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 25 Morning Edition

ABC7
— 3 dead, 21 wounded in Christmas weekend shootings across Chicago
http://abc7chicago.com/3-dead-21-wounded-in-christmas-weekend-shootings-across-chicago/2822656/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Trump takes note of who’s naughty and nice at Christmas – AP (DIERSEN: In your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, who determines who is naughty and nice? What criteria do they use?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171225/news/312259980/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— How Chicago and Illinois failed the people in 2017 – Madeleine Doubek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/chicago-illinois-failed-people-2017-doubek/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Joy to the weed! Marijuana legalization comes bearing gifts – AP (DIERSEN: If you want to destroy someone, you give them pot.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us–marijuana-high-holidays-20171222-story.html
— How can you be Christian without caring for the poor? – James Martin (DIERSEN: Do your critics/opponents care for the poor? Since 1966, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes  have hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a poor person in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor person could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a poor person in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted a poor people in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a poor person in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a poor person in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a poor person could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-poor-jesus-poor-mary-joseph-christmas-syrian-refugees-1225-story.html
— New state law treats pets more like children in custody cases – Leonor Vivanco-Prengaman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-pet-custody-law-20171218-story.html

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— Reciprocity Bill Heads to U.S. Senate – Greg Bishop
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257374#.WkDdLN-nGM8

 

WSIL TV
— Bost: Trump can fire Mueller, FBI answers to president – Brandon Richard
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37136078/bost-fbi-answers-to-president-trump-can-fire-mueller

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Illinois LGBTQ+ Advocates Say 2017 Saw Progress – RACHEL OTWELL (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, you will be barred from getting an education, barred from getting a job, barred from etc.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-lgbtq-advocates-say-2017-saw-progress#stream/0

 

WIREPOINTS
— Turmoil Grows Over Disparity In Rules For Prepayment Of Property Taxes – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/turmoil-grows-over-disparity-in-rules-for-prepayment-of-property-taxes-story-developing-wirepoints-original/
— Finally, a college ranking that means something. Two extremes in IL – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/finally-a-college-ranking-that-means-something-quicktake/

 

  1. LOUIS TODAY
    — Democrats hope to use tax overhaul as a club against GOP – AP
    http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/democrats-hope-to-use-tax-overhaul-as-a-club-against/article_bd087114-ce7b-5f85-a980-838ed5efe196.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— North Korea calls U.N. sanctions ‘an act of war,’ says it’s ‘pipe dream’ that it will give up nukes – AP (DIERSEN: Acts of war include a) a country sending its citizens into another country illegally, b) a country keeping its citizens in another country illegally, and c) a country sending illegal drugs into another country illegally. Constructively, Mexico has declared war on America a) by its sending many millions of its citizens into America illegally, b) by its keeping many millions of its citizens in America illegally, and c) by its sending many mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/25/north-korea-calls-un-sanctions-act-war-says-its-pi/?

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Republicans leave for Christmas break believing they can govern – Al Weaver
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republicans-leave-for-christmas-break-believing-they-can-govern/article/2644220

 

PJ MEDIA
— New Illinois Abortion Law Fires Up Pro-Lifers, Inspires Challenge to GOP Governor – ROD KACKLEY DEC
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/new-illinois-abortion-law-fires-pro-lifers-inspires-challenge-gop-governor/

 

TOWNHALL
— Every Vote Really Does Count – Ken Blackwell
https://townhall.com/columnists/kenblackwell/2017/12/25/every-vote-really-does-count-n2426842

 

NEWSMAX
— AT&T Said to Fire Hundreds at Christmas Amid Trump Tax Bonuses
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/at-t-fire-christmas-trump/2017/12/24/id/833583/

 

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “GOP will suffer for tax giveaway.”
http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/366398-juan-williams-gop-will-suffer-for-tax-giveaway

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Using Billions in Government Cash, Mexico Controls News Media – Azam Ahmed (DIERSEN: He who pays the piper calls the tunes. Since 2000, my critics/opponents have been beyond furious that I have enough time and enough money to put together and send out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails that I do not have to ask them or ask anyone else for money. My critics/opponents want people who they can manipulate/dominate, that is, people who need money.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/25/world/americas/mexico-press-government-advertising.html
— As Trump Rages About Immigrants, They Go to the Ivy League – Tariro Mzezewa (DIERSEN: Do you have a degree from an Ivy League university? I should write a book about those who stress that none of my four degrees (B.S. Management NIU 1970, MBA Loyola 1976, M.S. accounting DePaul 1980, and M.S. financial markets and trading IIT 1997) are from Ivy League universities.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/opinion/trump-african-immigrants-ivy-league.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps use children as cannon fodder.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/exactly-how-cruel-is-homeland-security/2017/12/23/6ecdf1c2-e74d-11e7-a65d-1ac0fd7f097e_story.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps crow over their success in turning “White college graduates” against Trump.
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-nevada-trump-suburbs-20171225-story.html
— In hopes of getting around federal law, immigrants seek governors’ pardons to block deportation – Kurtis Lee
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-immigration-pardons-20171225-story.html

 

BUSINESS TIMES
— U.S. charities fear big drop in donations from middle classes
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/us-charities-fear-big-drop-in-donations-from-middle-classes

 

CHEAT SHEET
— Why Older Americans Should Be Terrified by the GOP Tax Plan – Eric Schaal
https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/older-americans-should-be-terrified-by-gop-tax-plan.html/

December 24 Morning Edition

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Ives’ candidacy a thorn in Rauner’s side – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-12-24/tom-kacich-ives-candidacy-thorn-rauners-side.html

 

ABC7
— Judge partially lifts Trump administration ban on refugees – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/judge-partially-lifts-trump-administration-ban-on-refugees/2817496/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump criticizes FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe as he plans retirement – AP (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors always wanted to replace me with a Democrat, and especially with a Democrat who was minority, female, and/or younger. 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://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-reacts-to-reports-of-fbi-deputy-directors-retirement/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: McCabe plans to retire in about 90 days, when he becomes fully eligible for pension benefits, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the situation. Trump and his Republican allies have made it clear that they want McCabe out of the FBI. But McCabe is a civil service employee who cannot be fired without clear evidence of wrongdoing.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In an all-of-the-front page editorial unethically made to look like a news article, anti-Trumps glorify and praise a) those who come to America illegally, b) those who stay in America illegally, and c) those who bring others to America illegally.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/maria-no-documents-no-health-insurance-cancer-fight-angels-rush/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Mexico’s leftist presidential front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador puts country first, resists Trump comparison – AP (DIERSEN: Constructively, Mexico has declared war on America. If elected, will Obrador a) stop Mexico from sending many millions of its citizens into America illegally; b) bring back to Mexico its many millions of citizens who are in America illegally, and c) stop Mexico from sending many mountains of illegal drugs into America illegally?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-mexico-leftist-presidential-front-runner-20171223-story.html

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Answers must be provided in Quincy Veterans Home outbreaks – Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171223/our-view-answers-must-be-provided-in-quincy-veterans-home-outbreaks

 

DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— Thumbs-down to obstacles to letting the public decide size of their government – Editorial
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/22/our-view-thumbs-down-to-obstacles-to-letting-the-public-decide-size-of-their-government/a51me3n/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Thumbs-down: To state Rep. Steve Reick, R-Woodstock. Reick has filed a bill in Springfield that would make it harder for residents to decide the size and scope of their local government. Reick’s proposal, House Bill 4190, would require township trustees to pay an independent contractor for a cost study before they could ask voters about whether to eliminate township road districts. Reick apparently thinks that an independent contractor needs to give the OK before residents can have a voice in shaping their government. That’s nonsense. This proposal is a transparent attempt to make it more difficult to pare down township government, likely at the behest of officials who work in township government and their political allies. Here’s the truth: Those Illinoisans who haven’t already fled this state are tired of paying high property taxes to support the most units of local government of any state in the nation. We need officials to remove the roadblocks and allow us to decide how many people govern us, and what they are paid to do it. Voters will not approve a ballot initiative that they do not believe will benefit them.)

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Illinois drops to No. 6 among most populous states – Chris Coates
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/illinois-drops-to-no-among-most-populous-states/article_f3720c93-4e93-523e-af48-224cff74fa71.html

 

HERALD NEWS
— Minooka village levy to increase for funding pension plans – KRIS STADALSKY
http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/20/minooka-village-levy-to-increase-for-funding-pension-plans/a23efvv/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois Republican congressmen differ on national concealed carry reciprocity – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/illinois-republican-congressmen-differ-on-national-concealed-carry-reciprocity/article_01f0e068-e686-11e7-b192-4bb6a92ab262.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Coalition Letter Urges Trump Administration to Resist Courts on “Transgenders” in Military – John Biver
https://illinoisfamily.org/religious/coalition-letter-urges-trump-administration-resist-courts-transgenders-military/

 

BREITBART
— Amnesty: GOP ‘Gang of 33’ Silent on Required Tax Increases, Budget Cuts – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/23/amnesty-gop-gang-34-silent-required-tax-increases-budget-cuts/

 

NBC NEWS
— Liberal or Conservative? Where you shop reveals how you vote – DANTE CHINNI
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/business-of-the-holidays/liberal-or-conservative-where-you-shop-reveals-how-you-vote-n831536

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Life, Death and Taxes in Inequality City – Ginia Bellafante
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/22/nyregion/life-death-and-taxes-in-inequality-city.html

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Protesters head to Chuck Schumer’s house to blast failure on Dream Act – DALE W. EISINGER and RICH SCHAPIRO
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/protesters-blast-chuck-schumer-failure-safeguard-dream-act-article-1.3718108

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Democrats aim to turn tax plan into cudgel in 2018 midterms – AP
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dems-aim-to-turn-tax-plan-into-cudgel-in-2018-midterms/2017/12/24/2d0a7b72-e8ae-11e7-956e-baea358f9725_story.html
— Most federal employees in D.C.-Baltimore area to receive 2.3 percent raise in January – Eric Yoder
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/12/23/most-federal-employees-in-d-c-baltimore-area-to-receive-2-3-percent-raise-in-january/?utm_term=.e8ca8d7b0493
— Washington careerists work to undermine Trump’s agenda – Christopher Flavelle and Benjamin Bain (DIERSEN: Because I have always opposed political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination, a) my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://lacrossetribune.com/news/washington-careerists-work-to-undermine-trump-s-agenda/article_4e69fbf6-1fc2-5770-afdc-693af7b2c9a6.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In the long run, career staff can face consequences for resisting presidential policy. While it’s hard to outright fire a civil servant, congressional Republicans in January gave themselves the ability to reduce the annual pay for any individual federal employee to $1. An administration can also punish bureaucrats through punitive reassignments, designed to make them quit. Joel Clement, a senior policy manager at the Department of Interior, was moved to the accounting office in June — retaliation, he alleged, for speaking out about the risks of climate change.)

 

MONEY MAGAZINE
— The Insane Amount of Money Millionaires Say They Need to be Happy – KRISTEN BAHLER (DIERSEN: What is the main reason why you have less money than you have now? For me, it was my Democrat superiors who wasted my career and forced me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
http://time.com/money/5071182/money-happiness-million/

 

MOTLEY FOOL
— 3 Money Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Retirement If you make this mistake, you face almost a 60% chance of running out of cash during retirement. – Christy Bieber
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/12/24/3-money-mistakes-that-could-ruin-your-retirement.aspx

(FROM THE ARTICLE: 3. Retiring too early Because of historically low bond rates and Americans’ longer life spans, many longstanding ideas about retirement — like the assumption that you can withdraw 4% or more from your retirement accounts each year without running out of money — no longer apply. In fact, in 2013 researchers from The American College and Morningstar found that a senior following the 4% rule stood a 57% chance of running out of cash when returns were calculated based on current rates. Retiree spending falls into predictable patterns. Retirees spend more during early retirement, when they’re healthy enough to travel and indulge their hobbies. They spend less during the middle of retirement as their health declines and energy wane, and in the late stage of retirement they spend more as costly health issues arise. This means that if you exhaust your savings, you’re likely to be short on cash at a time when you’re too old to work. To avoid this predicament, it’s imperative you accurately calculate how much you’ll need for retirement and how much you can safely withdraw without putting your future at risk. If your projected withdrawals don’t provide enough money to cover your expected costs, think about working longer or lowering your costs of living.)

