The Ending Of A Dark Presidency

President Trump brought the darkest days to our country as his term in office comes to an end on January 20, 2021.  And in doing so reverses the long time democratic principals that has made the Presidency the greatest office in the land.  At a time of transition to a new administration, a pandemic running wild and growing, an economic recession and millions of jobs that have yet to return to the economy, citizens depending on food banks for nutrition, business operating at minimum levels and just last week the discovery that Russia is at it again with cyber attacks against federal agencies, the President is AWOL.

Instead of having a plan and answer for those issues, Trump spends his time trying to over turn an election he lost big time simply because it was a free democratic election.  His lies and misinformation about the election being rigged and being a fraud and his misuse of the courts to challenge the results has consumed all his time.  As an American President who swears to uphold the rule of law and the constitution failed his duty to do so and inflicted damage to the country's democratic institutions.

Trump's willingness to obstruct the orderly transfer of power to a new administration and his attempt to make it difficult for the new administration to operate is more than a traitorous act.  In denying the transition timely access to critical information simply to damage the new President-elect is deplorable and a disgrace to the Presidency.

America has suffered over 300,000 deaths from the virus pandemic and at its darkest time of spreading in Trump's final months in office, the President has turned his back, looked away and devoted his time to try and undermine and overturn a democratic Presidential election just because his bid for a second term was rejected.  No living American can remember such a disaster and ending of a Presidency or a President who cared so little for his fellow man, his country, the Presidency and the constitution of American freedom.

What a shame, 46% of the voting public gave Trump a chance to be an American President during the 2016 election.  But instead, he decided to bring his corrupt business persona to Washington and ended up failing his country and its people and violating his oath of office.  The Trump Presidency was one of total corruption from beginning to end and the darkest part of it came as his time to depart the White House is at hand.  The only thing left is his pardoning of his close friends who committed crimes that were confirmed in a court of law.  The corruption is to its core as this writer has said on many previous occasions.  

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

LSU's 2020 Football Season.

The LSU Tigers of 2020 did not do a good job defending their National Championship title that went 15-0.   And although they finished the season defeating Ole Miss and a 5-5 break even season it was not very pretty.  In fact it was a great disappointment for a National Championship team to fall down so hard, looked so confused and poorly coached too often.  Coach "0" had no replacement (experience wise) for passing coordinator Joe Brady or defensive coordinator David Aranda's proven ability and it showed.

So  now we learn coach "0" is cleaning house on his coaching staff.  Steve Ensminger  and Bo Pelini's coordinators position will have to be filled because of their departure.  Both positions are so very important, coach "0" has no room for error.  The sports media and coach "0" tried to make a big deal when Pelini was hired this year as LSU's defensive coordinator.  They talked about Pelini's 4-3 defensive alignment and that it would be an "attacking defense" like those two words were "magic."  Well, Pelini's defense showed up for the games but there was no "magic."

This writer wrote commentary here in PolitiDose after LSU won the national championship in January and pointed out that the 15-0 team was past history and questioned if LSU's future would be one of a consistent winning record.  This season was the start of that future and the answer is still questionable and remains to be seen.  Every year LSU's recruiting ends up in the top 10 and many times in the top 5.  Yet the Tigers are no where close to being a consistent winner like Clemson and Alabama.  

The question is why?  The answer is coaching.  The many coaching changes being announced now tells this writer not all is well in Tiger land.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Kansas City Chiefs 32 --- New Orleans Saints 29

The Kansas City Chiefs put a crimp in the Saints desire to have home field advantage through out the play offs and in the process defeated the Saints 32-29.  The game was not as close as the score would indicate.  The Chiefs offense and defense lived up to its record as the current World Champions and exposed the Saints weakness on both sides of the football. 

The sports media failed to grasp the fact that the Saints have beaten only one team with a winning record this season and both of their next two opponents also have losing records.  The media's rating of the Saint's defense was never objective because their analysis was based on the Saint's performance against some very bad teams.  The Chiefs, a very good team, exposed that weakness, gained 179 yards rushing and 232 yards passing.  And in the third and fourth quarter when it counted, the Saint's defense could not stop the Chief's third down conversions.

The sports media still don't understand the sub-par game Brees had against the Chiefs, blaming it on Brees being rusty.  But the fact is the Chief's defense played the Saint's receivers tight, some thing all those losing teams to the Saints never did because they do not play good defense.  The Chiefs knew a good defense never leave the receivers run loose and therefore easy targets for the quarterback to complete the pass.  (Its noticeable the Saints receivers do not like being covered tight by the defense.)

As of this writing, only 14of the 32 teams in the NFL have a winning record.  It is nothing unusual but it does tell the story that overall, the NFL has too many poor teams year in and year out.  And playing those poor teams and making a judgement with objectivity just how good a team really is (like the Saints) needs to be taken into consideration.  The East Division of the National Conference will not have one single team with a winning record this year, yet the division champion will make the playoffs.  What a shame on competitive sports or what use to be considered competitive.

The bottom line is the Saint's offense and defense is over rated by the sports media and when they play the teams that are well coached and know how to play offense and defense, the Saints do not live up to the sports media's ratings.

Note:  The Saints will make the playoffs so they still have a chance to prove how good they really are.  And that is what counts.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

  

  

The Jobs Report and Unemployment For November 2020.

 The U.S. Labor Department reported 245,000 jobs returned to the economy in November and that the unemployment rate came in at 6.7%.  It was the fifth straight month the job numbers were down and there are still over 9 million jobs that have not returned since the economic recession and pandemic.  Unemployment was down from 6.9% in October but the Labor Department cautioned that the rate is actually higher because it does not count unemployed of those who have stopped looking for work.

So as of November 30, counting new jobs created prior to the recession and pandemic, the job loses that followed and those jobs that have since returned to the economy, job creation is at a minus 2.5 million jobs.  If those 2.5 million jobs do not return to the economy by the time Trump leaves office his administration will have the worse job creation record since the great depression of 1928-29,  Trump said his administration would create 25 million new jobs but never had a chance because he had no economic policy or plans.

And once again it is a republican administration that has failed to keep up with job creation that took place under democratic administrations.  The unemployment rate when Trump took office was 4.7%.  November's rate was 6.7%, 2% points higher.  That indicates Trump is on the verge of leaving office with a higher unemployment rate than when he took office.  Every republican administration in the last 72 years with the exception or Reagan left office with a higher unemployment rate than when they took office.  It is just another sad record for republican administrations on the U.S. economy.  But the Reagan administration holds the record of the highest sustained unemployment rate during that same 72 year period when unemployment stood at over 10% for ten straight months from September 1982 to June 1983.  The Trump administration has the highest unemployment rate since the great depression when it hit 14.7% in April 2020.

The facts tell the story that what took place during republican administrations over the last 60 plus years, nothing was learned from the failed past of republican administrations and there fore for them, the future was like the failed past and repeated itself.  Fortunately, democratic administrations that followed those failed republican administrations had policy and plans to deal with the disaster they inherited.  Democratic administrations have a better understanding of governing because they know it takes plans and policy to address the issues.  And President elect Joe Biden is displaying that leadership at the present time in transition.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

What Will The New Year Bring Politically? The United States: Past, Present and Future.

 A triple history will play out before our very eyes at a time of great challenges.  The Trump administration is coming to an end, a New Year is dawning and a new administration will begin to govern America.  The challenge will be great, an economic recession, a virus pandemic, deficit spending once again out of control on the republican watch and the country's institutions under attack by a leaderless American President and his republican enablers who condone his traitorous acts.

What took place in the past four years, took place in every republican administration in the last 100 years, an economic recession.  And it took place even though Reagan, Bush 43 and Trump cut taxes that favored corporate America and the wealthy during their time in office.  For republican administrations, the future looks like their failed past.  Trump learned nothing from the failures of the Bush administration and leaves President elect Joe Biden with an economic recession that began in February, millions of lost jobs, an economy in trouble and a virus pandemic out of control.  Bush left the country in the same sad shape that the Obama administration inherited and had to deal with. (Except for a pandemic)

To add to the republican failures, no republican administration in the last 60 years left office with a lower deficit than when he took office and no republican administration has balanced the federal budget since 1960.  Republican administrations hold the record of having the highest unemployment numbers in the past 60 years and contrary to their propaganda, republican administrations have the largest percentage increase in federal spending and the national debt.

But America can be confident that the future under the administration of President Joe Biden will be successful in restoring the nation's economic health, jobs, fiscal stability, moral values and leadership that embraces America's institutions, the rule of law and the constitution.  And most of all, will be ACTIVE to bring the pandemic under control  and administer the vaccine.  

This writer is certain of that because of precedent of the past 80 years when democrats governed with success to reverse the failures inherited from previous republican administrations.  The Roosevelt/Truman administration guided the U.S. out of the great republican depression of 1928-29 and WWII.  The Kennedy/Johnson administration guided the U.S. out of the economic recession that took place on President Eisenhower's watch.  The Carter administration that guided the U.S. out of the economic recession that took place under the Nixon/Ford administration.  The Clinton administration that guided the U.S. out of the economic recession of the Bush 41 administration( remember it was the economy stupid)  The Obama/Biden administration that guided the U.S. out of the great economic recession of 2008 under President George W. Bush.  And now, the republican administration of Donald Trump leaves the Biden administration with the same kinds of economic problems, debt and a virus pandemic that is out of control.

Republican administrations have a consistent record of failure because they are married to a doctrine of ideology which disregards facts.  Therefore the problems of an issue are never addressed.  The democratic party governs by and with plans and policy that address the issues involved and therefore results are obtained.  Its no coincidence that every republican administration in the last 100 years has presided over an economic recession that began on their watch.

And so my fellow Americans, on January 20 democratic President Joe Biden will inherit another great failure from another republican administration, this time from Donald Trump.  Biden's task will not be easy by any measure because of the severity of problems waiting.  It will take time and at times seem slow, but the President will have plans and policy to deal with the issues at hand. The democratic party understands that if we do not understand the failures of the past, it will result in a future that will be like the failed past.  

This writer has no doubt that the democratic administration of President Biden with his plans and policy will reverse the failed past of the last four years and once again put America and its people on a path to restore our country and its citizens quest for a better life.  And when it takes place you will have read it here first in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.

And once again, what the Sumerians knew 5 thousand years ago will be alive and will play out another time in our history.  UNDERSTANDING THE FAILED PAST IS STILL THE KEY TO A BETTER FUTURE to the people on earth.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

 

Another Huge First For PolitiDose As The Outcome Of The Trump Presidency Was Predicted In Past Commentary.

 This writer in two commentaries  titled, "Will The Failure Under A Trump Administration Be Like The Failed Past of Previous Republican Administrations" dated 12/9/16 and "What Will The New Year Bring Politically: A Continuing Story" dated 12/24/16 told the story in advance how precedent could be used to judge the future of Trump's four years in office and his administrations failures.  It was all preordained in those two commentaries.

The regular news media never saw it coming because they pay no attention to an administrations record even though the record and failures keep repeating itself.  For the past nine years PolitiDose has laid the facts out on the republicans failures on a host of issues that keep repeating themselves but the regular news media keeps reporting the republican talking points and their fairy tales as if they have great accomplishments.  

Trump's background, his rhetoric during the 2016 campaign and the republican party's record over the past 80 years was enough to understand that the failure of past republican administrations would take place again in a future Trump administration.  And with less than two months to go in office, the failure that was predicted in 2016 came front and center to repeat the cycle.  

Yes, my fellow Americans, the very first civilization on earth, that of the Sumerians said they were taught six thousand years ago that the key to a better future was to understand the mistakes of the failed past.  Otherwise, the future would be like the failed past.  It is a piece of wisdom that is alive and well after all those years.

Note:  To read this writers two commentaries noted above log onto politidose.blogspot.com 

Note:  Stay tuned for the wrap up  of the Trump administration and what to expect from the Biden administration which will becoming soon.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President-Elect Joe Biden's Win Has The So Called Conservative Republican Opinion Writers In La-La Land.

Those who follow PolitiDose and political reality understand the recent commentary by so called conservative republican writers mark the start of the never ending negative voices that will continue through out the Biden administration.  It will be the usual drumbeat against democratic administrations that began with the Reagan and Gingrich years because conservatives and republicans have no record to run on.

Recent articles published in the New Orleans Advocate by Michael Gerson, Rich Lowry and Garey Forster are good examples.  Gerson in his article titled, "The democrats have reason to be unhappy in victory" was the usual propaganda by conservatives who try their best at division.  President elect Biden won the election with a record democratic blue wave vote that overwhelmed a sitting President by almost 6 million votes.  The democratic party maintained control of the U.S. House and as of this writing, gained one net seat in the U.S. Senate.  One can see that democrats are not ditto heads like republicans and express their own political attitudes about their own party which Gerson makes himself believe that means un-happiness.  Gerson, being a so called conservative will continue to divide the country with a democrat in the White House once Trump leaves office.

Rich Lowry's article in the New Orleans Advocate titled, "Ungracious exit damages Trump" said he knew in advance how Trump would handle a defeat but all through the Trump years Lowry was a Trump ditto head who supported him and a democratic basher even though Trump and the republicans were running the country.  Lowry also said Trump's handling of the election has been a runaway success and gave the excuse that republicans should give Trump backing to pursue voter fraud in the courts because of some close votes in the battleground states.  The article seems to be an apology for Trump as he leaves office but four years of being a Trump ditto head says it all.

And then there was Garey Forster's article in the New Orleans Advocate titled, Biden's energy policy would drive Louisiana workers into unemployment."  Forster, a local and what appears now to be a regular opinion writer for the Advocate is all over the place in his article.  The article actually talks very little about unemployment.  Its more of a tribute to Trump winning the debate with Biden (he actually lost), the taxes the oil industry pays in Louisiana, unkind words for Governor John B. Edwards and ends with the prediction that Trump will win re-election on November 3.  Being a Trump ditto head, Forster forgot to mention that the oil industry in Louisiana had its best years on the democratic watch and its worst years on the republican watch and that more than 7200 oil field workers lost their jobs in Louisiana in the last year on Trump's watch.  The largest job loses came during the administrations of Nixon and Reagan.  And of course as all knows the oil and gas industry has been in recession for over a year on Trump's watch.

Forster also failed to mention that the Oil industry became the worlds largest producers on the Obama-Biden watch and it was that same democratic administration that held BP accountable for their rig explosion that killed 11 rig workers and cost billions of dollars of damages to Louisiana's environment.  The bottom line is democratic administrations always do a better job at creating new net jobs and a Biden administration will continue that record with the economy.  And Donald Trump will leave office on  January 20 with the worst job creation record since the great depression.  And that really says it all.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

 

 

Louisiana, The State We Are In: Once Again, A Gas Tax Is Being Floated.

As per a report in the New Orleans Advocate of 11/25 a new push is on to raise Louisiana's gas tax by 10 cents per gallon initially and 22 cents per gallon eventually that would raise between $300 - $600 million annually.  The report noted that the tax has not changed in the last 30 years, that Louisiana ranks 43 nationally in the gas tax and since 2013, 30 states raised its gas taxes.  Also noted was the effort in the pass to raise the tax has failed.

The reason behind the push to raise the gas tax is to finance needed repairs and rebuild the states highway and infrastructure that is in a deplorable condition.  Everyone agrees that the issue would help Louisiana's economy, the business community and commerce in general.  We know for a fact that the state has said it would take approximately $12 billion to address the highway and infrastructure problems.  But the real problem is the states do nothing republican controlled legislature, their radical ideology and tax give away to the business community.

The state's tax breaks for the business community is approximately $8 billion a year.  That is about 25% of the state budget and no state can afford to lose that much revenue nd take care of its needs.  But the states legislature says the tax breaks are needed for the economy, jobs and etc., etc. and etc.  But it is the big lie.  Louisiana is still last nationally in almost every category important to the state and its people despite the corporate welfare given away each year.

What the state needs is an economic plan based on the real needs of the state and its people.  The state also  needs a multi face economy that can withstand the hardships when a pandemic and other unforeseen events take place to ease the burden.  An increase in the gas tax is only one way to raise revenue to pay for highway and infrastructure repairs and giving away state revenue to business that just contribute to larger bonuses and salaries for their CEO's and executives is pure folly and wasteful.

The state will continue to stay at or near the bottom in national rankings until Louisiana's state government takes a stand in favor of the state and its people.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

The Sickness In The White House Continues To The Very End.

 The sickness and mental unfitness of President Trump continues with less than two months left in office.  The sickness is ending just like it started in 2016 with unfounded claims of massive voter fraud only the ending is worse because of Trump's desire to litigate the election in the courts instead of the people's vote.  He even went so far as to brag about stacking the Supreme Court so they would decide the election in his favor.

So Donald Trump will end his Presidency as a self serving "sicko" whose anti-Democratic rhetoric and actions will go down in history as the first American President to undermine the constitution, the rule of  law, our institutions and the morality of America.  He has earned the title of being a "deplorable" person who lives the life of lying no matter what.  His hatred of America's democratic process of transition and his refusal to co-operate with President-elect Joe Biden and the smooth transition of government change is the height of betrayal and a planned rejection of the peaceful transfer of power.

The many traitorous acts of this President justified his impeachment by the U.S. House and his acquittal by the GOP controlled Senate are the reason the country is still dealing with this sick and mentally unfit President's attempt to undermine American democracy and the election process.  The country and its people can start a new beginning on January 20 when President-elect Joe Biden is installed as the 46th President of the United States.  That is the day when America can "Build Back Better" as Joe Biden says we can do and also the day the voters can hold the GOP responsible for their obstruction that is sure to come.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

President-Elect Joe Biden Certified The Winner In The State Of Georgia

Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Governor Brian Kemp certified that democratic President-elect Joe Biden won the state of Georgia and its 16 electoral votes in the November 3 election.  A hand recount triggered by Georgia's election laws confirmed the original vote that had Biden ahead in the vote count. 

President-elect Biden is the first democratic Presidential candidate to win the state since 1992.  It was a great win for Biden in a state won by Trump in the 2016 election and one thought to be dominated by Trump in this years election.  It was a real democratic blue wave of votes that flocked to the polls to vote and increased their 2016 vote registration close to a million new voters.

So now all eyes are on Georgia's two U.S. Senate run off races scheduled for early January.  The out come will decide what party will control the U.S. Senate which at present is controlled by the GOP.  The stakes could not be higher, but more important is the fact that Joe Biden is the President-elect.

Biden not only ran a better campaign that Trump, he let his fellow Americans know he would not run a campaign that put the public's life at risk with a virus pandemic still out of control.  The health and safety of America and its people were in the President-elect's thoughts.  The bottom line to the vote was that the people of Georgia spoke loud and clear.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Trump and His Ditto Head Opinion Writers Deserve Each Other.

So called conservative opinion writers Rich Lowry and Byron York made a last ditch effort prior to the November 3 election to try and convince the voters that there were grassroots Trump supporters you don't see and that Biden's energy policy would end Pennsylvania's oil boom.  They also claimed the polls were wrong.  Well, a funny thing happened on election day.

The polls were not wrong, Biden won as predicted and with the greatest democratic blue wave vote in the history of Presidential elections.  In fact it was a deluge with a popular vote margin of over 5 million votes.  The rejection of a sitting President was complete.  Even the people of Pennsylvania voted for Biden.  They knew the states oil boom took place on the Obama-Biden watch and understood what the word "transition" means.  They had a good laugh at Lowry's opinion column concerning the subject matter.

And now that the election is over, Trump's ditto heads are feeding off his everlasting lies about voter fraud, denying the blue wave vote existed and still enabling him a force in the GOP and the 2024 election.  But the bottom line tells us Biden's decisive win and defeat of Trump ends the term of a traitorous President who created and built an administration based on lies.  

And the GOP and the so called conservative news media supported it all.  What a shame.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

Seventy Seven Plus Million Votes Tell Us America Is A Moderate-Liberal Nation.

President elect Joe Biden's election not only proved the polls were right, it demonstrated that the people have figured out that the republican claim of being conservative is a fairy tale and that the people themselves are not conservative politically.  The people understood that the issues that affect them can not be addressed or solved by brand names but by actions and plans that meet each situation. 

Biden not only received the largest popular vote total in Presidential history, democratic Presidential candidates won the popular vote in seven of the last eight Presidential elections.  And Donald Trump lost the popular vote in the last two Presidential elections by over eight million votes.  Forget about what party controls the House or Senate. Those are only districts, local and state races that have been gerrymandered and do not represent the view of the country as a whole.

Biden's victory was complete.  He won back so called swing states Trump won in 2016 and won Arizona, a state no democratic  Presidential candidate has won in over 20 years.  He also won Georgia (subject to recount) a state no democratic Presidential candidate has won in the past 20 plus years.  Biden's popular vote margin of 5 plus million votes over a sitting President was historic.

The American people understood that democracy, the constitution, the bill of rights, human rights and the creed that all are created equal are born of moderate and liberal thought.  It guided our nation for 245 years and counting.  And President elect Joe Biden understands that and said so when he proclaimed he was a proud democrat, but he would be an American President.  That there would be no red or blue states, only a United States of America.

And so it goes.  Moderates and Liberals don't rely on brand names to divide America for votes.  They are satisfied and comfortable with being Americans first and foremost.  And They believe in America the Beautiful and its institutions that has kept us free.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

HAPPY 245th BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps and all my brother Marines who wore the eagle, globe and anchor.  And especially those in harms way and away from their families serving their country and doing their duty.   Semper Fidelis, "always faithful" the motto that binds all Marines as brothers continues to be alive and well and in good hands.  

Two hundred forty five years of Honor, Duty and Commitment that was shaped in Boot Camp and stamped forever in our minds and souls with pride and the title of being a U.S. Marine.  Although the Marine Corps is the smallest fighting force in America, our brothers are still the FEW, THE PROUD, THE MARINES.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES AND MAY THE SUPREME COMMANDANT CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER AND TAKE CARE OF OUR BELOVED CORPS.

Semper Fi To All

Sgt. Joseph J. Lorio, Sr.

Job Numbers and Unemployment For October 2020

The economy returned 638,000 jobs in October and the unemployment rate came in at 6.9% according to the U.S. Labor Department report.  The job numbers were down from the September numbers of 672,000 jobs and was the fourth straight month of lower job numbers.  The unemployment rate was one percent lower than the 7.9% rate in September.

The department also reported that the nation still has 10.1 million fewer jobs than it did before the recession and pandemic and at the current pace of hiring, it would take until February 2022 to regain those jobs lost.  Despite those projections, Trump and his party still have no stimulus plan or economic plan to put the country back to work and address the problems.  

That is not a pretty economic picture especially with record COVID 19 cases surging at the present time and Trump and his party's rejection of the stimulus passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.  And now with the election over we shall see just what Trump and his party are willing to accomplish before he leaves office in January 20, 2021, just two and half months away.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

 Note:  The republican controlled Senate failed to pass their own stimulus plan.

What Is The Point? Semantics At Its Worse.

In a New Orleans Advocate opinion column dated 11/5 by Tyler Bridges and Jeff Adelson titled, "Big wins show republicans still reign in Louisiana"  was much about nothing.  They tried to explain how Tuesday's Presidential election turned out to be about the same as the 2016 election as far as Louisiana goes with the same kind of results.  Its meaningless because with all the republican party control in Louisiana, it is  democratic governor John Bel Edwards that leads the  state.

The big red in Louisiana controlled the government and both houses of the state legislature under former governor Bobby Jindal but accomplished very little in their 8 year reign.  They never balanced one state budget, left the state with billions in debt and the unemployment rate was higher when Jindal left office than it was when he took office.  They also refused to implement the ACA under the medicaid provision and left millions go uninsured.  

Governor John Bel Edwards did much better and governed with character even though he has a hostile republican legislature and attorney general who try to oppose his every move especially against the COVID 19 virus.  Edwards has done a better job than Trump at managing the virus even though the President has more resources at his calling.

So the republican party may still reign in Louisiana in some minds, but it is democratic leaders who lead and govern the best for the people and the state.  This writer is not moved by the red state when governed by the republican party.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

President-Elect Joe Biden Wins The Presidential Election and Defeats President Donald Trump.

 Democrat Joe Biden rode a record democratic "blue wave" vote that drowned President Trump on election day November 3.  President-Elect Biden also won the popular vote with more than 74 million votes and the final tally not in yet.  It was the most votes received by any Presidential candidate in the history of the country.  It was also the second Presidential election for Trump when he failed to win the popular vote.

The so called conservative opinion writers never saw the democratic "blue wave" coming because they refused to believe it existed.  But the readers of "PolitiDose" knew better because the "blue wave" was explained in PolitiDose commentary on several occasions the past few years.  It was also obvious in the record early and mail-in voting.

Biden's campaign was about American values while Trump's campaign was like his administration, one of division and personal attacks, both on people and our institutions.  Biden campaigned in the states Trump won in the 2016 election and pushed him to defend those states.  Biden's win also put to rest the old worn out line by Presidential campaigns that you have to win Ohio and Florida to win the Presidency.  Biden lost both states and won because he knew how to add and obtain the necessary 270 electoral votes.  

So now with the votes counted, Trump, in his usual anti-American rants continues to say he won the election by lots of votes and has already had his attorney engage the federal courts in unfounded claims of voter fraud and other illegal activities.  But the courts will be no help to the trumpet man's allegations.  Trump's behavior in trying to corrupt and undermine the democratic process is a sad time in the life of a U.S. President.

On January 20, 2021 when President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office, the darkness of the Trump administration will be lifted and "HONOR" will return to the White House..  The change will reflect the will of the people and their confidence in President Joe Biden and America the Beautiful.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

LSU 11 AUBURN 48

 LSU's win against South Carolina was talked about being a great improvement for their rushing offense, the offense in general and a big improvement for the defense.  However, it slipped some peoples mind that South Carolina was really not a good football team and therefore the game was not a vehicle to make such a judgement.

Then along came the Auburn Tigers, no relation to the LSU Tigers in a SEC match up that defeated the LSU football team and made it look easy.  LSU's problems on offense and defense were once again glaring.  After five games, the Tigers from Baton Rouge have the same problem giving up big chunks of yardage on offense and defense.  Poor tackling and blocking.

Every SEC team has the same problems.  COVID 19, players sitting out because of it, players lost to the NFL draft, injuries and young players.  But when you have the right coaching, the cream should come to the top.  At this point, the defending national champs have a long way to go to become a team that can compete on a consistent basis for the BCS playoffs and a shot at the national championship.

In fact they have a long way to go and just be a winner in the class with Alabama and Clemson.  And the Tigers play Alabama next week with two weeks to prepare for the game and make a positive statement.  Will the Tigers be up to the challenge?  Will the coaching staff wake up, coach and understand 15-0 is over and done with?

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The President Continues To Violate His Oath Of Office.

 The mentally unfit and impeached President Trump continues his assault against the nation's democratic voting process with his lies and unproven remarks of massive voting fraud both at the polls and with the mail in ballots.  And his anti-American rhetoric to his supporters to take action at the polls in order to intimidate voters all add up to the violation of his oath of office to uphold the law and protect America's institutions and the constitution.

The unfit President took another sick step recently in declaring that the only votes that count are the votes cast and counted on election day Nov. 3.  Never mind the millions of lawful mail in votes that are timely filed but counted past election day.  The confusion that this President tries to perpetuate during the country's voting process apes what authoritarian and dictator regimes do to deny the vote and divide the electorate.  The attempt to corrupt our institutions and the constitution has never been greater by an American President.

On November 3 the American voters should overwhelmingly reject this President's traitorous actions and his anti-American quest of authoritarian rule.

This  commentary written by Joe Lorio

New Orleans Advocate Journalists Mark Ballard and Tyler Bridges Are The Latest Bill Cassidy Ditto Heads

 Their long, drawn out commentary published on 10/26 titled, "Cassidy, Perkins Differ On Health Law By Wide Margin" was the usual out of touch commentary on health care by journalists who love to quote the GOP's talking points on an issue they have a record of inaction and opposition on for the past 16 plus years.  Trump and the GOP during the 2016 Presidential election promised health are if elected but failed to deliver even though they controlled both houses of congress in Trump's first two years in office.  Bill Cassidy, a doctor played a part in the republican health care plan that went down to defeat in 2017 and could not even provide the 51 votes necessary for passage and the GOP controlled the majority vote.

Now, Ballard and Bridges in their article swallow the GOP tale of another health care law the republicans have ready sponsored by Cassidy again and Lindsay Graham.  But they fail to question Cassidy why the plan has not been introduced yet, even though Trump said it would be introduced this past August but never was.  They also failed to question Cassidy's lie that republicans have proposed at least three times replacement bills but were defeated by Democrats.  In 2017 the republican controlled U.S. House passed their health care plan but the republican controlled Senate ignored that plan and introduced their own plan and it went down to defeat.  And Trump and his party have done nothing  outside of their rhetoric.

Ballard and Bridges in their commentary quoted Cassidy saying, "as a doctor, I do bring something unique to the conversation, and I think it shows in my legislation."  Yeah, right, a self serving statement that his own party defeated and disowned in its vote in 2017.  And this is the party who told the people during the 2016 election if they won they would pass a new health care plan to replace the ACA and it would be better.  The Congressional Budget Office actually reviewed their plan and said it would remove millions from the insured rolls and out lined its deficiencies.  So now after 4 years and no health care legislation or plan they now say wait until the next election and 4 years.  What is  the something unique that Cassidy brings to the conversation?  And what is unique that Trump and his party can explain about their health care plan besides the rhetoric?

The bottom line in health care tells us Trump and his party have no record of any health care legislation as of this writing because they do not believe in the issue.  The same is true to their opposition of Medicare that was passed in 1956 by a democratic controlled congress and democratic President.  And when Trump and his party's health care legislation was defeated in 2017, former speaker of the U.S. House John Boehner, a republican said, the republican party was never interested in passing health care legislation.  And that really says it all.  

This commentary was written by Joe Lorio

Another First For PolitiDose

After much commentary in PolitiDose concerning the democratic controlled U.S. House doing its part in the fight against the coronavirus by passing a needed stimulus package to help the economy and its people recover, we finally hear from Dana Milbank, columnist for the Washington Post in an opinion column dated 10/29 titled, "Rich Mitch Acts For The Wealthy and Not The Hurting Americans." 

Milbank comments how republican senator Mitch McConnell would not take up the House passed $2.2 trillion stimulus plan nor the $3 Trillion original stimulus plan which money would already be circulating in the economy.  PolitiDose commented on that along with other needed legislation passed by the House that McConnell would not even take up for debate, much less a vote.  The general news media are always behind PolitiDose reporting on  those issues that really matter and make a difference.  In fact the news media paid little attention to a piece of major legislation passed by the House that would lower prescription drug prices over five months ago.  McConnell also let that legislation die in his senate chamber.  So stay tuned to PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary for timely information.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

What Is Important Is That The American People Understand The Word "TRANSITION."

 The America people understand exactly what democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden means when he says a Biden administration will work to expand the country's energy sector from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy by a certain date and it will be done by TRANSITION.  Trump and his ditto heads, some Oil and Gas executives included, sought to use a lie saying Joe Biden would immediately shut down the industry and the jobs associated with it.  They allow themselves to not understand the word TRANSITION in favor of a stupid lie thinking about the election around the corner.

The Oil and  Gas industry, like Trump, have been lying for years about democratic administrations trying to put them out of business.  The Kennedy-Johnson administration in the 1960's eliminated their tax breaks called the 12 and half percent depletion allowance and the industry claimed it would put them out of business.  Well of course as every one knows it did not because the administration knew it was just another tax gift to an industry that did not need it.  Plus the readers of PolitiDose understood from previous commentary that the industry does better on the democratic watch.

According to the LSU Center For Energy Studies, 8,000 oil and gas jobs were lost in Louisiana since the start of the economic recession.  From 72,000 workers to 64,000 workers.  In a separate report by the Baker-Hughes rig report on October 23, there were 12 rigs working offshore and that a year earlier there were 21 rigs operating, a reduction of 43%.  And it took  place on Trump's watch.  We also  know as fact that the oil and gas industry did better under the administration of President Obama than they did under President George W. Bush and also so far under President Trump.

TRANSITION, such an easy word to understand if one has the wisdom to do so.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

  

Federal Spending Continues To Grow On Trump's Republican Watch.

In a PolitiDose commentary dated 10/31/09 (11years ago) titled, "Federal Spending, Facts vs. Myth" it was reported how republican administrations are the big spenders in Washington and not democratic administrations as the GOP always tried to sell the public and the news media.  And now after the Trump administration completed its third fiscal year on 9/30/20, we can compare those three years of federal spending with President Obama's last three fiscal years of federal spending.  We will also explore federal spending for the last 40 years.

Total federal spending in Obama's last three fiscal years was $11.5 trillion.  At the end of Trump's first three fiscal years total federal spending was $15.1 trillion, up $3.62 trillion or 31%.  By comparison, total federal spending for Obama's first four fiscal years increased 18% over President Bush's last four fiscal years.  And in Obama's last four fiscal years, total federal spending increased 7% over his first four fiscal years.  So total federal spending for Obama's eight fiscal years increased a total of 25% compared to Trump's increase of 31% in only three fiscal years.

Total federal spending In President Reagan's first four fiscal years increased 50% over the previous four years of President Carter.  Total federal spending in Reagan's last four fiscal years increased 25% over his first four fiscal years.  So total federal spending in Reagan's eight fiscal years increased 75%.  Total federal spending in President George H.W. Bush's first four fiscal years increased 28% over Reagan's last four fiscal years.   Total federal spending in President Clinton's first four fiscal years increased 14% over Bush's first and only four fiscal years.  Total federal spending for Clinton's last four fiscal years increased 14% over his first four fiscal years.  Total federal increase in spending for Clinton's eight fiscal years was 28%.  Total federal spending for President George W. Bush's first four fiscal years increased 28% over Clinton's last four fiscal years and total federal spending for Bush's last four fiscal years increased 33% over his first four fiscal years.  Total federal spending increase for Bush's eight fiscal years was 61%.  

The democratic administrations of Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama fell between the administrations of Reagan and Trump and brought sanity to federal spending with much smaller increases and a budget process because democrats govern with plans and policy and the real issues that affect the country and its people.  Republican conservatism is a myth along with the notion that democrats are the big spenders.  During this 40 year period, the Clinton and Obama administrations were the only administrations to leave office with a balanced budget and or a reduction in deficit spending from the numbers when they took office.  The country and the people had to deal with an economic recession that began on the watch of Reagan, Bush 41, Bush 43 and Trump and three of those Presidents passed massive tax cuts that benefited the wealthy and Corporations the most which they said would keep the economy growing and balance the budget.

And if one wishes to really understand the magnitude of republican spending, how about absorbing this bit of information.  It took the country 212 Years to have a $1 trillion spending budget and that took place in Reagan's fiscal year ending 9/30/87.  President George W. Bush became the first President to preside over the very first $2 and $3 trillion spending budgets in fiscal 9/30/02 and fiscal 9/30/09.  Trump became the first President to preside over the first $4 trillion spending budget in fiscal 9/30/18 and the first to preside over a $5 and $6 trillion spending budge in fiscal 9/30/20.  It took 15 years to go from a $1 trillion spending budget to a $2 trillion budget;  Then it took 7 years to go from a $2 trillion spending budget to a $3 trillion budget.  It then  took 9 years to go from a $3 trillion spending budget to a $4 trillion budget.  It then only took 2 years to go from a $4 trillion spending to a $5 and $6 trillion spending budget.  Good thing democratic President's Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama served in between those four republican President to break up the republicans spending spree.

And still today, the news media in general and especially the so called conservative republican opinion writers try to pass off republican administrations and those republicans in congress as fiscal conservatives.  They are not only enablers of fake news, they have no original thought on fiscal matters or the actual numbers.  And its the same media who tell us it is their job to inform the people.  Yeah, right.

PolitiDose for the past 11 years has told the story of the republicans massive deficit spending and debt and their failure to balance the federal budget since 1960.  That is over 60 years ago.  How many years do they need?  The cruel implementation of three massive tax cuts that favored those who needed tax relief the least fueled the great disparity know as income inequality and economic recessions that damaged the average American worker while Corporations gave record bonuses and salary increases to their CEO's and executives.

The national debt has increased almost $7 trillion in just three short fiscal years under Trump, the economic recession is still in progress, unemployment is higher than when Trump took office, job creation is in minus territory, Trump's trade war is still waging on and Trump and his party still have no real policy or plans to deal with the issues.  Ideology rules and the country lacks governing and leadership.  The fiscal disaster under this administration is there for all to see.  The GOP has learned nothing from the past.

And as expressed many times in past PolitiDose commentary, "The secret to a better future is understanding the mistakes of the failed past."  Otherwise, the future will be like the failed past.  Republican administrations have proved that over and over.  And that really says it all.

Note:  Spending information above taken from the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget historical data.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

Republican Administrations on Trump's Watch Records Another Record Deficit Spending Fiscal Year For The U.S. Government

 President Trump's Treasure Secretary announced that the government's federal deficit for fiscal year ending 9/30/20 came in at a record $3.13 trillion, topping the previous single year fiscal deficit of $1.4 trillion during George W. Bush's last fiscal year that ended 9/30/09.  Revenues were $3.42 trillion while expenses were $6.55 trillion.  The $3.13 federal deficit was an increase of 218% over the previous fiscal years deficit of $984 billion.  Fiscal year 9/30/20 was Trump's third full fiscal year and the federal deficit has increased each year.

Trump's record deficit should be a surprise to no one that follows PolitiDose or the facts because it was all preordained by precedent of republican administrations and record over the past 60 years.  And it has been documented in PolitiDose commentary during the past nine years.  No republican administration has left office with a smaller deficit than when it took office in the same period, but every democratic administration except one during that same period left office with a smaller deficit then when they took office.  And no republican administration has balanced the federal budget since President Eisenhower in 1960, but two democratic administrations balanced five budgets during that same period.

And to top it off, the highest percentage increase in the national debt during that same period took place on the republican watch of Nixon-Ford, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.  So called republican conservatism is a myth and the federal government's fiscal health does much better on the democratic watch and has the record to prove it.  Conservative opinion writers continue to push the fake news and disinformation that democrats are the party of deficit spending because they are ditto heads for Trump and the GOP and are cowards when it comes to facts.

The federal deficit at the end of President Obama's last fiscal year ending 9/30/17 was $665 billion.  It was $1.4 trillion at the end of Bush's last fiscal year .  President Obama inherited the Bush economic recession, had to deal with it and the terrific job losses that followed but still reduced deficit spending and kept the deficit below Bush's record number.  The Obama administration also left office with a great job creation record.  

On the other hand, The 2020 economic recession and pandemic took place on Trump's watch, the federal deficit increased every year and exploded this year and the economy has lost jobs on Trump's watch.  Trump's tax cuts also reduced needed federal revenues that helped explode the deficit.  Trump and the GOP has followed the same failed ideology that allows one to predict the calamity that takes place on their watch.  And to think many people and the news media still believe the bill that was sold to them about the Reagan, Bush and Trump tax cuts and how  great it was going to be for the economy and balancing the federal budget.  Three strikes and your out.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Failure Of President Trump's Trade Policy and Wars Continues.

Presidential candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign made a big issue of the U.S. Trade deficit and policy and said if elected would change the country's trade policy, especially toward China to reduce America's foreign trade deficit.  But as President, for almost four years, failed and in fact cost the federal government more money for bailing out the American farmers for the harm Trump's trade wars inflicted.

Now comes the U.S. Department of Commerce in a October 7 report that America's foreign trade deficit for August was up 5.9% or $67.1 billion dollars.  It was the largest increase since August 2006, fourteen years ago.  Also reported that the total foreign trade deficit January - August 2020 was $421.8 billion dollars, up 5.7% from the same period in 2019.  So Trump's promise to eliminate America's trade deficits was just another fairy tale and a part of Trump' fake news like he would create 25 million new jobs.

Trump, the self promoted boss of every one has allowed China to eat his lunch.  And like most of Trump's decisions, his corrupted persona does not allow for real plans and policy on the issues facing America.  History will not be kind to the impeached and mentally unfit President and rightly so.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

The LSU Football Season of 2020

 It's a flip of the coin season for LSU football and no one yet knows how it will end, not even the coaches and surely not the sports writers.  Too much thought about last years national championship and their 15-0 record and little objectivity about the 2020 season.  LSU is no where close to the consistent winning level of play Clemson and Alabama achieved in the past 10 years and only  qualified for the BCS playoff system once since it has been created.

Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini is taking a hit from sports writers for LSU's poor defensive performance to date but was praised by coach O and sports writers when his hiring was announced.  They bragged about his so called "attack" type defense like it was the perfect defense when all it represented was a catch word.  Pelini who was a defensive coordinator for LSU years ago and then served as a head coach since then, just may have not been up to date on all the offensive and defensive changes that has taken place over the years.  But this writer does not remember any sports writers question that thought when Pelini was hired.

Another factor concerning the 2020 LSU team is the loss of the offensive mind of Brady.  Steve Ensminger,  LSU's offensive coordinator obviously does not have the offensive mind of Brady nor the thinking of play calling.  We know that because Ensminger has performed before Brady was hired.  Ensminger certainly knows the plays Brady developed but knowing when and how to use those plays during the game is another function.

This writer in commentary dated 1/17/20 after LSU won the national championship wrote that winning the national title was for the past and that the success of LSU's future has not been written yet.  This season may provide a clue.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The President Gambled With The COVID-19 Virus And Failed

President Trump's reckless flaunting of the CDC guidelines to control the spread of the coronavirus caught up with him and he now finds himself in Walter Reed Memorial Hospital for treatment of the virus.  Around the same time other people close to Trump also tested positive for the virus.  

The President allowed his own staff to meet regularly without wearing masks and ignoring social distancing and put all at risk.  He also held rallies and other functions in close gatherings and disregarded the safety factors that should have been in place.  And to add insult, at the Trump-Biden debate in Cleveland, Trump's family and friends refused to wear masks while Biden's family and friends did so.  

The recklessness of this President during the pandemic has been documented many times over and includes misinformation, disinformation and out right lies concerning the risk to the public and recommendations of the CDC.  And he has chosen to show his divisiveness by making fun of democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden because he wears a mask in public and practices social distancing.  Don't expect President Trump to be a changed person when he is deemed free of the virus.  He will be the same Donald Trump and mentally unfit to be President of the United States.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

The Commission of Presidential Debates Should Cancel The Remaining Debates.

 And the first Presidential debate between President Trump and Joe Biden tells the story why they should be cancelled.  Trump's maniac performance in the first debate brought enough shame and discredit to the White House and the Presidency and should never be allowed to repeat itself.  Civility should be the first order of business in the debates but everyone knows Trump has no respect for the word or for anyone or anything.

The Commission's response for changing the format for the next debate is unacceptable and unworkable because Trump will still be the maniac he is and disregard any changes.  Closing off his mike as a suggestion is a fairy tale.  No mike is necessary for him to continue his ravings, interruptions and bullying tactics.  There simply won't be any civil debate, the people will be viewing a rerun and nothing will be gained.

Its past time to control the mentally unfit President and deny him another platform to continue his unacceptable behavior.  

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Unemployment and Job Numbers For September 2020

 The U.S. Department of Labor reported 661,000 jobs returned to the economy in September, down from the 1.4 million jobs that returned in August.  It was the third straight month where the number of returning jobs fell.  September's unemployment rate came in at 7.9%, down from August 8.4%.  But the Department noted the September rate was actually higher because more people stopped looking for work and the Department counts those who are actually looking for work as being unemployed.  

So as of September 30 a little over 10 million workers have yet to return to work out of the 21,501,999 million workers who lost their jobs.  The unemployment rate for January 2017 when Trump took office was 4.7% and when Trump's first term in office ends on January 20, 2021 he may very well become one of the many republican Presidents who finished his  term in office with an unemployment rate higher then when they took office.  In fact in the last 60 years Reagan is the only republican President who finished his term with a lower unemployment rate than when he took office.

The larger problem stems from Trump and his republican controlled U.S. Senate's failure to come up with a true economic and stimulus plan to address the economic recession and pandemic problem.  History and precedent tells us it is a republican party pattern because of their ideology and a lack of policy and plans on the issues that affect the country and the people.

And at this late date before an election, Trump and his party are still in denial.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

No End In Sight For Greedy Corporate America.

J.P. Morgan Chase has agreed to pay $920 million in fines after admitting to manipulate the markets for precious metals and U.S. Treasurys.  U.S. financial regulators and the Department of Justice said traders at J.P. Morgan used tactics know as "spoofing" to move a market in one direction or another, according to a report published in the New Orleans Advocate of 9/30.

J.P. Morgan Chase is one of corporate America's big boys bank and financial institutions aligned with republican administrations and republicans in congress who believe massive tax cuts, tax breaks and little or no regulation is good for America and business, yet, they still disregard what little regulation is left as J.P. Morgan did with this market manipulation.  The greed of corporate America is never satisfied and the public should always remember that despite the Reagan, Bush 43 and Trump tax cuts, the reduced regulations by all three Presidents, each of their administrations suffered an economic recession that damaged the average American.  But corporate America and J.P. Morgan Chase did well during those recessions.  And as noted in past PolitiDose commentary  and in several internet reports, over the last 40 years corporate America, their CEO's and executives increased their earnings over 900% while the average worker saw an increase of only 12% in their earnings.  The big boys never get enough and their greed knows no bounds.

Note;  During the 2008 economic recession J.P. Morgan Chase received $25 billion from the U.S. Governments TARP program.

 This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Presidential Debate Of 2020.

For those who tuned into the debates during the Presidential campaign of 2016 knew how the Trump-Biden debate of Tuesday night would unfold because of precedent.  During the republican candidates debate and Trump's debate with Hillary Clinton during 2016 Trump ignored the rules of the debate he agreed to follow, constantly interrupted and berated his opponents and the moderators and displayed his lack of civility.  He was an unrestrained loud mouth.

Tuesday's night debate with Biden was no different and in fact Trump sounded and acted like a maniac and confirmed once again his mental unfitness to be President and his mental decline as the days go by.  Democratic nominee Joe  Biden had the upper hand, was calm, called out Trump's lies and destroyed Trump's attempt to blame others for his own failures.  Biden was also able to smile and laugh at Trump's antics, told Trump to shut up and called the President a clown.  It was a good night for Biden who spoke directly to the people and said they can end the Trump disaster with their vote on November 3.

 Trump's terrible debate performance confirms what this writer commented about in PolitiDose and what Nancy Pelosi said about why Biden should not debate Trump.  You can not debate a liar who has no civility or moral values concerning the debate process.  The debate process is broken and the moderators share in the blame.  Chris Wallace did not do his job as moderator on Tuesday night and this writer believes the last two Trump-Biden debates should be cancelled and that future Presidential debates should be predicated on a different process and settings with controlled responses from each candidate.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Mitch McConnell and The Silent News Media.

 Mitch McConnell, Republican Senate Majority Leader as usual came up with an excuse that denying President Obama Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland a hearing and vote was justified.  Other ditto head republicans in congress picked up the fake news and tried their own lies and excuses to defend the position they created themselves in 2016.

The news media carried their sorry excuse as if it was justified.  They completely ignored the republican record of dirty tricks.  They forgot to mention that it was Mitch McConnell who said in public when President Obama was first elected President he and his party wanted to make Obama a one term President and would not support any of his policies.  In other words, Obama was a democrat and that is why he would not support his administration.  It is the same reason McConnell would not advance Obama's Supreme Court nominee, simply because it was a democratic President who nominated him.  McConnell used the election year as an excuse and his actions on Trump's nominee is proof. 

The general news media is frozen when it comes to answering the republicans lies, fake news and hypocritical actions.  They feel they have no responsibility to report the republicans dis-information and propaganda.  Yet, it is the news media that floods the news cycle every day with Trump and the republicans rhetoric.  And Mitch McConnell is the ultimate un-American person serving in congress.  And he demonstrates it every day.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

Trump Is Playing Out What Russia's Putin Taught Him.

 The world knows how Putin interfered in the U.S. 2016 Presidential elections and how they are currently doing it again now in the upcoming November 3 election and that they are doing so in favor of Trump.  Our intelligence community and the FBI has the proof to back it all up and have reported so to congress.

Putin and his cronies use all forms of misinformation, disinformation and lies to affect the election outcome.  And we now see Trump using those same Putin tactics to claim election fraud before the election even takes place and even planting the seed that the courts will have to determine the outcome.  Even more un-American, un-democratic and un-Presidential was Trump's boast that his Supreme Court nominee would help him be reelected if the court has to step in.  That statement is  corruption of the Supreme Court and any Trump nominee should step up to the plate and withdraw their name for consideration and not risk Trump's toxic infection of the Court.

Trump's actions tell us he believes Biden will win the election, probably by a large margin so he is following Putin's game plan and advise.  Trump and Putin are one and the same and Trump's enablers have failed to stand up for democracy and the constitution.  On November 3, the American people who have always stood up for America in it hour of need have another chance to do so and wash away the dark clouds that engulf the White House.  The lawless President has to be removed from office the democratic way.

This  commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Reason Why PolitiDose Commentary Continues To Be Valid Concerning The Abortion Issue.

Now comes republican conservative journalist Michael Gerson in commentary dated 9/20 in the New  Orleans Advocate titled, "Why a pro life voter should balk at thought of Trump's reelection."  In his commentary Gerson tells why he is voting for Joe Biden and the reasons why so called pro lifers should also do the same.  Gerson it should be noted is pro life but prior to Trump's election never said the things he said in the above commentary to this writers knowledge.

For instance, he noted that the number of abortions have gone down on the democratic watch as it has on the republican watch and that the assumption that abortion would increase on Biden's watch was found to be inadequate and the numbers prove it.  He also pointed out that the abortion rate fell each year of President Obama's two terms in office.  Gerson noted that the abortion rate today is lower than it was when Roe Vs. Wade was decided.

Gerson took the time to explain that abortion is only one issue in the campaign and that treating the election as a referendum on abortion is a way to live with Trump's moral ugliness.  Many of Gerson's comments mirror what this writer commented many times over in PolitiDose over a number of years.  Namely, that a real debate has never taken place concerning Roe vs. Wade and abortion and all the related factors.  And PolitiDose took the time to talk about those factors.

Gerson's commentary is appreciated by this writer even though through the years the republicans in congress, past republican Presidents and many republican conservative journalists used the abortion issue to divide the country and used it as the lone and most important issue during elections.  They also failed the test on abortion by pushing the absurd concept that if one is pro choice, they are also pro abortion.

The larger problem lies in the comments made by republicans and conservatives over the years concerning abortion and the fact that they try to make abortion a democratic issue and problem and never find the time to remind the people that Roe vs. Wade was decided by a republican conservative appointed Supreme Court and by their majority vote.  The vote was 7-2 and 5 of those votes were by Justices appointed by republican Presidents.

Perhaps Gerson's commentary will help people understand what is really at the heart of Presidential elections and how important are the many issues that face the country.  PolitiDose will continue to do its part to keep the people up to date with commentary that really matter and make a difference.

So stay tuned to PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

Trump And The Republican Party In Congress Continue To Flaunt Their Un-American and Un-Democratic Ideology.

The untimely death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a great loss for Justice in the highest court of America.  But President Trump used the loss to declare he would immediately nominate a replacement for Judge Ginsburg and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would proceed with a Senate hearing in a speedy manner before the Presidential election.  What Trump and McConnell announced was the opposite of how President Obama's nominee to fill a vacancy to the court was opposed by both Trump and McConnell who refused to give Obama's choice a hearing.

The politicalizing of the Supreme Court by Trump, McConnell and the republican party in dealing with President Obama's nominee and now their 368 degree turn for Trump's nominee is nothing short of Un-American and Un-Democratic no matter how one looks at it.  It is also an autocratic act by those who look at themselves as Kings who can trample on American Justice to serve their own political purpose.  Trump, McConnell and his party in congress are truly deplorables.  McConnell and his party in congress stand along side of Trump with their own betrayal of America and its institutions.

 The darkness that Trump and his ditto head party has cast over our great land has to come to an end on November 3.  Its the only way to deal with the corruptive rule that Trump and his party has established.

This commentary was written by Joe Lorio

President Trump's News Media Enablers Who Claim To Be Conservatives

First, lets clear the deck.  When it comes to republicans in the news media who use the word conservative to describe themselves, it indicates their un-willingness to be an American first and foremost.  Like Trump, they are unfit to serve in an industry that is vital to free speech because their every move is to protect a President who lies about everything on a regular basis.

They are also the mouth piece of the republican party in general and the opponent of the democratic party in particular.  And its to the point of adopting Trump and his party's talking points regardless of the facts.  At the moment, they have accepted trump's word concerning his relationship with Russia and their interference in the 2016 presidential election and now the 2020 election instead of the U.S. intelligence community reports about Trump's involvement with Russia. 

Conservative opinion writers with a few exceptions like Michael Gerson, are all in on Trump's traitorous acts and betrayal and even use excuses to justify his actions.  Their common denominator seems to be facts don't matter, its what we can sell that does.  But when you are a Trump ditto head and have no character or courage and no respect for the public good, you are no better than Trump who lives at the bottom of the toxic barrel.

This writer commented through the years (before Trump) how so called conservative news media spends more time attacking democrats while republican administrations are running the country instead of talking about republican administrations who are running the country.  And now, under Trump, they are doing the same thing, especially opinion writers.  Well as spelled out before, the reasons they do that is because republican administrations have no accomplishments to articulate.  And sure enough, Trump will end his term in office as one of the worst performing Presidents in the past 50 years.

But hey, the so called conservative media will have done their job, passing on false information about the democratic party and promoting the lies and fake news of Trump and his party.  Congratulations on being just as toxic as Trump and his party.


This commentary written  by Joe Lorio

Trump and His Republican Controlled U.S. Senate Fail To Pass Their Pandemic Stimulus Relief Bill.

Trump and his republicans in the U.S. Senate still can not get their act together to pass the stimulus relief they have been talking about since the "Cares Act" expired July 31.  They can not even agree among themselves what the cost should be.  First it was around $1-1.5 trillion dollars which sparked an outcry from their own party members, then they finally settled on $600 billion that was voted on and defeated 52-47. 

So the only stimulus relief legislation that has passed for the expired "Cares Act" was the bill passed by the democratic controlled U.S. House several months ago.  Trump and his party failed to even debate the bill with any counter offers and did what they always do, demagogue the issue.  After the Senate failed to act in good faith with the House's bill Trump had his Treasury Secretary deal with house speaker Nancy Pelosi on the bill but there is still no movement on the bill and Trump continues to fail at governing.  All the while the death total continues to climb over the 190,000 mark and the economy is in an anemic recovery stage. 

Nineteen years ago President George W. Bush, Congress and the nation dame together after terrorists killed over 3000 Americans on 9/11/2001.  There was a common purpose for the country to act as one and it did so.  Nineteen years later we have a virus pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 190,000 Americans  and we have a President, Donald Trump who divides the country, congress and the people, lies about the pandemic, fails to lead and take responsibility and uses division as a political tool.  The contrast is so un-American and extreme one could never predict such a happening would take place. 

And to top it off, the President is still using those tactics less than two months before the election while the pandemic is still raging.  America and its people deserve better and can change the status quo on November 3 with their vote.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The President of The United States Donald Trump Sinks To A New Low As His Traitorous Act Continue

The recent revelations published in the "Atlantic Magazine" concerning the President's disparaging remarks toward our men and women in uniform and especially those serving in combat, in war zones and those who died or were POW's are unforgiveable for a President and Commander in Chief.  The President's denial ring hollow and self serving since the "Atlantic" account has been verified by other sources and Trump himself has a history of using such remarks against individuals who have served and or still serve in the military.

The Commander in Chief by his remarks has dishonored, disrespected and belittled every man and women who wore the uniform of their country and the American flag they honor every day.  And once again, the President and Commander in Chief displays his failure to respect anyone, even those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  The sickness in the White House is a tragedy born by a President who continues to attack every thing democratic about America.  The ugly American President cares only about himself and personal gain.

This writer in a commentary dated 7/31/16 titled, A Traitor Among Us:  Trump, Vladimir Putin and Russia was one of the first and maybe even the first to call out the President for his traitorous acts and betrayal of America and its people early on.  There were also other commentary in PolitiDose concerning the subject matter during Trump's time in office.  But Trump's betrayal of our military stands out as tragic, especially his comments about those who paid the ultimate price and those who were POW's.  And to top it off he used a public comment to name U.S. Senator John McCain who was a POW during the Viet Nam war.

Donald Trump, President and Commander in Chief does not know the meaning of respect or service.  The millions of men and women who wore the uniform of their country deserve an apology and Trump's resignation.  His betrayal of America and traitorous acts deserve nothing less.  The mental unfitness of this President and Commander in Chief is historic.


This commentary written by Joe  Lorio

Protesters Are Not The Threat Trump and His Ditto Heads Would Like You To Believe In An Election Year.

Now comes a report by "Politico" that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has prepared three draft reports warning that white supremacists are currently the most significant threat to the U.S.  The first draft had the strongest language regarding white supremacists and said that among lone offenders and small cells of individuals, the department has concluded that white supremacists extremists, who increasingly are networking with like-minded persons abroad, will pose the most persistent and lethal threat. 

Politico also reported from the drafts that two subsequent draft also stated,  (1)  white supremacists extremists  will remain the most persistent and lethal threat in the homeland through 2021.  (2)  That all three drafts warn that white supremacists represents an even greater threat than violence from foreign terrorists groups.  (3)  John Cohen, the department's counterterrorism coordinator from 2011-2014 said the draft document seems to be consistent with earlier intelligence reports from DHS, the FBI and other law enforcement sources.  That the most significant terror-related threat facing the U.S today comes from violent extremists who are motivated by white supremacy and other far-right ideological causes.  (4)  Russia probably will be the primary covert foreign influence actor and purveyor of disinformation and misinformation in the Homeland.

The draft notes that 2019 was the deadliest year for domestic violent extremists since the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.  (this writers note:  It happened on Trump's watch) 

And as all should know by now, President Trump has a history of using white supremist groups to divide America and to fan the flames of peaceful protest.  White supremist and other extreme groups have come from out of state armed with weapons to Kenosha and Portland to disrupt peaceful protest and cause trouble.  Trump loves it and his attorney Kellyanne Conway told Fox News the more chaos, anarchy, vandalism and violence is good for Trump's reelection campaign.  Trump not only continues to be toxic to every thing he touches, he violates his oath of office by being lawless. 

The DHS reported drafts seen by Politico tell the story of the real threat to our homeland through 2021 and its not the protesters whom are overwhelming peaceful or the democratic party.  Its Trump's own extreme supporters who support his extreme rhetoric to dive America.  The American voter must change course on November 3 with their vote.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Unemployment Rate and Jobs Report for August 2020.

The U.S. Labor Department announced Friday that 1.4 million jobs returned to the work force in August, down from the 1.8 million jobs in July and the 4.8 million that returned in June.  The unemployment rate came in at 8.4%, down from the 10.2% in July.  But the Labor Department added a note that millions of the unemployed stopped looking for work because of the coronavirus and there fore not included in the unemployment number that the department uses because the department looks at them in a different light.

So as of August 31, only half of the 21.5 million jobs that were lost has returned to work.  And Trump and his party still has no stimulus relief plan to replace the one that expired July 31, over a month ago.  In fact, there is still no national plan to safely open the schools or make the work place more safely to speed up the economic recovery that is necessary to put the economy on a safe footing for growth.  The President's third fiscal year will end on September 30 and the financial numbers on the federal deficit  will be a disaster never before seen.

Every day, Trump's lack of an economic policy and his decision to ignore and then undermine the coronavirus pandemic response becomes glaring.  The economy, health problems and death rate would be less severe if America had a President who was capable of  governing.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

Another Big First For "PolitiDose" As The News Media Finally Catches Up.

"PolitiDose" continues to lead while the major news media and cable news hosts follow.  This time concerning the violence that has occupied the media and inflamed by President Trump.  Trump, as usual plays the blame game and blames democratic governors and mayors for the violence following the deaths of several black citizens by the local police.

But "PolitiDose" commented long ago it has all taken place on Trump's watch and that as a Presidential candidate in 2016 said all the violence would stop on January 20, 2017 when he took office.  Of course it has not stopped and Trump himself has fanned the flame of violence with his lawless attitude.  Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden addressed that issue in Pittsburgh this week and reminded the people what Trump said and his inaction.

Biden's comment opened the door and used Trump's own words to indict Trump's failure to act.  Then opinion writers in the New Orleans Advocate of Sept. 3 and a letter to the editors that takes Trump to task for trying to run away from his record and his past statements.  It now leaves one to ask how the debate moderators handle this issue concerning Trump's blame game on someone else when Trump himself failed to govern.

There are other elements to this issue that the news media and especially the cable news networks in particular who have allowed Trump  to over blow the Black Lives Matter protest.  If one listens to their reports and Trump's rhetoric one would think America is on fire.  But the so called riots and lootings are restricted to a few cities only and mostly agitated by out of state armed extremist groups who are egged on by Donald Trump himself.   But the news media has failed to tell that story and that the majority of protesters have been peaceful and without weapons. 

PolitiDose also exposed Trump's failure to keep America safe in a commentary in June 2017 like he  said he would  do when one of several mass killings took place on Trump's watch.  In fact the mass shooting and killing in Las Vegas in 2017 was the most deadly mass shooting since the FBI  began keeping records of such incidents.  Trump actually has no record of addressing crime or criminal activity.  He does have a record of lawlessness and encouraging extremist groups to cause trouble.  He also shows respect for no one or any thing American.  And the President's own actions serve as proof he is mentally unfit to be President and Commander in Chief.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Unanswered Question During The Coronavirus Pandemic.

The business community tells us about their employees who have been laid off, furloughed, offered early retirement, lost their matching 401K matching funds, their health insurance, lost wages and other employee benefits due to the coronavirus pandemic.  But as of this writing, the business community has left the most important question unanswered.

Did the business community's executives and CEO's suffer the same fate as their average workers?  It is probably safe to assume that they did not since the business community and the general news media has been silent on the issue.  And it comes on the heel of a new report that says executives and CEO's compensation in the last 40 years increased 320 times that of the average worker.  So it is obvious who needs the most relief during this pandemic.  And the people who need financial help the most are not receiving it from the business community they helped realize that 320-1 ratio advantage.

Trump and the republicans 14% corporate tax cut has done little to help out the average employee during the pandemic and as of this writing according to a report by the U.S. Commerce Department, America has 27 million people still on unemployment and the republican controlled Senate can not get its act together to pass an extended relief package even thought the democratic controlled House passed their relief package bill over two months ago. 

Its past time for the business community to step up to the plate and do more for their average workers production and contribution to the companies success.  And it is past time for Trump  and his party to represent America and its average worker instead of those only at the top.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Huge First For PolitiDose

Now comes Froma Harrop in a New Orleans Advocate commentary dated 8/27/20 titled, "Face it, MAGA-land, you did better under Obama."  In her commentary, Froma used facts against Trump's usual BS about the stock market and job creation are at record levels on his watch by showing how the stock market and job creation did much better on President Obama and President Clinton's watch before the COVID19 era and all through Obama's and Clinton's terms in office.

The commentary is a reminder how democratic administrations do a better job at governing and producing for the country and its people.  Frome also comments about the total economy, how President Obama did not push a deficit spending tax cut even though his administration inherited a severe recession and that the country did not have to suffer this level of sickness and death do to the coronavirus.

Froma's commentary contains information that PolitiDose has been talking about for years in putting to bed the republicans claim of superiority on every phase of governing, the stock market, the economy and fiscal matters.  And PolitiDose has laid out and explained the reasons why it has been predictable before it takes place.  Trump's fate was sealed the first day he took office because the republican party has a 100 year history of failures on the major issues that affect the country and its people.

This writer recommends its readers log onto the New Orleans Advocate and read Froma's commentary.  It will strike a cord to what you have been reading in PolitiDose.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Foreign Policy Failure For The Trump Administration: This Time Before The United Nations

The United Nations Security Council rejected the Trump administration's resolution that would keep in place the ban on weapons concerning Iran that is set to expire on October 18.  The Security Council approved the ban and it became a part of the nuclear agreement in 2015.  This was the nuclear agreement Trump walked away from by withdrawing the United States from the agreement. 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo failed to convince the Security Council to vote and extend the ban.  Russia and China vetoed and voted against the U.S. resolution and only the Dominican Republic voted for it.  The weapons ban applied to conventional weapons imported and exported by Iran to and from their country.

It was a bitter defeat for Trump's foreign policy and after the resolution failed Trump said he would go back to the United Nations and demand a provision in the agreement called "snapback" which was placed in the agreement for safety purposes should Iran be in violation as authority to reimpose the ban be implemented.

Russia, China and a United Nations spokesman said the United States had no say in "snapback" since Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement in 2018.  And Russia and China added they would not vote or support such a resolution.  Its ironic that Trump falsely claimed the agreement was flawed and now wants to use the safety clause of "snapback" in the agreement.  It should also be noted that prior to Trumps withdrawal, Iran was in compliance with the agreement, were not a threat to shipping in the area as Trump says they are and were not enriching nuclear material to weapons grade.  But with the agreement in shambles since Trump pulled out, Iran is slowly and surely enriching nuclear material over and above what was allowed by the agreement.

Trump's decision to pull out of the agreement was and still is a major foreign policy blunder and now the U.S. and Iran are farther apart than ever and dangerously close to a warlike atmosphere as the rhetoric heats up.  Trump's trade war with China and his cozy relationship with Putin has destroyed any chance of a U.S. resolution reaching bipartisan support in the United Nations Security Council.  Putin continues to control Trump's foreign policy and  that is bad news for America.  Putin and Russia are actually more involved in that part of the world than the United States.

And as previously reported in PolitiDose, the U.S. and the world knows more about Iran's nuclear capabilities because of the agreement that allows inspections to take place of Iran's facilities.  But no one knows Israel, Pakistan or India's nuclear capabilities because they will not allow any outsiders inspect their nuclear facilities.  In other words those 3 countries are a greater threat for a nuclear event than Iran is in the middle east and that part of the world. 

The agreement kept Iran's nuclear program for domestic consumption and Trump's withdrawal was a foreign policy disaster made possible by Trump's mental unfitness to lead.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The U.S. Senate Intelligence committee's Final Report On The Russia/Trump Presidential Campaign Contact: A Devastating Report of Trump's Betrayal of America.

Those who can think for themselves know Donald Trump was lying the moment he called the Mueller investigation "fake news and a hoax."  Trump also said he did not believe our intelligence community finding that Russia and Trump's campaign tried to interfere in the 2016 Presidential election because Putin denied it.  And Trump, being the liar he is, continues to call the story "fake news and a hoax."

But now, after a three year investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee into the matter, the committee issued its report and the findings were devastating to the President of the United States.  Some of the findings and conclusions are as follows:  (1)  The Trump campaign's interactions with Russian intelligence services during the 2016 Presidential election posed a"GRAVE" counterintelligence threat.  Donald Trump's associates had regular contact with Russians and expected to benefit from the Kremlin's help.  (2)  Russia launched an aggressive effort to interfere in the election on Trump's behalf.  Trump's campaign chairman had regular contacts with a Russian intelligence officer and other Trump associates were eager to exploit the Kremlin's aid particularly the impact of the disclosure of democratic emails hacked by Russian intelligence officers.  (3)  Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman shared internal Trump campaign polling data with a Russian agent.  (4)  Donald Trump Jr. met with a Russian lawyer in June 2016 with the goal of receiving information harmful to Hillary Clinton. 

The Senate report confirms what Mueller reported and leaves no doubt that Trump and his campaign was willing to work with a foreign power to help him win the 2016 Presidential election and was also willing for Russia to try and find dirt on Hillary Clinton.  Trump himself asked Russia to hack into Clinton's emails to find some thing that would harm her and promote his chances of winning the election.  Mueller's findings, the intelligence community findings and now the Senate committee's findings leave no doubt President Donald Trump tried to cover it all up with his "fake news and hoax" excuse. 

The Senate report and Trump's denials tell the story America has an un-American President willing to betray the country and its people with traitorous acts.  This final devastating report should be a warning to those who plan to vote for Trump in November because the betrayal will continue if he is re-elected. 

The College Football Season of 2020

As of this writing, it appears that college football will have a season.  However, no one really can say for sure or if teams will be able to play their full schedule.  But we do know several conferences cancelled their seasons an so did a few independent teams.  And when you consider the fact that the stadiums will be empty or at least half empty, the picture leaves a lot to be desired.

The cause of it all as every one knows happens to be the coronavirus pandemic that leaves no room for second guessing.  It is a silent enemy that can strike any where and any one, especially people who flock together without protection.  Short term thinking and planning won't work because it has proven to be a long term problem which brings up a lot of trouble for sports that immediately follow the football season if the football season starts and then becomes infected by the virus.

The question should be, what is the proper course.  Cancel football this season and let people heal so every one can gain time, heal and have the possibility of the virus diminish to the point where sports can be played in a healthier atmosphere with their fan base intact in 2021.  Or, play this football season, put the players health in jeopardy and prolong the virus which could affect the next sport baseball which begins in January.  This years college baseball season has already been cancelled once because of the virus.

This writer believes cancelling football this season is the best option under the circumstances and because of the unknown.  Football is a contact sport on every play and it remains to be seen if that can be accomplished safely. 


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Traitorous Act By The Mentally Unfit President of the United States

This time the betrayal is against the U.S. Postal Service that has deep ramifications.  The Postal Service is in the constitution as a government institution that provides the public and the government with a necessary service that includes insuring a timely and sufficient vote by mail process.  And America  has a President who violates his oath of office by using the Postal Service as an excuse to bring about his unfounded rhetoric on fraud in mail in ballots.

So Trump appointed an unqualified republican donor Louis DeJoy to become Postmaster General to dismantle the Postal Service's ability to perform just months before the 2020 Presidential election.  There are reports by some Postal union workers that hundreds of high speed postal machines have been placed out of service, workers transferred, drop off mail boxes being removed and announcements  by the Postal department that the Postal Service will not have the ability to process voting mail in ballots timely during the November elections.  The department is short on  cash and Trump is trying to hold those funds up as leverage for him in the talks with democrats over the stimulus relief package for the virus pandemic, something unrelated to the Postal Service.

Trump, as the President has betrayed his constitutional duty to make sure the country's institutions, in this case, the Postal Service is operating with the capacity and funds necessary to carry out its responsibility to act according to its mandates and especially when it comes to the Postal Service's responsibility during the democratic process of free and open elections.

America's mentally unfit President will stoop as low as possible to rig the election in his favor and has no capacity to honor any constitutional process or  the rule of law.  The Presidential election in November really does matter this time around because the rule of law is under attack by the most corrupted and traitorous person in our life time.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio