The Cassidy-Graham health care bill is in the news and should be voted on next week by the U.S. Senate according to statements by the republican party. Cassidy, who represents Louisiana in the U.S. Senate and Graham have long been opponents of the ACA and like their republican colleges have lied time and time again about the ACA and their own party's health care plans. Both voted for the last republican health care plan in the Senate which failed. Like the House plan that failed, it was not a health care plan at all. It was a fraud and a ploy that the CBO report tore apart.
The Cassidy-Graham bill, like the previous House and Senate bills took place with out public input and both Cassidy and Graham said they were opposed to that but like the ditto heads in their party still support the bill. Cassidy is no friend to the people of Louisiana and governor John B. Edwards is right in his opposition to their latest bill. Cassidy also punted the Kimmel rule he said he supports to the states which is a cop out. Conservative opinion writers in Louisiana have given Cassidy a pass on his health care positions because he is a doctor and actually supported his work in the republican health care plans. But now, since the Cassidy-Graham bill is being exposed as a continuing republican fraud, some of those opinion writers are changing their tune.
Well, what else is new. PolitiDose has pointed out Cassady and the republican scam and lies many times over in previous commentary from the very beginning. It is really not hard to understand the republicans failure to govern and the lies they use to justify their actions. And once again, as issues unfold, you read it here first in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, September 21, 2017
The Trumpet Man and The Rocket Man Share Many Of The Same Traits
Both of them (President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un) try and talk tough because they can not articulate in trying to communicate, they are both bombastic, confrontational, divisive, liars, unqualified for the office they hold, dishonest and ego driven to the point of self adulation. And Tuesday, the trumpet man in his very first appearance and speech before the United Nations in New York was uninspiring.
Instead of representing the interest of the United States in a Presidential manner the trumpet man tried to lecture the U.N. members in a non productive speech, especially concerning North Korea and Iran. He choose the wrong setting to degrade the Iran agreement and vowed to totally destroy North Korea if they threatened the U.S. or its allies. That statement concerning North Korea was a change from what the trumpet man and his national security team has been saying for months. Their position all along was the rocket man actually threatened the U.S but now the word IF has been added. PolitiDose in previous commentary pointed out that the rocket man never threatened the U.S. and certainly never said they would totally destroy the U.S. The rocket man did say North Korea's nuclear capabilities helped balance any threat from the U.S.
Remarks by the trumpet man on the Iran agreement was very un-Presidential like so many other remarks he has made in the past. Trying to link the agreement to other issues after the fact indicates the trumpet man lacks any policy to deal with those issues. Thank goodness President Obama's administration had an effective policy to deal with the various problems and issues.
The words threat, threaten and threatening are being used by the trumpet man and those who want war with North Korea, like George W. Bush used the words in the run up to war in Iraq. The rocket mans nuclear weapons are a threat just like China and Russian nuclear weapons are a threat, but none has threatened the U.S. with their use or vowed to totally destroy the United States. There is a difference. North Korea has kept the armistice that ended the Korean War in July 1953 and will not launch a preemptive war against any one for obvious reasons. Their only means of supporting a war is financial help from China and Russia and those two countries have problems of their own and would not support any nuclear war that would likely spread.
France's President Emmanuel Macron who is friendly with President Trump took sharp exceptions to the trumpet man's speech concerning North Korea and Iran and pointed out the Iran agreement is solid, robust and verifiable and that renouncing it was a grave error. Macron also spoke about an issue the trumpet man ignored, climate change, and said the planet will not negotiate with us. On North Korea Macron said France rejects escalation and will not close any doors to dialogue.
The answer to the Korean problem is still a united Korea. One country, one people, one leader and one government. And one day the U.S. will have a leader with the wisdom and courage who understands the problem and stands up and leads in that direction. This writer would not be surprised if some one else stands up in that regard before a U.S. President does. And which ever way it happens, remember, you read it hear first in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Instead of representing the interest of the United States in a Presidential manner the trumpet man tried to lecture the U.N. members in a non productive speech, especially concerning North Korea and Iran. He choose the wrong setting to degrade the Iran agreement and vowed to totally destroy North Korea if they threatened the U.S. or its allies. That statement concerning North Korea was a change from what the trumpet man and his national security team has been saying for months. Their position all along was the rocket man actually threatened the U.S but now the word IF has been added. PolitiDose in previous commentary pointed out that the rocket man never threatened the U.S. and certainly never said they would totally destroy the U.S. The rocket man did say North Korea's nuclear capabilities helped balance any threat from the U.S.
Remarks by the trumpet man on the Iran agreement was very un-Presidential like so many other remarks he has made in the past. Trying to link the agreement to other issues after the fact indicates the trumpet man lacks any policy to deal with those issues. Thank goodness President Obama's administration had an effective policy to deal with the various problems and issues.
The words threat, threaten and threatening are being used by the trumpet man and those who want war with North Korea, like George W. Bush used the words in the run up to war in Iraq. The rocket mans nuclear weapons are a threat just like China and Russian nuclear weapons are a threat, but none has threatened the U.S. with their use or vowed to totally destroy the United States. There is a difference. North Korea has kept the armistice that ended the Korean War in July 1953 and will not launch a preemptive war against any one for obvious reasons. Their only means of supporting a war is financial help from China and Russia and those two countries have problems of their own and would not support any nuclear war that would likely spread.
France's President Emmanuel Macron who is friendly with President Trump took sharp exceptions to the trumpet man's speech concerning North Korea and Iran and pointed out the Iran agreement is solid, robust and verifiable and that renouncing it was a grave error. Macron also spoke about an issue the trumpet man ignored, climate change, and said the planet will not negotiate with us. On North Korea Macron said France rejects escalation and will not close any doors to dialogue.
The answer to the Korean problem is still a united Korea. One country, one people, one leader and one government. And one day the U.S. will have a leader with the wisdom and courage who understands the problem and stands up and leads in that direction. This writer would not be surprised if some one else stands up in that regard before a U.S. President does. And which ever way it happens, remember, you read it hear first in PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Monday, September 18, 2017
The President's Withdrawal From The Paris Climate Accord Backfires
When President Trump announced he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris accords he told America he would renegotiate the accord to get a better deal and would put something together to do so with other nations. European leaders responded by saying there would be no renegotiation to the accord after all the work done between the parties over a long period of time
That left Trump alone against the world concerning climate change so now we hear from Trump's national security adviser H.R. McMaster who now says Trump left the door open to re-enter the Paris accords at some later time if there can be a better deal for the U.S. Trump found out he could not bully those members party to the accord and did not have the character to make the announcement himself to the people he serves.
It is typical of Trump's bad decisions by trying to talk tough and then having to reverse course and eat crow. He is also catching flack at home and abroad concerning his withdrawal because climate change is real. Trump, the candidate was willing to say anything during the campaign and now has to leave the mess to his appointees to answer. He finds he can not "tweet" himself out of trouble any more.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
That left Trump alone against the world concerning climate change so now we hear from Trump's national security adviser H.R. McMaster who now says Trump left the door open to re-enter the Paris accords at some later time if there can be a better deal for the U.S. Trump found out he could not bully those members party to the accord and did not have the character to make the announcement himself to the people he serves.
It is typical of Trump's bad decisions by trying to talk tough and then having to reverse course and eat crow. He is also catching flack at home and abroad concerning his withdrawal because climate change is real. Trump, the candidate was willing to say anything during the campaign and now has to leave the mess to his appointees to answer. He finds he can not "tweet" himself out of trouble any more.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Trump's Eight Month Dally Could Cost America and Its People
Wednesday President Trump will be in office 8 months with no achievements on the economy which he said was his number one priority. The man who said he took over a government that was in terrible shape actually lied about that and his priority shifted to health care republican style which wasted so much more time.
The economy and jobs have yet to be addressed my Trump or his majority party that will keep the economy moving and creating jobs. The federal deficit has not been addressed nor has trade, except for Trump's bragging about redoing NAFTA to favor the U.S. Time has been wasted talking about a WALL that is not a WALL any more but other forms of border control that has gone no where. DACA has been kicked down the road for 6 months and so called tax reform will not happen until the end of the year it it happens at all.
In the mean time, there is no policy, only Trump's usual rants against those his ego feels threatened by. Eight months in and still no political understanding or character are displayed by the President. He dislikes political correctness because it would shame his lies and allow him to operate in a corrupt business mode.
The economy, jobs and all that goes with it needs attention to survive and keep operating at a level to keep the country moving forward. That lacking for the past 8 months could bring on an economic slowdown and at the wrong time. The President needs to act and start now to prevent any economic problems that can be avoided. Too much time has already been wasted by this President and the investigation that is ongoing concerning Russia and the President's conflict of interest suits will continue to dictate how he spends his time. His responsibility is to the country and its people first but so far he has shown he is incapable of following even that simple task.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The economy and jobs have yet to be addressed my Trump or his majority party that will keep the economy moving and creating jobs. The federal deficit has not been addressed nor has trade, except for Trump's bragging about redoing NAFTA to favor the U.S. Time has been wasted talking about a WALL that is not a WALL any more but other forms of border control that has gone no where. DACA has been kicked down the road for 6 months and so called tax reform will not happen until the end of the year it it happens at all.
In the mean time, there is no policy, only Trump's usual rants against those his ego feels threatened by. Eight months in and still no political understanding or character are displayed by the President. He dislikes political correctness because it would shame his lies and allow him to operate in a corrupt business mode.
The economy, jobs and all that goes with it needs attention to survive and keep operating at a level to keep the country moving forward. That lacking for the past 8 months could bring on an economic slowdown and at the wrong time. The President needs to act and start now to prevent any economic problems that can be avoided. Too much time has already been wasted by this President and the investigation that is ongoing concerning Russia and the President's conflict of interest suits will continue to dictate how he spends his time. His responsibility is to the country and its people first but so far he has shown he is incapable of following even that simple task.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Good Economic News for America's Middle Class and President Obama's Economic Policy
The U.S. Census Bureau reported median household income in America was $59,037 in 2016 which surpassed the previous record high of $58,655 in 1999. The numbers are adjusted for inflation. The Bureau said the increase in earnings were due to so many people finding full time jobs and or better paying jobs. The poverty rate fell to 12.7%, the lowest since 2007. Also, Americans with out health insurance dropped last year to 8.8% largely due to the ACA.
The good economic news reflects the results of the sound economic policies of the Obama administration that left behind the carnage of the great republican recession of the George W. Bush administration. It was a slow recovery due to the severity of the recession but was a steady recovery gaining back all 7 million jobs lost and creating new jobs now in its 83rd. straight month. And it was the democratic controlled congress who passed Obama's economic plan and stimulus early in his first term which the republicans opposed.
And once again PolitiDose was at the forefront early on in predicting the democratic administration of President Obama would lift the country back into economic good times because of precedent. And the Obama administration did it despite allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire and the republican promise not to lift a finger to help Obama soon after he was elected President. The administration also left office with a smaller deficit than Obama took office, some thing no republican President has accomplished in the last 50 years.
It is no surprise to this writer the previous record median family income as noted herein took place in the year 1999, because that was the democratic administration of President Bill Clinton who presided over the greatest economy and job creation of the 20th century. To make it easy to understand, the administrations of Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama created more jobs in the 16 years they served than all the republican administrations since 1929.
Yes, my fellow Americans, President Obama bequeathed to President Trump an expanding economy that is creating jobs with increasing income and a much smaller deficit, a safer and strong America and a sane approach to governing. And one day, history will record what Trump will leave to his successor. Until then, democrats are still the best at governing in all phases.
Note: For Job creation, see my commentary dated 9/5/2010 titled, Job Creation for Presidential Terms, 1929-2008.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tim Morris Joins Donald Trump In The Blame Game As Usual
This time with his opinion column in the Times Picayune dated 9/8 titled, "Obama's Overreach Created Immigration Showdown." Morris does not like the reaction by the public concerning Trump's actions on DACA so he blames Obama. It is typical of conservative opinion writers and republicans to blame any thing negative that happens on the republican watch on the democrats. Trump punted the issue to congress because he has failed to send any immigration plan to congress like he talked about in the campaign.
The fact of the matter is the democratic controlled Senate passed immigration reform during Obama's administration with 7 republican Senators voting with the democratic majority. That sent the bill to the republican controlled House and their leader at the time John Boehner never took up the bill, not even for debate and he let it die. Obama asked congress at the time to send him an immigration bill and the democrats did their part. The republicans in the House failed to do their part and as a result President Obama used his executive powers to create DACA.
Morris says in his column that congress is the place for immigration reform. He is right on that and then ignored the fact that the republicans controlled both houses of congress during Obama' last two years in office and still failed to take up the issue even though Obama wanted them to do so. If any one created immigration showdown it is because of the republicans in congress and their failure to act.
Trump boxed his own self in during the campaign when he said if elected he would deport 12 million immigrants. During the republicans Presidential debates his opponents laughed at that silly statement and now as President can not keep his promise so he has punted immigration to congress. But Morris, like a good ditto head, will continue to blame democrats for Trumps and the republicans failures on immigration reform.
Note: The immigration bill passed by the Senate provided increased funds for border security and controls and was a good bill. All Trump and the republican controlled congress has to do is re-introduce the democratic immigration bill and debate the issue with changes if necessary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The fact of the matter is the democratic controlled Senate passed immigration reform during Obama's administration with 7 republican Senators voting with the democratic majority. That sent the bill to the republican controlled House and their leader at the time John Boehner never took up the bill, not even for debate and he let it die. Obama asked congress at the time to send him an immigration bill and the democrats did their part. The republicans in the House failed to do their part and as a result President Obama used his executive powers to create DACA.
Morris says in his column that congress is the place for immigration reform. He is right on that and then ignored the fact that the republicans controlled both houses of congress during Obama' last two years in office and still failed to take up the issue even though Obama wanted them to do so. If any one created immigration showdown it is because of the republicans in congress and their failure to act.
Trump boxed his own self in during the campaign when he said if elected he would deport 12 million immigrants. During the republicans Presidential debates his opponents laughed at that silly statement and now as President can not keep his promise so he has punted immigration to congress. But Morris, like a good ditto head, will continue to blame democrats for Trumps and the republicans failures on immigration reform.
Note: The immigration bill passed by the Senate provided increased funds for border security and controls and was a good bill. All Trump and the republican controlled congress has to do is re-introduce the democratic immigration bill and debate the issue with changes if necessary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Smackdown: Vikings 29 -- Saints 19 and bountty gate continues to rule
The Saints started off the regular season again with a loss. It was the fourth straight season of doing so and the fall out from bounty gate continues. The Vikings looked like a team who wanted to win, while the Saints looked like the same old Saints of the last several years.
Brees and the offense had a problem getting the football in the end zone when they reached the red zone and had to settle for four field goals, until late in the game when they scored their only touchdown. Bradford, the Vikings quarterback played at a higher level than Brees and kept his offense moving.
The Saints defense that many bragged about during the preseason did not live up to their expectations and gave up a lot of big plays and lots of yardage. This writer previously raised the caution flag concerning Saints defensive co-ordinator Dennis Allen who does not have a past record of being a successful defense co-ordinator. And Sean Payton does not have a record of hiring successful defensive co-ordinators. One game does not make a season but playing poorly too often has become a Saint habit.
The bounty gate fiasco is still playing a negative role on the Saint's team both with the players and coaching staff. The Saints ownership, general manager and head coach have offered nothing new to the teams downward spiral but all three continue to take home huge pay checks. So does Brees even though the Saints have 4 losing seasons in their last five. Some things never change until its too late.
And the New Orleans sports writers offer nothing new in their evaluation of the team. They still do not know the difference between a preseason game and a regular season game. What a shame.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, September 10, 2017
The Democrats Lead and President Trump and The Republicans in Congress Follow
President Trump was talking about shutting down the government if congress did not pass a funding bill that included money for Trump's WALL and tying other revenue and expenses to the overall bill that had to be passed by September 30, the end of the governments fiscal year to avoid a shutdown. The republicans in congress said there would be no government shutdown but some demanded attachments to the funding bill which was a non starter for the democrats who have always supported a stand alone bill to keep the government running.
The republicans shut the government down during the Obama administration for a short time because they wanted to tie the repeal and replacement of the ACA to the funding bill. The democrats in congress broke that with a clean CR and the shutdown ended. This time around, the President and the congress are controlled by the republican party and the party still wanted attachments to the bill. The democrats wanted a clean bill to deal with the funding to keep the government opened and proposed a clean spending bill and increase in the debt ceiling until December 8. That would give congress more time to address the issue with out shutting the government down. Trump accepted the proposal and the congress voted to approve.
But the republican controlled U.S. House needed the democratic vote for passage as 90 republicans voted no. The republicans wanted an extension beyond December 8, and the democrats objected. What Trump and the republicans should do between now and December 8 is come up with a clean funding bill with the democrats to fund the government thru the next fiscal year that will end on September 30, 2018. DACA, immigration reform and other issues should be handled separately to avoid future fiscal cliffs at the last moment.
Democrats have a better record at governing and accomplishing things and have put Trump and the republicans on notice they will fight for stand alone issues such as DACA, immigration reform and tax reform and not tie those issues to other legislation that can not pass or be so diluted will accomplishment nothing.
Here we are 22 days from September 30 and Trump and the republican controlled congress could not even agree on a stand alone funding bill and increase in the debt ceiling to keep the government open and they could not come to terms with their own selves and party and inform the people of their decision. It took the democratic leadership of Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Nancy Pelosi to make the case.
Now we will see the second time around, what actions Trump and the republicans take between now and December 8. Will they act timely and get the job done, or will they run the string out to the last minute and enact legislation that does not address the issues. Do they dare tell the American people how they will proceed?
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The republicans shut the government down during the Obama administration for a short time because they wanted to tie the repeal and replacement of the ACA to the funding bill. The democrats in congress broke that with a clean CR and the shutdown ended. This time around, the President and the congress are controlled by the republican party and the party still wanted attachments to the bill. The democrats wanted a clean bill to deal with the funding to keep the government opened and proposed a clean spending bill and increase in the debt ceiling until December 8. That would give congress more time to address the issue with out shutting the government down. Trump accepted the proposal and the congress voted to approve.
But the republican controlled U.S. House needed the democratic vote for passage as 90 republicans voted no. The republicans wanted an extension beyond December 8, and the democrats objected. What Trump and the republicans should do between now and December 8 is come up with a clean funding bill with the democrats to fund the government thru the next fiscal year that will end on September 30, 2018. DACA, immigration reform and other issues should be handled separately to avoid future fiscal cliffs at the last moment.
Democrats have a better record at governing and accomplishing things and have put Trump and the republicans on notice they will fight for stand alone issues such as DACA, immigration reform and tax reform and not tie those issues to other legislation that can not pass or be so diluted will accomplishment nothing.
Here we are 22 days from September 30 and Trump and the republican controlled congress could not even agree on a stand alone funding bill and increase in the debt ceiling to keep the government open and they could not come to terms with their own selves and party and inform the people of their decision. It took the democratic leadership of Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Nancy Pelosi to make the case.
Now we will see the second time around, what actions Trump and the republicans take between now and December 8. Will they act timely and get the job done, or will they run the string out to the last minute and enact legislation that does not address the issues. Do they dare tell the American people how they will proceed?
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, September 7, 2017
President Donald Trump: Unable To Lead By Example
The true character of a President is revealed when he leads by example. Un-fortunately, President Trump does not display that Presidential character even though he has been in the White House almost eight months. The signature issues he campaigned on and continues to talk about as President lack leadership by example and he is still playing the blame game.
Trump has failed to lead by example on the issue of Mexico paying for his border wall. He has had 18 months to inform congress and the people how Mexico will pay for the wall and instead threatened to shut down the government if congress did not fund the wall. Ditto on the issue of repealing and replacing the ACA. Trump said he had a health care plan to do so and would introduce his plan then never did so. As a result he placed blame on the republican party and its leadership. And to top it off, the news media never asked Trump about his plan, especially the conservative news media.
Ditto on the issue of tax reform. When a President refuses to make his tax returns public like past Presidents, he has no credibility on tax reform because he has something to hide and shows no leadership by example. Ditto on the issue of immigration concerning DACA. He said he would end DACA and then passed it off to his Attorney General and now wants congress to deal with it in six months. But the fact is Trump and the republicans in congress have showed no example how they would do immigration reform and in fact are actually against it.
Ditto on the issue of Made in America and Buy American which Trump is saying is taking place now. But Trump and his family business still operate manufacturing plants in China, Mexico and other foreign countries and can not lead by example on the issue until he moves those factories to the U.S.
Ditto no the issue of Past Presidents separating themselves from their financial interest so there is no question of conflict of interest. Trump has failed to lead by example big time and actually makes a mockery of the issue along with his family. There are several suits pending against Trump on the matter.
These are not the only issues but the ones Trump has pushed since being elected. The TV star who tried to sell his leadership is a piece of fake news and fiction and just one other reason why he has few accomplishments and his latest job approval rating is at 34%. Yes, America has a President incapable of leading by example.
NOTE: Trump has been on the road this week touting tax reform, but the news media noted, the President gave no details of his plan to be consumed by the public. Again, Trump has failed to lead by example on an issue important to all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Job Creation and The Unemployment Rate For The Month of August
The U.S. Labor Department reported the economy created 156,000 jobs in August and the unemployment rate came in at 4.4%, up from the 4.3% in July. It was the 83rd straight month of positive job growth for the economy. The Department also reported job growth for June and July was revised down by 41,000 jobs. Most economist were expecting job creation to be in the 180,000 range for August.
Hourly wage growth was up 2.5% on average the past 12 months. Usually when unemployment is in the 4% range the average wage growth is between 3.5 and 4% the Department reported. Trump called the Labor Department's job creation numbers during the Obama administration fake and now brags about the job creation numbers since he took office. He said the same thing about the unemployment rate.
September 30 will actually end President Obama's last fiscal year and the federal governments 2016-2017 fiscal year. And October 1 will begin Trumps very first fiscal year and after the republican controlled congress passes Trumps first fiscal year budget when they return to work this week, the American people will see how the future plays out economically and politically.
Because of Trump's behavior the past seven months as President and the failed economic record of previous republican administrations, this writer is not optimistic. But hope is eternal.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Hourly wage growth was up 2.5% on average the past 12 months. Usually when unemployment is in the 4% range the average wage growth is between 3.5 and 4% the Department reported. Trump called the Labor Department's job creation numbers during the Obama administration fake and now brags about the job creation numbers since he took office. He said the same thing about the unemployment rate.
September 30 will actually end President Obama's last fiscal year and the federal governments 2016-2017 fiscal year. And October 1 will begin Trumps very first fiscal year and after the republican controlled congress passes Trumps first fiscal year budget when they return to work this week, the American people will see how the future plays out economically and politically.
Because of Trump's behavior the past seven months as President and the failed economic record of previous republican administrations, this writer is not optimistic. But hope is eternal.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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