Part II: The Next Step For Louisiana's Fiscal Health and The State's Economy

In Part I it was reported the most important task for the state concerns the special legislative session now going on to address the current fiscal year deficit and then the regular session to handle next fiscal years deficit.  That both sessions should come up with real solutions that will put the state's financial house in order with no gimmicks.

When those two sessions are complete the state needs to turn its attention to tax reform where everyone pays his or her fair share in taxes, even the poor and especially the business community.  That is not happening now and recently the state reported it gives more money out to corporations in tax credits than it takes in from corporate income taxes.  That is an obscene imbalance the state can not afford.

The state's tax revenue has eroded because of all the tax breaks to business and that needs to change.  A fair tax base is the only way to go where there are no special favors.  If that is done tax rates could possibly be lowered for all.  All forms of taxes should be looked at and be fair.

The poor should pay their fair share also because they use public facilities, roads, bridges, libraries and etc. like every one else and all citizens should be proud to say, "I have contributed."  No one likes to pay taxes but they are necessary for the government to take care of the people's business and the public good.  Louisiana has fallen short on its responsibility to take care of the public good with a tax structure that favors special interest and budgets that are put together with gimmicks.

Now is the right time for Louisiana to take on this issue with the budget problem and revenue shortage while it is on everyone's mind.  To continue to cut higher education and other vital needs should be unacceptable to all.  The Louisiana legislature needs to stand up and be counted on the issue of a fair tax system.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand Comes Clean On His Endorsement Of Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal

The Times Picayune of 2/26 carried an article concerning Normand's speech before the Metropolitan Crime Commission's reward luncheon on Tuesday.  Normand in his speech was not kind to himself for endorsing and supporting the former governor and said, " I'm a republican but I'm not a hypocrite.  We did this to ourselves, myself included, because I endorsed that idiot.  We drank the elixir for eight years, went to the edge of the cliff and we jumped off and he watched us."

The sheriff also accused Jindal of trying to rewrite history since leaving office and had some unkind words for Grover Norquist and his anti-tax policies and said to hell with him.  Normand admonished the republican leadership in the state for trying to blame governor John Bel Edwards as absolutely incredulous to me.

Normand who is an elected official is very familiar with politics.  As sheriff he is the official tax collector in Jefferson Parish so he knows a little bit about money.  His courage to stand up and be counted is rare for public officials and deserves credit.  But it begs to ask how the state's budget problem and the way it was handled for 8 years took so long for Normand to come to the conclusion he expressed in the article.

Hopefully, other republicans in the state will take a cue from sheriff Normand and express to the republicans in the legislature to work with governor Edwards to over come this fiscal problem and put Louisiana's budget back on track that reflects reality and a long term solution.  The state and its people deserve nothing less.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Thursday Night's Republican Presidential Debate

The republican party took its latest Presidential debate to Houston, Texas but the circus was the same.  It has become a ditto head debate where personal attacks continue to fly, positions continue to change and the word LIAR has become a staple in the debate process.  And once again, the moderators lost control.  Kennedy and Nixon would never have participated in such a farce.  Worst of all the moderators seem to enjoy the candidates speaking over each other.

After the debate the pundits gave their recap and still have no clue why Trump is leading a republican party and its candidates who are incompetent, unqualified and void of any accomplishments on the national level.  Trump himself still is unable to articulate how he would make Mexico pay for his wall.  He had an opportunity during the debate to tell the American people but failed to over come former Mexico President Fox's comment that Mexico would do no such thing.   SCORE:  Mexico 1  Trump 0.

Ben Carson was the most calm on the debate stage and gave the best answers.  In fact when the moderator passed him up on several questions he used his time to go back and comment on them.  John Kasich, the candidate who this writer believes is the better one went off the deep end concerning President Obama and foreign policy and is still falsely claiming that he balanced the federal budget when he served in congress during the Clinton years.  "PolitiDose"carried a past commentary that pointed out Kasich had nothing to do with Clinton's balanced budgets and explained why.

Donald Trump still does not understand arithmetic.  Republicans have that problem when it comes to tax cuts, balancing the budget and the national debt.  Trump could not answer the question on what would he cut that would pay for his tax plan that would cost the government $10 trillion over 10 years.  That tax plan would cut corporate income tax, cut taxes for the wealthy and represents trickle down economics at its worst.  There is no way you can take $10 trillion out of government revenue and balance the federal budget.  Reagan and Bush 43 tried it and could not do it and their tax plans was smaller.  They had 16 years to balance the budget ( eight years each) and failed big time.  In fact the national debt rose 186% in Reagan's fiscal 8 years and 105% in Bush's eight fiscal years.  Those Presidents hold the record of the largest percentage increase in the national debt in the last 50 plus years.

Cruz and Rubio are like little boys and can not even function as U. S. Senators.  Their so called conservatism has overwhelmed them and reduced their ability to even compete concerning simple matters.  One quotes Reagan all the time and the other quotes the constitution, but neither can get it right.  The republican Presidential candidates presents a problem to the republican voters.  Their choices are limited to candidates who hate the government they want to represent, lack the qualities to be President, have no political understanding on the issues and love to be divisive.  They also belong to a party that has no record of creating a lasting economy and are terrible when it comes to job creation.

Despite Trumps pronouncements, America is a great country.  Where else on earth would a people put up with such a political party that turns the debate process into a circus of fools?


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Hillary Clinton Is More Credible Than The News Media

The cable news networks just struck out for the third time.  The first two strikes were over Benghazi and her e-mails.  The networks ran them as a scandal which does not exist.  Congress held hearings on both and Clinton testified under oath and congress found nothing.

Now the cable networks are promoting a new scandal.  They want copies of Clinton's speeches to Wall Street.  Never mind this is a new twist never demanded before.  It comes about because Clinton's opponent Bernie Sanders is running against Wall Street and thinks Clinton will be controlled by them.  Some republican candidates have jumped on the band wagon but guess what?  Hillary Clinton is on record as saying she would raise taxes on Corporate America and the wealthy who are Wall Street.  While Trump, Rubio, Cruz and Bush said they would lower the tax rate for those same folks.  Its some thing Reagan and Bush did so the facts say it is the republicans who are committed to Wall Street.  Don't hold your breath and wait for cable news to point out this fact.  They are in denial.

So its strike three for the news media on Clinton's speeches and once again there is no scandal.  Cable news continues to try and fill up time with non stories and fails flat on their face.  MSNBC says they are "the place for politics", Fox news says they are fair and balanced and the no spin zone and CNN claims to be the "situation room."  This writer has the cable news number.  Tune them out and tune in "PolitiDose", your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The GOP In The Louisiana State Legislature Has To Step Up To The Plate. Part I

Governor John Bel Edwards  has outlined a plan to the republican controlled state legislature that includes raising state revenue and cutting spending.  Also outlined was drastic cuts that will hurt if revenue is not found to off set those cuts.  So far after one week the special session that was called to address the problem has seen little results from the legislature.

The republicans have to step up to the plate and make the hard choices necessary to reverse the fiscal calamity they themselves helped to create with Jindal by using gimmicks and fairy tale numbers that did not exist. (Like those WMD in Iraq)  Senator Alario and others whose long service is bragged about in the news media have to come clean and support the governor's plans or come up with solutions themselves to solve the financial calamity.  GOP excuses are not longer available or allowed.

It has been said that Louisiana was rolling in money the last two years of governor Blanco's administration because of all the federal revenue that came into the state after Katrina.  Well, governor Blanco, a democrat did not blow it all and in fact left office with a $787 million surplus that landed right in Jindal's lap when he took office.  Jindal and the republicans were not so kind to governor Edwards and left his administration a record $3 billion state deficit thanks to 8 years of previous phony budgets

The fiscal mess has to be addressed by the special session and then the regular session in an honest way where by the can no longer gets kicked down the road.  Only then can the governor and the legislature provide for a stable long term solution when the words BALANCED BUDGET will no longer be a laughing matter.  If the legislators do their job this special session and the next regular session with out the usual gimmicks they can then move onto the most important element of a real long term solution for future growth.  
\That element is to take on the job of tax reform and the failed policies to special interest groups.  That will be the subject of Part II.   Stay tuned.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Win Their Party's Caucus and Primary

Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won Saturday's Nevada Caucus over Senator Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump won the South Carolina primary over his republican opponents.  Clinton and Sanders continue to run closely with only a few percentage points of separation.  Trumps win was double digit because of the crowded field but that should change as another republican candidate Jeb Bush dropped out with a poor showing in the South Carolina primary.

This writer thought Clinton had a great night last Thursday night in Las Vegas at the town hall meeting moderated by MSNBC.  Sanders went first before the people but Clinton shined when her time came to face the same audience and was better prepared.  Next stop for both is the South Carolina primary on Feb. 27.  At this writing the polls give Clinton a double digit lead over Sanders there.

Trump's victory in South Carolina kept the poll numbers true and captured 33% of the vote to Rubio and Cruz's 22%.  After seeing reports on cable news and listening to Rubio's remarks you would thing his second place finish was as good as winning.  Not bad if they can sell that and the voters buy it.  Speculation has also  begun on which candidate will benefit from Jeb dropping out of the race.  Ohio governor John Kasich now says it is a four man race and includes himself even though his South Carolina vote percentage was single digit and way back in the vote tally.

Trump cut Jeb's legs off at the very beginning of the campaign with his personal attacks and Bush never really got started.  As a result, there will be no Bush dynasty in the White House next year.  And for those who spoke of a Clinton dynasty, forget about it because it can't happen.  Not that she won't win because she can win.  If she does win it will not be a Clinton dynasty because Hillary is only a Clinton by marriage and does not have a Clinton gene passed down to her.  There is a difference.

The democratic and republican campaigns are becoming more in focus and come early March the American people are going to have a much greater insight as to what two candidates will likely face each other in the general election.  The democratic debates will continue to out perform the republican debate circus and inject some needed civility in the process.  That is the good news concerning the debates.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Times Picayune and The States Budget

Times Picayune writer Julia O'Donoghue in the issue of 2/14 wrote a long article titled, "How Louisiana got into this financial mess" and opined the same story her editorial department likes to talk about seven years too late.  Her story never got around to satisfy her story's title.  The answer escapes Julia and the news media because they lack the courage to tell the real story.

The answer how Louisiana got into this financial mess is really basic, that is Louisiana governor Jindal, a republican who lives a conservative ideology and believes the state can give away its fundamental revenue base, plus $8 billion a year in tax breaks to business, cut spending and balance the state budget and every thing will work out.  Yet all of his budgets were out of balance and now the state faces an almost $3 billion deficit, $943 million before the end of this fiscal year that ends 6/30/16 and a $2 Billion projected state deficit for next fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016.

Jindal inherited a $787 million surplus from former governor Kathleen Blanco and blew it big time as George W. Bush blew President Clinton's balanced budgets and surpluses into deficit spending in his very first fiscal year and all 8 years that he served.  Jindal and Bush were brothers in deficit spending.  Julia in her article is silent about the $8 billion in business tax breaks.  Those tax breaks have not created a growing economy, new jobs, lowered the unemployment rate(it was 3.8% when Jindal took office) or balanced the budget.  The $8 billion of tax give away to business represents 32% of the states yearly budget.  Louisiana can not afford to give up that much revenue and balance the budget.

State treasurer John Kennedy still says the state has a spending problem and not a revenue problem and continues the conservative ideology that has failed on the state and national level.  J.R. Ball, a conservative writer who's articles usually appear in the Times Picayune editorial section and a supporter of Jindal has swallowed the koolaid of the state having a spending problem and has no credibility on the state's budget problem.  Nor does he have any answers.  His editorial opinion in the TP of 2/19 is so childish.

This writers state representative in 2012 sent a news letter to all in his district recapping what took place at the state legislative session of 2012 and one of the many things he reported is as follows and I quote:  ONE NOTE ON BALANCING THE BUDGET;  AN INTERIM STUDY OF TAX EXPENDITURES WILL BE CONDUCTED TO INVESTIGATE THE $8 BILLION DOLLARS LOST IN REVENUE BECAUSE OF TAX EXEMPTIONS, CREDITS AND REBATES, SOME OF WHICH MAY BE OUT OF DATE.  (end of quote)

Well, it is now 2016, four years later and I have received no notice what that study reported or if it was ever done.  I wonder if Julia knows and if the study was done and completed what were the results.  The news media never talks about this $8 billion drain on the state's revenue.  Neither does business or those who support this massive tax give away to business.  By the way, this writer still has a copy of the news letter in his possession if Julia would like to see it.

The bottom line is if business needs special tax breaks out side the ones that apply to business, such as depreciation and etc., then the business is not a sound one and have no business being in a system of free enterprise.  There is no such thing as free enterprise when states and the federal government have to give out special and extra tax favors to business.

Let me ask this question.  Is there any one out there that thinks business can afford to give away to charity 32% of its revenue and survive?  Every one knows the answer is no.  Well, Louisiana can not afford to do that either and service the needs of the state and its people.  It is time for the state legislature to bring an end to this silly notion of corporate welfare.  It is also time for state and the federal government to shed the fairy tale that business needs special tax breaks and tax loop holes to survive in the business world.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

What Defines The Next President For What The Voters Really Want?

The cable news networks, many of their guest, other pundits and even some voters themselves say they want some one on the outside of government or Washington.  They lump everyone in that category even  those who have held elected office though that office is out side of Washington such as state governors.  The only two Presidential candidates that fit that description are Donald Trump and Ben Carson.

If voters really believe that and that is the reason Trump is leading his republican opponents all one has to do is remember the election of George W. Bush as President over a sitting Vice President named Al Gore.  The voters thought of Bush as an outsider in that race and a tough talking republican who was going to keep America safe and keep the economy humming.  He accomplished neither one.

Bush inherited all that was good, the greatest economy, the best job creation record, full employment, balanced budgets with surpluses and he blew it all because of his lack of experience and political understanding.  The voters said he was a guy they would like to have a beer with, then turned against him and Bush left office with a miserable job performance record.

Will the American voters want to try that failed experiment again with another tough talking outsider named Donald Trump?  Like Bush, Trump has no policy positions, just talk and the talk in last Saturday's republican debate turned out to be another circus fiasco with the word liar being tossed around like the candidates were in a bar.  It got so bad the moderator lost control of the debate.

President Obama served in congress when he was elected President and had little prior experience but he did possess political understanding and turned the country around for the better over all.  He knew tough talk and a conservative ideology were not policy and that what America needed was a steady hand and he provided that leadership.

If the voters want a President who lacks the experience  of having political understanding then the future will once again be like the failed past.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The UnAmerican Republicans In Congress: Unfit To Uphold The U.S. Constitution.

Mitch McConnell, republican majority leader of the U.S. Senate wants President Obama to let the next President name the next Supreme Court Justice to replace Anthony Scalia who died recently.  He even said he would not take up the nomination in the Senate if the President does not go along.  The President quickly announced he would fulfill his constitutional duty and appoint the next Justice.

McConnell is the same senator who vowed not to work with Obama after he was elected President.  He and his republican ditto heads still think they should run government even after they lose elections.  One can not get any more UnAmerican than that.  The party thinks every thing is okay for a republican President to nominate his choice but would deny a democratic President to do the same.  Republicans preach the constitution then trample all over it.  And of course, their party's Presidential candidates are falling in line also demanding that Obama leave the appointment to the new President in 2017.

It is good to see the President exercising his powers to take care of the business of the country and its people.  President Obama told the people he would not be a lame duck his last year in office and he is keeping his promise.  On the other hand, the leaders of the republican party are revealing who they really are and their lack of Americanism.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Thursday Nights PBS Democratic Presidential Debate

Finally a debate with two moderators who were interested in having the candidates answer questions on subjects that are real issues in the campaign.  There was no show business or circus atmosphere that has prevailed in prior debates especially the republican debates.  PBS's Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff were the moderators and were the very first women duo to moderate a Presidential debate and what a job they did.  They did what a moderator should do and made Megyn Kelly and Maria Bartiromo look so unprofessional.  One of the things this writer liked was the fact that when the debate ended it was all over.  No Post show to analyize what the candidates said.

Both Clinton and Sanders stood their grown and hit on each other and both spoke clearly.  Sanders continues to believe his signature issue concerning the wall street banks and campaign contributions are the road map to winning the democratic nomination.  Clinton scored points in her closing statement by saying  the nations problems go beyond two issues and named the problems.  Clinton is also willing to defend the President's policies that ended the great republican economic recession of 2008, the massive job loses, lowering the unemployment rate and reducing deficit spending.

This writer would like to see more debates moderated by PBS and Ifill and Woodruff.  They moved the debate along, stuck to the questions, did not give the debate an opening to get out of hand and ended on time.  Ifill and Woodruff were professionals and would not let show business creep into the debate.

The voters, the candidates, PBS, the process and the moderators all came out a winner.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio