The Congressional Budget Office Report On The American Health Care Act Throws A Curve At The Health Care Plan Of The Republican Controlled U.S. Senate

The CBO's report that destroys the U.S. House passed American Health Care Act allows the American people to see just how phony Trump and the republican party are on health care and has thrown the republican controlled Senate a curve on trying to reconcile their plan with the House plan.  And to make matters worse a few republican Senators are complaining that the Senate has no say and that certain Senators are working to craft a bill by speaking with only a few factions in the Senate.  In other words there is no real debate going on in the Senate.

That is what the House did, there was no debate, only conversations with certain House groups to gain their support to pass a bill that turned out to be a ploy and a scheme.  It is easy to recognize that Trump and the republican controlled congress is bad at governing and even worse at being transparent when their own party does not even allow for a full debate on health care reform.  The issue is well past the lies of the last seven years that they had a plan already worked out to repeal and replace the ACA.

It was a different story when President Obama and the democratic controlled congress passed the ACA.  Hundreds of private and public hearings were held to debate the issue.  The public, elected officials, business, the insurance industry, the health care industry, state officials and other interested in health care reform had an opportunity to provide their opinions, thoughts and recommendations.  It was a transparent time.  The republican response was lies about "death panels" that never existed and urging fellow republican governors not to establish insurance outlets in their states to enroll those who wanted to participate in the ACA in order to divide the people.  President Obama and the democratic controlled congress showed leadership on health care reform.

The republican controlled Senate has an opportunity now to show leadership, reject the House passed version of the AHCA and make the necessary changes and improvements to the ACA.  It would be much better to do that than repeal the ACA that has insured over 20,000,000 people.  So what if its Hillary Clinton's plan.  It will be an American plan that works.  Trump and the U.S. House had their chance and failed the test.  And sooner or later the republican party will have to reject Donald Trump and move past his Presidency.  This writer believes the sooner, the better.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Louisiana's Republican Controlled State Legislature: A Failed Governing Body

The republican controlled state legislature will complete its regular legislative session soon and when they do, Louisiana's future budget, which begins July 1 will repeat the same mistakes of the failed past.  The budget will not be balanced once again except by rhetoric and another special session will have to be called to deal with the same fiscal problems of the last nine years.

The legislature has failed to implement most of Governor Edwards proposals and in some instances never even took up his recommendations.  And to top it off they have no real solutions to offer themselves.  The problem is the same, a lack of state revenue needed to service the states obligations, made possible by an unfair tax code in favor of the business community and special interest.  The $8 billion plus each year in tax breaks to business is a major reason why state revenue is needed.  In addition, everyone is not paying their fair share of tax because of an out dated taxing system.  Even the poor should pay their fair share as this writer has commented on in previous commentary many times and the reasons why.

The constant excuse that the budget needs to be cut to be in balance is hogwash and a fairy tale by conservatives who control the legislature and others.  The fact is the legislature has cut the budget over the years and still could not balance it. The state budget for fiscal 2007/2008 was $34.3 billion.  The budget for fiscal 2012/2013 was $25.5 billion, a budget reduction of $8.8 billion  and the budget has stayed in the $25 billion range for the past several years.  Yet with all the cuts the state still can not balance its budgets.  And now to top it off the legislature just announced the other day the state faces a $1.3 billion deficit next July 1,2018 when the sales tax that passed last year ends.  The people should also keep in mind that while the budget had been cut the past several years the legislature was also giving away more tax breaks to business.

Louisiana needs billions of dollars for repairs to the state's infrastructure as reported but does not have the needed revenue source to do the work.  Other states have increased the gasoline tax to fund their infrastructure work and when one leaves Louisiana by auto you can see the results with clear eyes.  Louisiana, like all states has lost sales tax revenue to internet purchases that have not been replaced.  In a Times Picayune article in December 2015, it pointed out that the state lost $800 million in sales taxes to internet purchases in 2014.

No one likes to pay taxes and if the burden was spread out fairly across the board, including business, a person's tax liability could be better absorbed and less of a burden.  This writer is talking about all forms of taxes being fair and not just income taxes.  Economically, Louisiana is doing a lot worse than the national economy and many other states.  Job creation and the unemployment rate is lagging behind the national economic recovery.  How can that be in Louisiana with the $8 billion plus handed out to business in tax breaks when they say that is needed to create jobs?  Where are all the jobs?

