Another Non-Competative Regular Season In The NFL Comes To An End.

There are 32 NFL teams in the NFL and at the end of the 2019 regular season, only 13 teams had a winning record.  It follows the same pattern as past seasons and there is no let up in sight.  There are just too many poor teams and too many poor coaches and not enough quality players to stock 32 teams.  The college draft  will never bring parity to the league as the NFL and owners declared when the draft was put in place, and it never will under the present set up.

Four of the eight divisions have only one team with a winning record.  The north and west division in the American conference and the south and east in the national conference.  The NFC west is the most competitive division with three teams with a winning record.  The Saints are the only team with a winning record in their division and the Saints beat only four teams with a winning record in 2019, Houston, Tennessee, Philadelphia and Seattle.  Yet, all the New Orleans sports writers want to talk about and report on are Brees's personal records.

And the NFL's playoff system contributes to the non-competitive state of the league by allowing teams who have won nothing after a 16 game schedule be chosen for the playoffs and a opportunity to play for the world championship without accomplishing anything during the regular 16 game season.  The NFL is a disaster but the money keeps flowing in to the NFL, the owners and the players.  And of course you have states like Louisiana who continue to give corporate welfare to the wealthy owners like the owners of the New Orleans Saints.

A competitive NFL???       It does not exist.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Louisiana's GOP Controlled State Legislature At It Again With Tort Reform For New Limits On Lawsuits.

A news item in the New Orleans Advocate of December 27  has republican state representative Sherman Mack saying, "CIVIL LITIGATION CHANGES WILL BE THE BIGGEST PUBLIC TOPIC YOU'RE GOINT TO HEAR MOST ABOUT IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION."  Mack and his republican lawmakers want to limit damages awarded in car accident lawsuits, alleging Louisiana's legal climate encourages people in car accidents to sue insurance companies which drive up insurance rates.  And if tort reform is successful auto insurance rates would come down but offered no proof of such claim.

Tort reform is one of the many "fake news" claims by republicans to benefit the business community at the expense of those injured.  Republicans are in favor of a two class society, one wealthy and the bottom tier.  They do not like the middle class.  The republican party has also sought tort reform for medical malpractice suits claiming those suits run up the cost of medical premiums and the cost of medical care.  Such tort reform never reduced premiums or the cost of medical care.

For those who want the facts on tort reform to control suits one needs to read an article by Chip Wagar, Managing Partner of Chopin, Wagar, Richard and Kutcher, LLP published in the Jefferson Life Journal, spring issue of 2010.  He outlines the facts that the outcome of medical malpractice reform caps resulted in larger profits for the insurance companies and not lower cost or rates for those insured.  The medical malpractice insurance industry has seen a 47% increase in profitability in the last 10 years and that the only effect of caps on damages is increase profits for the industry and that states with medical malpractice caps do not have lower physician premiums or health care premiums.  In other words the savings do not flow to the injured or those who pay the cost of medical care.

So if any one believes tort reform for auto damages are going to bring the cost of auto insurance down for the people, think again.  The republican party and the business community can never be satisfied by their thirst for wealth at the expense of the middle class.  Tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and the business community just are not enough for their greed.

Note:  At the end of the Advocate article, the insurance industry said the reasons insurance rates are so high in Louisiana falls to the fact that too many drivers are not insured, bad roads and etc.  They never mentioned Lawsuits.  And the republicans never mention that the insurance companies are being advised by their own attorneys the money value to put on a settled claim.  But they do not like the injured party to seek advise of an attorney.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Democratic Presindential Candidate Joe Biden Has The Best Health Care Plan and The Political Understanding Necessary To Run The Federal Government.

Former U.S. Senator and Vice President Joe Biden has demonstrated he has the best and most logical plan to settle the health care issue.  Its a common sense plan to improve on the ACA, make it better, eliminate what is not working and adopt a public option which will allow more choice and can be achieved at an affordable cost.  The basic plan is there in place over 8 years and the health care issue does not need to be debated anew with a new plan that has to be introduced all over again.

The ACA continues to serve a need for the American people.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services reported last week that 8.3 million Americans signed up for the ACA between November 1 and December 17 with more sign ups to follow despite the Trump administrations cut backs in the ad budget for the ACA and Trump and the republicans vow to repeal the act and the road blocks they throw up every day and try to undermine the program.  Joe Biden has the political understanding necessary to forge the changes that ae needed to a system that is not broke but needs to be adjusted like all government programs.  The issue is too important to be poisoned by Trump and his party who have failed the health care issue for the past 16 years.

Joe Biden also has the political understanding and experience that is necessary to preside over the federal government  The advantage over his democratic opponents and Trump are easily recognized.  The carnage that Trump will leave to the next President will be one of the great challenges in modern times and the country can ill afford to take another chance on a candidate who lacks the political understanding and experience of candidate Joe Biden.

A wise and great American President, Harry Truman said it best many years ago with one of his many famous sayings when he said, A PRESIDENT NEEDS POLITICAL UNDERSTANDING TO RUN GOVERNMENT, BUT HE MAY BE ELECTED WITHOUT IT.  And that is what took place in the Presidential election of 2016.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The President of The United States Donald J. Trump Is Impeached.

America's 45th President, Donald Trump was impeached this past Wednesday by the U.S House of Representatives for the Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress.  Trump became only the third American President to be impeached and the first President to be impeached in his first term.  The impeachment vote came after the impeachment inquiry and hearings where sworn testimony was given concerning Trump's impeachable acts.

The U.S. House gave Trump, his attorneys and chief advisors an opportunity to testify under oath during the process but the republicans in the HOUSE failed to call any witnesses to testify in defense of Trump.  Trump obstructed the democrats effort in the hearings to have testimony from Trump's advisors by his orders to forbid them to testify.  But there were enough witnesses in the know who had the character to testify on their own under oath and tell their story.

The articles of impeachment will now move to the U.S. Senate for trial and will convene some time after the holidays.  The Senate is controlled by the republican party and their leader Mitch McConnell has already gone on record as saying he will not be impartial and will work with the President during the trial.  That statement by McConnell is a grave violation of his oath of office as an elected official and as a juror who will sit in judgement during the trial.  Those who sit on the jury are required to be independent and impartial and not work for either side.  McConnell's actions mimic Trump's corruption.

Democratic speaker of the U.S. House, Nancy Pelosi, said she will send the articles of impeachment to the U.S. Senate when she receives the trial make up and procedures from the Senate.  That is the correct position knowing the Senate republicans threat of a quick dismissal of all charges without calling any witnesses to testify.  Those republicans who will sit as jurors sold their soul to Trump long ago and are ditto heads in the same gutter with Trump.  The party had the power to do some thing about Trump's corruption for the past 35 months and they just looked the other way and joined his lies and fake news.

So once again, in a time of crisis, the democratic party stood up for the constitution, the rule of law, their oath of office and governed with fairness, character and integrity to bring an unfit President to answer for his High Crimes and Misdemeanors.  The six page letter Trump sent to Nancy Pelosi on the eve of the impeachment vote to attack her and the impeachment process was another sad chapter in President Trump's mental unfitness to occupy the White House.

The ball is now in the Trump's ditto head Senate to forge a Senate trial with procedures that embrace the constitution, the rule of law, their oath of office and a fair jury pool of Senators.  It is really not hard to stand up, be counted and be an American.


This  commentary written by Joe Lorio

Republican Opinion Writer Rich Lowry's Business Is "Fake News"

President Trump's ditto head Rich Lowry is a true blue Trump enabler and like his mentor believes in "fake news" when facts hit him in the face.  Lowry's opinion commentary in the New Orleans Advocate of 12/14  titled, "Democrats want to deny voters a choice" starts out with the first sentence:  THE DEMOCRATS BELIEVE THAT THE 2020 ELECTION IS TO IMPORTANT TO BE LEFT TO THE VOTERS.  Lowry simply picks up on Trump and the republican talking points to distract from the evidence against Trump concerning the President's impeachment.

Lowry admits that Trump committed an impeachable offense in his first paragraph but goes on to excuse Trump simply because he heads  the republican party and  occupies the White House.  The true colors of republican opinion writers mirror Trump and his party in mocking the constitution and the rule of law.  The framers of the constitution gave congress the responsibility to remove a corrupted President from office and not be concerned about leaving it up to the voters.  The framers thought that would be to much of a risk to the country, its institutions and the people.

The bottom line is America has a President whose campaign worked with Russia to help him win the 2016 election (confirmed by the Mueller report and testimony under oath by people close to Trump during the impeachment hearings)  Worked with Russia to dig up dirt on his opponent Hillary Clinton and even asked Russia to hack into an American's email to help  his campaign.  Then Trump asked Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son because Biden could be Trump's opponent in the 2020 Presidential election.  Trump held Ukraine hostage by holding up foreign aid approved by congress and used that aid to try and force Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son.  Trump's actions fit a pattern of corruption.

The American people are learning the extent Trump and his republican supporters are willing to trample upon the constitution and the rule of law and who puts party and politics above country.  Their litany of "fake news" and un-American actions are a grave danger to the United States.  America has a mentally unstable President who was elected to run the country.  And with all that power, he choose to be dishonest, corrupt and did what no other American President has ever done.  Trump choose to work with two foreign governments to investigate his political opponents for his own political and personal gain.  The President committed multiple traitorous acts and betrayed his country and the people.  Impeachment and removal from office is in the best interest of the United States.

The democratic party has stood up at a time of need, took serious their oath of office to protect and defend the constitution, the rule of law and the American concept that no one is above the law, not even the President of the United States.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Democratic Party Improved Trump's Trade Agreement With Canada and Mexico (USMCA)

The democratic controlled U.S. House has been working on improving Trump's trade agreement since they won back the HOUSE  and took control in January 2019.  The changes that Trump announced he approved gives labor a broader responsibility, an additional say so and more protection.  It is a significant improvement over the original agreement proposed by the administration.  Trump remarked after announcing the new deal, the revamped trade pact will be great for the United States.

When the trade agreement was signed by all three parties in September 2018, Trump said it would immediately be sent to congress for approval.  At the time both houses of congress were controlled by the republican party but they failed to act.  So when the democrats took control of the HOUSE in January 2019, they went to work on the agreement timely, had many meetings and even sent their staff to Mexico to deal with the matter.  And after much discussions with those concerned, Trump and the democrats came to agreement.

But the republican controlled Senate said they would not take up the matter until after impeachment.  They did nothing on the agreement for the past 15 months and now say they can not handle the trade issue and impeachment at the same time.  Their do nothing party continues to turn their backs on the issue.  Yes my fellow Americans, the democratic party continue to lead a heavy schedule while the republicans in the Senate are only concerned about confirming Trump's judicial nominees.  What a shame.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The President's Mental Instability Sinks To A New Low

When the President of the United States, the most powerful person in the world feels he has to personally attack a 16 year old girl, that is good reason to question the President's mental ability.  The egomaniac President was angry that Time Magazine choose teenager Greta Thunberg, a climate activist their person of the year and denied Trump that honor, the President's mental instability comes into focus.  

For Trump, it is all about himself and if some one else is given credit for an accomplishment, his first reactions come from the gutter because of his mental state of mind and his corruptive persona.  It is a pattern of his Presidency and a clue that should remind all that this President impeaches himself every day by his own words and actions.  The big powerful President takes on the cowardly task of attacking a teenage girl because she believes in a cause the President and his party denies.

President Donald Trump's mental instability continues to be a threat to the Presidency, the country, the constitution and a American way of life and value that past Presidents defended because their oath of office was a commitment to the U.S., its people and the rule of law.  The President's attack on a 16 year old girl because Time Magazine choose her instead of Trump reveals a very sick President occupies the White House.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Crooked President Trump Caught Again

New York Attorney General Letitia James reported President Trump has paid $2 million in court ordered damages for missing funds in a tax-exempt charity he controlled.  The payment was ordered by a New York state judge in reference to a suit filed against Trump by New York attorned general who alleged the President illegally used funds from the Donald J. Trump foundation to buy portraits of himself, pay off his business legal obligations and help his 2016 campaign.

The $2 million will go to the eight charities that deserved the funds.  Those charities will receive an added $1.8 million between all that was left in the Trump foundation.  New York attorney general added:  FUNDS HAVE FINALLY GONE WHERE THEY DESERVED - TO EIGHT CREDIBLE CHARITIES.  MY OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY BECAUSE NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW - NOT A BUSINESSMAN, NOT A CANDIDATE FOR OFFICE, AND NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.  It was a complete rebuke of President Donald Trump.

This sad chapter concerning Trump's charity foundation reminds this writer of the $25 million settlement Trump had to pay for fraud charges in another suit against President Trump and Trump University brought about by the New York attorney general a few years earlier.  The trumpet man originally said he would not settle either suit but he did because the attorned general discovered the facts.  It is also a clue why the President is fighting the release of his tax records ordered by a district judge.

No matter which way one looks at the President, he is corrupted to the core and toxic to every thing he touches.  The record is clear why President Trump should be impeached.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Job Creation for November 2019

The U.S. Labor Department reported the U.S. economy created 266.000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate came in at 3.5%.  The job numbers included 40,000 plus union workers that had been laid off concerning the General Motors strike who returned to work in November.  The department also reported the country's economic expansion was in its 11th straight year.

So in Trumps first 34 months in office 6,255,000 jobs have been created for a monthly average of 183,970 jobs .  In President Obama's last 34 months in office 7,367.000 jobs were created for a monthly average of 216,676 jobs.  The numbers tell us that the Trump administration continues to fall behind the Obama administrations job creation record despite all the predictions by President Trump.  Trump said he would be the greatest job creating President in history.  Not even close and in fact the Trump economy is on schedule to create less jobs when his 4 years are up compared to Obama's last 4 years.

On another front the National Association of Business Economics expects economic growth in 2019 to come in around 2.3%, down from 2.9% in 2018.  And also projects it will be down again in 2020 at 1.8%.  The association also reported a decrease in business investment for the second and third quarter.

And to top if off, after 34 months in office the President and his party still have no legislation plans to address immigration reform or the rebuilding of the nations infrastructure which were two of their top priorities.  All they have is all the people hear or their rhetoric but no action.

Note:  Do not be surprised when the Labor Department announces the December job numbers, they end up reducing November's job numbers.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio


 

LSU, The CFP Final Four and The Playoffs.

The college football  play off committee announced the final four teams that will play for the national championship.  LSU was rated #1, Ohio State #2, Clemson #3 and Oklahoma #4.  Some LSU sports writers and fans wish came true of LSU not having to play Clemson in the first game match up.  This writer has been an LSU follower for over a half century and that logic seems to come from those who may not feel LSU is the best team in the country.  This writer believes the selection process is flawed and should be revised.

Sports writer for the Advocate Scott Rabalais in an article dated 11/9 gave the following reasons the CFP selection committee chairman ranked LSU first over previous #1 Ohio State.   (a)  LSU beat Georgia and Alabama on the road and both were rated in the top four at the time along with LSU's offense that pounded Georgia's defense.    (b)   The LSU defense rebounded smartly and beat Texas A&M and Georgia.  This writer believes that thinking is flawed and lacking.  In reference to (a) above, the committee is eager to insert two teams LSU played, Texas A&M and Georgia into the mix, but only cites one team Ohio State played twice, Wisconsin.  Yet Ohio State mauled Michigan in Michigan's own stadium the same day LSU played Texas A&M but gives no credit to Ohio State for that game.The committee was also silent the way Ohio State came back from being two touchdowns behind Wisconsin and then won the game by 11 points.  That certainly was an accomplishment in any ones book.

In (b) above, the fact is LSU's defense faced an average quarterback and average offensive team in Texas A&M and Georgia so school is still out on LSU's defensive capabilities in this writers opinion.  Any one who watched both games observed two quarterbacks no one could call a threat.

The real flaw in the CFP ratings is the micromanagement of stats they consider.  The won-loss record should be the determining factor.  The four teams with the best record should make the CFP and lots should be drawn as to who plays who.  Seeding should not take place for the playoffs.  The playoffs themselves will determine the number one team.  The idea of micromanaging a formula using stats the way they were used this year makes no sense.  How in the world can Clemson be rated #3?  They have not been defeated in the last two and half years, won the national championship two of the last three years and are penalized because they won one game by only a point.  Perhaps those who wanted LSU to play someone other than Clemson first feels Clemson is underrated but won't admit it.

As for weak schedules, it is all relative.  Every one knows Alabama plays a weak schedule year in and year out, but under Saban   they won 5 national championships in a 10 year period so they beat some of the best teams in the process.  With a silly play off selection formula trying to pick seeds is unjustified.  The only formula should be a teams won-loss record.  The 4 with the best record goes to the play offs.  The SEC recognized long ago the way their conference championship game is set up the winners of each division play for the SEC title.  If there is a tie it is settled by a tie breaker.  No micromanagement of stats or who played who or who had the toughest schedule and etc.

To the readers of PolitiDose who may think this writers comments are anti LSU that is not the case.  If the CFO continues their present formula into the future it could one day affect the LSU  football team in a negative way.

Note:  Has any one noticed that the Ohio State - Clemson game will be played in prime time at night and not the #1 rated team LSU?  What does that tell the football world?


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Nancy Pelosi and The Democratic Party Continue To Lead While President Trump and His Party Wallow In Their Lies and Extreme Un-American Ideology

The democratic party with the leadership of their Speaker, Nancy Pelosi continue to pass vital legislation in the U.S. House and at the same time balance their responsibility to hold impeachment hearings concerning the behavior of President Donald Trump.  The democratic controlled House has passed meaningful legislation, and so much more than the republican controlled U.S. Senate who are only concerned with confirming Trump's appointed judges to the federal bench.

The internet in fact carried a story last week noting how the U.S. House has produced much needed legislation only to see the republican controlled Senate let it lay dormant.  Of course, the readers of PolitiDose knew that long ago because of its past commentary.  Elizabeth Crisp, Washington journalist for the New Orleans Advocate expressed her Trump/republican party ditto head reporting in the Advocate of 11/27/19 titled, "Divided congress sees fewer bells pass."   In the article Crisp used the talking points of Louisiana's Steve Scalise and Bill Cassidy to promote the republican agenda and tried to make it look like its the democrat's fault because Scalise and Cassidy's party are the do nothing party.  Crisp failed to note that Trump and his party said they would take up gun legislation when they returned from their Labor Day break.  Well they have been back over three months and have done nothing.  But the House passed their gun legislation back in February and are still waiting for Trump and his party to act.

The impeachment process has produced witnesses who testified under oath about Trump's corruption and impeachable acts.  Trump and his party can not find any witness to testify under oath to shake the damaging testimony.  Trump will not testify under oath because he lies and as one of his attorney's was quoted as saying, if he testified under oath he would end up in an orange jump suit.  Lets face it, the President is so corrupt and such a liar he can not even do a simple thing as release his tax returns like other Presidential candidates and Presidents do.  Bill and Hillary Clinton have released over 40 years of their tax returns and have nothing to hide.

Trump and his party will continue to attak the impeachment process because they have nothing else.  The people who ae close to Trump have been told not to testify by Trump himself and therefore Trump has no defense.  Just his personal attacks, fake news and corrupt lies.  Nancy Pelosi and the democrats will not be intimidated and will carry out their responsibility to the constitution and their oath of office to impeach America's corrupt President and his traitorous acts.

In the  meantime, Nancy Pelosi's leadership and the democrats in congress will continue to lead and pass the legislation needed to move the country and its people forward.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

LSU's 12 - 0 Undefeated Regular Season

The 2019 LSU football team completed its third undefeated regular football season during this writers generation with a 50 - 7 win over Texas A & M in Baton Rouge Saturday night.  First under coach Paul Dietzel in 1958 when they also won the national championship, then in 2011 under coach Les Miles and now under coach O.  And this Saturday brings another challenge when LSU plays Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game.  The latest BCS rankings has LSU in the number two spot, with Ohio State number one, Clemson number three and Georgia number four.

Saturday's game against A & M was talked about as a grudge game because of what took place in last years game.  But that was just sports talk.  It does not change the score of last years game so there is no such thing as revenge  It sounds good in reporting and is a popular subject for fans and sports writers but is soon forgotten.  The greatest LSU challenge is still to come.

This writer still believes LSU's defense is the key to staying unbeaten.  They have problems still not solved and are not playing up to LSU's tradition despite their effort against A & M.  LSU should beat Georgia because Georgia's coach has an offensive mind similar to Les Miles which usually depends on the running game inside their opponents 10 yard line.

As for the BCS play off teams, who ever they select for the final four, this writer believes Clemson is the team to beat until they are actually defeated.  They have not been defeated in over two years, have won the national championship two of the last three years and the BCS gives them no respect.  In sports, like every thing else, its all relative.  Scott Rabalais, sports writer for the New Orleans Advocate seems to mention in his commentary of today he would rather see LSU be ranked first in the final poll so they would not have to face Clemson in the first game if they remain in third place.  If LSU is the best in the nation it really does not matter who they play first if one has confidence in a team.

This Saturday conference championships will be played across the country and the fans will find out if the latest BCS rankings of the top four teams will remain the same after the final poll.  So stay tuned and keep in mind that in championship games, defense usually makes a difference.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Pundits Are All Over The Lot Trying To Explain Why Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards Was Re-elected.

The editorials in the New Orleans Advocate are becoming comical with opinions why and how JBE was re-elected over his republican opponent Eddie Rispone.  This writer would like to offer the following:  JBE was the candidate who campaigned among the public while Rispone did not.  JBE had policy and plans while Rispone had personal attacks and a extreme agenda he could not explain .  Louisiana is not a red state just because it voted Trump in 2016 and the state legislature is mostly republican.  JBE carried Jefferson Parish, a republican stronghold and swamped Rispone in Orleans parish, one of the most diverse parish in the state.

The foundation for JBE's victory was laid in the November 2016 Presidential election when Hillary Clinton won the popular vote 48% to Trump's 46%.  It was a democratic blue wave margin of over 2 million votes in Clinton's favor.  Then in the November 2018 congressional elections the democrats took control of the U. S. House.  The democratic candidates received a total of 58,990,609 million votes to the republican candidates 50,304,975 votes, a democratic margin of 8.6 million more votes.  The republicans had controlled the U.S. House for the previous 8 years.

Then just this month the democratic blue wave vote returned control in the Virginia state legislature to the democratic party for the first time in over a decade.  That same day in Kentucky, the democratic blue wave vote ousted Kentucky's republican governor and elected a democrat governor to lead the state.  It was a state Trump carried easy in the 2016 election.  And only a week later the democratic blue wave vote re-elected JBE over his republican opponent despite Trump and his party's campaign trips to Louisiana.

The democratic blue wave vote is alive and well and responding to Trump and the republican party's failure to lead and their corruption, traitorous acts, lack of legislation concerning immigration reform, infrastructure, gun contgrol and other vital issues.  The pundits, Trump, the republican party and many in the news media still don't understand the difference between a conservative voter and political conservatism.  There is no such thing as a conservative elected official and the voters are making the point with their votes.  And conservatism among Louisiana elected officials just does not exist in fact.  They are radical extremist who put their party above the state, the people, the constitution and the country.

The democratic blue wave vote that is taking place is led by a younger generation who sees things as they are and making their voices known to change the status quo.  They are not going to stay home and complain.  Their ideas will be taken to the public for real action and backing it up with their vote. There is really no secret to JBE's re-election.  The voters were not going back to what use to be.  And that was not a cliché by the Edwards campaign.  The voters actually remembered the past.

And as this writer has noted many times over in PolitiDose, "The key to a better future, is understanding the mistakes of the failed past."  I think the people of Louisiana realized that when they cast their vote for JBE.  And that democratic blue wave vote re-elected the best candidate.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Impeachment Inquiry Touches Trump' Enablers

The powerful testimony by those closest to the President, both appointed or otherwise, and under OATH spelled out for the public the corruption of President Donald Trump and his impeachable acts before the House Intelligence Committee.  Those who testified under OATH corroborated each others story with first, second or third hand knowledge.  The evidence all fell into place.  Many of those who testified did so of their own free will and ignored pressure from the President not to testify.  Those witnesses put the country, the constitution and their OATH of office first.

The impeachment process has brought out the worse of the republican party in congress and those serving in the administration who have remained silent under the pretense they are trying to control an out of control President, an excuse for their cowardly acts.  Trump's party in congress has sold their soul to the President's corruption, looks the other way and supports his impeachable acts.  They have willingly violated their OATH of office to uphold the constitution they swore to protect.  Their actions have betrayed the country and its people and are traitorous.  They are cowards like those who allow Trump to intimidate them into not testifying under OATH.

The republicans who served in congress during the Nixon years put the constitution, the country and the people first (not party) during Watergate, stepped up to the plate and let it be known Presidents are not above the law. They had character and a moral compass what America and democracy stood for.  Todays congressional republicans are a sorry bunch who concerns themselves only with party and how to stay in power .  And sadly, those who represent Louisiana in congress are among the worst cowards.

The impeachment inquiry tells not only the story of a corrupt President and Commander in Chief, it provides insight just how far those who enable the President are willing to betray their country.  The President is toxic to every thing he touches and his enablers because they allow themselves to operate in the same gutter with his poison.

As this writer commented in 2016, Trump and his party are one and the same, traitors and cowards.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Deserve Each Other

Both Trump and Netanyahu have a lot in common.  Both love personal attacks against others, lies frequently, tries to intimidate others, they are spectacular untruthful about Iran and now we read where Israel Attorney General Avichal Mandelilt has indicated Netanyahu for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes after a three year investigation.  It is a reminder that President Trump had to settle a fraud lawsuit brought on by New York Attorney General against Trump University that defrauded Trump University students.  Trump settled the suit for $25 million.

Netanyahu used a Trump tactic after the indictment when he claimed he was the victim of a grand conspiracy by police and prosecutors who had intimidated key witnesses.  As every one knows Trump passes the buck and blames every one else for his own corruption.  He is doing it now during the impeachment inquiry by blaming those he appointed and worked close with who have testified under OATH about the President's corruption.  Netanyahu said the country was witnessing an attempted coup against him.  Those are the same words used by Trump concerning the impeachment hearings.

Both leaders are traitors to their country, the people and their OATH of office.  They are cowards who try to intimidate for their own self glory.  The people of Israel and the United States deserve better.  Netanyahu's party is collapsing while impeachment moves forward against President Trump.  Corruption attracts corruption.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

John Bel Edwards Re-elected Governor of Louisiana

Louisiana's governor John Bel Edwards was re-elected to serve another term in office on Saturday defeating republican candidate Eddie Rispone.  Edwards received over 51% of the vote according to the latest reports.  The democratic blue wave vote was active again in the state and continued last weeks blue wave vote when the democrats swept Virginia's state legislature and won the governor's office in Kentucky defeating the republican incumbent governor.

Edward's victory was a huge defeat for President Trump who came to Louisiana along with his V.P. to campaign for Rispone several times along with other members of Louisiana's republican party.  Their lies, scare tactics and personal attacks did not fool the voting majority and as this writer previously noted, Louisiana's Attorney General Jeff Landry and U.S. Senator John Kennedy who contemplated a run against Edwards backed down because they knew they could not defeat the Governor.

Then we have the republican pundits, especially opinion writer Dan Fagan with the New Orleans Advocate who bragged about Louisiana being a red state and Trump territory.  Fagan wrote two opinion columns titled,  "Democrats Impeachment Fiasco Comes At Bad Time For Edwards" and "Trump Tweets Against Edwards Threaten Governor's Chances."  Fagan and his extreme opinions were so wrong it opens a window to understand the ditto head mentality of support for and his party.  The republicans deserved the outcome of the election.  They are a do nothing party with zero accomplishments and an extreme rhetoric that lack American values.

There was another piece of good news for Louisiana reported on election day by the New Orleans Advocate.  The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that Louisiana's per capita personal income rose 5.2% between 2017 and 2018 compared to the National average of 4.9%.  That puts to rest Trump and the republican lies they were telling during the governor's campaign.  The blue wave majority vote in Virginia, Kentucky and Louisiana told the real story about where the majority of Americans stand.  And to those that push Louisiana as being a red state, the view is very dim today.

The re-election of John Bel Edwards was a real win for the state and its people who spoke loud and clear.  Louisiana will not return to the failed policies of the past and instead voted for a progressive future.   And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Conservative Journalist George Will Must Be Reading PolitiDose

In a political commentary published in the New Orleans Advocate dated 11/14/19 titled, "If congress was serious, it would legislate on migrants."  Will says the following and I quote:  "If congress had even a faint pulse and an ounce of pride it would take to enact laws that set immigration policy rather than churning out faux laws that give to President's discretion tantamount to lawmaking."  And if that sounds familiar, its because you read it here first in PolitiDose long ago and on more than one occasion.

The big difference is Will failed to mention that one party in congress, the republicans, Will's own party, was silent that it has been the President  and his own party that has failed to take up immigration reform by legislating ever since Trump took office 33 plus months ago.  In fact Mitch McConnell, Trump's leader in the U.S. Senate said he did not know what Trump's policy was on immigration.  But that is no excuse for the republican controlled Senate not to act.

Will also failed to note that the democratic part of congress when they controlled the U.S. Senate did pass immigration reform that passed in 2013 that was joined by 14 republicans in a bipartisan vote.  That was a good immigration reform bill but the republican controlled U.S. House just let the bill die and never took it up for debate.  This writer thinks it is safe to say republicans do not want to legislate immigration reform because they are aware that immigrants favor democratic elected officials.  And legislation means more legal immigrants in America.  Oh, and by the way, the republican party has controlled the U.S. Senate for almost 5 straight years which means they had the opportunity to introduce immigration reform legislation even during the administration of President Obama and failed to do so.

George Will agrees with past PolitiDose commentary that immigration reform needs to be addressed by congress but can not bring himself to report that the democratic part of congress actually did act with legislation.  And one can be certain if the democratic party takes controlled of the U.S. Senate in the 2020 elections and keeps control of the U.S. House, they will once again act with immigration reform legislation.  They understand that is the way to address the issue with policy.   So stay tuned to PolitiDose, for your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

How Many People Remember?

When President Trump, Mitch McConnell Republican majority leader in the U.S. Senate and the republicans in congress told the American people after the mass killings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio they would take up gun control legislation when congress returned from their Labor Day break?  Well, they returned over two months ago and not a word has been said on the issue from the cowards beholding to the NRA and the gun lobby.  Trump and his party even failed to take up the gun control legislation on background checks passed by the democratic controlled U.S. House in February, long before the two above shootings took place.

The democratic party did not wait for the next shooting to occur, they kept their 2018 pledge to act on a matter that has taken too many innocent lives.  Trump and his republican cowards have failed to answer the call and just yesterday, two more students were shot and killed in California and two more were wounded.  The cowards could have passed the House's bill timely if they were not beholding to the NRA and the gun lobby.  The democrats responded with common sense and did not allow the NRA and the gun lobby's money intimidate their responsibility to the public.

This is the same President and republican party who have not taken up, acted on, or passed one piece of immigration legislation in the 33 months they have been in control of the country.  All they have is their lies and do nothing rhetoric designed to divide the country and not address the problem.  America is experiencing a time of sickness born by a President who is mentally unstable and a party willing to appease the sick behavior un-becoming an American President.  And to make matters worse, some republicans are trying to make the American people believe we have to live with this kind of sickness.   And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Democratic Blue Wave of Voters Continues.

Last Tuesday in Virginia, the republican party that controlled both houses of the state legislature for the past two decades was swept out of office by the democratic blue wave and gave full control of the government to a democratic governor and a democratic controlled legislature.  And late that same evening the democratic blue wave of voters elected the democratic candidate for governor over the present republican governor in the state of Kentucky.  President Trump and his VP campaigned in both states for the republican candidates but the voters spoke loud and clear.

The blue wave of voters in those two states continued the blue wave in the November 2018 congressional elections that swept the republican party of their control in the U.S. House in favor of the democratic party.  That blue wave vote was so over powering, democrats received 8.6 million more votes than the republican party.  And it should be noted that President Trump won both Kentucky and Virginia in the 2016 Presidential election.

So now the battle moves to the Governor's race in Louisiana where Trump and Pence have made 4 appearances for the republican candidate Eddie Rispone  and plans to make another appearance before the election.  Louisiana's present governor John Bel Edwards is the only democratic governor in a deep south state and the republicans are trying to pull out all the stops.  Louisiana's U.S. Senator John Kennedy campaigned with Trump in Louisiana.  He is the guy who wanted to run against Edwards and then withdrew because he knew Edwards would beat him like a drum.

Will the democratic blue wave vote extend to the Louisiana elections?  Time will tell and we will soon find out if Louisiana's voters learned any thing from the Kentucky and Virginia voters last week.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another HUGE, HUGE First For PolitiDose

Long ago the readers of PolitiDose learned that the American economy does best by far on the watch of Democratic administrations.  The facts were laid out in a four part commentary, including a recap that began with Part I dated January 27, 2008 and ever since then, PolitiDose has carried commentary that Democratic administrations also do best at balancing the federal budget, reducing deficit spending, smaller increases in the national debt, smaller increases in federal spending and so much better creating jobs.

Now comes an opinion column published in the New Orleans Advocate of 11/7/19 by Proma Harrop titled The Democrats preside over better economies.  The commentary speaks for itself and addresses President Trump's fake news about the economy and stock market being the best ever on his watch.  Harrop destroys that fake news and self serving statement and so has PolitiDose in its ongoing commentary about the economy under Trump.  Precedent tells the tale over the past 60 plus years how and why Democratic administrations are more successful for the country and its people.

And yes, you read it here first in PolitiDose and just recently how the stock market performed much better under President Obama than Trump.  The shame of it all belongs on the news media in general who do not inform the people of the facts and those who fail to seek the facts for themselves.  But PolitiDose has been there for years with commentary and facts so stay tuned for your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Job Creation For October Continues Its Downward Trend

The U.S. Labor Department reported the economy created 128,000 jobs in October, down from the September numbers and less than was predicted by economists.  The unemployment rate came in at 3.6%, up from the 3.5% in September.  Earlier in the week the Commerce Department reported the GDP for the third quarter ending September 30 came in at an annual rate of 1.9% and that the yearly GDP for all of 2019 is projected to be around 2.1%.

After the job numbers were released, Trump went into his usual lying mode and tweeted that the economy created 303,000 jobs in October, almost 3 times as many as the official report from the Labor Department.  He also tweeted the economy was the greatest ever, another flat out lie.  Trump said during the campaign the GDP in his administration would be in the range of 3-6% and even higher but PolitiDose has the trump man and his party's number, the economy under every democratic administration in the past 50 years was better.

And after 33 months in office Trump continues to lag behind the Obama administration's job creation record in his last 33 months in office and by a wide number.  In Trump's first 33 months in office 5,989,000 jobs have been created for a monthly average of 181,484.  In President Obama's last 33 months in office 7,079,000 million jobs were created for a monthly average of 214,515.

To top it off, manufacturing was down for the third straight month and is still in a recession.  The Trump tax cuts that was billed as bringing jobs back to America from overseas was a fairy tale.  And Trump lead the way by not bringing back any of his companies to America.  So now the trumpet man is floating a middle class tax cut  for next year when it should have been his priority in the first place.

The country and its people will never be free of Trump's lies until he leaves office.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The LSU - Alabama Game

Two sports reporters for the New Orleans Advocate are calling it the game of the century, but this writer thinks not so since Alabama has won the past 8 games.  True, both teams are undefeated and regardless who wins both teams could still have a chance to make the playoffs if things fall in their favor.  One sports writer said it could be a repeat of the 2011game with a rematch of both teams playing for the national championship.  Hopefully that will never take place again because rematches are for losers and should never be allowed.

LSU fans, including this writer should be confident because for the first time LSU has an offense capable of moving the football and scoring points.  That was lacking under coach Miles and even lacking under Coach O for his first three seasons at LSU.  And of course LSU took a step backward last year when Alabama shut out LSU in Tiger stadium.  Coach O to his credit did something about improving the LSU offense this season and has taken the offense to a new LSU level.

The game on November 9 should be looked at objectively.  The road to the playoffs and a chance to play for the national championship leads thru Alabama.  So does a division and SEC title.  The game will not define the future of either team.  Alabama is already a consistent winning team in championships while LSU is not.  Past talk about LSU losing to Alabama because they have better players is a cop-out and should be laid to rest.

Alabama's defense presents the greatest challenge to LSU's offense so far this year and how LSU responds to that challenge will be interesting to watch.  Alabama also has a strong offense and the LSU defense will have to bring their best effort.  Coaching decisions have a tendency to play a large role in games such as this one.

This writer will not allow himself to get excited until LSU beats Alabama.  LSU is a confident team with a new offense that is working and Saban has the best defensive mind in college football, so something has to give.  We know from past game history the game could be either low or high scoring and that Alabama has made some big plays against LSU's defense.  Speculation will run rampant between now and game time but none of it matters.  Can LSU pull off a defensive performance like they did in 2011 when they allowed Alabama only two field goals?

The question, "can LSU finally beat Alabama" will remain the same until November 9.  And shame on those folks who believe the current story that LSU and Alabama are not thinking about the game during their off week.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another First For PolitiDose

PolitiDose led the way once more with its commentary of October 13 concerning Steve Scalise, Louisiana's minority leader in the U.S. House who led a republication delegation to interrupt the House's impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.  Now comes a later report in two opinion columns concerning Scalise's violation of rules that govern the U.S. House.

One commentary comes via Stephanie Grace, local opinion writer for the new Orleans Advocate and one from national opinion writer Michael Gerson, also in a Advocate article.  Both articles demonstrate how Scalise, Trump's little wimp and the republicans are so tethered to Trump even though they knew their actions violated the rules of the U.S. House they swore to uphold and defend. Scalise's party controlled the U.S. House for 8 years until the democratic party took control in January 2019 and during those 8 years they have no positive record of accomplishments for the country and its people.  All they have is a do nothing record and that explains their extreme rhetoric and their willingness to violate House rules.

But all that describes the republican party since the Newt Gingrich era.  The news media  paid no attention and ran with republican talking points of their party being conservative and best at governing.   President Trump's corruption and the republican party's embrace of that corruption finally exposed Trump and his party as one and the same which was actually the subject of a PolitiDose commentary written during the 2016 Presidential campaign.

So stay tuned to PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary for more information on the cowrds, Trump and his party in congress and the little wimp Steve Scalise.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Hillary Clinton Cleared Once Again Concerning Her E-Mails.

"Lock her Up" Trump and the republicans chant went down in flames once again last week when another investigation of her emails was released by The State Department.  The report found no criminal activity by Clinton or no one else concerning Hillary's emails.  This State Department investigation was pushed by republican U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, one of the many republicans who accused Hillary of criminal wrong doing and a cover up.  Trump picked up on the lies during the 2016 Presidential campaign, tried to use them against her as did Russia on social media.

Two previous republican controlled committees investigated Hillary's emails during President Obama's term in office ended the same way exposing the republican lies.  So all that is left is what was already known, that is, Hillary used a private email server for some of her emails instead of the state department's server.  But so did some cabinet members in President Bush and President Trump's administration that has been made public.

And once again, facts prove how Hillary Clinton is such a better person and a better public servant than the Trump-republican liars.  And after 33 months in office, the trumpet man is still afraid to make his tax returns public.  It speaks loud and clear about his corruption and his coward mentality.  Plus Trump has earned the chant, "Lock HIM Up."

Hillary Clinton contributions to the country and the people will  live on while Trump and his party's lies will die at the bottom of the sewer where they dwell.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Trump's Republican Cowards and Wimps Try To Shut Down The U.S. House's Impeachment Inquiry.

Steve Scalise, the republican U.S. House minority leader from Louisiana, gave this nation a peek at his cowardice and wimpy nature after meeting with Trump and led approximately two dozen republican in storming a hearing room where the witnesses were appearing to testify concerning the U.S. House's impeachment inquiry.  The disruption closed the hearing for several hours and was resumed later in the day where testimony could be taken.

Scalise and his ditto head republicans bowed to Trump's wished to try and cast doubt on the impeachment inquiry.  Like Trump, Scalise has no problem violating rules and regulations.  Under House rules only members of the three committees, Oversight and Reform, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs are authorized to attend.  And also under House rules no cell phones are allowed in the hearing room.  But Scalise and his republican wimps not only took their cell phones with them, they also used them.

This writer can not remember another elected official to be so much of a coward and wimp to a coward President.  But the two are so closely allied with each other they betray their oath of office and therule of law they swore to uphold.  And the republican ditto heads in congress support and are a part of that betrayal.

Louisiana has elected Scalise to his position and he is very familiar with the rules of the U.S. House.  He still violated those rules because conservatives think they are elite.  That is what binds Scalise, Trump and the republicans in congress and they are willing to sell out America for their own personal gain.

Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden are head and heels over those cowards and wimps in standing up for America and what America the Beautiful stands for.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

An Honor For The City Of New Orleans

According to a news release published in the New Orleans Advocate of 10/9, Travel Magazine's Conde Nast Traveler in its 2019 readers choice awards named New Orleans the fourth best large city in the country.  New Orleans ranked only behind Chicago, Minneapolis and Boston.  The awards were based on the top travel experiences and destinations selected by nearly 430,000 Conde Nast Traveler readers this year.

Being the only city in the South to be ranked in the top four is a great honor for New Orleans, especially with Houston, Dallas and San Antonio located next door.  The city still has problems but is vital to the metro area and its neighbors.  And so many people come to the city to work, play, eat, be entertained and enjoying what the city has to offer.  The New Orleans economy is also a bright spot even with the slowing of the national economy.

The news release also noted and gave credit to the 87,000 people in the hospitality industry for their hard work, passion and their focus.  The City of New Orleans is well deserving of the honor and the people should be very proud.

The U.S. Economy, Job Creation and Unemployment For September

The U.S. Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy created 136,000 new jobs in September and that the unemployment rate came in at 3.5%.  The Department also reported excluding government hiring the private sector job gains over the past three months have slowed to an average of 119,000 a month, the weakest showing in seven years.  Wage growth also slipped in September.  In a separate statement the Department reported the average monthly job creation so far in 2019 is 161,000 while in the year 2018 it was 223,000.  The trend relates to a slower economy with weaker job numbers.

So for the first 32 months in office under Trump the economy has created 5,861,000 jobs for a monthly average of 183,156.  In President Obama's last 32 months in office the economy created 6,862,000 jobs for a monthly average of 214,438.  So job creation under the Trump economy continues to lag compared to the job creation under the Obama economy by over 1 million jobs.  The Trump economy is underperforming past democratic administrations but that is nothing new to the readers of PolitiDose.

President Trump is still trying to blame the federal reserve for the slowing economy and job creation because of the way they have handled the interest rates.  But the real answer is Trump's lack of a real plan or policy concerning the economy and in fact Trump does not govern by plans or policy.  His method of governing is a corrupted business ideology.  And by the way to those who believe the stock market will collapse if Trump is impeached like he continues to say, just remember the following facts.

The market's DJIA at the end of President Obama's first 32 months in office increased at a much greater percentage than it has at the end of Trump's first 32 months in office and by a wide margin. (which was covered by a previous article in PolitiDose)  And history tells us the market does better on the Democratic watch than on the republican watch, despite the republicans tax cuts that benefit Corporate America and the wealthy.

The story has been told many times in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Michael Gerson: A Conservative Journalist Who Is No Ditto Head For Donald Trump

Conservative journalist Michael Gerson of the Washington Post is no President Trump ditto head like most conservative journalists who see no wrong in President Trump's actions and are ready to support his lies and traitorous acts.  In a article that appeared in the New Orleans Advocate dated 10/1 titled Trump Is Guilty But will he pay for it?  Mr. Gerson writes in his first sentence as follows:  "For the first time in American history, the President has pleaded guilty to an impeachable offense."  Mr. Gerson relates that to Trump's telephone conversation with Ukraine's President on July 25 which is the subject of the U.S. House's impeachment inquiry.

Mr. Gerson is no Johnny come lately in his commentary about the President's conduct and like commentary in PolitiDose that began early on also, recognized the dangers that Trump presents for the country.  Gerson in his article says Trump's asking Ukraine's President to investigate Biden constitutes corruption of the first order  He then said Trump has spent so many years in the trash heap of corruption that he can no longer recognize the stench.  Readers of PolitiDose have read about Trump being corrupted to the core long ago.  It was also PolitiDose commentary in 2016 that recognized early on Trump's traitorous act when he asked Russia to hack into Hillary Clinton's emails.  That was a betrayal of America, but few in the news media took note of how serious Trump's actions were at the time, but PoitiDose was there to report it timely.

So commentary by Mr. Gerson and PolitiDose concerning President Trump's unAmerican actions have a similar tone and understanding just how damaging the trumpet man has been to our country and everything America stands for.  And both have commentary about those republicans and conservatives who have enabled Trump and in the process have become ditto heads who look the other way.  Republican and conservative journalists who continue to support the President's every day lies and traitorous acts, remain silent and give voice to the most extreme voices out there are not journalists.

But this writer and I feel sure Mr. Gerson will continue to report on what really matters and make a difference for our country and its people.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Federal Judge Strikes Down Another Attempt By President Trump To Restrict Immigration

President Trump's attempt to extend authority of immigration officers to deport people with out allowing them to appear before judges was blocked nationwide by U.S. District Judge Ketanji Jackson Friday.  The judge ruled the administrations expansion of expedited removal authority violated procedural requirements to first seek public comments and ignored flaws in how it has been used at the border.  The judge's order did not rule on the merits of the case but the decision prevents the administration from expanding fast track authority nationwide.

It is another sad example of an administration who still lacks a legislative agenda for immigration reform after 32 months in office and prefers to demagogue the issues with executive orders and administration procedures that end up being overturned by the courts.  And it was the trumpet man himself and his party during the 2016 Presidential election that said if they won the White House they would have an immigration legislation reform plan for the country.  Well, they did win, but all they have to show for it is immigration rhetoric, like Mexico will pay for the wall and etc, etc, etc.

The voters should remember that U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Lindsay Graham were also running for the republican Presidential nomination in 2016 and indorsed that approach.  Both are still serving in the U.S. Senate that has been controlled by their party for the last four and half years but neither has introduced one piece of immigration reform in their own chamber.  They too, only have immigration rhetoric on the subject.

There is only one way to accomplish true immigration reform and that is by legislative action.  But Trump and his party has failed to embrace that approach because they do not care about the issue.  The democrats have always had a immigration legislative plan as explained in previous commentary in PolitiDose.  And if a democrat wins the White House in the 2020 elections they will act on the issue with legislation.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Trump's Blame Game Continues

Now its the Nobel Peace Prize's governing make up why Trump has not been selected for the Nobel Peace Prize.  They are against him and are not fare and he should have won multiple times by now.  The President's mental corruption knows no bounds and after 32 months in running the country with a republicans party that backs him up, his lies continues on a daily basis, every one else is to blame for his failures and his corruption extends to every thing he touches.

Trump  and his party still have no legislative agenda on immigration reform, gun safety and will once again have to rely on stopgap spending to avoid a government shutdown on September 30.  No trade deal with China and a problem with Iran that did not exist before Trump  withdrew the U.S. from the Iran agreement with our allies. No sustained 4% or more per year of GDP growth as Trump predicted from his tax cuts, not even close.  Single year trillion dollar budget deficits have already returned this fiscal year that ends 9/30.  For a President who  brags and lies so much, little has been accomplished so blame others is the name of his game.

And the two people that Trump hates the most, former President Obama and Hillary Clinton have accomplished so much more for the country and its people while they held office.  Both were not afraid to let the voters see their income tax returns that they made public for  many years.  The corruption and lies run so deep for this President his mental deficiencies will not allow him to be transparent.  What a shame and stain on the Presidency.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Republican Controlled U.S. Senate Continues Its Failure To Lead.

Once again the U.S. Senate had to pass a CR stopgap funding bill to keep the federal government running thru November 21st because they failed to address and pass a long term spending bill before the government's fiscal year ends September 30.  The democratic controlled U.S. House did its part months ago when they passed 10 funding bills that are long term without the need of a stopgap measure but the republicans in the U.S. Senate failed to act on those bills.

The republicans failure to act last year on the same problem resulted in the longest ever shut down of the federal government which lasted from December 22nd to January 25, 2019.  And the shutdown began when the republicans controlled both houses of congress and the Presidency.  The absence of republican leadership in running the country should be a warning to all Americans.  The answer to their failure is to always blame someone else.  That is how the republican party governs.

The evidence is clear why budget deficits always soar on the republicans watch any why budget surpluses and deficit reduction takes place on the democratic watch.  The  news is not new for those who follow politics or for those who read and follow PolitiDose.  But for those who follow the false republican talking points, shame on them.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Traitor In The White House: The Story Continues With The Betrayal Of America

President Donald Trump continues his traitorous acts against America in the story now unfolding of his attempt to have Ukraine's President Zelensky investigate former Vice President Joe Biden's son's work in Ukraine in an attempt to influence the 2020 Presidential elections because he believes he will have to face Biden in the election.  Trump also wants Ukraine to investigate the Vice President's role in his dealings with Ukraine during the Obama administration.  Trump even authorized his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani to go to Ukraine and discuss the above with the Ukraine government.

It is a repeat of his betrayal working with Russia to influence the 2016 elections and his willingness to see Hillary Clinton harmed.  The President continues to try and destroy our democratic voting process, our constitutional safeguards and the rule of law.  He then uses the power of the Presidency to obstruct justice and the checks and balances of congressional inquiry and oversight.  Trump tried to paint the "whistleblower" who knew of his conversation with Zelensky as partisan.  But the inspector general of intelligence described the "whistleblower's" August 12 complaint as a serious and urgent matter.

The President's corruption knows no bounds and his mental capacity to betray America with foreign leaders is a danger to the country and the people.  And his party in congress and those that continue to support his corruption and betrayal are cowards for their silence.  President Donald Trump, the traitor, should be impeached ASAP even if republicans in the Senate refuse to vote to convict.  Impeachment is required and when Trump leaves office the trumpet man should be prosecuted for his crimes in the courts.  That is the way to deal with his corruption and betrayal of America.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Aftermath: The New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams

With the latest report that Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be out for approximately six weeks because of his injured thumb, leaves a lot of questions to be answered.  But its not complicated.  Coach Payton made the decision to play back up quarterback Bridgewater after Brees went out and until Brees returns will have to choose between Bridgewater and Hill.  Payton knows the strength and weakness of both but it is the one that actually PERFORMS THE BEST that should determine who guides the team until Brees returns.

With Brees out, one reporter in Monday's New Orleans Advocate hinted that maybe Kamara did not do so well in Sunday's game was because of Brees absence.  That of course is hogwash because Kamara did not do so well in last years championship conference game with the Rams either and Brees was certainly in that game.  Excuses are just that when the Saints play teams that are well coached on defense.  This writer does not look for any improvements in sports writers reports with Brees absence, objectivity will be out the window.

One can not predict how the Saints will perform while Brees is on the sidelines, but we do know that the Saint's defense will have to perform better and keep the team in the ball game.  This writer still believes Payton should put down the cheat sheet and let the offensive co-ordinator call the plays and free Payton so he can focus on what is taking place on the field and in the game.  No coach can do both well.  The challenge that the Saints have this year is huge.  The only way to improve on last years record is to go to the Super Bowl.

And that is not an easy task, just ask the players.  And keep in mind the Saints have only three winning seasons in the last seven years, and that was with a healthy Brees at quarterback.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Los Angeles Rams 27 The New Orleans Saints 9

The Rams took up where they left off last year and beat the Saints.  This Sunday they shut the Saints offense out of the end zone and yielded only three field goals.  The first half was not a very good or well played ball game and in fact this writer had the impression neither team wanted to play the game.  The second half was a little better but it was penalties galore.  Sports writers who cover the Saints and who tried to make the game issue all week a game of revenge, called it a rematch forgot the real story line of the game and decided on the usual clichés and hype.

The real story all week should have read:  WILL THE SAINTS OFFENSE BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE RAMS DEFENSE?  Everyone should know that the Saints are not so productive against the teams that are well coached on defense.  In the conference championship game last year against the Rams, the Saints could only manage less than 50 yards rushing.  And Sunday the Rams defense was not about to let Kamara run loose and held the Saints rushing yards to 57 yards.  In fact the Rams defense would not allow Michael Thomas or Kamara to make a difference.  The Saints defense in the second half failed big time to stop the Rams on third and long, gave up yardage and Saints penalties just kept piling up.

So the story line for the next two Saints games with Seattle and Dallas will be the same:  WILL THE SAINTS OFFENSE BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE SEATTLE AND DALLAS DEFENSE?  We do know that the Saints could not handle the Dallas defense last year and could not handle Seattle's defense in previous years.  That same question applies with or without Brees.  We should find out soon enough what the sports writers think the big question will be.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Huge First For PolitiDose: The Federal Deficit Tops $1 Trillion.

Just as previous PolitiDose commentary predicted, the federal government announced this week that the federal deficit at the end of August came in at $1.09 trillion for the present fiscal year that actually ends on September 30.  So when the September numbers come in the total deficit for fiscal year 2019 will come in close to $1.2 trillion since the announcement said the government is spending approximately $200 billion more each  month than it takes in revenue.

So in President Trump's first two fiscal years in office the deficit continues to rise at a horrific rate as it did during the Reagan and Bush 43 administrations.  And all three republican Presidents told the people their massive tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy were going to create increased revenue to balance the federal budget.  President Trump continued the fairy tale but three strikes and you are out.  Will the voters and the news media ever learn how republican administrations have destroyed the fiscal health of the U.S. government and just how much the government has had to take out of the social security fund to pay for their reckless deficit spending.

The record is clear, for the past 50 plus years every democratic administration except President Carter left office with a smaller deficit than when they took office and two administrations balanced the federal budget 5 times.  That was Lyndon Johnson and Bill Clinton.  But no republican administration has balanced the federal budget since Eisenhower in 1960 and no republican administration has left office with a smaller deficit than when he took office.  In fact the increase deficits have been huge on their watch.

The sad fiscal legacy of republican administrations was the subject of commentary in PolitiDose several years ago.  Projecting what is likely to take place on the republican watch has precedent.  Their ideology is extreme and lacks policy and plans to deal with issues.  And Trump has taken that ideology to a new level with danger written all over it and the GOP ditto heads are in full support.  The many issues where progress was made on President Obama's watch are "gone with the wind."

The trumpet man is running the government's fiscal house with the same corruptive ideology of his business world.  And now he is floating the idea of a middle class tax cut late next year because of the election.  Trump's companies have already seen a 14% reduction in their income tax because of the 2017 tax cuts and is running scared of the recession people are talking about.  In fact the business world has taken the position that American manufacturing is already in a recession.

President George W. Bush's last fiscal year deficit came in at $1.4 trillion, an all time high single year budget deficit.  That is what President Obama inherited.  But Obama's last fiscal year budget deficit was $665 billion, a decrease of over 50%from when he took office.  That is what Obama left Trump, and now after only two fiscal years the federal deficit is over $1 trillion under the trumpet man, almost double.

PolitiDose and its readers knew it would take  place long before it took place.  And that really says it all.  So stay tuned to PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Trump's Disaster With The Afghan Taliban Terrorists.

President Donald Trump's representative had been in peace talks with the Afghan Taliban for almost a year and shut out Afghan's President from those talks collapsed just one day after leaders of Trump's administration said an agreement was imminent.  During those talks the Taliban continued their terror attacks in Afghanistan killing innocent Afghans and U.S. Troops.

After the expected agreement was announced the news media reported Trump secretly invited the Afghan Taliban leader and Afghan's legitimate President to Camp David for talks and a possible end to the war.  The invitation to invite the Taliban to Camp David was met with much protest which caused Trump to backtrack and say the meeting was cancelled due to the Taliban's recent attacks in Kabul that killed many, including one U.S. serviceman.  The Associated Press reported in a New Orleans Advocate article of 8/30 Trump said the U.S. and the Taliban was close to a deal and would plan to withdraw more than 5000 American troops from Afghanistan.  But as of this Tuesday the deal is dead says Trump.

The exclusion of Afghan's President from the peace talks with the Taliban was a disaster in the making and Afghan's President said he would not allow America to decide Afghan's future.  Trump's foreign policy disasters have been a result of his ego, lack of understanding foreign policy, the issues and the skill of diplomacy.  He has to pass blame on President Obama to justify his own incompetent actions.  And just Tuesday, Trump said he fired National Security Advisor John Bolton. (Bolton said he resigned)  Bolton was the third NSA to resign or be  fired by Trump since he became President.  The trumpet man's ego is so large he is incapable of appointing a NSA who has a balanced of foreign policy experience because he thinks he knows more about foreign policy than his advisor, so it becomes a shallow unworkable arraignment that leads to disaster.

And also Tuesday, in another foreign policy flip flop, Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo now says Trump would like to meet with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani at the U.N. next week with no preconditions, a reversal of Trump's previous position. Months ago, Trump predicted that Rouhani would be calling Trump for a meeting but now it is Trump who is doing the begging.  Rouhani's position has been no talks unless Washington lifted the sanctions against his country.

Iran and Afghanistan Presidents seem to know more about foreign policy than Trump does.  Is it any wonder why so many of Trump's appointments, who he calls the best people for the appointed jobs have left the administration in such a short period of time?  Every thing this President touches dies because he is so toxic.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The U.S. Economy, Job Creation and Unemployment for August 2019

The U.S. Labor Department reported the U.S. economy created 130,000 jobs in August, down from the previous month of 164,000 jobs and that the unemployment rate remained at 3.7%.  The numbers continue to decrease and this years average job numbers for the first 6 months are way behind last years average.  The economy is in its 11th year of expansion but the slow down continues.

So in Trump's first 31 months in office, a total of 5,725,000 million jobs have been created for a monthly average of 184,677.  In President Obama's last 31 months in office 6,574,000 million jobs were created for a monthly average of 212,065.  That means during that 31 month period 849,000 more jobs were created under the Obama administration despite the Trump tax cuts which were supposed to create more jobs.  As a distraction, Trump now says the Dow Jones Average would be 10,000 points higher if not for his trade war with China.  That in itself reflects his commitment to corporate America, those who were helped the most by Trump's tax cuts and used those tax cuts to buy back their own companies stock to run up the prices,

In addition, Trump is still blaming his Federal Reserve Chairman's failure to reduce interest rates to the level Trump desires as a reason for a slow down economy and job creation.  But those who follow politics understand that republican administrations have no real economic plans or policy for the economy, they only have an ideology based on tax cuts for those that need them the least.  And Trump did not realize he admitted his own failure when he ordered American business to leave China and move their company business back to the U.S., something he said would take place after his tax cuts took effect.  Of course it never took  place and Trump has not moved any of his companies business back to the U.S. either.

The bottom line on the economy and job creation was the steady growth on President Obama's watch because of a sound economic policy after a severe economic recession.  Under Trump's tax cuts and ideology, the economy and job creation is now in decline and consumers are paying the price for his unwelcomed trade wars.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Mass Shooting and Killing in Texas and They Keep Piling Up On President Trump's Watch.

Another mass killing and shooting in Texas.  This time in the vicinity of Midland-Odessa where 7 people were killed and 22 were wounded, including three police officers.  The area police reported the shooter was killed and was armed with an AR rifle.  It was reported by CNN that Texas has had four of the 10 greatest mass shootings in modern U.S. History.  And President Trump, who told America on the campaign trail in 2016 it would all end when he became President now finds himself governing over a record number of mass killings and shootings.

In less that 24 hours after the mass shooting, new gun laws went into effect on September 1in Texas that allows guns in places of worship and school grounds according to the CNN report.  Kris Brown, President of a Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Group said, "Texas lawmakers doubled down on an NRA led agenda to encourage guns every where, no matter the risks and costs to safety.  The new law will obviously allow a future shooter access to schools and places of worship which should be gun free zones because they are places where people are easy targets.

After the mass shootings and killings Texas Governor Greg Abbot said the following:  I HAVE BEEN TO TOO MANY OF THOSE EVENTS.  TOO MANY TEXANS ARE IN MOURNING.  TOO MANY TEXANS HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES.  THE STATUS QUO IN TEXAS IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND ACTION IS NEEDED.  The Governor's words ring hollow since he supported the new gun laws and signed the bill that went into effect September 1.  The Governor has had more than enough time to address the status quo he talked about and failed to do so.

This latest mass killing and shooting once again demonstrates the wisdom of the democratic party in the U.S. House who passed gun control legislation back in February, long before the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, Dayton, Ohio and Midland-Odessa, Texas.  But as usual, the republican controlled U.S.Senate has failed to take up the bill for debate because of their commitment to the NRA and the gun lobby.  Trump and his party are cowards on the issue and all the people hear is their rhetoric.

Democratic administrations have done more to control the violence than any so called conservative republican administration and the record speaks for itself.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio  

John Kay, Conservative Guest Columnist Has It All Wrong In A Recent Opinion Column.

In a New Orleans Advocate opinion column dated 8/31/19 titled, "Kicking the budget can down a much shorter road" follows the usual conservative fairy tale.  He dislikes the two year spending bill both houses of congress passed and Trump signed into law.  The spending bill put an end to the republicans previous bills which were short term bills that had to be extended time after time by CR's. (Continuing Resolutions) The republicans did that while trying to repeal and replace the ACA without success.

The bill increases the federal deficit and Kay does not like that and is thankful that Louisiana's
Senators Bill Cassady and John Kennedy voted against the bill.  However, Kay failed to point out to his readers that both Senators voted for the Trump-GOP tax cuts that added $1.5 trillion to the deficits, much more than the two year spending bill.  Of course Kay is director of Americans for Prosperity-Louisiana, a conservative organization in tune with Business and the Trump-GOP tax cuts favored business and the wealthy so we know why Kay was silent.

Then Kay makes the ultimate "fake news" statement when he says, "Trump and congress have done a good job of allowing the American economy to surge by cutting taxes and removing regulatory barriers, steps that have led to today's robust job market.  Well, as all fair minded people know, job creation under Trump in the 31 month he has been in office is much less than job creation under the Obama administration in his last 31 months in office and by a large margin.

And one can bet, Trump's cancellations of some of the safety standards put into place on offshore drilling by the Obama administration after the BP blow out and oil spill that killed 11 rig workers will come back to haunt those Louisiana politicians and organizations who supported Trump's actions.  Its just a matter of time for the next accident to take place in the Gulf of Mexico.

The democratic party was right in pushing for a two year deal on the spending bill so there would be some certainty instead of living with CR" every few months.  Trump and the republican party signed on because their plan to force the democrats to accept a repeal and replace the ACA failed big time.  As for kicking the budget can down the road I would suggest to Mr. Kay it is a republic can since no republican President has balanced the federal budget since Eisenhower in 1960.  And that really tells the story of the can kicking.

It is obvious Kay knows very little about the economy, job creation and deficit spending.  He probably still thinks Reagan balanced the federal budget when he was President.  That has always been a republican fairy tale.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Congratulations To The Little League Baseball World Series Champions

What a delightful credit to Louisiana, the U.S. and the world for a class act of sportsmanship.  Thirteen young boys, their coaches, fans and their actions on and off the field of play demonstrated why "Baseball" is still the "National Pastime."  The East Bank team also represented America the Beautiful at a time of need and the inspiration to excel.

The little leaguers enjoyed the competition, had the look of confidence, were calm and smiled a lot.  Their performance was a bar to follow and to be looked up to by all little leaguers and all in the sports world.  The attitude of the team and the tournament itself united all who followed the games and made all the things that divide the country seem so self inflicted.

The coaches of all the teams deserve our respect.  They take time off and volunteer their services to teach these young boys about life, sports, how to get along and compete.  Their supervision and teaching at a time in the players young life is so valuable to their future.  And what we witnessed in the world series can touch the younger generation in other areas of life that will help mold the future leaders of America the Beautiful.

So to the East Bank Little League Baseball World Champions, thanks for the memories, what your play taught us and your contribution to the future of sports.  All of you are very deserving World Champions and you earned it.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Trump: A Traitor Still Occupy's The White House

President Trump went to France to attend the G-7 annual conference and was once again a lost isolated soul who skipped out on more than one meeting and the world's leader failed to lead.  But the trumpet man did find time to be Russia's Putin spoke person and agent and declared once again that Russia should be allowed back in the G-7 group.  He then played the blame game and blamed President Obama for the groups ouster of Russia

Trump then took it to the next level of betrayal and once again displayed he was autocrat Putin's proxy by saying he would invite Putin to the U.S. next year when the G-7 has its conference in the United States.  President Trump continues to betray our allies and America by paying more attention to autocratic rule than democracy.  And he invites Putin to America next year close to the 2020 Presidential election which the FBI recently said Russia is committed to interrupt.

Thirty one months in office and Trump is still in bed with Russia and Putin.  It is an indication that Putin does have something on Trump and the trumpet man wants it to remain secret.  Every day it is a new traitorous act by the President and his willingness to work with Russia during the 2016 Presidential election to seek dirt on an opponent is evident of his traitorous attitude.  Any public disagreement between the U.S. and Russia is only a side show on Trump's watch to cover up what really is going on between them.

Trump's sad performance at the G-7 and his failure to lead weakens that alliance and what it could accomplish for the greater good.  The global economy and other issues that affect the world needed to be addressed and the leader of the free world was there in body only.  The mind and the spirit was on Trump's ego which magnifies his lack of mental capacity.  Another major event and another reason why Trump is unfit to be President.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The U.S. Economy and Jobs: A Disappointment, A Warning or Both?

Now comes a story by the Associated Press that the U.S. Labor Department announced last Wednesday "the U.S. job market isn't quite as strong as originally believed because of revised figures that show the economy had 501,000 fewer total jobs this March than originally reported."  The largest decline came from the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, the industries most associated with consumer spending.

The down turn was the sharpest downward revision in job totals since the great recession of 2009 when the economy was just starting to turn around the Department reported, and that it suggest job growth was slowing.  The report comes at a time President Trump was talking about a payroll tax cut to ward off a recession, then changed his mind and said a recession is no where in sight and backed away from his tax cuts.  Then he told his cabinet he did not want to hear the word recession mentioned.

The readers of PolitiDose already knew that the job market under Trump in his first 31 month in office was already much slower than what it was in President Obama's last 31 months in office.  There is another element found in the Department's report that is worth repeating.  That is the Trump-GOP trickle down economic tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy are not economic policy, does not create more jobs or a stronger economy and increases the federal deficit dramatically.  The sad story is old and goes back to the years of the Reagan and Bush 43 administration's tax cuts.

What is taking place on Trump's watch was predictable.  The numbers were always there to guide the informed as well as the un-informed willing to listen.  Economic policy and plans are not a part of the Trump or the republican party's ideology and that is why democratic administrations consistently out perform republican administrations.

Note"  See PolitiDose's three part series titled, "The U.S. Economy:  Which Party Performs Best?  dated 1/27/2008  And "Recap and Conclusions"  dated 3/2/2008.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Abortion: The Republicans, Conservatives, The Anti Abortion Groups and The Johnny Come Lately President Donald Trump

It was a conservative Supreme Court in Roe vs. Wade in 1973 by a majority vote of 7-2 that legalized abortion in America.  Six of the nine judges were appointed by republican President's Richard Nixon and Dwight Eisenhower.  Three were appointed by democratic President's Lyndon Johnson and John F. Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt.  Five of the seven judges that voted in favor were appointed by Nixon and Eisenhower.  Of the two that voted against, one was appointed by Kennedy and one was appointed by Nixon.  So why is it that the democratic party has been made the scape goat of being pro abortion when two republican Presidents made their choices and appointed conservative judges in a great majority.

The answer can be found in the era of "then" and the era of "now" and how the republican party and so called conservatism has changed since the "new" Newt Gingrich era started in the early 1990's.  Prior to that time, the "then" era of republican conservatism, Supreme Court judges were not appointed to make political decisions.  But because of the constitution, the laws and the facts of the case they were expected to make the proper decisions.  It was obvious from the very beginning that the Roe vs. Wade decision was based on the facts presented, the law and not by a political consideration.

The Newt Gingrich era changed all that because Newt hated the fact that the democratic party controlled the U.S. House for such a long period of time.  So he set out to discredit the democratic party with lies, personal attacks, blame, division and used wedge issues like abortion and religion in his desire to divide the country.  His party followed in his foot steps and vowed to support and appoint conservatives to the federal bench who would support Newt and the republicans extreme political ideology in their court decisions instead of following the law.

They blamed the democratic party as being pro abortion because the democratic party had a higher standing of supporting judges and especially those to the U.S. Supreme Court.  The republican ideology became so bad Mitch McConnell refused to give President Obama's nomination to the Supreme Court a hearing.  And of course president Trump has taken it to a new high and has appointed two new Supreme Court judges who he expects to make political decisions that favor the republican extreme ideology.  Trump also likes to attack judges that rule according to the law and the facts.

The democratic party has the high ground on the abortion issue while the republicans position is that of a coward and the reasons were given in a previous commentary in PolitiDose.  Democrats understand the slippery slope that takes place when judges make decisions based on politics and ideology.  The "now" era of republican conservatism hates the "then" era of republican conservatism and it is being played out on a daily basis.  

Roe vs. Wade was decided over 40 years ago.  It is time the people move on and reject the issue as a political football to divide the country.  The cowards could learn a thing or two from the "then" era of republican conservatism.  One should also note that the cowards never mention it was a republican appointed conservative Supreme Court majority that decided Roe vs. Wade and made abortion legal in the United States.   And that really says it all.

Note:  The following Supreme Court Judges voted in the decision and were appointed by the following Presidents.

Voting Yes were Judges Harry Blackmun,  appointed by Nixon; William Douglas appointed by Franklin Roosevelt;  Warren Burger appointed by Nixon; William Brennan appointed by Eisenhower; Potter Stewart appointed by Eisenhower; Thurgood Marshall appointed by Lyndon Johnson; Lewis Powell appointed by Nixon.

Voting No were Judges Byron White appointed by John Kennedy and William Rehnquist appointed by Nixon.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

What Will The 2019 Football Season Bring For LSU and The Saints?

Hopes are high for LSU fans who think this year will be a huge break out.  But this writer is a little more cautious because of the disappointments the last several years that showed little improvement, an offense still not tuned to the current times and a coaching staff yet to prove they can do better than Les Miles.

Even though I have been a LSU fan for over 50 years, my attitude is wait and see and don't become too excited yet.  The last several years tells us that so called "talent" by itself does not win the important games.

As for the Saints, forget about last year because it has no bearing on this season.  Some are talking already about the Saints - LA Rams game being a revenge game because of what took place in last years season ending game for the Saints.  Don't be fooled, the Saints could win 100- zip and it would not change a thing for blowing last years lead with less than 90 seconds left in the games regular time.  It was not the so called non-call that lost the game but the Saints inability to hold the lead in regulation play and then Brees interception in overtime that allowed the Rams to kick the winning field goal.

To put things in perspective, the Saints have to go to the Super Bowl this year to have a better season that last year.  And the Saints have not had a consistent winning seasons record.  So my advise is to ignore all the hype about how much the Saints have improved since last year because that can only take place and be judged when the regular season starts.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio