Who Ever Thought It Would Take Place In America?

 The U.S. Economy is strong and has been for the past 20 months according to the economic data.  Job creation has been the best (over 10 million jobs) in any 20 month period, the unemployment rate has fallen from 6.3% when Biden took office to 3.5% in September 2022, wages increased 5.9% in 2021 and are increasing 5% so far this year.  Consumers are still spending despite inflation and driving the economy. (Consumer spending represents 70% of the economy.)  Unemployment is at a historically low rate.  Inflation will probably run 8% for 2022, a far cry from 11.2% in 1979,13.5% in 1980 and 10.3% in 1981.  The President's infrastructure and inflation reduction legislation will start to kick in and continue to move the economy forward, create more jobs and lower unemployment even more.  American manufacturing has announced plans to increase their manufacturing footprint domestically.  The positive news on the economy goes on and on.

Yet, all we hear from the GOP and their supporters are doom and gloom every day.  And the media is willing to wage its 24/7 news cycle to repeat those negative voices.  For the past 7 months the negative voices of recession said it would take place before the end of 2022.  Now, they say some time in 2023.  They are predicting millions of jobs being lost and higher unemployment,  A worldwide recession with $200 barrel of oil.  They talk about today's inflation being the worst in the last 40 years but during the inflation of the 1980's unemployment stood at over 10% for 10 straight months from Sept. 82 to June 83, the highest unemployment in the past 70 years.  But the negative voices continue to take up the media's time with their doom and gloom wishes for the economy.  Every month they are still predicting job creation to be a disaster and every month they are wrong, but the media still carry their negative voices.

The media has chosen sides and chose to ignore the good economic news for the country and its people for the past 20 months and instead enabled the negative voices by publishing their false statements 24/7 and flooding the news cycle with doom and gloom.  By their negative voices who just want to see the President and the country fail.  The media has failed the people and the country at a time when truth, facts and democracy are under attack by the negative voices.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

 

Journalist Dana Milbank Exposes The GOP's Fear and Lies Campaign About Crime in America. And, It's Another First For Politidose.

 In a New Orleans Advocate commentary dated 10/18 titled, "It's Just Murder Living In A Red State" Milbank presents the facts how violent crime and murder take place more in GOP led red states then democratic led states contrary to the lies and fears being spread by the GOP and it's supporters.  And that contrary to the lies, violent crimes is generally worse in republican run states.  

And if Mr. Milbank's article sounds familiar, it's because you read it here first in several past "Politidose" commentary that goes back to last year.  It was also "Politidose" past commentaries that exposed the GOP lies about the economy, the national debt, job creation and federal spending.  Dana Milbank is one of the nation's top journalists for reporting the facts and a credit to news reporting.  Too many people in the media are willing to always run with the lying talking points of the GOP and it's supporters and fail to report the facts or correct the lying talking points.

The Republican party is well known for using personal attacks, lies and misinformation as party policy because they have no real policy to govern with and therefore no accomplishments to campaign and run on.  They also have many enablers in the media who act as their ditto heads.  The country and its people deserve the facts and Dana Milbank delivered with his timely commentary on violent crime in America in the red states.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Economy, Job Creation and The Unemployment Rate for September 2022.

The U.S. Labor Department reported the economy added 263,000 jobs in September and that the unemployment rate came in at 3.5%. it was 3.7% in August.  It was the 20th straight month of positive job growth and unemployment matched the 3.5% low of the last 50 years.  Wages were up 5% for the year and 0.3% from August.

The negative noise machine once again got it wrong in predicting the job numbers would be disappointing for September.  They are also still calling for an economic recession that could take place if the Feds act irresponsible in raising interest rates.  The noise machine would like to see the President and the economy fail so bad they will stay in their negative mood of mis-information and lies into the future.  

The last time the unemployment rate was under 3.5% was in January 1969 when it hit 3.4%.  Job creation on President Biden's watch has been robust in his first 20 full months in office in keeping with the precedent set by past democratic administrations concerning job creation.  Job seekers are finding jobs and they have money to spend to keep the economy moving forward despite inflation.

The negative noise machine lacks the character to say anything positive about the economy, job creation, lower unemployment and how wrong they have been in preaching doom and gloom.  They are counting on lies and misinformation to sway the American voters because they have no positive record to run on.  

President Biden and the democratic party represent the few sane and steady voices in Washington on Democracy and the economy while the negative noise machine continue to live at the bottom of the barrel.  And once again it is a democratic administration that has reversed the job losses, higher unemployment and a failed economy of the previous GOP administration.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Balanced Budget For The State of Louisiana.

 Jay Dardenne, Governor Edwards Commissioner of Administration reported he is confident the state will report a balanced budget with surplus when the final budget numbers come in for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.  Last fiscal year's surplus was $699 million according to Dardenne.  Governor Edwards plans and policies brought fiscal sanity to Louisiana's fiscal house after 8 years of unbalanced budgets by former Governor Jindal and the republican controlled state legislature.

And the Governor's administration accomplished fiscal sanity in a balanced way with state revenue increases, federal money, priority spending and budget cuts and adopting the ACA under the medicaid expansion for health insurance.  The fiscal turnaround was possible because democrats govern with plans and policy that address the real issues while the GOP govern by ideology, a personal code unrelated to the issues at hand.  The fiscal sanity was accomplished even though the Governor took office in 2016 with a projected $2.6 billion state deficit.  Governor Edwards plans and policies for fiscal sanity put an end to Jindal's massive budget cuts to education, health care and other needed services that took the brunt of Jindal's and the GOP controlled state legislature's cuts each year. 

Now that the state has balanced budgets and surpluses, some in the legislature are clamoring to eliminate Louisiana's state income tax that brings in approximately $5 billion annually in tax revenue, but they have no proposed plan to offset that lost revenue.  Dardenne warned, "we should not create a situation where the next governor or a new legislature has to immediately fix a problem we created."  Governor Edwards leaves office in January 2024.

Former Governor Jindal and the GOP controlled state legislature inherited a $787 million surplus from democratic Governor Kathleen Blanco and they blew it bid time with their fiscal disaster and governing by ideology.  Governor Edwards administration reversed all of that.  It is a mirror image of what the Trump administration left President Biden when he took office in January 2021.  That tragic gift to Biden was a $2.77 trillion federal deficit.  And one can bet when the Biden administration's first fiscal year ends on 9/30/22 the budget deficit will be much less than Trump's record deficit.

There is more good news that the Louisiana Workforce Commission announced.  The Louisiana unemployment rate for August was 3.8%.  The unemployment rate when Jindal left off ice was 6.2%, so as of August 2022 the unemployment rate has fallen 2.4% on Edwards watch.  The unemployment rate when Jindal took office in January of 2008 was 3.8% so unemployment increased 2.4% on Jindal's watch.

The fiscal sanity that has taken place on Governor Edwards watch is a mirror image that has taken place on the democratic watch nationally for the past 42 plus years.  And Politidose commentary was there calling the shots before they ever took place because of the past record of precedent.  So, forget the noise of the media in general and stay tuned to Politidose, your daily dose of political commentary.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

The U.S. Economy, Job Creation and The Unemployment Rate for August 2022.

 The U.S. Department of Labor reported the economy added 315,000 jobs in August and that the unemployment rate came in at 3.7%.  The unemployment rate in July was 3.5%.  The department said more people entered the job market in August that counted for the increase.  It was the 19th straight month of positive job growth and wages were up 5.2% from the same period of last year.

So, the country's economic position is bright and still moving forward.  Energy prices continue to fall and August's inflation is expected to be released next week that most economist say will show a decrease.  But the negative noise machine is still out there predicting doom and gloom for the economy and urging the Feds to raise interest rates high and furious.  Their predictions are still all over the lot for a recession, higher inflation and a hard landing.  They still want that outcome so bad they can taste it.  Their motivation is to see the President fail.  It does not matter to them if the FEDS over react, create a recession and have millions of Americans lose their jobs.  They just want to see the President and the country fail.

The President and his party must  continue to address the negative noise machine for what it is and address the success of the economic achievements that have taken place for the past 19 months and are ongoing to continue the progress unfolding into the future.  Negative minds die of decay.  Positive thoughts are what makes America great and an informed voter will keep progress moving forward. 

With the congressional elections only two months away a democratic controlled congress will work for all to keep America the Beautiful and the best road to continue the President's economic expansion for the country and its people.  We came close to losing our country on Jan 6, 2020, we cannot let that take place again in the November elections.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio  

Louisiana's U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy: A "sad lot" Member of The GOP.

 In a Times Picayune article dated 8/25 by columnist Mark Ballard titled, "Louisiana delegation reaction mixed" concerning the President's plan to forgive some student loan debt, Cassidy's response was the usual GOP talking points they express about every democratic action.  And Cassidy's talking point actually represents what takes place when the government is controlled by his own party.

Cassidy said the President's action is a spit in the face of Louisiana families that will cost taxpayers $2,000 each because of the $300 billion cost, meaning the cost will be financed by deficit spending.  Of course, Cassidy dare not mention the $1.5 trillion Trump/GOP tax cut that he voted for that provided tax cuts to corporations and the most wealthy.  That $1.5 trillion tax cut cost five times the cost of the President's student load action and was paid for by deficit spending.  So, the cost to each taxpayer under the Trump/GOP tax cuts was 5 times greater than the $2,000 Cassidy alleges under the President's plan.

Columnist never seem to have an appetite to inform their readers of the hypocritical statements of the GOP and especially Senator Cassidy.  So, stay tuned to "Politidose" for your daily dose of political commentary. 

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Note:  As a reminder to all who are really interested in federal spending, Trump and the GOP ended their 4 fiscal years as the greatest spending administration in history.  In just 4 fiscal years federal spending passed the 4,5 and 6 trillion dollar mark.  

The State of Kansas Vote On The Abortion Issue Confirms What "Politidose" Commentary Said Years Ago.

The GOP and the so called conservative voices of anti-abortion rhetoric knew long ago that the best way to address the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision they opposed would be through a constitutional amendment or an act of congress.  But no republican President or republican controlled house of congress ever attempted to address the issue that way.  Instead, they made the issue a divisive one for political purposes using extreme charges and personal attacks against those who were pro-choice.  They also dare not admit that it was a republican appointed majority Supreme Court that legalized abortion in the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973.

"Politidose" commentary explained long ago why the GOP never sought to go the route of a constitutional amendment or an act of congress.  And their hidden reason was they knew they could not muster 3/4 of the states to ratify an amendment or a majority vote in congress to do so.  That outcome would kill any future talk by the anti-abortion crowd and kill their issue of division.  So, for 49 years, the GOP kept up their steady drum beat of misinformation concerning abortion.

The recent Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe passed the abortion issue to the states which was right up the GOP's ally.  Then along came the state of Kansas whose people voted 59%-41% to uphold the states constitution that provides for a woman's right to choose.  A group of Republicans then asked for a paid for recount. (Does that remind anyone Trump?)  And what do you know, the recount confirmed the original vote count.  That group was trying to keep the division alive for political purposes.

The Kansas vote confirmed what the GOP knew 49 years ago, the American voters believe abortion is a personal decision and should not be a political one made by politicians.  It also confirms what "Politidose"commentary said years ago about why the GOP never intended to go the way of an amendment or an act of congress.  For the GOP, abortion was their divisive issue to obtain votes.

This commentary written by Joe  Lorio 

 

Teen Age Gun Violence Deaths and The GOP

 According to a report in the New Orleans Advocate of Aug. 21, youths 1-19 years of age who died by gun violence hit a record number and exceeded that killed in auto related deaths.  The source of information comes from the 2020 CDC Kids Count Data Center which was the last full year account reported and covers the year 2020.

The article notes the top ten states with the highest average gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2020.  Number one on the list was Louisiana, followed by #2 Mississippi, #3 Arkansas, #4Missouri, #5 South Carolina, #6 Indiana, #7 Alabama, #8 Illinois, #9 Georgia and #10 Tennessee.  Eight of those top ten states are governed by the GOP while two are governed by democrats, Louisiana and Illinois.  The record deaths in 2020 for those youths ages 1-19 was 29.5% higher than in 2019 per the CDC report.

The report indicates that society as a whole is subject to gun violence deaths and that younger children are included in a large way.  And the rate keeps climbing.  There are stats that indicate that states with weaker gun laws tend to have the most violent gun related deaths in all categories.  

The gun related deaths the CDC and other groups track provide evidence over time that more needs to be done to control the sale and use of firearms.  The blame game has not resulted in a better out come and gun violence deaths have increased what should be an alarming rate to everyone since the assault weapons ban expired.  The Federal government also allowed President Clinton's financial help to the states expire that put 100,000 police officers on the streets of America.  That was a double whammy to a program that worked.  

Congress needs to step up to the plate, meet its obligation to protect and serve and reverse the carnage of gun violence deaths.  The second amendment has not kept us safe nor has the so called tough talk and without a doubt, the record increase in gun ownership has not kept us safe.  Congress must ack and must act soon.  It is the only answer left.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

Mitch McConnell: The GOP's Senate Leader and Obstructionist.

 The GOP's long time leader in the U.S. Senate Mitch McConnell, once again shows his anti-Democratic ideology of governing with his recent statement about the lack of "quality" GOP candidates running in the November congressional elections.  It is another sad chapter of his obstruction and his party's attitude about governing.

For the past 6 months his party and the conservative media have predicted a red wave in the November elections and his party taking control of both houses of congress from the democrats.  And during that time Mitch never mentioned the lack of "quality" among GOP hopefuls and did not even care.  Then along came recent new polling that indicated the GOP would actually lose senate seats in the November elections and fail to regain control of the senate.

That news did not sit well with Mitch because he wants to control the senate so bad once again and foul up the rest of President Biden's time in office.  So, Mitch decided to strike against the GOP's lack of "quality" senate candidates going into the elections, many of which are supported by Donald Trump.  In other words, as long as the GOP could win, Mitch could care less about the "quality" of the GOP candidates.  The power is what is important to Mitch and the GOP so they can continue to seek rule over the country and its people which they have no regards for.

The American people should vote for democracy in November and keep the control of congress in the hands of the democratic party.  Democracy is at stake and so is our American way of life and the rule of law.  America the Beautiful is what America has always fought for through wars and peace since we became one nation under GOD with liberty and justice for all.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

Politidose Commentary Called The Shot On Donald Trump's Traitorous Act Back In 2016 While The News Media Remained Silent.

This writer's commentary in "Politidose" dated 7/31/2016 titled, "A Traitor Among Us:  Donald Trump, Vladmir Putin and Russia" recorded Trump's very first traitorous act as a Presidential candidate while the major news organizations were silent.  And they have been silent ever since on other traitorous acts of Donald Trump.

Donald Trump, the republican party's Presidential candidate committed his traitorous act and betrayed his country when he asked Russia's Putin to hack into Hillary Clinton's email in an attempt to find damaging information on Clinton to help his campaign for President.  Politidose commentary at the time was the only news media outlet that picked up on Trump's traitorous act.  Presidential candidates do not ask foreign governments to invade American privacy for political gain.  

And now 6 years later the media still enables Trump with their coverage and are afraid of Trump, like  so many of his ditto heads.  What took place on January 6, 2021 when President Trump urged his followers to storm the U.S. Capitol and try to intimidate congress to change the electoral vote was also a traitorous act and betrayal of America.  His failure to shut down his mob timely after urging from his advisers also was a betrayal of America. 

Politidose in 2016 also called America's attention to the fact that the GOP and Trump was one and the same and time has proven that to be true.  The media still has failed to cross that line and the enabling continues.  And as of this writing Trump and the GOP are one and the same even more with their anti-American rhetoric against America's institutions and law enforcement agencies.  Every day they attempt to undermine democracy with lies, misinformation and statements that betray the rule of democratic government.  Sad as it is, the media has enabled the Trump/GOP hateful rhetoric to poison and divide our great country.  Columnist Froma Harrop recognized the media's enabling of the GOP in a New Orleans Advocate commentary dated 8/15/22 titled "The media are doing the GOP's dirty work."  The article is right on target, easy to understand and timely.  It should be read by all.

At a time when America is under attack from the Trump/GOP lies and anti-American rhetoric, the democratic party is standing tall against their betrayal and desire of authoritarian rule.  The party is discharging their obligation as elected officials to stand up for the rule of law, our institutions and investigating the serious threat that Trump and the GOP represent.  The media has failed to do their part in exposing those who seek to betray America and the rule of law.  In short, the media has failed the people at a time of great danger to our country.  

The democratic party, America's party, needs the help of every citizen to defeat the effort of Trump and the GOP to overthrow American democracy and install authoritarian rule.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio