The U.S. Economy created 295,000 jobs in February and the unemployment rate fell to 5.5% from the 5.7% the previous so says the U.S. Labor Department. It was the 60th straight month (five years) of positive job growth and a reflection of the positive economic policies of the Obama administration. And yes, republicans in congress still have nothing to contribute. They have less than two years to do some thing positive for the economy during President Obama's last and final term in office.
February also marked the 12th straight month that job creation topped over 200,000. The last time that happened was in the 1990's when Bill Clinton was President. Health services continue their job growth and the overall growth of job creation once again dismiss the phony charge by republicans that the ACA is a job killer. Walmart and other companies have announced that they were raising their employee's wages and is another positive that will give consumers more buying power that will continue to fuel the economy. An there should be no doubt that had the U.S. House taken up and passed the U.S. Senate's legislation to repair the nations bridges, highways and etc., the country would be at true full employment. Plus those construction jobs pay good high wages.
A President's policies on the economy do make a difference and democratic administrations prove over and over they perform best for the country and its people. History and the numbers support that fact. And understanding the past is still the key to a better future.
This commentery written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Louisiana's Uninsured Ranks Fall Thanks To The Affordable Care Act
The uninsured rate for adults dropped from 21.7% to 17.2% since the ACA began accepting applications in 2014 according to a Times Picayune article of 2/25. Louisiana's enrollments in the ACA 2015 plans were up to 184,532, close to 83,000 more than in 2014.
The ACA is working in Louisiana despite the obstacles thrown up by governor Bobby Jindal It is another case of a federal program that was made available and is working. Like Jindal, other governors across America have failed to address the uninsured issue themselves inside their own states. The federal government is also doing right for Louisiana by enforcing federal laws that cover the BP oil spill. A federal judge will be issuing his ruling soon as to how much BP is assessed for the spillage.
On the other hand, Jindal and the Louisiana legislature has failed to enforce state laws to recover the environmental damage oil, gas and pipeline companies caused to Louisiana's marshes, wet lands and coastal areas. They even opposed the Levee Board's law suit. Serious public officals are lackingt when it comes to enforcement of state laws. And because of that lacking, the public has been and will continue to pay the price. Those who read "PolitiDose" understand how this writer feels about the importance of having serious elected officials at the helm.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The ACA is working in Louisiana despite the obstacles thrown up by governor Bobby Jindal It is another case of a federal program that was made available and is working. Like Jindal, other governors across America have failed to address the uninsured issue themselves inside their own states. The federal government is also doing right for Louisiana by enforcing federal laws that cover the BP oil spill. A federal judge will be issuing his ruling soon as to how much BP is assessed for the spillage.
On the other hand, Jindal and the Louisiana legislature has failed to enforce state laws to recover the environmental damage oil, gas and pipeline companies caused to Louisiana's marshes, wet lands and coastal areas. They even opposed the Levee Board's law suit. Serious public officals are lackingt when it comes to enforcement of state laws. And because of that lacking, the public has been and will continue to pay the price. Those who read "PolitiDose" understand how this writer feels about the importance of having serious elected officials at the helm.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Democrats Save The Republican Controlled U. S. House
One more time the minority democrats in the U.S. House furnished the majority vote to fund the Homeland Security Department for the balance of the fiscal year and avoid a shut down of that agency. The republicans who control the U.S. House used that majority and voted aganist the bill because it was a clean bill without the defunding of Obama's executive order on immigration.
The vote was 257-167 and the democrats picked up enough republican votes to pass the legislation. Republican Steve Scalise and Democrat Sedric Richmond voted for the bill. All other republicans in the U.S. House who represent Louisiana voted against the bill. Scalise and Boehner caught flax for bringing up a similar bill with the defunding a few days before that was defeated. Evidendly Scalise failed to count heads before calling for a vote.
Next in line for the republicans is to see if they can overide the President's veto of the XL Pipeline legislation they passed. Mitch McConnell said the Senate would take up that veto this week. If they fail to overide the President's veto it would be wise to pass the minimum wage, immigration reform and legislation to rebuild the nations roads, bridges and etc., the President would sign that in a New York second and the republicans could save face.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Monday, March 2, 2015
Another Huge First For "PolitiDose."
Sean Illing, an Air Force veteran who teaches political science at LSU wrote a "Point of View" commentary in the Times Picayune of 3/1 titled, "Beware of Candidates Talking About Obama Instead Of Louisiana." The gist of his commentary is that Louisiana elected officials who continue to attack the President and not tell the people what they stand for and what they would do to move Louisiana forward mislead the people at best and deliberately deceive at worst.
He also said (1) the current administration in Baton Rouge has been utterly dishonest, lying and that budget gimmicks have run their course. (2) Louisiana is facing serious problems and serious leaders are lacking. (3) Louisiana's future is in serious jeopardy if the state legislators do not force Jindal's hands. (4) If you are a republican voter you should demand more from your candidates. If you don't like Obama, fine. But don't give a free pass to politicians.
And if all of that sounds familiar its because you read it all here first in "PolitiDose" many times over in the last several years in many commentaries. The attacks on the President by republicans with out offering any policies to move Louisiana or the country forward, the lack of serious public officials, Jindal's budget gimmicks, voters being hoodwinked by the personal attacks on Obama, state legislators rubber stamping Jindal's policies and Louisiana's future being in serious jeopardy have all been subjects of commentary in "PolitiDose."
Mr. Illing's "Point of View" commentary is a little late but is a welcome change from a political science teacher who understands what has been taking place in our political system. Too bad the editorial writers at the Times Picayune are so blind and so far removed from political truths.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Benjamin Netanyahu Is No Friend Of The United States
The U.S. House majority leader John Boehner invited Israel's Prime Minister to address congress which will take place Tuesday March 3. Boehner failed to speak with President Obama about this situation and disregarded protocal. This administration and previous U.S. administrations have not met with foreign leaders close to election and Netanyahu faces reelection in the next two weeks. As a result of Boehner's actions it was announced that the President would not meet with Netanyahu while he were here and many democrats in congress said they would skip the Prime Minister's speech.
Boehner said he wanted Netanyahu to tell America why Iran can not be trusted with an agreement even while the U.S. and other countries are in talks with Iran concerning their nuclear program at this very moment. Netanyahu will oppose any agreement with Iran and so will most republicans. They would rather no agreement and use that as an excuse to go to war. Israel is the dominant military power in the middle east, has WMD and nuclear weapons and the delivery systems to hit Iran and has had that capability for many years.
Netanyahu said Iran wishes to destroy Israel and that they do not believe the holocaust took place. Iran certainly does not have the capacity to destroy Israel and would not take on that challenge even if they possessed nuclear weapons because they know Iran would be wiped off the face of the map. What Israel wants and already has is the ability to use their military power with impunity in the middle east and want to maintain the status quo.
In this writers judgement Netanyahu and Israel can not be trusted. They would love to see the U.S. start another war in the middle east. They would like to dominate the foreign policy of the U.S. and Netanyahu speech before congress will try to do just that. President Obama should not let that happen. And to think it was an American, John Boehner who invited Netanyahu to try and influence the foreign policy of the U.S.
In the book, Body of Secrets by James Bamford he documented that the leaders of Israel (at the time) ordered the attack of a U.S. Naval vessell Liberty that was operating in international waters killing 34 U.S. service men and wounded many others. Damage to the vessell was several million dollars. Israel lied and said they did not know it was a U.S. ship when they did know. The book should be read by all Americans to understand the true nature of Israel and their military judgement.
President Obama should continue to run foreign policy without interference from Israel or Netanyahu/ The well being of our country and its people are at stake.
See my previous commentary on Israel dated December 1 and 19, 2007 titled, Nuclear Arms in The Middle East and Israel's Sad Excuse For Leadership.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Boehner said he wanted Netanyahu to tell America why Iran can not be trusted with an agreement even while the U.S. and other countries are in talks with Iran concerning their nuclear program at this very moment. Netanyahu will oppose any agreement with Iran and so will most republicans. They would rather no agreement and use that as an excuse to go to war. Israel is the dominant military power in the middle east, has WMD and nuclear weapons and the delivery systems to hit Iran and has had that capability for many years.
Netanyahu said Iran wishes to destroy Israel and that they do not believe the holocaust took place. Iran certainly does not have the capacity to destroy Israel and would not take on that challenge even if they possessed nuclear weapons because they know Iran would be wiped off the face of the map. What Israel wants and already has is the ability to use their military power with impunity in the middle east and want to maintain the status quo.
In this writers judgement Netanyahu and Israel can not be trusted. They would love to see the U.S. start another war in the middle east. They would like to dominate the foreign policy of the U.S. and Netanyahu speech before congress will try to do just that. President Obama should not let that happen. And to think it was an American, John Boehner who invited Netanyahu to try and influence the foreign policy of the U.S.
In the book, Body of Secrets by James Bamford he documented that the leaders of Israel (at the time) ordered the attack of a U.S. Naval vessell Liberty that was operating in international waters killing 34 U.S. service men and wounded many others. Damage to the vessell was several million dollars. Israel lied and said they did not know it was a U.S. ship when they did know. The book should be read by all Americans to understand the true nature of Israel and their military judgement.
President Obama should continue to run foreign policy without interference from Israel or Netanyahu/ The well being of our country and its people are at stake.
See my previous commentary on Israel dated December 1 and 19, 2007 titled, Nuclear Arms in The Middle East and Israel's Sad Excuse For Leadership.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, February 27, 2015
President Obama Vetoes Canada's Keystone XL Pipe Line Legislation
The President kept his word and cast a veto of the above pipeline. Obama indicated congress's passage of the legislation was an act that conflicts with established executive branch procedures. He also reported that the process to evaluate the pipeline is still in progress.
The republicans response was the same old story of how the President gave in to the environmental extremist and vowed to continue the fight. Louisiana's U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy said Obama's veto shows allegiance to his supporters. I guess that means the republicans vote to pass the legislation shows their allegiance to the oil and gas industry. Is this supposed to be a checkmate game the republicans are playing?
This writer in a previous commentary pointed out how the pipeline, if built, will do nothing that the republicans claim it would do and why. In fact the CEO's of the Canada pipeline still can not tell America how much of that oil will stay in the United States. The Company also wants to claim eminent domain of the private property of land owners where the pipline will pass. That is now tied up in the courts.
The bottom line is that the republican controlled congress failed to produce positive legislation at a time when the country should be moving forward on issues the President will sign into law. Minimum wage, Immigration Reform, rebuilding the nations infrastructure and etc., that will create more jobs than the pipeline and over a longer period of time. And to make things worse the U.S. House has said they are ready to shut down the Home Land Security Department if funding is not tied to the repeal of the President's executive order on immigration.
Taking over control of Congress should be a humble experience for the republicans to produce for the country and its people but todays republican ideology is self defeating because they do not want this administration to be successful. They can not articulate any positive economic policy that came out of the last republican administration so they lack any original thought as what to do now except obstruct. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The republicans response was the same old story of how the President gave in to the environmental extremist and vowed to continue the fight. Louisiana's U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy said Obama's veto shows allegiance to his supporters. I guess that means the republicans vote to pass the legislation shows their allegiance to the oil and gas industry. Is this supposed to be a checkmate game the republicans are playing?
This writer in a previous commentary pointed out how the pipeline, if built, will do nothing that the republicans claim it would do and why. In fact the CEO's of the Canada pipeline still can not tell America how much of that oil will stay in the United States. The Company also wants to claim eminent domain of the private property of land owners where the pipline will pass. That is now tied up in the courts.
The bottom line is that the republican controlled congress failed to produce positive legislation at a time when the country should be moving forward on issues the President will sign into law. Minimum wage, Immigration Reform, rebuilding the nations infrastructure and etc., that will create more jobs than the pipeline and over a longer period of time. And to make things worse the U.S. House has said they are ready to shut down the Home Land Security Department if funding is not tied to the repeal of the President's executive order on immigration.
Taking over control of Congress should be a humble experience for the republicans to produce for the country and its people but todays republican ideology is self defeating because they do not want this administration to be successful. They can not articulate any positive economic policy that came out of the last republican administration so they lack any original thought as what to do now except obstruct. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
The Past Week Exposed The True Character Of A Few Conservative Republicans
If you thought there was a bottom as to how low some conservatives can stoop, the past week has proven there is no bottom. The latest was Louisiana's governor Bobby Jindal's comment that President Obama is unfit to be Commander In Chief. The little boy is mad that the President will not use Jindal's words to describe Terrorists. He, along with other Republicans want the President to call the terrorists, "radical Islamic terrorists." Jindal like McCain and Graham are also mad that the President has ruled out American troops in an active combat role in Iraq.
Earlier, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani accused the President of not loving America which was the subject by this writer in a commentary in "PolitiDose." The two little boys show just how cowardly they are and their lack of character for their unfounded attacks. President Obama has a successful record in keeping America safe and fighting terror no matter what Jindal and his party call terrorists. Bobby and Rudy still want republicans to run the country even though the people rejected their two republican Presidential candidates in 2008 and 2012.
The week also exposed Fox's Bill O'Reilly's claim of being in a war zone during the Falkland's war when he was no where near a war zone. O'Reilly's news buddies at the Fox network tried to come to his rescue the last few days with phony platitudes that sounded like character witnesses. But O'Reilly has put his own foot in his own mouth in his own book and in his own words and can not escape the facts.
Those three have no respect for the President, the truth and lack an understanding of the important role respect plays for people in their position. What a waste.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Earlier, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani accused the President of not loving America which was the subject by this writer in a commentary in "PolitiDose." The two little boys show just how cowardly they are and their lack of character for their unfounded attacks. President Obama has a successful record in keeping America safe and fighting terror no matter what Jindal and his party call terrorists. Bobby and Rudy still want republicans to run the country even though the people rejected their two republican Presidential candidates in 2008 and 2012.
The week also exposed Fox's Bill O'Reilly's claim of being in a war zone during the Falkland's war when he was no where near a war zone. O'Reilly's news buddies at the Fox network tried to come to his rescue the last few days with phony platitudes that sounded like character witnesses. But O'Reilly has put his own foot in his own mouth in his own book and in his own words and can not escape the facts.
Those three have no respect for the President, the truth and lack an understanding of the important role respect plays for people in their position. What a waste.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Rudy Giuliani Promotes The UnAmerican Conservative Ideology Of The Republican Party
Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York City and candidate for the republican party's Presidential nomination in 2008 said he does not believe President Obama loves America. He also said Obama does not love you or me and was not brought up through love of this country. Giuliani made those remarks at a private dinner Wednesday night in New York.
There is nothing worse than a jealous conservative ideology that has to rely on personal attacks to try and discredit another person. The American people made the right choice and decision in turning Rudy away in the 2008 primaries. When a person trys to be judge and jury to another persons life that is an indication something is very wrong with the accuser.
The so called leaders of today's republican party are not leaders at all. They no longer live the spirit of being an American and the responsibility of civil order. They envy the President because he has moved the country and its people forward in a responsible way and rolled back the failures of the Bush administration.
Rudy is one of many republican conservatives who are unable to articulate any achievements they have accomplished for the country and its people. So its personal attacks that excites their ill informed base. The conservatives want America to live in fear and preach fear every day. But America's true leaders understand we have nothing to fear but fear itself.
