The republican controlled House and Senate passed approval of the XL Pipeline over a month ago which the President said he would veto and he kept his word and did so. Mitch McConnel, senate majority leader said the senate would vote to overide the President's veto the following week (that was three weeks ago) and as of this date the senate has yet to vote to overide.
Early this month the President blocked a resolution passed by both houses of congress to overturn new union friendly federal regulations issued by the President's administration. The republicans knew the President's position but still voted for the resolution. Both issues continue the republican party's attemp to satisy their business base and are hardly related to the more pressing issues facing the country and its people.
When coupled with their record and rhetoric concerning the Iran negotiations it is evident six plus years into the Obama administration the republicans still lack any sense of commitment to support the President's position on anything. The President has used his veto authority infrequently since he was elecgted but he has used it wisely and has always let the republicans know on what issues he would do so.
The President was elected twice by the people in the United States of America and won both times by not only the electoral vote but also the popular vote. Members of congress represent only a state and districts within that state and their votes are not on a national scale. The republicans have a history of wanting to run the country nationally even when they lose elections. They need to grow up, serve the country and support the duly elected President.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Monday, April 6, 2015
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Religious Freedom: This Writer Has Always Possessed That Freedom
Our forebearers who produced what we now call The United States of America had the wisdom to guarantee its people the separation of church and state. That wisdom has escaped many of our elected officials today who use religion to divide both our country and its people.
This writer has always had and will always have the Freedom of Religion: To pray any time of the day or night at any place because most prayer are done silently, even in church except when the congregation prays together: To respect other people's religion: To attend church services as I deem necessary. To respect the people's right to choose how they live: To respect Christians and non Christians, after all Christianity is only 2000 years old, makkind is much older.
I have the Freedom of Religion: To make my own judgements concerning those who feel they have the right to impose their moral code on some one else: To reject those who use freedom of religion as an excuse to discriminate: To understand how the misuse of freedom of religion is used in the middle east to kill innocent men, women and children in the name of God and I totally reject that: To understand that freedom of religion is personal between an individual and his God.
I also have the Freedom of Religion: To possess freedom of thought: To understand the answer to every problem is not found in religion: I also have the Freedom of Religion to be humble and compassionate, after all, that is what makes Freedom of Religion work.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Louisiana's Film Tax Credit: Another Source Of Loss State Revenue To Business.
Economist Loren Scott in a study for the Louisiana Department Of Economic Development concerning the film tax credit reported the following that appeared in the Times Picayune of 3/25. (1) In 2014 Louisiana spent $222 million in film tax credits and earned back only $51 million or about 23 cents on every dollar spent. That does not represent a fair return of the tax payers money in this writers judgement.
The film tax credit has been in effect since 2002 and was introduced in the state legislature by then state law maker Steve Scalise. Now 13 years later Scalise says he is open to change in the program to insure tax payers dollars are maximized. Yeah right, 13 years after the fact.
Scott estimated the film industry brought in as much as $1 billion in sales and $728 million in household earnings in 2014 supporting as many as 12,100 direct and indirect jobs. He then says the numbers may be skewed because those estimates were based on certified Louisiana spending numbers that include the multi million dollar payments made to well known actors, writers, directors and producers. That those numbers are heroic assumptions that these monies will actually be spent in Louisiana since these individuals are typically not Louisiana residents.
The only reason the film tax credit is in the news is the state faces a $1.6 billion budget deficit for fiscal year that begins July 1 and looking for ways to find the money to balance the budget. Reducing the tax credit is one way to put more tax income in the states treasury.
Louisiana's elected officials have been looking out for business interest instead of the tax payers interest and are willing to reduce state income in doing so and then cut higher education and health care to balance the state budget. The average monthly state unemployment in 2002, the year the film tax credit was established was 5.9%. In February of 2015 the unemployment rate in Louisiana was 6.2%. In other words the unemployment rate is rising in Louisiana while the film industry enjoy more tax breaks and the state has less revenue.
Does anyone really believe Jindal, Scalise and the republican controlled legislature is looking out for the tax payers money and state revenue when the state receives only 23 cents for every dollar given in film tax credits? Those actors, writers, directors and producers who Scott alluded too that are collectors of multi million dollar payments are laughing all the way to the bank and out side of Louisiana to boot.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Special Note: California, the state the movie industry left to come to Louisiana, recently passed Texas as the No. 1 producer of job creation
The film tax credit has been in effect since 2002 and was introduced in the state legislature by then state law maker Steve Scalise. Now 13 years later Scalise says he is open to change in the program to insure tax payers dollars are maximized. Yeah right, 13 years after the fact.
Scott estimated the film industry brought in as much as $1 billion in sales and $728 million in household earnings in 2014 supporting as many as 12,100 direct and indirect jobs. He then says the numbers may be skewed because those estimates were based on certified Louisiana spending numbers that include the multi million dollar payments made to well known actors, writers, directors and producers. That those numbers are heroic assumptions that these monies will actually be spent in Louisiana since these individuals are typically not Louisiana residents.
The only reason the film tax credit is in the news is the state faces a $1.6 billion budget deficit for fiscal year that begins July 1 and looking for ways to find the money to balance the budget. Reducing the tax credit is one way to put more tax income in the states treasury.
Louisiana's elected officials have been looking out for business interest instead of the tax payers interest and are willing to reduce state income in doing so and then cut higher education and health care to balance the state budget. The average monthly state unemployment in 2002, the year the film tax credit was established was 5.9%. In February of 2015 the unemployment rate in Louisiana was 6.2%. In other words the unemployment rate is rising in Louisiana while the film industry enjoy more tax breaks and the state has less revenue.
Does anyone really believe Jindal, Scalise and the republican controlled legislature is looking out for the tax payers money and state revenue when the state receives only 23 cents for every dollar given in film tax credits? Those actors, writers, directors and producers who Scott alluded too that are collectors of multi million dollar payments are laughing all the way to the bank and out side of Louisiana to boot.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Special Note: California, the state the movie industry left to come to Louisiana, recently passed Texas as the No. 1 producer of job creation
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Another Economist Confirms What "PolitiDose" Spoke About Years Ago
Economist Paul Krugman in an editorial of 3/28 in the Times Picayune reported how job creation in the economy has come back from the great republican recession of 2008. He also reported how the republican rhetoric of tax breaks for the wealthy to create jobs is a trickle down fairy tale. (Not in those words)
Krugman does not use the word elite, a word this writer has used to describe conservatism, but goes on to say, "when good news arrives about the budget, the economy or the ACA which is reducing the uninsured numbers while costing much less" it must be denied by republicans. Their ideology utterly depends on the proposition that conservatives and only they, possess the secret key to prosperity. That is the same as thinking they are elite.
The article points out how big business would never admit that govrnment policies can create jobs because that would devalue one of their favorite arguments. The fact shows that democratic administration policies over the years has proved big business wrong concerning job creation. The latest being President Obama's economic policies, job creation, lower unemployment and reducing the deficit.
In line with Mr. Krugman's article, the National Association of Business Economics forecast more hiring, lower unemployment, low inflation and more growth in consumer spending in 2015. They also perdict more investment by business in both equipment and intellectual property.
The key to understanding what has taken place since the great recession is democratic policy. And it happened despite the many obstacles thrown up by the republican party. "PolitiDose" is proud to have played a part in telling this story early on.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Note: Comment by the Nationsl Association of Business Economics quoted above was published in the New Orleans Advocate of 3/31.
Krugman does not use the word elite, a word this writer has used to describe conservatism, but goes on to say, "when good news arrives about the budget, the economy or the ACA which is reducing the uninsured numbers while costing much less" it must be denied by republicans. Their ideology utterly depends on the proposition that conservatives and only they, possess the secret key to prosperity. That is the same as thinking they are elite.
The article points out how big business would never admit that govrnment policies can create jobs because that would devalue one of their favorite arguments. The fact shows that democratic administration policies over the years has proved big business wrong concerning job creation. The latest being President Obama's economic policies, job creation, lower unemployment and reducing the deficit.
In line with Mr. Krugman's article, the National Association of Business Economics forecast more hiring, lower unemployment, low inflation and more growth in consumer spending in 2015. They also perdict more investment by business in both equipment and intellectual property.
The key to understanding what has taken place since the great recession is democratic policy. And it happened despite the many obstacles thrown up by the republican party. "PolitiDose" is proud to have played a part in telling this story early on.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Note: Comment by the Nationsl Association of Business Economics quoted above was published in the New Orleans Advocate of 3/31.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Louisiana Needs State Representative John Bel Edwards To Be The Next Governor
Democratic state representative John Bel Edwards has the political understanding and knowledge needed to be Louisiana's next Governor. He is a "serious" public official who understands the role of leadership in governing and that state government represents the people's business. I believe it is safe to say under Edwards leadership both the state government and its people would prosper.
Representative Edwards has been outspoken in the legislature on the way Gov. Jindal has used gimmicks to balance the state budget that continues to be unbalanced, unnecessary cuts to education, the use of one time money to patch holes in the budget and other legislation that has set Louisiana and its people on a backwards course. Mr. Edward's three republican opponets, Jay Dardenne, David Vitter and Scott Anglee have all been silent on Jindal's mismanagement of state government and his created fiscal disaster that leaves the state a $1.6 billion deficit projected for next fiscal year. Those three republicans, especially U.S. Senator David Vitter have only come aboard recently since they announced their run for governor in speaking against Jindal's fiscal failures. They had been silent up to that time.
Both Jindal and Vitter served in congress during the Bush 43 administration and are familiar with republican fiscal deficits. Both were silent during Bush's watch. Jindal and the Louisiana republican controlled legislature had their chance to move Louisiana and its people forward and they blew it big time. The republicans have no policy, just ideology that pushes them to sign pledges with out of state organizations who care nothing about Louisiana or its people.
Its time for the state to return to the democratic party where history tells us the state and its people have had their best years. To those who say the democratic party can not win in Louisiana I say hogwash. Representative Edwards has a message and policy he will share with the people during this campaign. The republican candidates have the baggage of Jindal and Bush 43 to drag around and can not escape their support of those two failed administrations.
A republican governor has run the state 16 of the past 20 years. Thank goodness democratic governor Kathleen Blance came along in between and restored fiscal health to the state budget while in office. Representative Edwards has a good record as a state legislator and because he has "political understanding" that quality makes him the best candidate to be Louisiana's next governor.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Representative Edwards has been outspoken in the legislature on the way Gov. Jindal has used gimmicks to balance the state budget that continues to be unbalanced, unnecessary cuts to education, the use of one time money to patch holes in the budget and other legislation that has set Louisiana and its people on a backwards course. Mr. Edward's three republican opponets, Jay Dardenne, David Vitter and Scott Anglee have all been silent on Jindal's mismanagement of state government and his created fiscal disaster that leaves the state a $1.6 billion deficit projected for next fiscal year. Those three republicans, especially U.S. Senator David Vitter have only come aboard recently since they announced their run for governor in speaking against Jindal's fiscal failures. They had been silent up to that time.
Both Jindal and Vitter served in congress during the Bush 43 administration and are familiar with republican fiscal deficits. Both were silent during Bush's watch. Jindal and the Louisiana republican controlled legislature had their chance to move Louisiana and its people forward and they blew it big time. The republicans have no policy, just ideology that pushes them to sign pledges with out of state organizations who care nothing about Louisiana or its people.
Its time for the state to return to the democratic party where history tells us the state and its people have had their best years. To those who say the democratic party can not win in Louisiana I say hogwash. Representative Edwards has a message and policy he will share with the people during this campaign. The republican candidates have the baggage of Jindal and Bush 43 to drag around and can not escape their support of those two failed administrations.
A republican governor has run the state 16 of the past 20 years. Thank goodness democratic governor Kathleen Blance came along in between and restored fiscal health to the state budget while in office. Representative Edwards has a good record as a state legislator and because he has "political understanding" that quality makes him the best candidate to be Louisiana's next governor.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, March 29, 2015
The U.S. Congress Passes A Budget
The republican controlled congress passed a budget in both houses that they claim would balance the federal budget in 10 years. Really? The budget cuts $5 trillion over 10 years the republicans say including cuts to medicare and medicaid. Dana Milbank a noted columnist said the budget is one big gimmick. And if the word gimmick sounds familiar its because this writer has described Gov. Jindal's budgets that way here in "PolitiDose" many times over.
No democrat in the House or Senate voted for passage because they are familiar with past republican failures to balance the budget. They have yet to walk the talk since 1960, the year President Eisenhower balanced the federal budget. That was over 55 years ago. Now they say they need 10 more years. At the end of Presidnet Obama's last fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/14 the federal deficit was $483 billion. It was $1.4 trillion at the end of President Bush's last fiscal year budget. So the Obama administration has reduced the deficit over $900 Billion in just 5 years. The republicans are telling the people they need 10 more years to balance less than half the $900 billion reduction in 5 years by the President. The President has already put the country on the path to a balanced budget.
The republican budget also contains tax breaks for the wealthy and the repeal of the ACA. The republican control of congress and their actions so far still represent the failed policies of past republican administrations. Their conservative right wing ideology still will not allow them to be truthful to the people, not even those who support them.
But America still has hope because President Obama will not allow this bankrupt budget to become law.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
No democrat in the House or Senate voted for passage because they are familiar with past republican failures to balance the budget. They have yet to walk the talk since 1960, the year President Eisenhower balanced the federal budget. That was over 55 years ago. Now they say they need 10 more years. At the end of Presidnet Obama's last fiscal year budget that ended 9/30/14 the federal deficit was $483 billion. It was $1.4 trillion at the end of President Bush's last fiscal year budget. So the Obama administration has reduced the deficit over $900 Billion in just 5 years. The republicans are telling the people they need 10 more years to balance less than half the $900 billion reduction in 5 years by the President. The President has already put the country on the path to a balanced budget.
The republican budget also contains tax breaks for the wealthy and the repeal of the ACA. The republican control of congress and their actions so far still represent the failed policies of past republican administrations. Their conservative right wing ideology still will not allow them to be truthful to the people, not even those who support them.
But America still has hope because President Obama will not allow this bankrupt budget to become law.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
The 2016 Presidential Campaign: What This Writer Would Like To See.
U.S. republican Senator Ted Cruz announced on Monday he is running for President. It was the first official announcement by any so called candidate, republican or democratic. There will be more republicans making the same announcement soon. It is this writers hope that democratic candidates make no such announcements before Labor day. That applies even if only one democratic candidate decides to run.
What the country and the people need are shorter campaigns. That makes more sense for so many reasons, one which is the show business attitude on the part of the news media and its coverage. Another reason is we know the drill. The republicans campaign will be one of personal attacks as usual and little policy explanation. The democratic campaign will be one of policy and where they stand on the issues.
The candidates all have records known to the voters. The country does not need a rerun of that but that has been what campaigns are made of. The news media wants the campaign to last forever because of the money they make on ads and etc., and their power of sound bites and spin. The Fox News Network believes Hillary Clinton will be the democratic nominee and already started their constant attacks months ago. It will only get worse.
This writer would like to see two or three democratic candidates run for their party's nomination. And I would like to see at least one new face among them with solid credentials, policy plans, mature judgement and thought, courage and a sense of understanding the mistakes of the past in order to achieve a better future for the country and the people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
What the country and the people need are shorter campaigns. That makes more sense for so many reasons, one which is the show business attitude on the part of the news media and its coverage. Another reason is we know the drill. The republicans campaign will be one of personal attacks as usual and little policy explanation. The democratic campaign will be one of policy and where they stand on the issues.
The candidates all have records known to the voters. The country does not need a rerun of that but that has been what campaigns are made of. The news media wants the campaign to last forever because of the money they make on ads and etc., and their power of sound bites and spin. The Fox News Network believes Hillary Clinton will be the democratic nominee and already started their constant attacks months ago. It will only get worse.
This writer would like to see two or three democratic candidates run for their party's nomination. And I would like to see at least one new face among them with solid credentials, policy plans, mature judgement and thought, courage and a sense of understanding the mistakes of the past in order to achieve a better future for the country and the people.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Will The Oil and Gas Industry Ever Operate In A Truthful Way?
How many times have you heard the Industry and their republican friends say the Obama Administration is not offering enough land for lease for drilling, especially in the Gulf Of Mexico? This writer has heard that over and over and most recently from the President of Lafourche Parish which was the topic of a recently commentary here in "PolitiDose."
Well, guess what? Federal regulators announced the week of 3/16 that only 195 bids were placed Wednesday on leases in the Gulf on 41 million acres off the coast of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Last years sale which was equivalent, the industry offered 380 bids and the year before more than 500 bids. This years bids of 195 were the lowest since 1986 when 129 bids were submitted.
So what happened? Why so little bids on the offshore acreage? The Oil industry had an answer, the falling price of a barrel of oil. Offshore drilling is so expensive it can not be done at today's price for a barrel of oil. The fact of the matter there has never been a shortage of leases to drill on in state lands or federal lands and acreage. The industry and their republican mouth pieces just can not tell the truth about the subject matter of leasing acreage for exploration and or drilling.
It should be noted that those 195 bids covered over 920,000 acres. This lease sale is just another reason to understand why the domestic Oil industry's exploration, drilling and production will never make the U.S. independent of foreign oil. Other reasons have been explained in previous commentary here in "PolitiDose." It is sad when you have an industry so important to the economy and our daily lives that just can not be truthful and elected officials who are not only willing to be their spoke persons but take it a step farther and lie to the people who elect them. Louisiana has more than enough elected officials who are ditto heads on the subject matter.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Well, guess what? Federal regulators announced the week of 3/16 that only 195 bids were placed Wednesday on leases in the Gulf on 41 million acres off the coast of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Last years sale which was equivalent, the industry offered 380 bids and the year before more than 500 bids. This years bids of 195 were the lowest since 1986 when 129 bids were submitted.
So what happened? Why so little bids on the offshore acreage? The Oil industry had an answer, the falling price of a barrel of oil. Offshore drilling is so expensive it can not be done at today's price for a barrel of oil. The fact of the matter there has never been a shortage of leases to drill on in state lands or federal lands and acreage. The industry and their republican mouth pieces just can not tell the truth about the subject matter of leasing acreage for exploration and or drilling.
It should be noted that those 195 bids covered over 920,000 acres. This lease sale is just another reason to understand why the domestic Oil industry's exploration, drilling and production will never make the U.S. independent of foreign oil. Other reasons have been explained in previous commentary here in "PolitiDose." It is sad when you have an industry so important to the economy and our daily lives that just can not be truthful and elected officials who are not only willing to be their spoke persons but take it a step farther and lie to the people who elect them. Louisiana has more than enough elected officials who are ditto heads on the subject matter.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Louisiana's Gubernatorial Candidates Address The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association
Louisiana Republican candidates for Governor Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, Public Service Commissioner Scott Anglee and U.S. Senator David Vitter along with Democratic Representative John Bel Edwards spoke at a breakfast forum sponsored by the Louisiana Oil and Gas Assoc. in Lake Charles, Louisiana as reported by the Associated Press in the Times Picayune of 3/14.
All three Republicans committed to (1) work with the industry concerning changes to regulatory and civil law changes pushed by the industry. (2) Dardenne and Vitter oppose the local lawsuits filed against the companies for coastal wetlands damage. Angelle was reported to say the blame game will not fix the coast. (No the oil companies should. This writers thoughts) (3) All three said changes were needed to the "legacy lawsuits" pushed by the industry that were passed last year.
Democrat John Bell Edwards refused to embrace several of the lawsuit limitations and changes sought by the industry in (1) above, saying reasonable people can disagree on where to strike a balance. On (2) above Edwards said the courts should decide whether the lawsuits have merit and did not believe the legislature was the proper place to tell local governments that they can't pursue action. Edwards voted against those changes in (3) above saying he could not reach a compromise he could support.
All four candidates support the state's 50 year $50 billion coastal restoration plan. Vitter told the industry the "litigation climate" is the biggest problem we have for our business environment and says more changes are needed to the state's civil court system. (The usual republican rhetoric)
All three republicans told the industry group they or a family member worked in the industry or business related to the industry at one time or another. Their comments represent the same republican positions, weaker laws and regulations and no accountability. They said everything the industry wanted to hear and Vitter even went over the top with his civil law changes.
Democrat John Bel Edwards more than held his own with reasonable answers and did not attend the forum to tell the industry what they wanted to hear. He seems to understand the industry is doing very well in Louisiana under the existing laws. This writer can see that Mr. Edwards will campaign on the issues facing the state with sound policy ideas and that the republicans will continue to talk about easing business regulations and civil laws and try to tie that to job creation and a better economy. Present governor Bobby Jindal has tried that and it failed. And of course they are on record as opposing the lawsuits against the industry. Yet they have no proposal to deal with the environmental damage they inflicted. Mr. Edwards does, let the courts decide.
The coming election for governor will give the people a clear choice this writer believes and "PolitiDose" will be there with political commentary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
All three Republicans committed to (1) work with the industry concerning changes to regulatory and civil law changes pushed by the industry. (2) Dardenne and Vitter oppose the local lawsuits filed against the companies for coastal wetlands damage. Angelle was reported to say the blame game will not fix the coast. (No the oil companies should. This writers thoughts) (3) All three said changes were needed to the "legacy lawsuits" pushed by the industry that were passed last year.
Democrat John Bell Edwards refused to embrace several of the lawsuit limitations and changes sought by the industry in (1) above, saying reasonable people can disagree on where to strike a balance. On (2) above Edwards said the courts should decide whether the lawsuits have merit and did not believe the legislature was the proper place to tell local governments that they can't pursue action. Edwards voted against those changes in (3) above saying he could not reach a compromise he could support.
All four candidates support the state's 50 year $50 billion coastal restoration plan. Vitter told the industry the "litigation climate" is the biggest problem we have for our business environment and says more changes are needed to the state's civil court system. (The usual republican rhetoric)
All three republicans told the industry group they or a family member worked in the industry or business related to the industry at one time or another. Their comments represent the same republican positions, weaker laws and regulations and no accountability. They said everything the industry wanted to hear and Vitter even went over the top with his civil law changes.
Democrat John Bel Edwards more than held his own with reasonable answers and did not attend the forum to tell the industry what they wanted to hear. He seems to understand the industry is doing very well in Louisiana under the existing laws. This writer can see that Mr. Edwards will campaign on the issues facing the state with sound policy ideas and that the republicans will continue to talk about easing business regulations and civil laws and try to tie that to job creation and a better economy. Present governor Bobby Jindal has tried that and it failed. And of course they are on record as opposing the lawsuits against the industry. Yet they have no proposal to deal with the environmental damage they inflicted. Mr. Edwards does, let the courts decide.
The coming election for governor will give the people a clear choice this writer believes and "PolitiDose" will be there with political commentary.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph's Point of View Article
President Charlotte Randolph in her "point of view" article in the Times Picayune of 3/13/15 follows a typical pattern of public officials who are incapable of telling the truth when it comes to the oil and gas industry and President Obama. Randolph's statement that "President Obama does not comprehend just how vital domestic oil and gas development is to heating his constituents home and etc." comes right out of the conservative's play book.
The author talks about how some areas are set aside to exclude drilling and that is holding back production. She then goes on to say "we import 40% of our oil, a baffling number considering that we have plentiful resources to produce all the petroleum we need." I'm sure Randolph is familiar with oil baron Boone Pickens since she knows so much about the oil and gas industry. He's the fellow who in 2008 was on TV every week reminding the people that the U.S. is importing 70% of its oil. Well by Randolph's number our situation has improved 30% and it happened on President Obama's watch.
When it comes to areas that exclude drilling the author has it all wrong. The federal and state governments are still offering huge areas for lease to the industry. Randolph was silent on the fact that the industry leases, owns or rents thousands of acres of land where they have not even drilled one well. In fact the industry participated in a lease sale in Louisiana concerning federal lands in the past few weeks.
There is a sad point in the article where Randolph said the President gave little consideration as to how the moratorium after the BP blow out would hurt Gulf Coast economies. The President was concerned about the 11 rig workers who were killed and their family and the fact that BP and the industry had no answers. The President made the right decision while Randolph was concerned with the economy, never mind about BP's negligence.
As pointed out in "PolitiDose" the oil industry will never make the U.S. independent of foreign oil (even though they have the capability to do so) as explained. The industry has always had its best years under Democratic administrations and they are having their best years under President Obama's administration.
Charlotte Randol[ph, President of Lafourche Parish became another public servant who has volunteered to be a mouth piece for the oil and gas industry. It was noticeable Randolph said nothing about the industry's destruction of Louisiana's environment that is subject of a lawsuit by the Levee Board and Jefferson Parish.
And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The author talks about how some areas are set aside to exclude drilling and that is holding back production. She then goes on to say "we import 40% of our oil, a baffling number considering that we have plentiful resources to produce all the petroleum we need." I'm sure Randolph is familiar with oil baron Boone Pickens since she knows so much about the oil and gas industry. He's the fellow who in 2008 was on TV every week reminding the people that the U.S. is importing 70% of its oil. Well by Randolph's number our situation has improved 30% and it happened on President Obama's watch.
When it comes to areas that exclude drilling the author has it all wrong. The federal and state governments are still offering huge areas for lease to the industry. Randolph was silent on the fact that the industry leases, owns or rents thousands of acres of land where they have not even drilled one well. In fact the industry participated in a lease sale in Louisiana concerning federal lands in the past few weeks.
There is a sad point in the article where Randolph said the President gave little consideration as to how the moratorium after the BP blow out would hurt Gulf Coast economies. The President was concerned about the 11 rig workers who were killed and their family and the fact that BP and the industry had no answers. The President made the right decision while Randolph was concerned with the economy, never mind about BP's negligence.
As pointed out in "PolitiDose" the oil industry will never make the U.S. independent of foreign oil (even though they have the capability to do so) as explained. The industry has always had its best years under Democratic administrations and they are having their best years under President Obama's administration.
Charlotte Randol[ph, President of Lafourche Parish became another public servant who has volunteered to be a mouth piece for the oil and gas industry. It was noticeable Randolph said nothing about the industry's destruction of Louisiana's environment that is subject of a lawsuit by the Levee Board and Jefferson Parish.
And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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