Tag: electability

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Islamic State claims responsibility for Ariana Grande show bombing – AP
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/uk-police-arrest-man-23-in-manchester-in-relation-to-concert-attack/
— Cries of racism, fear, meddling mark NW Side affordable housing flap – Mark Brown
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/cries-of-racism-fear-meddling-mark-nw-side-affordable-housing-flap/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Trump administration appears to ease up on its threat against ‘sanctuary cities’ – Joseph Tanfani  (DIERSEN: Of course, members of the following groups are overjoyed, but of course, they will continue to vote for Democrats: anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-sessions-memo-sanctuary-cities-20170522-story.html
— Senate Democrats poised to vote on major tax hikes Tuesday – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-legislature-senate-met-0523-20170522-story.html
— Preckwinkle says she’ll run for re-election next year – Hal Dardick  (DIERSEN: What offices will be on the ballot in your precinct next year? Which candidates are running for those offices?  Which candidates have Rauner’s endorsement?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-toni-preckwinkle-reelection-2018-0523-story.html
— Illinois’ middle class shrank over the last 40 years. Here’s why. – Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-illinois-middle-class-0523-biz-20170522-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Meantime, Illinois’ median household income among the middle class has grown very modestly over that period, to $80,800 in 2015 from $79,300 in 1980, adjusting for inflation. But high-income households have seen their median income jump 14.5 percent, to $192,900 from $168,500. The median pay for low-income households has barely budged, to $26,100 from $25,800. . . Measuring the middle class is challenging, the report said, in part because it isn’t clear how to define it given associations with education and occupation type. The report’s analysis measured middle class by income level, adjusted for household size. So households earning more than two-thirds of the state’s median income and less than double the state’s median income — between $43,000 and $130,000 — are considered middle class.)
— Dear Millennials: Skip the avocado toast to save for retirement – Noah Smith  (DIERSEN: My wife and I have saved far more for our retirement than others who share our demographics have saved for their retirement.  My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes demonize, denigrate, and condemn that, and attribute that a) to our both being healthy and White, b) to my being a male, c) to my avoiding the draft, d) to my being overpaid by the federal government, e) to our giving up trying to have children, our not adopting, and our not becoming foster parents, and f) to my not giving lots of money to churches like they do.  In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 33.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-millennials-avocado-toast-retirement-20170522-story.html
— HARDCOPY LETTER TITLE: A living wage – David Orr  (DIERSEN: If jobs that do not require any education, any job skills, or any work experience should pay at least $15/hour, a) jobs that require a high school diploma should pay at least $25/hour, b) jobs that require a bachelor’s degree should pay at least $35/hour, c) jobs that require a master’s degree should pay at least $45/hour,  d) jobs that require a professional certification should pay at least $55/hour, and e) jobs that require a professional license should pay at least $65/hour.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-higher-wages-low-income-workers-mcdonalds-20170522-story.html
— Supreme Court: GOP packed black voters into 2 North Carolina districts to help win more House seats – David G. Savage  (DIERSEN: In Illinois, Democrats gerrymandered all Illinois’ districts to help elect Democrats.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-supreme-court-north-carolina-gerrymandering-20170522-story.html
— Naperville teen’s senseless tragedy: ‘They scared him to death’ – Stacy St. Clair
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-naperville-north-suicide-20170522-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage County Academic Team, 2016-2017  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, a) women do better academically than men and b) Asian-Americans do better academically than White Americans. Why is that?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170523/dupage-county-academic-team-2016-2017

