Trump Jr. Said He Wanted To Be Transparent: Yeah, Right.

Donald Trump Jr. said he wanted to be transparent with a Russian agent and that is why he made his emails public about the matter.  His father, the President tweeted that same line of transparency to back up his son's statement.  The reality  of the story is that Trump Jr. only made his emails public after the New York Times broke the story of his meeting and was also ready to make his emails public.

Transparency concerning the Trump-Russian affair has never taken place.  Both the President and Vice President Pence are on the record as saying on numerous occasions that the Trump campaign had no contact with Russia which has proven to be out right lies.  And the New York Times just exposed the lie once again with their story of Trump Jr's meeting with a Russian agent.

The Trumps seem like they have a life living in the world of "dirt" and Trump Jr. loved the thought of Russia possessing some "dirt" on Hillary Clinton.  But in the end, it was Trump Jr. who was covered with "dirt."  Russia knew what Presidential candidate they could deal with and influence and that is why they backed Donald Trump.  They also knew Trumps' campaign would do any thing to meet with the Russians.  And sadly, Russia is still pulling Trump's strings.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Trumps: We Know Where Their Loyalty Lies

Little by little America continues to discover just how deep President Trump, his campaign and his family is involved with Russia concerning the 2016 Presidential campaign and election.  The latest revelation according to the New York Times was Donald Trump Jr's meeting with a foreign agent for Russia for the purpose of finding "dirt" on Hillary Clinton.  That is called collusion with Russia and a possible violation of federal election laws.  It was later announced that Trump Jr. has hired an attorney to represent himself in the matter.  So far, President Trump, Vice President Pence, Trumps son in law Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and others connected to the Trump campaign have hired attorneys to represent them concerning the Russian matter.

What a sad time in America when the President, some of his top aids and family members show more loyalty to a foreign government (one that tried to influence the election in Trump's favor according to American intelligence) than the United States.  Trump's campaign and his Presidency has been one big lie, aided by some family members and others whose only interest is personal gain.  After Donald Trump Jr's meeting with the Russian agent was exposed, he tried to say all candidates try to find "dirt" on their opponents.  But caught flak for that comment from past GOP campaign managers who said such a meeting would never have taken place on their watch and that the meeting tells where Trump's loyalty lies.

PolitiDose, in past commentary pointed out months ago that the Trump-Russian affair would continue to unfold over time and that the worst has yet to come.  The next story that breaks could be the BIG ONE.  In the mean time the evidence keeps building the case for collusion and the dark side of a President unfit to be in office and tainted to the point never before seen in an American Presidency.  It truly is a sad time in America when such a person freely chooses a foreign adversary over his own country.

Former President Obama and Hillary Clinton are so much head and heels over Trump in every way possible.  Their loyalty to the United States and the positions they served in were honorable in every way.  History is proving they gave of themselves for the good of the country and its people in a positive way.  What they stood for is missed and lacking in the present administration.  What a shame and shame for America and its people.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

North Korea: Another Big First For PolitiDose

The Times Picayune in its reflection section of July 9 carried two articles concerning the N. Korea problem and what can or can not be done about it.  The main title was, "The Threat From N. Korea."  One of the articles was written by Laura Rosenberger who was director for China and Korea at the national security council under President Obama and a member of the six party talks delegations on North Korea's nuclear program in the George W. Bush administration.   So its obvious Ms. Rosenberger is well qualified to speak on the subject matter because of her experience.

The main points of Ms. Rosenberger commentary was President Trump's sounds off with chest-thumping statements on twitter (this writer calls it Trump's so called tough talk) which is a very reckless reaction and one that risks miscalculation by adversary and ally alike.  Ms. Rosenberger explains that Trump's statements and tweets do not represent policy and therefore dangerous.  And in fact says it is not clear that Trump has any sense of what our strategy toward N. Korea is.  She goes on to detail and explains how N. Korea and our allies might mis-interpret Trump's words.

The second article was written by James Stauridis, a retired U.S. Navy Admiral and former military commander of NATO.  The Admiral explains why there are no good military options against N. Korea and says the worse option on N. Korea for the United States is striking first and he goes on to explain his reasons which have been expressed also by other military leaders.  Admiral Stauridis also noted N. Korea will present a clear and present danger to the U.S. in about 18-24 months when N. Korea is able to produce reliable nuclear weapons small enough to affix to the war heads of their ballistic missiles.

The Admiral also alluded to the fact that Trump's secretary of defense, Jim Mattis said, a war would be catastrophic.  In ending his commentary Admiral Stauridis points out, living with N. Korea's nuclear weapons maybe the least-worst option and that relying on the cold war doctrine of mutual assured destruction, N. Korea's leader Kim Jong Un would realize if he used nuclear weapons he would be signing his own death warrant.

