noted Political Science Professor and Economist in a Times Picayune opinion column of 11/4/15 titled, "Economy has performed better under Democrat Presidents - but why" follows what Hillary Clinton said during the first democratic Presidential debate. Krugman quotes a paper by economists Alan Blinder and Mark Watson comparing economic performance by democratic and republican Presidents since 1947.
Their findings were: Under democratic Presidents the economy grew 4.35% per year and under republican Presidents it grew 2.54%. Over the whole period the economy was in recession for 49 quarters and democrats held the White House during only 8 of those quarters. Democrats also performed better on oil prices and technological progress. Krugman asked why is the democratic record much better and answered, "we don't know."
But the answer can be found here in "PolitiDose" in a three part commentary plus recap titled, The U. S. Economy: Which Party Performs Best dated 1/27/2008 seven years prior to Hillary's comment and Krugman's article. The three part series explains why and lays it all out and goes much further and shows how democrats also control deficit spending and the national debt better than republicans, something Krugman never touched upon.
Yes, the economy indeed does better on the democratic watch, so does balanced budgets, controlling federal spending, deficit spending and the national debt. Job creation is a democratic thing where republicans trail badly. For related article on this commentary see Note 1 below.
And once again you read it here first in "PolitiDose" your daily dose of political commentary.
Note 1: Job Creation for Presidential Terms 1929-2008 dated 11/5/2010
The National Debt: Betrayal and Devastation dated 11/6/2009
Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth dated 10/31/2009
The Republican Trademark: High Oil and Gas Prices dated 5/16/2008
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Their findings were: Under democratic Presidents the economy grew 4.35% per year and under republican Presidents it grew 2.54%. Over the whole period the economy was in recession for 49 quarters and democrats held the White House during only 8 of those quarters. Democrats also performed better on oil prices and technological progress. Krugman asked why is the democratic record much better and answered, "we don't know."
But the answer can be found here in "PolitiDose" in a three part commentary plus recap titled, The U. S. Economy: Which Party Performs Best dated 1/27/2008 seven years prior to Hillary's comment and Krugman's article. The three part series explains why and lays it all out and goes much further and shows how democrats also control deficit spending and the national debt better than republicans, something Krugman never touched upon.
Yes, the economy indeed does better on the democratic watch, so does balanced budgets, controlling federal spending, deficit spending and the national debt. Job creation is a democratic thing where republicans trail badly. For related article on this commentary see Note 1 below.
And once again you read it here first in "PolitiDose" your daily dose of political commentary.
Note 1: Job Creation for Presidential Terms 1929-2008 dated 11/5/2010
The National Debt: Betrayal and Devastation dated 11/6/2009
Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth dated 10/31/2009
The Republican Trademark: High Oil and Gas Prices dated 5/16/2008
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Speaker Of The U.S. House Paul Ryan: What The People Do Know About His Ideology
Paul Ryan will not allow the House to take up the issue of immigration reform until after the 2016 elections. Ditto family leave and the minimum wage. He wants to privatize social security and medicare. He still wants a tax structure that benefits the wealthy and corporate America. The same plan he put forward when he was Romney's Vice Presidential running mate in 2012.
If all of that sounds familiar its because we have had that debate already and President Obama and the democratic party has rejected that ideology. So have the American people when they elected the President twice. Ryan has demonstrated by his actions he believes in the conservative ideology that republicans should be allowed to run the country when they lose elections to democrats. I would say that their understanding of democracy is warped.
Yes, time will be the factor that defines Ryan's career as speaker of the House and going in his ideology is more aligned with the tea party. Will his opposition to President Obama's policies continue the dysfunction of the U.S. House on Ryan's watch. Stay tuned, "PolitiDose" will offer the answers in due time.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
If all of that sounds familiar its because we have had that debate already and President Obama and the democratic party has rejected that ideology. So have the American people when they elected the President twice. Ryan has demonstrated by his actions he believes in the conservative ideology that republicans should be allowed to run the country when they lose elections to democrats. I would say that their understanding of democracy is warped.
Yes, time will be the factor that defines Ryan's career as speaker of the House and going in his ideology is more aligned with the tea party. Will his opposition to President Obama's policies continue the dysfunction of the U.S. House on Ryan's watch. Stay tuned, "PolitiDose" will offer the answers in due time.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
The Republican Presidential Candidates and The Republican Party Are In Turmoil.
The Republican Presidential debates have been a disaster three times. After the last one they blamed CNBC, the moderators and the republican national committee. The candidates are even talking about making their own plans for future debates. And to top it off, Carson and Trump are still on top and going strong while the republican party's political elite are struggling.
Jeb Bush has been doing so poorly the Bush clan and their advisers met recently in Houston to try and make sense of what is taking place. The elder President Bush does not understand the personal attacks taken place among the republican candidates and especially those about his son Jeb. The news media in general are making wild guesses as to what is going on in the republican party. Well, "PolitiDose" explained what is going on for all its readers some time ago. Personal attacks by republicans against democrats is SOP for the GOP and it started with Newt Gingrich and continues this day. But along came Donald Trump, a non politician who turned the tables on his own party by using the republican tactic to attack his republican opponents and they can not take it. They are flat out of a response.
The elder President Bush used personal attacks against Michael Dukakis when they ran for President but now republican candidates are attacking his son Jeb and he says he does not understand. Of course he really does.To make sense of the problem of the debates one has to know and understand the candidates and the party's ideology.You can not debate the issues when you have no record of accomplishments. Their tax plan clearly show they still do not understand arithmetic. The same Word that haunted Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan during the 2012 election. Vice President Joe Biden really explained that in his debate with Ryan and Ryan had no rebuttal. And now the republican candidates are opposing any questions from the moderators and some have suggested the likes of Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh moderate the debates. In other words throw me some candy.
The candidates have been stung so hard by Trump they are taking it out on each other and the moderators. One man, Donald Trump has exposed the real GOP problems and the originator was the GOP itself.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Jeb Bush has been doing so poorly the Bush clan and their advisers met recently in Houston to try and make sense of what is taking place. The elder President Bush does not understand the personal attacks taken place among the republican candidates and especially those about his son Jeb. The news media in general are making wild guesses as to what is going on in the republican party. Well, "PolitiDose" explained what is going on for all its readers some time ago. Personal attacks by republicans against democrats is SOP for the GOP and it started with Newt Gingrich and continues this day. But along came Donald Trump, a non politician who turned the tables on his own party by using the republican tactic to attack his republican opponents and they can not take it. They are flat out of a response.
The elder President Bush used personal attacks against Michael Dukakis when they ran for President but now republican candidates are attacking his son Jeb and he says he does not understand. Of course he really does.To make sense of the problem of the debates one has to know and understand the candidates and the party's ideology.You can not debate the issues when you have no record of accomplishments. Their tax plan clearly show they still do not understand arithmetic. The same Word that haunted Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan during the 2012 election. Vice President Joe Biden really explained that in his debate with Ryan and Ryan had no rebuttal. And now the republican candidates are opposing any questions from the moderators and some have suggested the likes of Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh moderate the debates. In other words throw me some candy.
The candidates have been stung so hard by Trump they are taking it out on each other and the moderators. One man, Donald Trump has exposed the real GOP problems and the originator was the GOP itself.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, November 1, 2015
The U.S. House Passes A Two Year Budget
The House finally passed a two year budget that will prevent a government shut down that some republicans wanted. The vote was 266-167. Although the republicans control the House the minority democratic vote carried the day as all democrats voted for the measure. It was opposed by 167 republicans. House speaker John Boehner can go out now on a positive note.
Once again "PolitiDose" was on target in a previous commentary in pointing out that meaningful legislation could have been passed by Boehner and the House with the democratic vote if Boehner would not have caved in to the tea party's extreme right wing attitude. They could have passed immigration reform and the highway bill to repair the nations infrastructure that was passed by the democratic controlled Senate. Those two bills were passed over two years ago by the Senate.
The U.S. Senate also passed the two year budget and the President will sign it into law. Finally, the issue will be off the table and the people will have an opportunity to see how the U.S. House acts in the future under the new speaker Paul Ryan. Time will tell. Although Boehner's last act in the House was a personal triumph for himself he let the country and its people down most of his time as speaker of the House. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Once again "PolitiDose" was on target in a previous commentary in pointing out that meaningful legislation could have been passed by Boehner and the House with the democratic vote if Boehner would not have caved in to the tea party's extreme right wing attitude. They could have passed immigration reform and the highway bill to repair the nations infrastructure that was passed by the democratic controlled Senate. Those two bills were passed over two years ago by the Senate.
The U.S. Senate also passed the two year budget and the President will sign it into law. Finally, the issue will be off the table and the people will have an opportunity to see how the U.S. House acts in the future under the new speaker Paul Ryan. Time will tell. Although Boehner's last act in the House was a personal triumph for himself he let the country and its people down most of his time as speaker of the House. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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