DNA INFO
— The FBI Is Looking To Get More Diverse … And It’s Hiring  (DIERSEN: Non-veteran White males who are seeking a job with the federal government should be advised that with only rare exceptions, a) your career will be wasted and you will be gotten rid of if you do not make GS-13 ($94,610) by age 25, GS-14 ($111,801) by age 30, GS-15 ($131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service ($161,900) by age 40, b) you will be expected to help your superiors and supervisors get rid of their employees who are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran, and c) virtually everyone despises if not hates federal employees, former federal employees, and federal retirees. GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170522/near-west-side/fbi-is-looking-get-more-diverse-its-hiring
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The FBI is looking to get more diversity in its ranks, acknowledging “the diversity numbers are not where we want them to be.” As a result, the bureau is launching a “Diversity Agent Recruitment Program,” to recruit more minorities and women “to better represent the diverse make-up of our communities overall.” In Chicago, the FBI is holding a recruitment event July 12. While a spokesman didn’t reveal exactly how many positions are being sought, he said Chicago is hoping to get hundreds of applicants. The bureau didn’t provide a breakdown of agents by race or gender, but acknowledged: “The diversity numbers of the FBI are not where we want them to be, unfortunately, but we have made it our highest priority to change that over the next few years.” Chicago agents start at around $71,000, with salaries rising to $110,000 over five years, a spokesman said.)

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Silvis native Gabriel Grchan heads IRS criminal investigation division in Chicago – Tara Becker  (DIERSEN: I worked for IRS for almost 9 years and I worked for GAO on audits of IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division for 3 years.)
http://qctimes.com/news/local/government-and-politics/silvis-native-heads-irs-criminal-investigation-division-in-chicago/article_b30a5174-55a1-573d-9202-1c1959a896aa.html

ILLINOIS HOMEPAGE
— GOP seeks recruits to oppose Mendoza, Madigan  GOP searching for ‘electable’ candidates – Mark Maxwell (DIERSEN: Political parties exist to help elect candidates who can and will defend and advance their platform. According to my critics/opponents, a) the Republican Party platform is the problem, b) the more planks in that platform that a candidate supports, the less likely that they will win, and c) to win, candidates should stress those planks that they reject.  My critics especially want candidates who reject the immigration, traditional family, right to life, illegal drugs, gambling, and Second Amendment planks.  They especially want candidates who hate Trump.  They especially want candidates who are minority, female, and/or younger.)
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/gop-seeks-recruits-to-oppose-mendoza-madigan/719204123
(FROM THE ARTICLE:  Governor Bruce Rauner and his inner circle of political advisors are holding private meetings to vet candidates they hope could unseat Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Attorney General Lisa Madigan in the 2018 election. Democrats running to unseat Rauner have garnered most of the public attention to date, but behind closed doors, Republicans are already forming a deep roster and consulting with top party donors before making any public commitments to back candidates. The secretive casting calls are starting to creating tension within the party as leaders mull over their next move. According to sources with knowledge of these discussions, Rauner’s chief political strategist Mike Zolnierowicz is actively recruiting and meeting with candidates who may show potential to upstage some of the governor’s political rivals in a statewide election. By all accounts, these conversations remain in the very early stages, and several of the candidates themselves remain uncertain about their own standing with the party leadership. Former Comptroller Leslie Munger is rumored to be angling for a chance to regain her seat in 2018, but party leaders have privately expressed concerns about her electability after losing a rough election last fall. Although he did not respond to requests for comment, Zolnierowicz continues to explore other options for the high stakes Comptroller race. After losing to Mendoza last November, Munger was awarded a pay raise to a salary of $138,000 as one of two deputy governors in the Rauner administration. When asked about her plans to run for reelection, she replied, “No comment.” Republicans openly admit they are gearing up for a broader campaign to overtake a majority in the House, which would effectively demote reigning Speaker Michael Madigan. The party would need to pick up 9 seats to unseat Madigan. It only managed to gain 4 seats during the 2016 election, narrowly escaping the Democratic supermajority. Representative Tim Butler (R-Springfield) acknowledges unseating Madigan is a long shot, but he contends Democrats have several vulnerable candidates in districts where he believes the GOP can compete. Defeating Madigan’s daughter may prove to be the tougher task. Zolnierowicz, who left his post as Rauner’s chief of staff to become the party’s top strategist last summer, is said to have come down to a short list of candidates to oppose Madigan, yet concerns about name recognition and credentials prolong the decision. Rauner’s campaign communications director Kirsten Kukowski and Illinois GOP spokesmen Steven Yaffe and Aaron DeGroot declined to comment for this article.)

