Columnist Rich Lowry Remains Blind Concerning The federal Budget Deficits and Debt.

 Lowry's commentary published in the New Orleans Advocate of 11/8/23 titled, "Biden blind to looming deficit risk" demonstrates his ignorance about the federal budget deficits as he joins Trump, the GOP and their love for mis-information and lies.  Confessed conservatives like Lowry and his pundits are comfortable with their feelings of being inadequate and their inability to compete with the truth so they stop being real men of character and courage.  Instead they live the life of mis-information and untruths.

The first sentence of his commentary started out with a lie that Biden's last year deficit was $2 trillion.  Fact:  The U.S. Treasury reported that last fiscal year which ended 9/30/23 the deficit came in at $1.69 trillion.  Lowry's second lie was when he said the deficit doubled to $2 trillion.  Fact:  The deficit for the previous fiscal year ending 9/30/22 came in at $1.38 trillion, no where near doubling as Lowry reported.

Lowry's next lie said the national debt increased about $7.8 trillion during Trump's administration.  Fact:  the national debt increased $8.2 trillion during Trump's 4 fiscal years.  It was $28.4 trillion at the end of his last fiscal year and $20.2 trillion at the beginning of his first fiscal year.  That $8.2 trillion increase in the national debt was the largest increase of any President's 4 fiscal years.

The federal  deficit at the end of Trump's third fiscal year was a whopping $3.1 trillion, the largest yearly increase in the federal deficit of any President.  The federal deficit at the end of Trump's last fiscal year came in at $2.7 trillion, the second largest single year deficit of any President.  So yes, President Biden's administration in his first two fiscal years decreased the federal budget deficits from what it was on Trump and the GOP's watch.  And to top it off, another GOP President George W Bush gave the country it's very first ever single year trillion dollar deficit when it came in at $1.4 trillion at the end of his final fiscal year.  

Lowry could not bring himself to talk about Trump's record debt and deficits because he and his ditto  heads feel so inadequate they cannot bring themselves together and report the facts.  They are truly a sad, sad bunch.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio 

Note:  All above numbers provided by this writer taken from U.S. Treasury and CBC historical records.   

Alabama Defeats LSU 42 - 28.

The Crimson Tide from Tuscalousa on Saturday night prevented the Tigers of LSU from successfully defending their SEC West title this 2023 football season.  The game was a track meet between two talented quarterbacks with exceptional talent.  Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had the least playing experience of the two but in the end his team won the game.

No one knew it at the time, but Alabama won the game after the Tigers took the third quarter kick off and marched to a touchdown putting them in the lead 28-21.  Alabama came roaring back scoring three unanswered touchdowns on their next three possessions and took the  lead for good 42-28.  The Alabama defense then took over and shut out the Tigers the rest of the game.

LSU's Daniels rushed for 163 yards on 11 carries and Milroe rushed for 155 yards on 20 carries.  LSU's other rushers rushed for 43 yards on 13 carries and Alabama's other rushers rushed for 133 yards on 23 carries.  Daniels scored one rushing touchdown while Milroe scored four rushing touchdowns.  

The outcome of the game and the way things played out should be no surprise to LSU fans who are objective in evaluating the chances against the Tide.  LSU's defensive problems have been there all year long and gave up big points.  Also, LSU has only beaten one team with a winning record as of this date, Missouri.  Also, every SEC team they have beaten this year had either a losing record or a break even record in SEC play.  The two SEC teams left to play are Florida and Texas A&M and neither have a winning record in SEC play as of this date.

It was notable that three of the four Baton Rouge sports writers for the Advocate in Saturday's edition picked Alabama to beat LSU, however, their reporting during the season talked about LSU winning the SEC west again and making the BCS playoffs.  Saturday's loss to Bama eliminates LSU from the BCS playoffs again this year, the last year of the present set up.  So, in the 10 years of the present playoff system, LSU has made the playoffs only one time in 2019 when they won it all.  

What is left now is to see how LSU and the coaching staff handle the final three games.  This writer commented in PolitiDose commentary after last season was over that the results of the first year under new head coach Kelly would not indicate what the 2023 season would bring.  That turned out to be accurate,

This commentary written by Joe Lorio   

The U.S. Economy, Job Creation and The Unemployment Rate for October 2023.

The Labor Department announced that the economy added 150,000 jobs in October and that the unemployment rate came in at 3.9%, up from 3.8% in September.  It was the 33rd straight month of positive job growth and the unemployment rate has stayed in the 3% range for 21 consecutive months, the longest stretch in the past 70 years.  

The negative doom and gloom voices said the lower job numbers indicate a decline in the jobs market while some reported the reason was the ongoing actions of the Feds to cool off the economy.  Both are wrong because one month is not a trend in either direction.  Over 13 million jobs have been added to the economy in just the last 33 months, a record for such a short time period for any President.  