What was surprising to this writer, none of the two articles mentioned the unification of North and South Korea as an option and this writer still believes it is the only long range solution.  A unified Korea with no outside interference and a nuclear free Korea.  Too many years have already been wasted that has yet to yield any progress on bringing N. Korea's nuclear weapons or missile production under control.

And if any thing sounds familiar in the two articles to the reader, its because you read it here first in PolitiDose, just in the last two weeks and several other times in the last seven years.  So stay tuned to PolitiDose, your daily Dose of political commentary.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The U.S. Economy Continues To Create Jobs

The U.S. Labor Department announced that the U.S. economy created 222,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate came in at 4.4%, up from the 4.3% in May.  It was the 81st straight month of positive job growth after the great recession of 2008.  The economy continues its expansion with a solid foundation.

With very little legislation coming out of Washington and the republican's fiasco with health care, the long range direction of the economy is in question.  The republican party still has no jobs bill to introduce, only talk.  The democrats now say they will introduce their own jobs bill to move this important legislature forward.

Government policies and attitude are the basics of a strong economic base and when there is no direction, progress slows.  The next few months may well determine what the future may bring.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The U.S. Has A Traitorous President In The White House

Donald Trump, President of the United States traveled to Europe for the G-20 summit and while on foreign soil criticized former President Obama and said U.S. intelligence agencies can not be trusted.  That was a traitorous statement by a person who continues to have no respect for the office of President and what America stands for.  The President is mentally unfit to lead America and should be impeached.  The republican controlled congress needs to stop making up excuses and act on his impeachment.

Taking care of the country's business and the needs of the people are not on Trump's agenda.  His total focus is to corrupt the democratic process taking place concerning the possible collusion with Russia along with his campaign.  His meeting with Putin will only produce more fake news.  The G-20 summit always looks to America's Presidential leadership, but this year that leadership is lost because of Trumps inability to lead and think beyond himself.

Congress should put an end to this traitorous and corrupt President and start the impeachment process.  Five plus months has done enough damage to our country and its democratic system and institutions.  Trump's statement that America's intelligence agencies can not be trusted gives Putin cover to deny Russia's involvement in hacking the 2016 Presidential election in favor of Trump.  That is called collusion in any ones book.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

North Korea Sends A Message Via Another Missile Test

Donald Trump criticized President Obama every time N. Korea test fired one of its missiles and declared it would not happen in a Trump Administration.  But it is not only taken place on Trump's watch, it is happening with more frequency.  And yesterday N. Korea test fired what it called an ICBM capable of reaching the United States.  The U.S. South Korea and other governments confirmed the test was a success.

N.Korea is sending a message it is a player who has to be dealt with in the nuclear age.  Russia and China responded immediately calling for talks between the U.S, North and South Korea and themselves to solve the problem.  N. Korea's leader is looking for attention and knows better than to attack the U.S. or South Korea which would bring about a devastating response to N. Korea's people, economy and country.

The only long term solution is for a united Korea, one nation, under one rule and one people.  Divided countries will always be a problem, that is why the U.S. still has 20,000 troops stationed in S. Korea 64 years after the Korean war ended and why N. Korea is showing off its military might.  A political solution is needed to resolve the immediate problem of a miscalculation on either side.  China will not allow N. Korea to start a war with the U.S. or S. Korea.

North Korea became a nuclear power during the George W. Bush administration while Bush was trying to talk tough.  Now Trump's tough talk has not worked and because he is so unstable the Korean situation becomes more dangerous.  The present time would be a good time to start the talk of re-uniting both North and South Korea.  It can be done with the proper negotiation and with the U.S., China, Russia stepping back from their current positions with North and South Korea.

The desire of countries to obtain nuclear weapons will not cease until the present nuclear powers attitude of "we can keep our nuclear weapons but you can't have any" and uses that to intimidate.  Pakistan, India, Israel, N. Korea have a nuclear capacity.  Iran was on the road to a nuclear capacity before the recent agreement.  It is a never ending situation that could easily erupt into a nuclear war by design or miscalculation.  The civilized world should not have to live under that cloud.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Carl Bernstein Said It Best Concerning President Donald Trump

Carl Bernstein, a respected journalist for many years and contributor to many media outlets concerning politics and political matters, recently remarked on CNN that Donald Trump was a "malignant" President.  Bernstein, as a political journalist knows more about politics and political figures than most because he put a considerable amount of time into investigative journalism.  He, along with Bob Woodward broke the "watergate"  story wide open as reporters for the Washington Post.

This writer believes Bernstein's description of Trump as a "malignant" President is accurate.  Websters new world dictionary describes the meaning of "malignant" as follows:  Having an evil influence;  malign;  wishing evil;  very malevolent or malicious;  very harmful;  very dangerous or virulent;  malcontent.  Those descriptions fit both Donald Trump the man and Donald Trump the President.  The problem in being President is that being "malignant" affects the moral fabric of what America is all about, what it stands for and sends the wrong message to our young people and the world.

Bernstein has come up with the easiest definition to understand and describe Trump because it can easily be seen in Trump's every day actions.  Too bad the news media has so few journalists with Bernstein's experience and credibility.  Trump will not be able to "tweet" himself out of Bernstein's assessment of Trump the "malignant" President.  And that really says it all.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Trump's Presidential Merry-Go-Round: Where It Stops, No One Knows

This past week the cry baby President lashed out at the news media again in personal attacks and in general comments in keeping up with his fake news that he originated during the campaign.  It is his merry-go-round to divide the people and attempt to hide his failure as a President and as a man.  His tweets re-confirm he is an unstable President with corrupt values.

Trump's latest merry-go-round position on health care, namely, repeal now and replace later, is a dizzy attempt to cover up his and the republicans big lie concerning the ACA and their lack of a real health plan.  Trumps own health plan that he spoke about for over a year and said he would introduce before the end of this past March has not seen the light of day because he lied about having one in the first place. And now since the republican controlled senate had to delay their vote on their health plan because a lack of support from their own party, Trump now wants to repeal now and replace later leaving millions without insurance.

According to the latest poll, less than 20% of those polled support the senate's health plan.  Health care is an issue that can be defined as a visible link between  the republican party, Trump, their out right lies and their inability to govern.  Their ideology is a block on making decisions based on what is best for America.  In the mean time, nothing else is being accomplished by Trump and the republican controlled congress.

The merry-go-round in the White House is the work of a tainted President and cry baby business man who is still unfit to be President and Commander in Chief.  And after more than 5 months in office, there is no end in sight where or when it will come to an end.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

LSU and Florida At The College World Series Championship

LSU and Florida, co-champions of the SEC met in Omaha for the final show down and the Gators swept the Tigers in two games to win their first ever national championship in baseball.  The number 3 ranked Gators allowed the number 4 ranked Tigers only four runs in the two games and Florida's pitcher Singer struck out a record 12 Tigers in the first game.  Florida was a team that was well coached with a talented pitching staff and deserving of the win.

LSU finished its season with improvement over the last few years and advanced in the CWS to the highest place since 2009 when they won the championship.  But this writer believes the season ended on a sad note because of the coaches and some players failure to execute the basics of the game.  And the fact that LSU did not even use one of their top pitchers, Lange in the championship series make no sense.

Three of the eight teams that reached the CWS were from the SEC, LSU, Florida and Texas A&M.  And the SEC continues to be one of the top conference in the nation.  And yes, this CWS displayed the fact that Baseball IS still a game of inches.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The U.S. Senate Delays Vote On Health Care Bill

Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell cancelled Thursday's vote on the Senate health care plan until after the July recess.  McConnell did not have the votes to pass the plan from his own party who did not know the plans contents or its effect on health care until the CBO released its devastating report.  Only a hand full of republican senators knew what the plan contained because it was done in secret with out any debate or outreach.

The CBO report said the plan would leave 22 million Americans with out insurance, one million less than the recently passed House plan and 15 million fewer people would be covered in the next year alone.  The plan would also cut $772 billion from medicaid and premiums would increase.  CBO also reported the plan would help insurance companies, business and the wealthy the most with major tax breaks.

The $772 billion cut to medicaid would go beyond the medicaid expansion of the ACA and would be devastating.  Medicaid also covers adults with disabilities, residents in nursery homes, children with disabilities, births, only to name a few.  It touches all walks of life in need.  The states would have to pick up the difference in any medicaid cuts and they will not do that because they would have to raise taxes and governors promised not to raise taxes.  That is the reason many governors, including republicans accepted and are enjoying the benefits to their people and state of the medicaid expansion under the ACA.  Republican governor John Kasich said it best when he said his state does not have the financial resources to pick up any cuts in medicaid to his state.  In fact he used the word LAUGHABLE that republicans in congress thinks the states have the financial means to pick up those cuts.

The CBO report confirms what President Obama said earlier that the republicans have no health plan, only a plan to reward insurance companies and the wealthy.  What is happening with the Senate plan is more evidence of the republican BIG LIE for the past seven years that they had a workable plan to repeal and replace the ACA.  And of course the greatest LIE was Trump's support for the House passed health care plan that he and house members celebrated after it was passed which Trump now says was mean.  Yeah, after the fact and only after it was in trouble.

The senate will probably pass their bill after adjustments to satisfy their various factions because they want to destroy any thing connected to President Obama.  They know the ACA is working and will not crash and burn or implode like the bill  of goods Trump is trying to sell.  They also know their plan is a fraud and a scheme and the party has no interest in health care reform.  Seven years of republican LIES have identified what the republican party is all about.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio