Jihadi John, the ISIS leader involved in a series of hostage beheadings was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Syria several months ago that has now been acknowledged by ISIS. The Obama administration continues to make it the number one priority in bringing those people to justice and like the President said in his state of the union address recently, America has a long reach, a long memory and sooner or later the leaders of ISIS and others will pay the price.
Fox news and conservative journalists have been silent because they can not bring themselves to admit any success by the President and his administration. In fact all of their pronouncements about the President are negative in nature. The President has character. They do not and in fact lack courage. They are also burning with fever because they have nothing positive to report on any success the Bush administration had in fighting terrorists. And most of all they were Bush's big supporters of the fairy tale weapons of mass destruction of Saddam that never existed at any time during Bush's eight years in office.
The President's priority in fighting terrorists and bringing them to justice continues to be the right one and America is still the safest country in the world. President's Roosevelt and Kennedy both said, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself" in speeches to the American people during their administrations. President Obama is leading the way in carrying out the wisdom of those words.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Louisiana: The State We Are In
The news media in Louisiana, radio, TV and printed told the fairy tale that the state and its people were conservative under the administration of Bobby Jindal. The facts tell a different story to those who paid attention as to what was taking place. The news media and the pundits were so wrong and had their head in the sand.
The latest information on the state's budget that ends June 30 is out of balance to the tune of $750 million. That number will have to be accounted for before June 30 and is the same budget Jindal and the republican controlled legislature said was balanced after the last legislative session. To top it off the reports also point out that next years budget that begins July 1 is already in deficit by $1.9 billion. That is a total deficit of $2.65 billion that has been turned over to a new governor's administration that has been in office a total of only 12 days as of this date.
All of Jindal's budgets ended up the same way. They were declared balanced and then declared in deficit only a few months later. People who read "PolitiDose" were given the true story long ago but the news media and the pundits continued to brag about Jindal's budget cutting and swallowed the fairy tale, until things got so bad they had to finally respond. They are the people who are supposed to be looking out for the citizens best interest. Yeah, right.
Jindal and conservatives who say you can balance the budget by cutting spending have proved their warped ideology completely wrong. Louisiana has a revenue problem brought about by special interest tax breaks to the tune of $8 billion a year plus other breaks given to business. There are other problems in the way the state estimates revenue and the use of unsound principals of projecting revenue and expenses.
If any one thinks the $2.65 billion projected deficit can be handled by cutting spending (Jindal tried that for 8 years and failed) without raising revenues and put the state's future budgets on a sound fiscal base they need to move in with Jindal. The foundation for the states's fiscal carnage was laid by Jindal and the republican controlled legislature under a radical and false conservative idea of budget cuts and trickle down economics that favor the business community.
Of course all of the fiscal carnage now falls to governor Edwards who has to make some tough decisions. This writer will be surprised if the republicans will cooperate and work with him and only time will tell. Don't look for the news media and the pundits who gave Jindal a free ride be willing to give Edwards a fair shake. The evidence is there for all to see. Jindal, the state and the voters of Louisiana were not conservative during the Jindal administration concerning the state's fiscal health. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The latest information on the state's budget that ends June 30 is out of balance to the tune of $750 million. That number will have to be accounted for before June 30 and is the same budget Jindal and the republican controlled legislature said was balanced after the last legislative session. To top it off the reports also point out that next years budget that begins July 1 is already in deficit by $1.9 billion. That is a total deficit of $2.65 billion that has been turned over to a new governor's administration that has been in office a total of only 12 days as of this date.
All of Jindal's budgets ended up the same way. They were declared balanced and then declared in deficit only a few months later. People who read "PolitiDose" were given the true story long ago but the news media and the pundits continued to brag about Jindal's budget cutting and swallowed the fairy tale, until things got so bad they had to finally respond. They are the people who are supposed to be looking out for the citizens best interest. Yeah, right.
Jindal and conservatives who say you can balance the budget by cutting spending have proved their warped ideology completely wrong. Louisiana has a revenue problem brought about by special interest tax breaks to the tune of $8 billion a year plus other breaks given to business. There are other problems in the way the state estimates revenue and the use of unsound principals of projecting revenue and expenses.
If any one thinks the $2.65 billion projected deficit can be handled by cutting spending (Jindal tried that for 8 years and failed) without raising revenues and put the state's future budgets on a sound fiscal base they need to move in with Jindal. The foundation for the states's fiscal carnage was laid by Jindal and the republican controlled legislature under a radical and false conservative idea of budget cuts and trickle down economics that favor the business community.
Of course all of the fiscal carnage now falls to governor Edwards who has to make some tough decisions. This writer will be surprised if the republicans will cooperate and work with him and only time will tell. Don't look for the news media and the pundits who gave Jindal a free ride be willing to give Edwards a fair shake. The evidence is there for all to see. Jindal, the state and the voters of Louisiana were not conservative during the Jindal administration concerning the state's fiscal health. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, January 22, 2016
The Republican Switch Is On.
More and more reports have surfaced that the republican party is accepting the possibility of Donald Trump becoming the party's nominee for President and as such will not only support him but tone down their rhetoric against him as well. The exception seems to be a few conservative journalists and radio and TV hosts. The republican leaders in the U.S. Congress, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell who are drafting the republican platform for their convention said they would support Trump.
This confirms what "PolitiDose" has said from the very beginning, that Trump and the republican party are one and the same. The only difference is Trump is using personal attacks against his republican opponents where by in the past republicans attacked only democrats. Trump started it all by saying his republican opponents talk a good game but what have they accomplished. Conservative journalist Michael Gerson in a Times Picayune article dated 1/20/16 said, Trump and Cruz must lose for the GOP to survive. He then went on to describe what the party would look like if either Trump or Cruz would win. But guess what? The party itself actually fits the description he alluded too and has for many years.
The republican establishment will have to live with the Trump agenda even if he fails to win the party's nomination. That is what the GOP will be left to survive on. What the party really needs is a leader who will stand up and spell out how the party has been so wrong on the issues and that conservatism has not served the country or its people well even when so called conservative republicans held the Presidency.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
This confirms what "PolitiDose" has said from the very beginning, that Trump and the republican party are one and the same. The only difference is Trump is using personal attacks against his republican opponents where by in the past republicans attacked only democrats. Trump started it all by saying his republican opponents talk a good game but what have they accomplished. Conservative journalist Michael Gerson in a Times Picayune article dated 1/20/16 said, Trump and Cruz must lose for the GOP to survive. He then went on to describe what the party would look like if either Trump or Cruz would win. But guess what? The party itself actually fits the description he alluded too and has for many years.
The republican establishment will have to live with the Trump agenda even if he fails to win the party's nomination. That is what the GOP will be left to survive on. What the party really needs is a leader who will stand up and spell out how the party has been so wrong on the issues and that conservatism has not served the country or its people well even when so called conservative republicans held the Presidency.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Flint, Michigan's Contaminated Water Supply: A Neglect of Duty and Responsibility
This tragic story is another example how the governor of Michigan and other local and state officials failed to take care of a problem that took place within their own borders. The water supply, tainted by lead has put a hardship on over 100,000 people according to the latest reports. Republican governor Rick Snyder said it is a disaster and took responsibility for the lack of early action. The news media reported that state officials attacked the findings of a pediatrician who first reported the problem.
President Obama ordered emergency federal aid and FEMA is in Flint distributing water and other supplies. And again that big bad federal government had to step in and fill the void left by the state. Governor Snyder estimated it would cost Michigan approximately $800,000 million to take care of the problem. And this writer would bet the state will ask the federal government to finance the cost. Why, because republican governors have promised not to raise taxes and they know they would have to raise taxes to cover the cost.
It is another prime example how states have mishandled environmental problems with in their own borders and how little thought is given to the health concerns of their citizens. We in Louisiana should be all to familiar with the failure of governors knowing the mess Jindal left the state in when he left office only a week or so ago.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
President Obama ordered emergency federal aid and FEMA is in Flint distributing water and other supplies. And again that big bad federal government had to step in and fill the void left by the state. Governor Snyder estimated it would cost Michigan approximately $800,000 million to take care of the problem. And this writer would bet the state will ask the federal government to finance the cost. Why, because republican governors have promised not to raise taxes and they know they would have to raise taxes to cover the cost.
It is another prime example how states have mishandled environmental problems with in their own borders and how little thought is given to the health concerns of their citizens. We in Louisiana should be all to familiar with the failure of governors knowing the mess Jindal left the state in when he left office only a week or so ago.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Sunday's Democratic Presidential Debate
The latest democratic debate in South Carolina was moderated by NBC News and the questions to the candidates were more in tune to the issues than the recent republican debate. The moderators did a good job keeping the candidates on the subject matter over all, but like all moderators leave out to many important issues.
The candidates challenged each other in a constructive way with out making a mockery of the political system they have to work in. People who seek the Presidency should have respect for the office and what the office represents. The America that both party's would like to see is very different. The republicans by their own pronouncements would roll back all the progress made under the Obama administration concerning the economy, job creation, reducing the deficit, taxes, foreign policy, the ACA and a host of other successes. They would do that based on ideology and we know that too because they said so.
On the other had the basic theme of the democratic candidates is that they would work to improve and build on all of the successes of the President and try to even make things better with their own ideas. There is no ideology there. It is a simple American agenda to advance the country and its people and not tear down what is working.
Conservatism has not served America or its people well under the republican brand for many years and the republican Presidential candidates are still trying to sell it. It takes serious people with political understanding to run government and not politicians who argue over who is the most conservative.
Debates do not tell the whole story nor is the so called best debator the best candidate. That is why it is so important for the voter to know the issues and listen to what each candidate says. This writer has pointed out here in "PolitiDose" many times over that democratic administrations out perform republican administrations in every area concerning the economy, job creation, balancing the budget, reducing deficit spending, lower unemployment, smaller increases in federal spending, the largest increase in middle class income, keeping America safe and a host of other important issues.
One day a republican will come along and finally shake the shackle of conservatism as practiced by today's republican party and join the civilize world.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The candidates challenged each other in a constructive way with out making a mockery of the political system they have to work in. People who seek the Presidency should have respect for the office and what the office represents. The America that both party's would like to see is very different. The republicans by their own pronouncements would roll back all the progress made under the Obama administration concerning the economy, job creation, reducing the deficit, taxes, foreign policy, the ACA and a host of other successes. They would do that based on ideology and we know that too because they said so.
On the other had the basic theme of the democratic candidates is that they would work to improve and build on all of the successes of the President and try to even make things better with their own ideas. There is no ideology there. It is a simple American agenda to advance the country and its people and not tear down what is working.
Conservatism has not served America or its people well under the republican brand for many years and the republican Presidential candidates are still trying to sell it. It takes serious people with political understanding to run government and not politicians who argue over who is the most conservative.
Debates do not tell the whole story nor is the so called best debator the best candidate. That is why it is so important for the voter to know the issues and listen to what each candidate says. This writer has pointed out here in "PolitiDose" many times over that democratic administrations out perform republican administrations in every area concerning the economy, job creation, balancing the budget, reducing deficit spending, lower unemployment, smaller increases in federal spending, the largest increase in middle class income, keeping America safe and a host of other important issues.
One day a republican will come along and finally shake the shackle of conservatism as practiced by today's republican party and join the civilize world.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Now Its A Republican Who Faces The Birther Issue.
Eight years ago the republican party tried to make Barack Obama's citizenship a campaign issue. They failed and Donald Trump later took on the issue and even said he had hired private investigators to go to Hawaii and investigate Obama's birth and that he would report back to the people his findings. Of course, he never did because they found nothing or did not even go. Trump also alleged that the President's birth certificate was not a true copy.
Now it is Trump again bringing up the "birther" issue against his republican opponent Ted Cruz. The party never dreamed that starting the "birther" issue against Obama would morph into the same issue concerning one of their own party members and would be started by one of their own candidates. And like a ditto head republican Trump said he is bringing the subject matter up because the democrats will do so if Cruz is the party's nominee. Trump, like his party can't stand on his own two feet and had to bring the democratic party into the picture.
What Trump is doing by introducing the "birther" issue into the republican campaign is to create some noise and conversation and there by refrain from telling the people exactly what he stands for and what policies he will use to deal with existing problems. He knows the news media will spend a lot of time on him and his silly pronouncements.
The sixth republican debate last week touched on the matter and that is putting it mildly. The debate was once again a debacle and the only thing the people learned is that the candidates hate the President and Hillary. Old news is no news, but that is the face of republican conservative ideology.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Now it is Trump again bringing up the "birther" issue against his republican opponent Ted Cruz. The party never dreamed that starting the "birther" issue against Obama would morph into the same issue concerning one of their own party members and would be started by one of their own candidates. And like a ditto head republican Trump said he is bringing the subject matter up because the democrats will do so if Cruz is the party's nominee. Trump, like his party can't stand on his own two feet and had to bring the democratic party into the picture.
What Trump is doing by introducing the "birther" issue into the republican campaign is to create some noise and conversation and there by refrain from telling the people exactly what he stands for and what policies he will use to deal with existing problems. He knows the news media will spend a lot of time on him and his silly pronouncements.
The sixth republican debate last week touched on the matter and that is putting it mildly. The debate was once again a debacle and the only thing the people learned is that the candidates hate the President and Hillary. Old news is no news, but that is the face of republican conservative ideology.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Friday, January 15, 2016
The Republican's Response To The President's State Of The Union Address
Nikki Haley, the republican governor of South Carolina gave the republican response to the President's speech and was the typical fairy tale lacking reality that she and the party are married too. Some in her party have talked about the governor being a candidate for the party's Vice President position and that hype must have gone to her head. Her remarks tell the real story.
The governor said, "President Obama appears either unwilling or unable to deal with the terrorists threat." That is the Donald Trump and republican fear factor the President spoke about. Nikki can not handle the truth that the President has kept America safe. Perhaps she would like to go back to the Bush era. Like her party she is unable to acknowledge any success the President has achieved.
The governor also said, the nations problems also include (1) an economy that has not boosted family income; (2) a national debt that is too high: and (3) and the Affordable Care Act. Lets answer one at a time. (1) over 13 million new jobs have been created on the President's watch so far. Over 8 million people lost their jobs on Bush's watch so all those millions of new jobs created boosted those family's incomes when they were put back to work. (2) If Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 would have balanced the federal budget like President Clinton did the federal government would not have a debt problem. (3) The ACA has insured over 15 million Americans while the governor's party has not offered any alternate plan.
Haley went on to say, (1) Under a GOP President republicans would lower taxes; (2) curb spending; and debt; and (3) strengthen the military. The governor can't even get the facts right on this. President Obama did (1) lower taxes after he took office and then let the Bush tax cuts expired for those making over $500,00.00 a year: (2) The republican party does not have any record of curbing spending or debt since President Eisenhower: and (3) The Obama administration has already strengthen the military. Haley wants the GOP to go back to trickle down economics that has already proved to be a failure with the largest tax cuts going to corporate America and the most wealthy. It should be noted here that the smallest increases in federal spending and the national debt took place under the administration of President Clinton and President Obama while the largest increase in both happened on the watch of President Reagan and President Bush.
The governor was right when she said the GOP must do a better job of appealing to Hispanics and minority voters and tone down the angriest voices. But the governor and her party do not walk the talk. Theycriticize Trump because of his attacks but Trump learned from the party. Nothing Donald Trump has said could be as extreme as the republican party refusing to work with the President after the mess they left the country in. Donald Trump is no worse or better than the republican party and its leaders.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The governor said, "President Obama appears either unwilling or unable to deal with the terrorists threat." That is the Donald Trump and republican fear factor the President spoke about. Nikki can not handle the truth that the President has kept America safe. Perhaps she would like to go back to the Bush era. Like her party she is unable to acknowledge any success the President has achieved.
The governor also said, the nations problems also include (1) an economy that has not boosted family income; (2) a national debt that is too high: and (3) and the Affordable Care Act. Lets answer one at a time. (1) over 13 million new jobs have been created on the President's watch so far. Over 8 million people lost their jobs on Bush's watch so all those millions of new jobs created boosted those family's incomes when they were put back to work. (2) If Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 would have balanced the federal budget like President Clinton did the federal government would not have a debt problem. (3) The ACA has insured over 15 million Americans while the governor's party has not offered any alternate plan.
Haley went on to say, (1) Under a GOP President republicans would lower taxes; (2) curb spending; and debt; and (3) strengthen the military. The governor can't even get the facts right on this. President Obama did (1) lower taxes after he took office and then let the Bush tax cuts expired for those making over $500,00.00 a year: (2) The republican party does not have any record of curbing spending or debt since President Eisenhower: and (3) The Obama administration has already strengthen the military. Haley wants the GOP to go back to trickle down economics that has already proved to be a failure with the largest tax cuts going to corporate America and the most wealthy. It should be noted here that the smallest increases in federal spending and the national debt took place under the administration of President Clinton and President Obama while the largest increase in both happened on the watch of President Reagan and President Bush.
The governor was right when she said the GOP must do a better job of appealing to Hispanics and minority voters and tone down the angriest voices. But the governor and her party do not walk the talk. Theycriticize Trump because of his attacks but Trump learned from the party. Nothing Donald Trump has said could be as extreme as the republican party refusing to work with the President after the mess they left the country in. Donald Trump is no worse or better than the republican party and its leaders.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Thursday, January 14, 2016
The State Of The Union Address
President Obama's last state of the union address Tuesday night touched all of the bases with the right tone. It was not the usual type address, but one that was in order because of the mood of the country. The President rightly spoke of his accomplishments and that he does not plan to rest in his final year.
The speech rejected fear and the extreme attitude being used by some Presidential candidates and others who use those tactics and make matters worse. The President also laid out how important raising the minimum wage, equal pay and other key issues need to be addressed. That medicare and social security is necessary more today than in the past and should be strengthen and not weakened. And he reminded the viewers that the people in congress enjoy good health care coverage and retirement benefits at the same time the middle class are trying to move forward.
Republican speaker of the U.S. House Paul Ryan who sat next to Vice President Biden hardly cracked a smile and even smirked at times. He and his republican members looked so out of place while the President was speaking. Ryan looked the part of one of the republicans who long ago said they wanted to see the President fail. It is no wonder Trump continues to lead their party's Presidential candidates.
The President stood tall at the state of the union and the people who cast their votes for him twice made the right decision. He has shown his character and political understanding by rejecting the lame duck status. That is a good precedent for future Presidents to follow.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
The speech rejected fear and the extreme attitude being used by some Presidential candidates and others who use those tactics and make matters worse. The President also laid out how important raising the minimum wage, equal pay and other key issues need to be addressed. That medicare and social security is necessary more today than in the past and should be strengthen and not weakened. And he reminded the viewers that the people in congress enjoy good health care coverage and retirement benefits at the same time the middle class are trying to move forward.
Republican speaker of the U.S. House Paul Ryan who sat next to Vice President Biden hardly cracked a smile and even smirked at times. He and his republican members looked so out of place while the President was speaking. Ryan looked the part of one of the republicans who long ago said they wanted to see the President fail. It is no wonder Trump continues to lead their party's Presidential candidates.
The President stood tall at the state of the union and the people who cast their votes for him twice made the right decision. He has shown his character and political understanding by rejecting the lame duck status. That is a good precedent for future Presidents to follow.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
The New Orleans Saints Management Decides To Retain Sean Payton As Head Coach: A Bad Decision For The Team and The Fans
After the official announcement that Payton would be staying with the Saints a Times Picayune editorial and two articles written by Jeff Duncan and Larry Holder praised the decision and said to the effect it was the best thing that could have happened. All three articles were "apple polishing" in its content which has become SOP for New Orleans sports writers despite the fact there has been no progress made during the last four seasons.
All of the speculation the past few weeks of 4 or 5 teams looking with favor to talk about a head coaching job with Payton was a fairy tale. Those other teams remember "bounty gate" and could see the affect it has had on the team. Payton and the Saints are still in denial but the record tells the true story. In this writers judgement, retaining Payton was a bad decision and will play out that way.
The hype has already started by sports writers: defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has done a good job: that much used word keeps popping up again, "the foundation is there." One report in the TP of 1/10/16 reports on Drew Brees' 10 individual records that still stand. (He has more individual records than he has winning seasons) Is that supposed to improve the Saints record next year? The off season and preseason should be comical to watch and listen too but it won't change a thing.
Saint's management is well aware of the problems caused by "bounty gate" but too many people in the organization still turn their head rather than face the facts. It's hell when you can not admit your own failure. Greed consumes the NFL so don't rock the boat.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
All of the speculation the past few weeks of 4 or 5 teams looking with favor to talk about a head coaching job with Payton was a fairy tale. Those other teams remember "bounty gate" and could see the affect it has had on the team. Payton and the Saints are still in denial but the record tells the true story. In this writers judgement, retaining Payton was a bad decision and will play out that way.
The hype has already started by sports writers: defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has done a good job: that much used word keeps popping up again, "the foundation is there." One report in the TP of 1/10/16 reports on Drew Brees' 10 individual records that still stand. (He has more individual records than he has winning seasons) Is that supposed to improve the Saints record next year? The off season and preseason should be comical to watch and listen too but it won't change a thing.
Saint's management is well aware of the problems caused by "bounty gate" but too many people in the organization still turn their head rather than face the facts. It's hell when you can not admit your own failure. Greed consumes the NFL so don't rock the boat.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Louisiana State Senator John Alario Has Lost All Credibility Concerning The State Budget
Alario, senate leader in the Louisiana legislature should step down in favor of a democrat. The present state budget that runs through June 30th was declared balanced by Alario, Jindal and the republican controlled legislature and now we find out is already out of balance by $750 million. Now in a Times Picayune article by Julia O'Donoghue dated 1/8/16 Alario is recommending action be taken by the new governor that Alario failed to recommend during Jindal's administration that created the budget problems in the first place.
Alario was a democrat who turned republican because he wanted the top senate job and that was the only way he would become leader of the senate. In doing so he became Jindal's rubber stamp for his failed policies and the state's fiscal disaster. Alario has ignored the state's real budget problems of revenue short fall and the billions given away to business concerning tax exemptions, tax give aways and tax favors. "PolitiDose" was the first to break the real budget problem story several years ago concerning revenue short falls and tax give aways and now Alario claims to see the light.
Bobby Jindal, Alario and the republican controlled legislature have been getting in the pockets of Louisiana's middle class in 100 different ways under the guise of not raising taxes and cutting the budget. Yes, a comparison can be made between the fiscal and economic mess George W. Bush left to Barack Obama and what Jindal and company is leaving to John Bel Edwards, the state and its people. Alario should step aside, he had his chance and failed. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
Alario was a democrat who turned republican because he wanted the top senate job and that was the only way he would become leader of the senate. In doing so he became Jindal's rubber stamp for his failed policies and the state's fiscal disaster. Alario has ignored the state's real budget problems of revenue short fall and the billions given away to business concerning tax exemptions, tax give aways and tax favors. "PolitiDose" was the first to break the real budget problem story several years ago concerning revenue short falls and tax give aways and now Alario claims to see the light.
Bobby Jindal, Alario and the republican controlled legislature have been getting in the pockets of Louisiana's middle class in 100 different ways under the guise of not raising taxes and cutting the budget. Yes, a comparison can be made between the fiscal and economic mess George W. Bush left to Barack Obama and what Jindal and company is leaving to John Bel Edwards, the state and its people. Alario should step aside, he had his chance and failed. And that really says it all.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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