Nancy Pelosi: A Leader In The Democratic Party

Democratic representative in the U.S. House Nancy Pelosi is a leader and public servant who knows how to accomplish things for the country and its people.  She has served in the capacity as Speaker of The House in the past and played a key role in passing legislation when the democratic party controlled both houses of congress during President Obama's first two years in office.  Those two years produced the legislation that moved the country out of the republicans 2008 economic recession and reversed the record job losses.

Those two years also produced regulations to reform the Wall Street banks that played a role in the financial collapse of 2008, approved legislation that created the Affordable Care Act and other legislation important to the country.  Pelosi has the political understanding necessary to be pragmatic, bipartisan and is well aware what really matters and makes a difference for the average American.

Trump, the GOP and the conservative news media dislike Pelosi because she is an effective leader and knows more about issues than they do.  So now that the democrats won back the House they are trying their best to describe Pelosi as being in trouble to return as Speaker.  The republican drum beat against her will continue no matter what.  Pelosi will continue to be a productive elected official regardless what happens with the speakership because her cause is to serve.

When the democratic party takes control of the House in January, Trump and the GOP would do well to listen to the issues the democrats will talk about and propose because it will be progressive issues that have to do with moving the country and its people forward that has been neglected by the President and his party the last two years.  And Nancy Pelosi is the best democratic to lead the party.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Corporate Welfare: Nocking On The Door Once Again Of New Orleans and The State

The new Convention Center Hotel that developers would like to build next to and connected to the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans is in the news.  The Times Picayune carried the story and a large ad and a picture of what the development would look like.  Some information given in the TP story and ad about the development are as follows:  Dallas based Matthews Southwest Hospitality are the developers of the $558 million addition.  The 1200 room hotel would have a $282 million impact on the local economy, $18 million in new city taxes and $6 million in state taxes annually and 1900 new permanent jobs.  The hotel would stimulate economic activity and be the center point of a fabulous new entertainment district that will include residential, retail, dining and entertainment venues, creating a dynamic destination.

The hotel would rely heavily on subsidies that would need state and city approval.  The need for public support has been questioned by Mayor Cantrell and the Bureau of Governmental Research.  With such a rosy picture painted in the TP this writer questions why the project needs public support. (Corporate Welfare)  Should not the developers be responsible for the full cost of the project?  An if public support is given by the state and the city how much a loss in city and state taxes will that cost?  The Trump-GOP tax cuts gave the developers a 14% reduction in their corporate income tax.  The business community always wants more at the expense of the cities and states and the people.

The state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans needs all the tax revenue it is due.  We are at the bottom of the scale in many areas of need and it is time and good business for the state and city to obtain the proper financial return from business who want to move here and take advantage of what the state and city has to offer and that is much more than corporate welfare.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio