Two Wrongs Do Not Make Political Ads Right.

U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and U.S. Representative Bill Cassidy are running political ads bragging how they opposed the moratorium in the Gulf after the BP disaster and spill.  There was good reasons why President Obama took the actions he did and put the moratorium in place.  BP, the rig owner, the supppliers and the oil industry said they had no answers even though 11 rig workers were killed.  BP and the industry did not have any equipment available to shut the flow of oil off timely or the equipment necessary to clean up any spilled oil before it reached shore. 

Yet, Landrieu and Cassidy wear their opposition to the moratorium as a badge of courage.  It is actually a badge of shame.  They were not the only elected officials from Louisiana to oppose the moratorium.  Steve Scalise and others also opposed.  Those same folks also predicted the moratorium would cause an exodus of rigs from the Gulf and the industry would lay off up to 20,000 rig workers.  Well it never happened.  In fact more rigs left the Gul of Mexico during the George W. Bush administration.  (see my commentary on the subject matter dated, 7/22/11 titled, "Drilling Offshore Louisiana in The Gulf of Mexico:  Facts and Nothing But The Facts."

 Louisiana's elected officials who become the mouth pieces for the oil industry have betrayed the people and the environment and show their lack of regard for safety regulations.  They also show their lack of compassion for the families of the 11 rig workers whose lives were taken by the blowout. 

This writer is unaware of any stories in the news media that has reported on this situation and challenged those who opposed the moratorium.  The news media never told the real story about the BP explosion but "PolitiDose" did in a commentary dated 5/8/10 titled, "The Untold Story Of BP's Oil Spill In The Gulf of Mexico."

Landrieu and Cassidy were wrong to oppose the moratorium before answers were even found and the President was right in his decision.  The ads show how elected officials will say anything to help in their election bid.  President Obama displayed his character and courage with the moratorium after a disaster, both in human life, the environment and the damage to property.  Landrieu and Cassidy lacked character and courage and instead tried to protect an industry who contributes to their political campaigns.  The same industry who has a terrible record when it comes to protecting the states environment.  And that really says it all. 


This commentary written by John Lucia.

Has Anyone Noticed That !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The fear mongering has subsided with the November 4 elections?  Ebola, Terror attacks on U.S. soil, ISIS, amnesty, the border and a host of other fear related issues promoted by the republican party and the conservative news media.  Fear is part of their ideology to mask their unAmerican form of governing.

Iraq, Saddam and their WMD that did not exist was used as a fear tactic to go to war there when it was not necessary.  (which the war proved)  But it was not Iraq, Saddam or WMD that took the lives of the majority of the 4400 plus U.S. troops who served their country's call.  Now it is republicans McCain and Graham who are using the ISIS fear to try and move President Obama to send combat troops to Iraq once again to fight a ground war against ISIS.

No parents in America wants to see their children raised in fear of the known or the unknown and they should not be exposed to the fear propaganda of the republican party and the conservative news media.  No matter what the subject matter, democratic leaders have the character and courage to stand up and be counted when it comes to protecting the country and its people when our way of life is threatened with out resorting to fear.

President Obama has measured up and answered the call to both the external and internal threat of fear that is used by those who want to see the President fail.  America and its people have been safe on his watch and we should take to heart what a great past democratic President said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."


This commentary written by John Lucia.

The Latest State Budget Woes Under Republican Governor Bobby Jindal

It was reported in a recent Times Picayune article that Governor Jindal has ordered a partial freeze on state agency spending that covers several areas.  The order covers the balance of the states fiscal year that ends June 30.  The state has been borrowing hundreds of millions dollars to pay state expenses because the states general fund revenues has been slow to arrive the article points out. 

And here is the other kicker reported by the TP.  "In addition a $1.2 billion budget gap is projected for next year, and lawmakers have yet to decide whether the state finished the last fiscal year with a surplus or a deficit."   What is happening with this years budget is just a repeat of previous state budgets of the Jindal administration as out lined in "PolitiDose" many times over the last few years.  Jindal and the legislature has never really balanced one state budget except by gimmicks.  Its the same con game over and over.

Can the people of this state really understand why the Jindal administration still can not tell the pleople if last years budget that ended June 30, 2013 ended in a deficit or surplus?  How long does it take?  President Obama has reduced the federal deficit and the unemployment numbers since he took office while Jindal continues to cut the state budget and still not able to balance it.  And the unemployment rate in Louisiana is still higher than it was when he took office.

Is there any wonder why Jindal and the republicans in Louisiana are always on the attack against the President?  This writer does not have to wonder, its because they have no positive record to run on or talk about.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by John Lucia.   

San Francisco 27 New Orleans 24

The Saints started off the second half of their season like they did the first half of the season with an overtime loss.  This time to the 49ers when the niners converted a Brees turnover into a winning field goal.  It was the third turnover for Brees who also threw two interceptions.

The loss dropped the Saints recored to 4-5.  New Orleans fell behind 14-0 early in the ball game and both Frisco and the Saints mirrowed one another at times being "hot and cold."  Frisco was able to make the big play when it counted to tie the Saints at 24-24 and then won in overtime.

The Saints defense does show improvement and plays well over a few series then falls down and give up big plays that hurt.  Defensive players are still missing tackles and are caught out of position.  Being consistent has still escaped Rob Ryan's defensive unit.  Payton seems to be involved with the defense on the side lines more than this writer remembers in the past.  Could there be some resentment there?

The loss ended the Saints winning streak at home and their last two wins against Green Bay and Carolina were not defining moments to make a judgement how the season will end.  This writer does not like the "hot dog" attitude of a few players and Jimmy Graham's Tarzan act after he catches a pass.  ( I often wonder what is in the gator aid)  Payton has adopted an intimidation approach on the sidelines with the officials.  Don Shula, Tom Landry, Vince Lombardi and other coaches who were more successful over a longer period of time than Payton were gracious on the sidelines.

After 9 games the Saint players and coach are still singing the same song.  WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE BALL.  WE HAVE TO FINISH THE GAME.  ITS TOUGH TO WIN IN THIS LEAGUE.  WE STILL CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY and a host of other pronouncements.  This writer believes the Saints still have serious problems and one is an attitude problem.  The Saints swagger, if they ever had one is no more.  What seems to be visable is their arrogance.  That is not related to confidence. 

The Saints division is in shambles at the present time and no team seems to be capable of stepping up to the plate and make a positive move.  The NFL needs to reduce the number of teams, as expansion and the silly play off system is beginning to erode what once was a quality league.  But the wealth factor and the greed over shadows everything else.

At this point in the season nothing has changes my mind concerning the fugture of the Saints under Payton and Brees.  The effects of Bounty gate is still taking a toll on the team.


This commentary written by John Lucia.

THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE MARINES

Happy 239th birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps and to all who ever wore the Eagle, Globe and Anchor where ever you may be and especially those serving in harms way and away from family.  The Marine Corps birthday is a special occasion that reminds us of the sacrifice of so many of our brother Marines and the spirit instilled in Marines the very first day we hit "Boot Camp."  That spirit lives on in the Marines motto, Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful and Once a Marine Always a Marine. 

Marines serving on active duty, or in the reserves and or in civilian life still share the same common virtue, commitment, honor, courage and duty.  That is a disipline that binds all Marines together for life.  So to my brother Marines on this 239th birthday it is my hope and prayer that the Supreme Commandant continues to watch over you and your family and keep you safe where ever you may be.

Happy Birthday Marines and Semper Fi

John Lucia

October's Job Numbers and Unemployment Continue To Be Positive While Republicans Continue To Go Negative

The U.S. Labor Department reported the economy created 214,000 jobs in October and the unemployment rate fell to 5.8%.  For the last 10 months the economy created on average of over 200,000 jobs per month.  The department also said 31,000 more jobs were added for August and September than was previously reported.

The President's policies continue to work, and slowly but surely are returning the country to full employment.  The business community are even on board and predicting a great Christmas shopping season and continued expansion of the economy.  And where are the republican's in congress and the conservative media?  Well, they are still in denial, preaching fear and still have no record of accomplishments in congress or in the previous republican administration.

The republican non participation in the economy is nothing new, it happened during the Clinton administration also.  The democratic controlled congress passed Clinton's economic and budget plans in 1993 and every republican in congress voted against it.  Clinton's policies were so successful the republicans in the U.S. House impeached him.  They are now on the same path with Obama talking about impeachment.

In the first part of next year wages for middle class Americans will start to grow again.  They were down approximately $2500 on Bush 43 watch and are still down on Obama's watch so it is important that the President not let the republicans mess with the economy on their own terms.

The Obama administration is keeping with previous democratic traditions concerning job creation and the economy.  That is, every democratic administration that succeeded a republican administration created more jobs than the republican administration it replaced.  This writer outlined the reasons why in my three part
series with conclusion titled,  "The U.S. Economy:  Which Party Performs Best." dated 1/27/08.

Yes, another economic recovery is in progress on the democratic watch and yes, the republican party is still AWOL.

Also see my previous commentary titled, "Job Creation For Presidential Terms:  1929-2008" dated 11/5/2010


This commentary written by John Lucia.

The November Elections: Its Not About Who Won Or Loss, Its About History.

The republican party won enough seats in the U.S.Senate to become the majority party in that chamber.  It was not the first time it ever happened.  It was the third time since 1956 that they did so in replacing a democratic controlled Senate.

The election will be debated on cable TV for the next several weeks but the real story will not be told there.  Attack ads paid for by special interest groups use their wealth on ads not to articulate what the candidate they support stands for, the candidate's position on the issues or the candidates accomplishments.  Instead it is negative attack ads (usually false) on the opponent.  And unfortunately it works.  The special interest groups who pay for those ads have little respect for the voting public.

The republican's will be the majority in the Senate come January even though they can not claim any record of accomplishment for the country and its people.  They will now claim the people spoke but less than 50% of the eligible voters took part in the election nationwide.  In fact channel 8 in New Orleans reported it was the lowest turn out since 1942.   There is no mandate.  History has a way of sobering people up and in 2016 this process will take place again.  That is when the people will understand what had actually taken place in the previous two years.

The most important thing the President can do now is keep the republican party away from the economy, job creation and the budget because their party's record on those issues is terrible.  It will not be much longer till the country is at full employment thanks to a democratic administration.  The President also needs to veto the extreme agenda of the republicans when it comes up and surely it will come up. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:   The voting public according to all the polls (not just for the Nov. elections) gave a more favorable rating by far to President Obama than members of congress.  Yet the majority of the candidates for congress who were reelected were incumbents.  In other words the voters reelected those they said they were the most dissatisfied with. 

This writer was on the tread mill at the fitness center the day before the elections when the Fox News Network put on the TV screen a poll that showed Bill Cassidy leading at 50% of the vote.  This writer had seen no report on New Orleans TV or in the Times Picayune or the New Orleans Advocate that showed any poll with Cassidy at that number.  When the final vote was counted Cassidy received 41% of the vote.  Fox never named the poll, it was simply just another attempt to mislead the voters. 

As of this writing, President Obama has accomplished more for the country and its people than the previous administration, even when the republicans controlled both houses of congress.  The President has also kept the country, its people and our men and women in uniform safer.  He can be proud of his record des;pite the constant noisy attacks.


This commentary written by John Lucia. 

James Varney: His Ignorance Is Self Inflicted.

Varney, in a Times Picayune commentary of 11/3/14 titled, "Crusade Against Fracking Utterly Crazy" tries to justify a Republican Senate report that says, "Obama and His Left Wing Environmental Allies Have Declared War On America's Energy Sector."  He then goes on to show his ignorance concerning the subject matter.  (Reports by republicans on committee matters are known to be defective.  Remember Benghazi, The IRS and etc.)

First of all most fracking operations are done on the state level and not the federal level so fracking is regulated by the states who are involved.  Varney has forgotten that it is the property owners and citizens of St. Tammany Parish that oppose fracking in their Parish, not the President.  Varney also talks about production being down on federal land but forgets to mention that Oil and Gas production in the United States is at its highest level in many, many years and the United States is less dependent on foreign oil today than 10 years ago and it has happened on President Obama's watch.  Does that sound like a War against America's energy sector?

Varney goes on to fairy tale land to rail against government regulations for the energy industry.  Well lets do a little comparison.  The B.P. Offshore blowout affected many people, including 11 rig workers killed.  It also was an environmental disaster.  Federal regulations are holding B.P. liable and the federal courts are inforcing those regulations with fines and penalties.  Whereas for the past 40 plus years state regulations have been ignored by both the State of Louisiana and the Oil industry for their rape of the Louisiana environment with their onshore drilling operations.  The Levee Board had to sue and Jindal has done everything he can to block thesuit.

The bottom line is the Oil and Gas industry has had its best years under Democratic administrations and the price of a barrel of oil and gallon of gasoline has been at its most reasonable level for the people under Democratic administrations also.  Varney is a ditto head conservative republican for the same reason as his cohorts.  They have nothing positive to talk about concerning the Bush 43 administration so what are they to do?  Well, go on the attack against the President and any democrat in general, government regulations and those who care about the environment.  Its the broken record of a party with no positive accomplishments.  Varney should have more respect for his readers.  When you think you are elite there is no character or courage.

See my previous commentary:

Drilling Offshore Louisiana In The Gulf of Mexico:  Facts and Nothing But The Facts  dated 7/22/2011

The Republican Trademark:  High Oil and Gas Prices  dated 5/15/2008.


This commentary written by John Lucia.

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow: Better Late Than Never.

Rachel Maddow on her show this past Friday pointed out how well the economy is performing with job creaion, lower unimployment, a prediction of continued economic expansion and the fact that the economy grew by 3.5% during the third quarter.  Yet she and other journalists have had many months to talk about the economic progress that has been made under the Obama administration and has failed to do so.

"PolitiDose" has not only been reporting the good economic news on a regular basis for several years to its readers but actually predicted it would happen long ago.  Those things are not hard to understand if you follow the facts of previous democratic administrations and disregard all the nonsense noise of conservative republicans in congress or conservative journalists.

All one has to do is log onto the CBO, OMB, the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the TreasuryDepartment and other federal agencies that keep the actual official tally concerning the economy, job creation, deficit spending, the national debt and a host of other information.

Journalists betray their responsibility to the people when they push stories that do not counter the lies of the noise machines in the news media, especially cable news.  They let so much important news go unreported for the sake of sound bites, hype and the ratings race, the news becomes one big blob of propaganda.

"PolitiDose" will continue to talk about facts and make predictions based on past performance on what ever the subject matters exists and hopefully people of good judgement will understand that understanding the past is the key to a better future.


See my commentary titled, An Economic Turnaround:  Job Creation, and Fiscal Stability, There Is A Precedent.    dated 12/14/09


This commentary written by John Lucia.

More Proof That Louisiana's Tax Exemptions and Tax Breaks For PetroChemical Plants in Louisiana Are Not Needed.

Marty Durban, President and CEO of America's Natural Gas Alliance, Washington, D.C came to New Orleans and spoke before the Louisiana Chemical Association the week of 10/14/14 and wrote a letter to the editors that was published in the Times Picayune.  Durban said the following in his letter.  Natural Gas's role as a building block for the petrochemical industry which makes states such as Louisiana with abundant and affordable natural gas an ideal environment for investment in the industrial sector.

Those words are proof that state tax exemptions and tax breaks are not necessary for industrial investment and development in Louisiana.  Louisiana has the affordable natural gas to fuel those plants and the necessary vacant land to build them and the ports to export their products.  How many other states can offer that?  Durban goes on in the letter to the editor and list several petrochemical plants that are in the works to be built in Louisiana because of the advantages listed above.  Durban never mentioned any thing about tax breaks being a factor in those plants being located here although I feel sure he knows they exist.

What those unnecessary tax breaks are doing is giving away Louisiana's natural gas advantage and resources and what the natural gas and petrochemical industry will not openly tell the people is that there will be more natural gas and by products exported out of those plants than will be used in Louisiana.  Why?  Because they can export natural gas at triple the price in Louisiana.  And one day Louisiana will be paying that same high price while the industry keeps enjoying their tax breaks.

The Free Enterprise System does not exist in America any more.  It is the Special Interest System that does and it is driven by special interest and our political leaders.


This commentary written By John Lucia