Month: February 2018

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE: Kane County clerk hopefuls at odds over Aurora Election Commission – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180212/kane-county-clerk-hopefuls-at-odds-over-aurora-election-commission
— Can a social conservative win in the 10th House District? – Russell Lissau (DIERSEN: Anti-conservatives want the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) to dump its traditional family, right to life, immigration, and many other planks in its platform. Anti-conservatives want the IRP to dump those voters who support those planks. Anti-conservatives want the IRP to pander to those who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors. Anti-conservatives want to destroy the IRP. Anti-conservatives want anti-conservatives to be elected to the IRP State Central Committee (SCC) in 2018. Anti-conservatives want those IRP SCC members to appoint members to the 2020 IRP Platform & Resolution Committee who will gut the IRP platform. At the 2016 IRP State Convention, anti-conservatives almost succeeded in gutting the traditional family plank in the IRP platform. In your congressional district, who is running to represent you on the IRP SCC?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180212/can-a-social-conservative-win-in-the-10th-house-district

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— County commissioner John Fritchey pushing pot legalization has medical marijuana card – Hal Dardick (DIERSEN: Pot pushers want everyone in Illinois to have a “medical marijuana card.” If you push pot, you push destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-medical-marijuana-fritchey-201802012-story.html
— On apology tour, Pritzker pledges an administration with ‘African-American leaders at all levels’ – Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: In the federal government, if you are a non-veteran White male employee, to get promoted to GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40, you have to pledge to meet your agency’s Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion goals, that is, you have to pledge that you will waste the careers of and get rid of non-veteran White male employees who do not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-black-voters-apology-church-20180209-story.html
— As midterms near, more women plunging into campaigns – Kate Thayer (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps shout at women and at everyone else that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, bigots, and even worse things.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-congress-more-women-running-20180205-story.html
— How to end gerrymandering in Illinois – Jeff Raines (DIERSEN: Should I write a book about the 2015 gerrymandering of my DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 9 in Wheaton?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-gerrymander-illinois-redistricting-elections-0212-20180208-story.html

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
– Government doesn’t work if citizens don’t vote – ANDY SHAW (DIERSEN: Democrats focus on turning out voters who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180209/ISSUE07/180209878

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Rauner lays out ambitious goals for budget – Doug Finke
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20180211/gov-rauner-lays-out-ambitious-goals-for-budget

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Bruce Rauner’s never been in a better position to balance the budget, now use it – John Cullerton
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180211/john-cullerton-bruce-rauners-never-been-in-better-position-to-balance-budget-now-use-it

DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— DeKalb County real estate agents say small decline possible in home values, sales – KEVIN SOLARI (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership. The $10,000 SALT cap discourages home ownership. Further, my wife and I have paid the marriage penalty big time since we got married in 1978. Under the new Republican tax law, if there was no marriage penalty, instead of $10,000, the SALT cap would be $20,000 for married filing jointly.)
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2018/02/09/dekalb-county-real-estate-agents-say-small-decline-possible-in-home-values-sales/a7bv7yi/

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Local politicians outnumber voters at Sunday meet-and-greet in Crystal Lake Weather might have played factor in attendance – MIKE MALLORY (DIERSEN: Have you ever served as the chairman of a political organization? I served as the chairman of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois 2005-2012. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes always a) demonized, denigrated, and condemned those who I recruited to speak at TAPROOT meetings, picnics, and Christmas parties and b) hinted/implied/argued/shouted that if they, or if anyone who they manipulated/dominated, had been the chairman of TAPROOT, many more would have attended TAPROOT events. They hint/imply/argue/shout that I must be an extremely bad person because a) those who I recruited to speak at TAPROOT events, b) those who attended TAPROOT events, and c) everyone else failed/refused to do more to stop my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes from getting rid of me in 2012. In my defense, I stress that my critics/opponents in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois have tremendous religious, government, political, and/or financial clout, and they have made it very clear to everyone that they have used, are using, and will use their tremendous clout to viciously destroy any individual, any organization, any company, or any government that might come to my defense. Should I write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes?)
http://www.nwherald.com/2018/02/11/local-politicians-outnumber-voters-at-sunday-meet-and-greet-in-crystal-lake/alv9dqq/

