It was bound to happen sooner of later. The latest prime time ratings for the cable news, shows MSNBC and CNN ahead of Fox who in the past dominated the ratings. The O'Reilly Factor is no more and the Kelly File is long gone. Both were tops in the ratings in their time slot.
The pundits are all over the lot with excuses as to why the hard fall for Fox. This writer thinks a number of things have taken place that has allowed Fox's followers to stop making excuses for themselves. The management at Fox took sex to the next level in TV broadcasting that came to a head with out of court settlements for alleged sexual harassment by several Fox employees. The settlements could no longer be overlooked by Fox's audience. It hit home and was the culmination of the conservative nature of the network with their out right lies about almost everything deemed not to be conservative. The network's embrace of Trump and his lies could no longer be over looked. It became time for Fox's audience to jump ship.
MSNBC hired Megan Kelly and George Will from Fox to add a conservative spin on their network. They think they can now say MSNBC is fair and balanced, which of course is a fairy tale. What is really needed on Cable TV since they fill up so much air time is a knowledge of the subject matter they talk about along with the facts. If they are true in that regard they are already fair and balanced.
Fox has been a destructive force in broadcasting because their s.o.p. is a belief in ideology and division. Sooner or later facts will prevail but much destruction will take place before eyes are opened. We see the same thing taking place with the Trump administration. His supporters still adore him even though he is a tainted President with a destructive behavior. How long will it take for his supporters to say enough is enough? Time will tell but it would be better sooner rather than later.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Sunday, May 21, 2017
WVUE Fox News 8
The stations latest expose "Cracking the Code" concerning health care billing and cost is nothing new and the story will not change a thing. A similar story on campaign contributions to Louisiana elected officials a year or so ago did not change a thing that people already knew.
As far as "Cracking the Code" and billing information and cost for health care that is being reported do not look for any change because the health care industry and the insurance industry are a monopoly. And whether one wants to believe it or not the ACA was the first real step to bring some measure of control to the status quo. That is one reason the republicans opposed it from day one. They knew it would work and it has been working. The republicans real aim is to return health care control back to the insurance companies. That is why the republicans plan is nothing but a scheme and a scam. More and more every day the country is starting to understand that when it comes to health care reform Hillary Clinton's had the best answer and plan. Improve on the ACA by making it better and correct any deficiencies.
Campaign contributions to elected officials will continue to be a scab that covers special interest as long as the donors are given a free ride and only the politicians are blamed. As this writer said many times over, those who dole out the money should be held accountable because with out their money there would be no special interest groups. Those who dole out the money have a good laugh every time a politician is blamed because it leaves the money people out of the conversation. The result is the money people do not feel guilty at all because the spot light is not on their corrupt business practice.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
As far as "Cracking the Code" and billing information and cost for health care that is being reported do not look for any change because the health care industry and the insurance industry are a monopoly. And whether one wants to believe it or not the ACA was the first real step to bring some measure of control to the status quo. That is one reason the republicans opposed it from day one. They knew it would work and it has been working. The republicans real aim is to return health care control back to the insurance companies. That is why the republicans plan is nothing but a scheme and a scam. More and more every day the country is starting to understand that when it comes to health care reform Hillary Clinton's had the best answer and plan. Improve on the ACA by making it better and correct any deficiencies.
Campaign contributions to elected officials will continue to be a scab that covers special interest as long as the donors are given a free ride and only the politicians are blamed. As this writer said many times over, those who dole out the money should be held accountable because with out their money there would be no special interest groups. Those who dole out the money have a good laugh every time a politician is blamed because it leaves the money people out of the conversation. The result is the money people do not feel guilty at all because the spot light is not on their corrupt business practice.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, May 19, 2017
Michael Flynn: The Rosetta Stone To The Russian - Trump Affair
Former national security adviser to President Trump, Michael Flynn is the key to unlock the real story of the Trump campaign's dealing with representatives of Russia. And what we know so far indicate Trump knew what was taking place. Flynn nor any one else connected to the Trump campaign would have taken on such a risk with out Trump's approval or nod.
Our intelligence community knows Flynn discussed the sanctions against Russia made possible by President Obama's orders for Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential elections. It is also known that Flynn hinted that a President Trump could reverse those sanctions or cancel them. When questioned, Flynn said he had no recollection of sanctions being discussed at those meetings. And we also know that statement was false. Flynn also failed to register as a foreign agent that was paid by foreign governments.
Michael Flynn was director of the U. S. Military Intelligence and was removed from that office by President Obama and as reported, warned President Trump about hiring Flynn. And we know as fact that Trump waited at least 17 days to fire Flynn after the allegations started coming out. Flynn was hostile towards Hillary Clinton during the campaign and opposed President Obama's policies, especially when it came to ISIS.
Trump knows what Flynn knows and asked former FBI director Comey to shut his investigation down concerning Flynn. Trump continues to repeat that Flynn is a good man and even suggested that Flynn be given immunity to testify. The latest Trump rant to try and deflect the truth is calling the FBI investigation the worse "Witch Hunt" ever in politics. He is starting to feel the heat and will continue to lash out at anyone. The issue is beginning to snow ball and this writer believes more damaging information will continue to surface.
John Dean's testimony blew open Watergate that led to President Nixon's resignation. Michael Flynn's testimony under oath could do the same thing to the Trump - Russian affair and cause Trump to leave office early in his first term.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Our intelligence community knows Flynn discussed the sanctions against Russia made possible by President Obama's orders for Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential elections. It is also known that Flynn hinted that a President Trump could reverse those sanctions or cancel them. When questioned, Flynn said he had no recollection of sanctions being discussed at those meetings. And we also know that statement was false. Flynn also failed to register as a foreign agent that was paid by foreign governments.
Michael Flynn was director of the U. S. Military Intelligence and was removed from that office by President Obama and as reported, warned President Trump about hiring Flynn. And we know as fact that Trump waited at least 17 days to fire Flynn after the allegations started coming out. Flynn was hostile towards Hillary Clinton during the campaign and opposed President Obama's policies, especially when it came to ISIS.
Trump knows what Flynn knows and asked former FBI director Comey to shut his investigation down concerning Flynn. Trump continues to repeat that Flynn is a good man and even suggested that Flynn be given immunity to testify. The latest Trump rant to try and deflect the truth is calling the FBI investigation the worse "Witch Hunt" ever in politics. He is starting to feel the heat and will continue to lash out at anyone. The issue is beginning to snow ball and this writer believes more damaging information will continue to surface.
John Dean's testimony blew open Watergate that led to President Nixon's resignation. Michael Flynn's testimony under oath could do the same thing to the Trump - Russian affair and cause Trump to leave office early in his first term.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
The Majority of The Voting Public Understood Why Donald Trump Should Not Be President of The United States
Last November a majority of voters, 54% cast their ballots for President for someone other than Donald Trump. 48% voted for Clinton, 46% voter for Trump and 6% voted for other candidates on the ballot. And today, 4 months after taking office President Trump and his administration continue to show why the 54% made the right choice. And this week and last week revelations have brought the President to a new low.
The 54 percent were not foolish enough to believe candidate Trump would change if he won the election. What Trump said during the campaign was the clue to what Trump was all about. A corrupt business attitude, a willingness to enjoy putting every one down and a person with no knowledge how government works nor any respect for America's institutions or the democratic process. A childish mind with a short mental span and inability to process his own pronouncements. Trump's lack of knowledge about the subject matter he speaks on is astounding.
Now, four months after taking office a few conservative writers are starting to proclaim they now see what the 54% saw and understood during the campaign. The most recent was by conservative David Brooks in a opinion column dated 5/17/17 in the Times Picayune titled, "When the world is led by a child." Brooks says immaturity is becoming the dominate note of his Presidency among other unflattering descriptions of Trump. Of course, Brooks during the campaign could not bring himself to write about Clinton being the best candidate. In fact Brooks was ready and willing to print any thing Trump said about Clinton, even the personal attacks.
Some in the conservative media are now writing and criticizing Trump for giving classified information to Russia. But have let the Trump - Russian thing slide since day one. What should have been upsetting to them was when Trump asked Russia to hack Clinton's emails for political purposes. Adding to that we now are told that Trump asked former FBI director Comey to let go of his investigation of Trump's former national security advise Michael Flynn's ties to Russia. Trump also said the FBI investigation of Russia - Trump connection was a witch hunt fabricated by the democrats.
The 54% had no ax to grind when they cast their votes. They looked at the candidates and understood clearly what was at stake and voted accordingly. Hillary Clinton was indeed the best candidate and Trump's actions continue to prove that every day.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The 54 percent were not foolish enough to believe candidate Trump would change if he won the election. What Trump said during the campaign was the clue to what Trump was all about. A corrupt business attitude, a willingness to enjoy putting every one down and a person with no knowledge how government works nor any respect for America's institutions or the democratic process. A childish mind with a short mental span and inability to process his own pronouncements. Trump's lack of knowledge about the subject matter he speaks on is astounding.
Now, four months after taking office a few conservative writers are starting to proclaim they now see what the 54% saw and understood during the campaign. The most recent was by conservative David Brooks in a opinion column dated 5/17/17 in the Times Picayune titled, "When the world is led by a child." Brooks says immaturity is becoming the dominate note of his Presidency among other unflattering descriptions of Trump. Of course, Brooks during the campaign could not bring himself to write about Clinton being the best candidate. In fact Brooks was ready and willing to print any thing Trump said about Clinton, even the personal attacks.
Some in the conservative media are now writing and criticizing Trump for giving classified information to Russia. But have let the Trump - Russian thing slide since day one. What should have been upsetting to them was when Trump asked Russia to hack Clinton's emails for political purposes. Adding to that we now are told that Trump asked former FBI director Comey to let go of his investigation of Trump's former national security advise Michael Flynn's ties to Russia. Trump also said the FBI investigation of Russia - Trump connection was a witch hunt fabricated by the democrats.
The 54% had no ax to grind when they cast their votes. They looked at the candidates and understood clearly what was at stake and voted accordingly. Hillary Clinton was indeed the best candidate and Trump's actions continue to prove that every day.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Coastal Erosion and The Loss Of Wetlands In Louisiana
In the past few months there has been a lot of talk about the subject matter, how much it will cost to prevent more damage and a 50 year plan to do so, including the rebuilding of some areas. The federal government will provide some major funding for the long range problem. But the alarm has been sounded, Louisiana needs to start now and can not afford to delay.
But what is missing from the plans and the conversation is a disregard to hold the oil industry responsible for their portion of the damage. In fact our elected officials who are responsible to see the program through have let the industry out of the loop and off the hook. It is past time for the industry to be a party to any such plan to repair the environmental damage they helped create. The idea that they should be given a free pass because they impact the economy is a cop out. Louisiana should not be in the business of cuddling an industry that proves every day they care nothing for Louisiana's environment, only their own profits.
The governor, the legislature and all involved in this project should demand the oil industry join in the plan and pay their fair share of the damage they caused or take them to court immediately. The state could also suspend any new drilling permits or leases unless they do. Bob Marshall, former outdoors editor for the Times Picayune and former environmental reporter for the Lens wrote an opinion column in Sunday's Times Picayune of May 14 and listed approximately 16 proposals that had to do with the environment that Louisiana's republican elected officials opposed any attempt by congress to regulate emissions and other regulations that would be helpful to the environment on a consistent basis. It was not the first commentary by Marshall concerning the relationship of Louisiana's republicans and the industry working together to kill proposed legislation to protect Louisiana's environment.
Former Louisiana Republican Governor David Treen had a plan he called CWEL (Coastal Wetlands Environmental Levy) to deal with the problem of coastal erosion and the loss of wetlands caused by the Oil industry's operation. That was the subject of this writers commentary in 2010 and several other commentaries here in PolitiDose. If the state legislature would have acted on CWEL when Treen proposed it Louisiana would be years ahead in collecting revenue for the restoration and actual work but Louisiana's elected officials in the legislature supported the oil industry's position of opposition and the issue died.
Governor Treen was a conservative and understood the problem many years ago and proposed a common sense solution. He was not a believer of ideology. Louisiana's elected officials should be ashamed of their neglect concerning the environment and their alliance with the oil industry on such an important issue. The news media in Louisiana has forgotten all about CWEL but PolitiDose has been on the subject matter for a long time. Yes CWEL was and still is a good proposal and would have put the burden of funding where it should have been all along.
Note: See commentary dated 5/10/10 titled, IT IS TIME FOR THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE TO ACT ON CWEL. Governor Treen's letter on CWEL that was published in the Times on 3/9/09 was re-produced in the commentary and can be read along.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
But what is missing from the plans and the conversation is a disregard to hold the oil industry responsible for their portion of the damage. In fact our elected officials who are responsible to see the program through have let the industry out of the loop and off the hook. It is past time for the industry to be a party to any such plan to repair the environmental damage they helped create. The idea that they should be given a free pass because they impact the economy is a cop out. Louisiana should not be in the business of cuddling an industry that proves every day they care nothing for Louisiana's environment, only their own profits.
The governor, the legislature and all involved in this project should demand the oil industry join in the plan and pay their fair share of the damage they caused or take them to court immediately. The state could also suspend any new drilling permits or leases unless they do. Bob Marshall, former outdoors editor for the Times Picayune and former environmental reporter for the Lens wrote an opinion column in Sunday's Times Picayune of May 14 and listed approximately 16 proposals that had to do with the environment that Louisiana's republican elected officials opposed any attempt by congress to regulate emissions and other regulations that would be helpful to the environment on a consistent basis. It was not the first commentary by Marshall concerning the relationship of Louisiana's republicans and the industry working together to kill proposed legislation to protect Louisiana's environment.
Former Louisiana Republican Governor David Treen had a plan he called CWEL (Coastal Wetlands Environmental Levy) to deal with the problem of coastal erosion and the loss of wetlands caused by the Oil industry's operation. That was the subject of this writers commentary in 2010 and several other commentaries here in PolitiDose. If the state legislature would have acted on CWEL when Treen proposed it Louisiana would be years ahead in collecting revenue for the restoration and actual work but Louisiana's elected officials in the legislature supported the oil industry's position of opposition and the issue died.
Governor Treen was a conservative and understood the problem many years ago and proposed a common sense solution. He was not a believer of ideology. Louisiana's elected officials should be ashamed of their neglect concerning the environment and their alliance with the oil industry on such an important issue. The news media in Louisiana has forgotten all about CWEL but PolitiDose has been on the subject matter for a long time. Yes CWEL was and still is a good proposal and would have put the burden of funding where it should have been all along.
Note: See commentary dated 5/10/10 titled, IT IS TIME FOR THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE TO ACT ON CWEL. Governor Treen's letter on CWEL that was published in the Times on 3/9/09 was re-produced in the commentary and can be read along.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, May 12, 2017
President Trumps Firing Of FBI Director James Comey
It follows the script of former President Richard Nixon's actions when he fired the special prosecutor during the investigation of "Watergate" and then led to Nixon's resignation from office. The leaders of the republican party in congress at the time told Nixon he would have to resign or face impeachment. The President decided to resign and spare the people. The republicans serving in congress at the time had character and courage to face down the President of the United States in order to support our institutions of government and confirm no one is above the law.
Now flash forward to 2017 when Trump fired FBI director Comey. The republican leaders in congress supported his decision even though Trump used some nasty remarks about the man he fired. Trump even suggested the Russian investigation by the FBI should be shut down. It was obvious to this writer the firing took place to side track and break up the investigation. Trumps first national security adviser Michael Flynn who he later fired was dealing with Russian foreign minister during the campaign and Trump knew it.
The belated firing of Flynn came about 16 days after Trump knew he lied.
An independent FBI has to complete its investigation of Trump's involvement with Russia and how deep the roots really are. The President seems to be in a cover up mode and every day since the firing of Comey has said something to try and discredit him and the investigation. The republicans in congress need to step up to the plate and find the character and courage to put the President on notice that he has to resign. They also have to see to it that the investigations are complete, unimpeded and make sure their voices are heard loud and clear that no one is above the law. Not even President Donald Trump.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The City of New Orleans and Its Monuments
The City's decision to remove four Civil War era monuments from its present locations to a new unknown location has divided the people so it would seem from some news media reports. This writer disagrees with that assessment and many of the comments made by both the news media and some of the people.
Comments that more notice should have been given to the public is silly. The Mayor, City Council, the city' two newspaper, radio and television have been talking to the public about it for a very long time. Any thing to do with the Civil War and or Confederacy, regardless of the subject matter will bring about different feelings from different people and different people that will never be reconciled.
Contrary to some people's suggestion that removing the monuments is trying to change the Civil War history is nonsense. The history of the Civil War has already been recorded. And the nasty things that were said about the monuments being removed at night with out notifying the public was off base. The Mayor gave the reasons why. It was to protect the contractor and the workers who received threats. That was also reported by the news media. It was not a secret.
The monument removal will not divide the city any more than usual. Division is usually the result of a lack of information, understanding and a belief that the I in all of us is always right. And there are always opinion writers in the news media and or talk shows that leave out facts in their opinions.
Mayor Landrieu ran on the theme, ONE CITY, ONE VOICE, ONE FIGHT, ONE TEAM. This writer believes the Mayor has been loyal to that theme.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The U.S. Economy and Job Creation
The U.S. Labor Department reported the economy created 211,000 jobs in April and the unemployment rate came in at 4.4%. It was the 79th straight month of positive job creation that started with the economic policies of former President Obama. The Federal Reserve reported that the economy continues on a steady pace.
President Trump has yet to introduce his jobs program of rebuilding and repair of the nations infrastructure even though he said it was a priority. On the other hand, Clinton said if elected it would be her first order of business. The latest report on Trumps plan would be a $1 trillion project financed by private and government money. The federal government would put up $200 billion and the private sector would be responsible for $800 billion. In return the private sector (Corporate America) would receive tax breaks in return.
The democrats will introduce their own $1 trillion jobs plan to be paid for by the elimination of the special tax breaks given out to special interest. The democratic plan would not increase the federal deficit. The Trump plan would and also increase the national debt. The private part of the funding would not be a sure thing and lacks a certain flow of capitol over this long process. The state of Texas has already rejected private financing for their own states financing for their infrastructure. Government financing has always worked best when the federal government was involved in past projects such as this. It insures a continued funding which allows contractors the planning time needed and the knowledge that there will be work tomorrow for their operations and people.
The republicans in congress failed to move President Obama's plan early on in his administration even though the CBO indicated it would have created one million new jobs in the first year. The republicans stood faithful to their pledge of doing nothing to help the President. So now, congress is back to square one while the nations infrastructure continues to decay. The legislation is important and the democrats are eager to see its passage so new jobs can be created to keep the economy growing and keep America working.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
President Trump has yet to introduce his jobs program of rebuilding and repair of the nations infrastructure even though he said it was a priority. On the other hand, Clinton said if elected it would be her first order of business. The latest report on Trumps plan would be a $1 trillion project financed by private and government money. The federal government would put up $200 billion and the private sector would be responsible for $800 billion. In return the private sector (Corporate America) would receive tax breaks in return.
The democrats will introduce their own $1 trillion jobs plan to be paid for by the elimination of the special tax breaks given out to special interest. The democratic plan would not increase the federal deficit. The Trump plan would and also increase the national debt. The private part of the funding would not be a sure thing and lacks a certain flow of capitol over this long process. The state of Texas has already rejected private financing for their own states financing for their infrastructure. Government financing has always worked best when the federal government was involved in past projects such as this. It insures a continued funding which allows contractors the planning time needed and the knowledge that there will be work tomorrow for their operations and people.
The republicans in congress failed to move President Obama's plan early on in his administration even though the CBO indicated it would have created one million new jobs in the first year. The republicans stood faithful to their pledge of doing nothing to help the President. So now, congress is back to square one while the nations infrastructure continues to decay. The legislation is important and the democrats are eager to see its passage so new jobs can be created to keep the economy growing and keep America working.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
George Will, Conservative Columnist and Opinion Writer Breaks Away From His Ditto Head Colleges.
George Will, long time republican conservative opinion writer for the Washington Post and a contributor on the Fox News Network for several years wrote a telling article on President Trump published on May 3. Will's commentary titled, "Trump Has a Dangerous Disability" breaks with the usual conservative commentary that tries to justify Trumps repeated lies and fake news.
Will makes the following statement in his by-line. PEOPLE MUST LET THEIR REPRESENTATIVES KNOW JUST HOW DANGEROUS THIS MAN IS. That is a devastating statement and condemnation of the President from a man who in the past has supported republicans all the way. Will also says in his very first sentence: IT IS URGENT FOR AMERICANS TO THINK AND SPEAK CLEARLY ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP"S INABILITY TO DO EITHER.
The commentary also takes Trump to task about his pronouncements on Andrew Jackson and the Civil War which began 16 years after Jackson's death. Will knew just how incompetent Trump was on the matter. Tim Morris, ditto head conservative opinion writer for the Times Picayune wrote a column on the matter dated May 3 titled, "Donald Trump is right about Andrew Jackson." Morris displayed his ditto head willingness as usual to spin and justify Trump's fake news. The opinion was a sham to deliver what President Trump could not.
George Will is more than just a writer. He knows history and appreciates good governing and intelligence. This writer has disagreed with some of his writings in the past but he understands just how damaging President Trump is to our system of government and to the country and its people. He also understands Trump can not be trusted. This is one commentary that Will has written void of ideology. It was all about putting our counrty first. George Will stood tall with his American commentary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Will makes the following statement in his by-line. PEOPLE MUST LET THEIR REPRESENTATIVES KNOW JUST HOW DANGEROUS THIS MAN IS. That is a devastating statement and condemnation of the President from a man who in the past has supported republicans all the way. Will also says in his very first sentence: IT IS URGENT FOR AMERICANS TO THINK AND SPEAK CLEARLY ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP"S INABILITY TO DO EITHER.
The commentary also takes Trump to task about his pronouncements on Andrew Jackson and the Civil War which began 16 years after Jackson's death. Will knew just how incompetent Trump was on the matter. Tim Morris, ditto head conservative opinion writer for the Times Picayune wrote a column on the matter dated May 3 titled, "Donald Trump is right about Andrew Jackson." Morris displayed his ditto head willingness as usual to spin and justify Trump's fake news. The opinion was a sham to deliver what President Trump could not.
George Will is more than just a writer. He knows history and appreciates good governing and intelligence. This writer has disagreed with some of his writings in the past but he understands just how damaging President Trump is to our system of government and to the country and its people. He also understands Trump can not be trusted. This is one commentary that Will has written void of ideology. It was all about putting our counrty first. George Will stood tall with his American commentary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Monday, May 8, 2017
Tim Morris Continues On His Conservative Merry-Go-Round.
President Trump and the republican party's repeated lies about the ACA and their own health care plan give conservative opinion writers like Morris fits in their attempt to keep justifying and explaining where the President and the party stands. It has become a regular merry-go-round.
Morris's opinion column in the Times Picayune of May 7 titled, "Now its time for the Senate to save the health care overhaul" was a good try to cover all the bases. He finally acknowledged the health care plan passed by the republican controlled House last Thursday was an attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare in the worst way and that is pretty much what they did. The House proposal was about taking down Obamacare and the plan did not meet Trump's campaign pledge of (1) That no one would lose insurance, (2) Medicaid will not be cut and (3) no one will be worst off financially. (We will come back to that later)
Morris dabbled with fake news in his column when he said, "that people dislike the democrats ACA. Actually, the latest poll shows 62% approve of the ACA. He also thinks the Senate will do a better job when they take up the health care issue and keep Trump's campaign pledge. Morris says Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is fast becoming a leader on health care but Cassidy supports the same problem as the HOuse with pre-existing conditions being turned over to the states to implement and finance. Republican Governor of Ohio John Kasich said that was laughable and would not work.
The column is a contradiction and with out realizing it, Morris makes the case for keeping the ACA because it is working. He makes this statement, "Whatever problems existed in Obamacare could have been addressed in changes without the need for complete repeal." Of course that was Hillary Clinton's proposal during the campaign to make changes where needed and make the ACA better. Morris being an opinion writer knew Clinton's position very well but would never give her the credit due. Then in another paragraph Morris tells us the Senate plan can focus on REPLACING the ACA with something that keeps Trump's campaign pledge.
Morris also has a problem in his column about Trump's campaign pledge on health care. He forgot to mention that Trump disregarded the pledge himself when he urged the House to pass their health care plan even though he knew the plan did not even address his pledge. It was pure fraud. Trump also failed to produce his own health care plan that he said he had during the campaign and then after being elected President said he would introduce his plan in early March. But it never happened. Fake news and lies are the real story behind Trump and the republicans health care pronouncements.
The ACA has all the safe guards that Trump pledged and much more, ditto pre-existing conditions, ditto Medicaid expansion for the states, non discrimination in premiums, has insured over 15,000,000 Americans and still counting, has become an economic engine as reported just in the last week and so many other positive advantages. Hillary Clinton had the right approach during the campaign but the republicans and Trump calculated that the lies and fake news about her emails would make better copy.
Next to Morris's opinion column was a picture of Trump, Paul Ryan and Steve Scalise standing together in the Rose Garden celebrating the House passage of their health care plan with a big smile and gloating. They celebrated the passage of a bill that did nothing to address a problem that they themselves said existed. It is a picture of a President, a Speaker of the House and the House Whip. ALL POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY AND LEADERSHIP WHO FAILED BIG TIME TO LEAD AND GOVERN. The country and its people deserve better.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Morris's opinion column in the Times Picayune of May 7 titled, "Now its time for the Senate to save the health care overhaul" was a good try to cover all the bases. He finally acknowledged the health care plan passed by the republican controlled House last Thursday was an attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare in the worst way and that is pretty much what they did. The House proposal was about taking down Obamacare and the plan did not meet Trump's campaign pledge of (1) That no one would lose insurance, (2) Medicaid will not be cut and (3) no one will be worst off financially. (We will come back to that later)
Morris dabbled with fake news in his column when he said, "that people dislike the democrats ACA. Actually, the latest poll shows 62% approve of the ACA. He also thinks the Senate will do a better job when they take up the health care issue and keep Trump's campaign pledge. Morris says Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is fast becoming a leader on health care but Cassidy supports the same problem as the HOuse with pre-existing conditions being turned over to the states to implement and finance. Republican Governor of Ohio John Kasich said that was laughable and would not work.
The column is a contradiction and with out realizing it, Morris makes the case for keeping the ACA because it is working. He makes this statement, "Whatever problems existed in Obamacare could have been addressed in changes without the need for complete repeal." Of course that was Hillary Clinton's proposal during the campaign to make changes where needed and make the ACA better. Morris being an opinion writer knew Clinton's position very well but would never give her the credit due. Then in another paragraph Morris tells us the Senate plan can focus on REPLACING the ACA with something that keeps Trump's campaign pledge.
Morris also has a problem in his column about Trump's campaign pledge on health care. He forgot to mention that Trump disregarded the pledge himself when he urged the House to pass their health care plan even though he knew the plan did not even address his pledge. It was pure fraud. Trump also failed to produce his own health care plan that he said he had during the campaign and then after being elected President said he would introduce his plan in early March. But it never happened. Fake news and lies are the real story behind Trump and the republicans health care pronouncements.
The ACA has all the safe guards that Trump pledged and much more, ditto pre-existing conditions, ditto Medicaid expansion for the states, non discrimination in premiums, has insured over 15,000,000 Americans and still counting, has become an economic engine as reported just in the last week and so many other positive advantages. Hillary Clinton had the right approach during the campaign but the republicans and Trump calculated that the lies and fake news about her emails would make better copy.
Next to Morris's opinion column was a picture of Trump, Paul Ryan and Steve Scalise standing together in the Rose Garden celebrating the House passage of their health care plan with a big smile and gloating. They celebrated the passage of a bill that did nothing to address a problem that they themselves said existed. It is a picture of a President, a Speaker of the House and the House Whip. ALL POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY AND LEADERSHIP WHO FAILED BIG TIME TO LEAD AND GOVERN. The country and its people deserve better.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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