ILLINOIS HOUSE DEMOCRATS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: May 18, 2017 letter to Rauner
http://ilhousedems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/051817HDemCaucusLettertoRauner.pdf?platform=hootsuite

GOPUSA
— BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS, UNACCEPTBLE: Nearly 740,000 Foreigners Overstayed Visas in One Year
http://www.gopusa.com/nearly-740000-foreigners-overstayed-visas-in-one-year/

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— WHY POLITICS AND RELIGION ARE INSEPARABLE – Ben Kinchlow  (DIERSEN: What do you say to churchgoers who promote dependency on government and on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, and even worse things?)
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/uncategorized/why-politics-and-religion-are-inseparable/

WHITE HOUSE
— The application period for the Fall 2017 White House Internship Program is now open. (DIERSEN: One could argue that constructively, these positions are only for those who a) have wealthy parents, b) have big time government/political connections, or c) can take out a student loan.  GAO audits IRS.  While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, some of my most vicious Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates started at GAO as interns. They were beyond furious that started at GAO at the GS-9 Step 10 level, currently $71,326.  They viciously demonized, they viciously denigrated, and they viciously condemned a) the experience that I had gained working for IRS for almost 9 years 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years at the GS-12 step 1-5 levels, currently $79,563-$90,173, b) that I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, c) that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and d) I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul.  They made it very clear that they believed that interns are superior to others and that GAO should give its employees who started as interns big time preference for their entire GAO career.)
https://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/internships/apply
(FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT: White House Internships are unpaid positions. Applicants are encouraged to contact educational institutions and other non-profit organizations to apply for assistance as needed. Any outside income, funding, or housing assistance received as a White House intern must receive pre-approval.)

LUTHERAN CHURCH CHARITIES
— Responding In a Christlike Way – Tim Hetzner  (DIERSEN: My churchgoing critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes do NOT respond to me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails in a Christlike way.  They promote hatred, punishment, and even worse things.)
http://devotions.lccharities.org/2017/05/23/responding-christlike-way/

THE HILL
— Divisions emerge in the Senate on pre-existing conditions – PETER SULLIVAN  (DIERSEN: What about pre-existing conditions that are caused/aggravated by bad/risky/unhealthy lifestyle choices?  My critics/opponents would hint/imply/argue/shout that I have type 2 diabetes because I spend so much time putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out rather than exercising like they do.)
http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/334620-divisions-emerge-in-the-senate-on-pre-existing-conditions

MSNBC
— MSNBC Ruthlessly Cuts To Trump Coverage As Manchester Victims Scream In Background – Rachel Stoltzfoos
http://dailycaller.com/2017/05/22/msnbc-ruthlessly-cuts-to-trump-coverage-as-manchester-victims-scream-in-background-video/

NEW YORK TIMES
— ISIS Claims Responsibility for Manchester Concert Attack; Toll Rises to 22 – CEYLAN YEGINSU and STEVEN ERLANGER
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/world/europe/manchester-arena-attack-ariana-grande.html
— Big Game Hunter Killed by Elephant in Zimbabwe – JACEY FORTINM  (DIERSEN: 10 years ago, I raised $2,000 from DuPage Republicans, including $500 from Roger Claar, to sponsor an elephant to walk behind Congressman Peter Roskam in Wheaton’s Independence Day parade.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/22/world/africa/elephant-theunis-botha.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly concert blast in Manchester, monitoring group says – Griff Witte and Karla Adam
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/lone-attacker-detonated-device-at-manchester-concert-killing-22-including-children/2017/05/23/027d414c-3f57-11e7-b29f-f40ffced2ddb_story.html

USA TODAY
— Paid leave proposal will test Trump’s populist commitment – Heidi M. Przybyla  (DIERSEN: While I worked for IRS 1971-1980 and for GAO 1980-1997, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I had an unfair advantage because I did not have any dependents. They were furious when I married a woman in 1978 who had a good job and savings.  They were beyond furious after my wife and I gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/23/paid-leave-proposal-test-trumps-populist-commitment/102015062/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Islamic State claimed responsibility for the terror attack that killed at least 22 people and injured 59 at a concert hall in Manchester, U.K., where singer Ariana Grande was performing.
http://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/manchester-explosion
— Voting Rights Confusion  The GOP can’t use race in redistricting but it also must use race. – Editorial  (DIERSEN: Democrats crow over their success in getting minorities to be anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/voting-rights-confusion-1495494823
— Why Millennials Are (Partly) to Blame for the Housing Shortage  As young people and builders have shifted their focus toward trendier urban markets, overall housing construction has declined – Laura Kusisto  (DIERSEN: When I bought a new town home in University Park in 1972 when I was 24, I worked for IRS in its Harvey office. When I bought a studio condo in 1974 and then a one bedroom condo in 1976 in the Outer Drive East building in downtown Chicago, I worked for IRS in its Loop office.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-millennials-are-partly-to-blame-for-the-housing-shortage-1495445403
— Monica Lewinsky: Roger Ailes’s Dream Was My Nightmare – MONICA LEWINSKY
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/22/opinion/monica-lewinsky-roger-ailess-dream-was-my-nightmare.html

AAUW
— Women’s Student Debt Crisis in the United States  (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that I have always had an unfair advantage in life a) because I am a White male, b) because I avoided the draft, c) because the federal government overpaid me, and d) because I have never had any dependents. In my defense, GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified woman who would take the job.  IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified woman who would take the job.  The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified woman who would take the job.  GAO, IRS, and the Post Office could not find qualified women who would take the aforesaid jobs a) because qualified women considered those jobs to be “BAD” jobs and b) because qualified women could always get a better job in the private sector.)
http://www.aauw.org/research/deeper-in-debt/
(FROM THE POSTING: Student loan debt is now a $1.3-trillion problem burdening 44 million borrowers. Experts are talking about the effects of student debt on the economy, but they aren’t talking about its disproportionate effects on women. AAUW takes a close look at that oversight in the new research report Deeper in Debt: Women and Student Loans. Women’s success in postsecondary education is shrinking the gender pay gap and opening up opportunities, but at what price? Women not only take on more student debt than men do, but women also pay back their loans more slowly because of the gender pay gap. While higher education is seen as a path to financial stability, taking on student debt is a gamble, and it’s a bigger risk for some women: Low-income students, students with dependent children, and students who drop out of college are all at higher risk of defaulting on student loans. AAUW advocates for grants, programs, and resources that can keep college accessible for those who have the most to gain.)

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Cuts to Feds’ Retirement Benefits Among the Top Four ‘Savers’ in 2018 Budget – Erich Wagner (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes will use this to further hint/imply/argue/shout that my $50,856 Civil Service Retirement System pension is too generous. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes talk and act a) like they are paid agents of selfish, nasty, and greedy employers, b) like they want cheap labor, c) like they not only despise/hate federal employees, but c) like they despise/hate all employees.)
http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2017/05/white-house-federal-retirement-cuts-would-save-63-billion-2027/138065/
— Criticizes Process That Led to Cuts in Defense Long-Term Travel Per Diems – Erich Wagner  (DIERSEN: In 1977, GAO sided with me concerning per diems. SEE: http://www.gao.gov/products/463866)
http://www.govexec.com/defense/2017/05/watchdog-criticizes-process-led-cuts-defense-long-term-travel-diems/138059/

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Trump’s proposed retirement changes would have major impacts on current feds and retirees – Nicole Ogrysko
https://federalnewsradio.com/retirement/2017/05/trumps-proposed-retirement-changes-would-have-major-impacts-on-current-feds-and-retirees/