A Knight of Columbus Leader Tries To Divide The Country Over Religion.

According to a New Orleans Advocate story dated 8/6/16 by David Gibson of the Religion News Service, Carl Anderson, leader of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Order and one of the most influential lay Catholics in the church said that abortion out weighs all other issues in the Presidential campaign and Catholics can not vote for a candidate who supports abortion rights.  Anderson also said It is time to stop creating excuses for voting for pro abortion politicians.  Mr. Anderson is a conservative republican who at one time worked for U.S. Senator Jesse Helms and served in various positions in the Reagan administration.  He made his remarks at the Knights International Convention in Toronto last week.

Anderson seems to have forgotten he does not speak for or make policy for the Catholic Church, the Pope does.  His attempt to divide Catholics using abortion is a signature of the extreme position of the republicans and goes against what Pope Francis said about abortion soon after becoming Pope.  That was revealed in a previous commentary in PolitiDose at the time dated 9/25/13.  Pope Francis said in his wisdom that the Roman Catholic Church had grown obsessed with preaching about abortion, gay marriage and contraception and that he has chosen not to speak of those issues.  The Pope also put his remarks in the context that the Church is a big tent with many more important issues that have an impact on all phases of the Catholic Church.

Those elected officials who support a woman's right to choose does not mean they are for abortion.  It means they understand the law and that it is legal for a woman to choose.  Anderson and the republican party are trying to play the religious card and make it a religious issue.  The leaders of the anti abortion crowd know a constitutional amendment is needed to change the courts decision but no republican President who has claimed to be against abortion has ever had the character or courage to push for such an amendment.  In other words talk is cheap for those who say they are anti abortion.  The only thing they are looking for is votes and to divide the country.

The Knights of Columbus are a respected organization but Mr. Anderson gave it a black eye with his divisive speech and ignored the Pope's speech and direction concerning the subject matter.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Louisiana and The Times Picayune's Columnist Tim Morris

Tim Morris in a Times Picayune article of 8/7/16 does his best to document that Louisiana is a republican state and says most Louisiana voters believe that the republican party best represents their views on the role of government, moral values, religion, abortion, taxes, guns and national security.  He also said it would take an asteroid event to stop Trump from winning Louisiana in November.  Morris also uses comments by a UNO and LSU representatives to prove Louisiana is a ruby red state that leans toward the right.

The people of Louisiana have a free will to vote for the candidate of their choice but their opinions about who best represents the views of the people do not pass the fact checking test.  And if Morris thinks Trump has a positive record on those views he needs to seek other employment.  The people of Louisiana helped to elect George W. Bush twice and did elect Jobby Jindal twice but neither one has a positive record of accomplishments and both left office with a very low job approval rating, much lower than 50%.

Louisiana is still at the bottom or near the bottom in health care, the economy, jobs, balancing the budget and so many other areas compared to the other states so being a red state is not very persuasive.  In fact democratic administrations are actually the best at representing the voters views but the voters can not bring themselves to admit it.

Louisiana may vote red in November but will still have a democratic governor who will out perform Jindal in accomplishing good things for the state and its people.  And that is really what counts most for the state because it is Louisiana's actions on the issues that affect the people more than the federal government's actions.  So in the end democratic blue will triumph over the republican ruby red big time.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Job Growth Continues Its Progress Under The Obama Administration.

The U.S. Labor Department announced 255,000 new jobs were created in July and the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.9%.  It was the 77th straight month of positive job growth.  The Department also announced hourly wages were up in July and 2.7% higher than a year ago.  A good percentage of people looking for work are being hired and new workers continue to enter the job market.

The good news concerning the economy and jobs will only continue if a democrat is elected President in November.  Precedent has backed that up time and again.  Trump and his party continue to support the failed ideology of trickle down economics, that of massive tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.  And on the campaign trail Trump continues to attack the President's record on the economy and jobs.  I guess he would like to take the country and its people back to the years of the George W. Bush administration.  After all, Trump's tax proposals are a mirror image of what Bush pushed through congress.


Hillary Clinton is running on a plan and policy that would build on and enhance the positive direction of the economy, job creation, reducing deficit spending and better wages for the middle class that began under the Obama administration.  On the other hand Trump is running against an economic recovery and job creation made possible by President Obama's policies and the democrats in congress who backed the President up when they controlled both houses of congress.

The truth of the matter tells us the issues that affect the country and its people the most are better off in the hands of a democratic administration with out a doubt.  And the actions of Donald Trump and the republicans in congress give proof every day to that truth.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

President Obama Has Some Timely Words For The GOP

This week the President said that Donald Trump is unfit to serve as President and that he was woefully unprepared to do this job.  The President also asked the GOP, "why are you still endorsing him if you are repeatedly having to say, in very strong terms that what he has said is unacceptable?"  He also told the GOP, because of that their criticisms of Trump "rings hollow."

During the week there were two republicans that did say they could not support Trump and would vote for Hillary Clinton.  The leaders of the republican party in congress and the majority of the republicans in congress still say they will support their nominee.  Nothing has really changed concerning the republican party in general, their leaders and most conservative journalists.  They are trying to play both ends but the truth is the republican party and Trump are one and the same.  That has been the conclusion of this writer from the very beginning.  New York Times journalist Paul Krugman reported the same conclusion in a Times Picayune editorial of 7/31/16.  He pointed out that the only difference is that the substance is less disguised than usual under Trump.

Also, this week the latest poll showed President Obama's job approval rating is at 54%.  That is much higher than the 20-30% range of President George W. Bush during the same time period of his administration.  And when President Obama leaves office in January his administration will have out performed the Bush administration in every positive category.

So why is Trump pushing the same failed policies of the Bush administration?  Lower tax rates for Corporate America and the wealthy and a go it alone policy in world affairs.  Ideology is still not a plan even if the republican leaders name is Donald Trump.  Our country has been there and done that and we dare not go there again.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

One Of America's Wealthiest Says It Best About Donald Trump

Warren Buffett spoke at a Hillary Clinton rally on Monday in Omaha, Nebraska, hometown to Buffett's business empire and was clear in his endorsement of Clinton.  In fact he said on election day in November he would personally drive 10 people to the polls that needed a ride to cast their votes.  Also that he would make transportation available all day to take the people to the voting places in Omaha's congressional districts and that he himself would be on the bus all day.  What an endorsement of Hillary Clinton.

Buffett also challenged Donald Trump to make his tax returns public and said Trump was afraid to do so.  Then he challenged Trump by saying, HE WOULD MEET TRUMP ANY TIME AND ANY PLACE IN PUBLIC AND BOTH COULD BRING THEIR TAX RETURNS AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE PUBLIC HAS ON ANY LINE ITEM ON THEIR TAX RETURNS.  Buffett has character and courage and one can bet Trump will not take Buffett up on his offer.

Then Buffett said it all in a statement when he said the following:  NO MEMBER OF THE BUFFETT FAMILY HAS GONE TO IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN AND NO MEMBER OF THE TRUMP FAMILY HAS GONE TO IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN.  WE'VE BOTH DONE EXTREMELY WELL DURING THIS PERIOD AND OUR FAMILIES HAVEN'T SACRIFICED ANY THING.  Ouch, that really hit Trump where it hurt.

Despite his wealth Buffett said long ago corporate America and the wealthy should pay more in taxes and that paying taxes is no excuse for a business not to be profitable.  Buffett is also a critic of companies who claim to lose money but still pay their CEO's and executives huge bonuses while laying off employees and eliminating health insurance for the average worker.

Buffett's support for Clinton and his rejection of Trump come at a critical time in the campaign.  The conventions are over and it is now one on one and less than 100 days to the November election.  More people are starting to make up their minds and can see a clearer picture of the two candidates.  This writer feels Buffett's comments and support will have a positive affect on Hillary Clinton's chances to win in November.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

An Independent Voice At The Democratic National Convention

A very important endorsement of Hillary Clinton for President and a strong rebuke of Donald Trump's candidacy took place at the Democratic convention by speaker Michael Bloomberg.  The former Mayor of New York City, an independent for some time and one time republican and democrat laid out his reasons why .  He urged independents and others to support Clinton in the genera election and noted the importance of doing so.

The reasons for Bloomberg's position are powerful:  He is a business man and a very wealthy one and is out of politics; He knows Trump and his nasty business dealings well: He is an independent and owes allegiance to no political party; He believes business and political leaders need to work together to solve problems and promote economic well being; His speech and thoughts were from his own free independent mind;  He is well aware how Clinton worked with New York officials after the tragic results of 9/11 when she was a U.S. Senator and help from the federal government was greatly needed.

As a former elected official and active business man Bloomberg is well qualified for his strong support for Clinton as the next President and his rebuke of Donald Trump.  It could turn out to be one of the most important endorsements of the 2016 Presidential campaign.

The people who know Donald Trump the best continue to reject him.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

A Traitor Among Us: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Russia.

Donald Trump watched a good and successful democratic convention this week then took the step toward being a traitor to his country and its people with his anti American comments concerning President Obama and the hacking into people's private emails.  He also lashed out at those who spoke at the democratic convention and said he would hit them back hard.  He can not take the fact that those who know him best such as the former mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg has endorsed Clinton and exposed Trump's dirty business dealings.

