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/

January 2 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Conservative groups file appeal in taxpayer-funded abortion challenge – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-abortion-lawsuit-20180102-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Catholic Thomas More Society filed a notice of appeal Tuesday on behalf of conservative groups and legislators. They’re seeking an emergency injunction to keep the law from taking effect. State Rep. Peter Breen, a Lombard Republican who’s special counsel for the society, says lawmakers passed the measure too late in 2017 for it to take effect Jan. 1 and didn’t appropriate funding. Breen says there’s still time to block the law from being implemented since processing requests for procedure reimbursements takes months.)
— Giving up booze for Dry January? Here’s some advice from the experts – Fritz Hahn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-dry-january-tips-20180102-story.html
— Michele Bachmann mulls run for Al Franken’s Senate seat – Sarah Pulliam Bailey
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-michele-bachmann-al-franken-senate-20180102-story.html
— State Senator Michael Connelly to speak at Republican monthly meeting Saturday, January 6th
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/arlington-heights/community/chi-ugc-article-state-senator-connelly-to-speak-at-republican-2018-01-02-story.html
— Trump takes hard line on ‘dreamers,’ but remains interested in a deal – Robert Costa, David Nakamura and Ashley Parker
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-immigration-daca-20180102-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Cronin: Merging two county offices (county clerk’s office with the DuPage Election Commission) a top issue – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180102/cronin-merging-two-county-offices-a-top-issue
— State Sen. Michael Connelly meeting with Palatine Republicans Saturday, Jan. 6
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180102/state-sen-connelly-meeting-with-palatine-republicans

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Cook County property tax prepayments reach $750 million. How high will they go? – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180102/BLOGS02/180109991/cook-county-property-tax-prepayments-reach-750-million-how-high-will

 

WTTW
— Conservative Lawmakers Back Effort to Block Publicly Funded Abortions – Nick Blumberg
https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/01/02/conservative-lawmakers-back-effort-block-publicly-funded-abortions

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Conservative groups appeal in public-pay abortion challenge – AP
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180102/conservative-groups-appeal-in-public-pay-abortion-challenge

 

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Mail carriers walk to stay warm ‘when it’s this extreme’ – Jack Cullen (DIERSEN: I worked part-time for the Park Forest Post Office 1966-1969.)
http://qctimes.com/news/local/mail-carriers-walk-to-stay-warm-when-it-s-this/article_65185e78-06a8-57df-80df-e0b88540be02.html

 

WJBC
— Illinois ACLU: Trust Act not a substitute for Bloomington ‘welcoming city’ ordinance – Howard Packowitz (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, ACLU makes it clear that it is 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 for a long time.)
http://www.wjbc.com/2018/01/02/illinois-aclu-trust-act-not-a-substitute-for-bloomington-welcoming-city-ordinance/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— U.S. calls on Iran to unblock social media sites amid protests – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/us-calls-on-iran-to-unblock-social-media-sites-amid-protests/897164460

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Fremont Township Republicans Unanimously Endorse Ives for Governor
http://mailchi.mp/36f517dd81d2/fremont-township-republican-organization-unanimously-endorses-ives-for-governor
— Ives On Fox News Channel Report on Deaths in Quincy Veterans Home
http://mailchi.mp/f3d3f5bc2eff/ives-on-fox-news-channel-report-on-deaths-in-illinois-veterans-home

 

REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— 2017 IN REVIEW: Bruce Rauner and his money grabbers ruin Illinois
https://realgopillinois.com/2018/01/02/2017-rauner-gop-ruin-illinois/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Researcher: Government shares some blame in opioid crisis – Benjamin Yount
https://www.ilnews.org/news/health/researcher-government-shares-some-blame-in-opioid-crisis/article_c1173f46-ecc1-11e7-820a-0735050da85d.html

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— LAND OF LEAVING: MOVING COMPANIES RANK ILLINOIS NO. 1 FOR OUTBOUND VANS – Brendan Bakala
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/land-of-leaving-moving-companies-rank-illinois-no-1-for-outbound-vans/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— FIRST GOP TOWNSHIP ORG ENDORSES IVES OVER GOVERNOR RAUNER
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/first-gop-township-org-endorses-ives-over-governor-rauner.html

— KEY DEMOCRATS RIPPED FOR STICKING WITH COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR JOE BERRIOS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/key-democrats-ripped-for-sticking-with-cook-county-assessor-joe-berrios.html
— EARLY VOTING STARTS FEBRUARY 21 IN ILLINOIS PRIMARY CONTESTS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/early-voting-starts-february-21-in-illinois-primary-contests.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives suggests Rauner to blame for veterans’ home deaths – Stephen Dinan
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/02/ives-suggests-rauner-to-blame-for-veterans-home-deaths/
— Illinois pulls EDGE credit for spiraling company after investors (including Pritzker) are subpoenaed
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/02/illinois-pulls-edge-credit-for-spiraling-company-after-investors-including-pritzker-are-subpoenaed/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats plan MLK holiday ‘teach-ins’ to rally against Trump – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/2/dems-plan-mlk-holiday-teach-ins-against-trump/

 

CNS NEWS
— Planned Parenthood: We Did 321,384 Abortions; Got $543.7 Million in Tax Dollars – Terence P. Jeffrey
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/planned-parenthood-we-did-321384-abortions-got-5437-million-tax

 

FOX NEWS
— ‘How MUCH is that federal salary?’ Now you (and all taxpayers) can help drain the swamp – Adam Andrzejewski (DIERSEN: Those who have represented me in Washington have acted like my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have shouted at them a) that the federal government has always overpaid me, b) that my Civil Service Retirement System pension is too generous, and c) that my federal health, dental, and vision subsidies are too generous. Of course, they protested a) when the Post Office hired me in 1966 and let me work there for almost 3 years, b) when IRS hired me in 1971 and let me work there for almost 9 years, c) when IRS promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974, d) when GAO hired me in 1980 and let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) when GAO promoted me in 1986. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 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.)
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/01/02/how-much-is-that-federal-salary-now-and-all-taxpayers-can-help-drain-swamp.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It’s past time to take on the governing elite and reform federal civil service compensation and you should feel that way too. The source of the problem is often not the employees themselves, who are spread across the country, but politicians in Washington who refuse to set priorities and make hard choices. You may feel like trying to put some reformist heat on them after checking out what’s happening in your own area. What will you find in your own backyard? Whatever it is, let Washington know. Call it entitlement reform for bureaucrats and the politicians who fund them.)

 

THE HILL
— Legally, slashing federal payrolls won’t save us any money – SAM WICE
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/367048-legally-slashing-federal-payrolls-wont-save-us-any-money

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— GOP’s Bachmann mulling bid for Franken’s Senate seat
https://wtop.com/congress/2018/01/gops-bachmann-mulling-bid-for-frankens-senate-seat/

 

CNN
— Liberal media pushes Democrats’ tax propaganda
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36155

 

NEW YORK POST
— New York and co. are paying the price for being Deep Blue – John Podhoretz
https://nypost.com/2018/01/02/new-york-and-co-are-paying-the-price-for-being-deep-blue/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: But what we do know is this: Had there been a single Republican senator in any of the high-tax states in America — a senator in New York or New Jersey or Illinois or California or Oregon or Minnesota or Hawaii — the elimination of the SALT deduction would likely not have been included in the final tax-reform bill.)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump takes hard line on ‘dreamers,’ but remains interested in a deal – Robert Costa, David Nakamura and Ashley Parker
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-takes-hard-line-on-dreamers-but-remains-interested-in-a-deal/2018/01/02/45a47e20-efdf-11e7-b390-a36dc3fa2842_story.html

 

NEWSWEEK
— TRUMP SAYS HISPANICS WILL START ‘FALLING IN LOVE’ WITH HIM AND REPUBLICANS OVER DACA – MARIA PEREZ (DIERSEN: Will Trump say that all those who prepaid their real estate taxes will start falling in love with him over the Republican tax bill?)
http://www.newsweek.com/trump-says-hispanics-will-start-falling-love-him-and-republicans-over-daca-768263

January 1 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Police: 650 murdered in Chicago in 2017, down 15 percent from previous year – Jessica D’Onofrio
http://abc7chicago.com/police-650-murdered-in-chicago-in-2017/2846873/
— Police: 1 dead, 23 wounded in New Year’s weekend shootings across Chicago
http://abc7chicago.com/police-1-dead-23-wounded-in-new-years-weekend-shootings-across-chicago/2847078/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON AMERICA TIGHTENS: 1 in 10 youths has been homeless over the past year, survey finds – Moriah Balingit
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-homeless-youths-survey-20171231-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Transportation experts’ predictions for 2018 in Chicago, suburbs – Marni Pyke
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171231/transportation-experts-predictions-for-2018-in-chicago-suburbs

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Priorities for 2018 include improving fiscal, economic conditions in Illinois – Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171231/our-view-priorities-for-2018-include-improving-fiscal-economic-conditions-in-illinois

 

PEKIN TIMES
— State Rep. Mike Unes bucks governor and wins, for now – Chris Kaergard and Nick Vlahos
http://www.pekintimes.com/news/20171231/word-on-street-state-rep-mike-unes-bucks-governor-and-wins-for-now

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump welcomes new year with a lavish party at private club – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/trump-welcomes-new-year-with-a-lavish-party-at-private-club/894300665

 

BLAZE
— Federal judge: School districts can’t force football players to stand for the national anthem – Leon Wolf
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/31/federal-judge-school-districts-cant-force-football-players-to-stand-for-the-national-anthem

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— TRUMP LAYS DOWN IMMIGRATION CHALLENGE TO DEMS Demands wall, end to chain migration in exchange for DACA
http://www.wnd.com/2017/12/trump-lays-down-immigration-challenge-to-dems/

 

THE HILL
— GOP establishment using Trump for its own ends – JUAN WILLIAMS
http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/366933-juan-williams-gop-establishment-using-trump-for-its-own-ends
— U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.): ‘We’re not talking about taking away benefits from those who deserve those benefits’ – JULIA MANCHESTER (DIERSEN: What federal “benefits” do you get? Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes paint my Civil Service Retirement System pension, my federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidies, and my Social Security as being “benefits” that I do not “deserve.” In my defense, I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years and I paid Social Security taxes for 10 years. 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.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/366919-republican-were-not-talking-about-taking-away-benefits-from-those-who-deserve
— With Franken’s fall, the ‘Trump effect’ could turn Minnesota red — if Republicans embrace him – JOHN GILMORE (DIERSEN: What if the Democrats got Duckworth and/or Durbin to resign? Illinois “Establishment Republicans” got U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald to not seek a second term in 2004. That directly resulted in a) Obama being elected U.S. Senator in 2004, b) Obama being elected U.S. President in 2008, and c) Obama being reelected U.S. President in 2012. “Establishment Republicans” are really Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, or RINOs.)
http://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/366897-with-frankens-fall-the-trump-effect-could-turn-minnesota-red-if-republicans

 

NBC NEWS
— Millennials don’t like Trump. Here’s how they say he could win them over. – ALI VITALI (DIERSEN: To win over millennials, anti-Trumps want Trump a) to punish those who itemize their deductions and b) to promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things.)
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/millennials-don-t-trump-here-s-how-they-say-he-n832961

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Democrats in High-Tax States Plot to Blunt Impact of New Tax Law – Ben Casselman (DIERSEN: What do you say to Republicans who give ammunition to Democrats? Of course, Democrats will do everything that they can to turn those who itemize their deductions against Republicans. Democrats will focus on turning those who pay high real estate taxes against Republicans. But wait, Democrats promote high real estate taxes.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/31/business/high-tax-states-law.html
— How Do You Vote? 50 Million Google Images Give a Clue – Steve Lohr (DIERSEN: The cars that you own say more about you than anything that you can say about yourself. My daily diver is a 2003 Chevy Cavalier LS that I bought from my aunt in 2010. Other cars that I own are: 1972 Chevy Corvette, 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX, 2005 Chevy Corvette, 2013 Dodge Charger R/T Max, and 2016 Ford Mustang. Previously, I bought a 1958 Chevy BelAir, 1962 Chevy BelAir, 1962 Chevy Impala SS, 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint, 1968 Oldsmobile 442, 1968 Dodge Charger R/T, 1969 Dodge Charger SE, 1974 Dodge Dart, 1978 Chevy Chevette, 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale, 1990 Ford Thunderbird LX, 1993 Ford Thunderbird, and 1997 Chevy Cavalier.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/31/technology/google-images-voters.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Stanford car project generated a host of intriguing connections, not so much startling revelations. In the most recent paper, and one published earlier in the year by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, these were among the predictive correlations: The system was able to accurately predict income, race, education and voting patterns at the ZIP code and precinct level in cities across the country. Car attributes (including miles-per-gallon ratings) found that the greenest city in America is Burlington, Vt., while Casper, Wyo., has the largest per-capita carbon footprint. Chicago is the city with the highest level of income segregation, with large clusters of expensive and cheap cars in different neighborhoods; Jacksonville, Fla., is the least segregated by income. New York is the city with the most expensive cars. El Paso has the highest percentage of Hummers. San Francisco has the highest percentage of foreign cars.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Killers love those who want to end the death penalty.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/31/opinion/capital-punishment-death-penalty.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Partisans, Wielding Money, Begin Seeking to Exploit Harassment Claims – Kenneth P. Vogel (DIERSEN: In your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois, and in America, how much money are anti-Trumps offering women to charge Trump supports with sexual harassment? Ever-increasingly, under the anti-Trumps, the more of the following that you are, the more that you are presumed to be a sexual harasser: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/31/us/politics/sexual-harassment-politics-partisanship.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: California Inc.: Recreational pot coming soon to a shop near you – David Lazarus
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-calinc-01012018-story.html
— Remember, much of what Trump does can be undone – Scott Lemieux (DIERSEN: To get elected, Democrats will promise to remove all restrictions on itemized deductions? Democrats will stress that itemized deductions help low and middle income taxpayers far more than they help upper income taxpayers. Will the Democrats stress how itemizing deductions helped Dave Diersen 1972-1977 and helped him and his wife since they got married in 1978?)
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-lemieux-trump-endurance-20180101-story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Mike Pence Amasses a War Chest for the Midterm Elections Some strategists say vice president can campaign successfully in places where GOP candidates might be wary of sharing a stage with Trump – Peter Nicholas
https://www.wsj.com/articles/mike-pence-likely-to-assist-republicans-in-midterm-elections-1514543402

 

USA TODAY
— Republican tax law is not a win. Take it from me, the backlash is coming. You can’t sell something people don’t like. I would know; I had a front-row seat for the Obamacare-fueled GOP wave in 2010. The parallels are striking. – Shripal Shah
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/12/28/republican-tax-law-not-win-2018-backlash-coming-shripal-shah-column/982307001/

 

NATIONAL MEMO
— 6 Big Victories For Feminism In 2017, Despite Donald Trump And Other Toxic Men – Liz Posner (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trump women talk and act like they not only want to get rid of heterosexual men, ever-increasingly they talk and act like they want to turn all women into lesbians.)
https://www.nationalmemo.com/6-big-victories-feminism-2017-despite-donald-trump-toxic-men/

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 26 Evening Edition

ABC7
— New Laws 2018: Illinois laws that take effect January 1
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/new-laws-2018-illinois-laws-that-take-effect-january-1/2785524/
— CHILD ABUSE: More pregnant women are using pot – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/health/more-pregnant-women-are-using-pot-study-finds/2826461/
— Woman killed by pit bulls while putting bird seed outside her home
http://abc7chicago.com/woman-killed-by-pit-bulls-while-putting-bird-seed-outside-her-home/2826226/

 

CBS2
— New Illinois Laws That Take Effect In 2018 – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/26/new-illinois-laws-2018/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Key factors point to higher Chicago voter turnout in March – Marisel A. Hernandez (DIERSEN: PREDICTION: Members of Group A will vote for those candidates who promise to do the most to get rid of those who are 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. Members of Group B 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.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/opinion-key-factors-point-to-higher-chicago-voter-turnout-in-march/
— U.S. industries can start counting their benefits from tax law – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/tax-overhaul-industries-craft-beer-retailers-benefits/
— Tax overhaul seems mostly designed to confuse the masses – Phil Kadner
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-sun-times/textview
— Politicians care about school funding — only in election years – Phil Kadner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/school-funding-illinois-candidates-governor-promise-money-kadner/
— As Trump weakens EPA, citizens must lead fight to protect environment – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/scott-pruitt-donald-trump-cathy-stepp-weakens-epa-fight-to-protect-environment-great-lakes-air-quality-drinking-water-wisconsin/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The aging Senate is a problem – Jonathan Bernstein (DIERSEN: What is your position on age discrimination? I have always opposed age discrimination. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) have always promoted age discrimination and b) have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that if you are a non-veteran White male federal employee, you are a bad employee, a loser, lazy, stupid, 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. In today’s dollars, what were you earning when you were 25, 30, 35, and 40?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-senate-aging-old-octogenarians-20171226-story.html
— Chicago sees drop in Divvy income following expansion into South, West sides – Mary Wisniewski, Gregory Pratt
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-divvy-income-drop-20171226-story.html
— Democrats build case against tax bill, but don’t call for repeal – David Weigel
http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-democrats-tax-bill-20171226-story.html
— Federal court rejects challenge to Trump voting commission – Rachel Weiner
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-voting-commission-challenge-20171226-story.html
— Trump slams FBI, Obamacare in post-Christmas tweets – Michelle Ye Hee Lee
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-twitter-fbi-obamacare-20171226-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Lake County residents can now prepay property taxes online – Kim Mikus
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171226/lake-county-residents-can-now-prepay-property-taxes-online

 

QUINCY HERALD WHIG
— More than 200 laws take effect Monday in Illinois – Matt Hopf
http://www.whig.com/20171226/more-than-200-laws-take-effect-monday-in-illinois

 

DANVILLE COMMERCIAL NEWS
— Effective leaders find ways to get job done – Southern Illinoisan
http://www.commercial-news.com/editorials/guest-editorial-effective-leaders-find-ways-to-get-job-done/article_22828f57-7110-5a15-b348-acafa4aa10ac.html

 

BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN
— Ives only pol who wants to trim school district numbers Illinois has 852 vs. Florida’s 100 districts – Scott Reeder
http://www.bcrnews.com/2017/12/23/ives-only-pol-who-wants-to-trim-school-district-numbers/ad1t4dg/
— Old South sticks it to beleaguered Illinois Land of Lincoln is a loser in this new sectionalism – Jim Nowlan
http://www.bcrnews.com/2017/12/22/old-south-sticks-it-to-beleaguered-illinois/aj0grwl/

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump Administration Touts A Smaller U.N. Budget (And Takes Credit For It) – LAUREL WAMSLEY
http://nprillinois.org/post/trump-administration-touts-smaller-un-budget-and-takes-credit-it#stream/0
— Pick The Biggest Political Story Of 2017 – DOMENICO MONTANARO (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents want only themselves to tell you what the biggest political stories are.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/pick-biggest-political-story-2017#stream/0

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Cahokia School District #187 hired guard facing 34 felony charges – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/cahokia-school-district-187-hired-guard-facing-34-felony-charges/
— Coles County Taxpayers file federal appeal in property tax assessment scandal – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/coles-county-taxpayers-file-federal-appeal-in-property-tax-assessment-scandal/

 

NEWSMAX
— Rep. Rodney Davis: Rollbacks, Economic Growth Mark Good 2018 for GOP – Sandy Fitzgerald
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/rodney-davis-gop-primary-challenge-democrats/2017/12/26/id/833778/
— Democrats Split on Pursing Impeachment If They Win Back House – Brian Freeman
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/democrats-split-impeachment-trump/2017/12/26/id/833710/

 

DAILY CALLER
— GOP Lawmaker Calls For ‘Purge’ Of FBI And DOJ – Chuck Ross (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my superiors always acted like Democrat politicians had called for a purge of all federal employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made 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. Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to purge the aforesaid employees. While I worked for GAO in its Chicago office 1980-1997, every time a new manager took over the office, they were given a list of the office’s employees who they were supposed to purge. Of course, I was always on those lists.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/26/gop-lawmaker-calls-for-purge-of-fbi-and-doj-video/
— NBC Reportedly Tells Staff To Tattle On Misbehaving Colleagues – Amber Athey (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. In the federal government, to “misbehave” is a) to oppose patronage, b) to oppose political affiliation discrimination, c) to oppose reverse discrimination, d) to oppose age discrimination, and/or e) to 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, etc.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/26/nbc-reportedly-tells-staff-to-tattle-on-misbehaving-colleagues/

 

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Dems see 2018 as best chance in years to win back House.”
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/366249-dems-see-2018-as-best-chance-in-years-to-win-back-house

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Illinois’s Tax Burden Is Keeping People Away The state loses one person every five minutes on net to other states. – Mailee Smith, Illinois Policy Institute (DIERSEN: Yes, but many other things also keep people away. Those who dominate Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago governments promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things. Those who dominate Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago governments 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.wsj.com/articles/illinoiss-tax-burden-is-keeping-people-away-1514316972

 

NEWSWEEK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps use Moore to turn White college-educated women against Republicans.
http://www.newsweek.com/college-educated-women-will-have-their-revenge-republican-party-2018-poll-759513

 

FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAGAZINE
— Rising Number Of Older Americans Carrying Debt Into Retirement – JADAH RILEY (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when my wife and I paid off our mortgage in 1the 1990s.)
https://www.fa-mag.com/news/rising-number-of-older-americans-carrying-debt-into-retirement-36356.html

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— What constitutes sexual harassment in the federal workforce? What to do if you are a victim – Isabel Cottrell (DIERSEN: If you are a female federal employee, and especially if you are a Democrat, minority, and/or younger, you can expect to receive preferential treatment.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/commentary-analysis/2017/12/what-constitutes-sexual-harassment-in-the-federal-workforce-what-to-do-if-you-are-a-victim/

 

FED SMITH
— Congressmen Want Federal Employee Pay Cuts Taken Off the Table – Ian Smith (DIERSEN: Are/were you accused of being overpaid? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always accused me of being overpaid. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 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.fedsmith.com/2017/12/26/congressman-want-federal-employee-pay-cuts-taken-off-table/
— Biggest and Smallest 2018 Raises for Federal Employees – Ralph R. Smith
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/12/26/biggest-smallest-2018-raises-federal-employees/

 

SALON
— Trump is mad at Jeff Sessions for taking the job Trump offered him – CHARLIE MAY (DIERSEN: My Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government were always mad at me because I refused to become a Democrat.)
https://www.salon.com/2017/12/26/trump-is-mad-at-jeff-sessions-for-taking-the-job-trump-offered-him/

December 25 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— With opioid suit, Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim takes jab at Abbott Labs – Charles Selle
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/opinion/ct-lns-selle-opioid-lawsuit-st-1226-20171225-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rahm’s 2017: Embarrassments, accomplishments — and a few lucky breaks – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/rahms-2017-embarrassments-accomplishments-and-a-few-lucky-breaks/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Nonprofits worry tax changes will curb donations in 2018 – Elena Ferrarin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171225/nonprofits-worry-tax-changes-will-curb-donations-in-2018

 

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Rays of hope are emerging: Small gains made locally in war on heroin Small gains made in war on heroin – Steve Horrell
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/114878/rays-of-hope-are-emerging-small-gains-made-locally-in-war-on-heroin

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Corrections watchdog: More needs to be done for criminal justice reform – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/justice/corrections-watchdog-more-needs-to-be-done-for-criminal-justice/article_071f11dc-e694-11e7-8d19-cff75c4244f0.html

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— CHRISTMAS WISH LIST: 12 GIFTS FOR ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS IN 2018 – Vincent Caruso
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/christmas-wish-list-12-gifts-for-illinois-taxpayers-in-2018/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Not-so-beautiful Dreamers: The reality behind the media airbrushing – Hans A. von Spakovsky
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/25/daca-demographics-show-less-ideal-dreamers-media-i/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— KARL ROVE AND THE DESPICABLE GOP ELITE Mychal Massie rips RNC for using the people’s money to undermine Trump
http://www.wnd.com/2017/12/karl-rove-and-the-despicable-gop-elite/

 

GOPUSA
— Jeff Flake: Some GOP rallies look like ‘spasms of a dying party’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35913

 

FOX BUSINESS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Big labor sees growth potential in California pot workers – SCOTT SMITH
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/12/25/big-labor-sees-growth-potential-in-california-pot-workers.html

 

NEWSMAX
— Trump: People ‘Proud’ to Say ‘Merry Christmas Again’ – Sandy Fitzgerald
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-merry-christmas-tweet/2017/12/25/id/833606/

 

POLITICO
— The top 10 House races to watch in 2018 Key districts around the country that will define next year’s battle for control of the House. – ELENA SCHNEIDER (DIERSEN: Social progressives want Roskam to pander to them. What do you say to those who advise Roskam to pander to social progressives? To be “socially progressive” is to promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, pot, gambling, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/25/house-races-2018-midterms-republicans-democrats-316207
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois’ 6th District: Revenge of the suburbs GOP Rep. Peter Roskam won reelection handily in 2016, but his Chicagoland district saw a big shift, with President Donald Trump losing it by 7 points after Mitt Romney carried the seat by 8 points in 2012. And since Trump took office, elections in Virginia, New Jersey and a handful of congressional special elections around the country have seen local candidates fall to or even below Trump’s levels in the suburbs. That’s a big warning sign for Roskam and other Republicans in suburbs of New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Kansas City and more heading into 2018. Democrats have to wade through a crowded primary before they face Roskam. Kelly Mazeski, who picked up an EMILY’s List endorsement and raised the most money last quarter, is leading the pack, though anything can happen in a field of seven candidates. But even a bruised Democratic opponent may not stem the tide against Roskam and other suburban congressmen. “Increasingly socially progressive, suburban voters have been drifting away from the GOP for years,” said Ian Russell, former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee deputy executive director. “Trump dramatically accelerated this movement, and the tax bill will only further alienate them.”)

 

NEWSWEEK
— WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION THINKS VIDEO GAMES ARE CAUSING A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER – MELISSA MATTHEWS
http://www.newsweek.com/world-health-organization-thinks-video-games-are-causing-mental-health-758555

 

MOTLEY FOOL
— You’ll Lose Some of Your Retirement Income to the IRS — Here’s How Much When you draw up your retirement budget, don’t forget about tax expenses — or you could end up with far less income than you expect. – Wendy Connick
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/12/25/youll-lose-some-of-your-retirement-income-to-the-i.aspx

December 19 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— GOP on verge of huge tax overhaul — with one hiccup Stephen Ohlemacher and Marcy Gordon
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-gop-tax-bill-20171219-story.html
— Illinois Republicans, Democrats in Congress stick with their parties on tax vote – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-congress-taxes-20171219-story.html
— Tax plan a windfall for companies, but will anything trickle down to the rank and file? – Robert Reed
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/reed/ct-biz-tax-plan-wages-jobs-robert-reed-1220-story.html
— When people wouldn’t believe two dogs killed their owner, the sheriff described the horror – Kristine Phillips
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dogs-maul-owner-virginia-20171219-story.html
— Suicide expert says rampant stress not a new problem for Naperville students – Suzanne Baker
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-naperville-suicide-expert-st-1220-20171219-story.html
— The toughest job in state government – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-dcfs-walker-rauner-abuse-20171219-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: If you promote pot in Illinois, you promote the destruction of Illinois.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-marijuana-legalization-st-1220-20171219-story.html
— Why doesn’t Trump get credit for revving up the economy? – Ed Rogers
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-economy-trump-gross-domestic-product-ed-rogers-1220-story.html

 

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 15 Evening Edition

ABC7
— President Trump on violent crime in US: ‘What the hell is going on in Chicago?’ – Jesse Kirsch
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-on-violent-crime-in-us-what-the-hell-is-going-on-in-chicago/2784892/

 

NBC5
— Trump: ‘What the Hell is Going On in Chicago?’ – James Neveau
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/president-trump-again-bemoans-chicago-gun-violence-in-fbi-speech-464455663.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Why Gov. Rauner probably still won’t be ‘in charge’ next year – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/miller-why-gov-rauner-probably-still-wont-be-in-charge-next-year/
— Rahm’s trust a bust? Fails to raise a dime but has cost taxpayers $5M – Tim Novak
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/rahm-emanuel-infrastructure-trust-a-bust-fails-to-raise-a-dime-in-5-years-but-has-cost-chicago-taxpayers-over-5-million-dollars-the-watchdogs/
— Here’s what’s in final tax bill Republicans plan to send to Trump
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/heres-whats-in-final-tax-bill-republicans-plan-to-send-to-trump/
— We need a broader conversation on sex, workplace issues – Mary Mitchell (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, if you are a male, the more of the following that you are, the more that you are demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being a sexual harasser and even worse things: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/mitchell-we-need-a-broader-conversation-on-sex-workplace-issues/
— Will ‘Me Too’ or general GOP awfulness be the Democratic banner in 2018? – Caitlin Huey-Burns
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/will-me-too-or-general-gop-awfulness-be-the-democratic-banner-in-2018/
— Close veterans home where Legionnaires’ outbreaks persist – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/legionnaires-disease-quincy-illinois-veterans-home/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump singles out Chicago violence again — but underestimates the problem – William Lee
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-trump-chicago-shootings-chicago-inc-20171215-story.html
— GOP tax bill slashes rates for corporations and wealthy with smaller benefits for middle class – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-republicans-tax-bill-20171215-story.html
— No tears from African-Americans after Omarosa booted from White House – Dahleen Glanton
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-met-omarosa-trump-dahleen-glanton-20171215-story.html
— State rep’s daughter, boyfriend given probation for attack on primary rival – Megan Crepeau
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-state-rep-daughter-guilty-misdemeanor-20171215-story.html
— Trump judicial nominee fumbles through painfully awkward confirmation hearing gone viral – Derek Hawkins (DIERSEN: I should write a book about what I learned about the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure when I pursued Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange and Diersen v. GAO in federal court.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-judicial-nominee-matthew-petersen-20171215-story.html
— GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives says U46 too big, needs to be reduced – Rafael Guerrero
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-ives-u46-downsizing-st-1217-20171215-story.html
— Some brush off politics unless it affects their daily lives – Ted Slowik
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-why-it-matters-st-1217-20171215-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— 3 weeks into new budget, Kane County sheriff coming up short – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171215/3-weeks-into-new-budget-kane-county-sheriff-coming-up-short
— German government says it backs ‘open and free internet’ – AP (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents do not want an “open and free” internet. They only want an internet that they can manipulate if not dominate. They do not want anyone to first learn of anything by reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They 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 or activities. They want me to carry out their blacklist orders. They are furious that I circulate nominating petitions in my precinct for all the candidates instead just for candidates they approve of. I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes. They claim to be conservative and/or Republican, but ever-increasingly they talk and act like they are Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, or RINOs.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171215/news/312159952/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Chicago lawyers: not a diverse lot – CLAIRE BUSHEY
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171215/NEWS04/171219914/chicago-lawyers-not-a-diverse-lot

 

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— Durbin Fears ‘Mistakes’ In Rushed Republican Tax Bill – RYAN DENHAM (DIERSEN: Cutting/eliminating itemized deductions will cause the housing market to crash. Will renters take advantage of that crash and buy homes?)
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/durbin-fears-mistakes-rushed-republican-tax-bill#stream/0

 

WGAL
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Second-grader brings marijuana to school, shares with a friend (DIERSEN: Who is leading the fight against pot in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?)
http://www.wgal.com/article/second-grader-brings-marijuana-to-school-shares-with-a-friend/14440593

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Illinois GOP release states Pritzker ‘continues to lie to Illinoisans’ – Robert Hadley
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511281883-illinois-gop-release-states-pritzker-continues-to-lie-to-illinoisans

 

KANE COUNTY REPORTER
— Oberweis says he’s ‘extremely disappointed’ Rauner signed sanctuary state bill – Karen Kidd
https://kanecountyreporter.com/stories/511286741-oberweis-says-he-s-extremely-disappointed-rauner-signed-sanctuary-state-bill

 

WEST COOK NEWS
— Leader Durkin Had Role in Strip Club vs. Broadview Fight – Lgistheme Reports
https://westcooknews.com/stories/511298864-leader-durkin-had-role-in-strip-club-vs-broadview-fight

 

METRO EAST SUN
— Don Moore, Republican candidate in the 108th House District, is uneasy about Durkin-Madigan relationship – Carrie Bradon
https://metroeastsun.com/stories/511296463-moore-is-uneasy-about-durkin-madigan-relationship

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Citizens of Illinois pay attention: 36 Counties- 55 illegal assessors! – KIRK ALLEN (DIERSEN: Did you meet legal requirements when you were hired? I did. I had both a job-related master’s degree and a job-related professional certification when GAO hired me at the GS-9 level in 1980. I had a job-related bachelor’s degree and I had passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination when IRS hired me at the GS-7 level in 1971. I had a high school diploma and I had passed an employment examination when the Post Office hired me at the GS-4 level in 1966.)
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/12/citizens-of-illinois-pay-attention-36-counties-55-illegal-assessors/

 

ILLINOIS HOMPAGE
— Duckworth responsible for legionnaires issue? – Raquel Martin
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/capitol-news/duckworth-responsible-for-legionnaires-issue/881873477

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— GOP Gubernatorial Primary 2018: Competent Uniter v. Incompetent Divider – John Biver
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2017/12/gop-gubernatorial-primary-2018-competent-uniter-v-incompetent-divider/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— THORNER: PARTY DIVISIONS SPARK AT REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S EVENT IN LAKE COUNTY (DIERSEN: Are you a Republican Precinct Committeeman? What policy does your Republican township and/or county party organization have on committeemen supporting candidates in contested Republican primaries? Officially, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) does not endorse candidates, committeemen are free to support whichever candidates that they want to support, but committeemen are required to support the candidates who win the primaries. However, sadly, if not tragically, that is not how it works in real life. Those who have dominated MTRCC at least since 2000 have lots of religious, government, political, and financial clout in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, and in DuPage County. They do everything that they can to destroy committeemen who support candidates who they do not like. I should write a book about their efforts to destroy me since 2000. They blame me for all losses that Republican candidates have suffered in general elections in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois since 2000.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/thorner-party-divisions-spark-at-republican-womens-event-in-lake-county.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner complains it’s “hard to overcome” the “biased” Illinois media
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/15/rauner-complains-its-hard-to-overcome-the-biased-illinois-media/
— Reader comments closed until Tuesday (DIERSEN: GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have gone out each and every morning since 2004 and each and every evening too since 2015. Those emails have included links to more than 289,200 articles and information on many upcoming events.)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/15/reader-comments-closed-until-tuesday-25/

 

ONE NEWS NOW
— Way down deep, Dems want folks hooked on gov’t largess – Steve Jordahl
https://www.onenewsnow.com/politics-govt/2017/12/15/way-down-deep-dems-want-folks-hooked-on-govt-largess

 

DAILY CALLER
— Google Is Using Its Immense Power To Censor Content That Doesn’t Fit Its Political Goals. Everyone In America Should Be Concerned About That – Neil Patel
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/15/google-is-using-its-immense-power-to-censor-content-that-doesnt-fit-its-political-goals/
— America’s Longest-Serving Bomber (B-52) Sets New Record For Most Smart Bombs Dropped On An Enemy – RYAN PICKRELL
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/15/americas-longest-serving-bomber-sets-new-record-for-most-smart-bombs-dropped-on-an-enemy/

 

GOPUSA
— Black women seek rewards from Democrats after Alabama race
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35324
— Democrat lawmaker: Women’s clothing an ‘invitation’ for harassment
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35223
— Prominent lawyer sought donor cash for two Trump accusers (DIERSEN: If you accuse Trump of sexual harassment, anti-Trumps will give you lots of money.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35361
— Kirstjen Nielsen, new DHS chief, says agents cause ‘fear’ in illegals (DIERSEN: My Democrat superiors in the federal government focused on causing “fear” in their employees like me who were Republican, and especially those like me who were White, male, older, and non-veteran. They used Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion to waste the careers of and to get rid of their employees like me who were Republican, and especially those like me who were White, male, older, and non-veteran.)
http://www.gopusa.com/kirstjen-nielsen-new-dhs-chief-says-agents-cause-fear-in-illegals/

 

BREITBART
— CBO Report: DACA Amnesty Would Cost American Taxpayers $26 Billion – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/15/cbo-report-daca-amnesty-would-cost-american-taxpayers-26-billion/
— CNN: Four GOP Senators Negotiate Amnesty With Democrats – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/economics/2017/12/15/cnn-four-gop-senators-negotiate-amnesty-democrats/
— Exodus: Jews Flee Paris Suburbs over Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism – SIMON KENT
http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/12/15/exodus-french-jews-forced-islamists-anti-semitism-rises-across-europe/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Why Al Franken should not resign – Robin Wolf
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/12/why_al_franken_should_not_resign.html

 

FEDERALIST
— Why Criminalizing Sexual Harassment Fosters Witch Hunts Sexual harassment digests a degenerate thug like Harvey Weinstein with a college student who makes an awkward pass or a well-intentioned boss who compliments a dress. – Maureen Mullarkey
http://thefederalist.com/2017/12/15/criminalizing-sexual-harassment-fosters-witch-hunts/

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Too Many Americans Are Going to College – Too Many Americans Are Going to College – Kyle Smith
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/454680/bryan-caplans-case-against-education-persuasive&arubalp=8e2c40a0-eb99-4df9-ad36-82ce3139f3

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Cultural Divide Deepens in First Year of Trump Presidency – George Rasley (DIERSEN: What percent of those in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors?)
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/27033
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A pair of recent polls assessing patriotism attitudes in the American population reveal that, as the first year of the Trump presidency ends, there are two competing definitions of patriotism and distinct divergence in the underlying priorities of Americans operating in our country. The vast differences that were found between how those who self-identified as Liberal or Conservative rated the meaning of traditional components of patriotism, such as “Freedom of Speech,” the “National Anthem,” and the “American flag,” suggest that there is a deepening division in the American understanding of patriotism in terms of its symbols and freedoms. Most Americans surveyed reflected this same concern – only 13% of the adults surveyed believe the citizens of the United States are becoming more patriotic; 50% believe their fellow citizens are becoming less so. Only 22% of Americans surveyed said they strongly agree they would feel safe wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat. The findings suggest that we are more divided than ever – and neither the Left nor the Right are content to cede patriotism to the other. We see that general terms, such as “freedom of speech,” which in the past may have been associated with patriotism are murkier in meaning than before; those who want to communicate about American patriotism should know their audiences have quite different ideas about what that means. While results suggest political affiliation can predict how patriotism is defined, 85% of liberals consider themselves to be patriotic in some sense, compared to 97% of conservatives and 83% of moderates. Drilling down into the differences in the perceived patriotism of brands according to political party affiliation, Conservatives said the NRA is “very patriotic” – the highest ranked of the choices by them, Moderates deemed it is the U.S. Supreme Court, and Liberals chose the Democrat Party. Planned Parenthood was one percentage point behind the Democrat Party in Liberals’ estimation of “very patriotic” brands. Likewise, overall, the National Rifle Association was considered “very patriotic” by a plurality, 33%; the same percent said the National Football League’s Colin Kaepernick was most strongly understood to be “not at all” patriotic.)

 

POLITICO
— Democratic lawmaker: Women’s clothing an ‘invitation’ to harassment ‘I saw a member yesterday with her cleavage so deep it was down to the floor,’ Rep. Marcy Kaptur tells fellow Democrats at a private meeting. – HEATHER CAYGLE
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/13/marcy-kaptur-womens-clothing-sexual-harassment-294974

 

CNN
— Want to fix sexual harassment? Don’t hire jerks – Robert Sutton (DIERSEN: According to those who are anti-men, all men are jerks, and those men who are members of the following groups are especially jerks: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/15/opinions/sexual-harassment-dont-hire-jerks-sutton-opinion/index.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Has Support for Moore Stained Evangelicals? Some Are Worried – Laurie Goodstein (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes do everything that they can to turn religious people against me. They stress a) that I am not a member of any church, b) that I do not attend church services, c) that I do not give money to a church, d) that I was baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran, and e) that I oppose the promotion of dependency on government, dependency on charities, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot and other vices, race and gender based preference giving, age discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, etc.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/us/alabama-evangelical-christians-moore.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “It grieves me,” said Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, a prominent evangelical school in Illinois. “I don’t want ‘evangelical’ to mean people who supported candidates with significant and credible accusations against them. If evangelical means that, it has serious ramifications for the work of Christians and churches.” . . . People have had the impulse to jettison the evangelical label before, according to Mr. Stetzer of Wheaton College. It came up after the televangelist scandals involving Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart in the 1980s. But the idea received new attention and momentum soon after Mr. Trump was elected.)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Rubio’s last stand highlights tax bill’s corporate skew – Tory Newmyer (DIERSEN: Cutting/eliminating itemized deductions will cause the housing market to crash. Will renters take advantage of that crash and buy homes?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-finance-202/2017/12/15/the-finance-202-rubio-s-last-stand-highlights-tax-bill-s-corporate-skew/5a33032830fb0469e883fbd3/
— Trump judicial nominee fumbles basic questions about the law – Derek Hawkins (DIERSEN: I should write a book about what I learned about the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure when I pursued Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange and Diersen v. GAO in federal court.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/12/15/trump-judicial-nominee-fumbles-basic-questions-about-the-law/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: For five painfully awkward minutes, Petersen, a member of the Federal Election Commission and a lawyer with no trial experience, fumbled with Kennedy’s questions, visibly uncomfortable as the lawmaker pressed him about how things work in a federal courtroom. “Hoo-boy,” Whitehouse wrote in a widely circulated tweet of the exchange, seizing on the moment for maximum political effect. In Wednesday’s hearing, Kennedy started by asking Petersen and the four other nominees who appeared with him: “Have any of you not tried a case to verdict in a courtroom?” Petersen alone raised his hand. Kennedy, a first-term Republican who has challenged some of Trump’s previous judicial nominations, bore down. Had Petersen ever handled jury trial? “I have not,” the nominee responded. Civil? No. Criminal? No. Bench trial? No. State or federal court? No. How many depositions had he taken — fewer than five? “Probably somewhere in that range,” Petersen said. Had he ever argued a motion in state court? Federal court? No on both counts. Kennedy then asked the last time Petersen had read the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure — the standards that govern civil cases in U.S. District Court, where Petersen is hoping to get a lifetime appointment.)
— Racial divides have been holding American workers back for more than a century – Calvin Schermerhorn (DIERSEN: Schermerhorn should write about what GAO did during the 1980s and 1990s a) to hire, retain, and promote young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females and b) to make way for them by wasting the careers of and by getting rid of GAO employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/made-by-history/wp/2017/12/15/racial-divides-have-been-holding-american-workers-back-for-more-than-a-century/

 

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— GOP lawmakers race to pass tax bill without regard to details, fallout – Editorial (DIERSEN: Cutting/eliminating itemized deductions will cause the housing market to crash. Will renters take advantage of that crash and buy homes?)
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Breaking-the-bank-12432073.php

 

NEWSWEEK
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: MARIJUANA-INFUSED WINE IS COMING TO LEGAL WEED STATES – JANICE WILLIAMS
http://www.newsweek.com/marijuana-legal-states-wine-california-747711

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— OPM Tells Agencies to Stop Working Collaboratively with Unions – Erich Wagner
http://www.govexec.com/management/2017/12/opm-tells-agencies-stop-working-collaboratively-unions/144617/?oref=top-story

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Despite having 7 ways to recruit, retain mission critical talent, agencies rarely use them – Nicole Ogrysko (DIERSEN: In 1980, I had almost 9 years of “mission critical talent.” GAO audits IRS. In 1980, I had worked for IRS’s Collection Division 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. But instead of offering me a promotion to GS-13 to transfer from IRS to GAO, GAO forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut to transfer. During the 1980s and 1990s, GAO’s Chicago office almost always led audits of IRS’s Collection Division. While GAO did assign me to audits of IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division 1986-1988, all during the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, it never assigned me to an audit of IRS’s Collection Division. In my opinion, GAO’s refusal to assign me to audits of IRS’s Collection Division is almost criminal if not criminal.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/your-job/2017/12/agencies-have-7-different-ways-to-recruit-and-retain-mission-critical-talent-but-they-rarely-use-them/

December 14 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Emanuel breaks silence on Berrios, calls for review of property tax assessments – Bill Ruthhart
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-rahm-emanuel-joe-berrios-20171214-story.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Thank black women for Moore’s defeat in Alabama – Dahleen Glanton
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-met-alabama-black-women-dahleen-glanton-20171213-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Ample tax cuts for business, wealthy in new GOP tax accord – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/tax-overhaul-wealthy-business-obamacare/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who are members of Group A use Moore to demonize, denigrate, and condemn those who are members of Group B. Those who are 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 those who are 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.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/cupp-for-gop-stain-of-roy-moore-will-be-hard-to-wash-away/
— As ‘net neutrality’ vote nears, some brace for a long fight – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/net-neutrality-fcc-vote-internet-broadband-rules/

 

DAILY HERALD
— HARDCOPY EDITORIAL HEADLINE: Perspectives on professional development (DIERSEN: What have you done to develop yourself professionally? I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 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. However, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that the undergraduate and graduate courses that I took a) were not job-related, b) did not help me carry out my job duties, c) were taken by me to get a job in the private sector, and d) were a distraction. To keep their jobs and to get promoted, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government focused on getting rid of federal employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171213/editorial-dont-overlook-value-of-conferences-but-manage-the-costs
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, those who are anti-men paint all men as being sexual harassers.
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171214/womens-rage-unleashed

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— “Objection! (to nominating petitions), Pritzker endorsements
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171213/under-dome-podcast-objection-to-nominating-petitions-pritzker-endorsements
— Governor candidates want action on Legionnaire’s outbreak at veterans home
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171213/governor-candidates-want-action-on-legionnaires-outbreak-at-veterans-home

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— State Funded Abortion Law Soon To Take Effect – Greg Bishop
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=256844#.WjJfscvR-M8

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— John McCain to Trump: Lay off the ‘fake news’ claims Report: Increase in number of journalists jailed – JACKIE WATTLES (DIERSEN: Who wants you to be jailed? My critics/opponents want me to be jailed, and especially my critics/opponents who 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 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 and/or those who disapprove of my demographics.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/john-mccain-to-trump-lay-off-the-fake-news-claims/880723380
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Trump is known for dismissing press coverage he doesn’t like as “fake news.” CPJ’s report was highly critical of Trump’s tactics. “President Donald Trump’s nationalistic rhetoric, fixation on Islamic extremism, and insistence on labeling critical media ‘fake news’ serves to reinforce the framework of accusations and legal charges that allow [some foreign] leaders to preside over the jailing of journalists,” it reads. The most common reasons journalists are put behind bars around the world include “anti-state charges” and “broad and vague terror laws,” according to the CPJ report.)

 

WAND
— A new law aims to stop “doctor shopping” for getting prescribed opioid – Dawn Sterling
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37063187/a-new-law-aims-to-stop-doctor-shopping-for-getting-prescribed-opioid

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Illinois Women Tell Their #Metoo Stories – MAUREEN FOERTSCH MCKINNEY (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, those who are anti-men paint all men as being sexual harassers.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-women-tell-their-metoo-stories#stream/0

 

UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Jim Durkin’s Intimidation Campaign
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/jim-durkins-intimidation-campaign

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— White House sides with Rauner in union fight
https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511296664-white-house-sides-with-rauner-in-union-fight

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— LUNCH WITH TRUMP — Two congressmen from Illinois joined President Donald Trump in the White House for lunch. According to the pool report: “Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), Ways and Means Committee Member and Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), Energy and Commerce Committee.” Trump hosted the lunch to get a handle on progress for major tax legislation.” Roskam has been intimately involved in those efforts. – Natasha Korecki
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/12/14/cullerton-to-launch-hearings-over-veterans-home-deaths-rauner-defends-actions-on-quincy-gutierrez-backs-berrios-kaegi-puts-in-another-250k-230728

 

ILLINOIS CHRONICLE
— Report calls Rauner’s management 7th worst in country
https://theillinoischronicle.com/chronicle-report-calls-rauners-management-7th-worst-in-country/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— In spite of tax hike, ratings agency eyes change that could junk Illinois – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/economy/in-spite-of-tax-hike-ratings-agency-eyes-change-that/article_38190674-e02e-11e7-b766-57ea540652e7.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— The Politics of #HimToo The Democratic Party has taken a very clear stand on sexual misconduct, setting its sights on President Trump. – Thomas B. Edsall (DIERSEN: Who in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois is leading the effort to bring down Trump? How soon, if not already, will they say that if you do not hate Trump, you are a sexual harasser and even worse things?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/opinion/democratic-party-sexual-misconduct.html
— Donald Trump’s Gift to Women – Gail Collins (DIERSEN: Who in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois is leading the effort to bring down Trump? How soon, if not already, will they say that if you do not hate Trump, you are a sexual harasser and even worse things?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/opinion/donald-trump-women.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Our Harasser In Chief – Lindy West (DIERSEN: Who in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois is leading the effort to bring down Trump? How soon, if not already, will they say that if you do not hate Trump, you are a sexual harasser and even worse things?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/opinion/donald-trump-sexual-harassment.html
— Marijuana and Vaping Are More Popular Than Cigarettes Among Teenagers – Jan Hoffman (DIERSEN: If you promote cigarettes, vamping, booze, gambling, pot, and/or other vices, you promote destruction.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/health/teen-drug-smoking.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Republicans say “Alabama Loss Exposes Republican Fissures Amid a Democratic Surge.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/us/alabama-senate-republican-divisions-democrats.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Alabama Defeat Stokes Divisions Among Republicans Finger-pointing between GOP establishment and Steve Bannon reflects rising concern about party’s prospects in midterms – Janet Hook, Kristina Peterson and Michael C. Bender (DIERSEN: Those who want Republicans to lose use Moore to drive the following out of the Republican Party: those 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.wsj.com/articles/alabama-defeat-stokes-divisions-among-republicans-1513211264
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Bannons demonize, denigrate, and condemn Bannon.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/alabama-sends-a-message-1513139661
— Moore’s Law: Kooky Candidates Lose If Republicans want policy victories, they should stop throwing away Senate seats. – Karl Rove (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who say that those who they cannot manipulate/dominate are kook and even worse things.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/moores-law-kooky-candidates-lose-1513210820
— How Language in Job Listings Could Widen Silicon Valley’s Gender Divide – Yoree Koh (DIERSEN: To get more Democrats, younger people, minorities, and females to apply, employers could put in their job listings that they give preference to Democrats, to younger people, to minorities, and to females, that is, that they discriminate against Republicans, older people, Whites, and males.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-language-in-job-listings-could-widen-silicon-valleys-gender-divide-1513189821

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURES OF OLD WHITE MEN: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who are anti-old White men crow over their successes.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/13/usa-today-suffolk-poll-americans-rare-agreement-say-sexual-misconduct-must-stop/945483001/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: GOP tax cut gets sweeter for rich – Herj Jackson, Deirdre Shesgreen, and Eliza Collins
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/13/republicans-say-they-have-tax-cut-deal-but-democrats-want-stall-until-jones-arrives/947761001/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Whites say “In Alabama, black voters rescued white voters from their worst impulses.”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/12/13/alabama-back-voters-rescued-white-voters-their-worst-impulses-jones-moore-ellis-cose-column/947935001/

 

VANITY FAIR
— THE REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN IS A RECESSION WAITING TO HAPPEN Presidents have routinely preached the value of homeownership. Not Trump. With caps on the deductions for mortgage interest and on the deductibility of state and local taxes, the cost of owning a home will rise and the value of a home will fall. – WILLIAM D. COHAN
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/12/the-republican-tax-plan-is-a-recession-waiting-to-happen

 

SALON
— Alabama: Don’t forget the women who brought down Roy Moore, and changed history Roy Moore’s accusers represent a much larger political and cultural shift. They remind us that change is possible – Heather Digby Parton (DIERSEN: Who in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois is leading the effort to bring down Trump? How soon, if not already, will they say that if you do not hate Trump, you are a sexual harasser and even worse things?)
https://www.salon.com/2017/12/14/alabama-dont-forget-the-women-who-brought-down-roy-moore-and-changed-history/

 

December 11 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Governor Rauner calls for Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios to resign – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/rauner-calls-for-cook-county-assessor-to-resign/2768602/

 

NBC5
— Rauner Calls on Berrios to Resign as Cook County Assessor
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/rauner-joe-berrios-resign-cook-county-assessor-463384673.html

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Congressional hopeful Ramirez-Rosa blasts ‘corporate Democrats’ – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-ramirez-rosa-congress-20171211-story.html
— Why 50-year-olds should be eligible for Medicare – Faye Flam
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-medicare-1211-story.html
— Cake case is about gay intolerance — but isn’t the same as racial intolerance – Dahleen Glanton (DIERSEN: Under the anti-Trumps, ever-increasingly, individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries do not tolerate those who 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.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-met-gay-wedding-cake-dahleen-glanton-20171208-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In a front page top of fold editorial unethically made to look like a news article, Associated Press uses Alabama Senator Richard Shelby to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Moore.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-roy-moore-alabama-election-20171210-story.html
— ‘Evil’ tax cuts? Nope, it’s blue-state panic – Heather Wilhelm
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-wilhelm-1211-story.html
— 401(k) on cusp of 40 – Sandra Block
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20171211/281861528846469

 

DAILY HERALD
— How an eleventh-hour border shift kept the suburbs in Illinois – Mick Zawislak (DIERSEN: All my ancestors immigrated to northeast Illinois from what is now Germany during the 1840s and 1850s. They would have immigrated to Wisconsin if Illinois had been a slave state.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171210/how-an-eleventh-hour-border-shift-kept-the-suburbs-in-illinois-
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Pope’s move provided the groundwork for Chicago to become Illinois’ economic juggernaut and literally turned state politics upside-down as the area grew. But it also had the national implication of ensuring Illinois would be a free state at a time of percolating political unrest over slavery.)
— Price hikes push health insurance shoppers into hard choices – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171210/news/312109954/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In a front page top of fold editorial unethically made to look like a news article, Associated Press uses Alabama Senator Richard Shelby to demonize, denigrate, and condemn Moore.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171211/news/312119936/

— DuPage center becoming driving force behind Mexican cultural programs – Robert Sanchez (DIERSEN: Do you fight against assimilation? Those who fight against assimilation have always fought against me.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171211/dupage-center-becoming-driving-force-behind-mexican-cultural-programs

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Where harassment hits hardest – CLAIRE BUSHEY
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171208/ISSUE01/171209878

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Durbin urges ACA signup as deadline nears – Jason Nevel (DIERSEN: How much do you pay for health, dental, and vision insurance? My critics/opponents stress a) that my wife and I pay only $5,763/year for $23,051/year worth of health, dental, and vision insurance and b) that the federal government pays $17,288/year because I am a federal retiree. Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171210/durbin-urges-aca-signup-as-deadline-nears

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers push pot. If you push pot, you push destruction.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171210/word-on-street-state-sen-jason-barickman-pragmatic-on-recreational-pot

 

GALESBURG REGISTER MAIL
— Pritzker brings pro-union message to Galesburg – Talbot Fisher (DIERSEN: What is your attitude toward unions and past, present, and future union members? I was a union member for almost 12 years 1966-1969 and 1971-1980. GAO did not unionize until 2007. If GAO had been unionized in 1997, I might still be a GAO employee.)
http://www.galesburg.com/news/20171210/pritzker-brings-pro-union-message-to-galesburg

 

BELOIT DAILY NEWS
— WILL MISCONDUCT SCANDALS MAKE MEN WARY OF WOMEN AT WORK? – AP
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/article/20171211/AP/312119990

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Senators call for Trump’s resignation over sexual assault allegations Booker, Merkley cite Franken’s resignation – AILEEN GRAEF
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/senators-call-for-trumps-resignation-over-sexual-assault-allegations/878988317

 

POLITIFACT ILLINOIS
— No, JB Pritzker did not release more tax information than Bruce Rauner – Matt Dietrich
http://www.politifact.com/illinois/statements/2017/dec/11/jb-pritzker/no-jb-pritzker-did-not-release-more-tax-informatio/

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Welcome to Murashko Memo Monday. – Natasha Korecki
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/12/11/murashko-memo-reveals-questionable-timeline-first-look-report-warns-rauners-mco-plan-could-destabilize-medicaid-229799
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Capitol Fax’s Friday release had Rauner’s primary opponent state Rep. Jeanne Ives applying pressure: “I am calling on Governor Rauner to answer a simple question: Was Dennis Murashko fired because he told Bruce Rauner that the Governor couldn’t use public resources for political work?”)

 

WIRE POINTS
— Mandatory ‘Implicit Bias’ Training For Illinois Teachers Quietly Became Illinois Law – Mark Glennon (DIERSEN: Of course, this training will make students more anti-Trump, more anti-Protestant, more anti-conservative, more anti-patriotic, more anti-Republican, more anti-American, more anti-White, more anti-male, more anti-older people, more anti-rich people, more anti-gun owners, more anti-German Americans, and/or more anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.wirepoints.com/mandatory-implicit-bias-training-for-illinois-teachers-quietly-became-illinois-law-wirepoints-original/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: But the obvious question is whether this will become another self-defeating chapter of identity politics — champions of “equity” inflaming the racial divisions they claim to oppose. Specifically, will the training be done by the likes of the National Seed Project, PEG (the Pacific Education Group) and their supporters? They’re already training teachers in many Illinois schools. For some background on the divisiveness and catastrophic failure they can bring, see the City Journal article on their work in St. Paul. Some of the controversy they brought to one Illinois district is discussed in an Evanston Roundtable article. Another article discusses use of federal Title 1 money, which is for helping students in poor districts, to send four school board members to a PEG conference in Baltimore “to engage in deepened conversations about the systematic racism and its impact on opportunity and achievement for all students. Becoming conscious of inadvertent bias may seem to have obvious value, but you need to ask further whether it results in discriminatory behavior. That is, do most of us overcome any implicit bias we have by conscious, egalitarian efforts? The Chronicle of Higher Education discussed that question earlier this year:)

 

ILLINOIS TIMES
— Poor outcomes Spreading white poverty and failing schools – James Krohe Jr.
http://illinoistimes.com/article-19432-poor-outcomes.html

 

ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
— Fake news: a symptom of the post-truth era – Elizabeth Lynch and Mitch Combs (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, the only news that is not fake is news that they put out. They want to stop me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and stop everyone from reading those emails. But failing that, they “punish” me a) for my not getting their permission before including links to articles in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and b) for my not getting their permission before I include my comments in the emails. To “punish” me, they keep diersen@aol.com off their press advisory and press release lists. They do not want me to a) know about their events or other activities, b) promote their events or other activities, c) attend their events, or d) report on their events or other activities. These “punishers” glorify and praise, pander to, give news scoops to, and/or give money to Rich Miller and the rest of the Democrat news media in Illinois.)
https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2017/12/fake-news-symptom-post-truth-era/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— THORNER: IVES DRUMBEAT BEGINS TO RESOUND AMONG IL CONSERVATIVES (DIERSEN: The Ives campaign hosted an outstanding kickoff party at the Wheaton Bowl Banquet Hall Sunday afternoon, December 10, 2017. Tom Morrison and Chris Cleveland spoke very highly of her. The 250+ attendees included Denise Cattoni, Lori Carlson, Sal Falbo, Richard Furstenau, Amy Grant, Heidi Holan, Babette Holder, Bob Krzyzewski, Chris Lauzen, Chris LeVan, Paula McGowen, Gary Muehlfelt, Thommen Poozhikunnel, Jan Shaw, and Herb Wehling.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/ives-drumbeat-begins-to-resound-among-il-conservatives.html
— ILLINOIS PUBLIC SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO BE TRAINED IN DETECTING RACIAL BIAS (DIERSEN: Of course, this training will make students more anti-Trump, more anti-Protestant, more anti-conservative, more anti-patriotic, more anti-Republican, more anti-American, more anti-White, more anti-male, more anti-older people, more anti-rich people, more anti-gun owners, more anti-German Americans, and/or more anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/illinois-public-school-personnel-to-be-trained-in-detecting-racial-bias.html
— LOYOLA CHICAGO STUDENTS QUESTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S EMPHASIS ON CHRISTMAS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/loyola-chicago-students-question-catholic-schools-emphasis-on-christmas.html
— CONGRESS CONSIDERS “CONSCIENCE PROTECTION ACT” WITH ILLINOIS NURSE’S SUPPORT
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/right-of-conscience-.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Berrios campaign responds by calling on Rauner to resign***Rauner, Democrats lash out at Berrios
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/11/rauner-democrats-lash-out-at-berrios/
— Rauner hammered over “I am not in charge” claim
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/11/rauner-hammered-over-i-am-not-in-charge-claim/
— Pritzker tax claim rated “False”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/11/pritzker-tax-claim-rated-false/

 

GOPUSA
— The NFL loves leftist causes a lot more than it loves its fans (DIERSEN: Obviously, the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) loves its major donors a lot more than it loves Illinois Republicans. Ever-increasingly, those major donors, and therefore the IRP, make it clear that they want the IRP to dump those in Illinois who support the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, and many other planks in the Republican Party platform and the IRP platform.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=34904
— Will Alabama voters nullify the biased media?
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=34907

 

BREITBART
— Durbin Drops Amnesty-or-Shutdown Threat, Pushes Amnesty-WIth-Cameras Plan – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/10/durbin-pushes-amnesty-with-cameras-plan-gang-of-eight-group/

 

BLAZE
— NFL stadium tickets plummet to unimaginable prices — see just how bad the protest damage is – Chris Enloe
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/10/nfl-stadium-tickets-plummet-to-unimaginable-levels-see-just-how-bad-the-protest-damage-is
— College Republicans kicked out of on-campus coffee shop for wearing ‘MAGA’ hats – Chris Enloe
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/10/video-college-republicans-kicked-out-of-on-campus-coffee-shop-for-wearing-maga-hats

 

DAILY CALLER
— On Friday, Republican Iowa Rep. Steve King, Congress’ foremost immigration hawk, tweeted out, “Diversity is not our strength. Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, ‘Mixing cultures will not lead to a higher quality of life but a lower one.’” – SCOTT GREER (DIERSEN: To promote diversity is to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that 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://dailycaller.com/2017/12/10/diversity-must-not-be-questioned/

 

POLITICUS USA
— Kaepernick’s Protest for….Workplace Democracy? – Tim Libretti (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. Were it not for federal Civil Service protections, those Democrats would not hire, retain, or promote any Republicans. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal Civil Service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986. The Democrats who run the Post Office, IRS, and GAO hired me because they could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the jobs.)
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/12/10/kaepernicks-protest-for-workplace-democracy.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Leave the Johnson Amendment Alone – Ellen P. Aprill (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, “religious leaders” act as operatives or as dupes for the Democrat Party, the Libertarian Party, and/or the Green Party. Ever-increasingly, they promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, race and gender based preference giving, age discrimination, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/10/opinion/johnson-amendment-campaigns.html
— Trump Wants Washington Post Reporter Fired Over Misleading Tweet – Zach Johnk (DIERSEN: Who wants you to be fired? The following want me to be fired as a GOPUSA Illinois Editor and as a Republican Precinct Committeeman and they succeeded in getting me fired as a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc.: those who 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 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/2017/12/10/us/politics/trump-dave-weigel.html
— Net Neutrality’s Holes in Europe May Offer Peek at Future in U.S. – Liz Alderman and Amie Tsang
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/10/business/net-neutrality-europe-fcc.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— ‘Very, very scary’: 8.8 million Americans face big tax hike if Republicans scrap the medical deduction – Heather Long (DIERSEN: What were your medical and dental expenses last year? If the medical and dental deduction is not kept, a) my 87-year-old aunt who has Alzheimer’s will have to pay a lot more federal income tax; her medical and dental expenses last year were $78,213 and b) the Diersens will have to pay a lot more federal income tax; our medical and dental expenses last year were $21,433.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/10/very-very-scary-8-8-million-americans-face-big-tax-hike-if-republicans-scrap-the-medical-deduction/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Even for the Very Rich, More Money Brings Happiness But a study also shows that happiness depends on where the wealth comes from. Those who earned their wealth reported significantly greater happiness than those who primarily inherited or married into it, according to the authors’ study. – Grant E. Donnelly and Michael Norton (DIERSEN: Where did your wealth come from? My wealth came a) from money that I earned when I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997; b) my Civil Service Retirement System pension since 1997, and c) Social Security since 2010. My wife’s wealth comes from money that she has earned working since 1966.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/even-for-the-very-rich-more-money-brings-happiness-1512662638
— More Local Programs Help Students Pay for College The ‘free-college’ idea may be on the back burner on the national level, but states and cities are boosting efforts – Jillian Berman (DIERSEN: Where did the money come from to pay for your undergraduate expenses? For me, to pay for my expenses at UIC 1966-1968 and at NIU 1969-1970, it was money that earned 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; and working on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970. Money that I earned doing the aforesaid jobs also enabled me to buy a 1958 Chevy BelAir in 1964, a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint in 1966, a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in 1997, and a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE in 1968.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-local-programs-help-students-pay-for-college-1512961680
— Why Most New Retirees Need Time to Grieve Even people who are prepared for life after work inevitably suffer withdrawal pains – Glenn Ruffenach (DIERSEN: I have suffered withdrawal pains since 1997, and I will continue to suffer withdrawal pains the rest of my life. When my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old, a) I had just completed the requirements for a job-related master’s degree, b) I had worked for GAO for almost 18 years, c) I had earned job-related professional certifications in 1997, 1996, 1994, 1990, 1981, and 1979; d) I had earned a job-related professional license in 1981; e) I had earned job-related master’s degrees in 1980 and 1976; f) I had worked for an agency that GAO audits for almost 9 years; and g) I had earned a job-related bachelor’s degree in 1970.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-most-new-retirees-need-time-to-grieve-1512748465
— The Secret to Getting Workers to Save More for Retirement   If we make it easy for people to do the right thing, more of them will reach their goals. The retirement-saving autopilots developed by Shlomo Benartzi and Richard Thaler were designed to help individuals overcome a lack of willpower and inertia when it comes to saving. – Shlomo Benartzi and Richard H. Thaler (DIERSEN: My wife and I have saved a lot of money for our retirement. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that we were able to do that a) because I was born with silver spoon in our mouth and I have always been privileged, b) because I avoided the draft, c) because the federal government grossly overpaid me, d) because I itemized my deductions 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized our deductions since 1978, e) because my wife and I gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents, f) because my Civil Service Retirement System pension and federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidies are much too generous, and g) because I do not give lots of money to a church life they do.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-secret-to-getting-workers-to-save-more-for-retirement-1512961920
— The First Women in Tech Didn’t Leave—Men Pushed Them Out In computing’s early years, when it was considered women’s work, all six programmers of America’s first digital computer, Eniac, were women – Christopher Mims (DIERSEN: Women who worked for the Post Office 1966-1969, for IRS 1971-1980, and for GAO 1980-1997 were not pushed out. To meet Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion quotas, goals, and targets, they were given preferential treatment.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-first-women-in-tech-didnt-leavemen-pushed-them-out-1512907200

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Poll: GOP tax bill favors wealthy Most say overhaul won’t help them or economy – Susan Page (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, those who itemize their deductions are demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being wealthy tax dodgers and even worse things. Those who itemize their deductions pay lots of a) mortgage interest, b) real estate taxes, c) state income taxes, d) medical and dental expenses, e) 501(c)(3) contributions, and/or f) tuition and books for job-related graduate courses.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/12/10/poll-most-americans-doubt-gop-bill-cut-their-taxes-boost-economy/938355001/
— Tax cuts the GOP will regret – Editorial
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/12/10/tax-cuts-gop-regret-editorials-debates/920808001/
— GOP tax bill is good for middle-class Americans – F.H. Buckley
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/12/10/gop-tax-bill-good-middle-class-editorials-debates/108491346/
— Who are the 3 women who accused Trump of sexual misconduct in Megyn Kelly interview? – Mary Bowerman (DIERSEN: I predict that soon, if not already, Kelly’s top priority will be get Trump to resign.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/12/11/who-3-women-who-accused-trump-sexual-misconduct-megyn-kelly-interview/940125001/

 

NEWSWEEK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says: “ROY MOORE ELECTION VICTORY COULD SPELL DISASTER FOR TRUMP, REPUBLICANS IN 2018.”
http://www.newsweek.com/if-roy-moore-wins-alabama-senate-election-spell-disaster-republican-trump-743235

 

BLOOMBERG
— GOP’s Taxing Question: Will Middle-Class Folks Notice Their Cut? Americans didn’t notice similar measure in 2009, poll showed Republicans seek ‘more middle-income tax relief,’ Roskam says – Sahil Kapur (DIERSEN: From what I see, the less federal income tax that you have paid because you have itemized your deductions, the more federal income tax that you will pay in now.)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-11/gop-s-taxing-question-will-middle-class-folks-notice-their-cut

 

SOCIALIST WORKER
— Tax the rich, not the sick SocialistWorker.org rounds up reports from demonstrations that brought protesters into the streets and onto the campuses to protest the Republican tax heist. (DIERSEN: What were your medical and dental expenses last year? If the medical and dental deduction is not kept, a) my 87-year-old aunt who has Alzheimer’s will have to pay a lot more federal income tax; her medical and dental expenses last year were $78,213 and b) the Diersens will have to pay a lot more federal income tax; our medical and dental expenses last year were $21,433.)
https://socialistworker.org/2017/12/11/tax-the-rich-not-the-sick

 

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— One-in-Three Republicans Say GOP Should Block Roy Moore If Elected (DIERSEN: What percent of those who say that they are Republicans are really Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, etc.?)
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/december_2017/one_in_three_republicans_say_gop_should_block_roy_moore_if_elected
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Voters Less Concerned That Providing Citizenship Path Will Lead to More Illegal Immigration.”
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/immigration/immigration_update_dec11