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Townships forever? – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-02-11/townships-forever.html

TIMES
— Ives is strong leader we need – LARRY LANGSTON, Serena
http://www.mywebtimes.com/opinion/letters/langston-ives-is-strong-leader-we-need/article_a7b4eec1-0e2d-54ee-be74-fe6253864419.html

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Congress takes on immigration issue amid election pressures – AP (DIERSEN: In Illinois, if you get elected or appointed to a government or political office as a Republican, you obligate yourself to defend and advance all the planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform, including its traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/congress-takes-on-immigration-issue-amid-election-pressures/969020435

WGLT
— For Local Republicans Picking Next Chair, How Big Should The Tent Be? – RYAN DENHAM (DIERSEN: Anti-conservatives want the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) to dump its traditional family, right to life, immigration, and many other planks in its platform. Anti-conservatives want the IRP to dump those voters who support those planks. Anti-conservatives want the IRP to pander to those who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors. Anti-conservatives want to destroy the IRP. Anti-conservatives want anti-conservatives to be elected to the IRP State Central Committee (SCC) in 2018. Anti-conservatives want those IRP SCC members to appoint members to the 2020 IRP Platform & Resolution Committee who will gut the IRP platform. At the 2016 IRP State Convention, anti-conservatives almost succeeded in gutting the traditional family plank in the IRP platform. In your congressional district, who is running to represent you on the IRP SCC?)
http://wglt.org/post/local-republicans-picking-next-chair-how-big-should-tent-be#stream/0

WSIL TV
— Rauner, Ives take shots at each other at GOP luncheon – Andrew Feather
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37480046/rauner-ives-take-shots-at-each-other-at-gop-luncheon
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and his primary challenger Jeanne Ives continued to take shots at each other Saturday at the Williamson County Republican Women’s Lincoln Day Luncheon. Ives said Rauner betrayed Illinois conservatives by signing what she called liberal legislation, including taxpayer funds to pay for abortions and making Illinois a sanctuary state. “For the last three year he’s lied to everybody about everything,” said Ives. “You can’t trust him for another four years.” Rauner said Ives is the one who is not telling the truth. “Let me be crystal clear: I am adamantly against Illegal immigration,” said Rauner. “I would never allow Illinois to become a sanctuary.” For much of the day the topic centered around one person: House Speaker Mike Madigan As the candidates stressed the importance of replacing longtime house speaker Mike Madigan, Gov. Rauner said he’s the only Republican candidate who can lead that movement. “Democrats want Madigan gone almost as much as Republicans do and this is the time we can bring people together,” said Rauner. “This is the time for a revolution. The people of Illinois stand together and say no more corrupt Chicago political machine.” But Ives claims Rauner had given in to Madigan in the past and would continue to if re-elected. A poll released last month showed Rauner ahead in the primary race by more than 40 points, but a Public Policy Polling survey last week found only 26 percent of Illinoisans have a favorable view of the governor. Illinois primaries will take place March 20.)

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— Watchdog Group Suggests Taxing Retirement Income – TONY ARNOLD (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, those who have retirement income are demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being undeservedly filthy rich. If the anti-rich people succeed in taxing retirement income, the first $100,000 for individuals and the first $200,000 for married couples should exempt.)
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/watchdog-group-suggests-taxing-retirement-income#stream/0

NPR ILLINOIS
— A New Approach To Campaigns: Competitive Candidate School
http://nprillinois.org/post/new-approach-campaigns-competitive-candidate-school#stream/0
— Former Trump Campaign Adviser George Papadopoulos Was More Than A Coffee Boy, Fiancee Says – TOM DREISBACH (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that while I worked for IRS 1971-1980 and for GAO 1980-1997, I was nothing more than an overpaid coffee boy.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/former-trump-campaign-adviser-was-more-coffee-boy-fiancee-says#stream/0

COLUMBIA CHRONICLE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Attack ads may hinder voter turnout.”
http://www.columbiachronicle.com/metro/article_c114f97a-0df5-11e8-8ac6-8326e45b15f6.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In an attempt to capitalize on Rauner’s low approval rating, his primary opponent, state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton, Illinois, launched a controversial attack ad Feb. 2, titled “Thank you, Bruce Rauner,” which was met with criticism from activist groups, newspaper editorial boards and even members of her own Republican party. “[Attack ads] can have a beneficial or a negative impact,” said Jim Allen, spokesman at the Chicago Board of Elections. “A certain amount of conflict is good.” It is “par for the course” to attack an incumbent with negative commercials, Mooney said, and Ives’ “Thank you, Bruce Rauner” ad is trying to appeal to President Donald Trump’s voter base. Though Trump lost Illinois in the 2016 presidential election, he did resonate with many downstate Republican voters, and Ives is trying to galvanize those voters, he added. However, Ives’ negative ads are so politically incorrect that they could mobilize voters to check Rauner’s name on the ballot in protest against her candidacy, according to Mooney. Historically, far-right conservatives in statewide Illinois primaries only account for anywhere between 25–30 percent of the vote, and the majority tend to be socially moderate, he added.)

WIREPOINTS
— Incomes in top 50 Illinois cities can’t keep pace with state pensions – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner (DIERSEN: When will someone start blasting private sector employers for screwing their lower-level (under $100,000/year) workers?)
http://www.wirepoints.com/local-incomes-havent-kept-up-with-total-illinois-state-pension-benefits-wirepoints-original/

REPUBLICAN NEWS WATCH
— President Trump is the Last Hope for Illinois – DOUG IBENDAHL (DIERSEN: Which candidates on the March 20, 2018 Republican primary ballot for your precinct have done the most to paint themselves as being anti-Trump?)
http://republicannewswatch.com/wp/?p=14420
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Republican Governor Bruce Rauner is a lost cause. He’s made his bed with his proven record of dishonesty, incompetence and betrayal. And he certainly can’t expect President Trump’s help at this point. Rauner isn’t savvy enough to seek it in any case. Republican Primary challenger Jeanne Ives could easily defeat Rauner. Ives’ problem is she hasn’t really earned President Trump’s support or that of his supporters. It’s still not too late but she would have to make significant changes. Right now she doesn’t seem to be truly behind the President or his winning agenda. She’s not a Never-Trumper like Rauner, but her support is lukewarm at best, as evidenced by the way she’s blown her most obvious path to victory thus far. History says that mid-term elections are usually bad for an incoming President’s party. But I don’t think that will be the case this year for Republicans nationally. Trump has saved the GOP from itself. However, Illinois is likely to buck the trend. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time. President Trump should be a huge asset for any Illinois Republican running this year. However, laziness and horrible judgment by the local yokels are squandering the potential. Failure to stand with the President against the Left and its media toadies, coupled with refusal to help educate voters about the winning Trump agenda are turning an asset into a liability. Clearly we’re saddled with a lot of cowards in Illinois politics. That’s not seriously debatable. But one would think even cowards would be smart enough to act in their own self-interest. The Trump agenda represents the only serious plan out there for rebuilding America and the work is well underway. Smart politicians in other states across the country get it. Their states are already reaping positive results from the Trump economy. And they’ll continue to welcome some of the best and brightest from Illinois who decide they can no longer tolerate this state’s incompetence and dysfunction. Illinois Republicans have only one card left to play and that’s the Trump Card. Played well the GOP could restore hope to all Illinoisans from Cairo to Chicago and beyond.)

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— HUNDREDS OF LOCAL OFFICIALS IN DUPAGE HAVE SALARIES OVER $100,000 Residents of DuPage County pay some of the highest property taxes in the state – and the country. As taxpayers feel the pinch, compensation remains generous for many local officials – some have even enjoyed a boost. – Vincent Caruso (DIERSEN: When will the IPI write an article about those in the private sector and in the not-for-profit sector in Illinois whose salaries are over $100,000? Will IPI describe those salaries as being “generous?”)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/hundreds-of-local-officials-in-dupage-have-salaries-over-100000/
— BROKEN PENSION SYSTEM PUTS SCHAUMBURG TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK FOR BAD INVESTMENTS – Austin Berg
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/broken-pension-system-puts-schaumburg-taxpayers-on-the-hook-for-bad-investments/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— KOENIG: OPEN LETTER TO IL GOP STATE CHAIRMAN TIM SCHNEIDER: SHAME ON YOU!
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/koenig-open-letter-to-il-gop-state-chairman-tim-schneider-shame-on-you-.html
— GRIEVING BROTHER FEATURED IN NEW JEANNE IVES AD
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/after-brother-killed-by-drunken-illegal-and-rauner-ignores-him-joins-ives-effort-.html

POLITICFACT
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Campaign ad falsely claims Rauner made taxpayers fund late abortions.”
http://www.politifact.com/illinois/statements/2018/feb/12/jeanne-ives/campaign-ad-falsely-claims-rauner-made-taxpayers-f/

CAPITOL FAX
— PPP poll has Kennedy in second in Cook; Ives has new “sanctuary state” ad and maybe money to burn; Pritzker continues apology tour
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/11/sunday-roundup-ppp-poll-has-kennedy-in-second-in-cook-ives-has-new-sanctuary-state-ad-and-maybe-money-to-burn-pritzker-continues-apology-tour/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— In Illinois, a Pro-Life Democrat (Lipinski) and Not So Pro-Life Republican (Rauner) – Mary Fiorito
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/456302/illinois-abortion-politics-republican-governor-bruce-rauner-democrat-congressman-dan-lipinski-pro-life

NEWSMAX
— Bannon Was ‘Sick of Being a Wet Nurse to 71-Year-Old’ (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always promoted age discrimination. They have always shouted that if you are a non-veteran White male federal employee, you are lazy, stupid, and even worse things if you do not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/steve-bannon-president-donald-trump-joshua-green/2018/02/11/id/842709/

AMERICAN THINKER
— GOP Senators will introduce enforcement-heavy immigration bill – Rick Moran
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/02/gop_senators_will_introduce_enforcementheavy_immigration_bill_.html

BLAZE
— Trump to unveil plan making brutal changes to government worker pay — and unions are already angry – Chris Enloe (DIERSEN: Democrats have always ran the federal government, Democrats are running the federal government now, and Democrats will always run the federal government. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/02/11/trump-to-unveil-plan-making-brutal-changes-to-government-worker-pay-and-unions-are-already-angry
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The proposal would end regular tenure and merit-based raises for more than 1.5 million federal government employees. Instead, the plan will call on government agencies to reward employees with performance-based raises and other incentives. . .In addition, the plan seeks to phase out the traditional pension-based retirement plan and adopt employee-contribution plans found in the private sector. Overall, the plan seeks to bring employee pay and benefits to the modern age. . .The Associated Press noted that moving to performance-based work could lead to the termination of many government employees with poor work reviews. . .What are government employees saying? According to USA Today, unions representing federal government employees are not a fan of the changes. David Cox, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the changes “wipe out due process rights for employees.” Cox also expressed concern government leadership would use the changes to punish women, minorities and political dissidents. “He seems to be interested in political revenge by firing people,” Cox said of Trump. “The government is not a family business that you get to be in total control of.”)

POLITICO
— REPUBLICANS aren’t interested in Trump weighing in on domestic violence — PLANE CRASHES in Moscow; RSC executive director out, after he critiques GOP leadership – ANNA PALMER
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2018/02/11/republicans-arent-interested-in-trump-weighing-in-on-domestic-violence-plane-crashes-in-moscow-exclusive-from-bade-rsc-executive-director-out-after-he-critiques-gop-leadership-246006

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: My wife and I have paid the marriage penalty big time since we got married in 1978. Under the new Republican tax law, if there was no marriage penalty, instead of $10,000, the SALT cap would be $20,000 for married filing jointly.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/many-married-couples-gain-under-the-new-tax-law-1518404941?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1
(FROM THE ARTICLE: But some significant problems remain. “You might hear someone say [the new law] got rid of the marriage penalty. That’s not true,” says Jackie Perlman, principal tax-research analyst at The Tax Institute at H&R Block. “It’s still there. The tax code is replete with all sorts of marriage penalties.” Marriage penalties and bonuses have been controversial tax topics for many decades.)
— The Secret to Getting More People to Pay Their Taxes Compliance would rise if taxpayers feel they have a say in how the money is spent – Cait Lamberton and Michael I. Norton (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who say that the more tax that you pay, the more say that you should have in how that money is spent? Should everyone be required to disclose how much federal, state, and local taxes that they have paid (adjusted for inflation) during the last year, last 5 years, last 10 years, last 15 years, last 20 years, last 25 years, last 30 years, last 35 years, last 40 years, last 45 years, last 50+ years, etc.?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-secret-to-getting-more-people-to-pay-their-taxes-1518405000
— The Secret to Midcareer Success – Michael S. Malone (DIERSEN: For non-veteran White male employees in the federal government, it is no secret that the secret to career success is helping your supervisors and superiors get rid of employees who are non-veteran, White, and/or male who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-secret-to-midcareer-success-1518377918
— Why Teens Need a Sense of Purpose About 20% of teens are considered purposeful; having a parent, teacher or friend as a role model is important – Clare Ansberry (DIERSEN: Aside from being a student, what did you do while you were a teen? I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; and delivered mail 1966-1969.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-teens-need-a-sense-of-purpose-1518264001
— FRONT PAGE: There’s a Global Race to Control Batteries—and China Is Winning Chinese companies dominate the cobalt supply chain that begins at mines in Congo – Scott Patterson and Russell Gold (DIERSEN: Of course, those who promote China have no problem with this.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/theres-a-global-race-to-control-batteriesand-china-is-winning-1518374815

USA TODAY
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: At airports, pot is still illegal – Harriet Baskas
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2018/02/07/can-you-fly-marijuana-within-legalized-states/312169002/
— Rob Porter scandal exposes 3 land mines – Editorial
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/02/08/rob-porter-scandal-exposes-3-land-mines/319902002/

SAN FRANCISCO GATE
— Federal pay may take hit in 2019 budget – Joe Davidson (DIERSEN: Since 1989, the Democrats who run GAO have used pay-for-performance (PFP) a) to hire, retain, and promote those who are Democrat, minority, female, and/or younger and b) to get rid of its employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran. To get rid of me, my Democrat GAO superiors in GAO’s Chicago office always ranked me in the lower half of my coworkers for PFP purposes.)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Federal-pay-may-take-hit-in-2019-budget-12606628.php
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Associated Press reported Trump will propose a pay-for-performance plan for most feds, a notion that makes union leaders seethe. Performance-based pay sounds like a reasonable idea, but federal employees remember it from the National Security Personnel System at the Defense Department under the last Republican president, George W. Bush. The implementation was so troubled, the buy-in from employees so poor, and the program so beleaguered with charges of racial discrimination that Congress abolished the program. Now Trump reportedly wants to install a much broader pay-for-performance system. He won’t get it without a tough fight from federal labor leaders and their Democratic allies. A pay-for-performance system would be a “nail in the coffin of the apolitical professional civil service,” said J. David Cox Sr., president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union. In addition to the experience-based complaints against performance-based pay, labor leaders warn against Trump’s twisted notion of narcissistic fidelity. “Does anybody want a system that allows financial rewards – funded by taxpayers – to be provided exclusively to those deemed loyal to the administration?” Cox asked. “Does anybody want a pay system that denies pay adjustments to people considered disloyal to the administration? Pity the EPA scientist whose work demonstrates the existence of climate change.” The president’s reported proposal would save the government $10 billion over 10 years, which means that’s what it would cost federal employees. It would apply to about 1.5 million federal workers out of about 2 million. It is not clear who would be excluded. “In reality, performance-based pay in the federal government is a cost-containment tool, nothing more,” Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, said in an email. “Once federal workers’ pay becomes ambiguous, it becomes easier to whittle away.”)