The voters in Louisiana have bought into the conservative republican repeated lies of trickle down economics and corporate welfare and their legislators have carried out the failed fairy tale to no where but fiscal disaster with the state budget.  They failed to act in the last two special sessions called by governor Edwards and in all probability, fail in the next special session the governor will call.  And for the inaction by the republican controlled legislature, the future continues to look like the failed past.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Trump - Russian Connections and The Latest Disclosures Are A Reminder of Hillary Clinton's Warnings.

Every day it is a new disclosure of Trump's people working with the Russians during the campaign and even after the election was over.  People who were not employed by the government and therefore not authorized to make deals with America's adversaries.  Now the latest is the President's son in law Jared Kushner who was reported to have discussed with the Russian ambassador the possibility of setting up a secret back channel between the President and Russia.

Jared Kushner is a personal adviser to the President, sits in on important mettings with foreign leaders and has not divested himself of his business as Trump has not.  It is known that Russia has invested money in the Trump family business, yet Trump refuses to cut that cord.  He also still refuses to make his tax returns public because he has plenty to hide.  In the mean time America's political institutions, especially the Presidency, continues to be exposed to the corrupt business life style of Mr. Trump.  This writer predicted in a previous commentary that the Trump -  Russia thing would get worse and that there would be more to come.

There has been more than one report linking some of Trump's close advisers leaking information to the news media because they are shocked at Trump's behavior.  As a result it was suggested that Trump would make big time changes to his staff and advisers when he returns from his trip abroad.  Trumps open criticism of many on his staff has taking its toll.  The President has been so tied down by his own political rhetoric, there are hundred of government positions open that have yet to be filled by Trump.

Hillary Clinton tried to warn the voters about the dangers a President Trump would bring to the White House, the Presidency and the country.  And those dangers are in full view for all to see.  This writer believes a special investigator was named to run the FBI's investigation not because Trump fired former FBI director Comey, but was named because the FBI has the information necessary to make a case of collusion between Trump's people and Russia.  The handwriting on the wall will become clearer as time goes on and the revelations just in the last two weeks are a good example.

The President is so wrapped up in scandal he allowed his budget to be sent to congress while he is out of the country and can not answer questions.  And the budget presented is a budget that goes no where.  President Trump promised the American people much progress in his first 100 days in office and failed big time.  Trump also failed to live up to his bragging of being a good manager who knows how to select quality people.  The Trump - Russia affair is a serious breach of political conduct that took place with a hostile country.  In other words, Trump allowed his people to give Russia priority over our long standing relationship with our supporting allies.

And yes, Hillary Clinton is still a better woman than Trump is a man and Clinton never gave classified intelligence to Russia or any other United States adversary.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

LSU's Kramer Robertson and His Sour Grape Comments

A story in the sports section of the New Orleans Advocate dated 5/22/17 by Luke Johnson, aired a comments by LSU shortstop Kramer Robertson who was critical of some LSU fans comments concerning how the LSU baseball team was playing earlier in the year.  Kramer was up set about those comments and took it personal.  Kramer was quoted as saying, THERE's NOT MANY THINGS THAT FEEL BETTER THAN WHEN YOU CAN PROVE PEOPLE WRONG.  A LOT OF PEOPLE WROTE US OFF, SAID WE WERE UNDER ACHIEVERS, WHATEVER

Kramer made those comments after LSU started playing better and were sour grapes.  Comments by the fans were made while LSU was not playing well and the team was not living up to its own set standards of success.  (Perhaps the fans comments helped turn things around)  When Kentucky took 2 out of 3 from LSU earlier in the year Paul Mainieri started to catch flax from the fans who questioned his handling of pitching changes and a lack of hitting and leaving so many men on base.  Mainieri then got defensive with the self serving statement that he was proud how LSU in the past turned things around in the second half of the season.  Then two LSU sports writers chipped in with their support for Mainieri's statement by repeating the same thing.

What was lacking from Mainieri's statement was that the post season is part of the second half of the season and LSU has not played well in the post season for the last several years.  And when you couple that with not playing well in the first part of the season that is an indication LSU baseball is at a standstill.  Remember, for the past several years LSU has not played up to the standard they themselves set for the team.  The fans do not play the game or set the standards.

That takes us to the present season where once again it was LSU who talked about their senior talent and the talent of the team and their lofty goals.  Based on what this writer knows about baseball and LSU I wrote a commentary published in March outlining the areas of LSU's needs that have to be fulfilled for the team to improve and move beyond their failures in the past that took place in the post season.  And I can report that in the last 3 weeks LSU has lived up to and executed the needs I reported on in my March commentary.  It is also another first for "PolitiDose."  Other sports writers just go with the flow of cliches and hype.

The fans will also find out in the next week or so if LSU can continue their improved play in the post season.  It would be nice if Kramer Robertson could say LSU lived up to its own predictions.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

The Fall Of Cable's Fox News

It was bound to happen sooner of later.  The latest prime time ratings for the cable news, shows MSNBC and CNN ahead of Fox who in the past dominated the ratings.  The O'Reilly Factor is no more and the Kelly File is long gone.  Both were tops in the ratings  in their time slot.

The pundits are all over the lot with excuses as to why the hard fall for Fox.  This writer thinks a number of things have taken place that has allowed Fox's followers to stop making excuses for themselves.  The management at Fox took sex to the next level in TV broadcasting that came to a head with out of court settlements  for alleged sexual harassment by several Fox employees.  The settlements could no longer be overlooked by Fox's audience.  It hit home and was the culmination of the conservative nature of the network with their out right lies about almost everything deemed not to be conservative.  The network's embrace of Trump and his lies could no longer be over looked.  It became time for Fox's audience to jump ship.

MSNBC hired Megan Kelly and George Will from Fox to add a conservative spin on their network.  They think they can now say MSNBC is fair and balanced, which of course is a fairy tale.  What is really needed on Cable TV since they fill up so much air time is a knowledge of the subject matter they talk about along with the facts.  If they are true in that regard they are already fair and balanced.

Fox has been a destructive force in broadcasting because their s.o.p. is a belief in ideology and division.  Sooner or later facts will prevail but much destruction will take place before eyes are opened.  We see the same thing taking place with the Trump administration.  His supporters still adore him even though he is a tainted President with a destructive behavior.  How long will it take for his supporters to say enough is enough?  Time will tell but it would be better sooner rather than later.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

WVUE Fox News 8

The stations latest expose "Cracking the Code" concerning health care billing and cost is nothing new and the story will not change a thing.  A similar story on campaign contributions to Louisiana elected officials a year or so ago did not change a thing that people already knew.

As far as "Cracking the Code" and billing information and cost for health care that is being reported do not look for any change because the health care industry and the insurance industry are a monopoly.  And whether one wants to believe it or not the ACA was the first real step to bring some measure of control to the status quo.  That is one reason the republicans opposed it from day one.  They knew it would work and it has been working.  The republicans real aim is to return health care control back to the insurance companies.  That is why the republicans plan is nothing but a scheme and a scam.  More and more every day the country is starting to understand that when it comes to health care reform Hillary Clinton's had the best answer and plan.  Improve on the ACA by making it better and correct any deficiencies.

Campaign contributions to elected officials will continue to be a scab that covers special interest as long as the donors are given a free ride and only the politicians are blamed.  As this writer said many times over, those who dole out the money should be held accountable because with out their money there would be no special interest groups.  Those who dole out the money have a good laugh every time a politician is blamed because it leaves the money people out of the conversation.  The result is the money people do not feel guilty at all because the spot light is not on their corrupt business practice.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Michael Flynn: The Rosetta Stone To The Russian - Trump Affair

Former national security adviser to President Trump, Michael Flynn is the key to unlock the real story of the Trump campaign's dealing with representatives of Russia.  And what we know so far indicate Trump knew what was taking place.  Flynn nor any one else connected to the Trump campaign would have taken on such a risk with out Trump's approval or nod.

Our intelligence community knows Flynn discussed the sanctions against Russia made possible by President Obama's orders for Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential elections.  It is also known that Flynn hinted that a President Trump could reverse those sanctions or cancel them.  When questioned, Flynn said he had no recollection of sanctions being discussed at those meetings.  And we also know that statement was false.  Flynn also failed to register as a foreign agent that was paid by foreign governments.

Michael Flynn was director of the U. S. Military Intelligence and was removed from that office by President Obama and as reported, warned President Trump about hiring Flynn.  And we know as fact that Trump waited at least 17 days to fire Flynn after the allegations started coming out.  Flynn was hostile towards Hillary Clinton during the campaign and opposed President Obama's policies, especially when it came to ISIS.

Trump knows what Flynn knows and asked former FBI director Comey to shut his investigation down concerning Flynn.  Trump continues to repeat that Flynn is a good man and even suggested that Flynn be given immunity to testify.  The latest Trump rant to try and deflect the truth is calling the FBI investigation the worse "Witch Hunt" ever in politics.  He is starting to feel the heat and will continue to lash out at anyone.  The issue is beginning to snow ball and this writer believes more damaging information will continue to surface.

John Dean's testimony blew open Watergate that led to President Nixon's resignation.  Michael Flynn's testimony under oath could do the same thing to the Trump - Russian affair and cause Trump to leave office early in his first term.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Majority of The Voting Public Understood Why Donald Trump Should Not Be President of The United States

Last November a majority of voters, 54% cast their ballots for President for someone other than Donald Trump.  48% voted for Clinton, 46% voter for Trump and 6% voted for other candidates on the ballot.  And today, 4 months after taking office President Trump and his administration continue to show why the 54% made the right choice.  And this week and last week revelations have brought the President to a new low.

The 54 percent were not foolish enough to believe candidate Trump would change if he won the election.  What Trump said during the campaign was the clue to what Trump was all about.  A corrupt business attitude, a willingness to enjoy putting every one down and a person with no knowledge how government works nor any respect for America's institutions or the democratic process.  A childish mind with a short mental span and inability to process his own pronouncements.  Trump's lack of knowledge about the subject matter he speaks on is astounding.

Now, four months after taking office a few conservative writers are starting to proclaim they now see what the 54% saw and understood during the campaign.  The most recent was by conservative David Brooks in a opinion column  dated 5/17/17 in the Times Picayune titled, "When the world is led by a child."  Brooks says immaturity is becoming the dominate note of his Presidency among other unflattering descriptions of Trump.  Of course, Brooks during the campaign could not bring himself to write about Clinton being the best candidate.  In fact Brooks was ready and willing to print any thing Trump said about Clinton, even the personal attacks.

Some in the conservative media are now  writing and criticizing Trump for giving classified information to Russia.  But have let the Trump - Russian thing slide since day one.  What should have been upsetting to them was when Trump asked Russia to hack Clinton's emails for political purposes.  Adding to that we now are told that Trump asked former FBI director Comey to let go of his investigation of Trump's former national security advise Michael Flynn's ties to Russia.  Trump also said the FBI investigation  of Russia - Trump connection was a witch hunt fabricated by the democrats.

The 54% had no ax to grind when they cast their votes.  They looked at the candidates and understood clearly what was at stake and voted accordingly.  Hillary Clinton was indeed the best candidate and Trump's actions continue to prove that every day.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio










 

Coastal Erosion and The Loss Of Wetlands In Louisiana

In the past few months there has been a lot of talk about the subject matter, how much it will cost to prevent more damage and a 50 year plan to do so, including the rebuilding of some areas.  The federal government will provide some major funding for the long range problem.  But the alarm has been sounded, Louisiana needs to start now and can not afford to delay.

But what is missing from the plans and the conversation is a disregard to hold the oil industry responsible for their portion of the damage.  In fact our elected officials who are responsible to see the program through have let the industry out of the loop and off the hook.  It is past time for the industry to be a party to any such plan to repair the environmental damage they helped create.  The idea that they should be given a free pass because they impact the economy is a cop out.  Louisiana should not be in the business of cuddling an industry that proves every day they care nothing for Louisiana's environment, only their own profits.

The governor, the legislature and all involved in this project should demand the oil industry join in the plan and pay their fair share of the damage they caused or take them to court immediately.  The state could also suspend any new drilling permits or leases unless they do.  Bob Marshall, former outdoors editor for the Times Picayune and former environmental reporter for the Lens wrote an opinion column in Sunday's Times Picayune of May 14 and listed approximately 16 proposals that had to do with the environment that Louisiana's republican elected officials opposed any attempt by congress to regulate emissions and other regulations that would be helpful to the environment on a consistent basis.    It was not the first commentary by Marshall concerning the relationship of Louisiana's republicans and the industry working together to kill proposed legislation to protect Louisiana's environment.

Former Louisiana Republican Governor David Treen had a plan he called CWEL (Coastal Wetlands Environmental Levy) to deal with the problem of coastal erosion and the loss of wetlands caused by the Oil industry's operation.  That was the subject of this writers commentary in 2010 and several other commentaries here in PolitiDose.  If the state legislature would have acted on CWEL when Treen proposed it Louisiana would be years ahead in collecting revenue for the restoration and actual work but Louisiana's elected officials in the legislature supported the oil industry's position of opposition and the issue died.

Governor Treen was a conservative and understood the problem many years ago and proposed a common sense solution.  He was not a believer of ideology.  Louisiana's elected officials should be ashamed of their neglect concerning the environment and their alliance with the oil industry on such an important issue.  The news media in Louisiana has forgotten all about CWEL but PolitiDose has been on the subject matter for a long time.  Yes CWEL was and still is a good proposal and would have put the burden of funding where it should have been all along.  

Note:  See commentary dated 5/10/10 titled, IT IS TIME FOR THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE TO ACT ON CWEL.    Governor Treen's letter on CWEL that was published in the Times on 3/9/09 was re-produced in the commentary and can be read along.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Trumps Firing Of FBI Director James Comey

It follows the script of former President Richard Nixon's actions when he fired the special prosecutor during the investigation of "Watergate" and then led to Nixon's resignation from office.  The leaders of the republican party in congress at the time told Nixon he would have to resign or face impeachment.  The President decided to resign and spare the people.  The republicans serving in congress at the time had character and courage to face down the President of the United States in order to support our institutions of government and confirm no one is above the law.

Now flash forward to 2017 when Trump fired FBI director Comey.  The republican leaders in congress supported his decision even though Trump used some nasty remarks about the man he fired.  Trump even suggested the Russian investigation by the FBI should be shut down.  It was obvious to this writer the firing took place to side track and break up the investigation.  Trumps first national security adviser Michael Flynn who he later fired was dealing with Russian foreign minister during the campaign and Trump knew it.  

The belated firing of Flynn came about 16 days after Trump knew he lied.  

An independent FBI has to complete its investigation of Trump's involvement with Russia and how deep the roots really are.  The President seems to be in a cover up mode and every day since the firing of Comey has said something to try and discredit him and the investigation.  The republicans in congress need to step up to the plate and find the character and courage to put the President on notice that he has to resign.  They also have to see to it that the investigations are complete, unimpeded and make sure their voices are heard loud and clear that no one is above the law.  Not even President Donald Trump.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The City of New Orleans and Its Monuments

The City's decision to remove four Civil War era monuments from its present locations to a new unknown location has divided the people so it would seem from some news media reports.  This writer disagrees with that assessment and many of the comments made by both the news media and some of the people.

Comments that more notice should have been given to the public is silly.  The Mayor, City Council, the city' two newspaper, radio and television have been talking to the public about it for a very long time.  Any thing to do with the Civil War and or Confederacy, regardless of the subject matter will bring about different feelings from different people and different people that will never be reconciled.

Contrary to some people's suggestion that removing the monuments is trying to change the Civil War history is nonsense.  The history of the Civil War has already been recorded.  And the nasty things that were said about the monuments being removed at night with out notifying the public was off base.   The Mayor gave the reasons why.  It was to protect the contractor and the workers who received threats.  That was also reported by the news media.  It was not a secret.

The monument removal will not divide the city any more than usual.  Division is usually the result of a lack of information, understanding and a belief that the I in all of us is always right.  And there are always opinion writers in the news media and or talk shows that leave out facts in their opinions.  

Mayor Landrieu ran on the theme, ONE CITY, ONE VOICE, ONE FIGHT, ONE TEAM.  This writer believes the Mayor has been loyal to that theme.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

The U.S. Economy and Job Creation

The U.S. Labor Department reported the economy created 211,000 jobs in April and the unemployment rate came in at 4.4%.  It was the 79th straight month of positive job creation that started with the economic policies of former President Obama.  The Federal Reserve  reported that the economy continues on a steady pace.

President Trump has yet to introduce his jobs program of rebuilding and repair of the nations infrastructure even though he said it was a priority.  On the other hand, Clinton said if elected  it would be her first order of business.  The latest report on Trumps plan would be a $1 trillion project financed by private and government money.  The federal government would put up $200 billion and the private sector would be responsible for $800 billion.  In return the private sector (Corporate America) would receive tax breaks in return.

The democrats will introduce their own $1 trillion jobs plan to be paid for by the elimination of the special tax breaks given out to special interest.  The democratic plan would not increase the federal deficit.  The Trump plan would and also increase the national debt.  The private part of the funding would not be a sure thing and lacks a certain flow of capitol over this long process.  The state of Texas has already rejected private financing for their own states financing for their infrastructure.  Government financing has always worked best when the federal government was involved in past projects such as this.  It insures a continued funding which allows contractors the planning time needed and the knowledge that there will be work tomorrow for their operations and people.

The republicans in congress failed to move President Obama's plan early on in his administration even though the CBO indicated it would have created one million new jobs in the first year.  The republicans stood faithful to their pledge of doing nothing to help the President.  So now, congress is back to square one while the nations infrastructure continues to decay.  The legislation is important and the democrats are eager to see its passage so new jobs can be created to keep the economy growing and keep America working.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

George Will, Conservative Columnist and Opinion Writer Breaks Away From His Ditto Head Colleges.

George Will, long time republican conservative opinion writer for the Washington Post and a contributor on the Fox News Network for several years wrote a telling article on President Trump published on May 3.  Will's commentary titled, "Trump Has a Dangerous Disability" breaks with the usual conservative commentary that tries to justify Trumps repeated lies and fake news.

Will makes the following statement in his by-line.  PEOPLE MUST LET THEIR REPRESENTATIVES KNOW JUST HOW DANGEROUS THIS MAN IS.  That is a devastating statement and condemnation of the President from a man who in the past has supported republicans all the way.  Will also says in his very first sentence:  IT IS URGENT FOR AMERICANS TO THINK AND SPEAK CLEARLY ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP"S INABILITY TO DO EITHER.

The commentary also takes Trump to task about his pronouncements on Andrew Jackson and the Civil War which began 16 years after Jackson's death.  Will knew just how incompetent Trump was on the matter.  Tim Morris, ditto head conservative opinion writer for the Times Picayune wrote a column on the matter dated May 3 titled, "Donald Trump is right about Andrew Jackson."  Morris displayed his ditto head willingness as usual to spin and justify Trump's fake news.  The opinion was a sham to deliver what President Trump could not.

George Will is more than just a writer.  He knows history and appreciates good governing and intelligence.  This writer has disagreed with some of his writings in the past but he understands just how damaging President Trump is to our system of government and to the country and its people.  He also understands Trump can not be trusted.  This is one commentary that Will has written void of ideology.  It was all about putting our counrty first.  George Will stood tall with his American commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Tim Morris Continues On His Conservative Merry-Go-Round.

President Trump and the republican party's repeated lies about the ACA and their own health care plan give conservative opinion writers like Morris fits in their attempt to keep justifying and explaining where the President and the party stands.  It has become a regular merry-go-round.

Morris's opinion column in the Times Picayune of May 7 titled, "Now its time for the Senate to save the health care overhaul" was a good try to cover all the bases.  He finally acknowledged the health care plan passed by the republican controlled House last Thursday was an attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare in the worst way and that is pretty much what they did.  The House proposal was about taking down Obamacare and the plan did not meet Trump's campaign pledge of  (1) That no one would lose insurance, (2) Medicaid will not be cut and (3) no one will be worst off financially.  (We will come back to that later)

Morris dabbled with fake news in his column when he said, "that people dislike the democrats ACA.  Actually, the latest poll shows 62% approve of the ACA.  He also thinks the Senate will do a better job when they take up the health care issue and keep Trump's campaign pledge.  Morris says Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is fast becoming a leader on health care but Cassidy supports the same problem as the HOuse with pre-existing conditions being turned over to the states to implement and finance.  Republican Governor of Ohio John Kasich said that was laughable and would not work.

The column is a contradiction and with out realizing it, Morris makes the case for keeping the ACA because it is working.  He makes this statement, "Whatever problems existed in Obamacare could have been addressed in changes without the need for complete repeal."  Of course that was Hillary Clinton's proposal during the campaign to make changes where needed and make the ACA better.  Morris being an opinion writer knew Clinton's position very well but would never give her the credit due.  Then in another paragraph Morris tells us the Senate plan can focus on REPLACING the ACA with something that keeps Trump's campaign pledge.

Morris also has a problem in his column about Trump's campaign pledge on health care.  He forgot to mention that Trump disregarded the pledge himself when he urged the House to pass their health care plan even though he knew the plan did not even address his pledge.  It was pure fraud.  Trump also failed to produce his own health care plan that he said he had during the campaign and then after being elected President said he would introduce his plan in early March.  But it never happened.  Fake news and lies are the real story behind Trump and the republicans health care pronouncements.

The ACA has all the safe guards that Trump pledged and much more,  ditto pre-existing conditions, ditto Medicaid expansion for the states, non discrimination in premiums, has insured over 15,000,000 Americans and still counting, has become an economic engine as reported just in the last week and so many other positive advantages.  Hillary Clinton had the right approach during the campaign but the republicans and Trump calculated that the lies and fake news about her emails would make better copy.

Next to Morris's opinion column was a picture of Trump, Paul Ryan and Steve Scalise standing together in the Rose Garden celebrating the House passage of their health care plan with a big smile and gloating.  They celebrated the passage of a bill that did nothing to address a problem that they themselves said existed.  It is a picture of a President, a Speaker of the House and the House Whip.  ALL POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY AND LEADERSHIP WHO FAILED BIG TIME TO LEAD AND GOVERN.  The country and its people deserve better.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Louisiana's U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy and Health Care: A Never Ending Circus

After the republican controlled U.S. House vote to repeal and replace the ACA with their own American Health Care Act (AHCA) Louisiana's U.S.  Senator Bill Cassidy, who is also a doctor was quoted as saying the republican bill was dead on arrival when it reaches the Senate.  He said the Senate would take its time to craft its own health legislation.  Of course, Cassidy is on record as saying he and his Senate colleges already had a health care plan ready years ago.

Cassidy is one of the many ditto head republicans who have been lying about the cost of the ACA and its predicted failure.  They are against any thing passed by the Obama administration that works for the people and the country and are so immature and jealous they can not bring themselves to say any thing positive about the ACA.  Cassidy had his chance just recently concerning a comment made by TV Host Jimmy Kimmel.

Kimmel told the story how his son was born with a heart condition and in need of much health care and treatment and how greatly that would affect a family's ability to pay if pre-existing conditions were not covered fully by health insurance which is the case with the republicans AHCA they just passed.   It was a common sense explanation as to why pre-existing condition coverage was necessary in any health plan.  Cassidy told a CNN host that Kimmel's rule would have to be met for him to support the republican health plan.  Cassidy could not bring himself to say that the ACA covers pre existing conditions and from day one and that is what he supports.  The ditto head republicans have vowed not to mention any positive part of the ACA in public.  It should be noted that Cassidy says he supports pre existing conditions but would turn it over to the states to implement as they see fit.  That is no guarantee and should be rejected.

This writer can select any doctor he wants too under his insurance coverage and surely would not select Senator (doctor) Cassidy or any of the other republican doctors in congress who are playing political football with health care based on ideology.  Mary Landrieu, the people of Louisiana and the nation miss your service and your ability to see clearly on the important issues that the people face concerning health care.


 This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The U.S. Senate Passes a $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill

The republican controlled Senate passed the bill by a vote of 79 - 18 which will keep the government running thru Sept. 30, the end of this fiscal year which actually ends President Obama's last fiscal year.  The legislation eliminated funding for several items Trump wanted and asked for including money to build the WALL which set off angry tweets from Trump (what else is new?) before the vote was even taken.

Trump was also peeved because the bill rejected several cuts Trump wanted and he reacted by saying the government needs a good shut down in September when the spending bill expires.  He also said the Senate should go back to the majority vote of 51 instead of the normal 60 votes needed to pass legislation.  The republicans have only 52 votes they control and Trump knows the democrats vote is necessary for passing his agenda.

The bill also approved $1.5 billion in emergency spending for border security that the democrats pushed for and that the senate agreed with.  The irony of this item those who follow politics will recall was in the democratic controlled senate bill on immigration reform that was passed in 2013 by the democratic controlled senate only to die in the republican controlled house at the time without even a hearing.  The democratic influence on this bill was noticeable.

The tea party republican representative Dave Brat said the legislation was a win for the democrats and loss for conservatives.  There goes that word again, "conservative" the ugly un-American ideology.  For them its ideology first, for democrats its America and its people first and that is who benefits the most from the bill.

And of course, Trump, the little boy President could not get his way so he talked about shutting down the government in September, something the republican party likes to do.  Yes every day the President's actions tell us Hillary Clinton is a better woman than Trump is a man.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Trump and The U.S. House of Representatives: The Clowns In Charge of Governing.

The republican controlled House at the urging of President Trump passed their American Health Care Act to repeal and replace the ACA and in doing so placed in jeopardy millions of Americans who will lose their insurance or will not be insured, and or lose the advantages of their present coverage under the ACA if the House's action ever becomes law.

Trump and the House made several changes to satisfy enough republicans to vote for the bill.  Twenty republicans voted against the bill as did all democrats.  All of Louisiana's republican reps in the House voted for the sorry bill.  It was a vote to pass just any thing and Trump and his co-horts gloated and bragged at a press conference after the vote proving they could care less about the health care of the people and  in their own inability to govern.  The vote was another act of regressive legislation by a President and one House of congress that displayed their anti-American attitude for all to see.

The Huffington Post reported members of the news media asked several republicans to explain what the bill contained or the effects of the bill and could not answer.  One would think after saying they had a plan for the last seven years they would know at least a little about the contents of the bill.  The CBO has not issued their opinion concerning the effects of this latest bill but will do so in due time.  Usually congress waits to hear what the CBO says about a proposal before they actually vote but the rush to judgement was more important to the republicans.

The bill now goes to the republican controlled U.S. Senate for their action.  They have enough votes to pass a bill on their own with out democratic support and reports are telling of the Senate coming up with their own version of health care to repeal and replace the ACA.  But they too in the Senate have the same problems as the House and want to pass something.

Every day President Trump and his party show their lack of respect for the people and the institutions of government by their own words and deeds.  And using health care as a political football is about as low as one can stoop.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio



 

One Hundred Days of Regression

This writer's commentary early on questioned whether President Trump's policies would move the country and its people forward and improve and or expand the positive accomplishments of President Obama's administration or would the President adopt a policy of regression.  The first 100 days of the Trump administration tells us the answer is the latter one.

The only legislative success was the confirmation of Trumps supreme court pick and he and the party choose the nuclear option instead of the 60 vote rule previously used by the U.S. Senate for many years.  It was a sad decision and a cowardly act by the President and the republican controlled senate who failed to give President Obama's supreme court nominee even a hearing.  That regressive act will lead to future trouble to our system of government that Trump and the republicans hate when they can not get their way.

Trump's many executive orders reversed many of the safe guards in place concerning business regulations and the environment and are regressive.  Those regulations did not handicap the business world under the Obama administration whose policies brought the country out of the great republican recession, created jobs, lowered the unemployment rate, reduced deficit spending and insured over 15 million Americans who had no health insurance.

The most recent reversal on offshore drilling regulations are the most regressive of all and Louisiana's representatives in congress are silent.  They have already forgotten the BP oil explosion and spill in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 rig workers and the billions in damage to the environment, people and business.  Like wise, they have also forgotten the trial produced evidence of regulations being violated and profit being put ahead of safety.  Thank the good Lord President Obama was in office and held those accountable for their actions.

Trumps on going feud with the media and science, his constant lies and conflict of interest are all regressive.  The repeal and replacement effort concerning the ACA has been a fraud from the very beginning and a scheme that will not be effective or affordable as the ACA if passed.  And of course, their is Trump and his divisive attitude toward America.

David Gergen, republican journalist, adviser to several Presidents and a regular commentator on CNN said that Trump's speech in Penn.  on Saturday was so divisive that it was the most divisive one of any President he could remember.  A true statement but just a little too late.  As President, Trump is still the same candidate Trump who was divisive during the whole campaign.  In fact Gergen and most conservative journalists supported Trump during the campaign even though sometimes silently and this writer believes they voted for him which was their choice.  But its sour grapes on the part of those conservative journalists who now try and say they thought Trump would change after being elected President.  Give me a break.

The country and its people made progress during the Clinton administration, regressed during the George W. Bush administration, progressed during the Obama administration and now regressed in the first 100 days of the Trump administration.  Does the future of the Trump administration based on his first 100 days tell us that the future will be like the failed republican past?  Will history repeat itself as it so often has?  6000 years ago, the very first civilization on earth, that of the Sumerians taught that a failure to learn from the mistakes of the past, will bring about a future like the failed past.

We in the United States and other parts of the world have already seen a future like the past, but we mortals are not fated to fail, we have what it takes to make things better for the future.  We can make our fate what ever we want, destiny has no role in that decision because we are only destined to die.  Our fate is in our own hands.  Trump's lifestyle and the republican's ideology is what stands in the way of a great future for our country and its people.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio