Does Congress Have A Mandate?

Senator Mitch McConnell, republican majority leader in the U.S. Senate says the republicans have a mandate because Donald Trump won the election.  However, republicans say the same thing when they lose elections.  It is their way to try and convince the people that their legislative agenda is the only agenda for America.  Like shutting down the government.

The truth of the matter concerning mandates is it does not represent reality when it comes to passing legislation because many times the legislation does not represent what was promised in the campaign.  And those who think mandates are viable, common sense would dictate that the democrats in congress are the party with the mandate because Clinton won the popular vote receiving over 60,000,000.  So her plans and policies were more acceptable to the majority voters than Trumps.

If the republicans in congress want to start out pushing their programs without democratic voice than the democrats have the right to do what ever they can to block the republicans agenda.  And if it comes down to a mandate, the public will be on the side of the democratic party.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Obama Is More Of A Man Than The President Elect Donald Trump

President Obama's good character was on display when he called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory and then invited him to the White House to discuss a smooth transition of power.  The President was very gracious to the man who told the American people the President was not born in America.

The President will be leaving office in two months and will be leaving with his head held high and many accomplishments.  Because of his policies he will also be leaving a country that is much better off than it was when he became President 8 years ago in 2009.  Our country and its people have also been safe from foreign terror attacks.

On the other hand, President elect, Donald Trump will be taking office after running the most divisive and negative campaign in history.  His hate for the American system came from his own mouth and he ended his campaign by insisting the very voting system that elected him was rigged against him.  And in between, he exhibited a moral attitude out side the norm of main street America and said Russian President Putin was a better leader than President Obama.

President Obama has demonstrated his leadership and character as President for 8 years.  President elect Donald Trump has not been able to do that even in a campaign.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Hillary Clinton: The All American Presidential Candidate

Hillary Clinton has been much more than a dedicated public servant during her political career.  And it was demonstrated in her concession speech on Wednesday, the day after the election.  She was not only gracious at a time of disappointment, she asked her supporters to give Donald Trump a chance to lead.  She also reminded her supporters that their dreams are still alive and should continue in the future.

Although Clinton did not reach the needed 270 electoral votes to win the Presidency, she did win the popular vote according to the latest released numbers.  So she not only ended her Presidential campaign a winner, she ended it in style with a concession speech of civility without a hint of threats.  The moral high ground was on Clinton's side in this election and the majority of the voters confirmed that with their vote.

Hillary's concession speech also confirmed she had the temperament that is needed to be President and Commander in Chief.  She put America first, which is one reason she was a successful public servant.  America lost the President of its people's choice on November 8, but Hillary Clinton stands tall as a true All American.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

HAPPY 241st. BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.

Happy Birthday to my fellow Marines and to all who wore the eagle, globe and anchor where ever you may be, especially those Marines who are serving in harms way.  We wish all a safe return home to family and loved ones.  Two hundred and forty one years have passed and Marines still share the basic tenet of duty, honor and commitment.

The Marines motto Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful, shaped our discipline and commitment to the Corps, our brother Marines, our country and will always be there.  And no matter the cause, the time, the day or the place we are THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE MARINES.  May the Supreme Commandant continue to watch over our beloved Corps.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES


Semper Fi

Sgt. Joe Lorio

LSU Needs To Clean House

LSU's loss to Alabama on Saturday night in prime time was much more than a loss game.  It exposed a fairy tale offense, the worst this writer has seen since LSU's re-match loss to Alabama in the national championship game a few years ago.  Miles was no longer on the side lines but the offensive play calling and game plan was a mirror image of the Miles era.  Fournette right and Fournette left and get stuffed.  A passing game that never looked downfield.  

A number of SEC teams that played Alabama this year scored more than 20 points and moved the ball offensively against them.  Their players are no better than LSU's players but are better coached and were not afraid to challenge and attack Alabama's defense.  LSU never made that a part of their game plan and as a result they never took advantage of how great LSU's defense played.

LSU needs to clean house with the current coaching staff, hire a head coach with a proven record and let him hire his assistants.  A program that has been up and down now for the past 11 years has to come to a end.  And sports writers for the Picayune and the Advocate have been so wrong for so many years with their sports hype need to apologize to their readers for their failure to be objective.

By the way, did any one really believe LSU could produce a offensive Heisman trophy winner under Miles offensive system?  Give me a break.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

More Positive Economic News For America and Its People.

The U.S. Labor Department announced that the economy created 161,000 new jobs in October and the unemployment rate fell to 4.9%.  It was the 80th straight month of positive job growth.  Hourly wages were up 2.8% annually, the largest increase since 2009.  The unemployment rate when President Obama took office was 7.8%.  The good economic news should be a plus for Clinton when the people vote tomorrow and this writer thinks the voters will take that into consideration.

Trump and his party are still preaching doom and gloom and are incapable of recognizing the good job Obama has done since he took office.  And Trumps only announced plan for the economy is a major tax reduction for corporations, the wealthy and a repeal of the ACA.  And none of those will do any thing for the economy or job creation.  The republican party's lack of accomplishments is still the major reason why Trump and his party always deal in personal attacks.  In other words, when you can not compete on the issues, attack and attack again.

With two months left in office, President Obama has made come true what this writer predicted in PolitiDose in 2009.  That it would be a democratic administration that brought the economy back, created jobs, lowered the unemployment rate, reduced the federal deficit and keep America safe.  And as usual, you read it here first in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Presidential Campaign Is Finally Coming To An End

This writer expressed long ago in "PolitiDose" that Presidential campaigns are too long, too expensive and a waste of time, and this years campaign that will finally come to an end next week is the perfect example.  It has been non stop for a year and a half and much of the campaign has been about petty speeches and very little substance.

A much shorter campaign would improve the process, reduce the cost and gain more attention from the voters.  The two major parties, democratic and republicans should adopt rules to make it happen and also a rule that any member of its party who wish to run must release his tax returns by a date certain.  Third party candidates would join the movement and allow them to compete on a higher level.

The news media does its part in making long presidential campaigns a circus.  And this year Donald Trump was their ring master.  Their love affair with Trump swamped the news cycle.  The Huffington Post, an on line newspaper, usually had Trump headline stories 9 out of the 10 top stories on their front page.  And those stories offered nothing about Trumps plans if he becomes President.

When this campaign ends next week it should never be allowed to duplicate itself ever again.  Hillary Clinton also said long ago that Presidential campaigns are too long.  If she is elected President she will have the opportunity to start a serious conversation and start the process that will bring this issue under control.  It can be done and must be done.  It is the sane thing to do to return civility to a political process that has failed the people.  And that simple reason happens to be the best reason of all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Latest In The Sad, Sad Saga Of The Republican Party

The latest allegations against Donald Trump and his sexual assaults on more women who came forward to tell their stories and Trump's cry baby attitude that the election and the news media is rigged and therefore the voting process was rigged was met with cries from members of his own party that they could not support him.

BUT GUESS WHAT THEY SAID AFTER THAT?  They said they would still vote for him.  In other words they are indeed supporting Trump.  One republican congressman even said he did not want his children exposed to that but he would still vote Trump.  It follows what this writer said long ago in "PolitiDose", Donald Trump and the republican party are one and the same and the party will support Trump and are willing to sell their soul to the devil to return to power in the White House.

The republican party, Trump and the Fox News Network have harmed our democratic election process with their extreme actions and just the other night Fox took a turn for the worse when Megyn Kelly interviewed Newt Gingrich that turned out to be about sex with both making comments unfit for television.  But Fox does not care.  Gingrich has disgraced himself long ago by his own actions and extreme attitude but Fox keeps inviting him back.  They deserve each other.

Hillary Clinton and the democratic party are still the best chance for democracy to survive as our forefathers  fought so hard to establish.  On November 8, the voters should put an end to Trump and his party's destructive behavior.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Facebook and The Social Media

It is no secret that the cable networks have failed to deliver a serious conversation of the every day happenings in American life.  Makes no difference what subject matter is taking place the coverage is slanted, turned into sound bites or just plain inaccurate.  Filling up air time is all that matters and the good news and happenings are given the least attention.

Social media, especially Facebook is the king of worst in this writers opinion.  In fact when it comes to comments concerning the Presidential race it is down right nasty, void of facts most of the time and the posters that are posted with commentary don't tell the story of the subject matter it relates to.  Then you have a bunch of people who say they miss the values taught to them by their generation and then turn around and make nasty and offensive comments that the generation who taught them would never make.  It is a sad contradiction.

Facebook and the social media could be a good balance to cable news and the major networks but instead have joined the media's game of spin.  It is really unfortunate when people use their free will to make extreme comments about other people when they could use that same free will to say something positive.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Mitch McConnell: Eight Years Later and Still Obstructing Progress.

Republican Mitch McConnell, U.S. senate majority leader will end this year in the senate like he started eight years ago.  When President Obama was first elected President, McConnell vowed not to work with the President and when Obama announced several months ago his nominee to fill the vacant seat on the U.S. Supreme Court McConnell said the senate would not take up the nomination.

So the republican controlled congress will end this year in failure just like the Bush administration ended its Presidency.  On the other hand President Obama will finish his term and leave office on a high note of accomplishments.  The country has a much improved economy, jobs, lower unemployment, reduced deficit spending, smaller increase in federal spending, a poverty rate that is going down instead of up, our home land has been safe and fewer of our men and women in uniform are dying in the middle east and around the globe.  Median wages are increasing and more people are entering the job market because of better economic conditions according to the Labor Department.  The consumer satisfactory index is at its highest since 2007.

Because of McConnell's lack of action and failure to execute his duty and hold hearings on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, the Court is not functioning like it should and cases on its calendar have been pushed back according to the latest reports.  Like Trump, the republican party and its leaders in congress are unfit to govern and deserve each other.

Hopefully on November 8 the people will vote to have democrats take control of the senate along with keeping a democrat in the White House. Precedent indicates that would be the best outcome for the country and its people.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio