amendment Archives - Page 213 of 237

January 7 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— States exploring tax changes in response to federal overhaul – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–tax-overhaul-states-20180106-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In New Jersey and California, top Democratic officials want to let people make charitable contributions to the state instead of paying certain taxes. In Connecticut and New York, officials are exploring a switch from income taxes to new ones on payroll. A few governors have even called for tax cuts. The ideas are bubbling up as state lawmakers begin their 2018 sessions and assess the effects of the Republican tax overhaul that President Donald Trump signed into law last month. Lawmakers and governors in some states are grappling with how to protect their constituents. . . In high-tax states, officials have been focused on protecting taxpayers from the impact of a new $10,000 cap on deductions for paying state and local taxes. In California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York, more than one-third of tax filers claim the state and local tax deduction on federal taxes; the average deduction in each state is over $15,000.)
— A look at prosecutors who will decide on marijuana crackdown – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–legalized-pot-prosecutors-glance-20180105-story.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN NAPERVILLE SUN: AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Suburban libraries working to be more accommodating to the homeless – Sarah Freishtat
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-library-homeless-st-0105-20180105-story.html
— Trump cools to idea of reducing spending on welfare programs, seeing little chance of success – Josh Dawsey
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-agenda-20180106-story.html
— Talk of bipartisanship in Republican-only meetings with Trump at Camp David – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-republicans-camp-david-20180106-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Families lost loved ones to Legionnaires’ but can collect only minimal damages – Dave McKinney and Tony Arnold
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/state-law-caps-legionnaires-family-lawsuits-100000/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats crow over their success in getting “religious leaders” to serve as operatives or dupes for the Democrat Party.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/let-sacred-traditions-guide-our-fight-against-injustice-just-relations/

DAILY HERALD
— Trump washes his hands of insurgency against GOP incumbents – AP (DIERSEN: Have you ever been an insurgent, that is, have you ever ran against an incumbent Republican? I have not.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180107/news/301079975/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Donald Trump says he’s done campaigning for insurgents challenging incumbent Republican members of Congress. Trump told reporters after meeting GOP House and Senate leaders at Camp David on Saturday that he’s planning a robust schedule of campaigning for the 2018 midterm elections and that includes involvement in the Republican primaries. He’ll campaign for incumbents, he said, and “anybody else that has my kind of thinking.” But after a stinging loss in Alabama, Trump said he’s done supporting challengers, declaring: “I don’t see that happening.” Trump had supported Roy Moore after he won the GOP primary. Moore’s defeat in the subsequent special election handed Democrats another seat in the Senate.)
— Trump’s furious response to tell-all book – Editorial (DIERSEN: When my attorney Walter T. Charlton filed Diersen v. GAO in 1998, GAO was not furious at all. Instead, GAO responded to the lawsuit like the lawsuit helped GAO hire, retain, and promote young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females. The lawsuit showed that GAO wastes the careers of and gets rid of its non-veteran White male employees 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.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20180107/editorial-trumps-furious-response-to-tell-all-book

ABC7
— Local leaders (Luis Gutierrez and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia) push to protect DACA recipients as budget deadline looms – Michelle Gallardo
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/local-leaders-push-to-protect-daca-recipients-as-budget-deadline-looms/2874740/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— DACA battle heats up, Gutierrez responds to Trump
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/daca-battle-heats-up-gutierrez-responds-to-trump

WBEZ
— ‘It’s A Crime’: Illinois Cap On Legionnaires’ Payouts Lowest In U.S. – Dave McKinney, Tony Arnold
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/its-a-crime-illinois-cap-on-legionnaires-payouts-lowest-in-us/f3d332bc-4d1d-4150-9865-cdffc3046fe6

ROCK RIVER TIMES
— Illinois legislators react to possible DOJ move on marijuana prohibition – Greg Bishop (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://rockrivertimes.com/2018/01/07/illinois-legislators-react-to-possible-doj-move-on-marijuana-prohibition/

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— DOJ Pot Follow Up – Greg Bishop (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=258032#.WlI146inGM8

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Few specifics are available on progressive tax amendment – Jim Dey (DIERSEN: What about retirement income? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are beyond furious that my Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension and my Social Security are not subject to state income tax. In today’s dollars, since 1997, CSRS has paid me $1,050,246 and since 2010, Social Security has paid me $14,964.)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-01-07/jim-dey-few-specifics-are-available-progressive-tax-amendment.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: He proposed levying a 6 percent tax rate on incomes of $1 million or more, a roughly 20 percent increase for that category of income earners. At the same time, he would levy a 1 percent tax rate on incomes between $2,500 and $24,999, a 2.25 percent rate on incomes from $25,000 to $44,999, a 3.75 percent rate on incomes from $45,000 to $149,999 and a 4.95 percent rate on incomes from $150,000 to $999,999. But there’s a problem with Daiber’s tax proposal — it’s a bait and switch. He gives the impression that most people will get a tax cut and only a few — “the millionaires and billionaires” — will get a tax increase. That won’t work because backers of a progressive income tax desperately want billions of dollars more in revenue. Under Daiber’s proposal, the state would generate less revenue than it receives under the current flat tax. The problem? Illinois doesn’t have enough people with annual incomes of $1 million and up. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue 2013 tax figures, about 32,000 individuals or families out of 6 million tax filers reported annual incomes between $1 million and $25 million. They paid $2.5 billion of the $16.9 billion in income tax revenue that year. Meanwhile, the Illinois Policy Institute reports that in 2015, just 18 percent of taxpayers earned $100,000-plus. They paid 84 percent of all state income taxes.)
— Cunningham Township Assessor’s action sparks inquiry – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-01-07/assessors-action-sparks-inquiry.html
— Lots of work, few to do it at assessor’s office – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-01-07/tom-kacich-lots-work-few-do-it-assessors-office.html
— Kennedy alleges ‘gentrification plan’ – RICH MILLER
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/2018-01-07/rich-millercapitol-fax-kennedy-alleges-gentrification-plan.html
— Gambling-parlor issue looming large in Champaign – Natalie Wickman (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Who promotes video gambling? ANSWER: Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs.)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-01-07/gambling-parlor-issue-looming-large-champaign.html

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump washes his hands of insurgency against GOP incumbents – AP (DIERSEN: Have you ever been an insurgent, that is, have you ever ran against an incumbent Republican? I have not.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/trump-washes-his-hands-of-insurgency-against-gop-incumbents/904940250
— Trump wishes for better libel laws after book slams him – AP (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes erroneously believe that because I do not send out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails to make money, they are free to slander and libel me.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/trump-wishes-for-better-libel-laws-after-book-slams-him/904961203

AMERICAN THINKER
— The liberal media have all the facts! Except when they don’t. – Jack Hellner
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/the_liberal_media_have_all_the_facts_except_when_they_dont.html

THE HILL
— Blue-state officials plot response to GOP tax law – NAOMI JAGODA (DIERSEN: If you pay lots of real estate tax and/or state income tax in Illinois, have the Republicans succeeded in motivating you to do more to get those who run Illinois, who run your county, who run your township/ward, who run your municipality, who run your school district, who run your park district, who run your etc. to curb their taxes and to curb their spending? What if the majority of the voters in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois want taxpayers like you to pay higher taxes?)
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/367696-blue-state-officials-plot-response-to-gop-tax-law
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Elected officials in high-tax Democratic-leaning states are looking at creative ways to prevent the new tax law from raising their residents’ bills. The new law, which passed in December with only Republican votes, caps the state and local tax (SALT) deduction at $10,000. GOP lawmakers said they hoped that would motivate high-tax states such as New York, New Jersey and California to curb their own taxes and spending. But politicians in blue states view the tax law as an attack on them, and are pushing back. “We sort of have two choices. One choice is to step back and let this happen to us. Or the other is to get into the arena and fight like heck,” New Jersey Gov.-elect Phil Murphy (D) said at a news conference Friday. “And this is New Jersey after all.” The tax law is just one of the ways Republicans have taken aim at Democratic-leaning cities and states in recent months.)

ABC NEWS
— Trump wishes for better libel laws after book slams him – AP (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes erroneously believe that because I do not send out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails to make money, they are free to slander and libel me.)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/trump-wishes-libel-laws-book-slams-52189356

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: In Clash Between California and Trump, It’s One America Versus Another – Tim Arango (DIERSEN: How soon will California leave America and join up with Mexico? Constructively, Mexico has declared war on America a) by its sending many millions of its citizens into America illegally, b) by its keeping many millions of its citizens in America illegally, and c) by its sending mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/07/us/california-sanctuary-marijuana.html
— Elgin Man Who Sheltered Homeless People in His Basement Stops After City Order – Maya Salam
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/06/us/chicago-homeless-basement-weather.html
— Retirement Tips for the Age of Trump – Charles J. Sykes (DIERSEN: Since I retired in 1997 when I was 49 years, sadly, I have come to realize that far too many activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who claim to be Republican are not really Republican. They are Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, or RINOs. They a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid and/or they 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.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/06/opinion/sunday/retirement-tips-trump-age.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Originally, my plan was to sit in a rocking chair, and after a few weeks to start rocking. But the election wrecked those plans, making retirement in the Era of Trump a complicated affair. I started thinking about that this past week, when Orrin Hatch, the seven-term Republican senator from Utah, announced that he wouldn’t run for re-election this year. He joins two Republican colleagues, Bob Corker and Jeff Flake, in announcing retirement. Word is that Steve Bannon is also very likely to have a lot more free time on his hands soon, especially since the billionaire Mercer family has cut off his funding, one of the few things that has kept him relevant. So even though they didn’t ask, I’m going to offer some pointers.)
— Diabetes Shouldn’t Bankrupt You – Elisabeth Rosenthal (DIERSEN: My outstanding father fought type 1 diabetes from age 14. That diabetes led to heart failure and his sudden death in 1969 when he was 47 and I was 21.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/06/opinion/sunday/diabetes-shouldnt-bankrupt-you.html
— Why Even Tougher Regulations on Smoking Are Justified – Robert H. Frank (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, virtually all of my superiors and supervisors who worked the hardest against me were older White male Democrats who were big smokers and big drinkers.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/business/economy/why-even-tougher-regulations-on-smoking-are-justified.html
— Where Pot Entrepreneurs Go When the Banks Just Say No As the legal markets for marijuana spread, a small credit union is solving a big problem: what to do with all the cash. – ROBB MANDELBAUM (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction. Many, if not most, if not virtually all of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes talk and/or act like a) they smoke pot, b) they want to smoke pot legally, and/or c) they want to make lots of money selling pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/magazine/where-pot-entrepreneurs-go-when-the-banks-just-say-no.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump, his aides keep up attack against White House tell-all; president dismisses it as a ‘Fake Book’
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/01/07/trump-his-aides-keep-up-attack-against-white-house-tell-all-president-dismisses-it-as-a-fake-book/

LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR
— In 2018, resolve to end elitism – RUBEN NAVARRETTE JR. (DIERSEN: Those who work on the front line against me paint themselves as being operatives or dupes for elites.)
http://journalstar.com/opinion/columnists/ruben-navarrette-in-resolve-to-end-elitism/article_0d84184b-9192-5e92-8729-cc289a929a3d.html

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Republicans, Democrats Agree Trump’s In Charge (DIERSEN: Who is in charge in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?)
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/trump_administration/december_2017/republicans_democrats_agree_trump_s_in_charge

January 6 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Trump, in pushback against new book, says he is ‘a very stable genius’ – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-pushing-back-against-book-says-he-is-a-very-stable-genius/2872778/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Police: Vehicle pulled over in Riverside was ‘rolling drug store’
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/crime/police-vehicle-pulled-over-in-riverside-was-rolling-drug-store

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump boasts that he’s a ‘very stable genius’ amid questions over his mental fitness – David Nakamura
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-stable-genius-20180106-story.html
— Cold snap expected to tie record, won’t break it – Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-ties-cold-snap-record-but-wont-break-it-20180106-story.html

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner’s to-do list looks familiar – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180106/statehouse-insider-rauners-to-do-list-looks-familiar
— Harley in the garage? Rauner gets his skates; Salary changes; Odom out; Turning Point – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180106/bernard-schoenburg-harley-in-garage-rauner-gets-his-skates

NORTHWEST HERALD
— McHenry County clerk candidate Janice Dalton files for bankruptcy same day she joined race – ED KOMENDA
http://www.nwherald.com/2018/01/05/mchenry-county-clerk-candidate-janice-dalton-files-for-bankruptcy-same-day-she-joined-race/ajov0fw/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Dalton’s Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy filing lists $10,000 in video gambling losses and $30,000 in money she withdrew in her husband’s name from his annuity fund. Her husband, Michael Dalton, listed those losses in a separate Chapter 7 bankruptcy he filed in October, reporting the $32,000 loss as “wife misappropriated annuity funds.” Janice Dalton would not comment on details about the withdrawal from her husband’s annuity fund. “That’s between my husband and I, and that’s personal,” she said.)

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Private school tax credits off to good start – Editorial (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.)
http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20180106/our-view-private-school-tax-credits-off-to-good-start

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Illinois 15th District Congressional Democratic candidate forum to be held January 9 (DIERSEN: The first question for candidates participating in Republican candidate forums in Illinois should be: If elected, do you promise to defend and advance all the planks in the Republican Party and Illinois Republican Party platforms including their traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks? The second question should be: What have you done that shows that you oppose the promotion of LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, diminution of Second Amendment rights, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination?)
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/114084/illinois-15th-district-congressional-candidate-forum-to-be-held

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Pot industry frets, then shrugs off Sessions’ new policy – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/pot-industry-frets-then-shrugs-off-sessions-new-policy/904228745
— The Latest: Trump sees possible deal on young immigrants (DIERSEN: If Dreamers were surveyed, if they were asked if they would vote for Trump if Trump gave them U.S. citizenship, what would they say?)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/the-latest-trump-says-hes-well-prepared-for-2018-agenda/904247541

NPR ILLINOIS
— Evangelicals and Mormons Are Political Allies, But Theological Rivals – TOM GJELTEN
http://nprillinois.org/post/evangelicals-and-mormons-are-political-allies-theological-rivals#stream/0

WASHINGTON TIMES
— House Democrat announces he will not attend State of the Union address – Sally Persons
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/5/earl-blumenauer-oregon-democrat-not-attend-state/

BREITBART
— Tucker Carlson: Republican Party Is Gone, Over, Toast If It Makes Deal With Dems on DACA, Chain Migration – JEFF POOR
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2018/01/06/tucker-carlson-republican-party-gone-toast-makes-deal-dems-daca-chain-migration/

TOWNHALL
— ‘No Wall, No DACA’ – Trump Speaks from Camp David – Timothy Meads
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/timothymeads/2018/01/06/trump-demands-full-border-wall-funding-and-security-in-daca-negotiations-n2430929

AMERICAN THINKER
— Illinois city (Harvey) runs out of other people’s money – Thomas Lifson
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/illinois_city_runs_out_of_other_peoples_money.html
— Just who are the ‘DREAMers’? – Thomas Lifson
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/just_emwhoem_are_the_dreamers.html
— For NeverTrumps, good news for America is bad news – David Zukerman
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/for_never_trumpers_good_news_for_america_is_bad_news.html
— Trump offers DREAMer amnesty now for 300 miles of border wall by 2027 – Ed Straker
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/trump_offers_dreamer_amnesty_now_for_300_miles_of_border_wall_by_2027.html

NBC NEWS
— LGBTQ nonprofits fear ‘disastrous’ losses under new tax plan – Julie Moreau
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/lgbtq-nonprofits-fear-disastrous-losses-under-new-tax-plan-n835081

CNN
— Jobs everywhere! Except at stores – Chris Isidore
http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/05/news/economy/retail-job-losses/index.html

WASHINGTON POST
— The top 10 gubernatorial races of 2018 – Amber Phillips
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/01/06/the-top-10-gubernatorial-races-of-2018/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 4. Illinois (Republican defending): What happens when two billionaires clash? We’re about to find out. Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) is running for reelection in the bluest states in the Midwest and has already given his own campaign $50 million. But that’s peanuts to fellow billionaire J.B. Pritzker, of one of the wealthiest families in the country, who has said if he wins the nomination (over a field that includes a member of the Kennedy family), he’ll spend whatever it takes to win the general election. The Illinois race is shaping up to be the most expensive nonpresidential race in American history, which both sides say make it extremely unpredictable.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Senate Republicans become Trump accomplices in manipulating the system.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/01/05/senate-republicans-become-trump-accomplices-in-manipulating-the-system/

USA TODAY
— Marijuana sellers undeterred by threat of federal prosecution – Trevor Hughes
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/01/05/marijuana-sellers-undeterred-threat-federal-prosecution/1008483001/

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— Website scores churches on the transparency of their LGBTQ policies – David J. SegalJan
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/houston-belief/article/Website-scores-churches-on-the-transparency-of-12478780.php

SACRAMENTO BEE
— California had a TV ad that promoted drug use? It’s Reefer Madness! – ERIKA D. SMITH
http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/erika-d-smith/article193302749.html

FORBES
— Marijuana Investors Aren’t Scared By Sessions’ Change In Pot Policy – Mona Zhang (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/monazhang/2018/01/06/marijuana-investors-arent-scared-by-sessions-change-in-pot-policy/#5cf2da0880fb

BLOOMBERG
— Trump Warns Democrats Again: No Mexican Border Wall, No DACA – Bill Allison, Margaret Talev, and Laura Litvan
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-06/trump-warns-democrats-there-won-t-be-daca-deal-if-no-border-wall

GUARDIAN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Overwhelmingly, a) Democrats 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 and b) Republicans are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/06/republicans-now-party-identity-politics-donald-trump

January 5 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Downstate governor candidate blames lack of attention on his ‘middle-class’ status – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bob-daiber-illinois-governor-20180105-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers say “Pot cures town’s economic ills.”
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20180105/281895888630617
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON AMERICA TIGHTENS: 1 in 10 youths has been homeless over the past year, survey finds – Moriah Balingit (DIERSEN: Democrats promote homelessness because they promote a) the breakdown of the traditional family, b) dependency on government, c) dependency on charity, d) LGBTQ activity, e) abortion, f) mass/illegal immigration, g) booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, and h) even worse things.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-homeless-youths-survey-20171231-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Questions about Trump’s mental, physical health brewing.” Have the Democrats succeeded in forcing you out? In 1997, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” In 1969, my Democrat Post Office superiors succeeded in forcing me to resign.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sweet-questions-about-trumps-mental-physical-health-brewing/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Democrats in the meantime are trying to figure out a way to invoke the 25th Amendment for the first time — that’s the one where a president can be removed from office if he can’t discharge his duties because of a physical or mental condition. My take on the question of what the public will learn about Trump’s Jan. 12 physical exam is . . . Trump, 71, who does not exercise and is not careful about what he eats, wants the nation to know his body mass index about as much as he wants to release his tax returns. Barack Obama and other presidents have allowed their doctors to provide a detailed medical report. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has pledged a “readout.” Obama’s March 8, 2016, physical, besides the body mass index, disclosed his weight, resting heart rate, pulse and the results of pulmonary, cardiac, gastrointestinal and other tests and studies. In addition there were lab results for cholesterol, fasting blood glucose tests and the list of medications being taken. Obama got good grades for a healthy diet and consistent exercise. You may recall that in December 2015, Trump’s personal physician, Harold Bornstein, declared that Trump “will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” We’ll see. There are other reasons besides the Wolff book to wonder about Trump’s mental competence. How about that risky and innuendo-laced Tweet on Tuesday night taunting North Korea leader Kim Jong Un over whose nuclear button is bigger? Or Trump’s compulsion to disregard facts, even when he has been proven wrong? Or his insistence that everything he does is bigger and better than every president before him? Republicans feel they have to be circumspect about Trump’s behavior. But Trump’s erratic moves energizes Democrats who are itching to invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment to force Trump out of the White House. Now this is not impeachment. This is about using the 25th Amendment for the first time to remove a president from office for a physical or mental incapacity. Section 4 says when the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet members or Congress find “that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.”)
— Regular folks have no real chance of making a difference in elections – Donald Nauyokas, Brighton Park (DIERSEN: By their blaming me for all the defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that I am more than just a “regular folk.”)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/regular-folks-make-difference-elections-letters/

DAILY HERALD
— Mount Prospect gives manager 5 percent raise, $20,000 bonus – Steve Zalusky
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180104/mount-prospect-gives-manager-5-percent-raise-20000-bonus

WTTW
— Bannon Slams Trump: Republicans (Matt Murphy and Jennifer Nevins) React to Claims of West Wing Chaos – Eddie Arruza
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/01/04/bannon-slams-trump-republicans-react-claims-west-wing-chaos

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Kennedy keeps firing at bosses – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-01-05/kennedy-keeps-firing-bosses.html

FOX ILLINOIS
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Sangamon County’s population declines by 2,500 in five years – Rachel Droze
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/sangamon-countys-population-declines-by-2500-in-five-years#new_tab

WBEZ
— Illinois First Lady To Join Rauner At Vets’ Home With Legionnaires’ History – Tony Arnold, Mariah Woelfel
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/illinois-first-lady-to-join-rauner-at-vets-home-with-legionnaires-history/a3516b7e-77f1-4195-ad43-cec739d83ecd

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Rauner Polls – Cal Skinner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/01/04/rauner-polls/

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois legislators react to possible DOJ move on marijuana prohibition – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-legislators-react-to-possible-doj-move-on-marijuana-prohibition/article_006ed280-f17c-11e7-88eb-ff866e2039c8.html

GOPUSA
— OUTSTANDING: ICE leader says sanctuary city politicians should be arrested
http://www.gopusa.com/ice-leader-says-sanctuary-city-politicians-should-be-arrested/
— Planned Parenthood enters transgender market
http://www.gopusa.com/planned-parenthood-enters-transgender-market/

WORLD NET DAILY
— ANTI-INVASION GROUP HITS TWITTER WITH CIVIL-RIGHTS COMPLAINT Immigration PAC blocked for issuing statement about DACA legislation – ALICIA POWE (DIERSEN: Who wants to block you from doing what? My critics/opponents want to block me from a) sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, b) knowing about their events and other activities, b) promoting their events and other activities, c) attending their events, and d) reporting on their events and other activities.)
http://www.wnd.com/2018/01/twitter-being-hit-with-civil-rights-complaint/

INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
— America Is Migrating To Trump States – MICHAEL BARONE
https://www.investors.com/politics/columnists/america-is-migrating-to-trump-states/

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “New scrutiny for Trump’s mental fitness after book, tweets.” Democrats always hint/imply/argue/shout that Republicans are not mentally fit.
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367512-book-tweets-prompt-new-scrutiny-for-trumps-mental-fitness

POLITICO
— Journalists scrutinize Michael Wolff’s credibility ‘Fire and Fury’ author to appear on ‘Today’ while other reporters criticize — and defend — his reporting. – MICHAEL CALDERONE (DIERSEN: Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, and Greens and Green plants criticize my credibility and my reporting. Republicans defend my credibility and my reporting.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/04/michael-wolff-fire-fury-credibility-325399

CNN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump’s bully bluster works better from Trump Tower than the White House.”
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/opinions/trumps-bully-bluster-works-better-from-trump-tower-than-the-white-house-opinion-callan/index.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— Can States Fix the G.O.P. Tax Law? – Editorial (DIERSEN: For example, will states cap real estate tax bills at say $7,000/year and cap state income tax at say $3,000/year?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/opinion/states-fix-gop-tax.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “The Bogus Voter-Fraud Commission Is Dead, but the Myths Aren’t.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/opinion/voter-fraud-commission.html
— California Defiant in Face of Federal Move to Get Tough on Marijuana – Thomas Fuller (DIERSEN: How soon will California leave the United States and join up with Mexico? Constructively, Mexico has declared war on the United States.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/us/california-defiant-in-face-of-federal-move-to-get-tough-on-marijuana.html

WASHINGTON POST
— If 2017 posed problems for feds, 2018 could be worse with attacks on pay, benefits – Joe Davidson (DIERSEN: I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 20 years. Who hates you? Overwhelmingly, a) past, present, and future federal employees and retirees hate me because I have always been a Republican and b) those who hate past, present, and future federal employees and retirees hate me because I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for more than 20 years.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/01/05/if-2017-posed-problems-for-feds-2018-could-be-worse-with-attacks-on-pay-benefits/

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Steve Bannon reportedly loses support of top financial backer Rebekah Mercer – David Boroff (DIERSEN: It would be great if my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would disclose who their financial backers are. Operatives and dupes who work for my critics/opponents talk and act like they have been promised lots of money, a new home, a new car, a sweetheart job, a sweetheart contract, favorable legislation, and lots more if they succeed in stopping me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. In the past, they succeeded in ending my a) TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairmanship, b) Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee membership, c) Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster service, d) Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee membership, e) American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board membership, f) GAO employment, g) etc.)
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/bannon-reportedly-loses-support-top-financial-backer-article-1.3736973

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— OUTSTANDING: Justice Department Rescinds Obama-Era Relaxation of Marijuana Prosecution – Del Quentin Wilber and Dan Frosch
https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-to-rescind-obama-era-relaxation-of-marijuana-prosecution-1515080168
— Trump Administration Seeks $18 Billion Over Decade to Expand Border Wall Expansion would cover about half of the entire southwest border, as described in document sent to senators – Laura Meckler
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-seeks-18-billion-over-decade-to-expand-border-wall-1515148381
— Downside of Automatic 401(k) Savings: More Debt New research finds employees auto-enrolled in retirement plans borrow more than they otherwise would have, offsetting savings – Anne Tergesen (DIERSEN: It should be illegal to say that anyone is rich UNLESS they are debt-free and have at least $1 million in retirement savings or are on track to have that by the time they retire.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/downside-of-automatic-401-k-savings-more-debt-1515148201
— NFL Ratings Fall at Faster Pace Average audience for a game fell 9.7% to 14.9 million, but league says NFL programming still accounted for 33 of top 50 programs on TV in 2017 – Joe Flint
https://www.wsj.com/articles/nfl-ratings-fall-at-faster-pace-1515061801
— Mark Zuckerberg Resolves to ‘Fix’ Facebook in 2018 Chief executive has set annual personal challenge since 2009; in post, says company ‘has made too many errors’ – Deepa Seetharaman
https://www.wsj.com/articles/mark-zuckerberg-resolves-to-fix-facebook-in-2018-1515104645
— ‘The Character Gap’ by Christian B. Miller – Julian Baggini (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes focus on a) destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, b) promoting LGBTQ activity, c) promoting abortion, d) promoting mass/illegal immigration, e) promoting booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, f) promoting patronage, g) promoting political affiliation discrimination, h) promoting reverse discrimination, i) promoting age discrimination, j) promoting hatred of past, present, and future union members and federal employees, and k) promoting hatred of federal retirees.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/review-good-people-bad-people-and-the-character-gap-1515110640

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: ISIS in our own backyard: Group’s U.S. followers are diverse, in places large and small – Christal Hayes
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/01/04/fight-against-isis-teenager-playing-basketball-fbi-agent-and-couple-their-honeymoon-heres-how-isis-s/953954001/

SPECTRUM NEWS
— DREAMERS: ‘WE HAVE DREAMS, WE WANT TO WORK HERE’ – Alex Peterson (DIERSEN: What dreams have you had dashed? In 1969, my dream of continuing to work for the Post Office was dashed when my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me to resign. In 1971, my dream of working for Oldsmobile was dashed when Oldsmobile withdrew its job offer saying it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. After 1974, my dream of getting promoted to GS-13 was dashed when my Democrat IRS superiors made it clear that they would never do that. In 1980, my dream of GAO offering me a promotion to GS-13 to transfer to GAO was dashed when my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to take a $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO. During 1980-1985 and 1989-1997, my dream of being assigned to audits of IRS was dashed when my Democrat GAO superiors refused to do that. After 1986, my dream of getting promoted to GS-14 was dashed when my Democrat GAO superiors made it clear that they would never do that. In 1997, my dream of continuing to work for GAO was dashed when my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to take their early retirement “offer.”)

http://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2018/01/05/dreamers-hold-rally-in-uptown-charlotte

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Democrats Challenge Proposed Citizenship Question on 2020 Census – Charles S. Clark (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats encourage people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, and to bring others to America illegally.)
http://www.govexec.com/management/2018/01/democrats-challenge-proposed-citizenship-question-2020-census/144972/

January 3 Morning Adition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— A look at who’s raised the most in race to replace Lisa Madigan
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-attorney-general-cash-20180103-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: On the Republican side, former congressional candidate Erika Harold raised about $116,000 in the last three months. Harold, who has the backing of much of the state’s Republican establishment, has collected nearly $250,000 so far. DuPage County Board member Gary Grasso raised about $90,000. Some caveats: The numbers reported so far only reflect donations of $1,000 or more, and some donations made in the waning days of December might not have shown up yet.)
— Ives gets Fremont Township GOP backing – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-attorney-general-cash-20180103-story.html
— Does speaking Spanish make one Latino? – Anne Vasquez (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will members of the following groups succeed in stopping you from getting an education, from getting a job, from etc. unless you speak, read, and write Spanish: 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.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-spanish-language-latino-cultural-identity-0103-20180102-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump’s misguided ideas about Chicago crime.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/page/ct-perspec-page-trump-murder-rate-jeff-sessions-0103-20180102-story.html
— Universities face #MeToo movement over sexual harassment – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–sexual-misconduct-universities-20171228-story.html
— Victim behind Dennis Hastert downfall seeks protective order in lawsuit – Christy Gutowski
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-dennis-hastert-lawsuit-protective-order-20180101-story.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN NAPERVILLE SUN: Naperville Township officials want responsibility for highway department – Erin Hegarty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-naperville-township-road-merger-st-0103recovered-tue-jan–2-110643-201-20180102-story.html
— Trump to have medical exam in January, release results – Justin Sink
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20180103/281706910065438
— Advocates debate helping homeless – Amy Taxin and Geoff Mulvihill
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20180103/281736974836510

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Animal Care and Control Chief orders pit bull that bit her euthanized – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/animal-care-and-control-shelter/
— Man suing Dennis Hastert wants to keep some details secret – Jon Seidel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/man-suing-ex-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-wants-some-details-secret/

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Who gets the interest from the property taxes you paid early? – Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180103/who-gets-the-interest-from-the-property-taxes-you-paid-early

OUR QUAD CITIES
— Stopping the Illinois population’s downward spiral State is now 6th largest in the nation, dropping behind Pennsylvania – Kelley Bowles (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, those who are being driven out of Illinois are members of the following groups: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. Soon, if not already, virtually everyone left in Illinois will be members of the following groups: 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.ourquadcities.com/news/4-the-record/stopping-the-illinois-populations-downward-spiral/897305431

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Another load of laws from Legislature – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-01-03/another-load-laws-legislature.html

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Davis Verbally Pokes at Bernie Sanders (DIERSEN: What if all those who prepaid their real estate taxes were surveyed about the recently passed tax reform plan?)
http://www.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257837
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican Congressman Rodney Davis of Taylorville says he continues to get positive feedback about the recently passed tax reform plan as he travels along the 13th Congressional District. Davis recently blasted one of the high profile opponents of the reform plan while touting its benefits. (AUDIO CLIP) Davis says Illinoisans will see the benefits of the tax plan in less than a month.)

SOUTHERN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps glorify and praise those who come to America illegally, who stay in America illegally, and who bring others to America illegally.
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/the-undocumented-immigrant-next-door-he-came-to-america-to/article_3fbbb0c3-31f6-5331-9307-54f6fa10dc47.html

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump: My ‘nuclear button’ is bigger than Kim’s
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/the-latest-trump-says-his-nuclear-button-is-bigger/897688798

ROCK ISLAND TODAY
— Rock Island County Republicans support Ives
https://rockislandtoday.com/stories/511306020-rock-island-county-republicans-support-ives

ILLINOIS CHRONICLE
— Scathing Fox News report caps “rough first term” for Rauner
https://theillinoischronicle.com/chronicle-scathing-fox-news-report-caps-rough-first-term-for-rauner/

GOPUSA
— Where is the feminist support for the oppressed women in Iran?
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36323

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— OPTIMISM ABOUT TRUMP IN 2018 – Star Parker
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/optimism-about-trump-in-2018/
— DANGERS OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL – Walter E. Williams
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/dangers-of-government-control/

TOWNHALL
— An Unfond Farewell to Un-statesman Orrin Hatch – Michelle Malkin
https://townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/2018/01/03/an-unfond-farewell-to-unstatesman-orrin-hatch-n2429306
— GOP President and Congress Still Funding Planned Parenthood – Terry Jeffrey
https://townhall.com/columnists/terryjeffrey/2018/01/03/gop-president-and-congress-still-funding-planned-parenthood-n2429315

FOX BUSINESS
— Government watchdog group could be the key to ‘draining the swamp’ (DIERSEN: What about political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation for complaining about the aforesaid? What percent of federal employees are a) Democrat, b) minority, c) female, and d) non-veteran?)
http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/2018/01/02/government-watchdog-group-could-be-key-to-draining-swamp.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Throughout Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, he promised to “drain the swamp” and to end political corruption in Washington. An organization called OpenTheBooks.com could be the key to making President Trump’s promise a reality. The government watchdog organization discloses the amount of spending at every level of government across the U.S. Recently, the website released a 40-page report called “Mapping the Swamp” that reveals all publicly disclosed federal salaries and bonuses of government employees for the 2016 fiscal year. OpenTheBooks.com CEO Adam Andrzejewski said Tuesday that his organization could help provide President Trump with data supporting his claims of government corruption. “One thing that drives taxpayers crazy is the $1.5 billion worth of bonuses that are given out each year. So all of these agency heads and the president leading on this can bring forth civil service reform this year-we’ve got the data to back it all up,” he told FOX Business’ David Asman on “After the Bell.” According to the “Mapping the Swamp” report, 29,852 federal employees make over $190,823 a year, which out earned each of the 50 state governors.)

THE HILL
— Trump ICE pick: Politicians who run sanctuary cities should be charged with crimes – BRANDON CONRADIS
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367167-trump-ice-pick-politicians-who-run-sanctuary-cities-should-be-charged

NEW YORK TIMES
— Iranian Authorities Block Access to Social Media Tools – Sheera Frenkel (DIERSEN: What do your critics/opponents want to block? My critics/opponents want to block everyone a) from getting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and b) from visiting www.gopillinois.com.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/technology/iran-protests-social-media.html
— Critics Say Questions About Citizenship Could Wreck Chances for an Accurate Census – Michael Wines (DIERSEN: How many illegals are there in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois, and America?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/us/census-citizenship-status-immigrants.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Democrats Outline Demands as Threat of Shutdown Looms – Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Thomas Kaplan (DIERSEN: What have the Democrats, Libertarians, and Greens in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois demanded? From what I see, they have demanded that Republican township, ward, and county organizations and the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) a) GET RID OF those like me who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) and other planks in the Republican Party platform and the IRP platform; b) GET RID OF those like me who support the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling; c) GET RID OF those like me who do not promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation for complaining about the aforesaid; and d) GET RID OF those like me who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/us/politics/senate-democrats-government-shutdown-immigration.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— CHICAGO TRIBUNE FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: President boasts of ‘my’ arsenal – Tracy Wilkinson
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-fg-trump-korea-20180102-story.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Why do so many Republicans hate college? – Catherine Rampell (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, colleges focus on cranking out “good little Democrats.”)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-do-so-many-republicans-hate-college/2017/12/28/db55f5f6-ec16-11e7-b698-91d4e35920a3_story.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Should Business Be ‘Grateful’? In fact, we should all be grateful when tax reform leads to better incentives. – Holman W. Jenkins, Jr. (DIERSEN: Those who prepaid their real estate taxes are not grateful.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/should-business-be-grateful-1514940942
— ‘White-Informed Civility’ Is the Latest Target in the Campus Wars The rules of collegiate debate are also coming under attack as racist and patriarchal. – Steve Salerno
https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-informed-civility-is-the-latest-target-in-the-campus-wars-1514938758
— Looking for a Few Good Men A society that won’t let boys be boys will pay a price in the end. – Angela Rocco DeCarlo
https://www.wsj.com/articles/looking-for-a-few-good-men-1514941459
— Even If Your New Job Is a Bad Fit, Don’t Quit How to evaluate whether the challenges can be overcome or it’s really a toxic workplace – Sue Shellenbarger (DIERSEN: Have you worked in toxic workplaces? Soon after I took a $19,203 (26%) pay cut in today’s dollars (a downgrade from GS-12 Step 5, currently $91,880, to GS-9 Step 10, currently $72,677) to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, I learned how toxic its Chicago office was for those who shared my demographics. Nevertheless, I counted on the GAO manager who had arranged for my transfer a) to protect me from political affiliation discrimination, from reverse discrimination, and from age discrimination, b) to get me assigned to audits of IRS, c) to get me promoted to GS-11 Step 10 (currently $87,933), to GS-12 Step 5 (currently $91,880), to GS-13 Step 1 (currently $96,403), etc. However, ever-increasingly, the Democrats who ran the office did everything that they could to get rid of him. Nevertheless, in 1986, he succeeded a) in getting me assigned to audits of IRS and b) in promoting me to GS-13 Step 1 (currently $96,403). However, the Democrats succeeded a) in getting rid of him in 1987, b) in throwing me off audits of IRS in 1989, c) in keeping me off audits of IRS for the rest of my GAO career, d) in giving me unfair performance expectations and unfair performance appraisals, e) in always ranking me the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, and f) in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/even-if-your-brand-new-job-is-a-bad-fit-dont-quit-1514906394
— Iranians Turn to Telegram App Amid Protests People have used the messaging tool to share information and videos – Sam Schechner and Stu Woo (DIERSEN: In Illinois, what tools should Republicans make better use of to protest a) Democrats and Democrat plants, b) Libertarians and Libertarian plants, c) Greens and Green plants, and d) RINOs?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/iranians-turn-to-telegram-app-amid-protests-1514919114

THE WEEK
— Why are Illinois Democrats banking on a billionaire in 2018? – David Faris
http://theweek.com/articles/742925/why-are-illinois-democrats-banking-billionaire-2018

INDEPENDENT JOURNAL REVIEW
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: California’s New Pot Law May Popularize Weed Weddings, Budtenders, Canna-bus Rides and Pot ‘Church’ – VICTORIA TAFT
https://ijr.com/the-declaration/2018/01/1042948-californias-new-pot-law-will-popularize-weed-weddings-bud-tenders-canna-bus-rides-pot-church/

VANITY FAIR
— WILL 2018 BE THE YEAR THE INTERNET KILLS OLD MEDIA? Experts share their fears—and their hopes—for another year of reckoning with the digital apocalypse. – JAMES WARREN
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/01/will-2018-be-the-year-the-internet-kills-old-media

MONEY MAGAZINE
— America’s Next Retirement Crisis Could Be That Baby Boomers Are Living Too Long – ELANA HOLODNY (DIERSEN: What is your life expectancy?)
http://time.com/money/5072402/americas-next-retirement-crisis-could-be-that-baby-boomers-are-living-too-long/

FED WEEK
— New Year’s Resolutions for your Career – Nancy Segal (DIERSEN: What would have helped you move up your career ladder? The federal government would have promoted me into its Senior Executive Service long before I was 40 if I had been a Democrat. If I had been a Democrat, I would have focused on helping my superiors meet their Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion quotas, goals, and targets, that is, I would have helped them get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran 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. If I had been a Democrat, I would not have complained about political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, or retaliation. If I had been a Democrat, I would not have become an active member in a class action lawsuit in 1988 when I was 40 years old that charged the federal government with reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.)
https://ask.fedweek.com/career-resolutions-made-2018/

December 31 Morning Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— 8 New Year’s wishes for Chicago and Illinois – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/8-new-year-wishes-chicago-illinois-2018-editorial/
— Here’s what we fought for in 2017 – Editorial (DIERSEN: What did you fight for in 2017? With my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, I fought for the Republican Party platform, the Illinois Republican Party platform, and the Milton Township resolution against video gambling. I especially fought for the traditional family, right to life, immigration, Second Amendment, equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks. I especially fought against the promotion of LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, further erosion of the First and Second Amendments, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, political affiliation discrimination, patronage, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/2017-trump-rauner-schools-chicago-police-golf-course-park-district-republican-tax-bill/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— After dispute over epitaph, tombstone at Catholic cemetery reads: ‘She supported priest sexual abuse victims’ – Angie Leventis Lourgos
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-met-catholic-grave-marker-20171221-story.html
— Senators’ Russia trip scuttled because of ‘black list’ – AP (DIERSEN: Who has you on their black list? I should write a book about those who have me on their black lists. They do not want me a) to know about their events or their other activities, b) to promote their events or their other activities, c) attend their events, or d) report on their events or other activities. They blame me for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems. They blame me for all the defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000. They pander to Rich Miller and to the rest of the Democrat news media in Illinois.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–senate-russia-20171230-story.html
— More adults are living together than ever, analysis shows. Here’s why. – Darcel Rockett (DIERSEN: I had saved enough and I was earning enough a) in 1972 when I was 24 years old to buy a new town home in University Park, b) in 1974 to buy a studio condo in the Outer Drive East building in downtown Chicago, and c) in 1976 to buy a one bedroom condo in that building. My father died suddenly in 1969. I lived with my mother and brother in Crete 1970-1972 to help support them.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-re-roommates-rental-prices-20171219-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Republicans promote booze, gambling, pot, and other vices.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-sports-betting-new-jersey-supreme-court-nfl-1231-20171229-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Couple leaves words ‘priest rapist’ off Wheaton cemetery tombstone – Chacour Koop
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171230/couple-leaves-words-priest-rapist-off-wheaton-cemetery-tombstone
— Nurture skepticism, not cynicism, to combat ‘fake news’ – Editorial (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, virtually everything that the mainstream media puts out is designed to promote the Democrat Party platform, the Libertarian Party platform, and/or the Green Party platform.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171231/editorial-nurture-skepticism-not-cynicism-to-combate-fake-news
— ‘I hope I can quit working in a few years’: A preview of the US without pensions – Peter Whoriskey (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, those who are not getting a pension or are not in line to get a pension promote hatred against those who are getting a pension or are in line to get a pension. Soon, if not already, those who are getting a pension or are in line to get a pension will join/form organizations to protect what they have earned. One such organization is the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association at http://www.narfe.org. Those who promote hatred against me should acknowledge that if my Democrat GAO superiors had been stopped from forcing me to take their early retirement “offer in 1997 when I was 49 years old, and if I was still working for GAO, in today’s dollars, I would have paid into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) $174,340 ($717 X 243 months) instead of CSRS paying me $1,029,834 ($4,238 X 243 months).)
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171231/i-hope-i-can-quit-working-in-a-few-years-a-preview-of-the-us-without-pensions

FOX NEWS
— Trump defends frequent Twitter use as way to ‘fight a very dishonest and unfair press’ – Alex Pappas
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/30/trump-defends-frequent-twitter-use-as-way-to-fight-very-dishonest-and-unfair-press.html

NBC5
— Efforts Grow to Help Students Evaluate What They See Online – Ryan J. Foley (DIERSEN: What helps you evaluate what you see online? I have been putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out since 2000. I have served as an arbitrator for the Financial Services Regulatory Authority since 1998. I worked for GAO for almost 18 years 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $94,610-$122,991. I worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $79,563-$90,173. I became a Forensic Accountant in 1997, Certified Financial Services Auditor in 1996, Certified Government Financial Manager in 1994, Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, Licensed CPA in 1981, Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, and CPA in 1979. I earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997, a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in 1970. According to my critics/opponents, a) they and only they determine what is fact or fiction and b) what they put out is fact and everything else is fiction.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/Spread-of-Fake-News-Prompts-Media-Literacy-Efforts-in-Schools-467328253.html

BREITBART
— Rep. Dave Brat: 2018 DACA Amnesty Fight ‘Will Determine the Nature of Our Country’ — ‘If We Fail on This, Just Picture Europe’ – ROBERT KRAYCHIK (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps want America to look like foreign countries because anti-Trumps are 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.breitbart.com/radio/2017/12/30/rep-dave-brat-2018-daca-amnesty-fight-will-determine-the-nature-of-our-country-if-we-fail-on-this-just-picture-europe/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Congress must prioritize four repairs for the immigration system before contemplating any DACA-style amnesty negotiation, said Brat: 1. Ending chain migration and the visa lottery; 2. Mandating employer use of E-Verify; 3. Construction of a southern border wall; and 4. Interior enforcement of immigration law. The four aforementioned “permanent fixes” must precede any DACA negotiation regarding amnesty for illegal immigrants, said Brat: “It shouldn’t be about trusting or hoping, the permanent part has to come first, you see in that place and then you negotiate later.”)

POLITICO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps are furious that candidates 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 do not get more votes.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/31/trump-white-working-class-history-216200

NBC NEWS
— Forget resolutions: 3 more productive ways to look back at 2017 Looking back at the past year with a different lens may set you up for more success in the new year. – Brianna Steinhilber (DIERSEN: Of course, my resolutions for 2018 include sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails each and every morning and each and every evening.)
https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/forget-resolutions-3-more-productive-ways-look-back-2017-ncna833651

NEW YORK TIMES
— The Year the News Accelerated to Trump Speed – Matt Flegenheimer (DIERSEN: We are in a 12-hour news cycle. To deal with that concerning government and political news and commentary of interest to Illinois Republicans, you can rely on GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They come out each and every morning and each and every evening.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/us/politics/trump-news-overload.html
— The Patriarchs Are Falling. The Patriarchy Is Stronger Than Ever. – Susan Faludi (DIERSEN: Ever-increasing, anti-Republicans shout at women that Republicans are the cause of all the problems that women have had, are having, and will have, and especially Republicans who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/28/opinion/sunday/patriarchy-feminism-metoo.html
— Want to Be Happy? Think Like an Old Person – JOHN LELAND (DIERSEN: I do not think like an old person.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/29/nyregion/want-to-be-happy-think-like-an-old-person.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— The GOP tax plan creates one of the largest new loopholes in decades – Editorial (DIERSEN: What deductions do your critics/opponents hint/imply/argue/shout are loopholes? My critics/opponents hint/imply/argue/shout that the following deductions are loopholes: mortgage interest, real estate tax, state income tax, medical and dental expenses, 501(c)(3) contributions, and job-related education. I should write a book about my critics/opponents a) who have never owned real estate, b) who pay little or no state income tax, c) who have had little or no medical or dental expenses, d) who give little or no money to 501(c)(3) organizations, and/or e) who have never spent any money for job-related education.)
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-batchelder-kamin-tax-deduction-pass-through-income-20171231-story.html

WASHINGTON POST
— A New Year’s resolution for the media: Do not let Republicans get away with saying ‘reforms’ when they mean ‘cuts’ – Jared Bernstein (DIERSEN: During the 1980s and 1990s, to justify cutting GAO’s budget, Democrats and RINOs shouted that the agency needed “reforms.” “Reforms” is code for getting rid of employees who are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2017/12/29/a-new-years-resolution-for-the-media-do-not-let-republicans-get-away-with-saying-reforms-when-they-mean-cuts/
— Scandal has overwhelmed the IRS – Editorial (DIERSEN: What do you base your knowledge of IRS on? I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $79,563-$90,173. I worked for GAO on audits of IRS for 3 years at the GS-13 Step-1-3 levels, currently, $94,610-$100,917. I have filed federal income tax returns since 1964 and itemized returns since 1972. I took IRS to Tax Court and won a split decision on my education deductions. Nevertheless my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes continue to viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, and viciously condemn my knowledge of IRS.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/scandal-has-overwhelmed-the-irs/2017/12/29/9b80e022-e431-11e7-ab50-621fe0588340_story.html
— In search of a word that won’t offend ‘old’ people – Laura L. Carstensen (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always a) promoted age discrimination and b) hinted/implied/argued/shouted that if you are a non-veteran White male federal employee, you are stupid, lazy, and even worse things if you do not make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/in-search-of-a-word-that-wont-offend-old-people/2017/12/29/76640346-b808-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html?utm_term=.344fb1d4f788
— I grow pot in California for a living. I’m worried about legalization. – Chiah Rodriques
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/will-small-marijuana-farmers-like-me-be-wiped-out-when-pot-goes-legal-in-california/2017/12/29/b54cd99c-ec25-11e7-b698-91d4e35920a3_story.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Divide Between America’s Prosperous Cities and Struggling Small Towns—in 20 Charts – Paul Overberg
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-divide-between-americas-prosperous-cities-and-struggling-small-townsin-20-charts-1514543401

BALTIMORE SUN
— Toying with the idea of trading up? 3 steps homebuyers should take before doing anything else – Ellen James Martin (DIERSEN: What discouraged you from trading up? For my wife and I, it was my Democrat GAO superiors forcing me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, their always ranking me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, their not promoting me beyond GS-13, their getting rid of my mentor in 1987, and their keeping me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO.)
http://digitaledition.baltimoresun.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=a61a6d95-05f6-4a95-b106-77df9b30b08e

PALM BEACH POST
— CHICAGO TRIBUNE HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Extra house on your hands? – Ellen James Martin (DIERSEN: Because I could not sell it for a fair price, I rented out 774-5 Sunset Court in University Park 1976-1984.)
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/classifieds/real-estate/what-should-remarried-couples-with-extra-house/U9qKLFjsIvE7CQkQW74jrJ/

MESSENGER INQUIRER
— How do my finances compare with my peers’? – Brianna McGurran
http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/features/business/how-do-my-finances-compare-with-my-peers/article_4da1b7a5-1d2b-5e41-b68d-ddfe2a556f96.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: If you’re under 35, here’s how your peers are really doing, according to the Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances: The median income for families with a head of household under 35 was $40,500 in 2016. Nearly half of families under 35 had credit card balances, with median debt of $1,400 per family. About 42 percent of families under 35 had retirement accounts, and their median value was $12,300. Lastly, about 45 percent of families with a head of household under 35 had education debt. The median amount was $18,500 per family, but the amount varies widely by income level and highest degree attained. . .Do you have an emergency fund of at least $500? It should eventually include three to six months of basic expenses. Are you paying down high-interest debt, like credit cards and personal loans? That should come before attacking lower-interest debt like student loans. Do you spend less than you earn? A budget based on the 50/30/20 rule can help: You’ll spend no more than 50 percent of after-tax income on necessities, no more than 30 percent on wants and at least 20 percent on savings and debt repayment. Do you follow the 28/36 rule? Lenders use this to qualify you for a mortgage, but Amis suggests it’s also a helpful way to assess cash flow even if you’re years from buying a home. Housing costs should be less than 28 percent of your pretax income. With other debt payments, like credit card, car or student loan bills, the total should come under 36 percent of pretax income. Do you save for retirement? Socking away 10 to 15 percent of your pretax income is the goal. These guidelines are aspirational. But your progress toward them is a better measure of whether your money is working for you than surveys or Instagram. In the end, your financial well-being boils down to whether you can meet your basic needs today, plan for a better tomorrow and enjoy life as you go.)

MOTLEY FOOL
— 4 Reasons Your Social Security Benefit May Be Worth Less Than You Think – Christy Bieber
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/12/30/4-reasons-your-social-security-benefit-may-be-wort.aspx
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 2. Social Security benefits aren’t keeping pace with rising costs of living Retirees receiving Social Security benefits get periodic cost of living adjustments (COLAs). COLAs are tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Unfortunately, many believe this is the wrong index to tie benefit increases to because it does not accurately reflect seniors’ spending patterns. Seniors often devote more of their income to medical costs than the general population. Unfortunately, in 33 out of the past 35 years, healthcare costs have risen at faster rates than Social Security COLA increases. Food and housing cost increases are also outpacing COLA for retirees on Social Security. If Social Security benefits don’t rise as much as the costs of products and services used by seniors, the latter have less purchasing power. Even if income appears to go up because you receive a small raise, benefits will actually be worth less in real terms. And, unfortunately, there’s not even a guarantee you’ll get a raise — even on paper. Since 2010, COLAs have averaged just 1.35% per year. In three of the past 10 years, seniors didn’t get a raise at all, and in 2016, the COLA was just 0.3%.)

CNBC
— 4 lifestyle changes to make you more productive in 2018 – Marguerite Ward
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/29/4-lifestyle-changes-to-make-you-more-productive-in-2018.html

SALON
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps use Moore to demonize, to denigrate, and to condemn Trump and his supporters.
https://www.salon.com/2017/12/30/evangelical-christianity-is-facing-a-political-crisis_partner/

December 23 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Democrats who supported spending bill face angry backlash over immigration – David Weigel and Ed O’Keefe
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-daca-democrats-spending-bill-20171222-story.html
— Proposed bill would ban sale of commercially bred pets in Will, DuPage counties – Erin Hegarty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-commercial-pet-sale-ban-bill-st-1224-20171222-story.html
— How to know when holiday drinking is hurting your brain – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-holiday-drinking-brain-health-20171219-story.html
— Carpentersville doubles video gaming fee – Erin Sauder
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-carpentersville-gaming-machine-fees-st-1227-20171226-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— A month-by-month look at what you should expect from the Republican tax bill – Philip Bump
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171223/a-month-by-month-look-at-what-you-should-expect-from-the-republican-tax-bill
— New year to be a challenge for Republicans in Congress – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171223/news/312239976/

ABC7
— Miss America suspends CEO in email flap – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/miss-america-suspends-ceo-in-email-flap/2815659/

TIMES
— Kinzinger: Trump has done ‘great job’ – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/column-kinzinger-trump-has-done-great-job/article_49d55ebf-1cf3-519c-a795-49448d475d6b.html
— Kinzinger and Marter disagree on DACA – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/congressman-rival-disagree-on-daca/article_2ba5ffe5-4963-5021-beda-faa623b484ce.html

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Federal Tax Plan Hits Illinois – Benjamin Yount
http://www.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257293#.Wj5TO4zR-M8

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Justice Department rolls back guidance on fining poor defendants – DAVID SHORTELL AND JESSICA SCHNEIDER (DIERSEN: One could look at it this way: Since September 30, 1997, in today’s dollars, my Democrat GAO superiors have been fining me $198 a day or $1,387 a week or $6,011 a month or $72,135 a year for my opposing political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination. On September 30, 1997, to punish me for the aforesaid opposition, they succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” of $50,856 a year, or only 41% of my $122,991 a year salary in today’s dollars. So far, in today’s dollars, I have been fined $1,460,673 or $6,011 X 243 months.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/justice-department-rolls-back-guidance-on-fining-poor-defendants/886728546

WSIL TV
— Congressman Bost predicts tax law will become more popular – Brandon Richard
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37130399/congressman-bost-predicts-tax-law-will-become-more-popular

KANE COUNTY CONNECTS
— KANE BOARD CHAIRMAN: UNFUNDED STATE PENSION LIABILITIES ARE ‘FISCAL CALAMITY’
http://kanecountyconnects.com/2017/12/kane-board-chairman-unfunded-state-pension-liabilities-are-fiscal-calamity/

NPR ILLINOIS
— What The Tax Bill Could Mean For Lawmakers During The Midterms
http://nprillinois.org/post/what-tax-bill-could-mean-lawmakers-during-midterms#stream/0
— Why Mental Health Is A Poor Measure Of A President – JON HAMILTON (DIERSEN: Sooner or later, Democrats paint all non-Democrats as being mentally ill.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/why-mental-health-poor-measure-president#stream/0

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives proposes constitutional amendment to address pension reform – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511301761-ives-proposes-constitutional-amendment-to-address-pension-reform

SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS NEWS
— Bailey vows to reverse trend of taxpayers fleeing the state – Glenn Minnis
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511301836-bailey-vows-to-reverse-trend-of-taxpayers-fleeing-the-state

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Batinick: More than 200 new laws adopted, none tackle Illinois’ major issues – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/lawmaker-more-than-new-laws-adopted-none-tackle-illinois-major/article_50ac2fc4-e680-11e7-99fa-4b0ef07a8c8c.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Berrios spox says Tribune story “extremely unbalanced and, typically, unfair” *** ILGOP, Kaegi react to new Tribune story on Berrios
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/ilgop-kaegi-react-to-new-tribune-story-on-berrios/

BREITBART
— Cardinal Cupich: ‘It Would Be a Horrible Injustice’ Not to Give Amnesty to DACA Illegal Aliens at Americans’ Expense – JOHN BINDER (DIERSEN: It appears that the overwhelming majority of those who are in America state that they are Catholic. What if Cupich proposed that the Catholic Church would support the illegals, that is, provide them with medical care, food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, jobs, etc.? But, of course, very soon, the Catholic Church would be bankrupt.)
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/22/cardinal-cupich-horrible-injustice-not-to-give-amnesty-to-daca-illegal-aliens/

COLLEGE FIX
— Enough with race-based admissions
http://www.thecollegefix.com/bulletin-board/enough-race-based-admissions/

THE HILL
— Karl Rove: ‘Bad idea’ for Trump to hold a lot of rallies in 2018 – MAX GREENWOOD
http://thehill.com/homenews/news/366273-karl-rove-a-very-bad-idea-for-trump-to-hold-a-lot-of-rallies-in-2018

ABC NEWS
— Tax overhaul leads to end-of-year rush to pay property bills – GEOFF MULVIHILL (DIERSEN: Are you a homeowner? How much will the “GOP tax overhaul” harm you? The more that you have paid in real estate tax and/or state income tax over $10,000 a year, the more that you will be harmed. How much of your estimated real estate tax bill due next year can you afford to pre-pay by the end of this year?)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/tax-overhaul-leads-end-year-rush-pay-property-51957744

NEW YORK TIMES
— Tax Bill Is Great for Accountants — Unless They Have Holiday Plans – Tiffany Hsu and Julie Creswell
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/business/republican-tax-plan-accountants-auditors-holidays.html
— Homeowners Rush to Soften Tax Bill’s Impact – Jeffery C. Mays
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/nyregion/cuomo-assist-as-homeowners-rush-to-prepay-property-tax-bill.html
— E.P.A. Officials, Disheartened by Agency’s Direction, Are Leaving in Droves – Lisa Friedman, Marina Affo and Derek Kravitz (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which GAO employees left GAO in drovers during the 1980s and 1990s? ANSWER: Those who were Republican, White, male, older, non-veteran, and/or accounting degree holders. WHY? Democrat politicians wanted to replace them with employees who were Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or public policy degree holders.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/climate/epa-buyouts-pruitt.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: VERY SAD: Households Are Spending Rather Than Saving – Harriet Torry and Suzanne Kapner
https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-shop-more-save-less-this-holiday-season-1513978732

NEWSWEEK
— MISS AMERICA CEO SAM HASKELL’S WEBSITE IS LITTERED WITH VIAGRA ADS – EMILY GAUDETTE
http://www.newsweek.com/miss-america-2018-sam-haskell-emails-viagra-756975

FED SMITH
— Order Issued on 2018 Pay Raise for Federal Employees – Ralph R. Smith (DIERSEN: If was still working for GAO at the GS-13 Step 10 level, my 2018 salary would increase by $2,334 or by 1.9% to $125,325.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/22/order-issued-2018-pay-raise-federal-employees/

December 20 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Rauner defends state handling of fatal Legionnaires outbreak at veterans’ home – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/health/rauner-defends-state-handling-of-fatal-legionnaires-outbreak-at-veterans-home/2805149/
— Trump celebrates after Congress wraps up massive tax package – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-celebrates-after-congress-wraps-up-massive-tax-package/2802688/

NBC5
— Wheaton, Palatine Ranked Among Safest Cities in Illinois
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/wheaton-palatine-named-safest-cities-to-live-in-illinois-465506123.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: For families looking to raise families, certain communities stand out for a variety of reasons, and a new ranking has revealed the safest city in the state. According to security company SafeHome, Wheaton is the safest city in the state. The ranking cites the city’s dramatic decrease in violent crime, which is down 17.8 percent in 2017, and their strong citizen-to-police officer ratio as the factors that pushed it to the top of the list. Narrowly finishing behind Wheaton is Palatine, which also saw drops in both violent crime and property crime. Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, and Mount Prospect rounded out the top five, according to the company. Naperville, recently ranked the second-best city in America to live by Niche, finished in seventh place among the safest cities in America. The security company used a variety of criteria to come up with its rankings, which took cities of 50,000 or more people and evaluated them on statistics such as violent crime rate, property crime rate, and other data made available by the FBI and the Census Bureau. While smaller cities tend to rank highly on the list, some of Illinois’ biggest cities made the cut as well. Champaign, home to the University of Illinois, ranked in the 22nd spot, and Chicago itself, despite making national headlines for gun violence, was ranked as the 23rd-safest city in the state according to SafeHome.)
— GOP Tax Bill Could Be a Windfall for Dozens of Lawmakers Only two Republicans found to have sizable real estate holdings voted against the bill
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Tax-Bill-Loophole-Windfall-Lawmakers-465480623.html

CBS2
— Rauner: State Is Taking Action For Deaths At Quincy Veteran’s Home – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/20/veterans-home-quincy-legionnaires/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois loses population, drops to 6th-largest state – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/illinois-loses-population-drops-to-6th-largest-state

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner: Federal tax changes help tax-cut agenda – Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: Are you a homeowner in a “traditionally Republican-leaning suburban (area) with high property tax bills?” Will Republicans making you pay more federal income tax inspire you to help Rauner fight Democrats for lower property tax bills and for lower state income taxes? According to the Democrats, if you itemize your deductions, and especially if you pay more than $10,000 a year in property and income taxes, you are undeservedly filthy rich and you can easily afford to pay more federal income tax.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-federal-tax-bill-20171220-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner said Wednesday that federal tax code changes limiting how much in state and local taxes Illinoisans can deduct could give a boost to his call for freezing property taxes and rolling back a state income tax hike. Under the measure sent to Trump, federal income taxpayers will see a larger standard deduction. But taxpayers used to itemizing their deductions will see a $10,000 limit on the deductibility of state income taxes and local property taxes. Previously, there were no limits on state and local tax deductibility. Supporters of capping the tax deduction contended it amounted to a federal subsidy for high-tax states. Opponents noted most of the high-tax states pay more in federal taxes than they receive back in federal benefits and are largely Democratic-leaning states, such as Illinois. Prior to the legislation’s passage, Rauner had declined to publicly weigh in on the effects of changing the state and local tax deduction on Illinois residents, though it could have negative effects on homeowners in traditionally Republican-leaning suburban areas with high property tax bills. “The simple fact is for states that are high-tax, high-spending states, it makes it more difficult… For states like Illinois and others, it makes it more difficult,” Rauner said. “It makes it all the more important that we make the type of changes that…I’ve been recommending from day one. That we bring down our property taxes, that we work down the income tax hike that Speaker (Michael) Madigan forced through last (July),” he said. “It makes it all the more essential that we in Illinois make those changes.” Rauner has called for freezing local property taxes and making it easier for residents to put on the ballot referendum questions that would lower real estate taxes. In addition, Rauner has called for a rollback of the income tax hike Democratic and some Republican lawmakers enacted over his veto to end the state’s historic budget stalemate.)
— Rauner won’t say if he has moral responsibility for Quincy veterans’ illnesses, deaths – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-quincy-veterans-home-legionnaires-20171220-story.html
— Elgin faith leaders call out U46 school board member for critique of religion assignment – Rafael Guerrero
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-elgin-faith-leaders-jeanette-ward-st-1220-20171219-story.html
— Trump stands to save millions under new tax measure, experts say – Drew Harwell
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-save-millions-tax-plan-20171220-story.html
— The new tax challenge for Illinois Democrats – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-illinois-progressive-income-tax-20171220-story.html
— How the tax bill impacts homeowners, buyers and sellers – Kathy Orton
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-tax-bill-impact-homeowners-real-estate-20171220-story.html
— Trump just admitted the GOP’s tax cuts were deceptively sold – Aaron Blake
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-gop-taxes-analysis-20171220-story.html
— Triumphant Trump celebrates tax win — but some fear backlash – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-gop-tax-bill-20171220-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Drink water at vets’ home linked to deaths? ‘Absolutely,’ Rauner says – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/drink-water-at-vets-home-linked-to-deaths-absolutely-rauner-says/
— Declining population knocks Illinois down to 6th-largest state – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/declining-population-knocks-illinois-down-to-sixth-largest-state/
— Trump has scored a solid year of accomplishments. What now? – Byron York
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-has-scored-a-solid-year-of-accomplishments-what-now/

DAILY HERALD
— Ives says she’s the real social conservative running for governor – Marni Pyke
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171220/ives-says-shes-the-real-social-conservative-running-for-governors
— How tax bill impacts homeowners, buyers and sellers – Kathy Orton
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171220/how-tax-bill-impacts-homeowners-buyers-and-sellers
— DuPage sheriff dispatch center supervisor faces misconduct charge – Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171220/dupage-sheriff-dispatch-center-supervisor-faces-misconduct-charge
— A sweeping tax plan whose promises face widespread doubts – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171220/business/312209938/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— The GOP tax bill is good for you—buh-leeve me! – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171220/BLOGS02/171229981/the-gop-tax-bill-is-good-for-you-x2014-buh-leeve-me
— Somebody’s getting a pay raise from the tax bill. Probably not you. – STEPHEN GANDEL
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171219/NEWS02/171219872/somebodys-getting-a-pay-raise-from-the-tax-bill-probably-not-you
— Illinois’ population dips again—and now trails Pennsylvania – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171220/BLOGS02/171229989/illinois-population-dips-again-and-now-trails-pennsylvania

WLS AM
— Rauner sees pros and cons with tax reform bill – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/20/rauner-sees-pros-and-cons-with-tax-reform-bill/
— Kinzinger: Republicans handling of govt. shutdown threat “extremely frustrating.” – John Dempsey
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/20/gop-congressman-republicans-handling-of-govt-shutdown-threat-extremely-frustrating/

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Illinois drops from 5th to 6th in population. What’s driving people out? – JOSEPH BUSTOS (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats focus on driving out of Illinois people, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article190772804.html

SOUTHERN
— Rauner says he’s been kicking HUD ‘in the pants’; HUD says try ‘kick-starting the Cairo economy’ instead – MOLLY PARKER
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/acha/rauner-says-he-s-been-kicking-hud-in-the-pants/article_b46c3ac1-20ad-59a7-90d1-921dc24e7fd3.html

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— It’s time to consolidate school districts – Scott Reeder
http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20171220/my-view-its-time-to-consolidate-school-districts

STATELINE
— What the Tax Bill Means for Illinois Taxpayers Story includes calculator to see how you and your family is impacted – Scott Picken
http://www.mystateline.com/news/what-the-tax-bill-means-for-illinois-taxpayers/884695096

WAND
— Ives, challenging Rauner, campaigns in Coles County – Joe Astrouski
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37112873/ives-challenging-rauner-campaigns-in-coles-county

IVES FOR ILLINOIS
— Ives Outlines Benedict Rauner’s Top Ten Betrayals
http://mailchi.mp/2ebbd210a631/ives-outlines-benedict-rauners-betrayals?e=985ad8c00b

HEARTLAND INSTITUTE
— HUFFINGTON POST PREPARES TO SMEAR HEARTLAND AGAIN – Joseph Bast
https://www.heartland.org/news-opinion/news/huffington-post-prepares-to-smear-heartland-again

WILL COUNTY NEWS
— Ives Outlines Benedict Rauner’s Top Ten Betrayals – Steve Balich
http://willcountynews.com/2017/12/20/ives-outlines-benedict-rauners-top-ten-betrayals/

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— As a high property tax state, Illinois is not attractive, CNN economist says – Glenn Minnis
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511298937-as-a-high-property-tax-state-illinois-is-not-attractive-cnn-economist-says

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Gubernatorial Candidate Jeanne Ives interviewed by ECWd – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/gubernatorial-candidate-jeanne-ives-interviewed-by-ecwd/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IVES RESPONDS: BENEDICT RAUNER’S 10 BETRAYALS IN 2017
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/ives-responds-.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives puts together her own top ten list
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/20/ives-puts-together-her-own-top-ten-list/
— Rauner dodges questions about veterans’ home problems
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/20/rauner-dodges-questions-about-veterans-home-problems/

GOPUSA
— Trump: A nation without borders is not a nation
http://www.gopusa.com/trump-a-nation-without-borders-is-not-a-nation/

WASHINGTON TIMES
— ‘Dreamers’ flock to Capitol to protest lack of action on amnesty – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/20/dreamers-flock-capitol-protest-lack-action-amnesty/

DAILY CALLER
— Media Bias Against GOP Tax Bill Misleads The Public – Amber Athey
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/20/media-bias-against-gop-tax-bill-misleads-the-public-video/

BREITBART
— Pro-Life Coalition Warns: Obamacare ‘Stability’ Deal Without Hyde Amendment Will Force Taxpayers to Fund Abortion – DR. SUSAN BERRY
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/20/pro-life-coalition-warns-obamacare-stability-deal-without-hyde%E2%80%A8-amendment-will-force-taxpayers-to-fund-abortion/

BLAZE
— Catholic priest comes out as gay during his homily — and parishioners give him a standing ovation – Dave Urbanski (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will “religious leaders” send you straight to HELL if you do not promote LGBTQ activity?)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/20/catholic-priest-comes-out-as-gay-during-his-homily-and-parishioners-give-him-a-standing-ovation
— Rosie O’Donnell offers $2 million each to GOP senators to vote against tax reform bill – Sarah Taylor (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who claim to be conservative and/or Republican, but treat me like they have been offered lots of money, a new home, a new car, a sweetheart job, a sweetheart contract, favorable legislation, and/or lots more if they succeed in stopping me from putting out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/20/rosie-odonnell-offers-2-million-each-to-gop-senators-to-vote-against-tax-reform-bill

THE HILL
— Amnesty for the ‘best and brightest’ will still cost taxpayers – IRA MEHLMAN (DIERSEN: Are/were you one of the “best and brightest?” For federal employees, if you are White, male, and/or non-veteran, you are not one of the “best and brightest” unless you make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
http://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/365847-amnesty-for-the-best-and-brightest-will-still-cost-taxpayers

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Chants of protest drown out any caroling this holiday season at the Capitol – Lisa Mascaro (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, members of Group A make it clear that they want the federal government to get rid of members of Group B. Members of Group A 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 and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-capitol-holiday-protests-20171219-story.html

December 19 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— How Illinois lawmakers voted on House tax bill. But there is a snag. – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/how-illinois-lawmakers-and-others-voted-on-house-tax-bill/

DAILY HERALD
— Aurora Election Commission could be on chopping block in March vote – Susan Sarkauskas
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171219/aurora-election-commission-could-be-on-chopping-block-in-march-vote

ABC7
— Senate expected to pass massive tax reform bill after hiccup – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/senate-expected-to-pass-massive-tax-reform-bill-after-hiccup/2799415/
— Mauled by dogs: Sheriff offers gruesome details about death of woman killed by her own pets – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/mauled-by-dogs-sheriff-offers-gruesome-details-about-death-of-woman-killed-by-her-own-pets/2799855/

NBC5
— House Needs to Vote Again on $1.5T GOP Tax Bill Democrats called the bill a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy – Stephen Ohlemacher and Marcy Gordon
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/GOP-Roll-Trillion-Final-Tax-Bill-House-Senate-465150303.html

CBS2
— Palatine Township Board Delays Vote On Hiring Parliamentarian – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/19/palatine-township-parliamentarian/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— GOP on the verge of huge tax overhaul — with one hiccup – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/congress-tax-vote

WLS AM
— Ives out with a rescue plan for state’s pension problem – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/19/ives-out-with-a-rescue-plan-for-states-pension-problem/
— Chicago area Congressmen on WLS to debate tax bill – John Dempsey
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/19/chicago-area-congressmen-on-wls-to-debate-tax-bill/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner says nobody will buy plant that state helped sell – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171219/schoenburg-rauner-says-nobody-will-buy-plant-that-state-helped-sell

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Teen arrested trying bring pot into Peoria County courthouse – Phil Luciano
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171218/teen-arrested-trying-bring-pot-into-peoria-county-courthouse

TIMES
— High school journalists should not be censored – Liza Buhr
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/youth/buhr-high-school-journalists-should-not-be-censored/article_89269742-8887-51ee-a00d-7ef52119ebec.html

WSIL TV
— Political expert weighs in on “Rauner’s Top 10 Accomplishments” – Roni LeForge
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37104258/political-expert-weighs-in-on-rauners-top-10-accomplishments

SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS NEWS
— Bailey sees flight from Illinois as another Rauner failure – Glenn Minnis
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511300724-bailey-sees-flight-from-illinois-as-another-rauner-failure

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Straub notes Durkin role in aiding taxpayer flight from state – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511301030-straub-notes-durkin-role-in-aiding-taxpayer-flight-from-state

REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— Shades of Rauner’s nursing home scandal in Quincy veterans death case
https://realgopillinois.com/2017/12/18/shades-rauners-nursing-scandal-quincy-veterans-home-case/

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Ives for Governor “Meet and Greet” – Coles County – December 20, 2017 – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/ives-for-governor-meet-and-greet-coles-county-december-20-2017/
— John Clough, Illinois Prisoner Review Board Member Electioneering with State Vehicle – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/john-clough-illinois-prisoner-review-board-member-electioneering-with-state-vehicle/

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner claims WBEZ canceled monthly show for political reasons
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/rauner-claims-wbez-canceled-monthly-show-for-political-reasons/
— ILGOP weighs in against Straub *** Oppo dump!
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/oppo-dump-10/
— Ives proposes pension changes
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/ives-proposes-pension-changes/
— Rauner touts his top 10 accomplishments
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/rauner-touts-his-top-10-accomplishments/
— The most negative campaign ever
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/the-most-negative-campaign-ever/
— Rauner talks up contributions to pro-life candidates while campaign highlights Dems’ worst moments of 2017
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/19/rauner-talks-up-contributions-to-pro-life-candidates-while-campaign-highlights-dems-worst-moments-of-2017/

CNS NEWS
— Rep. Roskam: ‘Low Expectations’ on Tax Plan Will Work in Republicans’ Favor – Susan Jones
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/rep-roskam-low-expectations-tax-plan-will-work-republicans-favor

LIFE NEWS
— Illinois Gov Bruce Rauner: Pro-Life People Should Vote for Me Even Though I Forced Them to Fund Abortions – MICAIAH BILGER
http://www.lifenews.com/2017/12/19/illinois-gov-bruce-rauner-pro-life-people-should-vote-for-me-even-though-i-forced-them-to-fund-abortions/

GOPUSA
— University of Virginia stonewalls conservative club for restricting membership to conservatives (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois who claim to be conservative and/or Republican, but a) who do lots of anti-conservative and/or anti-Republican things and/or b) focus on destroying those who are conservative and/or Republican. They really are Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, or RINOs. Most commonly, they reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks. Most commonly, they promote LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, age discrimination, political affiliation discrimination, and patronage.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35538

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump cheers on a stock market he once called a ‘big, fat, ugly bubble’ – Michael Scherer and Jenna Johnson
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-cheers-on-a-stock-market-he-once-called-a-big-fat-ugly-bubble/2017/12/19/811cce82-e4de-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html

NEW REPUBLIC
— The Democrats’ Risky Pursuit of Suburban Republicans The strategy threatens to alienate the party’s base in the age of Trump. – JEET HEER
https://newrepublic.com/article/146345/democrats-risky-pursuit-suburban-republicans

December 13 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DuPage Election Commission merger question OK’d for spring ballot – Gary Gibula (DIERSEN: What has disappointed you the most about the DuPage County Election Commission (DCEC). For me, it has been DCEC’s a) failure/refusal to do more to remove deadwood from the voting rolls and b) failure/refusal to deal directly with elected precinct committeemen concerning proposed changes to their polling place and to their precinct lines.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-dupage-board-election-commission-st-1213-20171212-story.html
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Question about legalizing marijuana could go on Cook County ballots – Hal Dardick (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-cook-county-marijuana-20171213-story.html
— Illinoisans want Trump sexual misconduct investigation – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-cook-county-marijuana-20171213-story.html
— Illinois’ home health care industry rife with fraud, tainted by unscrupulous physicians – Michael J. Berens
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-home-health-main-met-20171212-story.html
— Making way for transgender troops – Editorial (DIERSEN: While I worked for the Democrats who ran the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997, they made way for young Democrat minorities and for young Democrat females by wasting the careers of and by getting rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran. Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to get rid of Republicans, and especially to get rid of Republicans who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-transgender-20171211-story.html
— A cooking fire at a homeless encampment sparked a wildfire last week that destroyed six homes in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, authorities said Tuesday, while the fifth-largest wildfire in California history burning northwest of the city kept expanding and kept thousands out of their homes. – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-california-wildfires-20171212-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: 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 march in Naperville.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-community-unity-march-st-1213-20171212-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE AND GRAPHIC: Why four small Lake County suburbs spent thousands at the Illinois Municipal League conference in Chicago – Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171213/why-four-tiny-suburbs-spent-thousands-at-chicago-conference
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: If you vote against the Second Amendment, those who will never vote for a Republican love you.
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171213/editorial-roskam-gets-gun-vote-right-hultgren-doesnt
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Adjunct faculty, Elmhurst College at odds over union vote – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171212/adjunct-faculty-elmhurst-college-at-odds-over-union-vote

WTTW
— List of Top 200 Pension Earners Shows Potential for Big Payouts – Paris Schutz
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/12/12/list-top-200-pension-earners-shows-potential-big-payouts

WBEZ
— Protesters Disrupt Meeting, Call For Palos Trustee To Quit Over ‘Racist’ Comments – Linda Lutton
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/protesters-disrupt-meeting-call-for-palos-trustee-to-quit-over-racist-comments/18461cd8-0df1-403c-9024-e06b85f91b97

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Time to get rid of township government – Editorial
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/12/08/our-view-time-to-get-rid-of-township-government/a38rxj9/

DEKALB DAILY JOURNAL
— Kendall GOP chief James Marter to challenge Kinzinger in 16th District No requirement for residency in congressional district, only in state – TONY SCOTT (DIERSEN: How long have you lived in Illinois, in your county, in your township/ward, in your municipality, and in your precinct. I have lived in Illinois since 1948, in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978, and in my precinct since 1984.)
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/11/kendall-gop-chief-to-challenge-kinzinger-in-16th-district/a9e321v/

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Government for the insiders – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2017-12-13/government-the-insiders.html

WSIL TV
— Candidates set for March Primaries – Andrew Feather
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37053669/candidates-set-for-march-primaries

WTAX
— “Top integrity” demanded, says guv (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents do not demand integrity. They demand blind loyalty. They do everything that they can to punish and destroy those individuals, those organizations, those companies, those governments, and those countries that they cannot manipulate/dominate.)
http://wtax.com/news/101101-top-integrity-demanded-says-guv/

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— USA Today bashes Trump as ‘not fit to clean the toilets’ in Obama’s presidential library Editorial board reacts to Trump’s Gillibrand tweet – CHRIS CILLIZZA
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/usa-today-trump-as-not-fit-to-clean-the-toilets-in-obamas-presidential-library/880252842

SOUTHERN
— HUD’s new Midwest director Joseph Galvan was forced out as chairman of Illinois’ housing finance agency – MOLLY PARKER
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/acha/hud-s-new-midwest-director-was-forced-out-as-chairman/article_06c340dc-a3f9-528a-83b6-f0615b732d3f.html

RIPON ADVANCE
— Republicans oppose tax provision hitting graduate students (DIERSEN: What about proposed tax provisions that hit homeowners, hit people who have high medical and dental expenses, and hit those who pay for job-related graduate courses?)
https://riponadvance.com/featured/republicans-oppose-tax-provision-hitting-graduate-students/

DUPAGE COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION
— Results of Lottery Drawing for Simultaneous Filing 2018 General Primary Election

http://www.dupageco.org/Election/Election_Commission_News/2017/56460/

WIRE POINTS
— Fitch Ratings: Illinois debt burden highest in nation – Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
http://www.wirepoints.com/fitch-ratings-illinois-debt-burden-highest-in-nation-wirepoints-original/
— Major attention to Illinois emigration data from Wall Street Journal but nothing in Illinois press. What gives? – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/major-attention-to-irs-data-from-wall-street-journal-but-nothing-in-illinois-press-what-gives-quicktake/

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Ives running mate says Rauner sold state ‘a bill of goods’ – Glenn Minnis
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511285544-ives-running-mate-says-rauner-sold-state-a-bill-of-goods

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives slams Rauner during appearance on southern Illinois radio show – Caitlin Nordahl (DIERSEN: Who slams you and why? I should write a book about those who slam me and why they do it.)
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511286619-ives-slams-rauner-during-appearance-on-southern-illinois-radio-show
— Illinois lost 86,000 people, $4.75 billion to other states in 2015-16, Illinois Policy Institute says – Caitlin Nordahl
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511286611-illinois-lost-86-000-people-4-75-billion-to-other-states-in-2015-16-illinois-policy-institute-says

HEARTLAND INSTITUTE
— Occupational Licensing Craziness (DIERSEN: I became a licensed CPA in 1981. I had worked for GAO for more than a year, I had passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, I had earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and I had worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $79,653-$90,173.)
http://www.icontact-archive.com/maf-9-s7_-akggRj2BorjvoB8XVQ7Odf?w=4

ILLINOIS HOMEPAGE
— Rauner on Murashko: ‘A gentleman resigned’ Video shows state employee on Rauner campaign turf – Mark Maxwell
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/rauner-on-murashko-a-gentleman-resigned/880350773

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— AG says Illinois taxpayers to begin paying for elective abortions Jan. 1 – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/ag-says-illinois-taxpayers-to-begin-paying-for-elective-abortions/article_9824953e-df88-11e7-934e-bbe2af49a82c.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Ethics complaint filed against Murashko, Deputy Governor Childress probed
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/13/report-ethics-complaint-filed-against-murashko-deputy-governor-childress-probed/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: If you seek a government office or a political office, sooner or later, your critics/opponents will draw attention big time to assessed valuation reductions that you sought/obtained. There is a lot in the public record about my success during the 1980s and 1990s in getting a small reduction of the assessed valuation of my home at 915 Cove Court in Wheaton.)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/13/apples-and-organges/

GOPUSA
— Sex Vigilantes Trash Due Process
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35084

FOX NEWS

— Washington Post reporters barred from Roy Moore election night party – Nicole Darrah
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/12/washington-post-reporters-barred-from-roy-moore-election-night-party.html

INDEPENDENT JOURNAL REVIEW
— Rep. Peter King (R-NY) Says Steve Bannon Doesn’t Belong in Politics: ‘He Looks Like a Disheveled Drunk’ – JOSH BILLINSON
http://ijr.com/the-response/2017/12/1033978-gop-rep-says-steve-bannon-doesnt-belong-in-politics-he-looks-like-a-disheveled-drunk/

CNS NEWS
— Trump Congratulates Democrat Doug Jones on ‘Hard-Fought Victory’; Says He Knew Moore Couldn’t Win – Susan Jones
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/trump-congratulates-democrat-doug-jones-hard-fought-victory

AMERICAN THINKER
— Illinois residents still fleeing state in record numbers – Rick Moran
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/12/illinois_residents_still_fleeing_state_in_record_numbers.html
— Leftists: Establishing a Religion – Tom Trinko
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/12/leftists__establishing_a_religion.html

NET RIGHT DAILY
— Are Americans losing faith in the U.S. justice system? – Printus LeBlanc (DIERSEN: How bad are your demographics? Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, the more likely that you will lose in court: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, non-veteran, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time. The more of the aforesaid that you are, the more likely that summary judgment will be granted against you. The more of the aforesaid that you are, the worst that your “jury appeal” is.)
http://netrightdaily.com/2017/12/americans-losing-faith-u-s-justice-system/

COLUMBIA JOURNALISM REVIEW
— The media today: The loss of net neutrality threatens local journalism – Mathew Ingram
https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/net-neutrality-local-news.php

THE HILL
— Jones wins Alabama Senate seat for Dems – BEN KAMISAR AND LISA HAGEN
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/364547-jones-wins-alabama-senate-seat-for-dems

HUFFINGTON POST
— Four Reasons Why The Republican Tax Bill is a Disaster for Latinos – Hector E. Sanchez Barba
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/four-reasons-why-the-republican-tax-bill-is-a-disaster_us_5a311d58e4b0b73dde46a8ce

POLITICO
— Alabama earthquake: Democrat Jones wins Republican Roy Moore is defeated in a huge blow for President Donald Trump and his former strategist Steve Bannon. – DANIEL STRAUSS
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/12/alabama-election-results-2017-293309

CNN
— Alabama election: Doug Jones scores stunning win, but Moore won’t concede – Eric Bradner
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/12/politics/alabama-senate-election-mainbar/index.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE: ‘Fake News,’ Trump’s Obsession, Is Now a Cudgel for Strongmen – Steven Erlanger (DIERSEN: Who are the strongmen in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois? I should write a book about past and present strongmen, their operatives, and their dupes in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/12/world/europe/trump-fake-news-dictators.html
— Tax Plan’s Biggest Cuts Could Be in Living Standards – Eduardo Porter (DIERSEN: What has cut your living standards? For me, since 1997 when I was 49 years old, it has been my Democrat GAO superiors’ success in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” My pension is only 41% of my ending salary in today’s dollars. Previously, they always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. Before that, my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. Before that, my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/12/business/economy/tax-plan-standard-of-living.html
— Once a Long Shot, Democrat Doug Jones Wins Alabama Senate Race – Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/12/us/politics/alabama-senate-race-winner.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, female anti-Trumps viciously demonize men, viciously denigrate men, and viciously condemn men. Ever-increasingly, female anti-Trumps make it clear that they want to get rid of men once and for all.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/11/upshot/sexual-harassment-workplace-prevention-effective.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Doug Jones declared victor in Alabama race for Senate; Roy Moore may seek recount – Sean Sullivan, David Weigel and Michael Scherer
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/voters-head-to-the-polls-in-contentious-senate-race-in-alabama/2017/12/11/26e36b56-deb7-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html
— Alabama presented the demographic nightmare that’s been looming for the Republican Party – Philip Bump (DIERSEN: Those who want Republicans to lose want Republicans 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.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/12/12/alabama-presented-the-demographic-nightmare-thats-been-looming-for-the-republican-party/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Illinois Drives People Away The taxpayer migration continues from the Land of Ever Higher Taxes. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/illinois-drives-people-away-1513125224
— Democrat Doug Jones Wins Alabama Senate Seat, AP Calls Upset victory in Alabama shrinks GOP Senate majority – Janet Hook and Joshua Jamerson
https://www.wsj.com/articles/republicans-look-beyond-alabama-senate-race-1513124366
— When It’s Illegal to Ask, ‘How Much Do You Make?’ – Gerald Skoning (DIERSEN: If you are/were a government employee, your salary is public record. From the beginning of time, government employees have been viciously demonized, viciously denigrated, and viciously condemned as being overpaid by those who would never seek or take a government job because they view the salaries as being too low. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-its-illegal-to-ask-how-much-do-you-make-1513124971

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Republicans say “Doug Jones’s Victory Shows Why Democrats Must Compete Everywhere.”
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/joness-victory-shows-why-democrats-must-compete-everywhere.html

SALON
— Never mind the sex scandals: Roy Moore is a son of the Confederacy Controversial Alabama U.S. Senate candidate has extensive ties to white nationalists and Christian supremacists – MATTHEW SHEFFIELD (DIERSEN: Have you or any of your ancestors ever lived in one of the Confederate states? Ever-increasingly, if you, or any of your ancestors have ever lived in one of the Confederate states, anti-Trumps demonize, denigrate, and condemn you as being a White supremacist, Nazi, KKK member, hater, racist, sexist, bigot, and even worse things. I have lived in Illinois since 1948, in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978, and in my precinct since 1984. All my ancestors have lived in northeast Illinois since the 1840s and 1850s.)
https://www.salon.com/2017/12/12/never-mind-the-sex-scandals-roy-moore-is-a-son-of-the-confederacy/

BBC
— Who are the poor Americans? – Jay Shambaugh
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41930107

December 12 Morning Edition

NBC5
— Biss Wins Straw Poll of Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates – Mary Ann Ahern (DIERSEN: Which candidates would win straw polls in the following races: a) Rauner/Sanguinetti and Ives/Morthland, b) Harold and Grasso, c) Diganvker and Jhingan, d) Stella and Vlakancic, e) Minor, Grant, Byrne, and Augustynowicz, f) Kinzler and Orozco, g) Zito and Khouri, h) Mendrick and Bibbiano, i) Tornatore, DeMichele, Fichtner, and Gavanes, j) Hart, Abbott, Tully, and Broline, k) McGowen, Almiron, Eckhoff, Zaruba, Tatro, and Chinchilla, l) Wiley, Zay, and McQuade, m) Russo and MacKay, p) Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee candidates, q) etc.?)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Biss-Wins-Straw-Poll-of-Democratic-Gubernatorial-Candidates-463535663.html

CBS2
— Woman, 77, Mauled To Death By Dog In Alsip
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/11/woman-77-mauled-to-death-by-dog-in-alsip/

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— 3 Trump accusers speak out, call for congressional probe – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/national/3-trump-accusers-speak-out-call-for-congressional-probe

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats hint/imply/argue/shout that if you are a Republican, the longer that your ancestors have been in America, a) the more that you have benefited from their discrimination against minorities and against women and b) the more that you should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/jackson-alabama-is-choosing-between-its-past-and-its-future/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Monday was the deadline to object to candidates’ petition signatures they need to get on the March primary ballot. Among the challenged candidates: Democratic attorney general hopefuls state Rep. Scott Drury and Renato Mariotti, and Republican AG candidate Gary Grasso. The State Board of Elections listed 147 such objections, and that number doesn’t even count the many county-level challenges.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-forrest-claypool-20171212-story.html
— Rauner calls Claypool situation ‘very, very tragic’
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-forrest-claypool-20171212-story.html
— Chicago police union official blasts $31 million wrongful conviction settlement as part of ‘cottage industry’ – John Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chicago-police-englewood-four-settlement-20171211-story.html
— Black Americans cross jobs milestone, though victory is tenuous – Bloomberg (DIERSEN: Federal employment is a “zero sum game.” What would your superiors say that they did help Blacks? My Democrat GAO superiors would stress that they forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors would stress that they did not promote me beyond GS-12, that they disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and that they disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Democrat Post Office superiors would stress that they forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968. My aforesaid Democrat superiors would stress that the aforesaid adverse actions that they took against me directly benefited their employees who were Black.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-tns-bc-jobs-blacks-20171207-story.html
— Can the #MeToo movement free black men of the sexual predator stereotype? – Dahleen Glanton
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-met-glanton-metoo-black-men-20171211-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE: Pentagon to allow transgender people to enlist in military – AP (DIERSEN: In 1966, when I was 18 years old, I was 1-A for the draft notwithstanding the fact that my eyesight could not be corrected to 20/20, I had partial red/green color blindness, and I had Osgood-Schlatter disease (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osgood%E2%80%93Schlatter_disease).)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171211/news/312119901/
— Admin says big revenue from GOP tax plan; analysts less rosy – AP (DIERSEN: If itemized deductions are limited or cut, the housing market will crash and then the economy will crash.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171212/news/312129975/

WTTW
— How Stress and Anxiety Are Hurting Children – Alexandra Silets (DIERSEN: How much stress were you under when you were young? When you were in high school, were you “college material?” While I attended Crete-Monee High School 1962-1966, I took college preparatory courses notwithstanding the fact that many, if not most, if not virtually everyone at the time viewed me as NOT being “college material.” Neither of my parents had attended college. My father was the first of his ancestors to earn a high school diploma. My mother never attended high school. I spent my junior and senior years and the summer in between washing dishes for the minimum wage in the basement of the S.S. Kresges in Chicago Heights. I just barely made into the top 20% of my class, my ACT score was only 24, I was draft bait, my eyesight could not be corrected to 20/20, I had partial red/green color blindness, and I had Osgood-Schlatter disease (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osgood%E2%80%93Schlatter_disease).)
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/12/11/how-stress-and-anxiety-are-hurting-children

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Westerfield, Hicks, Senor among candidates hit with petition objections – Bernard Schoenburg (DIERSEN: Of the candidates who want to be on March 20, 2018 Republican primary ballots in your precinct, which ones have been hit with petition objections? The contested races in my precinct are a) Rauner/Sanguinetti and Ives/Morthland, b) Harold and Grasso, c) Minor, Grant, Byrne, and Augustynowicz, d) Mendrick and Bibbiano, e) McGowen, Almiron, Eckhoff, Zaruba, Tatro, and Chinchilla, and f) Russo and MacKay.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171211/westerfield-hicks-senor-among-candidates-hit-with-petition-objections

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Champaign/Urbana News Gazette promotes Pritzker. To promote Pritzker is to promote pot. To promote pot is to promote destruction.
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2017-12-12/pritzker-run-keeps-picking-steam.html

TIMES
— James Marter, through a supporter, filed an objection to the petitions of another candidate, Jaye DeBates. – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/gop-hopeful-s-petition-challenged/article_d18ffc81-43c4-5216-a935-b5e38f01b279.html

CHICAGO MAROON
— UC Dems Condemn College Republicans for Staying Silent on Roy Moore – University of Chicago Democrats (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, members of Group A call for everyone to condemn members of Group B. Members of Group A 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 and members Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.chicagomaroon.com/article/2017/12/12/uc-dems-condemn-college-republicans-staying-silent/

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— EMANUEL on COLBERT – Natasha Korecki (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will Emanuel officially banish individuals, organizations, and companies from Chicago that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time, like Hitler banished Jews from Germany?)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/12/12/politico-illinois-playbook-emanuels-alabama-worries-rauner-berrios-want-to-fire-each-other-229989
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s comeback tour took a swing through the Late Night world as he sat down with host Stephen Colbert to trash Trump, talk Chicago as a sanctuary city and promote his podcast. Emanuel talked about declaring Chicago a “Trump-free zone.” “Our motto: A city he’ll never sleep in,” Emanuel said. “We don’t want him.” Colbert asks how he can do that when there’s a Trump hotel. Emanuel plowed ahead, listing ways he’s combated Trump policies through legal challenges and policy initiatives, including on the environment. When Colbert pressed Emanuel on the legality of immigration policies, the mayor dipped into his oft-told tale about the grandson of an immigrant becoming the mayor of Chicago. “That doesn’t necessarily answer my question,” Colbert challenged. “How does it not violate federal law?” Emanuel then said it wasn’t the job of Chicago police to enforce immigration policies.)

UPSTREAM IDEAS
— “Rauner Is The Fringe Candidate” (DIERSEN: Political parties exist to help elect candidates who can and will defend and advance their platform. If you run as a Republican, the more planks in the Republican Party platform that you reject, the more of a fringe candidate that you are. You definitely are a fringe candidate if you reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, gambling, Second Amendment, or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks.)
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/rauner-is-the-fringe-candidate

WIRE POINTS
— When will Springfield accept the blame for the pension crisis? – Ted Dabrowski
http://www.wirepoints.com/dabrowski-when-will-springfield-accept-the-blame-for-the-pension-crisis-opinion-chicago-tribune/

NORTH COOK NEWS
— 53rd District candidate Katie Miller says immigration legislation wrong for Illinois – Angela Underwood
https://northcooknews.com/stories/511287106-53rd-district-candidate-says-immigration-legislation-wrong-for-illinois

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Nybo wants health care providers kept in the loop on state’s new Medicare program – Angela Underwood
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511287105-nybo-wants-health-care-providers-kept-in-the-loop-on-state-s-new-medicare-program
— Conroy opponent Jay Kinzler disagrees with law establishing sanctuary state – Chandra Lye
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511289193-conroy-opponent-disagrees-with-law-establishing-sanctuary-state

WILL COUNTY NEWS
— GOP Rep. McSweeney: “The ‘Fringe Candidate’ Is Bruce Rauner. He Stands For Nothing.” – Steve Balich
http://willcountynews.com/2017/12/12/gop-rep-mcsweeney-the-fringe-candidate-is-bruce-rauner-he-stands-for-nothing/

METRO EAST SUN
— Don Moore says making Illinois a sanctuary state is ‘pandering to the left’ – Carrie Bradon
https://metroeastsun.com/stories/511292443-moore-says-making-illinois-a-sanctuary-state-is-pandering-to-the-left

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois lawmakers allowed to pick which harassment cases their own ethics watchdog pursues – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/justice/illinois-lawmakers-allowed-to-pick-which-harassment-cases-their-own/article_82da2cc0-dec0-11e7-b3f0-bf2bcb4a1c51.html
— As release of 2017 numbers approaches, will Illinois continue to lead the nation in population decline? – Cole Lauterbach (DIERSEN: Obviously, Democrats want Republican individuals, organizations, and companies to leave Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, Wheaton, and my precinct, and especially those that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/as-release-of-numbers-approaches-will-illinois-continue-to-lead/article_98c3eb90-dc57-11e7-8309-bba5270b5f2f.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner releases new digital ad “Nightmare for Illinois”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/12/rauner-releases-new-digital-ad-nightmare-for-illinois/
— Dodge says Rauner is doing what he can “to put Illinois on the right track”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/12/dodge-says-rauner-is-doing-what-he-can-to-put-illinois-on-the-right-track/
— Biss crows about straw poll result
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/12/biss-crows-about-straw-poll-result/
— Rauner piles on Claypool
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/12/rauner-piles-on-claypool/

GOPUSA
— With three weeks left in year, Chicago exceeds 630 homicides
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=34983
— Women realizing harassment accusations could backfire in workplaces
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=34952

DAILY CALLER
— GOP Tax Bill Will Cause Dem States To Face Reality – Robert Donachie (DIERSEN: The GOP tax bill will make those who have itemized their deductions pay more federal income taxes. Those who have itemized their deductions are typically homeowners, those who have high medical and dental expenses, and/or those who give more money to 501(c)(3) organizations.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/11/gop-tax-bill-will-cause-dem-states-to-face-reality/
— Sarah Sanders Gets Into It With CNN Over Fake News Question: ‘I’m Not Finished!’ – Benny Johnson (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, a) the only news that is not fake new is the news that they put out and b) GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are full of fake news because they contain links to articles written those who they do not like. My critics/opponents a) refuse to keep diersen@aol.com on their press advisory and press release lists. They do not want me to know about their events and other activities. They do not want me to promote their events and other activities. They do not want me to attend their events. They do not want me to report on their events. They paint themselves as being anti-Diersen.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/11/sarah-sanders-gets-into-it-with-cnn-over-fake-news-question-im-not-finished/

REUTERS
— Trump’s push to cut federal jobs has modest impact, mostly in defense – Jason Lange (DIERSEN: Democrats have always run GAO. During the 1980s and 1990s, Republican push to cut GAO jobs had a tremendously negative impact on GAO employees like me who were Republican, White, male, older, and non-veteran. When I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980, I was already “old,” I was 31 years old.)
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-trump-effect-federal-employment/trumps-push-to-cut-federal-jobs-has-modest-impact-mostly-in-defense-idUSKBN1E61DK

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Escalates His Criticism of the News Media, Fueling National Debate – Peter Baker and Sydney Ember (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who since 2000 have demonstrated the most hatred against me because of what I do for you as your GOPUSA Illinois Editor. They blame me for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems. They blame me for all the losses that Republican candidates have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/11/us/politics/trump-news-media-new-york-times.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Trump has escalated his fiery attacks on the news media, seizing on a recent string of mistaken reports to bolster his case that he is being persecuted by a left-leaning establishment out to bring him down and fueling a national debate over truth, accountability and a free press. In a series of broadsides reflecting his own profound grievances while also resonating with his populist conservative base, Mr. Trump castigated ABC News for a “horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report,” declared that CNN’s slogan should be “THE LEAST TRUSTED NAME IN NEWS” and insisted that a Washington Post reporter “should be fired.” While every president has groused about his coverage, Mr. Trump has proved to be the most vocal and visceral news media critic in the Oval Office in at least a generation. In recent days, news outlets have provided him ammunition with reporting errors. But the barrage has deepened concern among media executives about what they see as a concerted campaign to discredit independent journalism. The tension erupted Monday in the White House briefing room when Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the president’s press secretary, engaged in a testy exchange with reporters. She said bias in news reports has gotten “out of control” and “should be taken seriously,” dismissing journalists who attributed recent errors to honest mistakes that were corrected.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps shout that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things. What did Hitler say that Jews in Germany were during the 1930s and 1940s?
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/11/opinion/white-supremacy-caucus.html

WASHINGTON POST
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE IN THE DAILY HERALD: #MeToo spotlight increasingly pointed at past Trump conduct – Jonathan Lemire
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/metoo-spotlight-increasingly-pointed-at-past-trump-conduct/2017/12/11/edb625de-ded5-11e7-b2e9-8c636f076c76_story.html

USA TODAY
— America’s growing income inequality The chairman of the world’s biggest hedge fund is worried about the growing wealth gap in America. – John Maxfield (DIERSEN: What would your superiors say that they did to fight income inequality? My Democrat GAO superiors would stress that they forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors would stress that they did not promote me beyond GS-12, that they disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and that they disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Democrat Post Office superiors would stress that they forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968. My aforesaid Democrat superiors would stress that the aforesaid adverse actions that they took against me directly benefited their employees who were poor, and especially their poor employees who were Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or veteran.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/12/12/a-foolish-take-americas-growing-income-inequality/108303078/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— White House Opposes Push by Trump Accusers for Sexual-Misconduct Probe President faced more than a dozen allegations of sexual-misconduct during campaign, which he has denied – Rebecca Ballhaus
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-accusers-ask-congress-to-probe-sexual-misconduct-allegations-1513016298
— How the Richest Got That Way – Gregory Clark (DIERSEN: Where did your wealth come from? My wealth came from a) money that I earned by doing yard work and delivering newspapers 1962-1964; washing dishes 1964-1966; cleaning golf shoes, chipping slag, and pumping gasoline in 1966; delivering mail 1966-1969; working on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; selling tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumping gasoline 1971-1972; collecting delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and auditing federal agencies 1980-1997 and b) my Civil Service Retirement System pension since 1997 and Social Security since 2010.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/review-how-the-richest-got-that-way-1513036026

ZERO HEDGE
— “I Feel Tremendous Guilt”: Former Facebook Exec Says Company Is “Ripping Apart The Social Fabric Of Society” – Tyler Durden
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-12-11/i-feel-tremendous-guilt-former-facebook-exec-says-company-ripping-apart-social-fabri