The New Orleans Saints Defeat Tampa Bay 37-31

The Saints produced a much needed win Sunday in the Dome in overtime and their record stands now at 2 wins and 3 losses going into an off week.  The Saints were a 10 point favorite in the game but did not play the part.  In fact, the Saints performance was such a mix bag the Times Picayune sports writers continued their changed ways and were very cautious in their reports. 

Any win is a good win in the standings but in this writers judgement after 5 games the direction of the team is still unknown and at this point I have not changed my opinions of last year or this year concerning the Saints future.  Drew Brees has not improved his performance and his three interceptions were mistakes that rookies usually make.  And he is still an unsure quarterback.  Brees probably feels like a fool for saying he feels he can still be playing the game for the next 10 years.

The Saints travel to Detroit after their off week to play on the road for the fourth time this season.  So far they are 0-3 on the road so the Detroit game will be a test for their football sanity.  After Detroit the Saints enter into the meat of their schedule.

So far this season the most surprising is not the Saints won-loss record or how poorly they have played, but the fact that on the sidelines and on the field they have the look of loosing on their face.  That held true even in the Tampa Bay game until very near the end when they tied the game.  And they were playing before a home crowd.  That loosing look did not change even when they were up 13-0 early in the game.  Maybe the off week will change their look at kickoff time in Detroit.


This commentary written by John Lucia  

Louisiana's Republican Representative In The U.S. House: Bill Cassidy

Cassidy who would like to defeat U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and move to the U.S. Senate has failed the basic voting test when he voted to shut down the U.S. government.  His intentions are to make that body like the U.S. House and therefore both houses of congress can be the party of NO.  The democratic controlled Senate passed the CR to open back up the U.S. government 81-18.  Enough republicans in the Senate joined the majority democrats to pass the legislature. 

Voting against the CR or voting NO besides Cassidy was Steve Scalise, David Viter, and John Fleming, all from Louisiana.  Voting for the CR to open the government was Mary Landrieu, Cedric Richmond and Charles Bustany a republican.  Enough republicans in the House along with the democrats who supplied the majority vote passed the CR and the government re opened.

Cassidy was one of 80 republicans who wrote a letter to their republicans in congress  urging them to vote against anything that did not defund the ACA.  Cassidy did not care enough about the country or its people or putting the government back to work.  All he cared about was wounding the President and attacking legislation already on the books.

This writer does not think Cassidy deserves a chance to bring his obstruction to the U.S. Senate.  Elected officials should debate and vote on the issues and not act immature when the vote does not go their way and then threaten government functions.  Mary Landrieu took the CR seriously and cast a yes vote.  Cassidy followed his party's line to not do anything that would help the President.  Senator Landrieu has a record of not being a ditto head and has never voted to shut the government down.  If Bill Cassidy can not support the government he works for he should return to his medical practice full time and make way for serious public servants.

Representative Cassidy has failed to take care of the people's business in the very same House his party controls.  The U.S. Senate does not need another ditto head republican, especially one who obstructs the political process.


This commentary written by John Lucia

Why This Writer Will Vote For Mary Landrieu In Her Bid For Reelection To The U.S. Senate

Readers of PolitiDose know I have written commentary in opposition to Senator Landrieu's position on a few issues, however her over all voting record has been good for Louisiana and the Country.  She articulates what she believes in, explains her position on the issues and as a result the voters know where she stands on the issues.

Landrieu's major opponent is republican Bill Cassidy who represents Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives.  He and the republican controlled U.S. House has backed John Boehner's call to do nothing that would help the Obama administration move the country and the people forward after the second great republican depression of 2008.

Landrieu voted for the ACA that was passed when the democrats controlled both houses of congress.  She also voted for measures to create jobs and supported the President's position of reducing the federal deficit, some thing Cassidy and his party have failed to do.  Landrieu supports raising the minimum wage, Cassidy is opposed to the measure.  Cassidy and his party voted over 50 times to kill the ACA that now insures over 7 million people and millions more under the medicaid expansion of the ACA.  Cassidy also voted against the original legislation that created the ACA.

Cassidy is also a doctor and is a special interest elected official to the medical profession, the Insurance Industry and the Pharma industry.  As an elected official he has not and will not, along with his party introduce or pass any legislation that would bring health care cost down.  Landrieu has a record of working accross party lines and working with republican Presidents.  Cassidy has no such record and refuses to work with the President. 

Landrieu voted to keep the government open.  Cassidy voted to shut the government down.  Landrieu believes in supporting the President who was elected twice by the majority of the people.  Cassidy and his party believe when elections do not turn out their way, they should obstruct.  An attitude the greatest generation would never have tolerated.  Landrieu does not tow the party line on all issues, Cassidy is part of the ditto head mentality of his party who tows the party line no matter what. 

I think Louisiana and the country would be better served by a Senator that articulates her position and is not afraid to let the people know what she stands for.  I believe Mary Landrieu represents a "serious elected official".  She is a fighter who is willing to engage Cassidy in a debate and since she is a person of substance, she will do well against Cassidy's hollow ideology.

Senator Landrieu's voting record is not perfect but it is far better than Cassidy's on those issues that really matter and make a difference for the country and its people.  The country needs to retain "serious elected officials" like Mary Landrieu and I will cast my vote to reelect the Senator from Louisiana. 


Note:  There will be a follow up commentary on representative Cassidy's vote to shut the federal government down.


This commentary written by John Lucia.

Dallas Cowboys 38 New Orleans Saints 17: An Embarrassment In Big "D"

The Cowboys wasted no time in dismissisng the Saints in prime time on Sunday night.  Dallas's touchdown drive after the opening kick off set the tone and made clear the Cowboys came to play.  The opening drive was almost perfect as the Saints defense continues to be suspect.

The victory by Dallas was so decisive the Saints carried the look of a looser on their faces early into the game.  This writer did not see any positive Saint faces, not even in the coaching staff.   There was no pep to be detected and the team as a whole played badly.  Brees continues to miss his receivers, seems unsure and is playing with less confidence. 

Graham and Colston are dropping passes, fumbling and seem to be playing on their laurels.  Maybe Graham is sulking because he can not dunk the ball any more and show off.  And maybe Colston is thinking about the big increase in pay given to Graham.  One thing is for sure, the big four, Payton, Brees, Graham and Colston are not earning their pay.

Only one of the seven sports writers for the Times Picayune picked Dallas to win the game, Terrance Harris.  Harris also gave the best comment as to why. The other 6 just used the spread and picked the Saints.  Larry Holder and Jeff Duncan are finally admitting they were wrong in their rosy prediction about the Saints season.  They were in denial the first 4 games but the Saints 1-3 record and a nudge from "PolitiDose" took the shine off their apple polishing reporting.

The results of Sunday's defeat showed zero progress for the Saints team after four games, that represents 25% of their regular schedule.  Listening to the pre game comments by the Saints WWL radio crew reminds me of a bunch of people talking and saying things just to see where it splatters.  All hype and cliches with no original thought.  Show business has replaced reality and the ability of sports journalists and writers to objectively evaluate the Saints. 

The Saints have now lost 7 of their last 11 regular season games including last years play off.  They ended last season playing weak instead of strong when it counted the most.  And this season's weak start indicates they did not correct the problems that took place during last seasons meltdown.  This Saint team has a problem and if it continues, some one will start pointing the finger. 


This commentary written by John Lucia

The Family Research Council

The Council recently held their "Values Voter Summit" in Washington according to Bruce Alpert of the Times Picayune in an article dated 9/27/14.  The Council is a conservative organization about "Family Values" and headed by former Republican Rep. Tony Perkins.  Family values is used by Republicans as a divisive issue to make voters feel Republicans are the leaders on the subject matter.  Of course those who follow politics know better.

Alpert points out that La. Governor Bobby Jindal, former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, U.S. Senator Rand Paul and Ted Cruz and Sarah Palin were guest speakers at the Summit. A few are considered Presidential candidates for the republican party's nomination.  The article did not report any positive talk about "values" by any of the above and instead mentioned only attacks by Jindal, Paul and Palin.

So here we have a "values" voter summit that invites these people who offer nothing in the way of "values" to those attending the summit.  And their speakers have a record of personal attacks against the President and his policies.  Is there any wonder why conservative organizations never live up to the meaning of what they were organized for?  None of those speakers are serious politicians and or public servants. 

Jindal attacked the President from all angles.  Rand Paul is ignorant concerning the 1st ammendment and does not even know the difference between religion and religious people.  Palin accused the news media of lying about her personal life.  How can any of these people be considered "Presidential?"  They have no political understanding, character or courage and can not even relate to or articulate any thing positive.

Today's republicans are still preaching a conservative ideology that is unAmerican, ugly and out of touch with what America stands for.


This commentary written by John Lucia 

All Americans Should Be Of The Same Disposition As President Obama: No American Combat Troops On The Ground In Iraq In Combat Operations.

Our men and women in uniform have served multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, more so than in any other war in the last 70 years.  The draft during WWII, Korea and Viet Nam lessoned the need for multiple combat tours in those wars.  The present all volunteer military puts more pressure on the military in general and combat operations in particular.

Putting our combat forces on the ground back in Iraq will require the use of many that were there before.  They and their family were the only ones who paid a terrific price during the Iraq war.  So now after President Obama continues to reject American troops in combat operation on the ground in Iraq more Americans are still calling for their deployment.  A divided America sends the wrong signal to those country's in the middle east about using their own ground troops to fight ISIL.  If they think the negative voices in America will win out they will not lift a finger to help.

So America needs to follow the President's lead and make sure they publically back the President's decision and that our country speaks with one voice, NO U.S. COMBAT TROOPS ON THE GROUND IN IRAQ IN COMBAT OPERATIONS.  The message should be clear.  Middle east nations who feel threatened by ISIL should be willing to stand and fight and even die if necessary.

Those negative voices who continue to want the U.S. in an ongoing war in the middle east could care less about our men and women in uniform and show their contemp towards the President and Commander in Chief who has his plate full because of the unnecessary war in Iraq to begin with.  We know the toll that war placed on our veterans and the VA system.  Imagine what another never ending war would cost.  No American should be willing to see that hapen again.


This commentary written by John Lucia.

An LSU Sports Story Minus The Usual Hype and Cliches.

Sport fans are used to reading stories that sound like broken records, especially those about LSU sports since they are the dominate team in Louisiana football.  Thanks to sports writer Randy Rosetta's article in the Times Picayune of 9/17/14 titled, "Soldiering On" readers were able to relate to the human side of sports that usually gets pushed aside.

Rosetta's article was about LSU's walk on receiver Luke Boyd who is a 27 year old U.S. Marine serving on active duty while pursuing his college education.  He is married with one child and his wife graduated from LSU in 2009.  Boyd served in Afghanistan from 2010-2011.  His day begins at 4:30am and ends at home around 7:15pm.

Boyd acts as a mentor for the younger players and is a leader by his own actions.  He oversees the physical training of the ROTC at Southern University as part of his commitment to the Marines.  He is a major inspiration to the team and teaches them how to take themselves out of situations and realize its not about the individual, its about the team.

Boyd attends LSU as part of the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioner Education Program which gives enlisted men and women the chance to transition into the officers rank after college.  He will become a second lieutenant upon finishing college in 2016.  His education is paid for by the program. 

This writer remembers how our veterans returning from WWII attended college on the G.I. Bill.  Some of them played sports and were "All American."  Boyd's story is a continuation of how our veterans over time have affected the lives of so many people in a positive way.  The Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) is alive and well at LSU and I salute my brother Marine Luke Boyd who continues to carry on the traditions of all those who ever wore the eagle, globe and anchor, Honor, Courage and Commitment.


This commentary written by John Lucia.

Saints Defeat Vikings 20-9 As Sports Writers Come Down To Earth.

The New Orleans Saints won their first game of the regular season Sunday in the Superdome and stand at 1-2.  The three games the Saints have played so far brought New Orleans Sports journalists back to earth after their pre season bragging about how good the Saints really would be.  After Sunday's win, in Monday's Times Picayune they were cautious in their comments.  "PolitiDose" seems to have had an effect on their egos.

The Saints did play some what better against the Vikings but this writer has not seen any thing to get excited about yet.  Drew Brees does not stay calm in the pocket any more, is off target with his passes more and appears to be unsure on many plays.  The defense kept the Vikings out of the end zone but were still inconsistent after 3 games and the Vikes made a lot of big plays, especially with receivers wide open too many times.

The Saints go to Dallas this Sunday night to face what once was called "America's Team."  They have an experienced quarterback in Tony Romo who happens to throw a lot of interceptions.  Rob Ryan was the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys two years ago so his replacement in Dallas will have an opportunity to show his skills against the Saints.  The Cowboys have a lot of question marks also and the game should give the fans some idea just how far each team has to go.

Both teams should be up for their prime time battle on Sunday night.  They are regional foes and both teams need a win, especially the Saints since it is another road game.  Being the fourth game for each team any and all excuses, if any should be taken with a grain of salt.  As for the New Orleans Sports writers, welcome back to earth.


This commentary written by John Lucia.

President Obama: The Only Steady Voice On The Islamic State Or ISIL

The President has been a steady voice on his foreign policy concerning ISIL.  No U.S. combat troops on the ground in Iraq in combat operations.  Iraq and those middle east nations who are threatened will be expected to defend their own land with their own boots on the ground.

But lately, some republicans and many in the news media are trying to convince the people that American troops in a combat role will be necessary.  The drum beat has started just like the run up to war in Iraq in 2003 over WMD that did not exist. 

General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said before Congress recently that if the President's strategy fails he would recommend to the President to put American combat troops on the ground in a combat role.  The news media ran with the story as if combat troops on the ground was given.  Then former defense secretary Robert Gates said U.S. combat troops on the ground would be needed.

There are a lot of misguided people who would love to see the President make the same mistake Bush did.  They are chapped because Obama has been steadfast in his desire to keep the country out of perpetual wars in the middle east.  They will also criticize the President when he keeps his word and withdraws our troopsfrom Afghanistan at the end of the year as he announced.

Isil is no threat to the national security of the United States and neither was Saddam Sussein and Iraq.  The war proved that.  As Commander In Chief, the President has the authority and right to reject or accept the advise of his military advisers.  President Kennedy during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis rejected the Joint Chiefs wanting nothing short of an invasion of Cuba.  Kennedy had other plans that worked and Cuba has not been a problem for the U.S. since then.

At last we have a President who has the courage to tell Iraq and others who feel a threat by Isil to stand up and fight for their country.  America should not get cought up fighting religious wars in the middle east with its troops on the ground.  This writer hopes the President continues his position and tune out those voices who love to send other people's children off to unnecessary wars.


This commentary written by John Lucia

The Transfer Of Wealth From The Middle Class To The Wealthy Is Confirmed Once Again

"PolitiDose" has been in the forefront of the above subject matter since its inception, even before the Huffington Post which was the subject of one of my commentary dated 4/22/2010 titled, "Arianna and The Huffington Post:  Looks Like A Copy Cat Job."  The transfer of wealth has been so glaring and so easy to understand one need not know the stats.

Now comes a story out of the Associated Press by Josh Boak concerning Standard and Poor's study report and the findings are as follows:  The widening gap between the wealthiest Americans and everyone else has slowed the U.S. economy's recovery from the Great Recession.  Because consumer spending fuels about 70% of the economy, weak pay growth typically slows economic growth.  Between 1979-2012 the top 1% has thrived.  Their incomes averaged $1.26 million in 2012, up from $466,302.00 in 1979 according to IRS data.  During that same time median household income increased a few thousand dollars. 

It should be noted that period of time covered the Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton and Bush 43 administrations.  And everyone knows during that time when Reagan and Bush 43 tried trickle down economic tax cuts while the Clinton administration raised taxes on those making over $200,000.00 a year, the country and its people did the best under Clinton in all phases that one can think of. 

When President Obama leaves office his record will be compared for his years.  There will be no doubt that his record on the economy, jobs, reducing the federal deficit and median household income will out perform President George W. Bush and his administration.  That will say a lot considering the immense problems Obama inherited from Bush on just about everything. 

When readers of "PolitiDose" continue to read about the subject matter elsewhere, remember, you read it all here first in "PolitiDose", your daily dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by John Lucia.