December 23 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

December 21 Evening Edition

NBC5
— 5 Counties File Suit Against Pharmaceuticals Over Opioid Crisis – Ash-Har Quraishi
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-counties-file-lawsuit-against-pharmaceuticals-over-opioid-crisis-465782123.html

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— 4 reasons why Rauner says things will be different next time, honest – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-rauner-unions-campaign-1222-20171221-story.html
— Ford CEO apologizes for harassment cases at Chicago plant – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-ford-harassment-chicago-plant-20171221-story.html
— Chicago police say Facebook did not cooperate in drug and gun-running probe – Peter Nickeas
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-facebook-drugs-guns-20171221-story.html
— 5 suburban counties suing drug companies over opioid epidemic – Ted Gregory
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-met-suburban-counties-sue-opioid-makers-20171221-story.html
— Legislature’s new watchdog to keep looking into 10 cases, drops 17 others – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-legislature-watchdog-update-20171221-story.html
— Dorothy Brown’s 17 years of broken promises – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-dorothy-brown-clerk-delay-20171220-story.html
— Pritzker has a Berrios problem, and he won’t touch it – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-met-pritzker-berrios-kass-1222-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— New legislative inspector to look into 10 ethics cases – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/new-legislative-inspector-to-look-into-10-ethics-cases/
— Year of the Woman? Apparently not in county politics – Mary Mitchell
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/mitchell-year-of-the-woman-apparently-not-in-county-politics/
— Fact check: Trump’s ‘middle-class miracle’ favors wealthy – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/fact-check-trumps-middle-class-miracle-favors-wealthy/
— Dozens arrested after sting of Facebook groups selling guns, drugs – Mitch Dudek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/dozens-caught-in-sting-of-facebook-groups-selling-guns-drugs/
— Trump’s phony postcard tax return – Jacob Sullum
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/sullum-trumps-phony-postcard-tax-return/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Suburban counties sue opioid drug manufacturers over overdose deaths – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171221/suburban-counties-sue-opioid-drug-manufacturers-over-overdose-deaths
— Facebook changing how it identifies ‘fake news’ stories – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171221/facebook-changing-how-it-identifies-fake-news-stories
— District 94 teachers vote ‘no confidence’ in school board president Gary Saake – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171221/district-94-teachers-vote-no-confidence-in-school-board-president
— How to prepay property taxes in the suburbs
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171221/how-to-prepay-property-taxes-in-the-suburbs

 

WGN RADIO
— Rep. Peter Roskam on the GOP tax bill – MARY SANDBERG BOYLE
http://wgnradio.com/2017/12/21/rep-peter-roskam-on-the-gop-tax-bill/
— The Business of Campaigning – IL’s Gubernatorial Race – BENNETT WAKENIGHT
http://wgnradio.com/2017/12/20/the-opening-bell-12-20-17-the-business-of-campaigning-ils-gubernatorial-race/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Counties sue drug companies over opioids – AP
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171221/NEWS03/171229965/counties-sue-drug-companies-over-opioids
— The rush is on—to pay taxes before cap kicks in – STEVEN R. STRAHLER
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171221/NEWS02/171229977/the-rush-is-on-to-pay-taxes-before-cap-kicks-in

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Rep. David McSweeney opposes Rep. Steve Reick’s consolidation bill requiring cost study – ED KOMENDA
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/12/21/rep-david-mcsweeney-opposes-rep-steve-reicks-consolidation-bill-requiring-cost-study/anoji4a/

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Rauner: No one will buy Normal auto plant (it’s already been sold and re-opened) – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171221/rauner-no-one-will-buy-normal-auto-plant-its-already-been-sold-and-re-opened

 

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— Governor candidates should follow Ives’ lead – Scott Reeder
http://www.thetelegraph.com/opinion/114713/reeder-governor-candidates-should-follow-ives-lead

 

BELLEVIEW NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Here’s why some candidates may be kept off the 2018 ballot – JOSEPH BUSTOS
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article191119469.html

 

WMAY
— Rauner Thinks GOP Tax Overhaul Bill Could Have Been Better
http://www.wmay.com/2017/12/21/rauner-thinks-gop-tax-overhaul-bill-could-have-been-better/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— GOP Circular firing squad holiday battles
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/circular-firing-squad-holiday-battles/
— Lipinski to speak at annual March for Life in midst of Democratic primary
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/lipinski-to-speak-at-annual-march-for-life-in-midst-of-democratic-primary/
— Legislative Inspector General finds 10 of 27 backlogged complaints “warrant further consideration”
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/legislative-inspector-general-finds-10-of-27-backlogged-complaints-warrant-further-consideration/
— Sun-Times wants Rauner apology to WBEZ (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the Main Stream Media (MSM) a) promotes news that it can spin to promote the Democrat, Libertarian, and/or Green party platforms and b) downplays if not censures news that shows the Republican Party platform is the way to go. Ever-increasingly, the MSM publishes editorials that are unethically made to look like news articles.)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/sun-times-wants-rauner-apology-to-wbez/
— Accelerated population loss could mean Illinois loses two congressional seats
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/accelerated-population-loss-could-mean-illinois-loses-two-congressional-seats/

 

GOPUSA
— University of Michigan training session devoted to ‘unpacking Whiteness’ (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Whites make it clear that they want to manipulate/dominate Whites if not get rid of Whites.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35614
— ‘Dreamers’ say Democrats have broken promises to protect them (DIERSEN: What are your demographics? Which organizations, companies, governments, and countries have promised to protect you and protect those who share your demographics?)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35755

 

DAILY CALLER
— Illegal Immigrants Stage Second DACA Protest At US Capitol After Release From Jail – Will Racke
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/21/illegal-immigrants-stage-second-daca-protest-at-us-capitol-after-release-from-jail/

 

CBS NEWS
— Top 6 ways the GOP tax bill affects average Americans – LARRY LIGHT (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/6-biggest-tax-changes-for-average-americans/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: State and local tax deductions are reduced. Dwellers in blue-leaning states on the coasts have long benefited from being able to write off their high state income taxes, as well as their hefty local property taxes. But the new bill lets them deduct these only up to $10,000 per year. Currently, nearly half of US homes are worth itemizing — but under the legislation, that would shrink to 14 percent because of the lost tax breaks, a study by real estate company Zillow said.)

 

CNN
— Despite Haley threat, UN votes to condemn Trump’s Jerusalem decision – Nicole Gaouette
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/21/politics/haley-un-jerusalem/index.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— 10 reasons Democrats think the tax bill will be a political loser for Trump’s GOP in the midterms – James Hohmann
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/12/21/daily-202-10-reasons-democrats-think-the-tax-bill-will-be-a-political-loser-for-trump-s-gop-in-the-midterms/5a3b0db430fb0469e883fd41/
— Forget what they say — House Democrats are readying for impeachment – Paul Kane
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/forget-what-they-say–house-democrats-are-readying-for-impeachment/2017/12/20/c9ad6548-e5c5-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— U.N. Vote Rebukes U.S. for Jerusalem Move General Assembly votes overwhelmingly in favor of resolution despite Trump’s threats of consequences – Farnaz Fassihi
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-n-vote-rebukes-u-s-for-jerusalem-move-1513878035

December 21 Morning Edition

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives says Democrats are all running on pot, taxes and spending
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/21/ives-says-democrats-are-all-running-on-pot-taxes-and-spending/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Ives insisted that she could win a general election with her fiscally and socially conservative agenda. “Yes, I can absolutely win the general election,” she said. “Look, the Democrats have destroyed the state and the people know that. And what are all the Democratic candidates selling you? Recreational marijuana, higher taxes, more spending. “Is anybody buying that shtick? Anybody? No, and that’s the entire agenda of those folks.”)

 

CBS2
— Governor Rauner Shares Thoughts On Republican Tax Plan – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/12/21/governor-rauner-republican-tax-plan/

 

WLS AM
— Rauner won’t move Vets from Quincy home – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/12/21/raunder-wont-move-vets-from-quincy-home/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Going down ‘fake news’ low road, Gov, is bad for democracy – Editorial (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the Main Stream Media (MSM) a) promotes news that it can spin to promote the Democrat, Libertarian, and/or Green party platforms and b) downplays if not censures news that shows the Republican Party platform is the way to go. Ever-increasingly, the MSM publishes editorials that are unethically made to look like news articles.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/rauner-wbez-trump-democracy-going-down-fake-news-journalism/
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: On Tuesday, Rauner accused WBEZ, the public radio station, of dropping its monthly “Ask the Governor” feature, in which he took questions from callers, because WBEZ is “really more of a Democrat station.” That was factually untrue, and the governor owes the station an apology. . .The governor’s shot at WBEZ came five days after, on a Downstate radio show, he attacked the integrity of much of the local media as a whole. “What’s frustrating to me and many people around the state,” he said to Tom Miller of WJPF, “is how biased a lot of the media is around Chicago, around the state. Biased for the status quo.” If the governor believes that certain columnists, editorial pages, bloggers, radio commentators and the like have it in for him, by all means he should call them out. He’s taken a whack at this editorial page plenty of times. But most media companies operate from two separate silos — one for commentary, the other for news. One silo serves up opinion. The second serves up an honest effort to report the true facts of current events in a fair manner. Inevitably, the personal values of editors and reporters play a role, beginning with the choices they make about which stories to pursue. News shops are run by human beings. But to broadly brand the news coverage of much of the mainstream media as biased and untrustworthy, just as a general rule, is to undermine the role of an institution — a free press — that is essential to a democracy. It is dangerous.)

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The Top 10 Illinois political stories of 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-politics-top-10-stories-2017-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 1. Republicans break with Rauner as Madigan leads major income tax hike, ends budget impasse. . .2. Lisa Madigan won’t run again, sets off crowded race to succeed her. . .3. J.B. Pritzker enters governor race, quickly consolidates support, sets Democratic self-funding record with $42.2 million. . . 4. State school funding formula revised for first time in decades. . . 5. Pritkzer sought political office from Rod Blagojevich, 2008 FBI wiretaps show. . . 6. Rauner flip-flops on abortion bill, angers conservative Republicans. . . 7. Exodus from the Capitol. . . 8. Rauner gets a primary challenger in Ives. . . 9. Rauner’s summertime right turn, staff struggles. . . 10. Illinois’ richest man Ken Griffin gives $20 million to Rauner campaign.)
— Roskam a no-show at White House – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-politics-top-10-stories-2017-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam skipped Wednesday’s White House celebration with President Donald Trump after passage of the $1.5 trillion tax overhaul he has touted. The Wheaton Republican “was invited but he’s in meetings on the Hill so was unable to make it,” spokeswoman Veronica Vera said in an email. Several of his GOP colleagues stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Trump outside the White House as the president enthused: “It’s always a lot of fun when you win.” Roskam is on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, chairs its Tax Policy Subcommittee and helped shape and sell the bill. Urging passage of the measure on Tuesday, he said his constituents were longing for tax relief. “After months of work developing a tax code that prioritizes middle-income families and small businesses, Congress has sent a bill to the President’s desk that I am pleased to say accomplishes that goal,” Roskam said in a statement. Seven Democrats have signed up for the primary race to take on the six-term Republican in the northwest suburban 6th Congressional District. One rival, Sean Casten of Downers Grove, in a statement Wednesday said: “Republicans in the House and Senate put corporations and the wealthiest Americans first, while again turning their backs on middle-class families.”)
— ‘Feminism’ is the word of the year. Should we be celebrating? – Nicole Brodeur (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage women to hate Trump supporters, and especially Trump supporters who are 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/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-feminism-word-of-year-1221-20171220-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Where are America’s well-informed citizens? – Ned L. McCray, Tinley Park (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Who does not want you to be a well-informed citizen? ANSWER: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes. They want you to know what they want you know, no more and no less.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/letters-where-are-americas-well-informed-citizens/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Suburbs contribute to Illinois’ population decline – Diane Dungey and Tim Broderick (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, by their words and/or by their actions, Democrats make it clear that they want you to leave Illinois if you are a member of any 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. Who takes the lead in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois in driving out of Illinois members of the aforesaid groups?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171220/suburbs-contribute-to-illinois-population-decline
— Paying twice for conference asks too much of taxpayers – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171220/editorial-paying-twice-for-conference-asks-too-much-of-taxpayers

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— The rush is on—to pay taxes before cap kicks in – STEVEN R. STRAHLER
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171221/NEWS02/171229977

 

WBEZ
— ‘Beginning Of An Epidemic’: Email Shows State Waited 6 Days To Publicize Legionnaires’ Outbreak – Dave McKinney
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/email-shows-state-waited-6-days-to-publicize-legionnaires-outbreak/474d8281-7c0b-41f7-9baf-0ccebea3a100

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Rep. Ives: GOP should kick Rauner to the curb – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-12-21/rep-ives-gop-should-kick-rauner-the-curb.html

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— McHenry County joining other officials to sue opioid drugmakers
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/12/20/mchenry-county-joining-other-officials-to-sue-opioid-drugmakers/ae92cxu/

 

TIMES
— Candidate Jaye DeBates spreads false claim – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/candidate-spreads-false-claim/article_3a33258c-e365-54a2-807b-d3be2fa4dd8a.html

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Illinois strikes a blow against doctor-shopping – Editorial
http://qconline.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-illinois-strikes-a-blow-against-doctor-shopping/article_8da669bf-9b8a-5eea-ab36-d55adf62dcfa.html

 

PAXTON RECORD
— Senator Barickman’s stance on recreational pot spurs debate
http://www.paxtonrecord.net/news/politics-and-government/2017-12-20/senator%E2%80%99s-stance-recreational-pot-spurs-debate.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Ford County Republican Central Committee met last Saturday and erupted when the legalization of marijuana came up for discussion. Noting that state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, put out a memo earlier in the week in support of legislation to legalize recreational marijuana, many comments and questions arose among precinct committeemen and the public. Many voiced their objection to Barickman’s position, stating that marijuana is an addictive gateway drug that will lead to using other illicit drugs. Since its use for medical purposes, many factions have been pushing for legalizing the drug for recreational use. That caused one participant to ask what such use would do to DUI violations, or the use by teens. “How accessible will it become for younger people?” the person said. Already, there is no significant penalty for possession or use of small amounts of marijuana in Illinois. And the court system has not worked well in preventing use. Barickman postulated that its legalization would raise money for the state.)

 

WREX
— Illinois lawmakers weigh in on state’s declining population – Taylor Utzig
http://www.wrex.com/story/37114834/2017/12/Wednesday/illinois-lawmakers-weigh-in-on-states-declining-population

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump’s Tax Win: The Political Risks – ARI SHAPIRO
http://nprillinois.org/post/trumps-tax-win-political-risks#stream/0

 

CHICAGO READER
— Police misconduct exacts a heavy toll on Chicago Cops’ bad behavior corrodes trust in law enforcement and costs taxpayers millions in legal settlements. – Maya Dukmasova
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/police-misconduct-worst/Content?oid=37060248

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— WHAT’S DRAGGING DOWN ILLINOIS’ ECONOMY? – Orphe Divounguy (DIERSEN: Who in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois takes the lead in driving out of Illinois individuals, organizations, and companies that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time? I should write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who take the lead in driving the aforesaid out of Illinois.)
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/whats-dragging-down-illinois-economy/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Illinois elections board removes Democrat governor candidate who turned in zero signatures – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-elections-board-removes-governor-candidate-who-turned-in-zero/article_89cf45d8-e5dc-11e7-9fb9-af0bbc625a1b.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: There’s also a citizen objection to Gary Grasso’s bid for the Republican attorney general slot.)
— Policy ideas promoted in Illinois’ governor’s race would only make things worse – Dan McCaleb
https://www.ilnews.org/opinion/op-ed-policy-ideas-promoted-in-illinois-governor-s-race/article_e6a422a6-e587-11e7-8f91-afe3c20641f9.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats ‘betray’ illegal immigrant Dreamers – Stephen Dinan and Alex Swoyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/20/democrats-betray-illegal-immigrant-dreamers/
— Trump slams media for negative take on tax plan – Sally Persons
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/21/donald-trump-slams-media-for-negative-take-on-tax-/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— THE ESTABLISHMENT FEARS ANNIHILATION — FOR GOOD REASON Erik Rush sees desperation in eyes of those hoping to destroy Trump
http://www.wnd.com/2017/12/the-establishment-fears-annihilation-for-good-reason/

 

THE HILL
— VERY SAD: Top Hollywood stars call on Congress for DACA fix – JUDY KURTZ
http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/365828-top-hollywood-stars-call-on-congress-for-daca-fix

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— In Protests of Net Neutrality Repeal, Teenage Voices Stood Out – Cecilia Kang (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have made it very clear that they want to a) stop me from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, b) stop everyone from reading the emails, and c) stop everyone from reading copies of the emails at www.gopillinois.com.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/technology/net-neutrality-repeal-teens.html
— FRONT PAGE: Facebook Job Ads Raise Concerns About Age Discrimination – Julia Angwin, Noam Scheiber and Ariana Tobin (DIERSEN: How old are you? I am 69. Do you promote age discrimination? All my critics/opponents, all their operatives, and all their dupes have always promoted age discrimination big time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/facebook-job-ads.html
— Facebook Ads That Let Employers Target Younger Workers Focus of U.S. Lawsuit – Reuters (DIERSEN: How old are you? I am 69. Do you promote age discrimination? All my critics/opponents, all their operatives, and all their dupes have always promoted age discrimination big time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/12/21/technology/21reuters-facebook-lawsuit-discrimination.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— VERY TROUBLING: GOP Tax Overhaul Makes Homeownership Less Appealing Prices in more expensive markets are forecast to be as much as 10% lower by mid-2019 than they otherwise would have been – Laura Kusisto (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-tax-overhaul-makes-homeownership-less-appealing-1513765800
— Overdose Deaths Drive Down U.S. Life Expectancy—Again Last year marked first back-to-back annual decline in life expectancy since early 1960s – Jeanne Whalen
https://www.wsj.com/articles/overdose-deaths-drive-down-u-s-life-expectancyagain-1513832460

 

USA TODAY
— Life expectancy is down for a second year. Drug overdoses are a big reason why. – Kim Painter
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/12/21/u-s-life-expectancy-drops-second-year-drug-deaths-spike-cdc/970283001/

 

MONEY MAGAZINE
— AT&T Is Giving Employees a $1,000 Bonus to Celebrate the Tax Bill – SCOTT MORITZ
http://time.com/money/5074566/att-republican-tax-cuts-bonuses/

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Oversight Democrat Asks White House to Release Plans for ‘Massive’ Agency Downsizing – Eric Katz (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. They use any kind of downsizing to get rid of a) any remaining employees who are Republican, and then b) employees who are White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2017/12/oversight-dems-ask-white-house-release-plans-massive-reductions-staffing/144719/

 

SSA
— Life Expectancy Calculator (DIERSEN: What is your life expectancy, that is, how many more years are you expected to live? For me, it is 16. But that may me optimistic because I have type 2 diabetes, I am overweight, and I do not get nearly enough exercise because I spend 10+ hours each and every day putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out.)
https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/longevity.cgi

 

WINDY CITY TIMES
— Three pro-LGBTQ equality laws to take effect in the new year (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, colleges will not accept you and employers will not hire you.)
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Three-pro-LGBTQ-equality-laws-to-take-effect-in-the-new-year/61443.html

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 19 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— What you need to know about Rauner’s ‘Top 10’ accomplishments list (DIERSEN: What will your top 10 accomplishments list for 2017 include? Mine will include putting together and sending out a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email each and every morning and each and every evening.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-top-10-20171219-story.html
— Twitter suspends white nationalists as it enforces new rules – AP (DIERSEN: How soon will Twitter suspend 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?)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-bc-us–twitter-abuse-enforcement-20171218-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Jump into the fight, Illinois, to keep the internet free and open to all Americans – Editorial (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents do not want the internet or any other form of communication to be “free and open to all Americans.” My critics/opponents are moral relativists who believe that their end justifies their means. They want to manipulate/dominate all forms of communication including GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-jump-into-the-fight-illinois-to-keep-the-internet-free/

 

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: With deduction changes, should you pay next property taxes now? – Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171218/with-deduction-changes-should-you-pay-next-property-taxes-now
— We’re intrigued by Ives’ unit district proposal – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171219/editorial-were-intrigued-by-ives-unit-district-proposal
— ‘Simplified’ tax reform has plenty to offer ‘regulatory parasites’ – Catherine Rampell
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171219/simplified-tax-reform-has-plenty-to-offer-regulatory-parasites
— St. Charles wants to require massage employees to report sexual misconduct – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171219/st-charles-wants-to-require-massage-employees-to-report-sexual-misconduct

 

WGN TV
— Twitter suspends white nationalists as it enforces new rules on ‘hateful’ content (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes want everything that they cannot manipulate/dominate to be shut down.)
http://wgntv.com/2017/12/18/twitter-suspends-white-nationalists-as-it-enforces-new-rules-on-hateful-content/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Tobacco mogul stokes Raoul’s bid for Illinois AG – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171219/BLOGS02/171219876

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Illinois lawmakers fear low Medicaid-provider rates could doom plan – AP
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171218/illinois-lawmakers-fear-low-medicaid-provider-rates-could-doom-plan

 

ALTON RECORD
— Illinois Republicans Ready To Pass Tax Reform – Greg Bishop
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257096#.Wjj1c4zR-M8

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Public opposition to tax bill grows as vote approaches 55% now oppose GOP tax bill – JENNIFER AGIESTA
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/public-opposition-to-tax-bill-grows-as-vote-approaches/883480025
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Two-thirds see the bill as doing more to benefit the wealthy than the middle class (66%, vs. 27% who say it’ll do more to benefit the middle class) and almost four in 10 (37%) say that if the bill becomes law, their own family will be worse off. That’s grown five points since early November. Just 21% say they’ll be better off if the bill becomes law. President Donald Trump, the bill’s salesperson-in-chief, lands at an overall 35% approval rating in this poll, his worst mark yet in CNN polling by one point. Trump’s approval ratings continue to be the lowest for any modern president at this point in his presidency. As of December of their first year in office, all first-time elected presidents back to Eisenhower have approval ratings of 49% or higher except for Trump. More than six in 10 (63%) see the tax bill as leaving the President and his family better off. Just 5% think it harms the Trump clan. And disapproval of the President’s handling of taxes has risen six points in the last month, to 57%. Almost three-quarters, 73%, say the President should release his tax returns for public review, about the same share that said so as his inauguration approached in January.)

 

OSWEGO PATCH
— Oswego GOP County Leader Takes On Kinzinger Oswego Republican James Marter is running in the primaries against a three-term incumbent from the 16th congressional district. – Caitlin Ketel
https://patch.com/illinois/oswego/oswego-gop-county-leader-takes-kinzinger

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Ives says Illinois taxpayer flight a result of Rauner’s broken promises – Glenn Minnis (DIERSEN: Who wants those who share your demographics to leave your precinct, your municipality, your township/ward, your county, and Illinois? I should write a book about “leaders” who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, and in Illinois who want those who share my demographics to leave. These “leaders” 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 they a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid. If they do not want you to leave, it means that they are manipulating you or dominating you.)
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511298809-ives-says-illinois-taxpayer-flight-a-result-of-rauner-s-broken-promises

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— GOP lawmakers heading to court to block bill that funds abortions – Caitlin Nordahl
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511296455-gop-lawmakers-heading-to-court-to-block-bill-that-funds-abortions

 

ILLINOIS CHRONICLE
— Rauner echoes Trump complaining about “fake news”
https://theillinoischronicle.com/chronicle-rauner-echoes-trump-complaining-about-fake-news/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Women in America: Once Protected and Honored, Now Objectified – Tami Jackson
https://illinoisfamily.org/marriage/women-america-protected-honored-now-objectified/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Senate Republicans deny buying votes for tax bill – David Sherfinski
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/18/senate-republicans-deny-buying-votes-for-tax-bill/

 

BREITBART
— Trump: ‘We Cannot Secure Our Nation If We Do Not Secure Our Borders’ – PAM KEY
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/12/18/trump-cannot-secure-nation-not-secure-borders/
— Illegal Aliens Arrested in Push for Christmas Amnesty – PENNY STARR
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/18/illegal-aliens-continue-push-amnesty-spending-bill-despite-cost-americans/

 

BLAZE
— Facebook admitted the site is bad for your mental health. Here’s what they recommend. – Aaron Colen (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes a) want you to know only what they want you to know and b) have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails is bad for your health.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/18/facebook-admitted-the-site-is-bad-for-your-mental-health-heres-what-they-recommend

 

POLITICO
— Tax bill whacks liberal big cities ‘This is the screw-New Jersey bill,’ the mayor of Piscataway said. – AARON LORENZO
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/19/cities-republican-tax-bill-304123

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Have You Ever Felt Sorry for the I.R.S.? Now Might Be the Time – Patricia Cohen (DIERSEN: How much do you know about IRS? I know a lot about IRS because 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 and I worked for GAO on audits of IRS for 3 years at the GS-13 Step 1-3 levels, currently $94,610-$100,917. However, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always viciously demonized, denigrated, condemned, and wasted my knowledge of IRS. I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/18/business/irs-tax-bill.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: After years of upbraiding and even threatening to abolish the Internal Revenue Service, Republicans must now depend on the agency to carry out their signature legislative accomplishment: a comprehensive revision of the tax code. The task is monumental. While processing tens of millions of tax returns for 2017 under the current rules, the I.R.S. would also have to figure out how to interpret and explain a new system and put it into practice. “Beware,” said John A. Koskinen, who retired last month as I.R.S. commissioner. “If the budget keeps being cut and the agency keeps being given more things to do, the I.R.S. is simply not going to work.” Either the information technology will fail, forcing the filing and refund systems to collapse, he warned, or enforcement and audits will become so scarce that fewer people will be inclined to pay the taxes they owe. The House and Senate were expected to vote on the $1.5 trillion tax overhaul as soon as Tuesday. Vice President Mike Pence planned to preside over the vote and, if needed, break a tie and pass the bill.)
— Tax Cuts Benefit the Ultra Rich, but Not the Merely Rich – Andrew Ross Sorkin
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/18/business/dealbook/tax-bill-wealthy.html
— Republican Tax Cuts Would Lift Some Industries More Than Others – Jim Tankersley and Ben Casselman
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/18/us/politics/republican-tax-cuts-industries-.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Evanston, Illinois: Teacher Segregation ‘Staff that identifies as individuals of color will meet in Room 226.’
https://www.wsj.com/articles/notable-quotable-teacher-segregation-1513538452
— The Google-Facebook Duopoly Threatens Diversity of Thought A political website pulled an article after Google’s AdSense team threatened to withdraw advertising. – Mark Epstein (DIERSEN: He who pays the piper calls the tunes. Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been beyond furious that I have enough time and money that I do not have to ask any individual, any organization, any company, any government, or any country to give me money to put out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-google-facebook-duopoly-threatens-diversity-of-thought-1513642519
— Middle Class to Get 23% of Tax Cuts for Individuals Under GOP Bill Benefits mostly peter out after a decade, joint committee on taxation finds – Siobhan Hughes and Shayndi Raice
https://www.wsj.com/articles/middle-class-to-get-23-of-tax-cuts-for-individuals-under-gop-bill-1513644268
— Higher Education Bill Could Heat Up Competition for Adult Students Focus on shorter programs, competency-based offerings is seen providing more options for older students – Melissa Korn and Douglas Belkin (DIERSEN: I was 23 when I started taking graduate business courses at Loyola. I was 27 when I started taking graduate accounting courses at DePaul. I was 43 when I started taking graduate finance courses at IIT. Because I took only one course at a time, it took me 4 years to graduate from Loyola, 4 years to graduate from DePaul, and 5 years to graduate from IIT.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/higher-education-bill-could-heat-up-competition-foradultstudents-1513598400

 

BLOOMBERG
— Trump Asks ‘How’s Your 401(k)?’ But Most Voters Don’t Have One New campaign slogan celebrates growth of stock market Only 45 percent of private-sector workers have 401(k) plans – Toluse Olorunnipa (DIERSEN: To be able to save for your retirement, you have to qualify yourself for better paying jobs. What have you done to qualify yourself for better paying jobs? 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.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-19/trump-asks-how-s-your-401-k-but-most-voters-don-t-have-one
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Donald Trump is trying out a new campaign slogan: “How’s your 401(k) doing?” The answer for more than half of Americans is that they don’t have one. Trump has tested out the line this month at a fundraiser, a campaign rally and in a White House meeting, predicting that the rising U.S. stock market will help him win re-election. But only about 45 percent of private-sector workers participate in any employer-sponsored retirement plan, and the lower-income workers in Trump’s political base are the least likely to hold money in such an account, according to the Government Accountability Office. Trump mentions the stock market almost daily in tweets or public remarks, taking direct credit for record highs by the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other indexes. But only about 14 percent of U.S. families directly own stocks, an asset class dominated by the country’s top earners, according to the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, the president has also rolled back efforts to expand retirement savings options to more middle-class and low-income workers. For a president propelled into office in no small part by resentment that a broad swath of the country has been left behind while an entrenched establishment prospers, continual references to the stock market and 401(k) accounts risk alienating his supporters, said Austan Goolsbee, a former chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama. How America’s Inequality Machine Is Firing the Dow Into Orbit “As a political slogan, ‘how is your 401(k) doing?’ suggests he’s most interested in the one-third of people who have a 401(k),” said Goolsbee, who teaches economics at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. “The more you highlight how great that group of financial winners is doing, you at least run the risk of angering and irritating the very people who revolted against what they perceived as the financial and political elites in the first place.” White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said Trump’s statements reflect “a strong economy” that is “good news for everyone.” “For the Americans that don’t have the opportunity to invest in a 401(k) plan or who choose not to, the Trump agenda of lower taxes, higher wages, and better jobs allows them to save more on their own, and potentially have a better chance of finding a job in the future that provides those benefits,” Walters added in an emailed statement. . .‘Privileged Few’ “And, by the way, how are your 401(k)s doing?” Trump said during a Dec. 8 rally in Pensacola, Florida, where median household income is about $46,000. “ Not too bad, right?” The line was met with light applause. “I’m not sure he understands that only a fraction of the population has 401(k)s,” said Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. “So he just may not realize that he’s speaking to the privileged few.” Only a third of people contribute anything to their retirement accounts, according to a Census study released this year. Among workers in the bottom half of the income scale, less than 25 percent participate in a retirement program, according to the GAO.)

 

USA TODAY
— Minimum wage hikes: 18 states, 20 cities to lift pay floors Jan. 1 – Paul Davidson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/12/19/minimum-wage-hikes-18-states-20-cities-lift-pay-floors-jan-1/961213001/

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— 6 things agencies did to improve employee engagement this year – Nicole Ogrysko (DIERSEN: QUESTION: What demonstrates employee engagement? ANSWER: Earning job-related college degrees, professional certifications, and professional licenses. I worked for the Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997. 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.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/workforce/2017/12/6-things-agencies-did-to-improve-employee-engagement-this-year/

December 17 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Boy, 15, shot to death delivering newspapers with stepdad on SW Side
http://abc7chicago.com/boy-15-shot-to-death-delivering-newspapers-with-stepdad-on-sw-side/2792120/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Keeping ‘Dreamers’ would cost taxpayers $26B over next 10 years, feds say
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/national/keeping-dreamers-would-cost-taxpayers-26b-over-next-10-years-feds-say

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— One more way GOP tax plan sticks it to Chicago – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-one-more-way-gop-tax-plan-sticks-it-to-chicago/
— Trump dislikes being investigated; so did Al Capone – Neil Steinberg
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-fbi-academy-chicago-crime-statistics/
— Illinois horse tracks say more gambling can stop ‘downward spiral’ – Taylor Hartz (DIERSEN: Gambling is a vice. If you promote gambling, you promote vice.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/horse-racing-tracks-illinois-gambling-regulations/

 

DAILY HERALD
— 2 candidates gone after challenges in Lake County Board races – Mick Zawislak
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171217/2-candidates-gone-after-challenges-in-lake-county-board-races
— Collateral damage of “credibly accused” – KATHLEEN PARKER
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171217/collateral-damage-of-x201ccredibly-accusedx201d

 

STATELINE
— BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Republican Tax Bill Expected To Impact Property Tax Deductions Limits deductions to 10,000 dollars a year – Gregory Cormier
http://www.mystateline.com/news/republican-tax-bill-expected-to-impact-property-tax-deductions/882614534

 

WGN RADIO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats use Barickman to promote pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://wgnradio.com/2017/12/17/the-sunday-spin-politics-with-rick-pearson-full-show-12-17-17/

 

KMOV
— Illinois State Rep. Dan Beiser to step down effective immediately – Michael Ritter
http://www.kmov.com/story/37086576/illinois-state-rep-dan-beiser-to-step-down-effective-immediately

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives: ‘Rauner is not in charge in Springfield’ – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511297583-ives-rauner-is-not-in-charge-in-springfield

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Andrew Gasser’s Amended Complaint Against Local 150
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/17/algonquin-township-road-commissioner-andrew-gassers-amended-complaint/
— Reick Steps into Township Efficiency Issue
nrycountyblog.com/2017/12/16/reick-steps-into-township-efficiency-issue/
— Discussion of November Referendum to Put McHenry Township Road District Under Township Board Set for January Meeting
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/15/discussion-of-november-referendum-to-put-mchenry-township-road-district-under-township-board-set-for-january-meeting/
— Republicans on McHenry Township Board Make Next Term’s Posts Voluntary–No Salary
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/15/republicans-on-mchenry-township-board-make-next-terms-posts-voluntary/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Poll Shows Nation Divided Between America First And Blame America First – GINNI THOMAS
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/16/poll-shows-nation-divided-between-america-first-and-blame-america-first-video/
— Final Tax Bill Contains Language Allowing Illegal Immigrants To Get Tax Credit – Alex Pfeiffer
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/16/final-tax-bill-contains-language-allowing-illegal-immigrants-to-get-tax-credit/

 

CNN
— McCain returning to Arizona, will miss tax bill vote – Dana Bash, Jeff Zeleny and Maegan Vazquez
http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/17/politics/mccain-return-arizona-tax-bill/index.html

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/