Trump praised Russia's Putin and said he is a better leader than President Obama.  That is an anti American and un patriotic statement against the leader of the free world.  Putin does not even know the meaning of the word, free.  It is a classic example of Trumps lack of character and his support for the way Putin rules his country, so it is obvious Trump approves of Putin's tractics.  That is a hint as to how Trump himself operates.

Trump also invited Russia to spy on American's private emails.  When he asked Russia to hack into Clinton's private email server, that was espionage in any ones book and the author was Donald Trump.  The same person who said he would order our military to engage in torture.  So now Putin and Russia has a U.S. Presidential nominee who has invited them to spy on America.  That makes Donald Trump a traitor to his country and its people and his motive is political and personal gain to do business with Russia.

Donald Trump continues to reject the America our people have known, loved and fought for in our 200 plus years of history and the republican party's leaders still refuse to reject his anti American actions.  And to think this is the man the news media has a love affair with.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Democratic National Convention Was America

The delegates, the speakers and all who attended the Democratic convention were representative of what America is all about.  It was an orderly convention with minor distractions, very short speeches with a few exceptions and mostly all moved along well and timely.  There were lots of tears, smiles and celebrating and the pre-convention talk by the news media of major protest never took place.

The speakers were from all facets of American life; the clergy, law enforcement officials, elected officials and former elected officials, teachers, first responders, family members of Dallas police officers who were recently killed, family members of civilians who were killed, the military, former director of the CIA, republican women and independents who support Hillary, black, white, hispanics asians and muslim, disadvantage people who told their stories and many, many others.

President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were there to lend their support to Clinton as was former Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg and California governor Jerry Brown.  People that were helped by Clinton over the years told their stories and Bill Clinton revealed how Hillary worked with and helped the disadvantaged and others who faced hard times.  Thursday nights closing was Hillary Clinton's night and she delivered.  Her closing was about unity, bringing people together, inclusion and a vision of moving the country and its people forward.  It was a positive closing message and a positive convention.

It was a great week for Hillary and the democratic party in Philadelphia and it was an American week.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Sex Catches Up With The Fox News Network

Roger Ailes, Fox News Chairman has resigned in the wake of a sexual harassment law suit by former employee Gretchen Carlson.  It is not the first law suit of its kind against a Fox news employee.  A few years ago a sexual harassment law suit was filed against Bill O'Reilly which was settled out of court by Fox News.

Ailes is credited with the success of the network and its conservative slanted rant against democrats.  His network preaches hateful things and billed itself as fair and balanced which any fair minded person would call a crock.  Fox tries to sell sex and outright lies on its network.  Its female hosts wear short skirts and the camera angle is set to show off a lot of legs but legs do not pretend to be attached to smart people and it shows, especially on Fox's show "outnumbered."

Ailes lack of character in his business dealings caught up to him because he feels he is elite and above it all.  The democrats that his network tries to discredit stand on high moral ground compared to Ailes and what he tries to sell.  It will be interesting to see if any thing change at the network with Ailes a gone pecan.

Don't hold your breath because the right wing element is deeply planted in the network.  But at least one of Fox's phonies has been exposed and it reached to the top man.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Hillary Clinton Picks Her Vice Presidential Running Mate

Tim Kaine, the present U.S. Senator from Virginia and former Mayor and governor was introduced to the nation on Saturday in Miami, Florida before a supporting large crowd as Clinton's running mate.  It was a very active crowd in the swing of things with a lot of applause and chanting USA, USA.  Clinton introduced Kaine as he sat on the stage near her.  Both the crowd and Kaine showed their emotions during the introduction.

When it was Kaine's turn to speak he and Clinton swapped position and both were on the stage together the whole time.  Both of their speeches were about a positive and progressive America, very different than the America Trump and his V.P. selection Mike Pence described at Pence's introduction.  Kaine gave a short "bio" of himself and spoke about 30 minutes.

There was an enthusiastic bond between Clinton, Kaine and the crowd who enjoyed each other.  Kaine quoted one of President Harry Truman's famous statements that "America was not built on fear" and the crowd loved it.  What a change from Trump's attempt to play the "fear card" on America this election year as republicans have done for so many years in the past.  Both John McCain and Mitt Romney tried it against Obama in 2008 and 2012.

Now its off to Philadelphia Monday for the Democratic National Convention and should be one with a positive theme and the people will have a chance to hear Clinton's vision for the future with sound positions on the issues.  The American people will have an opportunity to judge for themselves what party has the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates who are the "serious public servants."


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Note:  See my commentary dated 12/9/15 Titled, America Was Not Built On Fear etc,etc.  This was written seven months before Tim Kaine quoted President Truman's statement.