In another good report earlier, the Commerce Department reported that the economy expanded at a 4.9% annual GDP rate in the 3rd quarter, a much larger expansion than was predicted or anticipated.  Also reported for the 3rd quarter, American business productivity grew while cost were down, a good prime for a farther reduction in inflation.  For the first 3 quarters of the year, the GDP grew at an annual rate of 3%.

All in all, the American economy is still doing well, creating jobs, consumers are still spending, unemployment still at historical low numbers and business are predicting retail sales to increase 3-5% this holiday season.  The SANE party is still in the White House and the negative voices of doom and gloom have been wrong about the economy for 33 months.  And that really says it all.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The United States Gross Domestic Product For The Third Quarter Of 2023.

The nations GDP for the third quarter came in at a robust 4.9% annual rate according to the U.S. Commerce Department.  It was a far cry from the low number predicted by the negative doom and gloom pundits who were once again disappointed to see the economy do so well.  It was also reported that productivity was up and cost were down for the quarter and that led some folks to remark that the Feds actions are working.

The GDP for the first three quarters of 2023 averaged 3% on an annual basis.  The GDP for President Biden's first two years in office averaged 4% on an annual basis.  The GDP under the Trump administration for 4 years averaged 1.07% on an annual basis.  The yearly GDP on Trump's watch never achieved 3%, not even before COVID.  And Trump promised a GDP of 5%.

Despite the negative doom and gloom voices, America, the economy and the people are doing well.  The country is safe, standing up for democracy at home and abroad and staying SANE despite the GOP's anti-democratic rhetoric, lies, misinformation and their love for a traitorous former President.

And the country is still America the Beautiful.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio  

Federal Spending Was Down Again For Fiscal Year Ending 2023.

 The U.S. Treasury Department reported spending for fiscal year ending 9/30/23 was $6.13 trillion, down 2% from last year's fiscal spending which came in at $6.27 trillion.  It was the second year that the Biden administration reduced year to year federal spending.  Federal spending at the end of Biden's first fiscal year was $6.27 trillion, down from Trump's last fiscal year spending which came in at $6.8 trillion for an 8% reduction.  Trump's third fiscal year spending came in at $6.5 trillion.

Federal spending for Biden's first two fiscal years did not exceed federal spending in Trump's last two fiscal years.  Does anyone remember how the GOP told the American people how Biden's policies would lead to record spending, job losses, higher deficits, higher unemployment, etc., etc., and etc.?  I know the media must remember it,  but like always, they are enablers of the GOP talking points, false information and lies.  

PolitiDose commentary for the past 15 years has been there telling the real story.  President Eisenhower was the last GOP administration to reduce year to year federal spending in 1955.  Democratic Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Barrack Obama and now Joe Biden reduced year to year federal spending.  And once again it is a democratic administration who can walk the talk of reducing federal spending.  

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

The Federal Budget Deficit for Fiscal Year Ending 9/30/23.

 The U.S. Treasury Department reported that the federal deficit for President Biden's second fiscal year came in at $1.69 trillion, up from the previous year's fiscal deficit of $1.38 trillion.  And the internet's ignorant pundits as usual described the increase as soaring and whopping.  It is the usual BS rhetoric by the so called conservative community and opinion writers.

"Soaring and Whopping increases in the federal deficit describes what took place on Trump and the GOP's watch in Trump's last two fiscal years when the deficit hit $3.1 trillion and $2.7 trillion.  Of course those conservatives blame those record increases on COVID spending but failed to mention COVID spending took place on Biden's watch also.  The Biden administration just did a better job at governing.  Trump's last two fiscal year deficits totaled $5.8 trillion.  Biden's first two fiscal years deficits totaled $3.07 trillion.  That is $2.7 trillion less than Trump's deficits.

President George W. Bush's last fiscal year deficit was a record (at the time) $1.4 trillion.  That is what President Obama inherited from Bush.  Obama's last fiscal year's budget deficit was $666 billion and that is what President Trump inherited.  Trump's last fiscal year deficit was $2.7 trillion and that is what President Biden inherited.  And at the present, Biden's latest budget deficit is $1.69 trillion.  

Past PolitiDose commentary dating back 15 years exposed the GOP myth of being fiscal conservatives and exposed their lies and fraudulent information.  Yet today, the media remains their enablers of those big fat lies.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio.

Note:  No GOP administration since President Eisenhower completed his last fiscal year with a lower budget deficit than the administration he followed.    

 

Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney: Wasted Years With The GOP.

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney announced he would not run for reelection because he is at a crossroad with the Republican Party.  Liz Cheney, who served in the U.S. House until her defeat last year is out of public office.  Both are good people who served in office during Trump's term.  Romney voted with Trump 75% of the time and Cheney voted with Trump 93% of the time according to political records.

Cheney has accomplished more than Romney because she served honorably on the January 6th committee.  Both voted to impeach Trump.  Both would have been better off being democrats and could have accomplished more for the country, its people and the people they represent.  Although neither one has been politically opposed to the GOP's long standing personal attacks that began with Newt Gingrich, both are more moderate than the GOP is as a party.  Both have demonstrated their ability to work with the democratic party.

This writer thinks they could have accomplished more as a democrat and the reasons why are spelled out in my PolitiDose commentary dated 3/19/21 titled, "Presidential leadership:  The Economy and Fiscal Matters The Last 40 Years."  The commentary says it all and does not have to be repeated here except to say it tells the story of democratic administrations that have accomplished all the GOP has talked about but never accomplished themselves.  

Romney and Cheney should log onto that commentary and read it themselves, they just might agree and realize how little the GOP has accomplished in the last 40 years referred to.  And when it comes to foreign policy, it should be remembered that President's Reagan and Bush came to office talking tough about terrorist, but the worst foreign terror attack against Americans on foreign soil took place on Reagan's watch in Lebanon when terrorists blew up the  Marine compound killing 241 Marines.  The planners were never brought to justice by the Reagan administration.  And the worse foreign terror attack on U.S. soil took place on Bush 43 watch on 9/11 when terrorist toppled the world trade centers in New York killing over 2000 people.  President Bush never brought Bin Laden to justice for that act but President Obama did bring Bin Laden to justice.  

There is  no  doubt that Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney could have accomplished more as a democrat.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio   

 

Did Louisiana's Voters Give Jeff Landry A Mandate?

 Landry, the GOP, some pundits and pollsters seem to think  so.  But this writer thinks not.  Less than 40% of Louisiana's registered voters turned out to vote, so there is no mandate.  Obviously, the majority of registered voters lacked confidence in all those on the ballet who wanted to be governor.  That is what takes place when you have an electorate bombarded with lies, misinformation and down right un-truths from the GOP and a enabling media.  

What a GOP administration will now bring is higher unemployment, less service for the people, more control over the private lives of citizens and what they can do or read.  Budget deficits will return and the state will just be another game for the GOP and Landry's hero, Donald Trump.  How does this writer know that?  Well, it goes back to precedent of past GOP administrations.

So, stay tuned to PolitiDose, your daily dose of political commentary.   

This commentary written by Joe Lorio

Violent Crime and Murders Down On The Democratic Watch.

 The FBI in its annual crime report said violent crime in America was down 1.7% and that the murder rate decreased 6.1% in 2022 compared to 2021 rates.  It follows the same path where violent crime and murder were down in 2021 compared to the 29% increase in 2020, Trump's last year in office.  

The report also states that the FBI's report are in line with a July report by the Council On Criminal Justice that reports data from 37 surveyed cities found that murders dropped 9.4% in the first half of 2023 compared to the first half of 2022.  So, the numbers tell us that violent crime and murders are on the down side for the past two and half years and that the full year of 2023 will show the same when the final numbers are released next year.

There are those who say the 29% increase in violent crime on Trump's watch in 2020 can be blamed some what on COVID.  However, President Biden had to deal with COVID also and those rates decreased.  With Biden, the rhetoric changed to a sane atmosphere where the adults were in charge of governing.  And once again it is a democratic administration that does a better job at reducing crime and murder and not the loud mouth GOP who continue to try and weaken the criminal justice system with their lies and attacks on the rule of law.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio  

Steve Scalise and The Toxic GOP.

They deserve each other because they allowed Donald Trump to be the face and leader of their party and its ugly ideology of un-American and anti-democratic values that threaten the country, the constitution, the rule of law, our institutions and the peaceful transfer of power during our democratic elections.  And the ugliness it created is being played out now in the GOP controlled U.S. House of Representatives.  

Steve Scalise, the majority leader of the GOP controlled House was nominated by his party to be Speaker of the House and then dropped out of the race when he could not secure enough votes to be elected.  Some local Louisiana opinion writers blamed it on the right wing conservatives and their right wing agenda.  But the atmosphere in the House was helped created by Scalise himself, the party and Donald Trump who they still support and his lies of a stolen election.  

The fact is Scalise and the GOP are no longer a political party that represents America, its people, its national security or the rule of law.  They are an organization that support authoritarian rule and government that has been confirmed by their own actions and or inaction.  No one republican can trust another and it is obvious by the actions of the GOP controlled House.  They cannot even agree on a simple resolution to keep the government open and running so the federal government can go about executing their responsibilities.   

The end of  the GOP as a political party was self determined and there exist no leader in the party to change the status quo.  And Scalise was always part of the madness.  It is a story of a toxic rhetoric up and down the GOP's ranks that has actually encouraged violence.  And as everyone knows, Scalise and the GOP backed Trump's agenda when he was President the majority of  the time and just let everything slide.  

The country now finds itself in a position of having a President and democratic controlled Senate trying to do business for the country with a GOP controlled House bent on obstruction and willingness to sabotage democracy.  No one living can remember a time of such a toxic republican party.

This commentary written by Joe Lorio