The Fiscal Health Of The U.S. Government

The federal deficit at the end of President George W. Bush's last fiscal year 9/30/09 was $1.4 trillion.  It was the worst single year fiscal deficit in History and still stands today.  The federal deficit at the end of President Obama's last fiscal year 9/30/17 was $666 billion, an improvement of almost $800 billion over Bush's last year.  No republican President has left office with a smaller federal deficit than when he took office in the past 50 plus years.  The largest increase in the national debt took place on Presidents Reagan and Bush 43,  186% for Reagan and 105% for Bush 43.  Both of those Presidents proclaimed their tax cuts would do wonders for the U.S. government's fiscal house.  It did no such thing.

So now we have the Trump tax plan (scam) and he and the GOP are promoting wonderful things even though the CBO says it will add over $1.4 trillion to the national debt.  And that is in addition ot the projected federal deficit with out the tax cuts.  Now Americas wait to see what the actual numbers  will look like under the Trump administration.  Some are already saying single year trillion dollar deficits will be the norm for some time.  The trumpet man, during the campaign railed against the national debt which results from deficit spending but did not matter to him in his tax plan.

Deficit spending and debt when out of kilter hurts the average American and not the wealthy or corporate America who represent the top 2%.  The 2% are the ones who make millions when the stock market crashes because they are the ones with the resources to buy those good stocks that become cheap and then make a ton of money like they did after the crash in 2008.  Trump has those kinds of resources and the people know little about how much money he makes because he does not have the character or ethics to make his income tax records public like other public servants.  In other words he has something to hide.  The United States has a President who was elected in a democratic country but shuns the responsibility that goes with democracy.  Is it any wonder why he has no respect for our institutions or the people.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Economy and Job Creation For December 2017.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that the economy created 148,000 new jobs in December and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1%.  It was the 87th straight month of positive job growth.  The Department also announced that job creation in October and November was 9,000 less than reported for those months.  Business groups said December job creation was less than expected and will watch the numbers upcoming in 2018.

In December 2016 the economy created 156,000 new jobs during the Obama administration.  What will the year 2018 produce for the economy and job creation?   Trump and the GOP said their tax scam would push the economy and jobs created higher.  Time will tell of course and when one realizes that the present economy, job creation and business profits are doing so well under the old tax system, maybe, just maybe, the people will come to understand not only did President Obama's policies work, but Trump's and the GOP's tax scam was not necessary at all and was only pay back for their special interest people namely corporate America and the wealthy.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another First For PolitiDose: The Trump-Russia Scandal and Collusion

The story is getting deeper folks with the release of a new book, Fire and Fury, Inside The Trump White House authored by Michael Wolff.  Steve Bannon who Trump appointed his chief strategist during the 2016 Presidential campaign, then appointed him to Trump's national security council after becoming President and also continued to serve as Trump's chief strategist after the election was very close to Trump as the appointments indicate.

In the book it is reported that Bannon told Wolff that meeting's between Trump's family members and Russian operatives were "treasonous" among other statements and that Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016 was "treasonous" and "unpatriotic."  The report also makes clear that Bannon considers Trump's son at risk of indictment saying Mueller will crack Don Junior like an egg.

And if the word "treasonous" sounds familiar it is because you read it here first in PolitiDose in commentary dated 7/31/16, titled, "A Traitor Among Us:  Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Russia."  The sad story is that the news media never recognized Trump's treasonous act when he asked Russia to hack Hillary Clinton's email in order to find something damaging he could use against Clinton in the campaign.  It should be obvious that Russia would take that as an invitation to hack into any American computer system.  And it happened at a time Russia was planting lies and other false stories about Hillary in America's social media like Facebook and Google.

Steve Bannon is a right winger who runs Brietbart News and he and Trump are close friends who cater to the fringe.  Both supported Roy Moore who was recently defeated in the Alabama U.S. Senate race.  Trump is trying to distance himself from Bannon since excerpts from the book have been published but Bannon knows what took place during Trump's campaign and his Presidency.

