What Will The New Year Bring Politically?

Will the 2018 New Year be a repeat of the year 2017 with a dysfunctional President Trump and a republican controlled congress that together failed to govern.  Will Trump be impeached, held accountable for the sexual harassment that numerous women have come forward to talk about.  Will his regressive executive orders that rolled back former President Obama's executive orders fail the country and its people.  Will the democratic party win back both houses of congress in the November elections.

Understanding the past will be the key to what 2018 and beyond may look  like.  The key is there but some have a hard time seeing because "fake news" has become a part of our political system and the news media has lost sight of the importance of holding political leaders accountable on factual matters and pays little attention to the failed policies of the past and how that relates to the future.  Sound bites are the game that is played.


Our nation witnessed in 2017 how Trump gave up the prestige of the office as leader of the free world on those issues that really matter and make a difference and instead shifted to isolation.  Will the trumpet man change that in 2018?  Those in his administration should be talking about that every day.  In just a few more days 2017 will come to an end and when it does a comparison can be made to 2016.  This writer believes any fair minded person would say America, its people, our political engagement and our institutions were better off in 2016.

My judgement is that Trump and the GOP are taking America and its people down the same failed past with their every action and the gains made by the economy since the great recession of 2008 will slowly roll back to unacceptable levels.  Trump's divisiveness is a negative factor in every way and an obstacle to progress.  Tax cuts are not policy that shape the economy the way Trump and the GOP preach.  The economy needs consumers to spend which represents 70% of the economy.  The wealthy and corporate America already have the money to spend what they want to spend without the tax cuts so a tax cut for that group will not result in more spending.  Just ask former President George W. Bush.

A better plan for the economy would be larger tax cuts for the average American who would then possess more buying power to purchase consumer goods.  We know that works for sure in driving the economy and as a result creating new jobs.  During WWII and some years after, the corporate tax rate was in the 90% tax range and the Trump-GOP tax cut that just passed reduces that tax to 21%.  So corporate America has enjoyed a tax reduction over the years in the 70-80% range.  Is it any wonder
why wealth has been transferred from the middle class to the wealthy and why the pay gap continues to grow in favor of the wealthy and corporate America.

The actions taken by Trump and the republican controlled congress in 2017 tells this writer that the future will look  like the failed republican past.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Louisiana's Steve Scalise and Bill Cassidy: A Fake News Editorial

In a co-authored editorial in the Times Picayune of 12/22 both Scalise and Cassidy took Trump's fake news and lies to a new high concerning the GOP's tax cuts.  The article is a sad reminder how much they and Trump have in common.  On the same editorial page there was another article by Michael Russo that told the real story of the Trump-GOP tax scam.

The economic success that both Scalise and Cassidy predict for Louisiana, the economy, job creation and higher wages for the average American did not happen after the Bush tax cuts like the phony GOP said it would.  And of course they omitted that from the editorial.  They also make the fake statement as follows:  STUDIES SHOW THAT PASSAGE OF THIS LAW WILL GENERATE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS OVER THE NEXT DECADE AND BEYOUND.  However, they can not define what studies they are talking about.  Paul Krugman shot that fake news study down a few weeks ago that appeared in a previous Times Picayune article by pointing out that not only had there been any credible study pointing out such a thing, the republicans in congress never held one public hearing on the tax plan matter to get such input from economist or others.

Another piece of fake news concerns Scalise and Cassidy making the statement:  THEY GOT RID OF SPECIAL INTEREST LOOPHOLES.  Actually they did no such thing and did not name any.  They actually created more by caving in to their own party's demands to have enough votes to pass the plan.  Another of their tired worn out statements they tried to pass off was:  AMERICA WAS DEAD LAST IN TAX COMPETITIVENESS.  Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich shot down that piece of fake news long ago and again recently in a Huffington Post commentary.

Scalise and Cassidy's editorial takes up much time and space with fake news and one sentence in the last paragraph reveals that their plan is just one big puff of smoke.  And here is what that one sentence says:  AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS, IT IS LONG PAST TIME THAT AMERICANS TAKE BACK CONTROL OF OUR ECONOMY, OR JOBS AND OUR PAY CHECKS.  Well, that 30 years goes back to the Reagan administration and during that period of time, the economy, jobs, and increase in middle class wages and lower unemployment had its best years under democratic control.  Plus budgets were balanced and deficits were reduced.  And to top it off, more jobs were created under President Clinton in the 8 years he served than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 or Bush 43 in the 20 years they served.  And  Reagan and Bush 43 cut taxes.

The article also made a stupid statement and Scalise and Cassidy shows their ignorance when they said:  THE TAX CUT WILL GET OUR ECONOMY GROWING AGAIN.  Well, the U.S. economy is in its 9th straight year of economic expansion due to the policies of President Obama and the democrats in congress who passed Obama's economic plan to move the country out of Scalise and Cassidy's party great economic recession of 2008 with its massive job loss.  Bush's tax cuts failed to do what the republicans promised.

When it comes to job creation the republican party are no shows.  From 1929 thru 2008, more jobs were created on the democratic watch of Clinton and Carter in the 12 years they served, than were created under all the republican Presidents who served during that same period.  Those republican Presidents were:  Hoover, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 and they served a total of 40 years.  The same would apply if you take the 16 years of Clinton and Obama against those republicans and the numbers are not even close.  (see my previous commentary dated 11/5/10  on the subject matter titled, Job Creation for Presidential Terms:  1929-2008)

Scalise and Cassidy's article only continues the sad state of elected officials who are so used to selling the American people fake news it has become part of their make up.  And as this writer said long before Trump became President, that the GOP and Trump are one and the same came to pass even to their silence to Trump's out right lies.  As for Louisiana, there has been very, very few benefits to the state with the election of both Scalise and Cassidy.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Trump and The GOP Controlled Congress Ending the Year With No Major Accomplishments

Although all three control the action, our nation ends the year shortly with no major accomplishments.  And their tax bill is no exception because it is a scheme, fraud and a scam.  The latest poll by Monmouth University show only 26% approve of the tax bill while 47% disapprove.  Republican senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell said the GOP's greatest achievement this year is the appointment of conservative justices to the court.  So there you have it, like all republicans and Trump, they know the fake news of the tax bill but have a built in character for lies and deceit.

The three ditto heads even had to pass two temporary spending bills to avoid shutting down the government.  They kicked the can down the road again until mid January when they have most of the big spending to take care of.  They had 11 months to govern and failed big time even though they are in control.

They will now go home for the holidays and tell everyone about their great accomplishments.  But this writer knows that silently, Trump and the GOP are aware that the accomplishments left to them by the Obama administration saved their ass and their sad year of doing nothing.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The United Nations General Assembly Ignores Trump's Threat.

United States Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley took Trump's threat to the General Assembly to cut off U.S. aid to any country that went against him in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capitol.  The U.N. members ignored the threat and voted 128-9 to renounce Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capitol.  Trump's arrogance made it clear before the vote that the vote would have no affect on its plan to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem.

Haley also said the vote will make a difference on how Americans look at the U.N. and how we look at countries who disrespect us in the U.N.  Haley's words carry no meaning since the trumpet man respects no one, not even his own countrymen.  And yes, people in all walks of life know that truth.  Trump's threat is another one of his corrupt attitude from the business world he has often tried in the political world but Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu took Trump to task when he said it is unethical to think that the votes and dignity of member states are for sale.  That from a country who is an ally of the United States.

Trump's autocratic rule is not working well for America's interest because it is just the opposite of leadership.  Leadership is not about getting back, division, or taking sides with Russia over our intelligence community.  President George W. Bush lost the mantle of moral authority when he started a war and occupation in Iraq over WMD that did not exist.  Donald Trump entered office lacking any moral authority and respect for humankind.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Where PolitiDose Goes, Others Follow

It was PolitiDose who took President Trump to task for his continued talk of trying to divide America.  This time concerning his comments that we can now say Merry Christmas again which was covered by commentary in PolitiDose dated 10/15/17.  Since that commentary a number of articles have appeared in the news media to set the record on Trump's comment.

Father Kevin O'Brien, a Jesuit dean of theology said, Jesus would not care much if we said Merry Christmas or not.  That it is more important to live it than just saying Merry Christmas.  That is to live as Jesus did.  Father also said Jesus would not feel harmed by the words, happy holidays because Christmas is above it all and it is how man lives, treats his fellow man and the spirt of Christmas.  It is about togetherness and not division.  It is about setting examples for children and accepting the teachings of Jesus.  The statement destroyed the trumpet man with out mentioning his name.

Of course, Trump as President and  man has demonstrated his lack of moral values and a disregard for unity and respect, just what the Christmas season is all about.  Father O'Brien's comments can be read in  the Huffington Post and  is so timely and such an accurate description of Trump's sad world.


This commentary written by Joe  Lorio

Russia's Putin: Still Trying To Interfere With American Politics

In a report published by the Associated Press, Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to try and interfere in America's political matters with his statement that collusion between he, Trump and Trump's campaign was invented by Trump's foes to undermine Trump's legitimacy.  The statement comes at the same time Trump is doing his best to undermine the intelligence community, the FBI and the congressional committees who are investigating the matter.

It is almost like Trump and Putin are colluding with each other as this commentary is being written.  It is obvious from Putin's remarks he and Trump share a dislike for America's institutions and that both men have something going on between them.  Every time Putin tries to shore up the trumpet man, Trump always compliments Putin and Russia.  Hillary Clinton had it right in the debates when she talked about Trump's dangerous dealing with Putin and Russia.

Don't be surprised when you see the dialog between Trump and Putin becoming more pronounced as more evidence is presented concerning their close relationship and Trump's willingness to destabilize America's intelligence community.  And  never forget it was Donald Trump who asked Russia to hack into America's email system to try and find dirt on Hillary Clinton.  The traitor in chief is still in the White House.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Arrogance On The Saints Sideline

It appears to this writer that Saints head coach Sean Payton challenges more officials calls than any other head coach in the league and also has more arguments with the officials  That is my observation watching NFL teams on television.  It was arrogance on the part of Payton that allowed bounty gate to take place and that arrogance is still a part of his coaching and was recently displayed during last Thursday nights game with the Atlanta Falcons.

Payton not only contributed to the Saints loss by drawing a penalty from the officials which gave Atlanta a first down and not enough time left on the cock for the Saints to have another play.  His play calling of a pass with little time left and Brees interception this writer believes comes from Payton's arrogance.  The Saints have come from behind in past games to win as they did against Washington a few weeks ago and during their 8 game winning streak.  But many of those teams the Saints beat were not very good teams (although you would never know that if you follow the reports by New Orleans sports writers)  So Mr. arrogance though the game was a given win and he called the fatal pass play that was intercepted by Atlanta.

When questioned about the called play Payton responded the Saints came to Atlanta to win.  REALLY???  They actually had a better chance to win in overtime which Payton passed up.  This writer does not look for Payton to change his arrogant attitude.  If bounty gate could not change him and four losing seasons in the last five years and he can still draw a big pay check does arrogance really matter?  Evidently the saints management does not care.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Alabama, A Deep South Republican State Elects A Democrat To Congress

The people of Alabama went to the polls on Tuesday and rejected a man they had previously supported for many years and 51.62%  of those voted against Tom Moore.  The victor was democrat Doug Jones who received 49.92% of the vote to Moore's 48.38%.  The remaining vote of 1.70% were cast for other candidates.

Moore is a extreme conservative, believed in divisive rhetoric and rejected diversity.  He was also accused of sexual harassment by several women who came forward during the campaign.  President Trump supported Moore and both have a lot in common.  The trumpet man took a double loss in the Alabama race as he supported Moore's opponent in the republican primary and then Moore in the general election for the U. S. Senate.  And as usual, Trump tried to play down the loss.  He probably is still fuming because former President Obama campaigned for and supported Jones.

Doug Jones victory gives the democrats in congress one more seat in the U.S. Senate and the republicans now hold a 51-49 seat majority.  The democratic party is still alive and well despite some of the negative reporting in the news media and the party continues to make its voice heard.   The Huffington Post reported that Moore received the majority of the evangelical white vote and those who follow politics know Moore used religion in politics as a means of obtaining votes.  The 51.62%  of Alabama voters who voted against Moore stood up and said enough is enough.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another First For PolitiDose

Paul Krugman, a long time professor and teacher of economics confirmed in a Times Picayune opinion editorial of 12/13 what PolitiDose reported long ago in commentary.  The Trump - GOP tax reform plan is not a plan at all but a scam.  He also points out correctly the scam will not pay for itself as Trump and the GOP has been trying to tell with lies and follows the same failed theory of the Reagan and Bush 43 tax cuts that never paid for themselves.

Everyone of those 16 years of the Reagan and Bush tax cuts ended in deficit spending.  Krugman also points out that Paul Ryan, speaker of the U.S. House has tried to sell the same lies over the years with tax cuts and it was PolitiDose who pointed out long ago that Ryan and Trump were one and the same on the subject matter.

It was President Clinton who raised taxes on the wealthy, balanced the budget, created a economy for all that produced a record number of jobs.  That happened because his tax plan was coupled with a real economic plan that reached all walks of life.  The poverty rate dropped on Clinton's watch, stayed the same on Reagan's watch and increased on Bush's watch.

Krugman goes on to say that there was no legitimate analysis made that points to the tax cuts paying for themselves like Trump and his treasure Secretary Steve Mnuchin are trying to sell.  The trumpet man and his republican ditto heads exhibit their lack of respect for the average American and the country.  America is in its 9th straight year of economic expansion, the world economy is in the best shape in 20 years and  moving forward, corporate America is doing well and Trump and the GOP want to reward them and the top 1% with even more in the form of lower taxes that will increase even more the disparity in income between the wealthy and the middle class.

So yes my fellow Americans, Trump and the GOP's tax scam is truly a fraud and scheme no matter the spin they try to put on it and when the republican controlled congress passes the plan and sends to the White House for Trump's signature, he and the GOP will gloat and tell the people how great it will be for America.  What a shame that the President and the GOP in a responsible position have to turn to lies in governing.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Economy and Job Creation For November

The U.S. Labor Department reported the U.S. economy created 228,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate held at 4.1%.  It was the 86th straight month of positive job creation and the economy is in its 9th straight year of expansion.  Some economist reported to be disappointed since the November job number fell below October's number of 261,000 jobs.  Others said they see a slow down in the job numbers.

The Labor Department also reported that ten full months under the Trump administration (February thru November) the economy added an average of 174,000 jobs per month and that during the same 10 months under President Obama in 2016 the economy added an average of 187,000 jobs per month.  When and if the republican controlled House and Senate agree on their tax plan and Trump signs into law don't be surprised if the economy and job creation does not meet their predictions.  Precedent tell this writer that it won't.  So pay little attention to what you hear about the economy from TV shows that specialize in talking about financial matters.  They were wrong about both the Reagan and Bush tax cuts.

Slowly but surely we will arrive at a point as to what path the economy will take.  The stock market is over priced and is being driven by the 1% who own 90% of all stocks and bonds.  It could very well become a market that declines 40% or more as it did during the Bush Presidency.  The big shots are urging the feds to increase interest rates and they are led by Trump himself.  The economy does not act too kindly to that prospect, especially over the long term.

This writer would feel more comfortable if a democrat was in the White House leading the country because of precedent.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Why President Trump Hates America's Institutions and Regulations.

It is because they are a protection and safeguard for the country and its people against a President who would like to bring his corrupt business practice to the White House and operate as an autocrat with no checks and balances.  It is how the trumpet man lives his personal and business life and shows respect to no one.

The CIA and the FBI are the bad ones according to Trump because they are responsible for uncovering Russia's interference with the 2016 Presidential election in favor of Trump and now the subject of an investigation by a special council that leads to the door step of Trump and family members.  Four of Trump's campaign people have already pleaded guilty and Trump knows his Presidency is in jeopardy so he tries to destroy the credibility of those two institutions.

Ditto the news media for reminding the people about Trump's every day lies.  The corrupt President who first used "fake news" has tried to pass the buck to the news media.  It was the news media that made public the tapes that exposed the trumpet man's corrupted actions about how he abused women.  He feels he is above the law and can do any thing he feels like doing.

The roll back of so many rules and regulations put into place by President Obama to protect the country and its people against abuse by business falls squarely into his autocrat persona of little or no regulations for business to engage in corrupt acts that directly affect the country and its people in a negative way.

The American people can not allow this President to continue his destructive behavior and should make their voices heard.  The greatest threat to America and what America stands for comes from within and not from abroad.  The GOP in congress will not help because they and Trump are one and the same.  Ten plus months in office and Trump is still the regressive President who created a swamp that is corrupting and UnAmerican.  Impeachment is still the only answer for this President.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Editorial Opinion Writers: Out of Step and Behind The Times

What PolitiDose published long ago, editorial opinion writers are just now reporting.  The sad part is not only their tardiness, but their failure to inform at critical times and allow the fake news to take root.  In this case the issues are Donald Trump and the republican party.  In the case of Donald Trump, he portrays himself as an outsider who is above it all.  In the case of the republican party, they wear the self proclaimed mantle of conservatism and rail against federal deficits.

As it pertains to Donald Trump, editorial writers are now of the opinion that Trump and the republican party are one and the same.  Surprise, surprise!!!!!  They have seen the light of Trump and the President's position on the issues since the election.  But readers of PolitiDose knew that PolitiDose published several commentaries during the 2016 campaign describing why and how Trump and the party are one and the same.

As it pertains to the republican party, editorial writers just recently discovered that republicans could care less about deficit spending when their tax bill adds $1.4 trillion to the national debt.  In fact, they wrote about how the party was the party of conservatism and opposed deficit spending in the past.  But the facts of the past do not back that up since no republican administration has balanced the federal budget since Ike in 1960.  PolitiDose long ago and in several commentaries demonstrated how the party was not conservative in fiscal matters at all and even wrote a special commentary about their record deficit spending habits.

Yes, editorial writers should have know long ago Trump and the GOP are one and the same and that the party itself has actually been a deficit producing machine since President Eisenhower.  And yes, you read it here first in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary and long ago.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Trump and The GOP Senate Pass Their Tax Scheme and Fraud - -Then Claim It Was An Accomplishment.

The trumpet man and the GOP lead congress have been AWOL on governing our great country since they took control of all three branches of the government in January, so they were hard up to take credit for any accomplishment.  And true to their nature and ideology, they are talking accomplishments since the Senate passed their tax bill even though the bill is a scheme and fraud that does not measure up and adds more than $1.4 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years which is in addition to the projected $10 trillion already predicted for that period.

The House and Senate will have to reconcile the difference in the two bills.  The Senate voted to pass their bill 51-49 with all democrats voting no and one republican no vote.  All of Louisiana's republican reps in congress voted for the two bills and little boy Steve Scalise made the silly statement that the bill will jump start the economy.  Scalise is so out of touch and full of it and a insult to common sense.  The economy is actually in the ninth straight year of economic expansion and job creation  and economist say the economy is near full employment.  That, thanks to the policies of President Obama and the democratic controlled congress who passed the President's plan when they controlled both houses of congress in 2009 and 2010.

Over 10 months in office, Trump and the GOP answered the question asked by PolitiDose in a commentary dated 12/24/16 titled, "What Will The New Year Bring,"  A Continuing Story.  Trump and the GOP have chosen a regressive path on every issue facing America and will harm the country and the people in due time for all to see.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Trump Appointee Pleads Guilty In The Russian Investigation.

Michael Flynn, Donald Trump's national security adviser during the 2016 campaign  and who was later appointed as Trump's National Security Adviser when Trump took office pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI concerning his previous statements to the FBI in relation to his contacts with Russia.  This is the fourth person convicted by the investigation of special prosecutor Robert Mueller of people who worked for and with the Trump campaign.

According to Flynn's statement filed with the court he indeed met with Russian officials and discussed the sanctions placed on Russia by President Obama because of their involvement in the 2016 Presidential election and also discussed having Russia vote against a U.N. resolution condemning Israel or postpone it until Trump took office.  He lied about both originally.  His statement to the court also said a high level official in Trump's transition team asked him to make the contact with Russia and other foreign officials.  All was covered in a Huffington Post story dated December 1.

There appears to be no doubt that Trump's campaign colluded with Russia and tried to undermine President Obama's orders while he was still President.  That is the act of a traitor and this writer believes a rational person would conclude that Trump, who was President elect at the time knew of and approved those contacts by Flynn.  It fits in with Trumps asking FBI director James Comey to drop his investigation of Flynn and the most recent disclosure that Trump asked the republican controlled Senate Investigation Committee to end its hearings into the  Russian collusion matter.

When will the next guilty plea or indictments come down from Mueller's investigation?  Time will tell and probably will be soon.  When it does, it just might be the one that points the finger at Trump clearly.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Oil Industry and Price Manipulation.

Everyone who drives an automobile realizes the price of a gallon of gas has been on a steady upward trend.  Prior to this upward trend gas prices were steadily going down below the $2 mark for a regular gallon of gas because there was a huge surplus of oil and gas on the world market and growing.  So the oil producing countries decided to cut back production by 1.8 million barrels a day of crude oil to work off the surplus so prices for a barrel of oil and gallon of gas could increase.  Their agreement expires in March 2018.  The price of a gallon of regular gas in the Metro New Orleans area averages around $2.25 a gallon.

Now we read where those oil producing countries are meeting again and want to extend the cuts that expire in March to the end of 2018 to continue working off the surplus and keep the upward trend for the price of oil and gas.  They will meet again soon for a final decision.  PolitiDose has commented about this price fixing many times in the past and even explained why the U.S. would never achieve oil independence.

The oil and gas industry are able to have it both ways.  They can over produce at high prices and then when prices begin to fall because of that over production, they meet and decide to cut that production and never really pay a price for their manipulation of the market.  And for that, the American oil industry receives billions of dollars in tax breaks.

What the U.S. should be doing is following Europe and Asia's lead in developing alternate fuels for the present and future in a big way.  That new industry will fuel the economy and jobs for many years to come.  But Trump has other ideas, he is turning the oil industry loose to develop oil and gas in the most pristine places in the U.S. and suspending safety regulations imposed on the industry for good reasons.

So in the U.S., the merry go round continues on the price of a gallon of gasoline and barrel of oil because of manipulation.  Prices at the grocery store, the malls, on line and other retail purchases stay within the norms of price fluctuations and all those outlets offer price reductions on a regular basis.  Competition rules, but in the oil industry, prices are manipulated by the greedy oil companies.

It is really a sad story that our elected officials have failed to address.  And to top it off,  the industry is allowed to destroy the environment with impunity by their operations.  Thank goodness Trump and the GOP were not in power when the BP oil explosion and spill took place in the Gulf of Mexico.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio  

President Donald Trump: Still Living In The Shadows Of Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton has not held an elected office in over nine years and last served as Secretary of State in 2012 after being appointed to that position by President Barack Obama.  Her past accomplishments in public service are well known and her comments now as a civilian on the issues of the day are still informative and timely.  And she told the truth about the Trumpet man during the 2016 campaign that has long been confirmed by Trumps own actions.

So after more than 10 months in office, crooked Trump is still living in the shadows of Hillary and strikes out against her with the same fake charges he made during the campaign.  His ego has been damaged beyond repair because Hillary won the popular vote by a margin close to 3 million votes, a record for a second place finish in a Presidential election.  His tweets about her continue and would like to see her prosecuted because three republican controlled investigations found no evidence to prosecute.  The FBI came to the same conclusion in their investigation.

But Trump still has his supporters who fell for his fake news concerning Hillary and also fell for the Russian fake news against her on Facebook, Twitter and Google.  And believe it or not, a post came over my Facebook page just the other day by Trump supporters who are trying to drum up support to prosecute Hillary concerning her emails.  They are still swallowing Trump's and Russia's fake news and could care less that Russia supported Trump and tried to influence the election in Trump's favor.

The trumpet man has become more unstable every day and the personal attacks against the military and individuals with extreme remarks represent a person who continues to have no respect for anyone.  Trump's statement last week that our military was not winning until he took office is a statement of a coward and a disturbed President who does not deserve to be called Commander in Chief.

Donald Trump will never move out of Hillary's shadow because he is a person that does not measure up in political, public or daily life.  Impeachment of this President can not come soon enough.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Latest Reason Trump and The GOP's Tax Plan Is A Scheme and A Fraud.

The nations's Television talk shows, news media and the Wall Street Journal continue to promote Trump and the GOP's tax plan as tax REFORM, but the latest news from the financial sector tells us that corporate America and the wealthy are doing extremely well and that the tax proposal working its way through congress is actually a scheme and fraud.

Now comes a report that Amazon's founder and CEO Jeff Bezos net worth climbed above $100 billion on Friday as Amazon's stock closed at $1,186.00 per share.  The stock has gained 58% so far this year.  And so far Bezos' net worth increased $32.6 billion just this year.  Just think, all that increase for Bezos and his company took place under the current tax structure and now Trump and the GOP's tax plan, if passed, will take another 15% off their corporate tax bill.  The report also said Bezos is selling approximately $1 billion of his stock to invest in another one of his companies.  Bezos also owns the Washington Post.

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft has a net worth of $88.9 billion according to Bloomberg's index and Warren Buffett's net worth is now $78.9 Billion.  It is a sure bet that Microsoft and Buffett's companies do not need a 15% reduction in the corporate tax rate either.  But Buffett is already on record as saying the present tax structure is not a road block to companies for making a profit and that corporation should actually pay more in taxes.

When 2017 comes to an end it will be a record profit year for corporate America which will once again demonstrate how Trump, the GOP and corporate America are committed partners in the continued scheme and fraud of transferring wealth from the middle class to the wealthy and corporate America under the fake news of tax REFORM.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio                                      

Oil and Gas Offshore Oil Royalties For Louisiana: Slowing Disappearing Like Louisiana's Wet Lands and Coast.

The federal Interior Department notified Louisiana officials that oil royalties due Louisiana for offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in accordance with the "Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act" or (GOMESA) would be only about half of the $140 million expected late this year or early next year.  The money is slated to be used for coastal restoration and protection and counted on in Louisiana's 50 year, $50 billion coastal restoration program.

It should be noted that President Trump in his budget called for rescinding GOMESA and putting its revenue else where in the budget.  Louisiana's U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy said he asked his staff to review the Trump administrations accounting of the money and how the interior department calculated the payout.  One would think Louisiana's representatives in congress would already know the answers if they were looking out for Louisiana's best interest.  Mary Landrieu, the state misses your representation in congress and needs it more than ever before.

The real shame in all of this is Louisiana's failure to hold the oil and gas industry accountable for the damage their operations caused to Louisiana's environment over a long period of time.  Louisiana should not have to depend on royalty payments to reclaim that damage.  The industry is no friend to Louisiana and its people just because they employ people and pay taxes.  Every business does that but every business does not destroy the state's environment by their operations.

More and more it is clear Governor David Treen had the answer with "CWEL", Coastal Wetlands Environmental Levy" which he proposed and explained over 20 years ago.  If "CWEL" had been adopted and passed, the state would be 20 plus years ahead of where we are today with the problem.  And PolitiDose was in the fore front with commentary on "CWEL."  The state's news media gave very little publicity to Treen's plan at the time and are now devoting more time to the environment problem but are 20 years too late and never mention "CWEL."  What a shame.

And now we have a President and GOP controlled congress who are proposing to reduce the corporate income tax rate by 15%.  The oil companies are always some of the most profitable companies, still receive billions in tax breaks and will soon have a huge tax reduction if passed by congress.  Their CEO's are no longer laughing all the way to the bank, they are now doing flips.

Cassidy and all of Louisiana's elected officials in the state and federal level should join Governor John Bel Edwards in supporting legal action against the oil and gas industry for their flagrant disregard of the state's environment and the damage their operations have caused.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Mayor Landrieu Told The Truth and Was Right All Along: New Orleans Is Not a Sanctuary City.

President Trump, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Louisiana' republican U.S. Senator John Kennedy as usual let their big mouth over load their tiny brain concerning New Orleans being a so called "sanctuary city."  They tried to pin that fake news around Landrieu and the City's neck with their wild immigration ideology.  Landrieu, since the very beginning said New Orleans was in compliance with federal law and was not a "sanctuary city."

Now, according to a Times Picayune article of 11/19, Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a letter notified Mayor Landrieu that the justice department has found no evidence that New Orleans is currently out of compliance with immigration on the reporting of undocumented immigrants, meaning it is not a so called "sanctuary city."  The rush to prejudge the Mayor and the city is a direct result of the republicans lack of policy, facts, lies and fake news.  Which defines the Trump administration.  Sessions and Kennedy also knew as Landrieu said more than once that the city was operating under a consent degree order with the federal government and were in compliance from the very beginning.

John Kennedy, ditto head republican senator was willing to join the lies and fake news of the GOP in attacking Mayor Landrieu on the subject matter.  But Landrieu is a dedicated public servant who has political understanding and knowledge of the issues involved in governing.

The GOP trio was not up to date on the situation and made a fool of themselves by not checking the evidence before they spoke.  Landrieu, a democrat knew the facts and related the facts to Sessions long ago, but Sessions already made up his mind to make an issue on a situation that did not exist.  What a shame.  It would be good for the people to keep in mind that Sessions is the same person who continues to have a hard time remembering how many times he met with Russian officials during the Trump campaign.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another First For PolitiDose.

E.J. Dionne, Jr., editorial opinion writer for the Washington Post is a highly respected journalist because of his knowledge on the subject matters he comments on and his fact based opinions.  In his column dated 11/15 for the Washington Post titled, "Republicans Enrage Your Colleagues," Dionne wrote and I quote:  THE GOP BILL THAT SHOULD BE CALLED THE CUT TAXES ON PRESIDENT TRUMP AND OTHER VERY RICH PEOPLE ACT  of  2017 ALWAYS HAD A SECONDARY PURPOSE;  TO JACK UP THE DEFICIT SO REPUBLICANS COULD LATER CRY IN HORROR, 'LOOK AT THAT AWFUL DEBT.  THEY WOULD THEN USE THE POOLS OF RED INK THEY CREATED TO JUSTIFY DEEP CUTS IN SOCIAL PROGRAMS.  And if that sounds familiar, its because you read it here first in PolitiDose in several commentaries, one titled, "Presidents Reagan and Bush 41 and 43:  The axis of runaway deficit spending and debt dated 12/7/2010 and one dated 1/11/2012 titled, "Conservatism, The ugly and unAmerican ideology.  Chapter III.

This writers commentaries in PolitiDose touched upon the ideology of the republican party and their motivation behind the Reagan and Bush tax cuts.  Their intent was for the tax cuts to produce massive deficit spending and debt as Reagan and Bush's tax cuts actually did for the 16 years they served.  Then use the massive deficits and debt to justify cutting Social Security, Medicare and other social programs they hate.  They tried to do that under Bush 43 by privatizing Social Security but the democrats in congress blocked their scheme.

Donald Trump complained during and after the campaign that the national debt was a disgrace and now follows the Reagan and Bush 43 and the GOP's tax scheme with his own tax scheme that favors the wealthy and corporate America that will add trillions more to the deficits and national debt.  The next step for Trump and the GOP will be the assault on those social programs.  What PolitiDose warned about long ago is now recognized by Mr. Dionne, a person in a better position to talk about the subject matter than this writer.

And once again, you read it here first in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

A Cowardly Act By The GOP Controlled U.S. House of Representatives.

The republican controlled U.S. House passed its tax reform scheme along party lines on Thursday by a vote of 227-205.  All democrats voted no and 13 republicans had the good sense to vote with the democrats.  The republican plan adds $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit, does not represent tax reform, just a continuation of the same trickle down economics of Reagan and Bush 43, does not close the loop holes created for the wealthy and corporate America and those are the groups that benefit the most from the legislation.

House speaker Paul Ryan and his GOP partners were all smiles just as they were when the House passed their anti-American health care plan that was defeated in the U.S.Senate.  Ryan said the following:  "In passing this bill it is the single biggest thing we can do to grow the economy, to restore opportunity and and help those middle income families who are struggling."   Sounds good to the ill informed but those republican smiles were not expressions for the middle class.

The GOP's cowardly act and vote is another reminder how that party represents the few instead of the many.  Deficit spending would once again explode under the House plan as it did during the Reagan and Bush years and would follow the republicans sad fiscal record of not balancing one federal budget since President Eisenhower in 1960.  There is a reason Trump and the republicans could care less about deficit spending and was covered by previous commentary in PolitiDose by this writer.  It will also be the subject of another commentary here in the next few days.

Just in the last week the U.S. Coast Guard said they were short $900 million because of their operations caused by the last three hurricanes.  Federal tax cuts for the wealthy and corporate America will take more federal revenue away from the federal government and needed services will be cut that hurt the people in a negative way.  If the Senate passes their tax plan the country can look for another recession down the road because the record is clear, republican administrations have no record of moving the country forward economically or fiscally.  And when it happens again, remember you read it here first in PolitiDose.  Your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

More Revelations Of Trump's Family and Campaign Contacts With The Russians

Since the federal indictment of Paul Manafort and George Papadopoulos we now learn that more contact with Russia took place during Trump's campaign never revealed before.  Donald Trump Jr. had contact with Wikileaks who the CIA said received its information concerning Hillary Clinton from the Russian hacks of the DNC.  Then Jeff Sessions, the Attorney General was called back to testify before congress concerning his previous statement that he knew of no contacts with the Russians by the Trump campaign.  He now says he does remember but did not remember in his earlier testimony because of the chaos in the Trump campaign.

About the same time, Trump himself said he believed Putin when he said Russia did not interfere with the U.S. election.  Trump also said he sided with Putin over the CIA's assessment that Russia indeed did interfere with the U.S. election.  The picture that has come into focus is for the very first time EVER, a Presidential campaign was willing to work with Russia (a foreign government and adversary of the U.S.) to collect and obtain alleged damaging information on an opponent and was willing to allow Russia to influence the election in Trump's favor to win the Presidency.  The treacherous acts went so far as to discuss the removing of sanctions imposed by President Obama on Russia's role in interfering with the election process of 2016.

  And to top it off, candidate Trump asked Russia to tap into the emails of his opponent, an American citizen in order to find some damaging information that could be used to help his own cause.  That is how close Trump, his campaign and Russia were during that period of time.  And sadly, V.P. Pence also made statements about not knowing about the contacts between the campaign and Russia and when the facts were exposed, Pence had to try and clarify his statements.

Never before has any republican or democratic Presidential candidate been willing to do business with a foreign government in exchange for damaging information on an opponent.  The picture exposes a business man's corrupt attitude about government and the long held values of America and its institutions.  A business man that respects no one and is willing to destroy everything he touches for his own ego.  With the latest revelations we see Trump trying to change the subject and wants the Attorney General to investigate Hillary Clinton, his opponent who has already been investigated by the republican controlled congress including the House intelligence committee and the FBI who failed to find any violation of the law.  Clinton warned the nation about Trump and she knew what she was talking about.  And now it is being played out in real time.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Trump and The GOP Controlled Congress: Utter Contempt For America and Its People

We now learn that over 400 millionaires signed a letter sent to the GOP congress and urged them not to cut taxes for the wealthy and Corporate America.  That their plan would not close the income gap for the middle class but would actually add to the disparity that already exists and make the wealthy more wealthy.  If anything they said their taxes should be raised.

It is obvious that those millionaires remember the trickle down tax cuts of Reagan and Bush 43 that benefited the wealthy and corporate America the most, transferred wealth from the middle class, reduced federal tax revenue and created record deficits.  They also remember the meltdown of the Savings and Loan Industry and the Wall Street Banks.  They also know such tax schemes benefit the CEO's, corporate executives and stock holders and does not create jobs or raise wages for the middle class.

Trump and his republican ditto heads in congress are only concerned about feeding the swamp for their campaign contributions.  The tax issue is a way of trying to salvage their failure to govern.  Offering a 15% reduction in the corporate tax rate is anti American for the average worker and a disgrace that any elected official would stoop that low.  Corporate America has been doing well since the end of the great recession.

There are so many other critical issues to be addressed by Trump and his ditto heads that are more important to America than their tax scheme disguised as tax REFORM.  But the trumpet man and the GOP are really not about governing the democratic way.  What America needs now is for enough republicans to join the democratic party and vote against this tax plan scheme so the real issues can be put on the agenda.  Also, look for the GOP to start adding other goodies to their tax scheme.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Big First For PolitiDose: And Three Times At That

The Times Picayune reflection section of 11/12 had three editorial opinion columns and if they sounded familiar its because you read it here first in PolitiDose.  The three articles were by Robert Mann, Eugene Robinson and Joe Scarborough.  Mann's article was titled, "Taxes, the national debt and GOP dishonesty."  Robinson's article was titled, "What did Tuesday's election prove." and Scarborough's article titled, "American politics are a disaster."

Mann attempts to articulate how the GOP has been so dishonest with the people concerning the national debt, deficit spending and taxes that benefit the wealthy and corporate America.  But readers of PolitiDose were informed concerning the subject long ago in commentary and also about the GOP dishonesty.  It is certainly nothing new, at least not for the readers of PolitiDose.

Eugene Robinson is one of several opinion writers who seem to question the democratic party's commitment since the 2016 Presidential election but now seems to think Tuesday's election where democrats won the governorship of Virginia and New Jersey changed things.  But Robinson forgot that there is nothing really wrong with the democratic party and what they stand for.  The majority of voters who gave Hillary Clinton their vote in the 2016 election are still the same voters who are turning against Trump and the GOP and are turning off the fake news the GOP is trying to sell.  PolitiDose has been commenting on the democratic party's position for some time and the party is still the party of balance while Trump and the GOP continue to implode.

Joe Scarborough served in the republican controlled U.S. House during the Newt Gingrich era and is now a host of Morning Joe on MSNBC.  Scarborough opposed President Clinton's economic plan and policies and supported the failed policies of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 including so called trickle down economics tax schemes and the GOP'extreme right wing policies.  Of course he opposes Trump now, but was one of several TV hosts that gave Trump much air time during the 2016 Presidential campaign to spread his hate and division.  Now Scarborough says American politics are a disaster.  But he forgot two pieces to political life.  As a elected official and TV host he contributed to the GOP's disaster and can not bring himself to admit that the democratic administration of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were the only two administrations that brought stability to America's middle class in the last 37 years.  And were also the only administrations that balanced the federal budget and cut deficit spending in that time also.

PolitiDose has been far ahead of the opinion writers on those things that really matter and make a difference.  Opinion writers commentary come years after the fact and run with the GOP fake news until it is too late.  Stay tuned to PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary for the real story at the time it takes place and be an informed reader.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Happy 242nd Birthday To The United States Marine Corps

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES:  To all my brother Marines who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, November 10 is a special birthday and reminds all of us the traditions that bind Marines for life.  "Semper Fidelis" always faithful, two words Marines live by regardless of status.

Two hundred forty two proud years of duty, honor, commitment and courage Marines were taught early on in boot camp sealed the everlasting bond of "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."  So to all my brother Marines, where ever they may be and especially those still in harms way Happy Birthday Marines and may the Supreme Commandant continue to watch over you, keep you safe and allow you a safe return home.

Semper Fi

Sgt. Joe Lorio

October Job Creation and The Unemployment Rate

The U.S. Labor Department announced that the U.S. economy created 261,000 jobs in October and that the unemployment rate came in at 4.1%.  The business community said they were surprised because they expected the job numbers to be around 325,000.  The Labor Department also said they revised September's job numbers from a loss of 33,000 jobs to a gain of 18,000 jobs after review.

This writer is of the opinion that the best way to keep the economy moving and creating jobs would be to pass a highway and infrastructure bill and not consider the Trump-republican Tax Plan scheme which will not be a job creator.  American business is making good profits and doing well under the present tax system.  Putting people to work taking care of the roads, bridges and etc., are good paying jobs and would boost middle class income.  The Trump-republican tax scheme won't and for obvious reasons.  President Obama and the democratic controlled congress cut taxes for the middle class soon after taking office in 2009 and then let part of the Bush tax cut for the wealthy expire.  And contrary to the republicans pronouncements the economic expansion and job creation put America back on track and even reduced deficit spending.  According to the tax policy center, the Trump-republican Tax scheme would give the top 1% of tax payers an annual tax cut or $175,000.00.  Does any one really believe the top 1% will use that money to create jobs like Trump and the republicans are predicting and or go out and spend that money to boost the economy?  The top 1% has the resources to do what ever they want to do with out the tax cut.

Republicans have a record, and a failed one when it comes to the economy, job creation and balancing the federal budget.  The Trump-republican Tax scheme if passed as is will continue their failed policies.  This writer believes time will prove that.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Democrats Win Governorship In Virginia and New Jersey.

Democratic candidates Ralph Northam and Phil Murphy were elected governor of Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday defeating their republican opponents.  The outcome was a blow to those republicans and some in the news media who have been trying their best to convince the public that the democratic party is in deep trouble.  The outcome also brought out the usual from Donald Trump, who said Virginia Republican candidate Ed Gillespie, (a former chairman of the Republican National Committee) lost the election because he did not embrace me or what I stand for.  But the fact is Gillespie used Trump's campaign tactics during the governor's race.

The election confirms that state elections are local and may or may not turn on national issues.  Both winning candidates did run and campaign on democratic issues such as health care, jobs, school and etc.  Gillespie actually tried to run on Trumps record concerning immigration, confederate statures and attack ads.  Both democrats won by larger margins than predicted and were able to get through to those Trump voters who no longer support the trumpet man and his policies.

All in all it was a good night for the democratic party, but don't look to the republican right wing to stop trying to convince America that the democratic party is in deep trouble.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Reason LSU Is 6-3. And It Is Not Because They Are A Young Team

Forget the young team blame that Louisiana's sports writers are trying to sell to football followers of LSU.  Its coaching, that is, a coaching staff who does not use the players talents properly.  That includes the right play calling at the right time which LSU failed big time against Alabama.  LSU beat Florida, Auburn and Ole Miss and all three had young teams.  Auburn has a better won-loss record than LSU.

Before the Alabama game, the pundits said LSU quarterback Etling had to have a great game for LSU to win.  Really !!!.  Well, Etling did not have a great game and for two reasons.  The first reason escaped the pundits that Etling has not been a accurate passer and over or under threw wide open receivers since he has been in LSU's lineup.  The second reason results from the coaches failure to realize Etling's limitations and do what good coaches do.  That is call plays that have a higher degree of success and minimize Etling's short comings, especially on third and short when you need to make a play to keep possession and move the football.

LSU had several opportunities to keep possession on second and third down with short yardage.  Instead of throwing the ball down field it would be better for the coaches to call a short curl pass that is very hard for the defense to stop, or a screen pass or a swing pass to the running back.  Those type passes and plays would be better for Etling's problem of accuracy.

LSU's defense, both this year and last year against Alabama gave the Tigers a chance to beat Alabama but the coaching staff never had the right call at the right time and did not use the plays that the players could execute with the highest possible degree of success.  Bart Starr, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers was not a great quarterback nor did he have a great arm.  But Vince Lombardi recognized his capabilities and used plays that took advantage of Starr's assets and Starr and the Packers won more NFL championships than any other quarterback and team during that era.

There is more to coaching than having talent and a good game plan.  Knowing the strength and weakness of a player and adapting is just as important and this writer believes it showed during the Alabama game because this so called young LSU team was right there with powerhouse Alabama.  The difference was LSU's failure to execute at the right time because the plays called never met the capabilities needed to execute the play successfully.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Fine Print Is Emerging From The Trump-Republican Fraudulent Tax Plan Scheme

And it confirms that Trump and the Republican party are still willing to lie in order to accomplish their corrupt agenda for the "swamp" they are in bed with.  Trump said the tax plan would eliminate all the tax loop holes and goodies given to corporate America and the wealthy but the fine print in the plan confirms the opposite.

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy said Trump and the republican's plan still contains the corporate welfare subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. (The energy industry)  Their report points out that Exxon-Mobil received $12.8 billion in subsidies and paid a tax rate of 13.6% over the past 8 years.  In contrast, nurses and appraisers earn an average of $60,000 a year and pay a tax rate of 15%.  Exxon-Mobil is only one oil company, just think how many more oil companies obtained the subsidies and how much corporate welfare it is costing the average tax payer to fund those subsidies.

The oil industry not only enjoys the tax subsidy, they pay a smaller percentage in taxes than the middle class.  And when one thinks of other industries who enjoy the same benefits, the total tax subsidy of corporate welfare is staggering.  And Trump and the republicans cut the subsidies allowed in the ACA when they tried to pass their own health care scheme which was defeated by the democratic party and four republicans Senators.  Trump and the republicans don't like subsidies to help people buy insurance but they love welfare subsidies for corporate America.

Each day more of the fine print will emerge of the tax scheme and Trump and his party will continue their lies.  The tax scheme also ended subsidies for the Electric Automotive Industry.  Trump and the republicans dislike subsidies for the clean fuel industry but love them for big oil and the fossil fuel polluting industry.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Donald Trump: The Betrayal Of America's Institutions Continue

A military judge at Fort Bragg, Jeffery Nance sentenced Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl this week for his actions in Afghanistan after a military trial.  The judge's sentence, dis honorable discharge, reduction in rank to private and a fine of $10,000.00.  The judge's decision was denounced by Trump who tweeted, "complete and total disgrace to our country and our military."

It was not the first time Trump took aim at Bergdahl.  During the campaign, candidate Trump said Bergdahl was a traitor and should be thrown out of a plane with out a parachute.  Bergdahl was tried under the military law known as the Uniform Code Of Military Justice which the commander in chief knows nothing about because he himself has never worn the uniform of his country.  The judge has said he would consider Trump's previous statements concerning Bergdahl.  

Also this week, Trump said as reported by the Huffington Post he was frustrated he could not order the Department of Justice or the FBI to investigate Hillary Clinton.  He did not say for what but we know during the debates he said he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary.  Of course the President does not have that authority but describes Trump's frame of mind.  He is an Autocrat who would love to run the nations's legal system with out checks and balances.

Trump's betrayal to the Presidency, his disrespect for America's institutions and his treacherous acts as previously commented on here in PolitiDose continue unabated after almost 10 months in office.  Make no mistake, the crooked candidate during the 2016 Presidential election was Donald Trump and who seeks to bring autocratic rule to the White House.  Impeachment can't come soon enough.  The trumpet man is unstable and unraveling before the eyes of America.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Indictments Start Dropping

President Trump's former campaign manger Paul Manafort, Richard Gates (Manafort's assistant) and George Papadopoulos were indicted by a federal grand jury on Monday on various charges including lying to the FBI and money laundering.   President Trump tried to up stage the coming indictments a few days before the announcement by claiming the investigation was a witch hunt and fake news.  The usual pronouncements by the President who knows he is in trouble.  The republicans in congress followed Trump's lead and was critical of the investigation also.  It has become the ditto heads religion of Trump and his party.

After the indictments were made public, Trump and his press secretary tried to down play the indictments and Trump said Papadopoulos was a low level guy.  However, he told the Washington Post in 2016 that he was an excellent guy and even appointed him to his foreign policy advisory council.  Trumps appointment of Manafort and Papadopoulos to important positions and their relationships with Russia is un-raveling.

And now Twitter and Facebook are admitting that ads and commentary published over their social networks by Russian operatives in thousands of tweets and commentary were slanted to promote Trump and discredit Hillary Clinton.  It is all coming together, the cooperation or Russia (the U.S. major adversary) and the Trump Presidential campaign to manipulate our country's democratic elections.  More and more we can understand why Trump will not make his tax returns public.

As the investigation continues and more indictments are handed down the web of deceit between Russia and the Trump campaign will be exposed.  And the trumpet man will continue to try and corrupt our political system with his lies and fake news. Make no mistake, Hillary Clinton is still a better woman than Trump is a man.  Trump knows it and that is why he still tries to blame her for what ever comes to mind.  How sad for a President of the United States.

NOTE:  When Facebook and Twitter executives testified before congress concerning Russian use of their social network to influence the 2016 Presidential election it was disclosed that Fox News and other conservative news media outlets republished and used the Russian slander articles against Hillary Clinton even though they knew the source of the slander.  And of course, individuals who support Trump repeated that on their Facebook page and Twitter accounts.  And we are talking about thousands of ads and commentary that were designed to damage Clinton and support Trump's campaign for election.  The lies and fake news did not matter to those who supported the trumpet man.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

A Worthwhile Partnership For Louisiana, Its Workers and Industry

The New Orleans Advocate of 10/30 carried a story concerning the introduction of a work program between Delgado Community College and Entergy New Orleans called The Louisiana Certified Line Worker Training Program.  Entergy contributed $50,000 to Delgado to support the new program which was developed through a partnership between the Louisiana Energy Workplace Consortium and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.

With the need of skilled trained line workers in the future the consortium came together and was instrumental in developing the programs's curriculum and designing the training facilities.  The 26 week evening program at Delgado and Fletcher Community College will begin in January.  Graduates of the 26 week program will receive certification, be qualified for employment as a line helper and receive job placement assistance.

The partnership between industry and Louisiana's education system should be given top priority so our citizens can be trained to fill the jobs that are necessary to keep up with the skills needed in today's business world.  It is money well spent by business and the state especially since Louisiana is ranked so low on the job skill ladder, pay and the economy.  It is one of the best avenue for big time progress and for those who can not attend a four year college.

The state of California has been involved in this type partnership for many years and the state and its people have been on the cutting edge of economic progress, job creation and good paying jobs.  It is a proven economic tool for the future and Louisiana's elected officials should embrace the partnership as an ongoing program.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The GOP Ideology: Their Commitment To Corporate America and Greed Continue Unabated.

After the great republican economic recession of 2008 caused by Bush's policies and a lack of regulation of the financial institutions, the democratic controlled congress under President Obama passed legislation known as Dodd-Frank that brought new regulations to prevent a future occurence and made the Wall Street Banks and other financial institutions more accountable.

But now with Trump striking down one regulation after another for business and the financial institutions, the GOP controlled congress voted to over turn a Consumer Financial Protection Rule that allowed class action lawsuits against banks.  The action by the GOP will further loosen regulation of the Wall Street Banks.  Little by little Trump and the GOP are dismantling the effects of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  All democrats in the U.S. House and Senate voted against the rule change.  Louisiana's Senator Bill Cassidy voted for the bill while Senator John Kennedy (R) voted with the democrats in the Senate.  In the U.S. House Louisiana's republican reps. Ralph Abraham Garret Graves, Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson voted for the bill change while Louisiana's democratic rep. Cedric Richmond voted against the change.  Louisiana's republican rep. Steve Scalise did not vote.

Trump and the GOP continue their antiAmerican ideology with corporate America and the big banks after costing the federal government billions of dollars, ruining the economy, record job losses and huge deficit spending.  Those are the one per-centers of greed who orchestrated the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy.  The Trump-GOP swamp has been growing ever since the trumpet man took office.

America has witnessed three great bank failures, all on the republican watch (Hoover, Reagan and Bush 43) and those failures were the worst.  Ditto the worst economic depression and the worst economic recession on the republican watch (Hoover and Bush 43).  It was a time when the GOP looked the other way on enforcement.  Reagan and Bush failed to learn what the Sumerians taught almost 6000 years ago when they believed that understanding the mistakes of the past, was the key to a better future.

Trump and the GOP are now following in Reagan and Bush's footsteps and could care less about governing, the people or the country.  They made their decision long ago.  Money, greed, power and ego.  They are traitors to the natural order of life itself.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Will The GOP Have Enough Votes In Congress To Reject Trump's Tax Reform scheme and Fraudulent Proposal?

All the GOP needs is three or four of their U.S.Senators to vote no along with the democrats to defeat the tax scheme that benefits corporate America and the wealthy.  A majority of 51 votes is needed instead of the usual 60 because the GOP is handling the issue under their budget reconciliation process which favors the GOP as they control the Senate.

A lot more republicans in the U.S. House would have to vote no with the democrats to defeat the measure so the best chance for defeat would be the U.S. Senate.  This writer believes the GOP will pass the bill because like Trump, they are committed to the swamp of corporate America and the wealthy.  With out their campaign contributions, there would be no swamp.  And remember, during the campaign, Trump said he contributed to members of congress because when he needed a favor, he called them.  In other words the trumpet man was part of the swamp in politics before he decided to run for President.

The scheme and fraud of Trump's tax plan is "trickle down economics" that will create jobs, bring back jobs to America, make corporate America more competitive, raise the wages of the middle class and a hundred other lies like the ones told about Trumps and the GOP health care plans.  And just last week Trump added another lie when the stock market hit a new high which he contributed to his tax plan.  The fact of the matter tells us that the stock market tripled on President Obama's watch and corporate America"s taxes were not reduced 15% like Trump wants to do.

The record is clear.  Reagan and Bush 43 tried trickle down economics and the Clinton administration's economy did better in every category, and much better, including balanced budgets with surpluses.  Reagan and Bush never even came close.  All they did was create debt.  Trump's tax plan like Reagan and Bush will take trillions of dollars out of the federal treasury and distribute that to corporate America and the wealthy.  The Reagan administration also gave the country the Homestead Savings and Loan meltdown which cost the federal government one Billion dollars to bail out.  And of course the Bush administration gave the country the collapse of the Wall Street Banks that cost the government over %800 billion and the worst economic recession since the great depression.  I often wonder what those financial institutions did with the Reagan and Bush tax cuts.

President Obama, taking office with the great recession left by Bush, the economy and every thing that goes with it did much better and the President allowed the Bush tax cuts to expire for those making over $550,000.00 a year.  Corporate America and the wealthy has done well under the present tax rates.


True tax reform would be the elimination of all the special interest tax breaks and a fair tax code where every one pays his or her fair share, even the poor.  The GOP long ago identified who they cater to and Trump has done the same as President.  There's also a special motivation for Trump and the GOP to pass their tax scheme.  Both have failed to pass any positive legislation in Trump's 9 months in office and they are hungry for any victory, even if it cost the country and the people dearly.

There were three or four republicans in the U.S. Senate who stood up and said they would not support their party's health care plan introduced by Graham-Cassidy and the GOP pulled the bill as a result.  Will there be three or four more who will stand up and oppose the latest GOP lie called tax reform?  Go ahead, make this writers day.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Lets Talk About The Second Amendment From The Perspective of A Former Supreme Court Chief Justice

Warren Burger was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court by President Richard Nixon in 1969 and was the longest serving Supreme Court Chief Justice of the 20th century serving 17 years in that position.  Burger's BIO reports he played an important role in several republican gubernatorial campaigns in the 1930's and 1940's and played a key role in the republican nomination of Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952.  After Ike became President, he appointed Burger U.S. Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and in 1955 nominated him to the U.S. Court of Appeals where he served for 13 years.  In 1988 Burger was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Nixon and many republicans were not happy that the Burger court did not reverse some of the previous supreme court decisions they disagreed with, especially the Miranda decision.  In 1991 Burger was interviewed on the MacNeil/Lehrer news hour where he took aim at the NRA and said the following according to his BIO and I quote.

THE SECOND AMENDMENT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ONE OF THE GREATEST PIECES OF FRAUD, I REPEAT THE WORD FRAUD, ON THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFETIME.  THE FOLLOWING YEAR, HE STIRRED THE GUN LOBBY'S IRE EVEN FURTHER STATING THAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO HAVE FIREARMS AT ALL.  IN HIS OPINION THE SECOND AMENDMENT'S PURPOSE WAS BEING DISTORTED FROM ITS ORIGINAL INTENT OF ENSURING THAT THE STATE ARMIES --THE MILITIA WOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE STATE.

This writer believes that the former chief Justice knows just a little bit more about the second amendment than the NRA and the republican party in congress.  The second amendment reads as follows:  A WELL REGULATED MILITIA BEING NECESSARY TO THE SECURITY OF A FREE STATE, THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

Note:  Militia's have to be authorized by the government.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The President In The White House Lacks The Character and Courage To Being A Man

A real man, especially a President does not have to invoke another person's name to try and justify his own actions like President Trump did this week concerning the issue of the four deaths of the U.S. Green Berets ambushed and killed in Niger.  But there he was while questioned about what he said to the wife of one of the soldiers that was killed.  He could not explain to the press or the public his statement so he invoked the names of a few past Presidents and their responses of what happened on their watch.

Then on Thursday he sent his Chief of Staff General Kelly before the press to give a long rambling statement of what the President did and the procedures that take place when a service member is killed in action.  The AWOL President used other people because he himself is incapable of rational thought and has no feelings of empathy towards any one, that includes the military and veterans.

Nine months in office and Trump is still a disgrace to the Presidency and his office.  And the disgrace is wide spread on almost every issue.  To make matters worse, his appointees, cabinet members and the Vice President are willing to enable him and so are most republicans in congress. He can not even do the simple manly task of releasing his tax returns.  America and its citizens deserve better.

Fifty four percent of the voters who voted for someone other than Donald Trump last November understood what was at stake.


This commentary was written by Joe Lorio

The Republican Party's Conservative Extremism and Ideology Mistake

Republican Presidents and those in congress like to support so called strict constitutional judges to the supreme court, especially the chief justice for his swaying power over the eight other justices.  Republicans have a tendency to forget conservative judges are not all into ideology and are more inclined to follow the law and the constitution instead of an opinion based on ideology.  The democrats don't have that problem when appointing judges to the federal court.

The republicans have spent more time on the issue of abortion and the ACA in the last 40 years than any other issue and those two issues are still on top of their to do list.  Yet, both of those issues were decided by a conservative leaning supreme court with a chief justice that was appointed by two republican Presidents.  Chief justice Warren Burger who was appointed by President Richard Nixon voted with the majority in Roe v. Wade on the abortion issue.  Chief justice John Roberts who was appointed by President George W. Bush voted with the majority to up hold the ACA.  Both chief justices were appointed because of their conservative views.  Those two major cases turned the republican party's conservative ideology on its head because the courts recognized the constitution and facts over ideology.  And the republicans have failed to overturn both decisions because they are still using ideology and lies to do so.

And now America has the trumpet man leading the party who has added more lies to the two issues and are trying to undo both, especially the ACA with executive orders backed by lies and sabotage.  Working Americans are paying a heavy price for the republicans failure to govern in a democratic manner and the rule of law and the trumpet man has taken the country to a new low in governing.  The courts will have to be relied on more and more to keep Trump and the republicans in check.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio  

President Obama's Legacy On The National Debt

In past PolitiDose commentary this writer explains with numbers complied by the Congressional Budget Office to show how democratic administrations have done a much better job for the country and its people concerning the economy, job creation, reducing deficit spending, balancing the federal budget and smaller increases in the national debt compared to republican administrations.  And it does not stop there.

Beginning with the Reagan administration was the attitude that conservatives were better at achieving all of the above but the simple facts tell a very different story.  The latest story on the national debt shows that President Obama's last fiscal year ended on 9/30/17 and on that date the national debt stood at $20.2 trillion.  That was a 70% increase in the national debt since George W. Bush's last fiscal year which ended 9/30/09.  The national debt under President George W. Bush increased 105% in his eight fiscal years, 35% higher than Obama's eight fiscal years.

The national debt in Reagan's eight fiscal years increased 186% and in Bill Clinton's eight fiscal years increased 31%.  In George H.W. Bush's four fiscal years it increased 54%.   The myth of those republican Presidents being conservative and best at fiscal matters is just that, pure myth.  And when one realizes the fiscal and economic mess President Obama inherited that none of those republicans had to deal with, Obama's accomplishments should end once and for all the myth of conservatism.  Talk is cheap and the republican talk is the cheapest.

And the myth was exposed long ago here in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary while the news media was given credibility to the republican pronouncements.  Even they forgot to check the facts.  A more definitive report on the national debt can be found in a previous commentary dated 12/6/09 titled, The National Debt:  Betrayal and Devastation.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

A Pass The Buck President and Another First For PolitiDose

True to past commentary in PolitiDose, President Trump is still passing the buck and playing the blame game.  Four American troops were killed in Niger by an ISIS ambush on October 4 and this week Gold Star mothers and parents who lost their sons and daughters in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan took the President to task for not contacting the parents of those 4 troops who were killed.  The news media also asked Trump about the issue and his tardiness in the matter.  It was pointed out by both that past Presidents called parents timely when such deaths took place.

The trumpet man responded by trying to pass the buck saying past Presidents did not always contact the deceased parents and made a point of mentioning President Obama.  One of Obama's assistants immediately responded that was false.  The reason Trump never talked about the four deaths until he was challenged is because it would remind the public of his bragging that all the killing would stop when he became President.  Yet it happened on his watch along with the record shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 and wounded over 300.  In that case the trumpet man placed blame on President Obama for the shooter having a bump stock.  Several of the Gold Star mothers reported how President Obama and President Bush called when they lost their son in action.

Trump also passed the buck to congress when he cancelled the insurance subsidy to the ACA and threatened Senator John McCain for a speech he gave and for voting against the senate's phony health care bill.  After 9 months in office the trumpet man is still not close to being Presidential.  To some of the people in his cabinet, he is a moron.  But PolitiDose stands behind previous commentary, Trump is not qualified and is unfit for office.  He is also a traitor for reasons offered, unstable and enjoys lying to the public.  And yes, the only cure is impeachment.  And in the near future there will be more first for PolitiDose.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Trump Will Finally Start Saying Merry Christmas Again

In a speech before the Values Voter Summit, President Trump told the audience we're saying Merry Christmas again.  He also told the crowd, we don't use the word Christmas any more.  The trumpet man lives in his own corrupt world and surely was describing his own lack of the Christmas spirit during the holidays.  

Using the word Christmas and wishing family, friends and others Merry Christmas has never gone out of style during the holiday season but Trump would not know about that.  And in fact is a practice tradition in keeping Christ in CHRISTmas.  We were taught that so long ago.  What has taken place with the right wing conservatives, Fox News, many conservative organizations and Trump is their attempt to divide the country with the lie, "we don't say Merry Christmas any more."  That is what the trumpet man tried to do with his remarks to the so called Values Voter Summit (which is an anti LGBT organization according to an article in the Huffington Post) who trys to push their corrupt values on other people.

The trumpet man will say anything to play to his base.  That is all he has left.  He and his crowd that preach values do so because they have something to hide.  And yes, they are the same crowd who supported taking health care away from millions of those now insured by the ACA and were willing to lie in the process.

The conservative right and those that use the word "values" in the name of their organizations dislike the separation of church and state and the wisdom of our fore fathers.  They use religion to divide like those in the middle east and would like to see a United States of the middle east.  This writer thinks our fore fathers knew what they were doing and had the wisdom to understand everyone has a right to worship and not be harassed by others who would like to force their religious beliefs on society.

Donald Trump makes a mockery of what the spirit of Christmas stands for and the happiness and joy it brings to so many families, children and those in every walk of life.  It is a day of giving, sharing and love which has escaped the trumpet man.  But he did give himself the permission to say Merry Christmas again.  So join in what the American people do best and have always done Mr. President.  You may enjoy it.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

WWL Radio's Ditto Heat Reaction To A Non-existent Controversy

This week WWL's host Newell Normand asked his listeners to comment on the NFL's controversy.  He was referring to NFL players who took a knee or sat during the playing of the national anthem.  It was the usual ditto head reaction to use Donald Trump's remarks to blame the NFL for the so called controversy started by Trump himself and there fore it is the Trump controversy and not the NFL controversy.

We all know a small number of Americans through the years have used different ways to express their free speech and expressions in ways most Americans disagree with and would never do.  There is no controversy in that and in the case of the NFL the latest development is nothing new.  What has been added is the trumpet man's ruse to shore up his base by calling those who take a knee or sit SOB's.  That is the controversy and it is Trumps, not the NFL.

Later in the afternoon this week on sports talk, Bobby Hebert and company took up the same so called controversy and continued the ditto head conversation.  Even injected the owners and money matters into the conversation.  Its like the players protest is some thing new and people in sports and who follow sports are just now discovering  the financial wealth of the NFL franchise owners.

This writer is no friend of NFL owners and the corporate Welfare some receive from the states and on record in several past commentary here in PolitiDose on the subject matter.  But this latest controversy is on Donald Trump and sadly, done for political reasons.

The great majority of Americans still feel the goose bumps when the national anthem is played and our flag still fly's proudly above all others.  And yes, we still live proudly in America the Beautiful and always will, of that I am certain because those that want to divide us will fail.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Almost Nine Months In Office and Donald Trump Still Governs By Division and Dis-respect For The Presidency

The White House is a building where U.S. Presidents have served with dignity, honor and respect and through the years entertained Americans from all walks of life, is now a place occupied by a trumpet man who respects no one and lacks the basic values of civility.  The sickness that occupy the White House was born by an unstable person named Donald Trump.

The sickness is on-going in a deliberate scheme to destroy the fabric of America's democracy.  The trumpet man is a autocrat who believes in a one man dictatorial rule by trying to destroy people and our institutions by passing blame, personal attacks and division.  The news media has to be destroyed by autocratic rule to suppress the truth and that is what is behind the trumpet man's fake news.  He also likes to stir up a steady flow of accusations to keep the news media from reporting the trouble he is in and his failures as President.

U.S. Senator Bob Corker's recent comments that the White House operates like an adult day care center actually tells the story of a White House that is being transformed from a place of honor to a play thing toy for an autocrat.    The honor of the White House (which is the people's house) has to be destroyed so the autocrat can be given all the attention.

There is no real controversy concerning the NFL and the national anthem.  The controversy is between the trumpet man and freedom of speech and expression and his SOB remark.  It is another autocratic attempt in diverting attention of what the trumpet man is really up too.  We know he does not support veterans, especially those who were POW's like Senator John McCain because he told us he did not like people who get captured.  The trumpet man has no idea what veterans are all about.  But he did have the opportunity to be one since he was of prime age during his generations war.  It is just another scheme by an autocrat's talk like he supports veterans and then do everything to destroy America's institutions that veterans served to protect.

Donald Trump, the autocrat will make a serious attenpt to shut down the news media because the news media represents the first responders for the public to understand Donald Trump's desire for a totalitarian state.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Sense-less In America: Automatic Weapons In The Hands Of The Civilian Rank

Let me try and explain why automatic weapons and the means to modify a weapon into an automatic weapon ( called bump stock) should be banned.  In Combat, automatic weapons such as machine guns are the first weapon the infantry on the ground does its best to knock out.  Why?  Because of its fire power, an automatic weapon can pin down a whole company, stop its advances and inflict heavy casualties until it is knocked out.    If caught in the open like the people in Las Vegas, it can kill hundreds in less than a minute.

Banning automatic weapons is really a common sense thing and this writer believes if our forebears who wrote the second amendment were here today would say such a weapon have no place in civilian life.  Yes, innocent people who love guns and who would never use them to inflict harm on another person would have to do without.  But that happens in all walks of life in a civilized world where laws and regulations are what we live by.  Those of us who have any kind of insurance pay a higher rate for other people's accidents.  And higher taxes because taxes are not distributed fair and the list goes on and on.

The assault weapons ban put into place under the Clinton administration worked.  And it should never have been allowed to expire.  Australia passed a National Fire Arms agreement, a law banning automatic and semi automatic weapons after a mass shooting that killed 35 people in 1996.  The law included a buy back of such guns and more than 650,000 were bought back and destroyed by 2001 and there has not been a single mass shooting in the country since then.

America is a christian nation that prays, but prayers alone won't stop sense-less acts of mass murder when killing weapons can be acquired so easily.  The facts confirm that.  The NRA has managed to cancel out much prayer with their campaign contributions to enough members of congress who claim to offer prayers every time there is a mass shooting.

The time has come and in fact is over-due to knock out the automatic weapons that have pinned the country down far to long with its mass killings.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The U.S. Economy Lost 33,000 Net Jobs In September

The U.S. Labor Department announced that the U.S. economy lost 33,000 jobs in September.  That was the first negative jobs report since 2010 and ended the record of 83 straight months of positive job growth.  Unemployment came in at 4.2%.  The leisure and hospitality industry lost 111,000 jobs, the most since 1945.

One financial institution said the loss of jobs should be a temporary thing and some economist were expecting a job increase for September of 80.000 jobs even with hurricanes Irma and Harvey.  One month of negative job numbers standing alone is not a good measure as to where the economy is going or the ability of the economy to continue to create jobs.

But it is enough to call to mind that republican administrations have a poor record on the economy and job creation.  And Trump has yet to address the economy with any legislation, only his rhetoric and he has been in office over 8 months.   Another problem is Trumps recent executive order to undo parts of the ACA that he and his party failed to do through congressional actions.  It was pointed out by many economist long ago that the ACA created jobs.

The bottom line is the President is late in addressing the most important issue, the U.S. economy and jobs.  Every thing else flows from that and forms the basis of meeting the other challenges that face the country and its people.  President Obama faced a more difficult problem in his first 8 months in office and responded with policies that moved the country out of the great republican recession.

We will soon find out how concerned President Trump is with September's Job numbers.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Sean Payton Scores A Huge Touchdown With His Comment On President Trump

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton has a coaching problem but understands the fundamentals of being an American and living in a free country.  He also understands that Trump used the NFL and some players for political reasons when the trumpet man called players who take a knee during the playing of the national anthem SOB's.

But unlike Trump, Payton has a healthy respect for politics and knew Trump, being President of the United States took the Presidency to a new low with his SOB comment.  Payton responded by saying the office (Presidency) could use more wisdom and that the President's comments were divisive for the country. Payton's mind obviously is not all about football and understands that America has other challenges that need to be addressed including politics.

The trumpet man deserved those comments because they fit him perfectly.  The man who put his hand on the bible and swore to uphold and defend the constitution (and therefore the people's right that go with it) had to try and act tough by calling some players SOB's.  Payton as a football coach, displayed wisdom lacking in the trumpet man.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Louisiana's Republican Representative in The U.S. House Steve Scalise and The Fox News Network Deserve Each Other

Steve Scalise told the host of Fox that people should be praying for the people in Las Vegas instead of making a political statement about gun control.  But there was Scalise making his own political statement concerning gun control and the second amendment and revealing his hypocrisy.  Scalise, the self proclaimed conservative just don't understand real people can pray and at the same time express their opinion on a subject matter important to the country and its people.

Scalise went on to say he supports the 2nd. amendment and then followed the same theme the NRA preaches that people need guns to protect themselves and its the best answer to a bad guy with a gun.  Well there were more police officers with guns in Las Vegas on Sunday but they did not stop the murder of 59 people and the wounding of 500 more.  The ditto head story about a good guy with a gun is as phony as Scalise's position.

Scalise and the republican party are in the pockets of the NRA and the gun lobby and the contributions they receive from both groups tell the sad story.  It was the republican administration of George W. Bush that allowed the assault weapons ban to expire even though it did the job it was supposed to do.

At the time of the Las Vegas shooting the republican controlled House was taking up a NRA proposal to ease regulations on gun silencers.  A republican House panel handling the proposal backed the bill and lawmakers were expected to move ahead on the bill according to the Associated Press.  After the carnage in Las Vegas republican speaker of the House Paul Ryan announced there's no plan for the House to act on the NRA's sponsored bill soon.

Hillary Clinton spoke out about the bill  and said just think how many more might have been killed in Las Vegas if the shooter had a silencer.  Like automatic weapons silencers have no place in the hands of civilians.  Unless pressure is applied to elected officials, the GOP will surely bring up the NRA backed silencer bill at a later date.

As this writer has expressed in previous commentary, congress has to pass a ban on all automatic and semi automatic weapons.  Its the right thing to do under the circumstances.  Those weapons do not belong in the hands of civilians, not even hunters because hunting is a sport and those weapons take the sport out of the sport.  Steve Scalise and the republican party represents the NRA and the gun lobby and not the safety of the American people.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio