The New Orleans Saints Defeat The Atlanta Falcons 30 - 20 But Fail To Make The NFL Playoffs.

 The Saints did what they needed to do beating the Falcons, but the 49'ers also did what they needed to do and beat the Rams in overtime 27 - 24 to secure the last wild card berth for the playoffs.  The dramatic moment came soon after the Saints won their game and in the process the 49'ers overcame a 17 point Ram lead.

The Saints played well but their position was tenuous since they had no control over the 49'ers fate.  But in the end, the Saints were responsible for their own fate when they lost 6 games in an 8 game stretch including 5 consecutive losses during that 8 game stretch.  COVID and injuries can not be blamed as every team had to cope with those distractions.  

This writer, in Politidose commentary before the season started laid out some of the problems the Saints would face, including a problem at quarterback and just what the fans should expect.  And the Saints will  begin next season with the same problems.  (1)  A starting quarterback that has not experienced one full season as a Saint's starting quarterback.  (2)  A defense and offense that plays great for several games and then falters for several games.  This is nothing new and consistency has been lacking.  It raised its head for the Saints in the last two years, especially when they made the playoffs and were eliminated.  

The idea spun by one Saint's sports writer that Payton should be voted coach of the year after the team's tailspin is what fairy tales are made of.  The Saints record can make the case he failed to do his job.  But that story is for another time.  The most important thing Payton can do for his team is to put the cheat sheet down, let the offensive coordinator call the  plays and for Payton to start coaching and paying attention to what is taking place on the field.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Big First For "Politidose."

 Froma Harrop's opinion column in the New Orleans Advocate dated 1/5/22 titled, "Joe Biden's Economy Is Turning Out Really Well" was right on target, but nothing new to the readers of "Politidose" commentary who knew the U.S. economy would do well under Biden's democratic administration. 

"Politidose" commentary dated 12/7/2020 titled, "What will the New Year Bring Politically" and commentary dated 1/23/21 titled, "Joe Biden:  The 46th President of the United States" told the story why the Biden administration would bring back the economy and create jobs and how he would do it.  It was based on what is known as precedent of previous democratic administration and their record of success in turning around failed GOP leadership on economic matters.  It also has to do with the fact that democrats govern better than the GOP because democrats govern with policies and plans to face the issues while the GOP govern with an extreme ideology that never address the real issues.

Harrop's column is a little late but welcomed.  She wonders why the public has a lackluster opinion about Biden.  But like the media she represents, holds the key to the answer.  The media is too busy giving their time to Trump and the GOP noise machine and their daily lies and mis-information concerning Biden and the democratic party's agenda.  Positive news about what the Biden administration has accomplished is given little coverage.  The media also gives little coverage to the fact that every republican administration for the past 100 years has given the country an economic recession, yet they push the GOP rhetoric that the GOP are best at handling the economy.  The record is clear that is a fairy tale.

The facts tell us democratic administrations do a much better job governing than the GOP and by a wide margin.  So stay tuned to "Politidose" your daily dose of political commentary for the facts and the real story.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Job Creation and The Unemployment Rate for December 2021.

The U.S. Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 199,000 jobs in December and that the unemployment rate fell to 3.9%.  It was the 11th straight month of positive job growth in Biden's first full 11 months in office. (Feb. - Dec).  A year ago in December 2020, the Labor Department reported the economy lost 140,000 jobs on Trump's watch, a swing of 330,000 jobs for the better this December.  The Department also noted that November's job numbers were 39,000 more than originally reported.

The 3.9% unemployment rate for December was much improved from the 6.3% rate in January 2021 when Trump left office.  Hourly wages for December were up 4.6% over November's numbers and workers are leaving their present employment to seek higher paying jobs elsewhere.  All in all, the report indicates the economy is still expanding and the virus surge will continue to play a negative tune on the economy to a certain degree.  That is the main reason why the President's BBB legislation should pass the senate as soon as possible to assist negate the effects of the virus.  It is a fundamental part of the President's policy for an economy that still needs to be primed to a certain extent.

So in Biden's first full 11 months in office, the economy has added 5,513,000 jobs, an average of 501,000 jobs per month according to the monthly reports of the Labor Department.  Trump, in his first 36 months in office (before the pandemic) 6.6 million jobs were added to the economy for a monthly average of 183,000 jobs per month.  And Trump ended his Presidency with a loss of over 3 million jobs, the worst job creation record since the great depression of 1928-1929.

President Biden's legislation that has passed congress is working to move the country and its people forward.  But understand, no economy is perpetual and able to survive on its own.  There has to be an ongoing policy and plan along the way available to implement when needed to face the issue that is a threat.  That is why Biden's leadership and policies are so important for the economy in 2022 and beyond.    

The year 2021 was a good start.  This year is important to keep the economy going forward.  The noise machine will continue to be negative and obstructive to divide the country until the November congressional elections.  It is up to every American to tune out the noise  and mis-information  for the good of the country and all of it citizens.  The democratic precedent of accomplishments continues under the Biden administration and those who pay attention along with the readers of Politidose commentary knew it would take place.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Miami Dolphins 20, The New Orleans Saints An Embarrassing 3.

 What more could be expected with COVID 19, injuries, backups, a reduced coaching staff and a rookie quarterback starting his very first game in the NFL?  And against a tough Miami defense to boot.  The Saint's offense was kept out of the end zone against Tampa Bay last week with HILL at quarterback and again Monday night by the Dolphins.  Eight straight quarters without an offensive touchdown.  

Four Saint's sports writers predicted the Saints would score between 17-23 points against the Dolphins.  One said the more Kamara touches the ball, the better, but Kamara has not been a factor since he returned from his injuries and was not a factor Monday night against the Dolphins.  The Bobby Hebert radio show just a few hours before the game gave the listeners a lot of stats but nothing else.  Completely out of touch with reality.

The bottom line tells this writer that the Saint's backups reveal poor drafting where needed the most.  The Saints seem to have few backups who are capable of playing at a level needed to compete.  And worst of all is the fact that the Saints will start next season like they started this season, namely with a quarterback that has not completed one full season as a Saints starting quarterback.  How important is that?  Well, he is the only player on offense that touches the football on every offensive play.  It is also this writer's opinion that Winston, Hill nor Siemian are the Saints quarterback for the future.

If Brees and Rivers were actually contacted by Payton to join the team    as reported, their rejection of the offer is certainly understood.  It also tells the story of a coaching staff and team who needs new leadership.

THOUGHTS;  COVID has played havoc with the sports world because it is big time money.  Both for college and the Pros.  The powers that be put big money over the safety of science by allowing players to say no to vaccinations.  Basketball and Football are contact sports where social distancing is impossible.  It should be obvious where the problem hides. 

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

The Losers In President Biden's Build Back Better Legislation.

 The democratic controlled U.S. House passed President Biden's "Build Back Better" (BBB) legislation a few weeks ago with a vote of 220 - 213.  The legislation is a good bill for America, the country and the American people.  The losers were over 200 republicans in the U.S. House who voted against the bill and even objected to a debate and debating issues is the corner stone of democracy in the congress.  The other losers were the GOP in general, the so called conservative media and the media noise machines who enable the republican propaganda of lies, mis-information and dis-information on the subject matter.

Those same noisy groups are now trying their propaganda on the Senate "BBB" bill since Senator Joe Manchin announced he would not vote for the bill.  They are now proclaiming democratic failure, democratic mis-management, the death of the bill and etc., etc., and etc.  But Joe Manchin is the lone opponent out of the 50 democratic senators.  The losers here too, are the 50 republican senators who have vowed to vote against this good bill and refused to debate its merits like the republicans in the U.S. House.  

But President Biden will not allow his "BBB" legislation to die in the senate and the democratic controlled congress will prevail when it is all said and done.  After Manchin's announcement, the CEO of Goldman said he revised and lowered his economic predictions for the first quarter of 2022, which indicates he thinks Biden's "BBB" legislation is good for the economy.  No matter how you cut it, the big losers are the 250 republicans in congress who oppose its passage and the group of noise machines mentioned above who are the enablers of the GOP.

Good legislation that works for the country, its people, the economy and moves the country forward scares the losers to death.  They prefer the division they try to create with an anti-American attitude.  The losers have already struck out twice this year with Biden's COVID and Infrastructure legislation and its three strikes and you're out.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Noise Machine Continues To Speculate On President Biden's Intentions To Run For Re-election.

 It's the same noise machine who deal in mis-information, dis-information and even lies concerning the President's policies.  It is their way of personal attacks because they want to see the President fail. They see a President who has accomplished much in his first year in office and a expanding economy that is creating jobs and not losing jobs and a unemployment rate at a historical low level.  All of which was in recession when President Trump left office and was corrupted by Trump and his party trying to steal the results of the 2019 Presidential election.

If President Biden decides not to seek re-election it will be due to his age and a feeling of accomplishments for the country and its people.  The President has had a long political career and has nothing to prove by serving two terms if he determines it is not necessary.  Biden knows there are other capable democrats who are capable and able to carry the torch of democracy for the future.  A successful 4 years is something the GOP has proven to be incapable of producing with their anti-American attitude, obstruction policies and their support to overturn a legitimate democratic Presidential election.

If the President believes his administration has accomplished his objectives and decides to move on, he will do the honorable thing and give proper notice to the American people.  He is not a public servant who would hang on and run for re-election just for the sake of running.  He is a public servant who will do the right thing for the country and its people. 

And President Biden has once again restored Honor to the White House in a short time.  And those who follow politics knew it would be a democratic President who  would do so.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Abortion, The U.S. Supreme Court, The GOP and The Conservative Media.

 The GOP with the support of the conservative media has tried its best to destroy the Affordable Care Act (so called Obamacare, because Obama cared) since 2009 and have failed in a spectacular manner when Trump and the republican controlled congress failed in its attempt to do so during their 4 years in office.  The same sorry group has tried to overturn Roe vs. Wade since 1973 (48 years) and have failed to do so.  They oppose abortion in any form so they say.

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court took up oral arguments concerning a Texas abortion law that caps abortion at 15 weeks.  Some in the news media have reported that comments made by several Justices indicate some parts of the Texas law may be upheld and that maybe Roe vs. Wade would be dismantled altogether.  

The Texas law validates the conclusion that the GOP has used the abortion issue only to divide the country and that they could care less about abortion.  After all, the GOP supports the Texas law and the Texas law provides for abortion during the first 15 weeks of being pregnant.  Roe vs. Wade provides for 24 weeks.

Roe vs. Wade is a GOP problem because it became law in a 7-2 vote and the majority vote was provided by a conservative majority Supreme Court  appointed by past republican Presidents.  Now, another conservative majority Supreme Court appointed by republican Presidents will have to decide the fate of Roe vs. Wade and the Texas case 48 years later.  No matter how the court rules, the GOP will be the losers on the issue.  The GOP, mostly white men who have made abortion a political issue have already lost the respect of a woman's right to choose under the present law.

And if the Supreme Court upholds the Texas law of 15 weeks a woman will just see a doctor if she thinks she is pregnant sooner and have enough time to still have an abortion.  The shorter time period will not prevent a woman from having an abortion and the GOP will have proved their only interest in abortion is to divide the country.  

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Note:  The Majority Supreme Court vote in Roe vs. Wade was 7-2.  Five of those who voted yes were appointed by republican Presidents, while Two who voted yes were appointed by Democratic Presidents.

Note:  See previous commentary in Politidose concerning abortion dated 8/24/19

Job Creation and The Unemployment Rate For November 2021

The U.S. Labor Department reported the U.S. economy added 210,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate came in at 4.2%.  It was 4.6% in October.  It was the 10th straight month of positive job growth for the Biden administration and the 4.2% unemployment rate was the lowest since February 2020.  Also reported last week was the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plummented in November to the lowest level in more than a half century.  

So the U.S. economy continues to grow, create jobs, reduce unemployment and the American consumer continues to spend.  More people are also entering the job market and finding jobs with higher pay.  The turn around in the economy is taken place at a reasonable level considering all the negative factors that come with the recession, the pandemic and several COVID outbreaks over the past 18 months.

The economy should improve even more as President Biden's legislation begins to kick in over time for the long term.  The negative voices of the GOP, the conservative media and those who love to spread dis-information and see the Biden Presidency fail are hopeless with an extreme anti-American attitude.  That is why now it is so important for a mature President like Biden to be in the White House.

Presidential leadership is back at governing with courage and virtue.  

This commentary written by Joe Lorio   

Coach Orgeron's Era Ends At LSU

Orgeron ended his coaching career at LSU Saturday night in Tiger stadium with a dramatic win over Texas A&M 27-24.  And like LSU's last years regular season, this season ended up with the Tigers playing .500 ball once again.  Orgeron's record the past two seasons was a combined 11-11 after going 15-0 in 2019 winning the SEC and a National Championship.

So LSU once again failed to maintain a consistent winning record under a new head coach and qualified for the playoffs only once in the past 8 years.  To add insult, the Tigers finished tied for last place with Auburn in the SEC's West Division with a 3-5 record.  Not a good place to be when you are a school that rates in the top five for recruiting each year.

Out of all the predictions by the LSU sports media prior to the season as what to expect from LSU, Politidose commentary published 3/25/21 was the more accurate one.  Baton Rouge sports writers are too close to the team to be objective about their evaluations of the team and the coaching staff.  Now the hunt is on for another new head coach for LSU and when the announcements are made, fans will hear all the superlatives about the new coach, but it will be time and time alone that writes the true story about the new hire.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Note:  Former LSU head coach Charlie McClendon coached the Tigers for 18 seasons and had only one losing season.  He never won a National Championship as a head coach and holds the record of winning at LSU with a record of 137-59.  He was LSU's defensive co-ordinator on the 1958 National Championship team. In this writers opinion those years were the most steady years in LSU football.

Buffalo 31 - New Orleans Saints 6: And As Usual, Saints Sports Writers are Wrong Again About Their Predictions

 The New Orleans Saints lost its 4th straight game Thanksgiving night at home as the Bills came in town ready to play and left with a huge victory.  The game was never close as the Bills out played the Saints in every department.  The Saint's offense was lackluster and the defense was its usual on again, off again defense with no continuity which is the way the Saint's defense has performed for the past several years.  No real news there for the defense.

And once again the Saint's sports writers have egg all over their faces because they are incapable of being objective when evaluating the Saints.  They predicted great things for the Saints before the season even started.  One writer said this was Payton's best defensive club.  Yeah, right!!!  Then wrote an article predicting the Saints were poised to go on a run of their patented midseason winning streaks when they return from their bye week and gives reasons why, that do not add up.

And since the bye week the Saints have lost 4 of the past 6 games.  So much for being poised to go on a run of their patented midseason winning streaks.  The Saints have beaten only two teams with a winning record so far this year.  Last year they beat only one team with a winning record during the regular season.  It's not like the Saints have a record of beating a lot of the good teams with winning records.  

This writer wrote commentary in Politidose prior to the start of the season as to what you might expect from the Saints and LSU this year dated March 25.  It was more accurate than any predictions from the Saint's sports writers or the LSU sports writers.  Both groups of writers are too close to the teams they write about to be objective, the reports have become more hype and cliches than anything else.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio