Another Good Economic Report On The Economy That Reveal Donald Trump's Scare Tactics During The Presidential Campaign

The Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy grew 3.2% in the third quarter ending September 30.  It was the best quarter of growth in two years and was driven by U.S. exports and solid consumer spending.  The Federal Reserve of Atlanta said that 4th quarter growth should be around 3.6%.  The economy continues to move forward, create jobs and lower the unemployment rate on President Obama's watch.

The economic report is a sharp contradiction to the economic fear preached by Trump during the campaign who told his supporters the economy grew only 1% in the third quarter and that the economy was a disaster.  Trump and his party are so chapped that it is a democratic administration once again who is moving the country forward after the economic disaster brought about by the previous republican administration.  It is just more evidence of Trump's lack of honesty and life style of being a fraud.

Trump will benefit from the strong U.S. economy upon taking office in January and no doubt will try and take credit but he and the republicans in congress are on record as the party who talk tough but no record of accomplishments to back up the rhetoric.  In the mean time the country and its people will be in a merry holiday mood and thankful to share the Christmas season with family and friends and not having to live in fear.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Popular Vote In The 2016 Presidential Election Does Indeed Matter.

The latest report in the Huffington Post of 11/23 by senior editor Nick Wing points out that Hillary Clinton's popular vote lead over Donald Trump is now more than 2 million votes and still growing with approximately 2 million votes left to count.  He reported Clinton with 64,225,863 million votes and Trump with 62,210,612 votes.

The vote is a good indication that the last three Presidential elections contradicts the republican claim that the country is conservative.  Hillary's popular vote win also puts the democrats in congress in good position to block any extreme legislation that Trump and the republicans try to pass. It also shoots down what the news media is trying to sell as the democratic party in retreat.  The democrats picked up two seats in the U.S. Senate and 6 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives while Trump's election could not save those seats for his own party.

Clinton's popular vote win has already had an affect on Trump and his party.  They are making up excuses why he lost that vote.  They also understand, even though they will not admit it, the country will not support any over reach by Trump and his party because of the popular vote.  Trump and his party have to deal with the fact the majority of America's voters prefer Hillary Clinton's plans, policy and means of dealing with problems facing the country and not Trumps.  And the popular vote gives legitimacy to the democratic position.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Mark Halperin and Donny Deutsch: Mouthpiece For Donald Trump and The Republican Party.

Bloomberg's television show, "With All Due Respect" of 11/17 with Halperin and Deutsch was the typical election propaganda trying to make the democratic party obsolete with Clinton's loss in the general election.  But nothing could be farther from the truth.  These are the same guys who can not articulate any accomplishments by former republican Presidents Bush 41 and Bush 43 and are now trying to convince their audience that another republican named Trump will accomplishment much.

The democrats lost the election but the popular vote is on their side and will be in future elections.  They just have to do a better job in certain states.  H and D won't talk about past republican administrations anemic job creation record and how Trump will turn that around or how he will balance the federal budget which no republican administration has done since Ike in 1960.  H and D also loved the Bush tax cuts and said it would propel the economy and create jobs.  The record has already been written in History, it did neither one.  But that does not stop them from pushing failed republican policies.

Both share the same problem.  They are chapped because President Obama will be leaving office on a high note and the country and its people are so much better off now than when Bush 43 left office and left the country in the worst recession since the great depression.  And now another republican  by the name of Trump will enter the White House as a tainted President.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

We Now Know Who Was The Real Crooked Candidate In The Presidential Campaign.

New York's attorney general who filed a fraud law suit against Trump University that was ready to go to trial, said 11/l8 the suit was settled out of court for $25 million in favor of the accusers.  The issue came up during the campaign and Trump not only denied the charges but also criticized the judge who ruled the suit could go to trial.  Trump also made racial remarks about the judge.

Despite saying he would not settle the law suite out  of court, this is one he settled.  Trump knew going to trial and having testimony under oath would be damaging to him and would cost a lot more money.  Plus, when settled out of court, the person being sued does not have to admit guilt.  However, fair minded people know the fraud suit and the settlement speak for itself.

A few weeks ago a well known attorney appeared on MSNBC and said he was representing a woman free of charge who alleges that Trump sexually assaulted her and would file suit and that there were others who will do the same.  If that comes about it will be interested to see how Trump reacts.  Trump actually said he would sue his accusers after the campaign was over.  Well; its over and no suit has been reported.

New York's attorney general, Eric Schneiderman in a Huffington Post commentary of 11/18 said the following about the fraud law suit:  "MY OFFICE SUED DONALD TRUMP FOR SWINDLING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT AMERICANS OUT OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THROUGH A SCHEME KNOWN AS TRUMP UNIVERSITY AND SAID DONALD TRUMP FOUGHT US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AND HE CALLED THE UNIVERSITY PHONY'  What a statement from the attorney general who had all the evidence and facts.  The facts in the suit and the settlement indicate that Donald Trump was indeed the crooked candidate in the Presidential campaign.  Can one become any more deplorable than that?

This generation will witness a "tainted" President elect when he enters the White House.  What a shame for America, our children, our grandchildren and for American history.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Does Congress Have A Mandate?

Senator Mitch McConnell, republican majority leader in the U.S. Senate says the republicans have a mandate because Donald Trump won the election.  However, republicans say the same thing when they lose elections.  It is their way to try and convince the people that their legislative agenda is the only agenda for America.  Like shutting down the government.

The truth of the matter concerning mandates is it does not represent reality when it comes to passing legislation because many times the legislation does not represent what was promised in the campaign.  And those who think mandates are viable, common sense would dictate that the democrats in congress are the party with the mandate because Clinton won the popular vote receiving over 60,000,000.  So her plans and policies were more acceptable to the majority voters than Trumps.

If the republicans in congress want to start out pushing their programs without democratic voice than the democrats have the right to do what ever they can to block the republicans agenda.  And if it comes down to a mandate, the public will be on the side of the democratic party.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Obama Is More Of A Man Than The President Elect Donald Trump

President Obama's good character was on display when he called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory and then invited him to the White House to discuss a smooth transition of power.  The President was very gracious to the man who told the American people the President was not born in America.

The President will be leaving office in two months and will be leaving with his head held high and many accomplishments.  Because of his policies he will also be leaving a country that is much better off than it was when he became President 8 years ago in 2009.  Our country and its people have also been safe from foreign terror attacks.

On the other hand, President elect, Donald Trump will be taking office after running the most divisive and negative campaign in history.  His hate for the American system came from his own mouth and he ended his campaign by insisting the very voting system that elected him was rigged against him.  And in between, he exhibited a moral attitude out side the norm of main street America and said Russian President Putin was a better leader than President Obama.

President Obama has demonstrated his leadership and character as President for 8 years.  President elect Donald Trump has not been able to do that even in a campaign.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Hillary Clinton: The All American Presidential Candidate

Hillary Clinton has been much more than a dedicated public servant during her political career.  And it was demonstrated in her concession speech on Wednesday, the day after the election.  She was not only gracious at a time of disappointment, she asked her supporters to give Donald Trump a chance to lead.  She also reminded her supporters that their dreams are still alive and should continue in the future.

Although Clinton did not reach the needed 270 electoral votes to win the Presidency, she did win the popular vote according to the latest released numbers.  So she not only ended her Presidential campaign a winner, she ended it in style with a concession speech of civility without a hint of threats.  The moral high ground was on Clinton's side in this election and the majority of the voters confirmed that with their vote.

Hillary's concession speech also confirmed she had the temperament that is needed to be President and Commander in Chief.  She put America first, which is one reason she was a successful public servant.  America lost the President of its people's choice on November 8, but Hillary Clinton stands tall as a true All American.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

HAPPY 241st. BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.

Happy Birthday to my fellow Marines and to all who wore the eagle, globe and anchor where ever you may be, especially those Marines who are serving in harms way.  We wish all a safe return home to family and loved ones.  Two hundred and forty one years have passed and Marines still share the basic tenet of duty, honor and commitment.

The Marines motto Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful, shaped our discipline and commitment to the Corps, our brother Marines, our country and will always be there.  And no matter the cause, the time, the day or the place we are THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE MARINES.  May the Supreme Commandant continue to watch over our beloved Corps.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES


Semper Fi

Sgt. Joe Lorio

LSU Needs To Clean House

LSU's loss to Alabama on Saturday night in prime time was much more than a loss game.  It exposed a fairy tale offense, the worst this writer has seen since LSU's re-match loss to Alabama in the national championship game a few years ago.  Miles was no longer on the side lines but the offensive play calling and game plan was a mirror image of the Miles era.  Fournette right and Fournette left and get stuffed.  A passing game that never looked downfield.  

A number of SEC teams that played Alabama this year scored more than 20 points and moved the ball offensively against them.  Their players are no better than LSU's players but are better coached and were not afraid to challenge and attack Alabama's defense.  LSU never made that a part of their game plan and as a result they never took advantage of how great LSU's defense played.

LSU needs to clean house with the current coaching staff, hire a head coach with a proven record and let him hire his assistants.  A program that has been up and down now for the past 11 years has to come to a end.  And sports writers for the Picayune and the Advocate have been so wrong for so many years with their sports hype need to apologize to their readers for their failure to be objective.

By the way, did any one really believe LSU could produce a offensive Heisman trophy winner under Miles offensive system?  Give me a break.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

More Positive Economic News For America and Its People.

The U.S. Labor Department announced that the economy created 161,000 new jobs in October and the unemployment rate fell to 4.9%.  It was the 80th straight month of positive job growth.  Hourly wages were up 2.8% annually, the largest increase since 2009.  The unemployment rate when President Obama took office was 7.8%.  The good economic news should be a plus for Clinton when the people vote tomorrow and this writer thinks the voters will take that into consideration.

Trump and his party are still preaching doom and gloom and are incapable of recognizing the good job Obama has done since he took office.  And Trumps only announced plan for the economy is a major tax reduction for corporations, the wealthy and a repeal of the ACA.  And none of those will do any thing for the economy or job creation.  The republican party's lack of accomplishments is still the major reason why Trump and his party always deal in personal attacks.  In other words, when you can not compete on the issues, attack and attack again.

With two months left in office, President Obama has made come true what this writer predicted in PolitiDose in 2009.  That it would be a democratic administration that brought the economy back, created jobs, lowered the unemployment rate, reduced the federal deficit and keep America safe.  And as usual, you read it here first in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Presidential Campaign Is Finally Coming To An End

This writer expressed long ago in "PolitiDose" that Presidential campaigns are too long, too expensive and a waste of time, and this years campaign that will finally come to an end next week is the perfect example.  It has been non stop for a year and a half and much of the campaign has been about petty speeches and very little substance.

A much shorter campaign would improve the process, reduce the cost and gain more attention from the voters.  The two major parties, democratic and republicans should adopt rules to make it happen and also a rule that any member of its party who wish to run must release his tax returns by a date certain.  Third party candidates would join the movement and allow them to compete on a higher level.

The news media does its part in making long presidential campaigns a circus.  And this year Donald Trump was their ring master.  Their love affair with Trump swamped the news cycle.  The Huffington Post, an on line newspaper, usually had Trump headline stories 9 out of the 10 top stories on their front page.  And those stories offered nothing about Trumps plans if he becomes President.

When this campaign ends next week it should never be allowed to duplicate itself ever again.  Hillary Clinton also said long ago that Presidential campaigns are too long.  If she is elected President she will have the opportunity to start a serious conversation and start the process that will bring this issue under control.  It can be done and must be done.  It is the sane thing to do to return civility to a political process that has failed the people.  And that simple reason happens to be the best reason of all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio