More Good News On The War Against ISIS

The Associated Press reported Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, the top U.S. commander for the fight against ISIS told Pentagon reporters in a video conference last week that:  (1) The military campaigns in Iraq and Syria have taken 45,000 enemy combatants off the battlefield and reduced the total number of ISIS fighters to as few as 15,000.  (2)  That both the quality and number of ISIS fighters is declining, and he warned that it is difficult to determine accurate numbers.  (3)  that the enemy is in retreat on all fronts and that U.S. backed local forces in both Iraq and Syria have been gaining ground.  The flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and Syria has decreased and that many people pressed into fighting for ISIS are unwilling or untrained.

MacFarland said that Iraqi forces are in a position to begin to retake the northern city of Mosul.  But he added that the U.S. still has quite a bit of work to do at the Qayyarah Air Base in northern Iraq before it can be used as a hub for that battle.  The General also said the military success in Iraq and Syria will not necessarily mean the end of ISIS.

In a Presidential election year where ISIS has been injected into the political dialog the news media as usual failed to give the General's report much coverage and of course those who disagree with the President's policy in the middle east were silent also.  A piece of good news in an election year is always over looked by negative minds.  


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Hillary Clinton's 2015 Federal Tax Returns

Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton made her federal income tax return public this week in line with her and her husbands respect for public service and the people's right to know.  The Clintons have made their tax returns public every year since 1977.  That is longer than any other elected official or would be candidate.

The 2015 tax returns show Clinton paid an effected federal tax rate of 34.2% and an overall tax rate including state and local taxes of 43.2%  A much greater percentage than any of this years Presidential candidates and past ones.  The people do not know what Trump paid because he has not made his tax returns public as of this writing.  Trump's wealth according to his own words dwarfs Clintons but this writer would bet his tax burden was a lot smaller than Clintons.

It is obvious Clinton feels paying taxes is a necessary responsibility for government to be able to function and take care of its obligations to the people.  On the other hand Trump said if elected President he will reduce the corporate income tax dramatically and also taxes for the wealthy.  That of course would explode the federal deficits once again like it did under the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush and those two Presidents are the ones who put the country's fiscal house in jeopardy.

Hillary Clinton may be wealthy and able to just retire comfortably but still believes public service is a noble profession and that she is still able to contribute to the good of the country and its people.  America needs more public servants who are willing to do the same.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another First For "PolitiDose"

In previous commentary this writer pointed out that no matter what the outcome of the congressional investigations concerning Benghazi and Clinton's personal email server and regardless of the FBI's investigation, Trump and the republicans would never let go because it is an election year.  And sure enough the republicans in congress now want the FBI's transcripts of Clinton's statements.  The FBI complied and in a letter questioned their motives.

The republicans in congress controlled the Clinton's investigations and their final reports found no wrong doing by President Obama or Secretary of State Clinton.  But now with Trump down in the polls, especially in the battleground states and the republicans feeling they might lose their majority in congress are going to their M.O. in rehashing those investigations in order to damage Clinton's chances of becoming President.

The personal attacks will continue along with their lies and it will be a steady barrage.  The same crowd will lead the way, Trump, the republican party, Fox News, conservative journalists and Roger Ailes who has joined Trump's campaign just recently according to news reports.  The attacks will fly all the way until election day and even beyond.  Their game plan has been exposed, tell as many lies over and over and soon people will believe the lie.

In the mean time Hillary Clinton will continue to bring her message to the people and speak to their concerns.  Her vision is for America, Trump and the republican's vision is for themselves.  Clinton can hold her head up high.  Trump and the republicans can not do that from the gutter.  That says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Congressional Republicans and Donald Trump.

Republicans in congress are openly saying they may lose their majority in the November general election because of Donald Trump, his low polling numbers, his extreme remarks and lies.  But the issue goes much deeper than that.  The electorate can see a do nothing republican controlled congress and their lack of taking on the issues that affect the country and its people.

Trump could not lead the republican party in congress to act positive and pass positive legislation since he became their leader.  So in other words the republicans in congress will be responsible for their own loss if it happens due to their own failure to act responsible and pass needed legislation.  It points out the weakness of the republicans in congress and Donald Trump also because Trump did nothing to urge his party to act responsible and pass needed legislation during the campaign.

Another problem many congressional republicans have stems from the fact that they say they will not endorse
Trump but will vote for him.  A statement made to try and distance themselves from Trump but a vote for Trump is an endorsement any way you look at it.  The lack of credibility between both are astounding but those who follow politics should have known long ago.

Cable news has joined the fun by repeating that this Presidential campaign is like no other, yet they continue their love affair with Donald Trump and are silent on the do nothing republican controlled congress.  Yes, cable news has been a contributing factor to the republic circus this Presidential campaign season.  They can not admit that because their goal is to fill up air time no matter how petty the subject matter they choose to air.

Trump and his party are not serious public servants and in fact are a disgrace to America's political system.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

More Evidence That The Republican Party and Donald Trump Are A Mirror Image Of Each Other.

Former U.S. Senator, John Kerry who is presently the Secretary of State ran against President George W. Bush in the 2004 Presidential election.  It was Bush's bid for reelection and he and his financial supporters set out to discredit Kerry's war record.  John Kerry was a decorated Viet Nam war veteran who received three purple hearts.  Bush sat out the war in the Texas Air National Guard and was well aware of the contrast to Kerry's war record.

The Bush people and their financial supporters took to the media the idea that Kerry did not earn his third purple heart, attacked his anti-war stand after his return from Viet Nam and actually questioned his military service.  The ads placed against Kerry by Bush's supporters came to be known as the "swift boar ads."  Many of the millionaires who paid for those ads cut and ran during their generations war.  The personal attacks against Kerry took a toll on his campaign.

 Now comes Donald Trump in an effort to discredit the President and Hillary Clinton has personally attacked both by declaring that the President was the founder of ISIS and that Hillary was the co-founder.  Trump, like many of those in the Bush administration also cut and ran during the Viet Nam war.  Trump's embrace of the republican party's personal attacks puts him squarely in their camp and once again shows how small of a person he really is in trying to link the President and Clinton to ISIS.  Trump's copy cat mentality from the republican party's play book can be documented through out the campaign.

The President and Clinton have contributed so much more positive positions to the political process and every day life while Trump's selfish ego wallows in his own adulation.  Oh, and by the way, Trump did not oppose the war in Iraq when the war started.  Another one of his lies that is documented.  When free will, a person's ability to choose is used in a negative way to hurt people, that person is weak, not strong.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The LSU Tigers and The New Orleans Saints: What Will The New Season Bring?

Last season saw the pre-season coaches poll picking LSU to finish out of the top 10.  Some sports writers in Louisiana thought they were wrong and that LSU would be in the top 10 and qualify for a playoff birth.  It never happened and LSU finished out of the top 10 as predicted.  At the time this writer wrote a commentary pointing out 3 possible reasons why the coaches poll may be on target.  Those three reasons are still valid for this years LSU team and time will tell.  The reasons are:

(1)  LSU is starting off the season once again with an unproven quarterback.  (2)  A new defensive coordinator with a good history but no record of success at LSU yet or week to week experience in a conference as tough as the SEC.  (3)  The greatest challenge of all is head coach Les Miles eleven years at LSU and still runs the same old out dated offense and offensive play calling.  Run right, run left even if the ball carrier gets stuffed.

This write4r will be surprised if LSU finishes the season in the top 10


Like LSU, the Saints will kick off the regular season with the same problems they had last year.  It was the Saints third losing seasons in the last four years.  Brees, Payton and the Saints players did not earn their salary.  Payton lost control of the ball club and Brees is not the same Brees regardless what the New Orleans sports writers say.

The Saints are not a consistent winning team and do not show professionalism through out the season.  Some times they do not even look like they belong.  The New Orleans sports writers seem to think new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will turn the defense around.  This writer is not so sure since Payton failed the hiring test with his last two coordinators.  This year could well end up being another experiment on defense.

Payton and Brees are over rated at their positions and have failed to be the weapon that carry the team.  They are not the pieces that fit the puzzle together and the last four seasons have proven that.  Another big question has to do with the closeness of the team and the coaching staff.  There was obvious friction between some players and also between some players and coaches the last two seasons.  It showed on their faces on the sideline.  That is a serious problem.

There are too many unknowns to see a winning season and only time will tell.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Transition From The Previous Republican Administration To The Present Democratic Administration Has Been A Remarkable One

You won't hear the republicans, conservatives or the news media talking about it but once again it has been a democratic administration that has guided America's ship back on course in a positive way.  The turnaround has been remarkable when one thinks about the deepness of the economic recession, the record job losses,
 record deficit spending, two wars with many thousands of U.S. troops and thousands of U.S. deaths.  A failed banking system not seen since the great depression and a unnecessary war started by a President over WMD that did not exist against a country who was no threat to the U.S.

President Obama with the help of the democratic controlled congress in his first two years took the challenge head on and passed legislation that put the nation back on course.  A growing economy that has created over 15 million jobs and put America back to work.  Deficit spending has been reduced, the unemployment rate has been lowered to 4.9%.  Our troop level has been reduced in Iraq and Afghanistan and those countries are taking on most of their own fighting, a combination that has reduced the U.S. death toll.  Much progress has been made against ISIS despite the negative tone of the noise machine.  The ACA which has insured over 15 million people.

The banking industry  is now better regulated with tough requirements.  Our people at home and abroad have been safer from foreign terror attacks.  Our military is the best in the world and serve the nation with honor, commitment, pride and never complain.  The administration has a priority that continues to bring terrorists leaders around the world to justice.  And America has a President who believes in inclusion not division, hope and not fear, civility and not extremism.

The accomplishments of the past seven and half years describe what America is all about.  A nation that over comes, that deals with hardships and faces reality with determination to do better.  The negative voices from the dark side are incapable of competing with the truth and that is why the country needs to elect a President in November that will build on and improve on the accomplished of the past seven and half years.  We dare not let the future be like the failed policies of the past.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Republican Controlled Congress Continues To Do Nothing.

The republican party has been in control of both houses of congress for almost two years and has no record of accomplishments for the country and its people.  They are still drawing top pay and are out raising funds for their next campaign but have no respect  for their office and feel no responsibility toward the people who elect them.  They have even refused to hold hearings on the President's nominee to the Supreme Court as of this writing.

They have yet to approve the President's request for funds to fight ISIS.  The highway bill to rebuild and repair the nations infrastructure, immigration reform, the minimum wage and many other issues raised by the President to keep the economy working.  And to top if off the people of Louisiana were told by those republicans who represent Louisiana in congress they had a robust agenda on issues vital to the nation and the state.  Of course it never happened and they are just marking time.  They do not want to see anything positive to happen before the elections.

The combination of the republican party and Donald Trump are a disgrace to America's political system and a direct threat to the foundation of government.  And worst of all, they seem to enjoy it.  Those republicans who are now walking away from Trump can not separate themselves from him or his unAmerican rhetoric this late in the campaign after pledging their support because Trump is acting out their party's ideology of divide and conquer no matter what.  That is what the leaders of the party in congress did when they refused to work with President Obama when he was first elected.

The democratic party is still the best hope for America, its people, our form of government and society.  Trump and the republican party are proving that every day.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

A Knight of Columbus Leader Tries To Divide The Country Over Religion.

According to a New Orleans Advocate story dated 8/6/16 by David Gibson of the Religion News Service, Carl Anderson, leader of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Order and one of the most influential lay Catholics in the church said that abortion out weighs all other issues in the Presidential campaign and Catholics can not vote for a candidate who supports abortion rights.  Anderson also said It is time to stop creating excuses for voting for pro abortion politicians.  Mr. Anderson is a conservative republican who at one time worked for U.S. Senator Jesse Helms and served in various positions in the Reagan administration.  He made his remarks at the Knights International Convention in Toronto last week.

Anderson seems to have forgotten he does not speak for or make policy for the Catholic Church, the Pope does.  His attempt to divide Catholics using abortion is a signature of the extreme position of the republicans and goes against what Pope Francis said about abortion soon after becoming Pope.  That was revealed in a previous commentary in PolitiDose at the time dated 9/25/13.  Pope Francis said in his wisdom that the Roman Catholic Church had grown obsessed with preaching about abortion, gay marriage and contraception and that he has chosen not to speak of those issues.  The Pope also put his remarks in the context that the Church is a big tent with many more important issues that have an impact on all phases of the Catholic Church.

Those elected officials who support a woman's right to choose does not mean they are for abortion.  It means they understand the law and that it is legal for a woman to choose.  Anderson and the republican party are trying to play the religious card and make it a religious issue.  The leaders of the anti abortion crowd know a constitutional amendment is needed to change the courts decision but no republican President who has claimed to be against abortion has ever had the character or courage to push for such an amendment.  In other words talk is cheap for those who say they are anti abortion.  The only thing they are looking for is votes and to divide the country.

The Knights of Columbus are a respected organization but Mr. Anderson gave it a black eye with his divisive speech and ignored the Pope's speech and direction concerning the subject matter.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Louisiana and The Times Picayune's Columnist Tim Morris

Tim Morris in a Times Picayune article of 8/7/16 does his best to document that Louisiana is a republican state and says most Louisiana voters believe that the republican party best represents their views on the role of government, moral values, religion, abortion, taxes, guns and national security.  He also said it would take an asteroid event to stop Trump from winning Louisiana in November.  Morris also uses comments by a UNO and LSU representatives to prove Louisiana is a ruby red state that leans toward the right.

The people of Louisiana have a free will to vote for the candidate of their choice but their opinions about who best represents the views of the people do not pass the fact checking test.  And if Morris thinks Trump has a positive record on those views he needs to seek other employment.  The people of Louisiana helped to elect George W. Bush twice and did elect Jobby Jindal twice but neither one has a positive record of accomplishments and both left office with a very low job approval rating, much lower than 50%.

Louisiana is still at the bottom or near the bottom in health care, the economy, jobs, balancing the budget and so many other areas compared to the other states so being a red state is not very persuasive.  In fact democratic administrations are actually the best at representing the voters views but the voters can not bring themselves to admit it.

Louisiana may vote red in November but will still have a democratic governor who will out perform Jindal in accomplishing good things for the state and its people.  And that is really what counts most for the state because it is Louisiana's actions on the issues that affect the people more than the federal government's actions.  So in the end democratic blue will triumph over the republican ruby red big time.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio