All of Louisiana's republican reps in the U.S. House of congress voted for the American Health Care Act a few months ago which would have repealed and replaced the ACA. The CBO report on the bill pointed out how damaging that bill would be to health care and the millions of people who would lose their insurance.
And now just this week the U.S. Senate, thanks to all the democrats and 7 republican senators voted to kill the latest version of the republican party's health care bill called "The Obamacare Repeal Reconcillation Act" by a vote of 45-55. If passed the legislation would have left 17 million with out insurance in the first year and 32 million over the next 10 years. The bill would have become effective in 2020 pending a replacement.
Louisiana's two U.S. Senators, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy voted for the bill even though it did not meet Cassidy's own test. He and Kennedy were just conservative ditto heads who followed the republican leadership. Cassidy came up with the lame excuse the 2020 effective date would give the party enough time to craft a suitable replacement. What a bunch of crap from a republican and party who has lied about its health care plans for 7 years and still not even close.
The republican controlled Senate is now saying they will try to pass a SKINNY health care plan bill this week which still has the same problem as their other lies and in fact creates other problems. The party are the lying liars of health care and Louisiana's republican representation in congress have been just a bunch of ditto heads who care nothing about health care, Louisiana or its people. Their voting record and their actions say it all. Louisiana and its people miss the representation of former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu big time.
Special Note: Late last night into the early morning the republican's SKINNY health care bill was voted on and defeated 51-49. All 48 democratic Senators voted no as did three republican Senators. The defeat ends the issue for the time being and again Louisiana's two U.S. Senators, Kennedy and Cassidy voted for the SKINNY bill and continued their conservative ditto head march behind Trump and the republican leadership and their vote said to hell with Louisiana.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, July 28, 2017
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Another Piece of 'FAKE NEWS' By Times Picayune Conservative Writer Tim Morris
In a Times Picayune column of July 26 titled, "The Most Corrupt State? Louisiana Owns It., ditto head Tim Morris displays a picture of former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards and tries to connect the Governor to corruption along with other elected officials from several other states that he mentions. Morris talks about Edwards conviction in 2001 in bribery and extortion charges and the fact that Edwards fought criminal indictments in the past.
But the facts tell the real story that Edwards was never convicted of any wrong doing while holding public office, not even his conviction in 2001. That chaps Morris and the Times Picayune because while Governor, Edwards always got the best of the news media by admitting in public, some of his bad habits. But Edwards was never found guilty of any crimes that took place during his 4 terms as Governor.
"FAKE NEWS' is alive and well with conservative opinion writers and the Times Picayune and especially since Trump became the author of "FAKE NEWS'. And when one becomes a ditto head, 'FAKE NEWS' is substituted for facts.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
But the facts tell the real story that Edwards was never convicted of any wrong doing while holding public office, not even his conviction in 2001. That chaps Morris and the Times Picayune because while Governor, Edwards always got the best of the news media by admitting in public, some of his bad habits. But Edwards was never found guilty of any crimes that took place during his 4 terms as Governor.
"FAKE NEWS' is alive and well with conservative opinion writers and the Times Picayune and especially since Trump became the author of "FAKE NEWS'. And when one becomes a ditto head, 'FAKE NEWS' is substituted for facts.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Monday, July 24, 2017
Another First For PolitiDose Concerning The Affordable Care Act
Two articles in the Times Picayune of July 24, one by three writers with the Washington Post titled, "Trump's first 6 months: A fact-check tally" the other by Paul Krugman, titled, Health Care in a time of sabotage" confirms that the ACA is working, not dying or imploding and according to the Congressional Budget Office the ACA exchanges are expected to remain stable for the foreseeable future. And if that seems familiar its because you read it here first in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary just recently and many other times in the past since Trump and the republicans started their lies.
Other information pointed out in the two articles state that Trump lied approximately 44 times that the ACA was dying and essentially dead. One article explains how Trump can sabotage the ACA and not make it work which Trump has already alluded to on numerous occasions. The article also list three areas the Trump administration is already doing to sabotage the ACA. First: Weakening enforcement of the requirement that healthy people buy insurance. Second: Its letting states impose rules on people seeking medicaid. Third: It has backed off advertising and outreach designed to let people know about options for coverage. The article list other things the Trump administration is doing to discourage the uninsured to join the ACA.
The health care issue has exposed Trump and the republicans for what they really are, liars with an unAmerican ideology who are willing to even lie to their supporters to destroy anything democratic.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, July 21, 2017
The Affordable Care Act and What Is Missing From The Conversation.
A conservative ideology is the driving force behind the republicans attempt to repeal and replace the ACA for the last seven and half years. And Donald Trump has followed in their foot steps for the past 19 months. Their lies and fake news concerning the cost and the predicted collapse of the ACA tells a fairy tale the news media is willing to accept but does not square with the known facts.
There are two leading reports and studies concerning health care cost and the ACA. Both were subject to commentary by this writer in PolitiDose at the time. The reports were published in the Huffington Post on 6/20/16 and 2/15/17 titled, "We're Spending less on Health care than we thought we would before Obamacare" and "Health care rises modestly as GOP eyes big changes." The reports by the Urban Institute in conjunction with The Independent Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Their findings and reports stated total health care cost (that paid by American businesses, the government and households) grew an average of 4.4% a year from 2008-2014. It grew 4.8% in 2016. It will grow an average of 5.6% a year from 2016 to 2025, much less than the almost 8% for the two decades before 2008. Between 2014 and 2019 health care expense is predicted to be $2.6 trillion less than originally projected despite the added cost of the ACA.
The actuaries are not sure what role the ACA has played in the modest increase in health care cost but noted health care spending is actually lower than the federal actuaries projected prior to the ACA. They also noted the projections are subject to a great deal of uncertainty because Donald Trump and the republican controlled congress plan to make major changes to the health care system. And sure enough, Trump and the republicans health care plans they introduced have been shot down with facts from the CBO that would increase health care cost dramatically and millions would lose their health insurance.
Yes, ideology is driving Trump and the republican party on the issue and not facts. They love government to be involved in giving out tax breaks and corporate welfare to business and the wealthy but hate government involvement in health care. Hillary Clinton and the democratic party have the right answers in fact. Change what is necessary in the ACA and make it better while still lowering the cost. That is really not hard to understand because the ACA is working.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
There are two leading reports and studies concerning health care cost and the ACA. Both were subject to commentary by this writer in PolitiDose at the time. The reports were published in the Huffington Post on 6/20/16 and 2/15/17 titled, "We're Spending less on Health care than we thought we would before Obamacare" and "Health care rises modestly as GOP eyes big changes." The reports by the Urban Institute in conjunction with The Independent Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Their findings and reports stated total health care cost (that paid by American businesses, the government and households) grew an average of 4.4% a year from 2008-2014. It grew 4.8% in 2016. It will grow an average of 5.6% a year from 2016 to 2025, much less than the almost 8% for the two decades before 2008. Between 2014 and 2019 health care expense is predicted to be $2.6 trillion less than originally projected despite the added cost of the ACA.
The actuaries are not sure what role the ACA has played in the modest increase in health care cost but noted health care spending is actually lower than the federal actuaries projected prior to the ACA. They also noted the projections are subject to a great deal of uncertainty because Donald Trump and the republican controlled congress plan to make major changes to the health care system. And sure enough, Trump and the republicans health care plans they introduced have been shot down with facts from the CBO that would increase health care cost dramatically and millions would lose their health insurance.
Yes, ideology is driving Trump and the republican party on the issue and not facts. They love government to be involved in giving out tax breaks and corporate welfare to business and the wealthy but hate government involvement in health care. Hillary Clinton and the democratic party have the right answers in fact. Change what is necessary in the ACA and make it better while still lowering the cost. That is really not hard to understand because the ACA is working.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, July 20, 2017
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough Has His Own Brand of FAKE NEWS
In a Washington Post commentary published in the Times Picayune of 7/18/17 titled, "Trump Is Killing the GOP" Scarborough used several pieces of "Fake News." First of all Trump and the GOP are one and the same as articulated by this writer last year in PolitiDose. The GOP is killing its own self. Trump has been using the GOP tactic of personal attacks and other forms of un-American ideology that started long ago and the GOP is supporting every Trump move and lies.
Scarborough served in the U.S. House as a republican at the same time Newt Gingrich was running the House and in his article gave out the "fake news" that his party was successful balancing the federal budget. The true story has been recorded in history about those years and it was the Clinton administration that balanced the budget and created surpluses. And it was the democratic controlled congress that passed Clinton's economic and deficit reduction plan in their budget and rejected the republican budget the GOP introduced. It was also a time when Gingrich, Scarborough and the republican party shut down the government.
Scarborough, who left congress in 2001 claims that the republican party began its fiscal policy disaster with the George W. Bush administration which doubled the national debt, turned Clinton's balanced budgets and surpluses into deficit spending and promoted a foreign policy so utopian it would make Woodrow Wilson blush. But the truth of the republican fiscal disasters actually started with the Reagan administration who in his 8 fiscal years never balanced one federal budget and the national debt increased 186%. Scarborough was totally silent on the Reagan years.
Morning Joe, Scarborough's morning cable show on MSNBC was one of many cable Hosts who gave Trump much air time during the Presidential campaign of 2016. Joe, like the other Hosts could not get enough of Trump and his corrupt talk and actions. They allowed Trump to drown out the other candidates because he was good copy. They showed no interest in the fact that Trump was not qualified to be President. They helped get Trump elected and now don't know what to do with him or how to handle him.
No, Trump is not killing the GOP because they are willing partners. The killing of the GOP started with the so called Newt Gingrich Revolution that began during the time Scarborough served in the U.S. House. That is when the GOP made its killing turn with its conservative un-American ideology. It has continued until this day and Trump is now its leader who is taking the GOP to new extremes. Scarborough had his chance when he served in the U.S. House to make a difference in his party but failed the test. Sooner or later "fake news" will bury those that subscribe to it.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Scarborough served in the U.S. House as a republican at the same time Newt Gingrich was running the House and in his article gave out the "fake news" that his party was successful balancing the federal budget. The true story has been recorded in history about those years and it was the Clinton administration that balanced the budget and created surpluses. And it was the democratic controlled congress that passed Clinton's economic and deficit reduction plan in their budget and rejected the republican budget the GOP introduced. It was also a time when Gingrich, Scarborough and the republican party shut down the government.
Scarborough, who left congress in 2001 claims that the republican party began its fiscal policy disaster with the George W. Bush administration which doubled the national debt, turned Clinton's balanced budgets and surpluses into deficit spending and promoted a foreign policy so utopian it would make Woodrow Wilson blush. But the truth of the republican fiscal disasters actually started with the Reagan administration who in his 8 fiscal years never balanced one federal budget and the national debt increased 186%. Scarborough was totally silent on the Reagan years.
Morning Joe, Scarborough's morning cable show on MSNBC was one of many cable Hosts who gave Trump much air time during the Presidential campaign of 2016. Joe, like the other Hosts could not get enough of Trump and his corrupt talk and actions. They allowed Trump to drown out the other candidates because he was good copy. They showed no interest in the fact that Trump was not qualified to be President. They helped get Trump elected and now don't know what to do with him or how to handle him.
No, Trump is not killing the GOP because they are willing partners. The killing of the GOP started with the so called Newt Gingrich Revolution that began during the time Scarborough served in the U.S. House. That is when the GOP made its killing turn with its conservative un-American ideology. It has continued until this day and Trump is now its leader who is taking the GOP to new extremes. Scarborough had his chance when he served in the U.S. House to make a difference in his party but failed the test. Sooner or later "fake news" will bury those that subscribe to it.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Another Ditto Head Organization Becomes A Mouth Piece For The Oil and Gas Industry in Louisiana
In a point of view opinion in the Times Picayune of July 16, Marc Ehrhardt, Executive Director of Grow Louisiana Coalition wrote a column titled, Oil, Gas Industry Is Pumping Resources Into Coastal Restoration represents the usual ideology of a free pass to business, this time being the Oil and Gas industry. Mr. Ehrhardt does not like the legal suits filed against the industry for the environmental damage their operations have caused over the past 50 plus years.
The theme of the column is that the industry, because they and their employees pay taxes, the industry is doing enough toward coastal restoration. Ditto, because of the royalties they pay the state and federal government. The other theme is that the industry is an economic engine that supports jobs in Louisiana and etc., etc., and etc. Of course every one knows that the industry is in Louisiana because of Louisiana's natural resources so they have to create jobs to do the work and develop those resources.
Another theme is that the law suits negatively affect Louisiana's competitive position. There is one thing we know about law suits and that is, more law suits are filed by business against other business than any law suits filed against the oil and gas industry for the environmental damage caused by their operations. And the fact remains that the damages caused to Louisiana's environment negatively affects Louisiana's competitive position more than the law suits themselves.
Now a few words about Louisiana jobs created by the industry. In the past several years Louisiana has lost more oil and gas industry jobs than any other sector because of cut backs due to a surplus of oil and gas on the market which results from over supply and over production. The price of a barrel of oil is still in the $40-50 range and it had been in the $90 range for many years before the fall. But hey, the Oil industry could put many of those laid off workers back to work by restoring the land their operations destroyed over the last 50 plus years. What Louisiana needs to do is expand their business base outside the oil and gas industry and diversify with business more friendly to the environment and the labor market.
This writer was struck by the tell tale sign that Mr. Ehrhardt never once mentioned in his article the damage to Louisiana's environment that was caused by the industry's operations. That is par for the course for those who have become spoke persons for the industry. And yes, lucky for America and Louisiana the country had a President who did his job and saw to it that BP was held accountable for the blow out in the Gulf of Mexico and the resulting damages, including the death of 11 Rig workers.
The idea that the oil and gas industry has paid or continues to pay for the damage to Louisiana's environment through the taxes and or royalties they pay is a fairy tale and a scam. It is also good to remember that BP, after paying out billions of dollars for the damage they caused, continues to operate in Louisiana, on shore sand off shore and are still making money.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The theme of the column is that the industry, because they and their employees pay taxes, the industry is doing enough toward coastal restoration. Ditto, because of the royalties they pay the state and federal government. The other theme is that the industry is an economic engine that supports jobs in Louisiana and etc., etc., and etc. Of course every one knows that the industry is in Louisiana because of Louisiana's natural resources so they have to create jobs to do the work and develop those resources.
Another theme is that the law suits negatively affect Louisiana's competitive position. There is one thing we know about law suits and that is, more law suits are filed by business against other business than any law suits filed against the oil and gas industry for the environmental damage caused by their operations. And the fact remains that the damages caused to Louisiana's environment negatively affects Louisiana's competitive position more than the law suits themselves.
Now a few words about Louisiana jobs created by the industry. In the past several years Louisiana has lost more oil and gas industry jobs than any other sector because of cut backs due to a surplus of oil and gas on the market which results from over supply and over production. The price of a barrel of oil is still in the $40-50 range and it had been in the $90 range for many years before the fall. But hey, the Oil industry could put many of those laid off workers back to work by restoring the land their operations destroyed over the last 50 plus years. What Louisiana needs to do is expand their business base outside the oil and gas industry and diversify with business more friendly to the environment and the labor market.
This writer was struck by the tell tale sign that Mr. Ehrhardt never once mentioned in his article the damage to Louisiana's environment that was caused by the industry's operations. That is par for the course for those who have become spoke persons for the industry. And yes, lucky for America and Louisiana the country had a President who did his job and saw to it that BP was held accountable for the blow out in the Gulf of Mexico and the resulting damages, including the death of 11 Rig workers.
The idea that the oil and gas industry has paid or continues to pay for the damage to Louisiana's environment through the taxes and or royalties they pay is a fairy tale and a scam. It is also good to remember that BP, after paying out billions of dollars for the damage they caused, continues to operate in Louisiana, on shore sand off shore and are still making money.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, July 16, 2017
It Was One Year Ago This Month When !!!
Candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally asked Russia to find Hillary Clinton's emails because he was hoping to find something damaging on her. The news media only reported the story in general and failed to understand the significance of what Trump said as it related to hacking into an American's privacy. However, this writer did and wrote commentary concerning it here in PolitiDose titled, A Traitor Among Us, dated July 31, 2016.
And now today, with all the new revelations concerning members of Trump's family (son and son in law) meeting with Russian agents one can see how Trump's request of Russia a year ago fits in with Russia's hacking into the election and the democratic national committee's records in order to support Trump for the Presidency. American intelligence confirmed long ago Russia wanted Trump to become President. In other words, Russian hacking was not a isolated act, it was carried out for a purpose and Trump's campaign was willing to cooperate. And this writer believes Donald Trump knew what was taking place. Members of his campaign, especially his son and son in law would have talked to Trump about the meetings.
The Trump-Russian affair even undermines the U.S. relations with our NATO allies, especially after all the negative remarks Trump has made concerning NATO. And of course Putin and Russia would love to see a splintered and ineffective NATO led by the U.S. Trump has put America in harms way with family advisers that do his bidding but are not professional or experienced in political matters and diplomacy. Plus they themselves hate government and people who do have political understanding.
Hopefully, the special prosecutor can complete the investigation in a timely matter concerning the Trump-Russia affair.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
And now today, with all the new revelations concerning members of Trump's family (son and son in law) meeting with Russian agents one can see how Trump's request of Russia a year ago fits in with Russia's hacking into the election and the democratic national committee's records in order to support Trump for the Presidency. American intelligence confirmed long ago Russia wanted Trump to become President. In other words, Russian hacking was not a isolated act, it was carried out for a purpose and Trump's campaign was willing to cooperate. And this writer believes Donald Trump knew what was taking place. Members of his campaign, especially his son and son in law would have talked to Trump about the meetings.
The Trump-Russian affair even undermines the U.S. relations with our NATO allies, especially after all the negative remarks Trump has made concerning NATO. And of course Putin and Russia would love to see a splintered and ineffective NATO led by the U.S. Trump has put America in harms way with family advisers that do his bidding but are not professional or experienced in political matters and diplomacy. Plus they themselves hate government and people who do have political understanding.
Hopefully, the special prosecutor can complete the investigation in a timely matter concerning the Trump-Russia affair.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Saturday, July 15, 2017
President Obama's Policies Toward ISIS Gave The U.S. The Upper Hand On Fighting Terror
Has anyone noticed that the news media and the present administration hardly talk about ISIS any more? Trump tried to use ISIS and Obama's policy as an issue and all the while ISIS was being ejected from every area it occupied in Iraq. And just last week Iraq announced it ejected ISIS from Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq where ISIS was dug in after being captured over 20 months ago.
Iraqi forces with U.S. air and ground support and other allies turned the tide in Iraq. Numerous ISIS top leaders have been killed by U.S. air strikes, their supplies destroyed and funds that helped ISIS recruit and procure weapons have been shut down. The ISIS threat in Iraq has been reduced to isolated bombings. ISIS is now more pre-occupied with terror more in the European nations where the targets are easier. But that will also change as other countries improve their security and learn more about fighting terror.
And President Obama's policies worked with out exposing large amounts of U.S. troops to terror attacks. It was a huge turn around from what the President inherited when he took office in 2009. The Trump administration was the beneficiary of that turn around but after almost 6 months in office, Trump still has no policy in place on the middle east or the fight against terror. Only so called tough talk.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Iraqi forces with U.S. air and ground support and other allies turned the tide in Iraq. Numerous ISIS top leaders have been killed by U.S. air strikes, their supplies destroyed and funds that helped ISIS recruit and procure weapons have been shut down. The ISIS threat in Iraq has been reduced to isolated bombings. ISIS is now more pre-occupied with terror more in the European nations where the targets are easier. But that will also change as other countries improve their security and learn more about fighting terror.
And President Obama's policies worked with out exposing large amounts of U.S. troops to terror attacks. It was a huge turn around from what the President inherited when he took office in 2009. The Trump administration was the beneficiary of that turn around but after almost 6 months in office, Trump still has no policy in place on the middle east or the fight against terror. Only so called tough talk.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, July 14, 2017
Hillary Clinton, Out Of Politics, But Not Forgotton
Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 Presidential election, won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes and now a civilian has maintained intact her character, courage, integrity and devotion to America and public service. Her accomplishments come despite the vicious lies by her republican opponents who could not compete on the issues or articulate any policy of their own.
Her early warnings about Trump during the campaign fell on deaf ears and now the real crooked candidate is in the White House and probably on the road to impeachment. Clinton's thoughts on the economy, Russia and how to deal with the ACA during the campaign now engulfs the Trump administration and the republican party to the point of being a non functional party and government.
While Trump and his party continue to lie and attack everyone, Hillary is satisfied being a wife, mother and grandmother and staying silent on most of the damage being done by the President. Now it is up to the powers that be in politics to straighten out the mess. No doubt Hillary will speak out from time to time on the major issues and rightly so, but won't allow herself to stoop to the low of the present administration.
Hillary Clinton did her best while in politics and was loyal to her country and its people. She will be treated kindly by history when the time comes to write the final chapter. In the mean time her leadership and knowledge is greatly missed. And in November she won the most important aspect of politics and life, that is truth, character and courage.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Her early warnings about Trump during the campaign fell on deaf ears and now the real crooked candidate is in the White House and probably on the road to impeachment. Clinton's thoughts on the economy, Russia and how to deal with the ACA during the campaign now engulfs the Trump administration and the republican party to the point of being a non functional party and government.
While Trump and his party continue to lie and attack everyone, Hillary is satisfied being a wife, mother and grandmother and staying silent on most of the damage being done by the President. Now it is up to the powers that be in politics to straighten out the mess. No doubt Hillary will speak out from time to time on the major issues and rightly so, but won't allow herself to stoop to the low of the present administration.
Hillary Clinton did her best while in politics and was loyal to her country and its people. She will be treated kindly by history when the time comes to write the final chapter. In the mean time her leadership and knowledge is greatly missed. And in November she won the most important aspect of politics and life, that is truth, character and courage.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Trump Jr. Said He Wanted To Be Transparent: Yeah, Right.
Donald Trump Jr. said he wanted to be transparent with a Russian agent and that is why he made his emails public about the matter. His father, the President tweeted that same line of transparency to back up his son's statement. The reality of the story is that Trump Jr. only made his emails public after the New York Times broke the story of his meeting and was also ready to make his emails public.
Transparency concerning the Trump-Russian affair has never taken place. Both the President and Vice President Pence are on the record as saying on numerous occasions that the Trump campaign had no contact with Russia which has proven to be out right lies. And the New York Times just exposed the lie once again with their story of Trump Jr's meeting with a Russian agent.
The Trumps seem like they have a life living in the world of "dirt" and Trump Jr. loved the thought of Russia possessing some "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. But in the end, it was Trump Jr. who was covered with "dirt." Russia knew what Presidential candidate they could deal with and influence and that is why they backed Donald Trump. They also knew Trumps' campaign would do any thing to meet with the Russians. And sadly, Russia is still pulling Trump's strings.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Transparency concerning the Trump-Russian affair has never taken place. Both the President and Vice President Pence are on the record as saying on numerous occasions that the Trump campaign had no contact with Russia which has proven to be out right lies. And the New York Times just exposed the lie once again with their story of Trump Jr's meeting with a Russian agent.
The Trumps seem like they have a life living in the world of "dirt" and Trump Jr. loved the thought of Russia possessing some "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. But in the end, it was Trump Jr. who was covered with "dirt." Russia knew what Presidential candidate they could deal with and influence and that is why they backed Donald Trump. They also knew Trumps' campaign would do any thing to meet with the Russians. And sadly, Russia is still pulling Trump's strings.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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