Another Positive Jobs Report By The U.S. Labor Department

The U.S. economy created 215,000 new jobs in July and unemployment held at 5.3%.  So far this year the average monthly job growth averaged 211,286.  The government also announced that an additional 14,000 jobs were added in May and June over the original number reported.

Average hourly earnings in July were up 2.1% compared to last July.  Monthly average of people seeking unemployment benefits is near a 15 year low.  The reports indicate the economy continues to add strength and financial people are reporting that the Federal Reserve will probably be raising interest rates in the near future if the economy continues to improve.

President Obama's economic policies continue the precedent of democratic administrations before him in creating jobs and moving the economy forward.  What a contrast to the economic collapse during the Bush 43 administration and the present republican party's position of doing nothing to help the President's agenda.

It is worth repeating, democratic administrations policies create jobs while republican administrations kill jobs because of their conservative ideology.  The record says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Fox News GOP Presidential Debate

We are told that 24 million people watched the Presidential debate on Thursday night sponsored by The Fox News Network.  Unfortunately, 24 million people learned nothing about how the republicans would move the country and its people forward and continue the economic expansion, job creation and falling deficits taking place or how they would address tax inequality and the great divide in income between the wealthy and the average American.

Over 50 years ago Vice President Richard Nixon and U.S. Senator John Kennedy participated in the first ever television Presidential debate.  Television was not as advanced then as it is today, but the people witnessed a debate of substance and two Presidential candidates who articulated their policy and hopes for the future.  The moderator was not caught up in political party's and sought questions that was timely to the happenings and issues at the time.  Now 50 years later I can say in my judgement the television debate process has regressed.  And the Fox News Network, politics and the news media in general are responsible for the regression.  The following is this writers thoughts on Thursday night's debate debacle.

Fox news three moderators were unprofessional and displayed a lack of respect for their own profession and the role of a moderator in a debate.  They took it upon themselves to attack Donald Trump, the dominate republican candidate on the debate stage.  That is not the role of an impartial moderator.  They also invited and opened the door for the republican candidates to attack Clinton.

Trump stood tall when he stuck to his past statement of not ruling out a third party run.  He also ended the silly questions on immigration that wasted so much time when he declared, NO ONE UP HERE WAS TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION UNTIL I BROUGHT IT UP WEEKS AGO.  Trump's opponents and the Fox moderators offered no rebuttal.  Trump also ended the Iraq discussion when he reminded every one he said early on the Iraq war would destabilize the country.  He was right of course and no one offered a rebuttal on that subject either.  Trump also ate Chris Wallace's lunch concerning the silly bankruptcy question.

Ohio governor John Kasich, by his own words came across as the most moderate of all the candidates.  That is hard to find in today's republican party.  His comments were Presidential and refused to attack Clinton even though the Fox moderator offered him that opening in his question.  He also had an answer on same sex couples.  He believes all people should be respected.  When Kasich served in the U.S. House he was not a moderate by any means.  He was one of the many republicans in congress to use personal attacks and voted to impeach President Clinton.  As the campaign progresses we will find out who is the real John Kasich.

Ben Carson's answers were Presidential and displayed an overall knowledge of the problems facing America. He also displayed his witty side.  Jeb Bush flubbed the Iraq question once again when he said the war was an intelligence failure.  Of course adults who lived during that war know it was his brother and Dick Cheney who cooked the intelligence.  Bush never really seemed connected and his answers were a programmed stump speech.

Marco Rubio displayed his debate talent but his words ring hollow.  He is part of the republican party who vowed to do nothing that would help President Obama.  He is also part of the republican controlled congress that will continue to kick immigration reform down the road until after the 2016 election.  He and the party do not want to explain their position on immigration to the people in an election year.  Rubio's remark about democrats and God displayed the republican's inability to accept the God whose name they often invoke and inject into politics.

Rand Paul had a heated exchange with Chris Christie about a matter that goes back to 9-11 concerning the NSA's collection of intelligence.  That matter has already been debated in congress and acted upon.  Congress as a whole has not handled the issue very well and was a non starter.  Both of their position on the Iran deal matter more than NSA.

The last question to the candidates by the Fox moderator about "speaking with God today" was the usual attempt by Fox news and the republicans to inject religion into the Presidential debate and campaign as a wedge and divisive issue.  They would like to see the U.S. become like the middle east where religion is used to justify extreme positions.  Fox news and the republican party has cast aside one of the Ten Commandments that tells us, THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN.  This writer believes the Lord thy God would not approve of the way Fox news and the republican party uses his name for political reasons.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Another Foreign Policy Accomplishment For The Obama Administration

Turkey will allow the United States a base of operations on its territory where by the U.S. will launch its drones and manned aircraft to fight the war against ISIS and other similar terror groups in Syria.  Turkey has also recently joined the fight against ISIS, something it has been reluctant to do in line with its policy of being independent.

The Turkish government refused to allow the U.S. to use its territory as a base to invade Iraq despite repeated attempts by President Bush and V.P. Cheney who made multiple trips to Turkey to seek approval. The government in Turkey did not believe it was a necessary war and that war would destabilize the region.

President Obama's policy in the middle east of having middle east countries fight the war against ISIS and terror in general is being accepted more and more and will pay off in the long run.  Turkey's decision is a major one for the region and their military is more than capable of fighting the fight.

Two years ago the news media were predicting ISIS would be in control of all Iraq in another few months.  It never happened.  The American people have been lied to over and over concerning Iraq and the middle east and the leaders of Israel have been guilty of some of the worst lies.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told congress over a year ago Iran would have a nuclear weapon in 6 months.  It has none even now.

President Obama's policy concerning the middle east is the United States best chance to achieve some stability over there.  The Iran agreement is another right step to deal with that country's nuclear ambitions.  Diplomacy and the right policy can accomplish much when leaders recognize a problem and understand perpetual war is not the answer.

President Obama will not end his term in office as a lame duck.  Future leaders should remember that.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Senate Comes Up Short On Planned Parenthood Vote

The republican controlled U.S. Senate fell short of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate in their quest to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood.  So what did the little boys do in the republican party?  Well, they said they would shut down the government.  That is what they did two years ago when they could not get their way and defund the ACA.


Even though their party controls both houses of congress their legislative agenda is out of step with the legislative process.  The party is willing to hold the country and its people hostage once again because of their own right wing ideology.  Is there any wonder why Donald Trump is exposing the republican Presidential field as a bunch of losers with out any accomplishments.

There is another problem the party made for themselves.  They thought President Obama was going to be a lame duck President his last two years in office but discovered the President intended to be active with legislation and executive orders until he leaves office.  That will deny the republicans their plans to control the agenda leading up to the 2016 elections.

The republicans did wrong  to the people by not funding those necessary programs they have put on hold and wasted time by trying to cut off existing programs the President said he would veto.  Gaining control of both houses of congress and not using that advantage to move the country and its people forward is a great example how their ideology has warped their sense of judgement and responsibility.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

LSU, Jeff Duncan And The Preseason Football Poll

The USA Today Amway top 25 coaches preseason football poll was released and LSU was ranked 13th., completely out of the top 10 teams.  New Orleans sports writer Jeff Duncan in the Times Picayune of 7/31 says the poll isn't giving LSU enough respect.  Duncan is bullish on LSU and thinks they are a prime candidate to elbow their way into the college football playoff picture.  He hedges his bet a little by adding, IF THE TIGERS CAN JUST BE SOLID AT QUARTERBACK.

There are probably 3 reasons why the coaches ranked LSU 13th.  (1)  LSU's two quarterbacks, Jennings and Harris are both less than average quarterbacks based on their past performance.  (2)  LSU has a new defensive coordinator and it remains to be seen how well they play.  (3)  Coach Les Miles always seems to find a way to lose a game, especially important ones.  And he has falling behind in the many offensive changes taken place in the game.  

This writer believes those reasons are valid and past commentary in "PolitiDose" has pointed out how Miles has been out coached in many games.  He has failed to change in all the years he has been at LSU.  The Tigers recruiting is still very good over all but has failed to recruit top quarterbacks for the last few years.  With Chavis going to Texas A & M LSU's defense could very well be big trouble.

Preseason polls mean very little now with the play off system.  Also, in sports there are too many factors involved, factors that are even unknown until the first kick off.  Can LSU finish in the top 10?  Sure they can.  I'm not from Missouri (the show me state) but I am from Louisiana and have followed the Tigers for over 50 years and Miles will have "to show me."

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Presidential Campaign Of 2016.

I like the way this Presidential campaign is starting.  The republicans, especially Donald Trump are in the news media daily, especially cable news, while the democrats are taking their campaign on the road directly to the people.  The 17 republican candidates are enjoying a lot of media exposure thanks to Trump and the Fox News Network's up coming debate next week.

Fox news has managed to shoot itself in the foot over the debate format and many republican candidates are angry that the RNC has not taken up their cause of being left out.  The democrats won't have that problem when they debate and will be a more healthy debate for the people.

Most of Trump's republican opponents are elected officials who are in office or who have held office in the past and have more political experience than him.  But Trump has a double digit lead over almost all of them in the polls.  That is an indication that the republicans polled think very little of those nominees ability to govern.  Since several of those republicans are serving in the congress that fits in with the low rating congress is given by the American people.  Trump has magnified the issue by pointing out they have no accomplishments.  Trump is only pointing out what "PolitiDose" has been saying for years.

Fox news still thinks Clinton will be the democratic nominee and keeps up a steady barrage of negative comments about her.  Clinton and her democratic opponents have wisely taken their campaign to the people and not the media during the early stages of the campaign.  It allows them to stay focused and talk about the issues the country and its people face.  If Vice President Joe Biden decides to enter the race next month when he is expected to announce his plans, the democratic party will have a great debate and the voters will reap the benefits.

In the mean time the 17 republicans will continue to try and knock each other out of the race.  Will the tone be civil?  Don't count on it.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Mike Huckabee: The Latest Republican Presidential Candidate To Display His UnAmerican Conservative Ideology

The former governor and guitar playing host for the Fox News Network followed the conservative script of personal attacks against the President and his policy towards Iran. Huckabee said the Iran agreement would march Israel to the door of the oven.  Of course he was talking about the holocaust.  A happening before the President was even born.

Huckabee and his fellow conservatives have no respect for the President or the office he holds.  They want this President to go to war in the middle east so bad they have betrayed the country and its people.  They have aided and abetted Israel's attempt to circumvent American foreign policy.  The conservatives thought they could intimidate the President to make the same mistake President George W. Bush made, but found the President was no push over for their radical ideology.

Huckabee's accusations and personal attacks expresses a mentality and ideology that is so flawed, can not compete in the world of ideas.  The American people are well aware of Huckabee's past attempts to divide the country along religious lines, the sexual orientation of some people, along with same sex marriage.

The country has heard the same conservative divisive song for over 20 years now and the republican presidential candidates will keep up the drum beat through out this election cycle.  The last thing the people need is a UnAmeican conservative ideology in the White House.  And "PolitiDose" will continue to expose their effort to under mine American democracy.

Huckabee's comparison of the holocaust to the Iran agreement tells this writer he is not wrapped tight.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Ohio Governor John Kasich Announces His Intention To Run For The Party's Nomination For President

Republican John Kasich is the 16th to commit for his party's Presidential nomination.  In doing so Kasich said he is the only GOP candidate with experience in three broad areas of political leadership.  THE FEDERAL BUDGET, NATIONAL SECURITY AND STATE GOVERNMENT.  Protesters at his rally said they would spread the word how the governor cut the budget for school districts and closed centers for people with development disabilities.  The unions told how they turned back efforts by Kasich and state republicans to limit public workers collective bargaining.

The Associated Press's Julie Smyth who covered the rally and whose article appeared in the Times Picayune of 7/22 must be a Kasich supporter and wrote this about him.  AS BUDGET CHAIRMAN IN THE U.S. HOUSE, HE BECAME AN ARCHITECT OF A DEAL IN 1997 THAT BALANCED THE FEDERAL BUDGET.  Smyth is living in a fairy tale world as Kasich and the republicans in congress had nothing to do with balancing the federal budget.

The democratic controlled congress passed President Clinton's deficit reduction and economic plan in 1993.  Every republican in the U.S. Congress voted against that plan and predicted doom if it passed.  Well it passed and the gloom never took place.  They were all wrong including Kasich.  When the federal government balanced its budget in fiscal year ending 1988, President Clinton threw a balanced budget party celebration for democrats.  The republicans complained they were not invited.  The President reminded them they had nothing to do with the budget and that it was his plan that was passed that was working. Clinton was well aware of the republican party's total opposition to his economic policies.  That balanced budget was the first since President Lyndon Johnson's balanced budget in fiscal year 1968.  Johnson was another democrat.

Kasich was one of the U.S. House members to vote to impeach Clinton and used personal attacks against the President like his fellow republicans were known to do on a daily basis.  He served in the U.S. House from 1983-2001.  That period of time covered most of Reagan's eight years in office and all four years of President George H.W. Bush's term in office.  Yet Reagan and Bush 43 never balanced one federal budget in the 12 years they served.  Kasich had his chances of being an architect of balanced budgets during those two Presidential administrations and failed miserably.

Governor Kasich worked for the Fox News Network and was an investment banker for Lehman Brothers, a Wall Street Bank.  He is a ditto head conservative with ties to the Wall Street Banking Industry.  The same industry that was involved in the economic collapse of 2008.  With the kind of announced republican candidates, is it any wonder why President Eisenhower was the last republican President to balance a federal budget in 1960.  Republicans like to take credit for every success that happens on the democratic watch and deny responsibility for failure that happens on their watch.  It is part of their unAmerican conservative ideology.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Note l:  President Clinton knew more about the federal budget than all the members of congress even though those members had served in congress many years and had to deal with the budget every year.  It was no accident it was the Clinton administration who left the nations fiscal health in such good shape.

Trump Steals A Page From His Republican Party's Notebook

The Republican party wrote the book for personal attacks against their democratic opponents and now the republican party's presidential candidates are on the receiving end of personal attacks but not from democrats.  Donald Trump has turned the page and is using those personal attacks against his republican opponents.  He has spared none of them and they are upset.

Trumped has dumped the republican's eleventh commandment according to Ronald Reagan who said never talk bad about a fellow republican.  What really upsets his opponents is the Donald saying they talk a lot but have accomplished very little.  (He is right on target there)  Most of his republican opponents are office holders so they take it personal.  There will probably be a lot of fireworks in the republican debates on August 6 and coming from all angles.

Trump, like his opponents knows personal attacks works in politics and also like his party can not articulate to the public how he would deal with the many problems the country faces.  It is the same republican con game.  The larger problem for his opponents is he has the financial staying power if he chooses to use it all the way.

The news media will bleed this thing as long as they can but the people will learn very little how any one of the 16 republican candidates would govern if elected.  And that is pretty sad if a republican is elected President since he would be taking over an economy, job creation, low unemployment and falling deficits, all in much better shape than when their party left office.

Trump is giving his opponents a taste of their own medicine.  Is there any republican in the bunch that has the courage to act like a democrat for the two party system to survive?  In fact, who knows what might happen.  Trumps opponents are starting to respond by saying his attacks disqualify him to be President.  If that is so, then they should be disqualified also.  After all Trump is only repeating the book they themselves wrote.  So why don't they all just go home and spare the people.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Statue Of Robert E. Lee and The Confederate Flag. There Is No Comparsion

When bad things happen there is usually a reaction that is not directly related to the subject matter and as a result bad decisions are made.  A good example is comparing the tragic event in South Carolina concerning the killings of 9 innocent black people in church during bible study by a white young man.  That resulted in the removal of the confederate flag from a state building because the shooter used that flag in racial terms.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu then expressed concerns about the statue of Robert E. Lee which has stood at Lee Circle for many years as a possible future source of racial agitation and the possibility of removing the statue.  This writer believes it is a comparison of apples and oranges and there fore should not be used in comparison.

Landrieu ran on a platform of ONE CITY, ONE FIGHT, ONE VOICE, ONE TEAM and anyone who knows the Mayor surely knows he is no racist nor has his administration promoted any racist policies.  He is an elected official who believes in inclusiveness.  One can understand the Mayor's desire to prevent someone from using the statue as an excuse to inflame violence.  After all, we should know by now there are people out there who look for any excuse to start a violent reaction.  

But this writer does not believe the statue should be removed.  Unlike the confederate flag which has been used for many years by various groups and individuals in a racial way, the statue of Robert E. Lee has not.  The Union wanted General Lee to serve with them during the Civil War but Lee said he could not fight against his own people.  When Lee surrendered to end the war he urged the people of the confederacy to accept the union of the U.S. without bitterness and to help the new union work.  Lee was not about promoting the confederacy after the war ended.

In this writers judgement anyone who would use the statue in a racial way to promote its removal is an excuse for promoting trouble.  The WWII museum in New Orleans recently opened a new section that tells the story how blacks were treated in the military during WWII. Are we supposed to tear down the WWII museum because it is telling the story of history? I think not. There is nothing to compare when one tries to relate the confederate flag to the statue of Robert E. Lee at Lee Circle.  

This commentary written by Joe Lorio