I feel sure Rudy was not brought up to practice the hate he preaches. It is something he has chosen to do on his own. It falls in line with his conservative ideology that is being used to divide the people and the country. If Hilary Clinton decides to run for President the personal attacks against her by the republican party will grow even louder. And when that happens you will have read it here first in "PolitiDose."
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
There is nothing worse than a jealous conservative ideology that has to rely on personal attacks to try and discredit another person. The American people made the right choice and decision in turning Rudy away in the 2008 primaries. When a person trys to be judge and jury to another persons life that is an indication something is very wrong with the accuser.
The so called leaders of today's republican party are not leaders at all. They no longer live the spirit of being an American and the responsibility of civil order. They envy the President because he has moved the country and its people forward in a responsible way and rolled back the failures of the Bush administration.
Rudy is one of many republican conservatives who are unable to articulate any achievements they have accomplished for the country and its people. So its personal attacks that excites their ill informed base. The conservatives want America to live in fear and preach fear every day. But America's true leaders understand we have nothing to fear but fear itself.
I feel sure Rudy was not brought up to practice the hate he preaches. It is something he has chosen to do on his own. It falls in line with his conservative ideology that is being used to divide the people and the country. If Hilary Clinton decides to run for President the personal attacks against her by the republican party will grow even louder. And when that happens you will have read it here first in "PolitiDose."
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, February 20, 2015
The O'Reilly Factor, Still King Of The Spin Zone
O'Reilly's spin concerning President Obama's speech on violent extremism, ISIL and Iraq is a continuation of the networks long standing policy of never associating what has gone wrong in Iraq and the middle east with the George W. Bush administration. Instead, keep a steady drumbeat on the Obama administration's policies and call them failures.
Bill is still chapped that the President has refused to make the same mistakes as Bush did and have American's fight a ground war in Iraq and else where in the middle east. He is also chapped at Obama's position that those countries being terrorized by ISIL should defend their own lives and their cites and towns and join the war against ISIL with help from the U.S. Egypt and Jordan did just that when their citizens were executed by ISIL just recently.
Mother Jones pointed out O'Reilly's big spin problem of writing in one of his books that he served in a "war zone" during the Falklands war. Mother Jones says the war was over when O'Reilly arrived in Buenos Aires and witnessed only a riot in the streets of that city. O'Reilly responded with personal attacks against the reporter who broke the story. A usual trait of a person who feels inadequent. (move over Brian Williams, you have company.)
This writer can recall during the run up to war in Iraq when the big O had Bill Maher as his guest. The talk got around serving in the military. O'Reilly told Maher he had a buddy that served in Viet Nam and when he came home he told the big O not to serve in the military. O'Reilly told Maher he did not serve in the military because his buddy told him not to. You won't find a better cop out than that spin.
There is an old saying that opposites attract. So when the big O says his show is the no spin zone and fair and balanced, you know it represents just the opposite. And Bill proves it on a nightly basis. Its hell when you have a top rated show and all you can offer is spin. In fact, its a very sad way for some one to waste precious time. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Bill is still chapped that the President has refused to make the same mistakes as Bush did and have American's fight a ground war in Iraq and else where in the middle east. He is also chapped at Obama's position that those countries being terrorized by ISIL should defend their own lives and their cites and towns and join the war against ISIL with help from the U.S. Egypt and Jordan did just that when their citizens were executed by ISIL just recently.
Mother Jones pointed out O'Reilly's big spin problem of writing in one of his books that he served in a "war zone" during the Falklands war. Mother Jones says the war was over when O'Reilly arrived in Buenos Aires and witnessed only a riot in the streets of that city. O'Reilly responded with personal attacks against the reporter who broke the story. A usual trait of a person who feels inadequent. (move over Brian Williams, you have company.)
This writer can recall during the run up to war in Iraq when the big O had Bill Maher as his guest. The talk got around serving in the military. O'Reilly told Maher he had a buddy that served in Viet Nam and when he came home he told the big O not to serve in the military. O'Reilly told Maher he did not serve in the military because his buddy told him not to. You won't find a better cop out than that spin.
There is an old saying that opposites attract. So when the big O says his show is the no spin zone and fair and balanced, you know it represents just the opposite. And Bill proves it on a nightly basis. Its hell when you have a top rated show and all you can offer is spin. In fact, its a very sad way for some one to waste precious time. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, February 19, 2015
McConnell and Boehner: Leaders, Who Fail To Lead.
Those leaders of the U.S. House and Senate said last November after the elections gave the republican party control of congress, they would lead and not shut down the government. But just this week, both would not rule out doing just that if democrats do not go along with their legislation to block the President's executive order on immigration.
McConnell and Boehner are still bent on running the country and neither have ever received one vote outside of their own state. Their ideology will not allow them to accept the fact that Obama won two national elections. Their goal is still the same as day one, do all they can to oppose any policy the President proposes.
Steve Scalise, Louisiana's rep., in the U.S. House and third in command continues to show his ignorance and little boy attitude concerning the economy and legislation that would work best for the country and its people. His actions show he has learned nothing from his time in the U.S. House during the G.W. Bush years in office when he rubber stamped Bush's failed policies. He too is ready to shut down the government.
President Obama challenged McConnell and Boehner and their party on multiple fronts since the November elections and now holds the high ground. The republican party is in a tizzy over the President's request for authority to fight ISIL. They are pleading with him not to veto the XL Pipe Line legislation they passed. They want desperately to pass something to hang their hat on even if it is bad legislation. (like the 50 plus times they voted to repeal the ACA)
In Scalise's home state of Louisiana the latest figures show over 184,000 citizens have signed up for the ACA with the latest enrollment, close to 83,000 more than in 2014 according to a Times Picayune article dated 2/19. And Scalise and his party still oppose the ACA and have nothing to offer in response and Scalise has been a member of congress since 2008. Maybe he is waiting on instructions from David Duke.
The republican party controlled both houses of congress from 2002-2006 during the Bush 43 administration and everyone is aware how that administration ended up. Federal spending was up every year and no one can remember any progress during that time. They did pass a prescription drug benefit which ended up costing the tax payers over $1 trillion. They said it would not cost over $400 billion.
This writer does not expect any thing progressive to come out of the republican controlled congress unless they believe it will help their party win the White House in 2016.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
McConnell and Boehner are still bent on running the country and neither have ever received one vote outside of their own state. Their ideology will not allow them to accept the fact that Obama won two national elections. Their goal is still the same as day one, do all they can to oppose any policy the President proposes.
Steve Scalise, Louisiana's rep., in the U.S. House and third in command continues to show his ignorance and little boy attitude concerning the economy and legislation that would work best for the country and its people. His actions show he has learned nothing from his time in the U.S. House during the G.W. Bush years in office when he rubber stamped Bush's failed policies. He too is ready to shut down the government.
President Obama challenged McConnell and Boehner and their party on multiple fronts since the November elections and now holds the high ground. The republican party is in a tizzy over the President's request for authority to fight ISIL. They are pleading with him not to veto the XL Pipe Line legislation they passed. They want desperately to pass something to hang their hat on even if it is bad legislation. (like the 50 plus times they voted to repeal the ACA)
In Scalise's home state of Louisiana the latest figures show over 184,000 citizens have signed up for the ACA with the latest enrollment, close to 83,000 more than in 2014 according to a Times Picayune article dated 2/19. And Scalise and his party still oppose the ACA and have nothing to offer in response and Scalise has been a member of congress since 2008. Maybe he is waiting on instructions from David Duke.
The republican party controlled both houses of congress from 2002-2006 during the Bush 43 administration and everyone is aware how that administration ended up. Federal spending was up every year and no one can remember any progress during that time. They did pass a prescription drug benefit which ended up costing the tax payers over $1 trillion. They said it would not cost over $400 billion.
This writer does not expect any thing progressive to come out of the republican controlled congress unless they believe it will help their party win the White House in 2016.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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