Economist Paul Krugman in an editorial of 3/28 in the Times Picayune reported how job creation in the economy has come back from the great republican recession of 2008. He also reported how the republican rhetoric of tax breaks for the wealthy to create jobs is a trickle down fairy tale. (Not in those words)
Krugman does not use the word elite, a word this writer has used to describe conservatism, but goes on to say, "when good news arrives about the budget, the economy or the ACA which is reducing the uninsured numbers while costing much less" it must be denied by republicans. Their ideology utterly depends on the proposition that conservatives and only they, possess the secret key to prosperity. That is the same as thinking they are elite.
The article points out how big business would never admit that govrnment policies can create jobs because that would devalue one of their favorite arguments. The fact shows that democratic administration policies over the years has proved big business wrong concerning job creation. The latest being President Obama's economic policies, job creation, lower unemployment and reducing the deficit.
In line with Mr. Krugman's article, the National Association of Business Economics forecast more hiring, lower unemployment, low inflation and more growth in consumer spending in 2015. They also perdict more investment by business in both equipment and intellectual property.
The key to understanding what has taken place since the great recession is democratic policy. And it happened despite the many obstacles thrown up by the republican party. "PolitiDose" is proud to have played a part in telling this story early on.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Note: Comment by the Nationsl Association of Business Economics quoted above was published in the New Orleans Advocate of 3/31.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Louisiana Needs State Representative John Bel Edwards To Be The Next Governor
Democratic state representative John Bel Edwards has the political understanding and knowledge needed to be Louisiana's next Governor. He is a "serious" public official who understands the role of leadership in governing and that state government represents the people's business. I believe it is safe to say under Edwards leadership both the state government and its people would prosper.
Representative Edwards has been outspoken in the legislature on the way Gov. Jindal has used gimmicks to balance the state budget that continues to be unbalanced, unnecessary cuts to education, the use of one time money to patch holes in the budget and other legislation that has set Louisiana and its people on a backwards course. Mr. Edward's three republican opponets, Jay Dardenne, David Vitter and Scott Anglee have all been silent on Jindal's mismanagement of state government and his created fiscal disaster that leaves the state a $1.6 billion deficit projected for next fiscal year. Those three republicans, especially U.S. Senator David Vitter have only come aboard recently since they announced their run for governor in speaking against Jindal's fiscal failures. They had been silent up to that time.
Both Jindal and Vitter served in congress during the Bush 43 administration and are familiar with republican fiscal deficits. Both were silent during Bush's watch. Jindal and the Louisiana republican controlled legislature had their chance to move Louisiana and its people forward and they blew it big time. The republicans have no policy, just ideology that pushes them to sign pledges with out of state organizations who care nothing about Louisiana or its people.
Its time for the state to return to the democratic party where history tells us the state and its people have had their best years. To those who say the democratic party can not win in Louisiana I say hogwash. Representative Edwards has a message and policy he will share with the people during this campaign. The republican candidates have the baggage of Jindal and Bush 43 to drag around and can not escape their support of those two failed administrations.
A republican governor has run the state 16 of the past 20 years. Thank goodness democratic governor Kathleen Blance came along in between and restored fiscal health to the state budget while in office. Representative Edwards has a good record as a state legislator and because he has "political understanding" that quality makes him the best candidate to be Louisiana's next governor.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Representative Edwards has been outspoken in the legislature on the way Gov. Jindal has used gimmicks to balance the state budget that continues to be unbalanced, unnecessary cuts to education, the use of one time money to patch holes in the budget and other legislation that has set Louisiana and its people on a backwards course. Mr. Edward's three republican opponets, Jay Dardenne, David Vitter and Scott Anglee have all been silent on Jindal's mismanagement of state government and his created fiscal disaster that leaves the state a $1.6 billion deficit projected for next fiscal year. Those three republicans, especially U.S. Senator David Vitter have only come aboard recently since they announced their run for governor in speaking against Jindal's fiscal failures. They had been silent up to that time.
Both Jindal and Vitter served in congress during the Bush 43 administration and are familiar with republican fiscal deficits. Both were silent during Bush's watch. Jindal and the Louisiana republican controlled legislature had their chance to move Louisiana and its people forward and they blew it big time. The republicans have no policy, just ideology that pushes them to sign pledges with out of state organizations who care nothing about Louisiana or its people.
Its time for the state to return to the democratic party where history tells us the state and its people have had their best years. To those who say the democratic party can not win in Louisiana I say hogwash. Representative Edwards has a message and policy he will share with the people during this campaign. The republican candidates have the baggage of Jindal and Bush 43 to drag around and can not escape their support of those two failed administrations.
A republican governor has run the state 16 of the past 20 years. Thank goodness democratic governor Kathleen Blance came along in between and restored fiscal health to the state budget while in office. Representative Edwards has a good record as a state legislator and because he has "political understanding" that quality makes him the best candidate to be Louisiana's next governor.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, March 29, 2015
The U.S. Congress Passes A Budget
The republican controlled congress passed a budget in both houses that they claim would balance the federal budget in 10 years. Really? The budget cuts $5 trillion over 10 years the republicans say including cuts to medicare and medicaid. Dana Milbank a noted columnist said the budget is one big gimmick. And if the word gimmick sounds familiar its because this writer has described Gov. Jindal's budgets that way here in "PolitiDose" many times over.
No democrat in the House or Senate voted for passage because they are familiar with past republican failures to balance the budget. They have yet to walk the talk since 1960, the year President Eisenhower balanced the federal budget. That was over 55 years ago. Now they say they need 10 more years. At the end of Presidnet Obama's last fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/14 the federal deficit was $483 billion. It was $1.4 trillion at the end of President Bush's last fiscal year budget. So the Obama administration has reduced the deficit over $900 Billion in just 5 years. The republicans are telling the people they need 10 more years to balance less than half the $900 billion reduction in 5 years by the President. The President has already put the country on the path to a balanced budget.
The republican budget also contains tax breaks for the wealthy and the repeal of the ACA. The republican control of congress and their actions so far still represent the failed policies of past republican administrations. Their conservative right wing ideology still will not allow them to be truthful to the people, not even those who support them.
But America still has hope because President Obama will not allow this bankrupt budget to become law.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
No democrat in the House or Senate voted for passage because they are familiar with past republican failures to balance the budget. They have yet to walk the talk since 1960, the year President Eisenhower balanced the federal budget. That was over 55 years ago. Now they say they need 10 more years. At the end of Presidnet Obama's last fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/14 the federal deficit was $483 billion. It was $1.4 trillion at the end of President Bush's last fiscal year budget. So the Obama administration has reduced the deficit over $900 Billion in just 5 years. The republicans are telling the people they need 10 more years to balance less than half the $900 billion reduction in 5 years by the President. The President has already put the country on the path to a balanced budget.
The republican budget also contains tax breaks for the wealthy and the repeal of the ACA. The republican control of congress and their actions so far still represent the failed policies of past republican administrations. Their conservative right wing ideology still will not allow them to be truthful to the people, not even those who support them.
But America still has hope because President Obama will not allow this bankrupt budget to become law.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
The 2016 Presidential Campaign: What This Writer Would Like To See.
U.S. republican Senator Ted Cruz announced on Monday he is running for President. It was the first official announcement by any so called candidate, republican or democratic. There will be more republicans making the same announcement soon. It is this writers hope that democratic candidates make no such announcements before Labor day. That applies even if only one democratic candidate decides to run.
What the country and the people need are shorter campaigns. That makes more sense for so many reasons, one which is the show business attitude on the part of the news media and its coverage. Another reason is we know the drill. The republicans campaign will be one of personal attacks as usual and little policy explanation. The democratic campaign will be one of policy and where they stand on the issues.
The candidates all have records known to the voters. The country does not need a rerun of that but that has been what campaigns are made of. The news media wants the campaign to last forever because of the money they make on ads and etc., and their power of sound bites and spin. The Fox News Network believes Hillary Clinton will be the democratic nominee and already started their constant attacks months ago. It will only get worse.
This writer would like to see two or three democratic candidates run for their party's nomination. And I would like to see at least one new face among them with solid credentials, policy plans, mature judgement and thought, courage and a sense of understanding the mistakes of the past in order to achieve a better future for the country and the people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
What the country and the people need are shorter campaigns. That makes more sense for so many reasons, one which is the show business attitude on the part of the news media and its coverage. Another reason is we know the drill. The republicans campaign will be one of personal attacks as usual and little policy explanation. The democratic campaign will be one of policy and where they stand on the issues.
The candidates all have records known to the voters. The country does not need a rerun of that but that has been what campaigns are made of. The news media wants the campaign to last forever because of the money they make on ads and etc., and their power of sound bites and spin. The Fox News Network believes Hillary Clinton will be the democratic nominee and already started their constant attacks months ago. It will only get worse.
This writer would like to see two or three democratic candidates run for their party's nomination. And I would like to see at least one new face among them with solid credentials, policy plans, mature judgement and thought, courage and a sense of understanding the mistakes of the past in order to achieve a better future for the country and the people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Will The Oil and Gas Industry Ever Operate In A Truthful Way?
How many times have you heard the Industry and their republican friends say the Obama Administration is not offering enough land for lease for drilling, especially in the Gulf Of Mexico? This writer has heard that over and over and most recently from the President of Lafourche Parish which was the topic of a recently commentary here in "PolitiDose."
Well, guess what? Federal regulators announced the week of 3/16 that only 195 bids were placed Wednesday on leases in the Gulf on 41 million acres off the coast of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Last years sale which was equivalent, the industry offered 380 bids and the year before more than 500 bids. This years bids of 195 were the lowest since 1986 when 129 bids were submitted.
So what happened? Why so little bids on the offshore acreage? The Oil industry had an answer, the falling price of a barrel of oil. Offshore drilling is so expensive it can not be done at today's price for a barrel of oil. The fact of the matter there has never been a shortage of leases to drill on in state lands or federal lands and acreage. The industry and their republican mouth pieces just can not tell the truth about the subject matter of leasing acreage for exploration and or drilling.
It should be noted that those 195 bids covered over 920,000 acres. This lease sale is just another reason to understand why the domestic Oil industry's exploration, drilling and production will never make the U.S. independent of foreign oil. Other reasons have been explained in previous commentary here in "PolitiDose." It is sad when you have an industry so important to the economy and our daily lives that just can not be truthful and elected officials who are not only willing to be their spoke persons but take it a step farther and lie to the people who elect them. Louisiana has more than enough elected officials who are ditto heads on the subject matter.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Well, guess what? Federal regulators announced the week of 3/16 that only 195 bids were placed Wednesday on leases in the Gulf on 41 million acres off the coast of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Last years sale which was equivalent, the industry offered 380 bids and the year before more than 500 bids. This years bids of 195 were the lowest since 1986 when 129 bids were submitted.
So what happened? Why so little bids on the offshore acreage? The Oil industry had an answer, the falling price of a barrel of oil. Offshore drilling is so expensive it can not be done at today's price for a barrel of oil. The fact of the matter there has never been a shortage of leases to drill on in state lands or federal lands and acreage. The industry and their republican mouth pieces just can not tell the truth about the subject matter of leasing acreage for exploration and or drilling.
It should be noted that those 195 bids covered over 920,000 acres. This lease sale is just another reason to understand why the domestic Oil industry's exploration, drilling and production will never make the U.S. independent of foreign oil. Other reasons have been explained in previous commentary here in "PolitiDose." It is sad when you have an industry so important to the economy and our daily lives that just can not be truthful and elected officials who are not only willing to be their spoke persons but take it a step farther and lie to the people who elect them. Louisiana has more than enough elected officials who are ditto heads on the subject matter.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Louisiana's Gubernatorial Candidates Address The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association
Louisiana Republican candidates for Governor Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, Public Service Commissioner Scott Anglee and U.S. Senator David Vitter along with Democratic Representative John Bel Edwards spoke at a breakfast forum sponsored by the Louisiana Oil and Gas Assoc. in Lake Charles, Louisiana as reported by the Associated Press in the Times Picayune of 3/14.
All three Republicans committed to (1) work with the industry concerning changes to regulatory and civil law changes pushed by the industry. (2) Dardenne and Vitter oppose the local lawsuits filed against the companies for coastal wetlands damage. Angelle was reported to say the blame game will not fix the coast. (No the oil companies should. This writers thoughts) (3) All three said changes were needed to the "legacy lawsuits" pushed by the industry that were passed last year.
Democrat John Bell Edwards refused to embrace several of the lawsuit limitations and changes sought by the industry in (1) above, saying reasonable people can disagree on where to strike a balance. On (2) above Edwards said the courts should decide whether the lawsuits have merit and did not believe the legislature was the proper place to tell local governments that they can't pursue action. Edwards voted against those changes in (3) above saying he could not reach a compromise he could support.
All four candidates support the state's 50 year $50 billion coastal restoration plan. Vitter told the industry the "litigation climate" is the biggest problem we have for our business environment and says more changes are needed to the state's civil court system. (The usual republican rhetoric)
All three republicans told the industry group they or a family member worked in the industry or business related to the industry at one time or another. Their comments represent the same republican positions, weaker laws and regulations and no accountability. They said everything the industry wanted to hear and Vitter even went over the top with his civil law changes.
Democrat John Bel Edwards more than held his own with reasonable answers and did not attend the forum to tell the industry what they wanted to hear. He seems to understand the industry is doing very well in Louisiana under the existing laws. This writer can see that Mr. Edwards will campaign on the issues facing the state with sound policy ideas and that the republicans will continue to talk about easing business regulations and civil laws and try to tie that to job creation and a better economy. Present governor Bobby Jindal has tried that and it failed. And of course they are on record as opposing the lawsuits against the industry. Yet they have no proposal to deal with the environmental damage they inflicted. Mr. Edwards does, let the courts decide.
The coming election for governor will give the people a clear choice this writer believes and "PolitiDose" will be there with political commentary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
All three Republicans committed to (1) work with the industry concerning changes to regulatory and civil law changes pushed by the industry. (2) Dardenne and Vitter oppose the local lawsuits filed against the companies for coastal wetlands damage. Angelle was reported to say the blame game will not fix the coast. (No the oil companies should. This writers thoughts) (3) All three said changes were needed to the "legacy lawsuits" pushed by the industry that were passed last year.
Democrat John Bell Edwards refused to embrace several of the lawsuit limitations and changes sought by the industry in (1) above, saying reasonable people can disagree on where to strike a balance. On (2) above Edwards said the courts should decide whether the lawsuits have merit and did not believe the legislature was the proper place to tell local governments that they can't pursue action. Edwards voted against those changes in (3) above saying he could not reach a compromise he could support.
All four candidates support the state's 50 year $50 billion coastal restoration plan. Vitter told the industry the "litigation climate" is the biggest problem we have for our business environment and says more changes are needed to the state's civil court system. (The usual republican rhetoric)
All three republicans told the industry group they or a family member worked in the industry or business related to the industry at one time or another. Their comments represent the same republican positions, weaker laws and regulations and no accountability. They said everything the industry wanted to hear and Vitter even went over the top with his civil law changes.
Democrat John Bel Edwards more than held his own with reasonable answers and did not attend the forum to tell the industry what they wanted to hear. He seems to understand the industry is doing very well in Louisiana under the existing laws. This writer can see that Mr. Edwards will campaign on the issues facing the state with sound policy ideas and that the republicans will continue to talk about easing business regulations and civil laws and try to tie that to job creation and a better economy. Present governor Bobby Jindal has tried that and it failed. And of course they are on record as opposing the lawsuits against the industry. Yet they have no proposal to deal with the environmental damage they inflicted. Mr. Edwards does, let the courts decide.
The coming election for governor will give the people a clear choice this writer believes and "PolitiDose" will be there with political commentary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph's Point of View Article
President Charlotte Randolph in her "point of view" article in the Times Picayune of 3/13/15 follows a typical pattern of public officials who are incapable of telling the truth when it comes to the oil and gas industry and President Obama. Randolph's statement that "President Obama does not comprehend just how vital domestic oil and gas development is to heating his constituents home and etc." comes right out of the conservative's play book.
The author talks about how some areas are set aside to exclude drilling and that is holding back production. She then goes on to say "we import 40% of our oil, a baffling number considering that we have plentiful resources to produce all the petroleum we need." I'm sure Randolph is familiar with oil baron Boone Pickens since she knows so much about the oil and gas industry. He's the fellow who in 2008 was on TV every week reminding the people that the U.S. is importing 70% of its oil. Well by Randolph's number our situation has improved 30% and it happened on President Obama's watch.
When it comes to areas that exclude drilling the author has it all wrong. The federal and state governments are still offering huge areas for lease to the industry. Randolph was silent on the fact that the industry leases, owns or rents thousands of acres of land where they have not even drilled one well. In fact the industry participated in a lease sale in Louisiana concerning federal lands in the past few weeks.
There is a sad point in the article where Randolph said the President gave little consideration as to how the moratorium after the BP blow out would hurt Gulf Coast economies. The President was concerned about the 11 rig workers who were killed and their family and the fact that BP and the industry had no answers. The President made the right decision while Randolph was concerned with the economy, never mind about BP's negligence.
As pointed out in "PolitiDose" the oil industry will never make the U.S. independent of foreign oil (even though they have the capability to do so) as explained. The industry has always had its best years under Democratic administrations and they are having their best years under President Obama's administration.
Charlotte Randol[ph, President of Lafourche Parish became another public servant who has volunteered to be a mouth piece for the oil and gas industry. It was noticeable Randolph said nothing about the industry's destruction of Louisiana's environment that is subject of a lawsuit by the Levee Board and Jefferson Parish.
And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The author talks about how some areas are set aside to exclude drilling and that is holding back production. She then goes on to say "we import 40% of our oil, a baffling number considering that we have plentiful resources to produce all the petroleum we need." I'm sure Randolph is familiar with oil baron Boone Pickens since she knows so much about the oil and gas industry. He's the fellow who in 2008 was on TV every week reminding the people that the U.S. is importing 70% of its oil. Well by Randolph's number our situation has improved 30% and it happened on President Obama's watch.
When it comes to areas that exclude drilling the author has it all wrong. The federal and state governments are still offering huge areas for lease to the industry. Randolph was silent on the fact that the industry leases, owns or rents thousands of acres of land where they have not even drilled one well. In fact the industry participated in a lease sale in Louisiana concerning federal lands in the past few weeks.
There is a sad point in the article where Randolph said the President gave little consideration as to how the moratorium after the BP blow out would hurt Gulf Coast economies. The President was concerned about the 11 rig workers who were killed and their family and the fact that BP and the industry had no answers. The President made the right decision while Randolph was concerned with the economy, never mind about BP's negligence.
As pointed out in "PolitiDose" the oil industry will never make the U.S. independent of foreign oil (even though they have the capability to do so) as explained. The industry has always had its best years under Democratic administrations and they are having their best years under President Obama's administration.
Charlotte Randol[ph, President of Lafourche Parish became another public servant who has volunteered to be a mouth piece for the oil and gas industry. It was noticeable Randolph said nothing about the industry's destruction of Louisiana's environment that is subject of a lawsuit by the Levee Board and Jefferson Parish.
And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Monday, March 16, 2015
The Garland Robinette Show With Host Don Dubuc
Don Dubuc, the host of Garland's show on Friday March 13 in his opening remarks said he would be discussing the "Hillary email scandal" for his listeners to comment on and wanted to hear their opinion. As soon as I heard the word scandal I knew he must be a ditto head following the Fox News spin of calling any thing related to Hillary or the President a scandal.
The opinions were nothing new from callers and offered nothing to rebut Hillary's public statement. It was obvious by the tone set by Mr. Dubuc he wanted to hear negative comments and even lumped in contributions to the Clinton Foundation. Local talk shows say a lot but offer very little that really matter and make a difference for people to understand the subject matter.
The former Secretary of State's emails will be made available to the public in a few short months says the State Department spokeperson. Those emails concern government business, her personal emails were deleted and are not part of the public record. Make no mistake, the anti Clinton people would not be satisfied even if she turned over her personal emails.
This writer will predict that if Hillary does run for the democratic nomination for President and wins she will disclose more of her personal records than the republican nominee. Democrats always do that as a matter of principle. Talk radio would be better off with less talk and more substance that affect the people. Hillary handled her job well as Secretary of State and has been a serious public servant willing to serve her country.
The only scandal this writer heard Friday was Mr. Dubuc's calling Hillary's email issua a scandal.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The opinions were nothing new from callers and offered nothing to rebut Hillary's public statement. It was obvious by the tone set by Mr. Dubuc he wanted to hear negative comments and even lumped in contributions to the Clinton Foundation. Local talk shows say a lot but offer very little that really matter and make a difference for people to understand the subject matter.
The former Secretary of State's emails will be made available to the public in a few short months says the State Department spokeperson. Those emails concern government business, her personal emails were deleted and are not part of the public record. Make no mistake, the anti Clinton people would not be satisfied even if she turned over her personal emails.
This writer will predict that if Hillary does run for the democratic nomination for President and wins she will disclose more of her personal records than the republican nominee. Democrats always do that as a matter of principle. Talk radio would be better off with less talk and more substance that affect the people. Hillary handled her job well as Secretary of State and has been a serious public servant willing to serve her country.
The only scandal this writer heard Friday was Mr. Dubuc's calling Hillary's email issua a scandal.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Louisiana Association Of Business and Industry (LABI): A Point of View Article.
Stephen Waguespack, President of LABI in a "Point of View" article published in the Times Picayune of 3/11/15 said there are two states of Louisiana. The private sector economy and state government. Waguespack uses that theme to promote the business community in the private sector as during very well and state government as not doing well at all.
The article trys to do what business leaders do best, blow smoke and in this case at the people of Louisiana. The article says the state is on the verge of sustainable growth not seen in generations and that Louisiana is projected to average an increase of 75,000 jobs per year for the next decade.
The article then speaks about state government and its budget problems and what the author thinks should be done about same. It is the usual b.s. business people always recommend. Waguespack never touches on the $8 Billion of tax breaks that are giving to the business community. That's $8 billion in lost state revenue giving to business which is unnecessary. And LABI is right there in support of corporate welfare at a time of need in budget reform.
What elected officials and business leaders have done is sacrifice the many advantages Louisiana has to offer business in favor of tax breaks that are unwarranted. As Warren Buffet said, taxes are no obstacle for business to survive or be profitable. Mr. Waguespack "point of view" article is worthless when he offers advise how to address the states budget problem when he is unwilling to address the $8 billion tax give away. Louisiana has a revenue problem caused by the $8 billion mentioned and because Louisiana's taxes are not collected on a basis where every one pays his fair share. It has a spending problem because too much is spent on tax breaks for business.
When Mr. Waguespack talks about how well the private sector is doing he must be referring to its CEO's and executives because the unemployment rate in Louisiana has been going up while the national unemployment rate has been going down. The Louisiana Workforce Commission has not given out the Louisiana unemployment rate for January or February as of this writing but in December it was 7.2% and had increased the previous 6 months. This writer believes the success of the private sector should be judged by how its workers are doing and and if business is standing on its own two feet. Predicting 75,000 jobs a year for the next decade is highly unlikely. I hope the author is around in 2025 to bring the people up to date.
What LABI would like is for the private sector to continue receiving unnecessary tax breaks and be unregulated. The people of Louisiana who are the states share holders and pay taxes deserve a better return on their investment. The business community does not think so, if they did, they would pay their fair share of taxes and stop seeking favors they do not need from elected officials.
Mr. Waguespack says lets design a new approach to government that is more effective. This writer agrees. Lets start with the elimination of the $8 billion in corporate welfare.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The article trys to do what business leaders do best, blow smoke and in this case at the people of Louisiana. The article says the state is on the verge of sustainable growth not seen in generations and that Louisiana is projected to average an increase of 75,000 jobs per year for the next decade.
The article then speaks about state government and its budget problems and what the author thinks should be done about same. It is the usual b.s. business people always recommend. Waguespack never touches on the $8 Billion of tax breaks that are giving to the business community. That's $8 billion in lost state revenue giving to business which is unnecessary. And LABI is right there in support of corporate welfare at a time of need in budget reform.
What elected officials and business leaders have done is sacrifice the many advantages Louisiana has to offer business in favor of tax breaks that are unwarranted. As Warren Buffet said, taxes are no obstacle for business to survive or be profitable. Mr. Waguespack "point of view" article is worthless when he offers advise how to address the states budget problem when he is unwilling to address the $8 billion tax give away. Louisiana has a revenue problem caused by the $8 billion mentioned and because Louisiana's taxes are not collected on a basis where every one pays his fair share. It has a spending problem because too much is spent on tax breaks for business.
When Mr. Waguespack talks about how well the private sector is doing he must be referring to its CEO's and executives because the unemployment rate in Louisiana has been going up while the national unemployment rate has been going down. The Louisiana Workforce Commission has not given out the Louisiana unemployment rate for January or February as of this writing but in December it was 7.2% and had increased the previous 6 months. This writer believes the success of the private sector should be judged by how its workers are doing and and if business is standing on its own two feet. Predicting 75,000 jobs a year for the next decade is highly unlikely. I hope the author is around in 2025 to bring the people up to date.
What LABI would like is for the private sector to continue receiving unnecessary tax breaks and be unregulated. The people of Louisiana who are the states share holders and pay taxes deserve a better return on their investment. The business community does not think so, if they did, they would pay their fair share of taxes and stop seeking favors they do not need from elected officials.
Mr. Waguespack says lets design a new approach to government that is more effective. This writer agrees. Lets start with the elimination of the $8 billion in corporate welfare.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, March 13, 2015
U.S. Senator Tom Cotton R-Ark: The New Republican Leader Of The 47%.
During the Presidential election of 2012, republican nominee Mitt Romney was the author of the 47% remark that was filmed and recorded at one of his fund raising events. Now, three years later freshman republican U.S. Senator Tom Cotton is the author of a letter signed by 47 republican U.S. Senators addressed to Iran's leaders in an effort to undermind on going talks between the United States and Iran
Those 47 republican senators represent 47% of the U.S. Senate which has 100 members. Like Romney's comment, the public is not taking kindly to Cotton's letter and rhetoric concerning the matter. One exception is Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal who according to a Times Picayune article of 3/12 tweeted in reference to V.P. Joe Biden's statement the following. "V.P. Biden owes Senator Tom Cotton an apology. He wore the boots in Iraq. He's earned our attention, not your insults." Of course, the V.P. never insulted anyone.
Jindal's tweet is just another of many reasons why he will not even come close to being the republican nominee for President. Jindal has no idea about the relationship between veterans and the Commander in Chief. As a veteran, this writer was always taught to respect the President and Commander in Chief and the chain of command. Evidently Senator Cotton never learned that especially at a time when the President and Commander in Chief's administration is in serious talks concerning serious issues with a foreign nation.
The conservative hate for President Obama has no bounds and Cotton being a freshman Senator, shows his lack of knowledge how government works and the responsibility of the President as Commander in Chief. Bobby Jindal is so far out of his league on a national and state level its getting to be a sad situation. The 47% has not been a good number for the party.
More than one republican Senator that signed on to the letter served in congress during President Reagan's administration when he sold arms to Iran concerning American hostages. At the time Iran was listed as a supporter of terrorism by the U.S. State Department. That happened even though President Reagan said he would not negotiate with terrorists. Those Senators were stone quiet and the matter was subject to an investigation. Any one who follows our political system knows President George W. Bush had no plan in place to deal with Iran's nuclear program. Like Iraq, the Iran problem was passed to President Obama's administration.
The real shame is that the republican party has no one of mature stature willing to stand up and say enough is enough and we need to work with the President and Commander in Chief.
This commentary was written by Joe Lorio.
Those 47 republican senators represent 47% of the U.S. Senate which has 100 members. Like Romney's comment, the public is not taking kindly to Cotton's letter and rhetoric concerning the matter. One exception is Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal who according to a Times Picayune article of 3/12 tweeted in reference to V.P. Joe Biden's statement the following. "V.P. Biden owes Senator Tom Cotton an apology. He wore the boots in Iraq. He's earned our attention, not your insults." Of course, the V.P. never insulted anyone.
Jindal's tweet is just another of many reasons why he will not even come close to being the republican nominee for President. Jindal has no idea about the relationship between veterans and the Commander in Chief. As a veteran, this writer was always taught to respect the President and Commander in Chief and the chain of command. Evidently Senator Cotton never learned that especially at a time when the President and Commander in Chief's administration is in serious talks concerning serious issues with a foreign nation.
The conservative hate for President Obama has no bounds and Cotton being a freshman Senator, shows his lack of knowledge how government works and the responsibility of the President as Commander in Chief. Bobby Jindal is so far out of his league on a national and state level its getting to be a sad situation. The 47% has not been a good number for the party.
More than one republican Senator that signed on to the letter served in congress during President Reagan's administration when he sold arms to Iran concerning American hostages. At the time Iran was listed as a supporter of terrorism by the U.S. State Department. That happened even though President Reagan said he would not negotiate with terrorists. Those Senators were stone quiet and the matter was subject to an investigation. Any one who follows our political system knows President George W. Bush had no plan in place to deal with Iran's nuclear program. Like Iraq, the Iran problem was passed to President Obama's administration.
The real shame is that the republican party has no one of mature stature willing to stand up and say enough is enough and we need to work with the President and Commander in Chief.
This commentary was written by Joe Lorio.
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