According to a Times Picayune article dated 12/20/13 a Louisiana legislative auditor's office reported some oil and gas severance taxes went uncollected from 2009 to 2012 that cost the state millions of dollars in tax revenue. All because the state revenue department shut down a computor program in 2010 that was used to identify delinquent taxpayers. The programs had been sending erroneous bills. Now the state says the computor program will come back on line late in December.
Senator Edwin Murray asked, "why couldn't we just fix the program, rather than turn it off?" Other legislators wondered why it had took so long to get the automated system back up. Governor Jindal has been silent on the issue. It seems like when the oil and gas industry is involved, they get a pass on everything including not paying the severance tax due the state timely for three years while the computer was shut down.
Jindal was outspoken against President Obama when the Affordable Care Act computer system was having problems. However, the President took the steps to take care of the problem and did not shut the system down. Jindal, like most republicans who continue to want to see the President, the country and its people fail, have no character or courage. They are also not serious public servants.
When the head of a state allows his revenue department to shut a computer program down that flags oil and gas companies that have not paid their taxes on time instead of taking care of the problem, you have a governor who failed to do his job. How many years does it take Bobby?
Republicans are good at making a lot of noise. Democrats are good at serving the public. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
The Ron Higgins, Skip Bertman, Nick Saban and LSU Saga
Ron Higgins article that appeared in the Times Picayune of Dec. 13 concerning Saban leaving LSU has as many holes as swiss cheese. In this writers judgement, Saban wanted out at LSU for reasons never made public. I respect Skip Bertman as a person, as a coach and as a athletic director, but his reasons as to why Saban left LSU for Miami as articulated by Higgins does not wash.
Higgins says Bertman told him LSU could not compete with Miami's monetary offer and then says Saban would not leave Alabama for Texas because of money. In fact Bertman was quoted as saying Saban is not a money guy. Saban was smart enough to let it be known while he was at LSU that he might one day return to pro football. That gave him an out when Miami called. Saban had no excuse about the NFL because he previously coached there.
For what ever reason, Saban used the Miami offer as the perfect cover to return to college football at the most opportune time for him. Saban was smart enough to know he would never have the success at coaching in the NFL as he would coaching in college.
Make no mistake, Saban wanted out at LSU for some reason and laid the ground work for his departure when proclaimed he would keep the door open to return to the NFL. I also happen to believe Saban did a poor coaching job at LSU in the year after LSU won the national championship. His mind was not on LSU football.
Perhaps one day fans will be told the true story of why Saban left LSU. I feel sure Saban let his feelings be known to some one.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Higgins says Bertman told him LSU could not compete with Miami's monetary offer and then says Saban would not leave Alabama for Texas because of money. In fact Bertman was quoted as saying Saban is not a money guy. Saban was smart enough to let it be known while he was at LSU that he might one day return to pro football. That gave him an out when Miami called. Saban had no excuse about the NFL because he previously coached there.
For what ever reason, Saban used the Miami offer as the perfect cover to return to college football at the most opportune time for him. Saban was smart enough to know he would never have the success at coaching in the NFL as he would coaching in college.
Make no mistake, Saban wanted out at LSU for some reason and laid the ground work for his departure when proclaimed he would keep the door open to return to the NFL. I also happen to believe Saban did a poor coaching job at LSU in the year after LSU won the national championship. His mind was not on LSU football.
Perhaps one day fans will be told the true story of why Saban left LSU. I feel sure Saban let his feelings be known to some one.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Friday, December 27, 2013
What Will The New Year Bring Politically?
A repeat of past mistakes or the wisdom to learn from the past and create a better future. January 2014 will begin President Obama's second year of his second term in office. The economy will enter the new year with welcomed economic gains in job creation, an increase in the GDP, lower unemployment and a reduction in the Federal Deficit. The war in Afghanistan will come to an end this year so the new year does project a progressive year for the country and its people.
The Affordable Care Act is picking up steam dispite the online application problems that took place at the start up and the republican's opposition to throw up any road block it could muster to create more problems just because they want to see the program and the President fail. The republicans have learned nothing from their past 40 votes to defund the ACA and as a result the future for them will be like the past.
Since 2014 will be a year of congressional elections, if congress chooses to play politics instead of addressing the country's priority to keep the economy moving forward, the future will be like the past with political gridlock. That must not happen as it did in 2013.
President Kennedy understood that our problems are man made and there fore can be solved by man and that past mistakes could be corrected with leadership and courage. He understood history and pursued a future that would not look like the failed past.
President Obama will do the country and its people well by addressing the future and staying above petty politics of the moment. The economic ground work for continued progress has been established and now it is time in 2014 to make full employment a reality, rising wages for the average American a standard and a tax system that is fair where everyone pays a just share of the tax burden.
The road map for the future should avoid the mistakes of the past and it can be accomplished if leaders are mindful of history and our past. President George W. Bush was not and there fore his policies doomed the future of his administration and the economy.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Note: See previous commentary dated 12/28/10 titled, What Will The New Year Bring Politically.
The Affordable Care Act is picking up steam dispite the online application problems that took place at the start up and the republican's opposition to throw up any road block it could muster to create more problems just because they want to see the program and the President fail. The republicans have learned nothing from their past 40 votes to defund the ACA and as a result the future for them will be like the past.
Since 2014 will be a year of congressional elections, if congress chooses to play politics instead of addressing the country's priority to keep the economy moving forward, the future will be like the past with political gridlock. That must not happen as it did in 2013.
President Kennedy understood that our problems are man made and there fore can be solved by man and that past mistakes could be corrected with leadership and courage. He understood history and pursued a future that would not look like the failed past.
President Obama will do the country and its people well by addressing the future and staying above petty politics of the moment. The economic ground work for continued progress has been established and now it is time in 2014 to make full employment a reality, rising wages for the average American a standard and a tax system that is fair where everyone pays a just share of the tax burden.
The road map for the future should avoid the mistakes of the past and it can be accomplished if leaders are mindful of history and our past. President George W. Bush was not and there fore his policies doomed the future of his administration and the economy.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Note: See previous commentary dated 12/28/10 titled, What Will The New Year Bring Politically.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
The Saints Loss To Seattle Surprised No One Except Most Of New Orleans Sports Journalists
The domination of Seattle's defense against the Saints offense should be no surprise to anyone who is objective in their evaluation of the Saints. The Saints three losses have been to teams with the best defensive coaches in the NFL. The Jets, the Patriots and the Seahawks. Seattle's head coach was called the best of them all in the NFL by ESPN's John Gruden who knows a little about the game.
New Orleans's journalists continue to talk about Brees's prolific passing and Payton's genius offense play calling but neither one deserve that title. Five of the Saints victories this year came at the expense of teams who are playing 500 or less ball. Brees was not the only passer who was prolific against those teams. Good defensive coached teams do not let receivers run wild and unchallenged.
After 12 games of play only 13 of the 32 teams in the NFL have a winning record and that trend has been going on for many years. In other words there are a lot of bad teams playing football in the NFL. No wonder records are falling every day. Individual players pile up records over a period of time but what has their team accomplished. The case can be made that Eli Manning has done more for his team than brother Peyton or Brees have done for their teams. Eli's team has won two world championships. Peyton and Brees teams have each won one and they have been playing longer than Eli.
Sports journalists in New Orleans jobs depend on the Saints for their livelyhood and that is why they cling to cliches and hype in their reporting and can not be objective in their evaluation of the Saints. The city did produce one sports writer with the Times Picayune that did pick Seattle to win the game. Jim Henderson, the voice of the Saints commentary after the Saints games are a joke. His after the fact breakdown is laughable.
Yea, Payton and Brees are good at what they do but prolific and genius should be measured with caution. When the Saints started the season in good fashion many sports journalists were projecting them champions of their division and talking about home field advantage thru out the playoffs. Now after the loss to Seattle and the Panthers up next they are in a panic. Those journalists were ready to project the future after only the first 6 games. The last time I checked the Saints do play a 16 game schedule.
Lets see, Green Bay, Dallas, Pittsburg, New England and San Francisco won multiple world championships and had great quarterbacks. I wonder how today's sports journalists would describe those head coaches and quarterbacks? Its a question to ponder.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
New Orleans's journalists continue to talk about Brees's prolific passing and Payton's genius offense play calling but neither one deserve that title. Five of the Saints victories this year came at the expense of teams who are playing 500 or less ball. Brees was not the only passer who was prolific against those teams. Good defensive coached teams do not let receivers run wild and unchallenged.
After 12 games of play only 13 of the 32 teams in the NFL have a winning record and that trend has been going on for many years. In other words there are a lot of bad teams playing football in the NFL. No wonder records are falling every day. Individual players pile up records over a period of time but what has their team accomplished. The case can be made that Eli Manning has done more for his team than brother Peyton or Brees have done for their teams. Eli's team has won two world championships. Peyton and Brees teams have each won one and they have been playing longer than Eli.
Sports journalists in New Orleans jobs depend on the Saints for their livelyhood and that is why they cling to cliches and hype in their reporting and can not be objective in their evaluation of the Saints. The city did produce one sports writer with the Times Picayune that did pick Seattle to win the game. Jim Henderson, the voice of the Saints commentary after the Saints games are a joke. His after the fact breakdown is laughable.
Yea, Payton and Brees are good at what they do but prolific and genius should be measured with caution. When the Saints started the season in good fashion many sports journalists were projecting them champions of their division and talking about home field advantage thru out the playoffs. Now after the loss to Seattle and the Panthers up next they are in a panic. Those journalists were ready to project the future after only the first 6 games. The last time I checked the Saints do play a 16 game schedule.
Lets see, Green Bay, Dallas, Pittsburg, New England and San Francisco won multiple world championships and had great quarterbacks. I wonder how today's sports journalists would describe those head coaches and quarterbacks? Its a question to ponder.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
A Change In The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Part II
On July 4, 2013 this writer pointed out how one of President Truman's famous sayings related to the ACA. President Obama recently made a third change to the act by delaying the on line application for Small Business people for one year. Small Business can still go directly to the health exchanges during the delay period and still sign up and receive health coverage. The on line delay was to make the computer program more user friendly for the Small Business community.
The President's actions so far in the matter demonstrates how government should work when plans go astray and the program in question is worthwhile for the country and its people. The republicans noise machine has its nose bent out of shape because of Obama's chnges and the conservative media are falling over itself with their continued attacks on the President and the ACA.
President George W. Bush and the republican controlled congress passed the Prescription Drug Benefit in 2004 that gave the people the donut hole. President Bush said at the time the program would cost no more than $400 billion over the next decade which ends in 2014. The government now says the cost has already exceeded $900 billion and by the time the decade is over will cost approximately $1.07 trillion. Thats almost triple the predicted cost. Did any one hear of any clamor from the republicans on their own programs over run on costs. Ditto, the conservative news media. Republicans in congress at the time knew the $400 billion cost was a fairy tale but did nothing about it and neither did President Bush. The program also had its rollout problems but republicans were silent on that also.
The republicans forgot President Trumans famous saying concerning their Prescription Drug Benefit. On the other hand President Obama's actions on the ACA shows President Truman's theory was correct when congress passes legislation and corrective action has to be taken. It is just another example of a democratic President doing the right thing on a piece of major legislation. President Truman's wisdom on the matter is still a guide line for future legislation.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The President's actions so far in the matter demonstrates how government should work when plans go astray and the program in question is worthwhile for the country and its people. The republicans noise machine has its nose bent out of shape because of Obama's chnges and the conservative media are falling over itself with their continued attacks on the President and the ACA.
President George W. Bush and the republican controlled congress passed the Prescription Drug Benefit in 2004 that gave the people the donut hole. President Bush said at the time the program would cost no more than $400 billion over the next decade which ends in 2014. The government now says the cost has already exceeded $900 billion and by the time the decade is over will cost approximately $1.07 trillion. Thats almost triple the predicted cost. Did any one hear of any clamor from the republicans on their own programs over run on costs. Ditto, the conservative news media. Republicans in congress at the time knew the $400 billion cost was a fairy tale but did nothing about it and neither did President Bush. The program also had its rollout problems but republicans were silent on that also.
The republicans forgot President Trumans famous saying concerning their Prescription Drug Benefit. On the other hand President Obama's actions on the ACA shows President Truman's theory was correct when congress passes legislation and corrective action has to be taken. It is just another example of a democratic President doing the right thing on a piece of major legislation. President Truman's wisdom on the matter is still a guide line for future legislation.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thankful To Have Known President John F. Kennedy
I was 29 years of age when President Kennedy was killed in November of 1963. Old enough to remember his administration and President's Roosevelt Truman and Eisenhower before him. Being a follower of politics since my teen years I feel I know the Presidents who have served since Kennedy's death also and how they all performed.
President Kennedy came from a wealthy family but did not cater to the wealthy. He was raised and taught that public service was an honorable profession and if used properly, would move the country and its people forward and that was the hallmark of his public life. As Commander in Chief, he had military experience having served in the Pacific during WWII. He used that experience along with his military's advisors advice to help him make military decisions during the "cold war."
Although he was in office only 2 years and 11 months the people of America answered his call to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" and lit the fire of hope, patriotism and a feeling of can do. The majority of America, young, middle age and the elderly supported his administration and he made us all feel young and productive.
The President also had the support of the free world and those oppressed. The "peace corps" he established bridged the gap between America and many parts of the world where America had no hands on contact. The President also made it clear he thought people around the world should decide its own destiny. Because of his faith in our couintry and its people he called America never to negotiate out of fear but never fear to negoiate. Many of todays politicians wrongly associate negotiate with weakness.
Kennedy knew first hand what war was all about and would never start an unnecessary war. People who were close to Kennedy said he always thought about the casualties of children in war and the fact that they never have a say so in the matter. He was a student of history and well versed in what took place before he became President and was mindful of the future. He publically stated that our problems on Earth are man made and therefore can be solved by man and that is what his policies addressed.
He supported the "arts" and knew the history of the "arts" and the role played in developing our country. Civility was a part of the President's persona and not personal attacks which is SOP for many politicians today. He believed in a free press and below is a speech he gave on the subject matter. President Kennedy's decision to explore outer space for peaceful purposes and put a man on the moon underscored his knowledge of what space exploration would do for future generations. It also put America on the moon first.
His wisdom and knowlege of history was displayed when he went to W. Berlin in June of 1963. It was estimated that more than a million people gathered to hear his speech which was perhaps the most famous single moment of the "cold war"according to some. Kennedy's speech made the case that communism was not the wave of the futurethe Russians were promoting. He also pointed out that the Berlin wall was a vivid demonstration of the failure of the communist system. Kennedy closed out his speech by saying, "all free men, where ever they may live are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man I take pride in the words,"ich bin ein Berliner." (I too am a Berliner) The people of Berlin loved his speech and loved the President.
I often wish my three children and two grand children were of age where they could have known JFK. I think they would feel as I do that our country today is lacking leaders with wisdom, courage and the commitment to public service In fact, today's leaders seem to lack the understanding what our political system is all about.
It is this writers opinion that our political system has changed for the worst since that tragic day in Dallas. Our country, our people and the people of the world lost its hero that day and 50 years later we have lost sight of what hero's are all about. The noise machine of being negative has taken center stage and our political system is paralized. I believe true hero's are still out there to lead this great nation and its people. We have just lost the wisdom and the ability to distinguish who they really are.
From a speech President Kennedy made in February 1962 on the twentieth anniversary of The Voice of America.
You are obliged to tell our story in a truthful way, to tell it, as Oliver Cromwell said about his portrait, "Paint us with all our blemishes and warts, all those things that might not be immediately attractive.
We compete with those who are our adversaries who tell only the good stories. But the things that go bad in America, you must tell that also. And we hope that the bad and the good is sifted together by people of judgement and discretion and taste and discrimination, that they will realize what we are trying to do here.
We seek a free flow of information.... We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
President Kennedy came from a wealthy family but did not cater to the wealthy. He was raised and taught that public service was an honorable profession and if used properly, would move the country and its people forward and that was the hallmark of his public life. As Commander in Chief, he had military experience having served in the Pacific during WWII. He used that experience along with his military's advisors advice to help him make military decisions during the "cold war."
Although he was in office only 2 years and 11 months the people of America answered his call to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" and lit the fire of hope, patriotism and a feeling of can do. The majority of America, young, middle age and the elderly supported his administration and he made us all feel young and productive.
The President also had the support of the free world and those oppressed. The "peace corps" he established bridged the gap between America and many parts of the world where America had no hands on contact. The President also made it clear he thought people around the world should decide its own destiny. Because of his faith in our couintry and its people he called America never to negotiate out of fear but never fear to negoiate. Many of todays politicians wrongly associate negotiate with weakness.
Kennedy knew first hand what war was all about and would never start an unnecessary war. People who were close to Kennedy said he always thought about the casualties of children in war and the fact that they never have a say so in the matter. He was a student of history and well versed in what took place before he became President and was mindful of the future. He publically stated that our problems on Earth are man made and therefore can be solved by man and that is what his policies addressed.
He supported the "arts" and knew the history of the "arts" and the role played in developing our country. Civility was a part of the President's persona and not personal attacks which is SOP for many politicians today. He believed in a free press and below is a speech he gave on the subject matter. President Kennedy's decision to explore outer space for peaceful purposes and put a man on the moon underscored his knowledge of what space exploration would do for future generations. It also put America on the moon first.
His wisdom and knowlege of history was displayed when he went to W. Berlin in June of 1963. It was estimated that more than a million people gathered to hear his speech which was perhaps the most famous single moment of the "cold war"according to some. Kennedy's speech made the case that communism was not the wave of the futurethe Russians were promoting. He also pointed out that the Berlin wall was a vivid demonstration of the failure of the communist system. Kennedy closed out his speech by saying, "all free men, where ever they may live are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man I take pride in the words,"ich bin ein Berliner." (I too am a Berliner) The people of Berlin loved his speech and loved the President.
I often wish my three children and two grand children were of age where they could have known JFK. I think they would feel as I do that our country today is lacking leaders with wisdom, courage and the commitment to public service In fact, today's leaders seem to lack the understanding what our political system is all about.
It is this writers opinion that our political system has changed for the worst since that tragic day in Dallas. Our country, our people and the people of the world lost its hero that day and 50 years later we have lost sight of what hero's are all about. The noise machine of being negative has taken center stage and our political system is paralized. I believe true hero's are still out there to lead this great nation and its people. We have just lost the wisdom and the ability to distinguish who they really are.
From a speech President Kennedy made in February 1962 on the twentieth anniversary of The Voice of America.
You are obliged to tell our story in a truthful way, to tell it, as Oliver Cromwell said about his portrait, "Paint us with all our blemishes and warts, all those things that might not be immediately attractive.
We compete with those who are our adversaries who tell only the good stories. But the things that go bad in America, you must tell that also. And we hope that the bad and the good is sifted together by people of judgement and discretion and taste and discrimination, that they will realize what we are trying to do here.
We seek a free flow of information.... We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Too Big To Fail: J.P. Morgan Chase, Part II
On April 17, 2010 I wrote a commentary for "Politidose" about the Wall Street Banks that were described as "too big to fail" and which received federal assistance that was part of a $700 billion bailout plan called TARP. I pointed out that any bank that was "too big to fail" was a monopoly and should be broken up by the federal government for the good of the country, the people and the economy.
J.P. Morgan Chase, one of the banks who received federal bailout money has been in the news recently and the federal government announced they have been fined billions of dollars for their illegal actions in the mortgage industry and other banking operations and that they are still under a criminal investigation for their actions. J.P. Morgan was one of the banks described as "too big to fail."
Now would be a good time for the federal government to break up this monopoly called J.P. Morgan but there is still no clamor in Washington to do so. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is the only elected official who has been consistent in her calls to have the justice department file criminal charges against the Wall Street Banks involved in the collapse and she has also been consistent in wanting them to be broken up.
President's Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman would have broken them up long ago and would have had the support of congress and the justice department to do so. But we now live in the age of wealth that is used to paralyze our elected officials and the enforcement of federal regulations. The corruptive practices of Wall Street is well known and how they use their influence to manipulate the markets and the federal regulatory system. Those federal agencies that have the power to regulate the U.S.banking system and the Wall Street banks need to step up to the plate and carry out their responsibilities. The people, country and the national economy has been cheated by business monopolies for too long. It is a classic case of influence by wealth and those involved need to pay the price big time.
Hopefully President Obama, congress and the justice department will move to break up those Wall Street Banks that make up the monopoly and send any one in those orginazations to jail if indeed criminal activity was involved. There is no better time than now.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
J.P. Morgan Chase, one of the banks who received federal bailout money has been in the news recently and the federal government announced they have been fined billions of dollars for their illegal actions in the mortgage industry and other banking operations and that they are still under a criminal investigation for their actions. J.P. Morgan was one of the banks described as "too big to fail."
Now would be a good time for the federal government to break up this monopoly called J.P. Morgan but there is still no clamor in Washington to do so. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is the only elected official who has been consistent in her calls to have the justice department file criminal charges against the Wall Street Banks involved in the collapse and she has also been consistent in wanting them to be broken up.
President's Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman would have broken them up long ago and would have had the support of congress and the justice department to do so. But we now live in the age of wealth that is used to paralyze our elected officials and the enforcement of federal regulations. The corruptive practices of Wall Street is well known and how they use their influence to manipulate the markets and the federal regulatory system. Those federal agencies that have the power to regulate the U.S.banking system and the Wall Street banks need to step up to the plate and carry out their responsibilities. The people, country and the national economy has been cheated by business monopolies for too long. It is a classic case of influence by wealth and those involved need to pay the price big time.
Hopefully President Obama, congress and the justice department will move to break up those Wall Street Banks that make up the monopoly and send any one in those orginazations to jail if indeed criminal activity was involved. There is no better time than now.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Friday, November 22, 2013
The Noise Machine and The Affordable Care Act
The Republican noise machine and their leading surrogate, the Fox News Network continue to try and undermine the Affordable Care Act and the Obama administration in general concerning the start up and the problems that have been encountered along the way. The noise has been ignored by the uninsured who have already signed up and are satisfied with the results. Having a chance to obtain health insurance is what is important to their cause and if more of the uninsured would follow that lead and tune out the negative voices the noise machine would die a painful death.
The President and democrats in congress should make it clear the Affordable Care Act will be implemented despite the republican noise and that the President will veto any bill that comes to his desk even if some democratics join in passing a bill that would effectively kill the Act. The President and democratic party are on the right side of this issue and should not let next years congressional elections scare them.
Those insurance companies who semt out cancellation notices to their policy holders and failed to inform them they had an option with the ACA are not good corporate citizens nor honest ones. The policy holders who received cancellation letters need to step up and find out just what options they do have with the ACA. It would be worth while to investigate and find out on their own so they can get a handle on the facts. Insurance companies are monopolies and they will not do any thing on their own to help the cause of the uninsured.
The noise machine and Fox News have no credibility on the subject matter because of the hatred they have for the President. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Republican cooperation with President Obama has been non existing in the past five years, so for them, the future is like the past. President Obama and the democrats in congress will be on their own so it will be up to them to stay the course and take the fight to the republican party and their noise machine.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The President and democrats in congress should make it clear the Affordable Care Act will be implemented despite the republican noise and that the President will veto any bill that comes to his desk even if some democratics join in passing a bill that would effectively kill the Act. The President and democratic party are on the right side of this issue and should not let next years congressional elections scare them.
Those insurance companies who semt out cancellation notices to their policy holders and failed to inform them they had an option with the ACA are not good corporate citizens nor honest ones. The policy holders who received cancellation letters need to step up and find out just what options they do have with the ACA. It would be worth while to investigate and find out on their own so they can get a handle on the facts. Insurance companies are monopolies and they will not do any thing on their own to help the cause of the uninsured.
The noise machine and Fox News have no credibility on the subject matter because of the hatred they have for the President. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Republican cooperation with President Obama has been non existing in the past five years, so for them, the future is like the past. President Obama and the democrats in congress will be on their own so it will be up to them to stay the course and take the fight to the republican party and their noise machine.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Sunday, November 17, 2013
MSNBC's Hardball Chat With Chris Matthews and Joe Scarborough On November 11
Chris and Joe's chat on "Hardball" appeared to be an attempt to show that in the past Democrats and Republicans worked together in Congress to get things done for the country and its people and that Republicans today have nothing to offer in the way of cooperation or policy. Of course anyone who follows our political system knows the problem today with Republicans did not start with the Tea Party, it actually started when Newt Gingrich became their leader in congress during the 90's. In fact President Reagan had a hand in that prior to Newt when he proclaimed "government is the problem".
Both Chris and Joe were promoting their new books during their chat and forgot history. Democrats in congress have always cooperated more with Republican administrations than Republicans in congress cooperated with Democratic administrations.
Joe served in congress from 1995 to 2001and supported the so called Gingrich revolution and signed onto the Republicans "contract on America" which America did not ask for. Joe also voted against the Small Business Job Protection Act and supported the impeachment of President Clinton over a sexual affair even though several Republicans in congress were having their own sexual affairs. The Republicans in congress when Joe was there acted against President Clinton just like todays's Republicans are acting against President Obama.
Chris worked in Washington also as an aide to Tip who was Speaker of the House for the Democratic party and often recalls how Reagan and Tip worked together. Joe spoke about how the Republicans worked with Clinton to balance the federal budget, but failed to tell the true story. The Democratic controlled both houses of congress in 1993 and passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan and not one single Republican in the U.S. House and Senate voted yes, they all voted no and predicted record unemployment, massive job losses, a failed economy and an explosion in the federal deficit. Of course they were all wrong and the people knew.
When Clinton's first balance budget and surplus came in at the end of fiscal year 1998 Clinton threw a party for the Democrats in congress. The Republicans in congress were not invited and their nose was out of joint because of that but the President reminded them they voted against his plan and did not deserve to be there. Republicans do have a history of trying to take credit for the good things that happen during Democratic administrations but it will not wash.
Chris and Joe seem not to have learned much about the Washington they worked in or the media they now serve in. They yearn for a return to the times between Ike and Reagan's year but have forgotten what has taken place between Reagan and Obama. This writer agrees with Chris and Joe that the Tea Party sucks and are a disgrace to our democratic system. But where have they been for the last four and a half years when the Republican leaders in congress promised not to do anything that would help President Obama move the country and its people forward, even after the second great Republican depression of 2008.
Seems like Chris and Joe forgot all about that.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Both Chris and Joe were promoting their new books during their chat and forgot history. Democrats in congress have always cooperated more with Republican administrations than Republicans in congress cooperated with Democratic administrations.
Joe served in congress from 1995 to 2001and supported the so called Gingrich revolution and signed onto the Republicans "contract on America" which America did not ask for. Joe also voted against the Small Business Job Protection Act and supported the impeachment of President Clinton over a sexual affair even though several Republicans in congress were having their own sexual affairs. The Republicans in congress when Joe was there acted against President Clinton just like todays's Republicans are acting against President Obama.
Chris worked in Washington also as an aide to Tip who was Speaker of the House for the Democratic party and often recalls how Reagan and Tip worked together. Joe spoke about how the Republicans worked with Clinton to balance the federal budget, but failed to tell the true story. The Democratic controlled both houses of congress in 1993 and passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan and not one single Republican in the U.S. House and Senate voted yes, they all voted no and predicted record unemployment, massive job losses, a failed economy and an explosion in the federal deficit. Of course they were all wrong and the people knew.
When Clinton's first balance budget and surplus came in at the end of fiscal year 1998 Clinton threw a party for the Democrats in congress. The Republicans in congress were not invited and their nose was out of joint because of that but the President reminded them they voted against his plan and did not deserve to be there. Republicans do have a history of trying to take credit for the good things that happen during Democratic administrations but it will not wash.
Chris and Joe seem not to have learned much about the Washington they worked in or the media they now serve in. They yearn for a return to the times between Ike and Reagan's year but have forgotten what has taken place between Reagan and Obama. This writer agrees with Chris and Joe that the Tea Party sucks and are a disgrace to our democratic system. But where have they been for the last four and a half years when the Republican leaders in congress promised not to do anything that would help President Obama move the country and its people forward, even after the second great Republican depression of 2008.
Seems like Chris and Joe forgot all about that.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Friday, November 15, 2013
Louisiana Purchased: Times Picayune Story By Manuel Torres and Lee Zurik
The only real news in this story is that the names of people and businesses are identified along with the amount of campaign contributions. The story line is old and known to any one who follows politics on a state or federal level. The known story line is that elected officials do indeed give special interest groups special favors because of the money received to run their campaigns.
Businesses and other groups along with the elected officials all give the same answer when the subject matter comes up. Their answer is there is no "quid pro quo" which Webster's dictionary describes "as one thing in return for another." In other words there is no connection between the campaign contributions given and the special treatment the donors receive. Of course everyone knows that is a fairy tale to the highest degree.
The corrupted money practice will only stop when voters condem both the elected officials and those special interest groups who care nothing about the harm they do to democracy, the political system and the people. Wealth and the ability to use it has been substituted in order to reward the few at the expense of the many.
Make no mistake, the influence that is sought thru campaign contributions and the favors granted by elected officials to those special intrest groups are not to advance the economy, jobs, the state or the working class, it is sought to transfer wealth from the average person to the wealthy that has been taking place now for many years.
In the November 13 article in the Times Picayune the following statement at the top of the article read. "the state isn't inforcing its limits on campaign contributions from PAC'S." If that sounds familiar its because the state is guilty of a lack of enforcement concerning the environmental damage caused by the operations of oil and gas drilling, production and pipeline operations in Louisiana and it has been going on for over 40 years.
There is a very simple way that elected officials can end the corrupted practice that goes along with campaign contributions. They have the power to refuse any and all campaign contributions and there is no court in the land that can force them to do so. That would not cost the state one cent and would remove the money influence. Will Mr. Torres and Zurik's story change things for the better? I have my doubts. Elected officials have the authority of law to change the system, what is lacking is leadership, character, courage and the balls to do so.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Businesses and other groups along with the elected officials all give the same answer when the subject matter comes up. Their answer is there is no "quid pro quo" which Webster's dictionary describes "as one thing in return for another." In other words there is no connection between the campaign contributions given and the special treatment the donors receive. Of course everyone knows that is a fairy tale to the highest degree.
The corrupted money practice will only stop when voters condem both the elected officials and those special interest groups who care nothing about the harm they do to democracy, the political system and the people. Wealth and the ability to use it has been substituted in order to reward the few at the expense of the many.
Make no mistake, the influence that is sought thru campaign contributions and the favors granted by elected officials to those special intrest groups are not to advance the economy, jobs, the state or the working class, it is sought to transfer wealth from the average person to the wealthy that has been taking place now for many years.
In the November 13 article in the Times Picayune the following statement at the top of the article read. "the state isn't inforcing its limits on campaign contributions from PAC'S." If that sounds familiar its because the state is guilty of a lack of enforcement concerning the environmental damage caused by the operations of oil and gas drilling, production and pipeline operations in Louisiana and it has been going on for over 40 years.
There is a very simple way that elected officials can end the corrupted practice that goes along with campaign contributions. They have the power to refuse any and all campaign contributions and there is no court in the land that can force them to do so. That would not cost the state one cent and would remove the money influence. Will Mr. Torres and Zurik's story change things for the better? I have my doubts. Elected officials have the authority of law to change the system, what is lacking is leadership, character, courage and the balls to do so.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
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