President Trump's criticism of the FBI and the American intelligence community is also treasonous as its purpose is to destroy two American institutions that are investigating Trump and his campaign collusion with Russia and its operatives.  More and more and every day America now understands who the real crooked candidate was in the 2016 campaign and election.  While Donald Trump continues his meltdown and his disgraceful acts to the Presidency, Hillary Clinton still has her character and dignity and still claims the title as the most admired woman in America.

And yes, Hillary still won the popular vote despite Trump's fraudulent voter fraud commission.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Democratic Party Is Needed More Now Than Ever Before

The year 2018 is the year President Trump and the GOP will make a determined effort to roll back Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid using the same kind of scam and scheme they used to justify the recently passed tax cuts.  And the democrats in congress are the only ones who can stop the  assault on those programs.  When you have a republican President and republican controlled congress who are willing to brag about their tax scam you have a very dangerous group of people that would collude with the devil in order to have their way.

The democrats I congress stuck together during the Bush 43 administration and was able to sidetrack Bush's attempt to privatize Social Security.  The Bush republicans in congress said the democrats were obstructing but the democrats held firm and together defeated the republican's attempt.  Now they are ready to make another attempt with Trump and Paul Ryan, speaker of the U.S. House leading the way.  It is no secret that Ryan has been looking forward to making it happen.  The extreme measures that Trump and the GOP have exhibited in 2017 should be cause to alarm all Americans to stand up, be counted and let their voices be heard clear in opposing the coming assault on those programs.

This writer believes the democrats in congress will do their part in protecting those programs that have served the people and their country so well.  And we the public have to support them in their endeavors to do so.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Tim Morris Latest Opinion Column Tries To Sell Trump's Non-existent Economic Policy

As usual, Tim Morris the Times Picayune editorial opinion writer tries to come to the rescue of Donald Trump because he believes Trump is not getting credit for the economy, job creation, a booming stock market, low unemployment and good economic news.  He mentions various reports that is supposed to show Trump is not given credit because of his personal behavior which is self inflicted.  Morris' article was published Jan 3 and was titled, WILL TRUMP GET CREDIT FOR A STRONGER ECONOMY?   Well tell me, Did President Obama ever get credit for a stronger economy than the Bush economy?  Never by republicans or conservative journalists because that would high light that the Bush tax cuts were a failure.

A person does not have to be an economist to understand that Trump and the country is enjoying good economic times because of the Obama administrations policies that ended the great republican recession of 2018 and is in its 9th straight year of economic expansion.  And one must not loose sight that during the 2016 campaign, Trump tried to play down the country's economic success and job creation and like other republicans and conservative journalists did not give President Obama credit for the economic success that took place during his tenure as President.

There is no comparison as to what Obama inherited from Bush and what Trump inherited from Obama.  But when Trump leaves office America will find out if they are better that day than they were when Obama left office.  History and precedent tells this writer the answer will be no.  Speculation that Trump's actions to deregulate and have less regulations will be a catalyst to more business investment in equipment and etc., that will broaden the economy and create jobs is just that, speculation.

Morris is a good ditto head conservative republican opinion writer but lacks objectivity and knowledge of the subject matter he reports on.  He is still caught up in Trump's world of "fake news."


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Notre Dame 21 LSU 17

LSU's poor performance and loss in the 2018 Citrus Bowl was no surprise to LSU fans who are objective when analyzing the football program.  The team was poorly coached and it showed.  The team was not ready to play and showed the same problems that existed under former coach Les Miles.

LSU lacked the ability to rush the Notre Dame quarterback when it was necessary and their offensive pay calling when LSU was inside of Notre Dame's two yard line was vintage Miles running left and right off center into the heart of the Irish's defense and being stuffed.  They then had to settle for three field goals and missed on two of them.

This writer in a commentary dated 12/3/2016 expressed the opinion that LSU should have hired a head coach with a proven winning record instead of coach O.  Who ever was responsible at LSU for making that decision was not football savvy and acted irresponsibly in doing so.  As a LSU follower for over 50 years this writer has a hard time looking forward to next season.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Barack Obama: The Most Admired Man In America In 2017

The Gallop Poll found former President Barack Obama the most admired man in America in 2017.  It was the 10th straight year of such honor to the former President.  It is really not surprising to those who follow politics and the real news.  The former President has accomplished much for the country and its people while in the White House, the U.S. Senate and as a civilian last year.

The same poll found Hillary Clinton as the most admired woman in America in 2017.  It was the 16th time of such honor for her and like Obama justly earned that came from their peers.  Both were true public servants who put the country, its institutions and its people first.  The poll is a rebuke to the negative political atmosphere created in 2017 by President Trump and his year end anemic approval rating of only 32%.

Trump, the ego driven President is in all probability boiling over the poll that bestowed the honor on Obama and Clinton and no doubt will continue to pass the buck of blame to them every time something negative happens on the trumpet man's watch.  But Obama and Clinton know how to defend themselves and as civilians will continue to do and provide those ideas that really matter and make a difference for the country and its people.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The New Orleans Saints, The Playoffs and The NFL

The New Orleans Saints on Sunday loss to Tampa Bay 31-24 ended the Saints regular season on a sour note.  The loss still allowed the Saints to win their division because of Carolina's loss.  They are now scheduled to play Carolina next week to kick off the NFL's playoff series.  This writer believes the Saints are an over rated team and that their early eight game winning streak was misleading.

The Saints will now have to beat Carolina for the third time this season to advance in the playoffs which should tell everyone how terrible the NFL playoff system is set up.  No team should have to do that.  All who read PolitiDose knows this writer thinks the playoff system is a fraud and a sham and that only those teams who win a division title should participate in the playoffs.

This NFL season, only 17 of the 32 teams have a winning record and there are too many bad teams with bad coaches.  Thirty two teams are too many and the college draft has not brought parity to the league like it was predicted.  And it never will because expansion means dilution and less competition.

As for the Saints-Carolina playoff game this coming week end, lit is a game that should never be played.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

What Will The New Year Bring Politically?

Will the 2018 New Year be a repeat of the year 2017 with a dysfunctional President Trump and a republican controlled congress that together failed to govern.  Will Trump be impeached, held accountable for the sexual harassment that numerous women have come forward to talk about.  Will his regressive executive orders that rolled back former President Obama's executive orders fail the country and its people.  Will the democratic party win back both houses of congress in the November elections.

Understanding the past will be the key to what 2018 and beyond may look  like.  The key is there but some have a hard time seeing because "fake news" has become a part of our political system and the news media has lost sight of the importance of holding political leaders accountable on factual matters and pays little attention to the failed policies of the past and how that relates to the future.  Sound bites are the game that is played.


Our nation witnessed in 2017 how Trump gave up the prestige of the office as leader of the free world on those issues that really matter and make a difference and instead shifted to isolation.  Will the trumpet man change that in 2018?  Those in his administration should be talking about that every day.  In just a few more days 2017 will come to an end and when it does a comparison can be made to 2016.  This writer believes any fair minded person would say America, its people, our political engagement and our institutions were better off in 2016.

My judgement is that Trump and the GOP are taking America and its people down the same failed past with their every action and the gains made by the economy since the great recession of 2008 will slowly roll back to unacceptable levels.  Trump's divisiveness is a negative factor in every way and an obstacle to progress.  Tax cuts are not policy that shape the economy the way Trump and the GOP preach.  The economy needs consumers to spend which represents 70% of the economy.  The wealthy and corporate America already have the money to spend what they want to spend without the tax cuts so a tax cut for that group will not result in more spending.  Just ask former President George W. Bush.

A better plan for the economy would be larger tax cuts for the average American who would then possess more buying power to purchase consumer goods.  We know that works for sure in driving the economy and as a result creating new jobs.  During WWII and some years after, the corporate tax rate was in the 90% tax range and the Trump-GOP tax cut that just passed reduces that tax to 21%.  So corporate America has enjoyed a tax reduction over the years in the 70-80% range.  Is it any wonder
why wealth has been transferred from the middle class to the wealthy and why the pay gap continues to grow in favor of the wealthy and corporate America.

The actions taken by Trump and the republican controlled congress in 2017 tells this writer that the future will look  like the failed republican past.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Louisiana's Steve Scalise and Bill Cassidy: A Fake News Editorial

In a co-authored editorial in the Times Picayune of 12/22 both Scalise and Cassidy took Trump's fake news and lies to a new high concerning the GOP's tax cuts.  The article is a sad reminder how much they and Trump have in common.  On the same editorial page there was another article by Michael Russo that told the real story of the Trump-GOP tax scam.

The economic success that both Scalise and Cassidy predict for Louisiana, the economy, job creation and higher wages for the average American did not happen after the Bush tax cuts like the phony GOP said it would.  And of course they omitted that from the editorial.  They also make the fake statement as follows:  STUDIES SHOW THAT PASSAGE OF THIS LAW WILL GENERATE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS OVER THE NEXT DECADE AND BEYOUND.  However, they can not define what studies they are talking about.  Paul Krugman shot that fake news study down a few weeks ago that appeared in a previous Times Picayune article by pointing out that not only had there been any credible study pointing out such a thing, the republicans in congress never held one public hearing on the tax plan matter to get such input from economist or others.

Another piece of fake news concerns Scalise and Cassidy making the statement:  THEY GOT RID OF SPECIAL INTEREST LOOPHOLES.  Actually they did no such thing and did not name any.  They actually created more by caving in to their own party's demands to have enough votes to pass the plan.  Another of their tired worn out statements they tried to pass off was:  AMERICA WAS DEAD LAST IN TAX COMPETITIVENESS.  Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich shot down that piece of fake news long ago and again recently in a Huffington Post commentary.

Scalise and Cassidy's editorial takes up much time and space with fake news and one sentence in the last paragraph reveals that their plan is just one big puff of smoke.  And here is what that one sentence says:  AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS, IT IS LONG PAST TIME THAT AMERICANS TAKE BACK CONTROL OF OUR ECONOMY, OR JOBS AND OUR PAY CHECKS.  Well, that 30 years goes back to the Reagan administration and during that period of time, the economy, jobs, and increase in middle class wages and lower unemployment had its best years under democratic control.  Plus budgets were balanced and deficits were reduced.  And to top it off, more jobs were created under President Clinton in the 8 years he served than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 or Bush 43 in the 20 years they served.  And  Reagan and Bush 43 cut taxes.

The article also made a stupid statement and Scalise and Cassidy shows their ignorance when they said:  THE TAX CUT WILL GET OUR ECONOMY GROWING AGAIN.  Well, the U.S. economy is in its 9th straight year of economic expansion due to the policies of President Obama and the democrats in congress who passed Obama's economic plan to move the country out of Scalise and Cassidy's party great economic recession of 2008 with its massive job loss.  Bush's tax cuts failed to do what the republicans promised.

When it comes to job creation the republican party are no shows.  From 1929 thru 2008, more jobs were created on the democratic watch of Clinton and Carter in the 12 years they served, than were created under all the republican Presidents who served during that same period.  Those republican Presidents were:  Hoover, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 and they served a total of 40 years.  The same would apply if you take the 16 years of Clinton and Obama against those republicans and the numbers are not even close.  (see my previous commentary dated 11/5/10  on the subject matter titled, Job Creation for Presidential Terms:  1929-2008)

Scalise and Cassidy's article only continues the sad state of elected officials who are so used to selling the American people fake news it has become part of their make up.  And as this writer said long before Trump became President, that the GOP and Trump are one and the same came to pass even to their silence to Trump's out right lies.  As for Louisiana, there has been very, very few benefits to the state with the election of both Scalise and Cassidy.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio