February 19, 2026

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

FOX ILLINOIS
— IL Republicans react to 2027 budget proposal
https://www.foxillinois.com/news/local/il-republicans-react-to-2027-budget-proposal/article_ef18b4cc-5b19-430f-bcad-f3fe3891c587.html

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DD: Democrat leaders equate their illegals with a) their runaway slaves, b) their interned people of Japanese descent during WWII, c) their etc. Democrat leaders have declared a Second Civil War against Republicans. Their illegals are their soldiers in their Democrat Army.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/19/opinion-federal-immigration-enforcement-ice-japanese-internment-wwii/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use faith leaders to promote more hatred against Trump.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2026/02/18/broadview-ice-facility-ash-wednesday-communion

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage County Historical Museum has a full exhibit & event schedule planned for 2026. DD: I have lived in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978. I should write about why they have gone from red to blue.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260218/submitted-content/dupage-county-historical-museum-has-a-full-exhibit-event-schedule-planned-for-2026/

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly push all drugs that make you high.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/2026/02/19/what-i-learned-buying-legal-weed-in-milwaukee/87836336007/

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
— DD: Democrat leaders want zoning changes a) that favor those who have demographics that vote for Democrats and b) that harm those who have demographics that vote for Republicans.
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzker-to-propose-statewide-zoning-laws-to-spur-homebuilding-limit-local-control/

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Pritzker on love and budget limits
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/02/19/pritzker-on-love-limits-and-lost-billions-00787856

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning Edition
https://capitolfax.com/2026/02/19/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-682/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Jacqueline Garretson Uses Facebook and Yard Signs in Her Attempt to Win Precinct Committeeperson Race Against Jeanne Caifano. This is the most intense campaign for Precinct Committeeperson I have seen. (DD: I might not have been elected Republican Precinct Committeeman (RPC) in 2000 if Peter Roskam and Randy Hultgren had not endorsed me in writing. Anti-conservative DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton “Republican” leaders had recruited a woman who had never been active in Republican politics to run against me even though I was officially serving as the precinct’s appointed RPC and had served as the precinct’s Assistant RPC before that. I should write about the aforesaid “Republican” leaders who have taken the most/biggest adverse actions against me since 2000.
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/02/19/jacqueline-garretson-uses-facebook-and-yard-signs-in-her-attempt-to-win-precinct-committeeperson-race-against-jeanne-caifano/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Neither candidate has been an elected Precinct Committeeperson, but Jacqueline Garretson was appointed to the post. Jeanne Caifano is challenging he. Garretson posted this message on Facebook: Jacqueline Garretson for McHenry 13  A precinct committeeperson’s role is rooted in participation, consistency, and leading by example. Voting records show my opponent has had limited participation in primary elections. That matters — because this position is centered on turning out Republican voters and encouraging engagement in the very elections that shape our party. If we want stronger turnout, we need leadership that actively participates, understands the process, and shows up every cycle. This job takes time, dedication, and energy — knocking doors, making calls, organizing volunteers, and building relationships across the precinct. I’ve done that work both locally and across the county, and I’m committed to continuing it. Experience matters. Participation matters. Showing up matters. Vote March 17th for Jacqueline Garretson, your incumbent Precinct Committeeperson for McHenry Township 13.)
— Freedom Caucus Reacts to Pritzker Speech
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/02/18/freedom-caucus-reacts-to-pritzker-speech/

RAY HANANIA
— When elected officials hate on Trump, they’re doing it to cover their own faults.
https://hanania.substack.com/p/when-elected-officials-hate-on-trump

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— I have requested the DuPage County Election Division (DCEC) to provide me with early voting data. It would be great if the DCEC would provide me with the number of early votes cast daily, weekly, and cumulatively in DuPage County broken out by a) type of ballot (R,D,NA), b) township, and c) precinct. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— The Illinois Republican Party (IRP) has declared Illinois Republican Senator Neil Anderson’s position on abortion to be “extreme” and has therefore forced him to resign from his leadership position in the party. One could analogize Anderson with me. Since 2000, IRP, DuPage County Republican Central Committee (DCRCC), Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO), TAPOOT Republicans of Illinois, and Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) leaders have hinted/implied/argued/shouted that my positions on personal responsibility, traditional marriage and family, right to life, immigration, vices, Second Amendment, and/or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) are “extreme” and therefore taken many big adverse actions against me. I should identify the aforesaid leaders and write about them. Better yet, I should demand that they put in writing exactly what I said and/or did in defense/advocacy or the aforesaid planks in the Republican Party platform that was “extreme.” I would start with the aforesaid leaders who had their operatives and their dupes a) bar me from attending their DCRCC fundraiser on February 27 as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor unless I paid $75, b) throw me off their IRP State Convention Platform and Resolutions Committee in 2024, c) end my role as the Republican Party fundraiser for Wheaton Independence Day parades and fireworks in 2021, d) gerrymander my precinct in 2015, e) end my TAPROOT chairmanship in 2012, f) end my service as the MTRO webmaster in 2010 and 2004, g) end my ICRC Steering Committee membership in 2007, h) almost get ICRC to censure me for my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters in 2006, i) defeat my bid to serve as MTRO treasure in 2004, j) had someone run against me for Republican Precinct Committeeman in 2000, k) etc. I would focus on the aforesaid leaders who reject the aforesaid planks in the Republican Party platform. I would focus the aforesaid leaders who have done the most since 2000 a) to stop me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters and b) to stop everyone from reading them. I would focus on the aforesaid leaders who destroy those like me a) who they cannot manipulate or dominate, b) who refuse to glorify and praise them, c) who refuse to pander to them, d) who refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, e) who refuse to coverup their wrong doing, and/or f) who refuse to give them money. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinois-republican-senator-pushes-to-outlaw-abortion-loses-leadership-spots/
— What discourages you from helping elect Republican candidates? For me, it includes my knowing that far too many of them will blame me and will blame my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters for their defeats. For me, it includes my knowing that far too many of them reject some, many, most, virtually all, if not all the planks in the Republican Party platform. For me, it includes my knowing that for too many of them have big skeletons in their closets that will bring them down and bring their supporters down. For me, it includes my knowing that far too many of them lack adequate/appropriate work experience, education, and/or other qualifications. I should write about all the Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct since 2000. I would focus on those who have had their operatives and their dupes take the most/biggest adverse actions against me. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

NEW YORK POST
— It’s time to take a stand against ‘woke AI’ before it compromises our reality
https://nypost.com/2026/02/18/opinion/miranda-devine-its-time-to-take-a-stand-against-woke-ai-before-it-compromises-our-reality/
— Michelle Obama says affirmative action no different than student athlete admissions. DD: Athletic admissions are based on athletic ability. Affirmative Action admissions are based on race and gender.
https://nypost.com/2026/02/18/media/michelle-obama-says-affirmative-action-no-different-than-a. thlete-admissions/

FOX NEWS
— Nashville teacher threatened with termination for refusing to read LGBTQ book to first graders. School officials issued a ‘final warning’ letter to Eric Rivera, accusing him of failing to teach the curriculum ‘with fidelity.’ DD: My parents sending me to Missouri Synod Lutheran grade schools put me on the right track.
https://noticias.foxnews.com/media/nashville-teacher-allegedly-threatened-termination-refusing-read-lgbtq-book-first-graders
— Former Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-suspicion-misconduct-public-office

NEWSMAX
— DD: The Democrats who ran the Post Office in 1966, IRS in 1971, and GAO in 1980 hired me because they could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. Since then, to hire Democrats who are minority, female, younger, and/or veteran, they have lowered standards. If I had not earned a high school diploma and passed the postal employment test, the Democrats who ran the Post Office in 1966 would not have hired me. If I had not earned a job-related bachelor’s degree and passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination, the Democrats who ran IRS in 1971 would not have hired me. If I had not earned a job-related master’s degree and passed the CPA examination on my first attempt, the Democrats who ran GAO in 1980 would not have hired me.
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/georgementz/trump-economy-personal/2026/02/18/id/1246600/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Trump Ended Degree-Based Discrimination in Public Service. One of the most significant workforce reforms was the removal of mandatory college degree requirements for many federal government positions. This executive action expanded access to high-quality government careers for skilled Americans who gained expertise through experience, military service, apprenticeships, or vocational training. It restored merit-based hiring and opened opportunity to millions previously excluded by credentialism rather than competence. [v] [vi] These presidential innovations allow for a student with actual skills, experience, and a college certificate to get a federal job over a person with an irrelevant degree from a fancy university. See Executive Order 13932 by President Trump which is celebrated by working families and unions to keep citizens in good jobs.)

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

REUTERS
— Trump administration expands ICE authority to detain refugees
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-expands-ice-authority-detain-refugees-2026-02-19/
— Trump basks in Black History Month praise, dodging racism claims. DD: My Black Democrat GAO subordinate who my Democrat GAO superiors rudely replaced me with led the office’s Black History Month events. He had less work experience than I had. He had less education than I had. He had one professional certification while I had six. He had no professional license like the one I had.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-basks-black-history-month-praise-dodging-racism-claims-2026-02-19/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have. Noncitizens work for less money and are easier to exploit.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/mass-deportations-sabotage-the-economy-fedffa8b

BLOOMBERG
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly blame Trump for inflation.
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2026-cost-of-living/

NATIONAL TODAY
— War Department Cuts Civilian Workforce by 10% in 2025. DD: Hegseth should know that virtually all federal employees who hold leadership positions are Democrats. Hegseth should know that they will use any budget cuts to get rid of federal employees who are Republican, White, male, older, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://nationaltoday.com/us/dc/washington/news/2026/02/19/war-department-cuts-civilian-workforce-by-10-in-2025/

NPR
— NPR’s Michel Martin asks professor Dorothy Roberts about her new memoir, “The Mixed Marriage Project,” about her father’s quest to challenge white supremacy by studying interracial couples in Chicago. DD: While I works for the Democrat who ran IRS for almost 9 years and for the Democrats who ran GAO for almost 18 years, many of my superiors and supervisors were in mixed marriages.
https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5619744/in-mixed-marriage-project-a-woman-explores-her-dads-study-of-interracial-couples

INSTITUTE OF INTERNAL AUDITORS
— Become a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). DD: When I was 32 years old in 1981, I became a CIA by passing all four parts of the examination on my first attempt. My Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious. None of my coworkers who my Democrat GAO superiors wanted to promote over me had taken the examination, let alone passed it, let alone passed it on their first attempt. So they ignored/dismissed/belittled my passing the examination.
https://www.theiia.org/en/certifications/cia/
(FROM THE POSTING: Since 1974, there has only been one internal audit designation that has garnered global recognition, career advancement, and professional credibility – the Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®) certification. Join more than 200,000 CIAs from 170 countries who have achieved this highly respected global certification. Your path to CIA is tailored to your experience — choose from traditional, accelerated or student pathways.)

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— Federal employees’ options for appealing adverse actions headed for an overhaul. DD: My Democrat superiors in the federal government took many big adverse actions against me. My Democrat GAO superiors a) forced me to take a $23,699/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS when I was 31 in 1980, b) delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13, c) kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, d) always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, and e) forced me to retire when I was 49. My Democrat IRS superiors a) disallowed my travel vouchers when I was 25, b) disallowed my education deductions when I was 29, and c) never promoted me beyond GS-12. My Democrat Post Office superiors disallowed my sick leave requests when I was 19 and 20 and forced me to resign when I was 20. They would not have taken the aforesaid adverse actions against me if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, and/or veteran.
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-report/2026/02/federal-employees-options-for-appealing-adverse-actions-headed-for-an-overhaul/

HR DRIVE
— DD: All my Democrat superiors always did everything that they could to create a hostile work environment for me. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or veteran.
https://www.hrdive.com/news/what-is-a-hostile-work-environment/715048/
— Companies tend to hire based on vibes, not skills. DD: The Democrats who ran the Post Office in 1966, IRS in 1971, and GAO in 1980 hired me because they could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. Since then, to hire Democrats who are minority, female, younger, and/or veteran, they have lowered standards. If I had not earned a high school diploma and passed the postal employment test, the Democrats who ran the Post Office in 1966 would not have hired me. If I had not earned a job-related bachelor’s degree and passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination, the Democrats who ran IRS in 1971 would not have hired me. If I had not earned a job-related master’s degree and passed the CPA examination on my first attempt, the Democrats who ran GAO in 1980 would not have hired me.
https://www.hrdive.com/news/companies-tend-to-hire-based-on-vibes-not-skills/746596/

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

GUARDIAN
— DD: Democrat leaders say that America is dependent on foreign countries and should remain so.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/19/trump-science-funding-cuts

Author: David Diersen

The opinions that I express in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are based on experience that I have gained doing many things since 1948. I base my opinions on what I learned a) working for the federal government for almost 30 years -- Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, serving on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter 1983-1996, and being a union member while I worked for the Post Office and IRS; b) earning an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a masters degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997; c) passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981; c) serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Chairman 2005-2012, a member of the 2008 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Platform and Resolutions Committee, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2008-2010 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004; d) attending the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 IRP State Conventions as a delegate; e) being the subject of a nasty 4-page article in the February 1978 issue of Money Magazine; f) pursing litigation including Diersen v. GAO and Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange; g) being married since 1978; h) living in Crete 1948-1972, in University Park 1972-1976, in Chicago 1976-1978, and in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978; and i) being baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran.