On April 17, 2010 I wrote a commentary for "Politidose" about the Wall Street Banks that were described as "too big to fail" and which received federal assistance that was part of a $700 billion bailout plan called TARP. I pointed out that any bank that was "too big to fail" was a monopoly and should be broken up by the federal government for the good of the country, the people and the economy.
J.P. Morgan Chase, one of the banks who received federal bailout money has been in the news recently and the federal government announced they have been fined billions of dollars for their illegal actions in the mortgage industry and other banking operations and that they are still under a criminal investigation for their actions. J.P. Morgan was one of the banks described as "too big to fail."
Now would be a good time for the federal government to break up this monopoly called J.P. Morgan but there is still no clamor in Washington to do so. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is the only elected official who has been consistent in her calls to have the justice department file criminal charges against the Wall Street Banks involved in the collapse and she has also been consistent in wanting them to be broken up.
President's Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman would have broken them up long ago and would have had the support of congress and the justice department to do so. But we now live in the age of wealth that is used to paralyze our elected officials and the enforcement of federal regulations. The corruptive practices of Wall Street is well known and how they use their influence to manipulate the markets and the federal regulatory system. Those federal agencies that have the power to regulate the U.S.banking system and the Wall Street banks need to step up to the plate and carry out their responsibilities. The people, country and the national economy has been cheated by business monopolies for too long. It is a classic case of influence by wealth and those involved need to pay the price big time.
Hopefully President Obama, congress and the justice department will move to break up those Wall Street Banks that make up the monopoly and send any one in those orginazations to jail if indeed criminal activity was involved. There is no better time than now.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
The Noise Machine and The Affordable Care Act
The Republican noise machine and their leading surrogate, the Fox News Network continue to try and undermine the Affordable Care Act and the Obama administration in general concerning the start up and the problems that have been encountered along the way. The noise has been ignored by the uninsured who have already signed up and are satisfied with the results. Having a chance to obtain health insurance is what is important to their cause and if more of the uninsured would follow that lead and tune out the negative voices the noise machine would die a painful death.
The President and democrats in congress should make it clear the Affordable Care Act will be implemented despite the republican noise and that the President will veto any bill that comes to his desk even if some democratics join in passing a bill that would effectively kill the Act. The President and democratic party are on the right side of this issue and should not let next years congressional elections scare them.
Those insurance companies who semt out cancellation notices to their policy holders and failed to inform them they had an option with the ACA are not good corporate citizens nor honest ones. The policy holders who received cancellation letters need to step up and find out just what options they do have with the ACA. It would be worth while to investigate and find out on their own so they can get a handle on the facts. Insurance companies are monopolies and they will not do any thing on their own to help the cause of the uninsured.
The noise machine and Fox News have no credibility on the subject matter because of the hatred they have for the President. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Republican cooperation with President Obama has been non existing in the past five years, so for them, the future is like the past. President Obama and the democrats in congress will be on their own so it will be up to them to stay the course and take the fight to the republican party and their noise machine.
This commentary written by John Lucia
The President and democrats in congress should make it clear the Affordable Care Act will be implemented despite the republican noise and that the President will veto any bill that comes to his desk even if some democratics join in passing a bill that would effectively kill the Act. The President and democratic party are on the right side of this issue and should not let next years congressional elections scare them.
Those insurance companies who semt out cancellation notices to their policy holders and failed to inform them they had an option with the ACA are not good corporate citizens nor honest ones. The policy holders who received cancellation letters need to step up and find out just what options they do have with the ACA. It would be worth while to investigate and find out on their own so they can get a handle on the facts. Insurance companies are monopolies and they will not do any thing on their own to help the cause of the uninsured.
The noise machine and Fox News have no credibility on the subject matter because of the hatred they have for the President. Understanding the past is still the key to the future. Republican cooperation with President Obama has been non existing in the past five years, so for them, the future is like the past. President Obama and the democrats in congress will be on their own so it will be up to them to stay the course and take the fight to the republican party and their noise machine.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Sunday, November 17, 2013
MSNBC's Hardball Chat With Chris Matthews and Joe Scarborough On November 11
Chris and Joe's chat on "Hardball" appeared to be an attempt to show that in the past Democrats and Republicans worked together in Congress to get things done for the country and its people and that Republicans today have nothing to offer in the way of cooperation or policy. Of course anyone who follows our political system knows the problem today with Republicans did not start with the Tea Party, it actually started when Newt Gingrich became their leader in congress during the 90's. In fact President Reagan had a hand in that prior to Newt when he proclaimed "government is the problem".
Both Chris and Joe were promoting their new books during their chat and forgot history. Democrats in congress have always cooperated more with Republican administrations than Republicans in congress cooperated with Democratic administrations.
Joe served in congress from 1995 to 2001and supported the so called Gingrich revolution and signed onto the Republicans "contract on America" which America did not ask for. Joe also voted against the Small Business Job Protection Act and supported the impeachment of President Clinton over a sexual affair even though several Republicans in congress were having their own sexual affairs. The Republicans in congress when Joe was there acted against President Clinton just like todays's Republicans are acting against President Obama.
Chris worked in Washington also as an aide to Tip who was Speaker of the House for the Democratic party and often recalls how Reagan and Tip worked together. Joe spoke about how the Republicans worked with Clinton to balance the federal budget, but failed to tell the true story. The Democratic controlled both houses of congress in 1993 and passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan and not one single Republican in the U.S. House and Senate voted yes, they all voted no and predicted record unemployment, massive job losses, a failed economy and an explosion in the federal deficit. Of course they were all wrong and the people knew.
When Clinton's first balance budget and surplus came in at the end of fiscal year 1998 Clinton threw a party for the Democrats in congress. The Republicans in congress were not invited and their nose was out of joint because of that but the President reminded them they voted against his plan and did not deserve to be there. Republicans do have a history of trying to take credit for the good things that happen during Democratic administrations but it will not wash.
Chris and Joe seem not to have learned much about the Washington they worked in or the media they now serve in. They yearn for a return to the times between Ike and Reagan's year but have forgotten what has taken place between Reagan and Obama. This writer agrees with Chris and Joe that the Tea Party sucks and are a disgrace to our democratic system. But where have they been for the last four and a half years when the Republican leaders in congress promised not to do anything that would help President Obama move the country and its people forward, even after the second great Republican depression of 2008.
Seems like Chris and Joe forgot all about that.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Both Chris and Joe were promoting their new books during their chat and forgot history. Democrats in congress have always cooperated more with Republican administrations than Republicans in congress cooperated with Democratic administrations.
Joe served in congress from 1995 to 2001and supported the so called Gingrich revolution and signed onto the Republicans "contract on America" which America did not ask for. Joe also voted against the Small Business Job Protection Act and supported the impeachment of President Clinton over a sexual affair even though several Republicans in congress were having their own sexual affairs. The Republicans in congress when Joe was there acted against President Clinton just like todays's Republicans are acting against President Obama.
Chris worked in Washington also as an aide to Tip who was Speaker of the House for the Democratic party and often recalls how Reagan and Tip worked together. Joe spoke about how the Republicans worked with Clinton to balance the federal budget, but failed to tell the true story. The Democratic controlled both houses of congress in 1993 and passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan and not one single Republican in the U.S. House and Senate voted yes, they all voted no and predicted record unemployment, massive job losses, a failed economy and an explosion in the federal deficit. Of course they were all wrong and the people knew.
When Clinton's first balance budget and surplus came in at the end of fiscal year 1998 Clinton threw a party for the Democrats in congress. The Republicans in congress were not invited and their nose was out of joint because of that but the President reminded them they voted against his plan and did not deserve to be there. Republicans do have a history of trying to take credit for the good things that happen during Democratic administrations but it will not wash.
Chris and Joe seem not to have learned much about the Washington they worked in or the media they now serve in. They yearn for a return to the times between Ike and Reagan's year but have forgotten what has taken place between Reagan and Obama. This writer agrees with Chris and Joe that the Tea Party sucks and are a disgrace to our democratic system. But where have they been for the last four and a half years when the Republican leaders in congress promised not to do anything that would help President Obama move the country and its people forward, even after the second great Republican depression of 2008.
Seems like Chris and Joe forgot all about that.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Friday, November 15, 2013
Louisiana Purchased: Times Picayune Story By Manuel Torres and Lee Zurik
The only real news in this story is that the names of people and businesses are identified along with the amount of campaign contributions. The story line is old and known to any one who follows politics on a state or federal level. The known story line is that elected officials do indeed give special interest groups special favors because of the money received to run their campaigns.
Businesses and other groups along with the elected officials all give the same answer when the subject matter comes up. Their answer is there is no "quid pro quo" which Webster's dictionary describes "as one thing in return for another." In other words there is no connection between the campaign contributions given and the special treatment the donors receive. Of course everyone knows that is a fairy tale to the highest degree.
The corrupted money practice will only stop when voters condem both the elected officials and those special interest groups who care nothing about the harm they do to democracy, the political system and the people. Wealth and the ability to use it has been substituted in order to reward the few at the expense of the many.
Make no mistake, the influence that is sought thru campaign contributions and the favors granted by elected officials to those special intrest groups are not to advance the economy, jobs, the state or the working class, it is sought to transfer wealth from the average person to the wealthy that has been taking place now for many years.
In the November 13 article in the Times Picayune the following statement at the top of the article read. "the state isn't inforcing its limits on campaign contributions from PAC'S." If that sounds familiar its because the state is guilty of a lack of enforcement concerning the environmental damage caused by the operations of oil and gas drilling, production and pipeline operations in Louisiana and it has been going on for over 40 years.
There is a very simple way that elected officials can end the corrupted practice that goes along with campaign contributions. They have the power to refuse any and all campaign contributions and there is no court in the land that can force them to do so. That would not cost the state one cent and would remove the money influence. Will Mr. Torres and Zurik's story change things for the better? I have my doubts. Elected officials have the authority of law to change the system, what is lacking is leadership, character, courage and the balls to do so.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Businesses and other groups along with the elected officials all give the same answer when the subject matter comes up. Their answer is there is no "quid pro quo" which Webster's dictionary describes "as one thing in return for another." In other words there is no connection between the campaign contributions given and the special treatment the donors receive. Of course everyone knows that is a fairy tale to the highest degree.
The corrupted money practice will only stop when voters condem both the elected officials and those special interest groups who care nothing about the harm they do to democracy, the political system and the people. Wealth and the ability to use it has been substituted in order to reward the few at the expense of the many.
Make no mistake, the influence that is sought thru campaign contributions and the favors granted by elected officials to those special intrest groups are not to advance the economy, jobs, the state or the working class, it is sought to transfer wealth from the average person to the wealthy that has been taking place now for many years.
In the November 13 article in the Times Picayune the following statement at the top of the article read. "the state isn't inforcing its limits on campaign contributions from PAC'S." If that sounds familiar its because the state is guilty of a lack of enforcement concerning the environmental damage caused by the operations of oil and gas drilling, production and pipeline operations in Louisiana and it has been going on for over 40 years.
There is a very simple way that elected officials can end the corrupted practice that goes along with campaign contributions. They have the power to refuse any and all campaign contributions and there is no court in the land that can force them to do so. That would not cost the state one cent and would remove the money influence. Will Mr. Torres and Zurik's story change things for the better? I have my doubts. Elected officials have the authority of law to change the system, what is lacking is leadership, character, courage and the balls to do so.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
The Federal Budget Deficit And Federal Spending: Another Huge First For"PolitiDose."
The Federal Government's fiscal year that ended 9/30/13 was President Obama's fourth fiscal year and the deficit came in at $680 billion, down from the $1.08 trillion deficit of fiscal year ending 9/30/12. Federal spending came in at $3.45 trillion, down 2.4% from fiscal year ending 9/30/12 that was $3.53 trillion. Federal revenue was up 13.3% to $2.77 trillion.
Any one who follows "PolitiDose" should not be surprised at the above numbers as it has been pointed out many times over that democratic administrations always do better than republican administrations in all area's of the budget and the economic well being of America. The news media in general are still ignorant concerning those matters and have no clue. They love to repeat the lies of republican talking points.
President Obama's four fiscal years has seen the smallest growth in federal spending in over 52 years. The following numbers tell the story.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/09 Bush's last fiscal year was $3.517 trillion.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/10, Obama's first fiscal year was $3.45 trillion, down 1.7% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/11 Obama's second fiscal year was $3.60 trillion, up 4.2% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/12 Obama's third fiscal year was $3.53 trillion, down 1.8% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/13 Obama's fourth fiscal year was $3.45 trillion, down 2.4% from previous year.
And once again as this writer has pointed out in the past it is a democratic administration that has controlled federal spending, reduced the federal deficit, created jobs, reduced unemployment and put the economy back on track. And it has happened despite the republicans promise to obstruct and do nothing to help the President and despite having to deal with the worst economic and fiscal depression since the great depression of 1929. And there should be no doubt in any ones mind that unemployment would be under 6% had the republican controlled house passed Obama's job's program to rebuild the nations infrastructure they have been sitting on for the past two years. That legislation was passed by the senate and was fully funded with out increasing the federal deficit. Our economic house would also be a lot stronger had the U.S. House acted.
When Vice President Chaney said in public, deficits don't matter while the Bush administration was turning President's Clinton's balanced budgets and surplusess into deficit spending and debt the republican party who controlled both houses of congress during most of Bush's time in office looked the other way and the news media was silent.
Yes, my fellow Americans democratic administrations with a liberal philosophy are better at moving the country and its people forward economically and in fiscal matters than republican administrations with a conservative ideology. The factual numbers published by the CBO, the Labor Department, the Treasury and other governmental agency's tell the real story. And information concerning the budget deficit, federal spending, the national debt, unemployment and other economic and fiscal matters can be found here in "PolitiDose" in past commentaries.
Special Note: No republican administration has reduced year to year federal spending in the past 50 years even when their party controlled both houses of congress or when congress was split.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Any one who follows "PolitiDose" should not be surprised at the above numbers as it has been pointed out many times over that democratic administrations always do better than republican administrations in all area's of the budget and the economic well being of America. The news media in general are still ignorant concerning those matters and have no clue. They love to repeat the lies of republican talking points.
President Obama's four fiscal years has seen the smallest growth in federal spending in over 52 years. The following numbers tell the story.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/09 Bush's last fiscal year was $3.517 trillion.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/10, Obama's first fiscal year was $3.45 trillion, down 1.7% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/11 Obama's second fiscal year was $3.60 trillion, up 4.2% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/12 Obama's third fiscal year was $3.53 trillion, down 1.8% from previous year.
Federal spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/13 Obama's fourth fiscal year was $3.45 trillion, down 2.4% from previous year.
And once again as this writer has pointed out in the past it is a democratic administration that has controlled federal spending, reduced the federal deficit, created jobs, reduced unemployment and put the economy back on track. And it has happened despite the republicans promise to obstruct and do nothing to help the President and despite having to deal with the worst economic and fiscal depression since the great depression of 1929. And there should be no doubt in any ones mind that unemployment would be under 6% had the republican controlled house passed Obama's job's program to rebuild the nations infrastructure they have been sitting on for the past two years. That legislation was passed by the senate and was fully funded with out increasing the federal deficit. Our economic house would also be a lot stronger had the U.S. House acted.
When Vice President Chaney said in public, deficits don't matter while the Bush administration was turning President's Clinton's balanced budgets and surplusess into deficit spending and debt the republican party who controlled both houses of congress during most of Bush's time in office looked the other way and the news media was silent.
Yes, my fellow Americans democratic administrations with a liberal philosophy are better at moving the country and its people forward economically and in fiscal matters than republican administrations with a conservative ideology. The factual numbers published by the CBO, the Labor Department, the Treasury and other governmental agency's tell the real story. And information concerning the budget deficit, federal spending, the national debt, unemployment and other economic and fiscal matters can be found here in "PolitiDose" in past commentaries.
Special Note: No republican administration has reduced year to year federal spending in the past 50 years even when their party controlled both houses of congress or when congress was split.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
The Affordable Care Act Brings The Republican's Anti-American Ideology To The Fore-front
"PolitiDose" seems to be the only news outlet that understands why the republican party spends all its time and energy on negative comments and anti-American propaganda against President Obama and the democratic party. The various hosts on cable news tells their viewing audience every night that they don't understand why the republican party acts as they do.
Well, beginning in 2007 and over the years since, "PolitiDose" explained in manny commentries that the republican party has no record of accomplishments or record of moving the country and its people forward so they attack and try to control the narrative which the news media gladly follow. That is why they have no policy to campaign on. The most recent example is the November elections when Romney's only policy was tax cuts and his campaign was about attacking the President.
Republican strategist believe as long as they attack democrats no one will ask them what they themselves stand for and the media obliges. Their current attacks against the Affordable Care Act is a good example. They say their idea's are better for the uninsured but had 8 years under Bush 43 to come up with a health plan and failed to do so. And they have had four and a half years under President Obama to come up with a plan and they are still batting zero for twelve.
The essence of the republican ploy is to obstruct any democratic administration into failure because democratic administrations always do better for the country and its people than republican administrations. That is why they tried and failed to bring down President Clinton over an affair. They could not attack Clinton on the economy, job creation, balanced budgets, low unemployment and etc.,so they tried to destroy his administration with impeachment.
They have been trying to destroy the Obama administration because once again it is a democratic administration that is reducing the federal deficit, creating jobs, improving the economy, reducing federal spending and reversing the damage to the country and its people that the Bush administration bequeathed to President Obama and the nation.
The republicans shut down the government three times in their effort to cripple President's Clinton and Obama. The last time it was done to destroy the economic recovery taken place after the second great republican depression of 2008. The party has become a traitor party because they can not compete with the democratic party in policy or ideas. They have zero policy ideas and are a disgrace not only to the office of the President and all Americans, they are a disgrace to our democratic system of government and a disgrace to the people they were chosen to represent. And to top it off they use lies as prt of their planned rhetoric.
The people should never forget it is estimated the republican shutdown of government cost the country $24 billion.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Note: For past commentaries dealing with the subject matter see A Fiscal Responsible Government dated 4/30/07, President Obama And Fiscal Stability dated 11/8/09 and An Economic Turnaround, Job Creation, and Fiscal Stability: There Is A Precedent. dated 12/14/09.
Well, beginning in 2007 and over the years since, "PolitiDose" explained in manny commentries that the republican party has no record of accomplishments or record of moving the country and its people forward so they attack and try to control the narrative which the news media gladly follow. That is why they have no policy to campaign on. The most recent example is the November elections when Romney's only policy was tax cuts and his campaign was about attacking the President.
Republican strategist believe as long as they attack democrats no one will ask them what they themselves stand for and the media obliges. Their current attacks against the Affordable Care Act is a good example. They say their idea's are better for the uninsured but had 8 years under Bush 43 to come up with a health plan and failed to do so. And they have had four and a half years under President Obama to come up with a plan and they are still batting zero for twelve.
The essence of the republican ploy is to obstruct any democratic administration into failure because democratic administrations always do better for the country and its people than republican administrations. That is why they tried and failed to bring down President Clinton over an affair. They could not attack Clinton on the economy, job creation, balanced budgets, low unemployment and etc.,so they tried to destroy his administration with impeachment.
They have been trying to destroy the Obama administration because once again it is a democratic administration that is reducing the federal deficit, creating jobs, improving the economy, reducing federal spending and reversing the damage to the country and its people that the Bush administration bequeathed to President Obama and the nation.
The republicans shut down the government three times in their effort to cripple President's Clinton and Obama. The last time it was done to destroy the economic recovery taken place after the second great republican depression of 2008. The party has become a traitor party because they can not compete with the democratic party in policy or ideas. They have zero policy ideas and are a disgrace not only to the office of the President and all Americans, they are a disgrace to our democratic system of government and a disgrace to the people they were chosen to represent. And to top it off they use lies as prt of their planned rhetoric.
The people should never forget it is estimated the republican shutdown of government cost the country $24 billion.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Note: For past commentaries dealing with the subject matter see A Fiscal Responsible Government dated 4/30/07, President Obama And Fiscal Stability dated 11/8/09 and An Economic Turnaround, Job Creation, and Fiscal Stability: There Is A Precedent. dated 12/14/09.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
President Obama Stood Tall
The President was the mature voice concerning the budget/shutdown/default issue and displayed his character and courage in staying the same course that moved the country and its people out of the second great republican depression. The President knows more about the federal budget than the republicans in congress and knows that federal spending has seen the smallest increase in over 50 years on his watch and that run away federal spending is not happening on his watch as republicans claim.
The republican's position on the subject matter was an ideology exercise and extension of the party's plan to sabotage the economy and the President was not going to let that happen. He articulated to the American people the harm that the republican's position would do to the country and the economy and he did so in a mature responsible way without personal attacks.
The people were exposed to the republican's childish attitude to the more mature attitude of the President and the democratic party who are more attuned to the needs of the country and its people and are not obsessed with personal attacks against the opposition party. The congress is in need of serious people who understand what public service really means and who are willing to work for the public good. The Tea Party clowns lack the basic knowledge of what government service is all about.
The President also continues to stand tall by reducing the deficit dramatically and putting the country on the right path to a balanced budget. This writer has pointed out in many previous commentary how it is republican administrations that have failed to balance the budget and has given the country record deficit spending. The President knows that deficit spending would not be a problem today if President George W. Bush had balanced the federal budget like Clinton did.
President Obama needs to continue to stand tall and be the mature President for America. The childish republicans in congress have been exposed for what they really are and what they are up to. The President needs to continue to push his programs for the benefit of the country and to continue to create jobs. Full employment is attainable if republicans will work with him.
Those who hate government should remember, the government is run by people and it takes mature people who are willing to put government service before their own misplaced ideology.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The republican's position on the subject matter was an ideology exercise and extension of the party's plan to sabotage the economy and the President was not going to let that happen. He articulated to the American people the harm that the republican's position would do to the country and the economy and he did so in a mature responsible way without personal attacks.
The people were exposed to the republican's childish attitude to the more mature attitude of the President and the democratic party who are more attuned to the needs of the country and its people and are not obsessed with personal attacks against the opposition party. The congress is in need of serious people who understand what public service really means and who are willing to work for the public good. The Tea Party clowns lack the basic knowledge of what government service is all about.
The President also continues to stand tall by reducing the deficit dramatically and putting the country on the right path to a balanced budget. This writer has pointed out in many previous commentary how it is republican administrations that have failed to balance the budget and has given the country record deficit spending. The President knows that deficit spending would not be a problem today if President George W. Bush had balanced the federal budget like Clinton did.
President Obama needs to continue to stand tall and be the mature President for America. The childish republicans in congress have been exposed for what they really are and what they are up to. The President needs to continue to push his programs for the benefit of the country and to continue to create jobs. Full employment is attainable if republicans will work with him.
Those who hate government should remember, the government is run by people and it takes mature people who are willing to put government service before their own misplaced ideology.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Payton And Brees Not So Prolific When Playing A Well Coached Defense
New England coach Bill Belichick knows you can not let opposing receivers run wild and not be challenged. He also knows at his age he could complete a pass to a wide open receiver so he had a defensive game plan to cover the Saints receivers in Sunday's game and the results shocked the Saints and their little world.
Belichick, who is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the NFL had his defensive backs in the pocket of Grahamn and Colston all day long and did not give them separation like so many other Saints opponets have done. The Patriot's defensive backs hands were also active in reaching in and knocking the ball away. The results were zero completions to Grahamn and two to Colston. They did not run wild this Sunday all by their lonesome.
The Saints were out coached and out played by a team that was with out the service of its four top receivers. That alone was a major accomplishment by the Patriots. Saints coach Playton's decision to defer the opening kick off as he did last week against the Bears did not work to the Saints advantage. Payton's play calling and selection in the last few minutes of the ball game tells this writer that he thought he had the game won. It fact it looked like the Saint's team had the game won with their looks on the sideline. A wise baseball player by the name of Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till its over." That should be a good lesson for the Saints.
After six games the won loss record of the Saints six opponents stand at 16 wins and 17 losses. Record of the Saints five opponents they defeated stand at 11wins and 16 losses. Only two of the five teams the Saints defeated have a winning record, the Bears are 4-2 and Miami is 3-2. Of the 32 teams in the NFL only 11 teams have a winning record and if history holds true at seasons end the results will be the same or close to it.
Belichick's defense outplayed Payton's offense while Brady out played Brees and threw the winning touchdown pass with 5 seconds left on the clock to a rookie receiver. With so many teams playing under 500 ball it is hard to tell how good the good teams really are. Of course time will tell. In the mean time the Patriots put to bed the talk by New Orleans sports writers and journalists that this Saint team is on the same path as the 2009 team. The Saints are not out of it by no means but sports journalists should let the season unfold, trying to compare at this point in the season may fill air time and the newspaper articles but what does that accomplish.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Belichick, who is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the NFL had his defensive backs in the pocket of Grahamn and Colston all day long and did not give them separation like so many other Saints opponets have done. The Patriot's defensive backs hands were also active in reaching in and knocking the ball away. The results were zero completions to Grahamn and two to Colston. They did not run wild this Sunday all by their lonesome.
The Saints were out coached and out played by a team that was with out the service of its four top receivers. That alone was a major accomplishment by the Patriots. Saints coach Playton's decision to defer the opening kick off as he did last week against the Bears did not work to the Saints advantage. Payton's play calling and selection in the last few minutes of the ball game tells this writer that he thought he had the game won. It fact it looked like the Saint's team had the game won with their looks on the sideline. A wise baseball player by the name of Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till its over." That should be a good lesson for the Saints.
After six games the won loss record of the Saints six opponents stand at 16 wins and 17 losses. Record of the Saints five opponents they defeated stand at 11wins and 16 losses. Only two of the five teams the Saints defeated have a winning record, the Bears are 4-2 and Miami is 3-2. Of the 32 teams in the NFL only 11 teams have a winning record and if history holds true at seasons end the results will be the same or close to it.
Belichick's defense outplayed Payton's offense while Brady out played Brees and threw the winning touchdown pass with 5 seconds left on the clock to a rookie receiver. With so many teams playing under 500 ball it is hard to tell how good the good teams really are. Of course time will tell. In the mean time the Patriots put to bed the talk by New Orleans sports writers and journalists that this Saint team is on the same path as the 2009 team. The Saints are not out of it by no means but sports journalists should let the season unfold, trying to compare at this point in the season may fill air time and the newspaper articles but what does that accomplish.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Saturday, October 12, 2013
America and Its People Need A Democratic Controlled Congress In 2014
The November 2014 congressional elections will be one of great importance becuse the people will have an opportunity to say if they agree with a divided government or if they think we should change course and give President Obama an opportunity to work with a democratic controlled congress for his last two years in office.
The present government shutdown, budget battle, possible defaulgt and those that make up the republican party in congress today tell this writer the people and country would be better off with a democratic controlled congress. Our past history, especially in the last 33 years confirms this. The only party in that time period who vowed not to lift a finger to help the President move the country forward is today's republican party. Their vow to obstruck is unprecedented.
Every phase of our economy works better for the people with a democratic President and democratic controlled congress. President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan was passed by the democratic controlled congress in 1993 that gave the country its best economic times and fiscal stability with balanced budgets and surplusses. Every republican in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate voted against that bill. President Obama with a democratic controlled congress passed a $787 billion stimulus package that moved the country out of the second great republican depression, created jobs and helped in reducing the yearly deficits left by the Bush administration. The democratic controlled senate passed Obama's jobs program of rebuilding the nations infrastructure only to see the bill killed by the republican controlled U.S. House.
One could go back past 33 years and you would still find the nation and its people did better under democratic control. You would also find when congress is divided with a republican President, democrats worked with the President and did not obstruct or vow to make him a one term President. Nor did the democrats impeach any republican President over an affair or shut the government down.
To those voters who believe in balancing the federal budget vote democrat for it was President Clinton and President Lyndon Johnson who are the only two Presidents to balance the federal budget in the last 52 years. To those voters who believe federal spending is out of control, vote democratic because federal spending has grown at a much lower rate under Clinton and Obama than any republican Presidential administration in the last 52 years. Federal spending increases under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 increased dramatically. To those voters who believe in job creation vote democratic because job creation has always had its best years under democratic administrations. For instance, more jobs were created under Clinton in the 8 years he served than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 in the 20 years they ran the country.
To those voters who are concerned about taxes, vote democratic because they are better at fair taxation and protecting the average American. To those voters who want to see middle class income grow instead of being stagnet vote democratic because the greatest advancement in middle class income has happened on the democratic watch.
Wht is taking place at the present time with the republicans shutting down government services and having a past history of doing so is unAmerican and a discrace to congress. Their hatred for the President and their willingness to obstruct the President from moving the country from the second great republican depression is tantamont to treason. The older republican party is gone from the scene and the new republican party is mentally incompetent politically and their ideology makes them unfit for office.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
The present government shutdown, budget battle, possible defaulgt and those that make up the republican party in congress today tell this writer the people and country would be better off with a democratic controlled congress. Our past history, especially in the last 33 years confirms this. The only party in that time period who vowed not to lift a finger to help the President move the country forward is today's republican party. Their vow to obstruck is unprecedented.
Every phase of our economy works better for the people with a democratic President and democratic controlled congress. President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan was passed by the democratic controlled congress in 1993 that gave the country its best economic times and fiscal stability with balanced budgets and surplusses. Every republican in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate voted against that bill. President Obama with a democratic controlled congress passed a $787 billion stimulus package that moved the country out of the second great republican depression, created jobs and helped in reducing the yearly deficits left by the Bush administration. The democratic controlled senate passed Obama's jobs program of rebuilding the nations infrastructure only to see the bill killed by the republican controlled U.S. House.
One could go back past 33 years and you would still find the nation and its people did better under democratic control. You would also find when congress is divided with a republican President, democrats worked with the President and did not obstruct or vow to make him a one term President. Nor did the democrats impeach any republican President over an affair or shut the government down.
To those voters who believe in balancing the federal budget vote democrat for it was President Clinton and President Lyndon Johnson who are the only two Presidents to balance the federal budget in the last 52 years. To those voters who believe federal spending is out of control, vote democratic because federal spending has grown at a much lower rate under Clinton and Obama than any republican Presidential administration in the last 52 years. Federal spending increases under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 increased dramatically. To those voters who believe in job creation vote democratic because job creation has always had its best years under democratic administrations. For instance, more jobs were created under Clinton in the 8 years he served than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 in the 20 years they ran the country.
To those voters who are concerned about taxes, vote democratic because they are better at fair taxation and protecting the average American. To those voters who want to see middle class income grow instead of being stagnet vote democratic because the greatest advancement in middle class income has happened on the democratic watch.
Wht is taking place at the present time with the republicans shutting down government services and having a past history of doing so is unAmerican and a discrace to congress. Their hatred for the President and their willingness to obstruct the President from moving the country from the second great republican depression is tantamont to treason. The older republican party is gone from the scene and the new republican party is mentally incompetent politically and their ideology makes them unfit for office.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Important Questions The Sunday Talk Shows Never Ask Their Republican Guest But Should.
If the Republican administration of G.W. Bush had balanced the federal budget like President Clinton did the federal deficit and national debt would not be a budget problem today, so why did your party fail to do so especially since the republican party controlled both houses of congress during most of Bush's eight years in office.
Why did your party rubber stamp Raising the debt ceiling on Bush's watch while the nations fiscal health was being eroded by run away deficit spending and debt. Bill Clinton took office after 24 straight years of deficit spending by previous administrations and put the nations fiscal house in order, balancing the federal budget, creating surpluses and paying down the national debt. Why did the Bush administration and the republican party blow all of that in Bush's very first fiscal year and for all the eight years he served.
Why are you shutting down the federal government and penalizing President Obama and the people because Bush and the republicans in congress did not take care of the counrty's fiscal problems when you had eight years to do so. The national debt doubled on Bush's watch. It stood at $5.8 trillion at the end of Clinton's last fiscal year which ended 9/30/01. That was an increase of $1.3 trillion or 31% from the previous 8 years. The national debt stood at $11.9 trillion at the end of George W. Bush last fiscal year that ended 9/30/09. That was an increase of $6.1 trillion or 105%. A whopping increase. Why did the republican administration let that happen to the country and its people. It was the largest increase in the national debt since the Reagan administration when the national debt tripled on his watch.
No republican President has balanced the federal budget since President Ike in 1960, that was over 52 years ago. But two democratic Presidents balanced the federal budget five times during that same period. The repubicans ran the country 28 of those years and the democrats 24 years, 4 years less than the republicans. How come republicans can not walk the talk about balancing the budget. How many more years do they need to do so.
Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 had 20 years to balance the federal budget and they faild even though they said they would. They failed to walk the talk. Why are republicans so awful at taking care of the country's fiscal health. President Clinton reduced the federal deficit every year in his first term in office. His second term were all balanced budgets and surplusses. The republican gang of three never reduced the deficit four years in a row like Clinton did and in fact none of them got control over reducing the deficit that would lead to a balanced budget. Why can't your party control deficit spending so a balanced budget can take place.
President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan was passed by the democratic controlled congress in 1993. Every republican in the House and Senate voted against that plan and they predicted on the floor of both chambers that the plan would tank the economy, bring about massive job losses, record unemployment and explode the federal deficit. They were proven wrong just like today they are wrong in shutting down the government. Will republicans ever have any positive economic plans for the people or will you continue to promote trickle down economics that has already proved to be a fairytale.
Finally Mr. Republican how could your party and Bush 43 leave such a fiscal and economic mess to President Obama and then after he was elected President tell the nation you wanted to make him a one term President and that you would do nothing to help the President move the country and its people forward. And now you are shutting down the federal government for your own party's mistake.
The above questions should have been asked long ago of the republicans by the Sunday talk shows and other journalists on cable TV. If that were done republicans would have a hard time shutting down the government and using federal spending and the budget to hold the country hostage with their phony trumped up charges. Those journalists have no probative value for their viewing audiences.
The American people are seeing first hand the unAmerican ideology of republican conservatism in congress and the destruction of the institution that represents democracy as envisioned by our founding fathers. The republicans in congress could never be a part of the greatest generation. That really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Above numbers on national debt taken from web site of The U.S. Treasury Department.
Why did your party rubber stamp Raising the debt ceiling on Bush's watch while the nations fiscal health was being eroded by run away deficit spending and debt. Bill Clinton took office after 24 straight years of deficit spending by previous administrations and put the nations fiscal house in order, balancing the federal budget, creating surpluses and paying down the national debt. Why did the Bush administration and the republican party blow all of that in Bush's very first fiscal year and for all the eight years he served.
Why are you shutting down the federal government and penalizing President Obama and the people because Bush and the republicans in congress did not take care of the counrty's fiscal problems when you had eight years to do so. The national debt doubled on Bush's watch. It stood at $5.8 trillion at the end of Clinton's last fiscal year which ended 9/30/01. That was an increase of $1.3 trillion or 31% from the previous 8 years. The national debt stood at $11.9 trillion at the end of George W. Bush last fiscal year that ended 9/30/09. That was an increase of $6.1 trillion or 105%. A whopping increase. Why did the republican administration let that happen to the country and its people. It was the largest increase in the national debt since the Reagan administration when the national debt tripled on his watch.
No republican President has balanced the federal budget since President Ike in 1960, that was over 52 years ago. But two democratic Presidents balanced the federal budget five times during that same period. The repubicans ran the country 28 of those years and the democrats 24 years, 4 years less than the republicans. How come republicans can not walk the talk about balancing the budget. How many more years do they need to do so.
Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 had 20 years to balance the federal budget and they faild even though they said they would. They failed to walk the talk. Why are republicans so awful at taking care of the country's fiscal health. President Clinton reduced the federal deficit every year in his first term in office. His second term were all balanced budgets and surplusses. The republican gang of three never reduced the deficit four years in a row like Clinton did and in fact none of them got control over reducing the deficit that would lead to a balanced budget. Why can't your party control deficit spending so a balanced budget can take place.
President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan was passed by the democratic controlled congress in 1993. Every republican in the House and Senate voted against that plan and they predicted on the floor of both chambers that the plan would tank the economy, bring about massive job losses, record unemployment and explode the federal deficit. They were proven wrong just like today they are wrong in shutting down the government. Will republicans ever have any positive economic plans for the people or will you continue to promote trickle down economics that has already proved to be a fairytale.
Finally Mr. Republican how could your party and Bush 43 leave such a fiscal and economic mess to President Obama and then after he was elected President tell the nation you wanted to make him a one term President and that you would do nothing to help the President move the country and its people forward. And now you are shutting down the federal government for your own party's mistake.
The above questions should have been asked long ago of the republicans by the Sunday talk shows and other journalists on cable TV. If that were done republicans would have a hard time shutting down the government and using federal spending and the budget to hold the country hostage with their phony trumped up charges. Those journalists have no probative value for their viewing audiences.
The American people are seeing first hand the unAmerican ideology of republican conservatism in congress and the destruction of the institution that represents democracy as envisioned by our founding fathers. The republicans in congress could never be a part of the greatest generation. That really says it all.
This commentary written by John Lucia
Above numbers on national debt taken from web site of The U.S. Treasury Department.
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