January 6 Evening Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

January 6 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PICTURE: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Republicans say “Trump-Bannon feud lays bare new fissure in fractious GOP.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-bc-us–trump-bannon-20180104-story.html
— Transgender inmate seeks transfer to female prison after claims of abuse involving guards – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-transgender-inmate-transfer-20180105-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “In Trump’s first year, stocks soar for rich, but wages stay flat.” Democrats have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that if you own stocks, you are rich. In its 4-page article on me in its February 1978 issue, Money Magazine reported that I owned 40 shares of Commonwealth Edison stock worth $1,155. I had bought those shares because back then, there was no federal income tax on the first $100 of dividends.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-stocks-wages-workers-20180105-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Chris Kennedy takes low road by spreading conspiracy theory – Mary Mitchell
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/mitchell-chris-kennedy-takes-low-road-by-spreading-conspiracy-theory/
— Guv’s grandstanding aside, veterans home in Quincy should be closed – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/illinois-veterans-home-quincy-bruce-rauner-editorial/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Mark Zuckerberg’s 2018 resolution: Fix Facebook – Lindsey Bever
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20180106/mark-zuckerbergs-2018-resolution-fix-facebook
— Pope: Don’t be misled by making money and career your life – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180106/news/301069971/

 

ABC7
— Sen. Durbin visits veterans home during Legionnaires’ crisis – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/sen-durbin-visits-veterans-home-during-legionnaires-crisis/2867405/

 

NBC5
— Roskam, Rauner Races Named as Must Watch
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/web—deep-dish-roskam-rauner-races_Chicago-468186113.html

 

CBS2
— Ford CEO’s Speech Against Sex Harassment Rings False To Some – Dana Kozlov
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/01/05/ford-ceos-speech-against-sex-harassment-rings-false-to-some/

 

DEKALB DAILY CHRONICLE
— Abortion on decline in DeKalb County, around Illinois Drop seen among most age groups, especially teens, since start of decade – ERIC R. OLSON
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2018/01/01/abortion-on-decline-in-dekalb-county-around-illinois/a7yohg/

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— In Chicago, a colorful race – Rich Miller
http://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/editorial/rich-miller-in-chicago-a-colorful-race/article_38a8f7b9-fa15-584f-92ff-9d9dce48570b.html

 

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Chamber Opposes Property Tax Freeze – Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/sponsored/articles/2018/01/05/13209882/index.xml

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Christian County officials need more help to fight drug abuse – Maximilian Kwiatkowski (DIERSEN: Who promotes drug abuse in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois? Who wants you to smoke pot instead of abusing opioids?)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180105/christian-co-officials-need-more-help-to-fight-drug-abuse

 

TIMES
— Marter v. Kinzinger: Congressman silent on debates – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/congressman-silent-on-debates/article_8b89b3c7-2d41-5da5-9975-ae5a9b86005c.html
— Debates: Citizens of the 16th Congressional District deserve better – Jaye DeBates
http://www.mywebtimes.com/opinion/columnists/debates-citizens-of-the-th-congressional-district-deserve-better/article_50a8d378-3395-5c6f-b558-35298333f072.html

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Suburban libraries training employees to help homeless – AP
http://www.bnd.com/news/state/illinois/article193319809.html

 

LASALLE NEWS TRIBUNE
— DeBates: Forgery accusation ‘baseless’ Congressional hopefuls offer different stories – Brett Herrmann
http://www.newstrib.com/free/debates-forgery-accusation-baseless/article_eefcce54-f238-11e7-8f0a-5f7f1486d06a.html

 

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Candidate petitions challenged in 16th, 67th elections
http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180105/candidate-petitions-challenged-in-16th-67th-elections

 

FREEPORT JOURNAL STANDARD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, pot pushers promote pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://www.journalstandard.com/news/20180106/chuck-sweeny-sessions-is-repeating-nations-prohibition-mistake

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— State Lawmakers Ponder Sessions’ Pot Declaration – Greg Bishop
http://www.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=258025#.WlDkNIzR-M8
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Members of the following groups continues to push for Dreamers: 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.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257975#.WlDQcozR-M8

 

IROQUOIS COUNTY TIMES REPUBLIC
— Sanguinetti stops by IWMS – WENDY DAVIS
http://www.newsbug.info/iroquois_countys_times-republic/sanguinetti-stops-by-iwms/article_3c18e9e0-f2a5-11e7-8912-e7a326cc8e9a.html

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— African-American unemployment hit record low in December – AP (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a Black in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a Black in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted Blacks in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a Black in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a Black in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/africanamerican-unemployment-hit-record-low-in-december/904113601

 

WQAD
— Local dispensary manager predicts future Marijuana Revolution – CHRIS MINOR (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://wqad.com/2018/01/05/local-dispensary-manager-predicts-future-marijuana-revolution/

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Republicans say “Goodbye To A Commission Established To Solve A Nonexistent Problem.”
http://nprillinois.org/post/goodbye-commission-established-solve-nonexistent-problem#stream/0

 

ILLINOIS CHRONICLE
— Will Rauner pass his first balanced budget?
https://theillinoischronicle.com/chronicle-will-rauner-pass-his-first-balanced-budget/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Med marijuana growers optimistic they will be unaffected following federal policy change – Greg Bishop (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.ilnews.org/news/justice/med-marijuana-growers-optimistic-they-will-be-unaffected-following-federal/article_23bbeb72-f22d-11e7-83de-ff8da2ca997c.html
— CEOs credit federal tax reform for influx of employee bonuses – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/economy/ceos-credit-federal-tax-reform-for-influx-of-employee-bonuses/article_290d6c06-f195-11e7-a39a-1bd1bdc486ed.html

 

GOPUSA
— Desperate CNN shifts to mental illness in constant effort to bring Trump down (DIERSEN: Democrats have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that if you do not promote the Democrat Party platform, you are mentally ill.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36575

 

FOX NEWS INSIDER
— Tucker: If Republicans Betray Voters on Immigration, They’re Toast (DIERSEN: In Illinois, for far too long, far too many “Republican” elected officials and party leaders have betrayed Republican voters. Most commonly, they have failed/refused to defend/advance the traditional family, right to life, abortion, immigration, and illegal drugs planks in the Republican Party platform and Illinois Republican Party platform. Far too often they have promoted dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, and even worse things.)
http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/01/05/tucker-carlson-if-republican-party-betrays-voters-immigration-its-toast

 

BLAZE
— Here’s what Trump is demanding from the Democrats in exchange for ‘Dreamer’ amnesty – Carlos Garcia
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/05/heres-what-trump-is-demanding-from-the-democrats-in-exchange-for-dreamer-amnesty
— Tucker Carlson says Trump should only cut a deal for amnesty with these conditions – Carlos Garcia
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/05/tucker-carlson-says-trump-should-only-cut-a-deal-for-amnesty-with-these-conditions

 

TOWNHALL
— Steve Bannon is a Back-Stabbing Benedict Arnold – Jeff Crouere
https://townhall.com/columnists/jeffcrouere/2018/01/06/steve-bannon-is-a-backstabbing-benedict-arnold-n2430790

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— AP: Illinois’s biggest problem is pot – Jack Hellner
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/illinoiss_biggest_problem_is_pot.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE: Taxes as Charity? New Jersey Towns Try to Elude G.O.P. Tax Law – Nick Corasaniti and Alan Rappeport (DIERSEN: What do all those units of government on your real estate tax bill have to say about this?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/nyregion/taxes-as-charity-new-jersey-towns-try-to-elude-gop-tax-law.html
— The U.S. Wanted to Discuss Iran. Russia Brought Up Black Lives Matter. – Michael Schwirtz
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/world/middleeast/un-iran-protests-debate.html
— Publicly, We Say #MeToo. Privately, We Have Misgivings. – Daphne Merkin (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout at women that women can destroy any man that they want to by charging that man with sexual harassment.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/opinion/golden-globes-metoo.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, pot pushers promote pot as the answer to opioid abuse.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/opinion/sessions-marijuana-crackdown.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot pushers say “New Pot Policy by Trump Administration Draws Bipartisan Fire.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/us/politics/trump-marijuana-policy-bipartisan-fire.html
— Trump Defends His Mental Capacity, Calling Himself a ‘Genius’ – Michael Tackett
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/06/us/politics/trump-genius-mental-health.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump boasts that he’s ‘like, really smart’ and a ‘very stable genius’ amid questions over his mental fitness – David Nakamura
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2018/01/06/trump-boasts-that-hes-like-really-smart-and-a-very-stable-genius-amid-questions-over-his-mental-fitness/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Moderate Voters, Polarized Parties The author of ‘Unstable Majorities’ argues that if the electorate seems fickle, it’s because the politicians are too ideological. – James Taranto (DIERSEN: In Illinois, for far too long, far too many “Republican” elected officials and party leaders have betrayed Republican voters. Most commonly, they have failed/refused to defend/advance the traditional family, right to life, abortion, immigration, and illegal drugs planks in the Republican Party platform and Illinois Republican Party platform. Far too often they have promoted dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, and even worse things.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/moderate-voters-polarized-parties-1515193066
— Jeff Sessions’s Marijuana Candor The AG is forcing legalizers to square federal and state law. – Editorial (DIERSEN: Virtually all of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that they a) smoke pot, b) want to smoke pot legally, and/or c) want to make money selling pot.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeff-sessionss-marijuana-candor-1515197282
— China Emerges as Cadillac’s Top Market a Decade Sooner Than Expected Brand has tripled China sales over the last five years, appealing to young, luxury buyers – Mike Colias
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-emerges-as-cadillacs-top-market-a-decade-sooner-than-expected-1515183273
— Some Good Jobs News The black jobless rate falls to its lowest ever in the Labor statistics. – Editorial (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a Black in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a Black in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted Blacks in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a Black in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a Black in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-good-jobs-news-1515197365

 

NATION
— The GOP Tax Bill Was a Deliberate Attack on Blue States—And California Plans to Fight Back Here are some creative ways for blue states to resist the GOP power grab. – Sasha Abramsky
https://www.thenation.com/article/the-gop-tax-bill-was-a-deliberate-attack-on-blue-states-and-california-plans-to-fight-back/

 

NATIONAL
— Trump’s fire and fury reaction in trying to block an explosive new book is unprecedented It is unheard of for a US president to try to suppress a book he dislikes – but his coterie has been working overtime – Hussein Ibish
https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/trump-s-fire-and-fury-reaction-in-trying-to-block-an-explosive-new-book-is-unprecedented-1.693200

 

MONEY MAGAZINE
— Michael Wolff’s Provocative Book About Trump Sold Out at One Store in 20 Minutes – ALIX LANGONE
http://time.com/money/5089578/michael-wolff-fire-and-fury-trump-sales/

 

REALTOR
— How Your Commute Time Should Affect Where You Buy a Home – Daniel Bortz (DIERSEN: Being able to walk to the Wheaton train station encouraged my wife and I to have 915 Cove Court build in Wheaton in 1984. Being able to walk to the College Avenue train station encouraged my wife and I to buy 1017 East Harrison in Wheaton in 1978. Being able to walk to work in the Loop and to classes at Loyola and DePaul encouraged me to buy condos in the Outer Drive East building in 1976 and 1974. Being able to drive to work in Harvey encouraged me to buy a new town home in University Park in 1972. But my commute time increased dramatically in 1973 when I was temporarily assigned to work in the Loop. SEE: https://www.gao.gov/products/463866)
https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/short-commute-time-affect-home-buying/

January 5 Evening Edition

ABC7
— 328 Cook County employees laid off due to budget cuts, officials say – Leah Hope
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/328-cook-county-employees-laid-off-due-to-budget-cuts-officials-say/2867105/

 

NBC5
— Kennedy, Emanuel Exchange Barbs Over Plans for Chicago – James Neveau
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chris-kennedy-rahm-emanuel-exchange-barbs-over-plans-for-chicago-468178373.html
— Durbin Challenges Rauner to Act After Veterans’ Home Visit
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/dick-durbin-visits-quincy-veterans-home-after-legionnaires-controversy-468156673.html

 

CBS2
— Rauner Gets Mixed Reviews While Staying At Veterans Home – Derrick Blakley
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/01/05/rauner-gets-mixed-reviews-for-staying-at-veterans-home/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois suspends second Outcome Health tax break deal – Ally Marotti
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-outcome-health-edge-tax-credit-20180105-story.html
— How to reinvent Illinois higher ed (and reduce the brain drain) – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-college-siu-rauner-20180103-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot promoters say: “Congress, let the states set marijuana policy.” If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-sessions-marijuana-laws-20180105-story.html
— Like a good neighbor: Illinois sees record loss of people to nearby states – Austin Berg
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-berg-column-st-0107-20180105-story.html
— Durbin pulls back on call to close Quincy veterans home hounded by deadly water problems – Rick Pearson, John Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-dick-durbin-bruce-rauner-veterans-20180105-story.html
— Chicagoans scramble to find copies of highly anticipated new book on Trump presidency – Leonor Vivanco-Prengaman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-trump-book-search-20180105-story.html
— Emanuel responds to Kennedy accusations: ‘Where are the solutions?’ – John Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-rahm-emanuel-chris-kennedy-black-population-drop-20180105-story.html
— Or they could just lower the taxes … Nah. – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-tax-salt-state-deduction020180103-story.html
— OUTSTANDING: Team Trump pushes back the clock on legal pot – Clarence Page
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/page/ct-perspec-page-jeff-sessions-pot-marijuana-laws-0107-20180105-story.html
— Make no little failures, Chicago – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-failure-museum-for-chicago-20180105-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Emanuel fires back at Kennedy for suggesting plot to ‘whiten’ Chicago – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/emanuel-fires-back-at-kennedy-for-suggesting-plot-to-whiten-chicago/
— Kennedy’s ‘hard slap’ prompts howls, but may be what he needs to win – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/miller-kennedys-hard-slap-prompts-howls-but-may-be-what-he-needs-to-win/
— Trump-Bannon feud lays bare new fissure in fractious GOP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-bannon-feud-lays-bare-new-fissure-in-fractious-gop/
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON CHICAGO TIGHTENS: The growing Chicago gap between white ‘haves’ and black ‘have nots’ – Laura Washington
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/washington-the-growing-chicago-gap-between-white-haves-and-black-have-nots/
— Durbin rips Trump for ‘hardline anti-immigrant demands’ in Dreamer negotiations – Lynn Sweet (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats side with citizens of foreign countries against citizens of America.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/durbin-rips-trump-for-hardline-anti-immigrant-demands-in-dreamer-negotiations/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Kane County Assessor: No guaranteee your tax prepayment will benefit you – James Fuller
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180105/kane-county-assessor-no-guaranteee-your-tax-prepayment-will-benefit-you
— ‘Fire and Fury’ book released, blowing open GOP feud – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180105/fire-and-fury-book-released-blowing-open-gop-feud
— Federal pot policy change sparks confusion, crackdown fears – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180105/news/301059971/

 

WLS AM
— Emanuel responds to Chris Kennedy’s attacks – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/01/05/emanuel-responds-to-chris-kennedys-attacks/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Federal tax revamp could force changes in Illinois law – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180105/BLOGS02/180109949/federal-tax-revamp-could-force-changes-in-illinois-law

 

BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN
— Ives, Marter to meet voters Sunday at Prouty Building Sunday, January 7
http://www.bcrnews.com/lists/2018/01/03/5722cef6ac6e41dd9536a2713b721c74/index.xml

 

SUBURBAN LIFE
— Wheaton planners continue to review plans for residential drug treatment center Next hearing set for Jan. 9 – ERIC SCHELKOPF
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2018/01/05/wheaton-planners-continue-to-review-plans-for-residential-drug-treatment-center/a2ipxpv/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, who previously served on the Wheaton City Council, has come out in support of the project. She recently toured the Haymarket facility in Chicago. “This residential and outpatient substance abuse facility has been on the front lines of addiction and treatment since 1975,” Sanguinetti said in a letter to the City Council. “I was impressed by their work and consider them a strong ally in the ongoing fight against the opioid epidemic.”)

 

WJBD RADIO
— Video Gaming Terminals Broke Into at Farina While Attempt at Salem Fails
http://www.wjbdradio.com/local-news/2018/01/05/video-gaming-terminals-broke-into-at-farina-while-attempt-at-salem-fails

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Ives sees latest out-migration numbers as just tip of iceberg – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511304582-ives-sees-latest-out-migration-numbers-as-just-tip-of-iceberg
— Kinzler has plan to stop the Illinois exodus – Chandra Lye
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511303211-kinzler-has-plan-to-stop-the-illinois-exodus

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Is It Rauner’s $17 Billion Lobbyist Who’s in Charge? “Rather than shaking up Springfield and turning around Illinois, Gov. Rauner has allowed Springfield insiders to shake down Illinois families while he turned away from the fight.”
http://mailchi.mp/7d28c3590b0c/is-it-rauners-17-billion-lobbyist-whos-in-charge

 

REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— 2017: Rauner’s Crummy New Year – Video Review
https://realgopillinois.com/2018/01/05/2017-rauners-crummy-new-year-video-review/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— RAUNER FROM QUINCY VETERANS’ HOME: CARE IS “IMPRESSIVE, CARING, FULL OF HONOR”
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/rauner-from-quincy-veterans-home-care-is-impressive-caring-full-of-honor.html
— MARCH FOR LIFE CHICAGO LEADER: ILLINOIS’ NEW ABORTION LAW IS “HEINOUS VIOLATION OF OUR CONSCIENCES”
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/march-for-life-chicago-leader-illinois-new-abortion-law-is-heinous-violation-of-our-consciences.html
— THORNER: MOORE’S US SENATE DEFEAT IGNITES BATTLE OVER 2018 GOP PARTY CONTROL
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/thorner-moores-us-senate-defeat-ignites-battle-over-2018-gop-party-control.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Bustos says she agrees with Rauner about “Paul Ryan’s tax scam”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/05/bustos-says-she-agrees-with-rauner-about-paul-ryan%E2%80%99s-tax-scam/
— If the federal ban is killed off, should Illinois legalize sports betting? (DIERSEN: No)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/05/question-of-the-day-2601/
— Rauner issues statement about his stay in Quincy
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/05/rauner-issues-statement-about-his-stay-in-quincy/
— Kennedy campaign responds *** Emanuel fires back at Kennedy
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/05/emanuel-fires-back-at-kennedy/
— Tribune editorial board claims Kennedy is hallucinating
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/05/tribune-editorial-board-claims-kennedy-is-hallucinating/
— ILGOP responds *** Rate Pritzker’s two new TV ads
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/05/rate-pritzkers-two-new-tv-ads/

 

GOPUSA
— Study: Many DACA illegals have limited or no English skills
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36492
— Millennials, Gen Z depressed and sad
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36540

 

BREITBART
— President Trump’s Poll Numbers Boom with the Economy – JOHN NOLTE5
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/05/president-trumps-poll-numbers-boom-economy/

 

NEWSMAX
— Trump: Fake News Media ‘Barely Mentions’ Market Records, Booming Business
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/economy/trump-economy-fake-news/2018/01/05/id/835449/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Climate-Change Policies Can Be Punishing for the Poor America should learn from Europe’s failure to protect the needy while reducing carbon emissions. – Bjorn Lomborg
https://www.wsj.com/articles/climate-change-policies-can-be-punishing-for-the-poor-1515110743

 

AUGUSTA CHRONICLE
— No good deed goes unpunished – Bill Kirby (DIERSEN: Since 2000, I have tried to help campaigns by telling them about negative rumors that I have heard. But all too often, those campaigns then charge me with spreading those rumors.)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/columnists/news/2017-12-28/kirby-no-good-deed-goes-unpunished

January 5 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

January 4 Evening Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner spends night in Quincy veterans home plagued by deadly water problems – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-quincy-veterans-20180104-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “New Trump book details Bannon’s ‘treasonous’ claim, Ivanka’s presidential ambitions and Melania’s first-lady concerns.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-bannon-book-analysis-20180103-story.html
— Investigation details secretive contacts with lobbyist on $2 billion Illinois lottery contract – Joe Mahr and Matthew Walberg
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-met-lottery-lobbyists-0104-story.html
— U. of I. plans in-state tuition freeze for 4th straight year – Dawn Rhodes
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-university-of-illinois-tuition-freeze-20180103-story.html
— Rapper Chief Keef had eight different drugs in his system during DUI arrest – Rachel DeSantis
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-chief-keef-arrest-20180104-story.html
— Hello, exodus deniers: No, it isn’t Illinois’ weather – Kristen McQueary
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-mcqueary-opinion-illinois-population-0105-20180104-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Chris Kennedy’s divisive fantasy.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-kennedy-chicago-rahm-gentrification-20180104-story.html
— Chuy Garcia: Kennedy was right about Emanuel’s ‘strategic gentrification plan’ to force minorities out of city – Kim Janssen
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-chuy-rahm-0105-chicago-inc-20180104-story.html
— Orland Park voters to see 2 ballot proposals on video gambling – Mike Nolan (DIERSEN: If you promote video gambling, you promote destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-orland-video-gambling-st-0105-20180104-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who promote pot say: “New federal pot policy unlikely to affect Ill. medical marijuana; legalization push continues.” If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-met-illinois-cannabis-industry-sessions-20180104-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Local leaders say Sessions’ rollback on pot policy won’t stop them – Rachel Hinton and Tina Sfondeles (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/us-to-end-policy-that-let-legal-pot-flourish-sources/
— The pols created Illinois’ property tax monster — and they love it – Phil Kadner
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/kadner-the-pols-created-illinois-property-tax-monster-and-they-love-it/
— Gov. Rauner staying at Quincy veterans home under fire for Legionnaires’ disease – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/gov-rauner-staying-at-quincy-veterans-home-under-fire-for-legionnaires-disease/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump’s latest claim of voter fraud is an assault on democracy.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/trumps-latest-claim-of-voter-fraud-is-an-assault-on-democracy/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Quick way to undermine the U.S. Census? Ask about citizenship.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/quick-way-to-undermine-the-u-s-census-ask-about-citizenship/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Jacob Sullum promotes pot big time. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sullum-stop-pretending-sober-drivers-are-stoned/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Trial delayed for DuPage judge accused of reckless conduct – Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180104/trial-delayed-for-dupage-judge-accused-of-reckless-conduct
— Legislators to meet with Naperville homeowners Saturday, Jan. 20
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20180104/legislators-meet-with-naperville-homeowners
— OUTSTANDING: U.S. to end policy that let legal marijuana flourish – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180104/news/301049947/

 

ABC7
— Rauner staying at veterans home during Legionnaires’ crisis – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/rauner-staying-at-veterans-home-during-legionnaires-crisis/2861624/

 

NBC5
— Rauner’s Former General Counsel Offers Rare Statement – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/former-top-rauner-attorney-new-years-message-468053403.html
— Rauner Moves Into Quincy Vets’ Home Amid Controversy
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/governor-bruce-rauner-moves-into-quincy-veterans-home-amid-controversy-468083373.html

 

CBS2
— Rauner Checks Into Veterans’ Home Under Fire For Deadly Legionnaires’ Outbreak
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/01/04/rauner-veterans-home-legionnaires-disease/
— Trump Sends Cease And Desist Letter To Publishers Of Tell-All Book
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/category/spoken-word-wbbmtv/3787359-trump-sends-cease-and-desist-letter-to-publishers-of-tell-all-book/

 

WGN TV
— Rauner visits veterans home where several residents died from Legionnaires’ disease – CHARLES HAYES AND TAHMAN BRADLEY
http://wgntv.com/2018/01/04/rauner-visits-veterans-home-where-several-residents-died-from-legionnaires-disease/

 

WLS AM
— Rauner stay at vets home called publicity stunt – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/01/04/rauner-stay-at-vets-home-called-publicity-stunt/
— Rauner stunt reminds some of Jane Byrne’s Cabrini Green stay – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/01/04/rauner-stunt-reminds-some-of-jane-byrnes-cabrini-green-stay/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner, Roskam, Ives trade barbs over GOP tax bill – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: Will the mainstream media ask Rauner, Roskam, and Ives a) if they prepaid their real estate taxes and b) why they did or did not do that?)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180104/BLOGS02/180109961/rauner-roskam-ives-trade-barbs-over-gop-tax-bill
— Hot assessor race sparks financial flap: Who pays?
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180104/BLOGS02/180109968/hot-assessor-race-sparks-financial-flap-who-pays

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner to spend ‘several days’ at Quincy veterans home – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180104/rauner-to-spend-several-days-at-quincy-veterans-home

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Congressman Rodney Davis predicts more charitable giving with new tax bill – RYAN VOYLES (DIERSEN: Being deductible motivated me to give more money to 501(c)(3) organizations.)
http://herald-review.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/congressman-rodney-davis-predicts-more-charitable-giving-with-new-tax/article_549c9f6b-65ed-5151-ab17-e5c75096ade0.html

 

MADISON RECORD
— Judge who overturned Rauner ‘fair share’ executive order had worked as Madigan staffer in earlier days – Ann Maher
https://madisonrecord.com/stories/511309644-judge-who-overturned-rauner-fair-share-executive-order-had-worked-as-madigan-staffer-in-earlier-days

 

WGLT
— Davis: Tax Bill Will Win Over Voters Before November Election – RYAN DENHAM (DIERSEN: What about those voters who pay more than $10,000 a year in SALT each year?)
http://wglt.org/post/davis-tax-bill-will-win-over-voters-november-election#stream/0

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— OUTSTANDING: Sessions terminates US policy that let legal pot flourish – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-newsbreak-us-to-end-policy-that-let-legal-pot-flourish/901877894

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— OUTSTANDING: Attorney General Rescinds Obama-Era Marijuana Guidelines – RYAN LUCAS
http://nprillinois.org/post/attorney-general-rescinds-obama-era-marijuana-guidelines#stream/0
— Despite Takedown And Legal Threat, Bannon Says He Still Backs Trump – SCOTT DETROW
http://nprillinois.org/post/despite-takedown-and-legal-threat-bannon-says-he-still-backs-trump#stream/0

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives Responds to Rauner Criticism of Congressional Tax Reform “Bruce Rauner is out trying to sell a success as failure, and failure as success. It is little wonder Illinois Republicans can feel they can no longer trust the man they elected in 2014.”
http://mailchi.mp/88d2ae75c1bd/ives-responds-to-rauner-criticism-of-congressional-tax-reform?e=985ad8c00b
— Ives Response to Rauner’s Illinois Veterans Home Stay “This is a cynical and transparent publicity stunt.”
http://mailchi.mp/d8f4da241352/ives-response-to-rauners-illinois-veterans-home-stay?e=985ad8c00b

 

CHICAGO PRESS RELEASE
— Former Top Rauner Attorney’s Facebook Post Raises Eyebrows
http://chicagopressrelease.com/news/former-top-rauner-attorneys-facebook-post-raises-eyebrows

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Democrats, Madigan backing Pritzker to control redistricting, state GOP says – Caitlin Nordahl
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511302009-democrats-madigan-backing-pritzker-to-control-redistricting-state-gop-says
— Pritzker accused of throwing low, middle class under the bus – Caitlin Nordahl
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511296671-pritzker-accused-of-throwing-low-middle-class-under-the-bus

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR: ILLINOIS SEES RECORD LOSS OF PEOPLE TO NEARBY STATES – Austin Berg
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/like-a-good-neighbor-illinois-sees-record-loss-of-people-to-nearby-states/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Is It Okay to Be Angry with Leftists Promoting Transgenderism? – John Biver
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2018/01/is-it-okay-to-be-angry-with-leftists-promoting-transgenderism/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— DEMOCRATS COO OVER RAUNER BLASTING TRUMP’S TAX PLAN AS “PUNISHING” THE MIDDLE CLASS (DIERSEN: What percent of those who prepaid their real estate taxes were Republicans and what percent were Democrats?)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/democrats-coo-over-rauner-blasting-trumps-tax-plan-as-punishing-the-middle-class.html
— IVES BLAMES RAUNER’S POOR LEADERSHIP FOR ILLINOIS’ HIGH TAX MISERIES (DIERSEN: Will the mainstream media ask Rauner, Roskam, and Ives a) if they prepaid their real estate taxes and b) why they did or did not do that?)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/ives-blames-rauners-poor-leadership-for-illinois-high-tax-miseries.html
— THORNER/O’NEIL: ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/thorneroneil-anyone-concerned-about-school-children-being-sexually-harassed.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Roskam, Ives, DCCC, Biss respond *** Rauner calls new Republican tax law “punishing” for Illinois
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/04/rauner-calls-new-republican-tax-law-punishing-for-illinois/

 

FOX NEWS
— JFK’s nephew says Emanuel has plan to force black people out of Chicago – Andrew O’Reilly
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/04/jfks-nephew-says-emanuel-has-plan-to-force-blacks-out-chicago.html

 

GOPUSA
— Some law schools drop the LSAT to increase diversity (DIERSEN: Ever-since the 1960s, to increase diversity, the federal government has lowered its hiring standards and made them more subjective.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36249
— California tax scam coming?
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36397
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Cooper on CNN’s New Year’s Eve pot party coverage: ‘The whole thing surprised me’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36460

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— OUTSTANDING: Is That Marijuana Legal? Attorney General Jeff Sessions Says No. – Jim Geraghty
http://www.nationalreview.com/morning-jolt/455135/marijuana-legal-attorney-general-jeff-sessions-says-no
— OUTRAGEOUS: It’s Time to Decriminalize Marijuana – DAVID FRENCH
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/455147/marijuana-decriminalization-congress-must-act

 

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump’s failed fraud commission: Flawed from the start, dissolved in disgrace.”
http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/367496-trumps-failed-fraud-commission-flawed-from-the-start-dissolved-in

 

NBC NEWS
— Trump: Give me the wall, I’ll give you ‘Dreamers’ – ALI VITALI
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-border-wall-must-be-part-any-daca-deal-n834671

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Everyone in Trumpworld Knows He’s an Idiot.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/opinion/fire-fury-wolff-trump-book.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump’s cease-and-desist letter: A ‘desperate’ attempt to silence Bannon.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/01/04/trumps-cease-and-desist-letter-a-desperate-attempt-to-silence-bannon/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “The Trump potboiler is important, even if you don’t believe a lot of it.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/01/04/the-trump-potboiler-is-important-even-if-you-dont-believe-a-lot-of-it/

 

NEWSWEEK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “TRUMP TEAM’S MANY INSULTS FOR THE PRESIDENT INCLUDED ‘DUMB’ AND A ‘DOPE,’ CLAIMS NEW BOOK.”
http://www.newsweek.com/trump-insults-wolff-fire-fury-insults-priebus-mnuchin-mcmaster-770887
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “TRUMP IS LOSING IT: NEW BOOK SAYS PRESIDENT CAN’T REMEMBER OLD FRIENDS AND BANNON SAW CHANCE OF ‘UNFIT’ DETERMINATION.”
http://www.newsweek.com/trump-cant-remember-faces-friends-and-has-childlike-fits-according-new-book-770518

January 4 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner calls Republican federal tax overhaul ‘punishing’ to Illinois – Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: Did Rauner prepay his real estate taxes? One could argue that those who are being punished by the federal tax overhaul are homeowners, and especially homeowners who pay more than $10,000 a year in real estate tax and state income tax. One could argue that homeowners who are being punished the most are homeowners who took the trouble to prepay their real estate taxes.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-congress-taxes-20180104-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Late last month, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner gave his take on the Republican D.C. tax overhaul, saying he wished it “did more for the middle class” but praising its corporate tax cuts as “more supportive of businesses.” On Wednesday, though, Rauner called the new federal tax law “punishing,” criticizing a $10,000 cap on deducting state and local taxes. “That’s going to hurt a lot of middle-class families and higher income families and it’s going to push more employers out of the state. That’s going to hurt job creation and that’s going to increase the cost of living for the people of Illinois,” Rauner said in an interview with WJOL 1340-AM in Joliet. The governor also repeated his belief that the state and local tax deduction limit could give a boost to his call for freezing property taxes and rolling back a state income tax hike. “It’s punishing in that regard,” Rauner said of the tax limitation. “That’s why it’s so critical that we get the reforms done that I’ve been advocating.” Rauner said in the interview that he was in Joliet on Wednesday, but the governor’s office listed no events on his public schedule. He has not been out in public since the week before Christmas.)
— Slow growth, low patient count, political uncertainty: The state of medical pot in Illinois – Ally Marotti (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-medical-cannabis-new-year-20180107-story.html
— Job market delivered for Trump in 2017, but 2018 may be tougher
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-trump-us-job-market-20180104-story.html
— Why we can’t stop checking Facebook – Vivek Wadhwa
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-facebook-technology-personal-relationships-mental-health-0104-20180103-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Facebook’s recent acknowledgment that social media may be making its users feel bad in some cases is a significant milestone. So far, the technology industry hardly has talked about the downsides of their products. Now a realization seems to be setting in that perhaps something has gone wrong along the way. Academic research that Facebook cited in a corporate blog post in December documented that when people spend a lot of time passively consuming information they feel worse. For example, reading Facebook posts for even 10 minutes can put people in a bad mood, and clicking or liking too many links and posts can have a negative effect on mental health. Some researchers also believe that reading rosy stories about others leads to negative comparisons about one’s life and that being online too much reduces in-person socializing. Social media may well be making many of us unhappy, jealous and anti-social.)

 

DAILY HERALD
— Elgin mayor blasts councilman for spending $6,000 to attend Harvard program – Elena Ferrarin (DIERSEN: I spent lots of my personal time and my personal money taking job-related courses while I worked for the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997. However, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that the courses that I took a) were not job-related, b) did not help me carry out my job duties, c) were taken by me to get a job in the private sector, and d) were a distraction. To keep their jobs and to get promoted, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government focused on getting rid of federal employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180103/elgin-mayor-blasts-councilman-for-spending-6000-to-attend-harvard-program
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The mayor of Elgin blasted a councilman’s decision to attend a program offered by Harvard University that cost the city $6,015. Councilman Rich Dunne took part in June in the program on senior executives in state and local government by the John F. Kennedy School of Government, which cost $5,700 — plus $315 for airfare — according to information obtained by the Daily Herald. Dunne said he took vacation from his job. “Being a former training manager, I believe in it. I believe in career development and executive development,” he said. Mayor David Kaptain said the city should pay for only employees to attend such programs, not council members. Dunne received approval from City Manager Rick Kozal.” I was pretty upset with Rick and the whole thing at the time, but the horse had already left the barn, so to speak,” Kaptain said. Police Chief Jeff Swoboda participated in the program in 2016, and former City Manager Sean Stegall attended when he was assistant city manager in 2008. “It’s a long-term investment (to pay for employees),” Kaptain said. “It’s not to help somebody’s political career.” Dunne’s tuition came at a 55 percent discount because he’d been placed on a waiting list and was offered a spot three days before the start of the program. The city paid $12,400 tuition for Swoboda, who also was paid his regular city salary. Dunne put Kozal “in a bad spot,” Kaptain said, by making a last-minute request and saying Stegall had promised him he could go in 2017. Kozal didn’t respond to a request for comment. Dunne said the mayor never told him he had any objections.)
— Trump’s cease-and-desist letter to Bannon sounds tough. Is it? – Samantha Schmidt (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have wanted me to cease-and-desist from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and failing that, they have wanted me to cease-and-desist a) from including links in the emails to articles that they do not like and b) from including my comments in the emails that they do not like. They blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They blame me for all defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180104/trumps-cease-and-desist-letter-to-bannon-sounds-tough-is-it

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Davis says Trump, Republicans still big in 13th District – Tom Kacich (DIERSEN: How big are Trump and the Republicans in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in your county board district, in your state house district, in your state senate district, in your congressional district, and in Illinois?)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-01-04/davis-says-trump-republicans-still-big-13th-district.html

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— 2 men suspected of breaking into video gaming terminals – AP
http://www.bnd.com/news/state/illinois/article192889444.html

 

SAUK VALLEY
— Seniors should have health care options available at home Guest workers, senior citizens would benefit from proposal – Brian Bartoz Morrison (DIERSEN: My 87-year-old aunt is paying $239 a day to live in an assisted living facility. That is $1,673 a week, $7,403 a month, $87,235 a year, and $872,350 a decade.)
http://www.saukvalley.com/2017/12/18/seniors-should-have-health-care-options-available-at-home/aht1l26/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— The Latest: Trump blasts states resisting vote fraud probe – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/the-latest-trump-blasts-states-resisting-vote-fraud-probe/901809035
— Divided Democrats face liberal backlash on immigration – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/divided-democrats-face-liberal-backlash-on-immigration/901691118

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— As U.S. Retreats From World Stage, China Moves To Fill The Void
http://nprillinois.org/post/journalist-us-retreats-world-stage-china-moves-fill-void#stream/0

 

WBIR
— Trump’s tax cut won’t deliver promised growth. Republicans put politics over permanence. Trump’s ‘get even’ tax cut will fail – Melvyn Krauss
http://www.wbir.com/article/news/nation-now/trumps-tax-cut-wont-deliver-promised-growth-republicans-put-politics-over-permanence/465-b3189891-505b-48f4-99fa-f878af5fe700

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Khouri says despite exodus, it’s not to late to save the state – Angela Underwood
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511306112-khouri-says-despite-exodus-it-s-not-to-late-to-save-the-state

 

WEST COOK NEWS
— Faced with exodus, it’s time to oust the charlatans, Leef says – Glenn Minnis
https://westcooknews.com/stories/511303225-faced-with-exodus-it-s-time-to-oust-the-charlatans-leef-says

 

WEST CENTRAL REPORTER
— Despite exodus from state, Jonas not giving up hope – Glenn Minnis
https://westcentralreporter.com/stories/511304242-despite-exodus-from-state-jonas-not-giving-up-hope

 

METRO EAST SUN
— Jameson fears flight from Illinois could get worse without major policy changes – Glenn Minnis
https://metroeastsun.com/stories/511300716-jameson-fears-flight-from-illinois-could-get-worse-without-major-policy-changes

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Coles County contracting assessment work violates settled law. – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/01/coles-county-contracting-assessment-work-violates-settled-law/


ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Mattoon Township businesses see over 100 percent property tax hike in one year – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/mattoon-township-businesses-see-over-percent-property-tax-hike-in/article_9f6ae1ea-f0bd-11e7-8452-679a5eaeb92f.html
— Repeal of fine for not having health insurance set for 2019 – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/health/repeal-of-fine-for-not-having-health-insurance-set-for/article_70dc98fc-efe9-11e7-9291-23ed57b46f75.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Anger and the Church – Laurie Higgins (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, “religious leaders” act as operatives or as dupes from the Democrat Party.)
https://illinoisfamily.org/faith/anger-and-the-church-2/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: There are some battles in which all Christians and all who are committed to truth are called to engage: all Christians should have opposed slavery; all Christians should have fought for the civil rights of blacks; all Christians are called to oppose abortion; and we are all called to oppose the rancorous, pernicious demands to affirm the pro-homosexuality/pro-“trans” ideologies. In his book Kingdoms in Conflict, Chuck Colson writes about the failure of the church to oppose the extermination of Jews and the government usurpation of control of the church in Nazi Germany. Immediately following the naming of Hitler as Chancellor of Germany, the persecution of the church began in earnest. In response, a resistance movement sprang up headed by Martin Niemoller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Initially, they had the support of the dominant Protestant group, the German Evangelical Church, but as the persecution increased, so did the cowardice and concomitant rationalization of cowardice on the parts of most church leaders. In Germany only a remnant, who came to call themselves the Confessing Church, remained standing courageously in the gap for truth.)

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner says he’s focused on one… wait… two statewide campaigns
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/04/rauner-says-hes-focused-on-one-wait-two-statewide-campaigns/

 

BREITBART
— Kris Kobach: ‘Amnesties Are Always Bad Policy’; ‘Knife in the Back of Trump’s Base’ – ROBERT KRAYCHIK
http://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2018/01/03/kris-kobach-amnesty-always-bad-policy/
— Kris Kobach: DACA Amnesty Will ‘Cause Surge in Illegal Immigration,’ Trump Must ‘Demand E-Verify’ – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2018/01/03/kris-kobach-daca-amnesty-will-cause-surge-illegal-immigration-trump-must-demand-e-verify/
— Nine Reasons Why Democrats’ DACA Amnesty ‘Deadline’ Does Not Exist – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2018/01/03/nine-reasons-why-democrats-daca-deadline-does-not-exist/

 

WEEKLY STANDARD
— What Should Trump Read? – ADAM RUBENSTEIN (DIERSEN: To keep up to date with government and political news and commentary in Illinois, I suggest that Trump read GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
http://www.weeklystandard.com/christina-hoff-sommers-what-should-trump-read/article/2011006

 

THE HILL
— The Memo: Bannon firestorm consumes Washington – NIALL STANAGE
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/367335-the-memo-bannon-firestorm-consumes-washington

 

POLITICO
— ‘It’s a giant present to the tax lobbying community’ K Street lobbyists are banking on years of paydays from the tax overhaul. – THEODORIC MEYER
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/02/tax-overhaul-paydays-for-k-street-261668

 

CNN
— OUTSTANDING: Sessions to rescind Obama-era rules on non-interference with states where pot is legal – Laura Jarrett
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/politics/jeff-sessions-cole-memo/index.html
— Trump’s many staff breakups (and some reconciliations), ranked – Greg Krieg (DIERSEN: In 1971, when I was 22 years old, when I gave him my 2-week notice, my Firestone Stores boss rudely fired me. But then Oldsmobile withdrew it job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. That directly resulted in my accepting a job offer from IRS. Then, my Firestone Stores boss offered me a part-time job which I accepted and held until the end of 1972.)
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/politics/donald-trump-steve-bannon-break-ups/index.html

 

ABC NEWS
— Trump attorney sends Bannon cease and desist letter over ‘disparaging’ comments – JOHN SANTUCCI (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have wanted me to cease-and-desist from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and failing that, they have wanted me to cease-and-desist a) from including links in the emails to articles that they do not like and b) from including my comments in the emails that they do not like. They blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They blame me for all defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-attorney-sends-bannon-cease-desist-letter-disparaging/story

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— OUTSTANDING: Trump Administration to Move to Weaken Marijuana Legalization Movement – Charlie Savage and Jack Healy
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/us/politics/marijuana-legalization-justice-department-prosecutions.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Challenges in Federal Tax Bill Color Cuomo’s Agenda for 2018 – Jesse McKinley and Vivian Wang
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/nyregion/albany-cuomo-state-of-the-state.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In his 90-minute State of the State speech, Mr. Cuomo said the state would challenge the new Republican-led federal tax plan in court — earning a standing ovation from the crowd — and asked the Legislature to restructure the state’s tax code by adding a statewide payroll tax and to counter the effects of the so-called carried interest loophole. The governor’s office suggested that it was reviewing eliminating the state income tax, whose deductibility was capped by the new federal tax bill, likely in favor of a payroll tax, which is deductible, an idea also being floated in other states. Precise details on the plan were scant, and such a plan would face an uphill battle, with Republicans generally opposing new taxes and some conservative economists already voicing concerns on Wednesday.)

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump lawyer seeks to block insider book on White House Trump says Bannon ‘not only lost his job, he lost his mind’ as president’s lawyers send cease-and-desist letter – Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have wanted me to cease-and-desist from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and failing that, they have wanted me to cease-and-desist a) from including links in the emails to articles that they do not like and b) from including my comments in the emails that they do not like. They blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They blame me for all defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-slams-bannon-when-he-was-fired-he-not-only-lost-his-job-he-lost-his-mind/2018/01/03/21fb158a-f0aa-11e7-b3bf-ab90a706e175_story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Late Wednesday, lawyers for Trump sent a cease-and-desist letter to Bannon, arguing he violated the employment agreement he signed with the Trump Organization in numerous ways and also likely defamed the president. They ordered that he stop communicating either confidential and or disparaging information, and preserve all records in preparation for “imminent” legal action.)

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Hey, Bargain-Hunters: An M.B.A. Is Cheaper Than You Think Top business schools are setting aside millions in scholarships and financial aid to lure young professionals – Kelsey Gee (DIERSEN: When I started working for IRS in 1971 as a GS-7 (currently $45,703/year) Revenue Officer, IRS encouraged its Revenue Officers to take graduate business, accounting, and law courses. In 1972, I started taking graduate business courses at Loyola and I earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976. However, my Democrat IRS superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates hinted/implied/argued/shouted that the courses 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. In 1978, they and Money Magazine disallowed all the tuition and books that I had paid and deducted for those graduate business courses. However, I took IRS to the Tax Court, and the Tax Court ruled in my favor.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/hey-bargain-hunters-an-m-b-a-is-cheaper-than-you-think-1514988000

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Refugee admissions to U.S. plummet in 2017 – Alan Gomez (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps shout at refugees that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/01/03/refugee-admissions-u-s-plummet-2017/999903001/
— Warren Buffett in ‘Time’: U.S. kids will live better than parents, he writes in Gates edited issue – Paul Davidson
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/01/04/buffett-time-u-s-kids-live-better-than-parents-he-writes-gates-edited-issue/1001218001/
— World War II vet, 93, sworn in as New Jersey mayor – Katie Park (DIERSEN: How old are you? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always promoted age discrimination. They stress that the federal government gets rid of its non-veteran White male employees who do not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. They stress that I did not make GS-13 until I was 38 and that I never made GS-14, GS-15, or SES. They stress a) that 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, got rid of my mentor in 1987, 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) that my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) that my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/03/world-war-ii-vet-93-nj-mayor/999781001/

 

NEWSWEEK
— TRUMP’S THREAT OF LAWSUIT AGAINST BANNON IS ‘STUPID’ AND COULD HURT THE PRESIDENT, SAYS LAWYER – GRAHAM LANKTREE (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have wanted me to cease-and-desist from sending out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, and failing that, they have wanted me to cease-and-desist a) from including links in the emails to articles that they do not like and b) from including my comments in the emails that they do not like. They blame me for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They blame me for all defeats that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
http://www.newsweek.com/trumps-threat-lawsuit-against-bannon-stupid-and-could-hurt-president-says-770251

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Recent court decision reminds agencies they can put indicted employees on indefinite suspension – Nicole Ogrysko (DIERSEN: Constructively, even though they never indicted me for anything, my Democrat GAO superiors have had me on “indefinite suspension” since 1997.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/workforce-rightsgovernance/2018/01/recent-court-decision-reminds-agencies-they-can-put-indicted-employees-on-indefinite-suspension/

January 3 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Trump unloads on ex-strategist Steve Bannon: ‘He lost his mind’ – CNN
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-unloads-on-ex-strategist-steve-bannon-he-lost-his-mind/2856363/

 

NBC5
— Hastert Accuser Seeks to Reinstate Case – Phil Rogers
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/dennis-hastert-accuser-seeks-to-reinstate-case-467744683.html
— Doug Jones Becomes Only Democratic Senator With a Black Chief of Staff Dana Gresham served for eight years as assistant secretary for governmental affairs at the Department of Transportation during the Obama administration – Liz Lane
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Doug-Jones-Chief-of-Staff-Dana-Gresham-Senate-Democrats-467880803.html

 

WGN TV
— Chris Kennedy accuses Emanuel of plan to force out black Chicagoans – TAHMAN BRADLEY
http://wgntv.com/2018/01/03/chris-kennedy-accuses-emanuel-of-plan-to-force-out-black-chicagoans/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Kennedy accuses Emanuel of ‘strategic gentrification plan’ to force blacks out of Chicago – Rick Pearson (DIERSEN: One could argue that Emanuel wants to force more than just Blacks out of Chicago. Emanuel talks and acts like he wants to force out of Chicago 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.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-chris-kennedy-rahm-emanuel-black-voters-20180103-story.html
— Trump slams Bannon: ‘When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind’ – Alex Wayne, Jennifer Jacobs
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-steve-bannon-book-treasonous-20180103-story.html
— Bonus or no, don’t get your hopes up for a raise – Rebecca Greenfield (DIERSEN: What raises have you gotten? My salary increased every year that I worked for the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997 because of COLAs, step increases, and/or promotions except 1980 when I took a $19,203 (26%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-employee-raises-20180103-story.html
— Will County plans to demolish old courthouse – Susan DeMar Lafferty
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-will-demo-courthouse-st-0103-20180102-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Pot promoters promote pot. If you promote pot, you promote destruction.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/reed/ct-biz-pot-legalization-illinois-robert-reed-1418-story.html
— 2017 was bad, but 2018 could be much worse – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-trump-war-recession-20180103-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Trump doesn’t have some master plan. He’s just angry and impulsive.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-trump-tweets-angry-impulsive-20180103-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Kennedy contends Rahm behind plan to push blacks out of city – Mark Brown
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chris-kennedy-accuses-rahm-emanuel-pushing-people-color-out-chicago/
— Army vet’s fight to avoid deportation lands in federal appeals court – Ashlee Rezin
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/army-vets-fight-to-avoid-deportation-lands-in-federal-appeals-court/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Her son served two tours in Afghanistan, but now faces deportation for a drug conviction. . .He had spent seven years behind bars for delivering cocaine. His family and supporters blame the error in judgement on head injuries and PTSD resulting from his time in the military that went untreated until Perez Jr. finally received medical attention behind bars.)
— Trump sinks to a new low in 2018, and the world shudders – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/trump-north-korea-nuclear-button-sinks-to-a-new-low-in-2018-and-the-world-shudders/
— Garry McCarthy inches closer to challenging Rahm Emanuel – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/garry-mccarthy-inches-closer-to-challenging-rahm-emanuel/
— Sessions sends Illinois four more federal prosecutors to focus on violent crime – Matthew Hendrickson
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sessions-sends-illinois-four-more-federal-prosecutors-to-focus-on-violent-crime/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Trump: Bannon ‘lost his mind’ after leaving White House – Bloombrerg
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180103/trump-bannon-lost-his-mind-after-leaving-white-house
— College of DuPage helps students navigate toward success – Ann Rondeau
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20180103/college-of-dupage-helps-students-navigate-toward-success

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Taxpayers give $36M to scholarships on 1st day of new credit – AP (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180103/taxpayers-give-36m-to-scholarships-on-1st-day-of-new-credit

 

GALESBURG REGISTER MAIL
— Right wing targets Medicare, Social Security – Bill Knight (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are furious that I have gotten Medicare since 2013 and Social Security since 2010. Medicare costs me $1,308 a year. My $2,064/year Social Security is dramatically reduced because I get a Civil Service Retirement System pension.)
http://www.galesburg.com/opinion/20180103/bill-knight-right-wing-targets-medicare-social-security

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Police seek suspects in string of gambling machine burglaries; company offers reward – DANA RIECK
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article192782539.html

 

WGLT
— Davis Defends Trump’s ‘Strong Stance’ in North Korea Nuclear Button Tweet – RYAN DENHAM
http://wglt.org/post/davis-defends-trumps-strong-stance-north-korea-nuclear-button-tweet#stream/0

 

WNNS
— Rauner Vows to Roll Back “Madigan Tax Hike”
http://www.wnns.com/2018/01/03/rauner-vows-to-roll-back-madigan-tax-hike/

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives Responds To California Becoming A Sanctuary State
http://mailchi.mp/f246a4c57a0b/ives-responds-to-california-becoming-a-sanctuary-state?e=985ad8c00b

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Balich sees high taxes as fueling exodus from ‘broke state’ – Angela Underwood
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511306950-balich-sees-high-taxes-as-fueling-exodus-from-broke-state

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives pledges to repeal “extreme and dangerous” Trust Act
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/ives-pledges-to-repeal-extreme-and-dangerous-trust-act/
— Mayor Emanuel, CPD Supt. Johnson respond *** Kennedy claims a “strategic gentrification plan” is deliberately forcing people of color to leave Chicago
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/kennedy-claims-a-strategic-gentrification-plan-is-deliberately-forcing-people-of-color-to-leave-chicago/
— Rauner makes some budget promises
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/rauner-makes-some-budget-promises/
— Rauner foundation donates $100K to Cairo Port project, but lots more needed
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/rauner-foundation-donates-100k-to-cairo-port-project-but-lots-more-needed/
— Pressed on anti-violence specifics, Kennedy says banning legislators from property tax appeals work is his top issue
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/03/pressed-on-anti-violence-specifics-kennedy-says-banning-legislators-from-property-tax-appeals-work-is-his-top-issue/

 

BLAZE
— Pennsylvania State Police urge gun owners to give up firearms to get medical marijuana – Sarah Taylor (DIERSEN: Further, to buy pot, you should be required to give up your driver’s license.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/03/pennsylvania-state-police-urge-gun-owners-to-give-up-firearms-to-get-medical-marijuana

 

HOT AIR
— “Morale Has Never Been Lower”: Federal Gov’t Employment Declines In First Trump Year – ED MORRISSEY (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, a) virtually all my superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were Democrats and b) whenever Republican politicians did something harmful to federal employees, they took their anger out on me.)
https://hotair.com/archives/2018/01/02/morale-never-lower-federal-govt-employment-declines-first-trump-year/

 

FOX NEWS INSIDER
— ‘Essentially Un-American’: Varney Calls Out Bloated Salaries of Federal Gov’t Employees – Stuart Varney (DIERSEN: Varney should acknowledge that many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because the pay and benefits are terrible, b) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, c) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, d) because they cannot pass an employment examination, e) because they cannot pass a background investigation, f) because they cannot pass a physical examination, g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a federal employee or federal retiree, and/or h) because they are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran and they know that the federal government discriminates against the aforesaid. I doubt that Varney or anyone who agrees with him would ever stoop to take a job with the federal government.)
http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/01/03/stuart-varney-report-federal-employee-pay-reveals-essentially-un-american-bureaucracy

 

GOPUSA
— Felons welcome! Fake road signs mock California’s new status as ‘sanctuary state’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36358
— Hillary donors paid $700K in hunt for Trump accusers
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36301
— Trump to announce awards for worst ‘fake news’ journalism (DIERSEN: It would be great if my critics/opponents would a) get together, b) review each of the almost 290,400 articles that I have included links to in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails since 2004, c) identify all those articles that they disapprove of and explain in detail why they disapprove of each of them, d) identify all my comments in those emails that they disapprove of and explain in detail why they disapprove of each of them, and e) provide me with the aforesaid information in writing so that I could respond to it. In addition, it would be great if my critics/opponents would provide me with a written list of all those who are on their blacklists so that I could respond to that.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36361
— Renters Win in Tax Law; Dems Lie About It (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36307
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Renters came out winners under the new tax law. For over a century, the federal tax code catered to homeowners and treated renters like second-class citizens. Homeowners have been able to deduct interest on their mortgages and home equity loans, as well as property taxes. Meanwhile, everyone, including renters, footed the bill for these deductions by paying higher rates. The new tax law at last begins leveling the playing field between renters and homeowners. Millions of New Yorkers and Californians reap the benefits, because these states have among the lowest rates of homeownership in the nation, and renting is common. So ignore the hyperventilating from Democratic politicians that tax reform is a gift to the rich. New York Senator Chuck Schumer condemns the new tax law as “a gut shot to the middle class” while “rewarding the wealthiest among us.” Just the opposite is true. Tax reform benefits renters living in urban areas — a key Democratic constituency. Democrats are usually eager to slap taxes on millionaires. But today, they’re defending deductions that benefit only the wealthiest homeowners in the country’s most expensive East and West Coast enclaves. Places like Westchester County, New York, and Marin County, California. Under the new tax law, everyone — renters and homeowners alike — will have their tax rates cut and their standard deduction almost doubled. Most will end up paying less tax. To cover the cost of these cuts, the law caps the mortgage deduction for buyers of the priciest real estate. Few homebuyers will even notice it, because they’re not borrowing $750,000 or more. Last year, only 4 percent of homebuyers borrowed that much, and only about 100,000 buyers will take out such huge mortgages in 2018. It’s true that the cap will likely hit the wallets of the bicoastal elite. Some 64 percent of buyers in Manhattan’s rarefied real estate market took out a mortgage that big, and 58 percent of San Francisco buyers did. But the tax change certainly won’t hurt middle class first-time homebuyers. On average, they buy homes with a median price of $182,500. In the past, the tax code encouraged wealthy homeowners to buy even bigger homes and borrow more. Great for the wealthy and the banks. No much help for the average Joe. Homeownership isn’t any higher than in the late 1960s — with only 64 percent of households owning their own home. For minorities, the goal is even farther out of reach, with only 46 percent of black families and Hispanic families owning their home. So disregard the partisan claim that lowering the cap on the mortgage interest deduction is going to hurt the middle class. The other major deduction for homeowners has been property taxes. The new law puts a $10,000 lid on deducting all state and local taxes combined, whether income, sales, or property taxes. Homeowners in most of the nation don’t have much to worry about. Hardest hit are a few tony counties with multimillion dollar homes like Westchester County, New York, where the average property tax tab is a whopping $15,000. For that, the streets should be paved with gold. But only one-fifth of New York property owners pay over $10,000 and about 30 percent of New Jersey homeowners do. Schumer rants against the new tax law, claiming it hurts “middle-class and working families.” Baloney. Tax reform makes the tax code more progressive, not less. It imposes added costs on the wealthiest homeowners to fund across-the-board tax breaks for all filers. Including renters. Homeowners still have the option of taking deductions for most mortgage interest and property taxes, but almost all will crunch the numbers and find it pays to take the nearly doubled standard deduction instead. Only 5 percent of filers are expected to itemize. California’s Jerry Brown calls the tax law “evil in the extreme.” That’s demagoguery. Most taxpayers will end up with more money in their wallets. Betsy McCaughey is a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research and a former lieutenant governor of New York State.)

 

DAILY SIGNAL
— The ‘Dreamers’ Have No Right to Demand Anything – Peter Parisi
http://dailysignal.com/2018/01/03/why-dreamers-have-no-right-to-demand-anything/

 

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— Not-So-Beautiful Dreamers: The Reality Behind the Media Airbrushing – Hans A. von Spakovsky
http://www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/not-so-beautiful-dreamers-the-reality-behind-the-media-airbrushing

 

THE HILL
— Labor Department eyes drug test rule for unemployment pay – LYDIA WHEELER
http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/367154-labor-department-eyes-drug-test-rule-for-unemployment-pay
— In the long run, low-wage workers lose out in ‘Fight for $15’ – JACK SALMON
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/367111-in-the-long-run-low-wage-workers-lose-out-in-fight-for-15

 

POLITICO
— Trump disbands voter fraud commission
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/03/trump-disbands-voter-fraud-commission-322621

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Cuomo says New York will sue over GOP tax law – Jeff Stein (DIERSEN: Will all those across America who prepaid their real estate taxes have the opportunity to be parties in class action lawsuits?)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/01/03/cuomo-says-new-york-will-sue-over-gop-tax-law/?utm_term=.83aff040f025
(FROM THE ARTICLES: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that New York state will sue the federal government over the new Republican tax law, but legal experts are skeptical the lawsuit will hold up in court. Cuomo said New York will challenge a provision of the law that limits how much Americans can deduct from their federal taxes for payments made to state and local governments. Many of the people most affected by that provision live in states run by Democrats, which tend to have higher state and local tax rates. Cuomo, widely seen as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, said the provision is “violative of states’ rights and the principle of equal protection.”)
— Trump portrayed as uninformed, unprepared and lacking focus in unflattering new book – John Wagner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-portrayed-as-uninformed-unprepared-and-lacking-focus-in-unflattering-new-book/2018/01/03/f63895f8-f0bd-11e7-b390-a36dc3fa2842_story.html
— Trump abolishes controversial commission studying voter fraud – John Wagner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-abolishes-controversial-commission-studying-voter-fraud/2018/01/03/665b1878-f0e2-11e7-b3bf-ab90a706e175_story.html

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— Why Steve Bannon’s revolt may only wind up strengthening establishment Republicans – NOAH ROTHMAN
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/bannon-revolt-wind-strengthening-establishment-article-1.3735860

 

FED WEEK
— Mileage Rates Increase Slightly (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes remain furious that the Post Office paid me millage when I a) used my 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint to deliver mail during 1966 and 1967, b) used my 1968 Oldsmobile 442 to deliver mail in 1968, and used my 1969 Dodge Charger SE to deliver mail in 1969. Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes remain furious that IRS paid me mileage when I used my 1962 Chevy BelAir to collect delinquent taxes 1971-1978.)
http://www.fedweek.com/federal-managers-daily-report/mileage-rates-increase-slightly/

(FROM THE ARTICLE: GSA has announced the calendar year 2018 mileage reimbursement rates for federal employees using personal vehicles while on official business and as authorized by the agency. The new rates are: for the use of a privately owned automobile, 54.5 cents per mile if no government-owned vehicle is available and 18 cents per mile if one is available; for a motorcycle, 51.5 cents per mile; for a privately owned airplane, $1.21 per mile. The so-called “POV” rate, the most closely watched, mirrors a recent increase by the IRS in a comparable rate used for certain tax deduction purposes. The GSA typically mirrors the IRS regarding that rate in setting the federal employee rate, although it is not required to.)

January 2 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: California rolls its own recreational pot sales out for 2018 – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-bc-us–california-marijuana-open-for-business-20180102-story.html
— Stories to watch in Chicago and Illinois politics in 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-chicago-politics-look-ahead-2018-20171221-story.html
— Paying for pricey continuing care – Patricia Mertz Esswein and Eileen Ambrose (DIERSEN: My 87-year-old aunt is paying $239 a day to live in an assisted living facility. That is $1,673 a week, $7,403 a month, $87,235 a year, and $872,350 a decade.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/success/kiplinger/tca-paying-for-pricey-continuing-care-20171227-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: California rolls its own recreational pot sales out for 2018 – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180102/news/301029979/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats promote Democrats.
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180102/democrats-vying-to-oppose-roskam-give-views-on-health-care

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— The next step in tax reform is tax repair – NOAH SMITH (DIERSEN: Hopefully, the Republicans will remove the $10,000 limit on real estate and state income tax deductions.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171229/OPINION/171229916
— Downtown growth leads Chicago to highest job peak in decades – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: I worked in downtown Chicago in 1971 and then 1973-1997. I lived in downtown Chicago weekdays 1974-1976 and then full-time 1976-1978. I took courses in downtown Chicago 1966-1968, 1971-1983, and 1992-1997.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180102/BLOGS02/180109998

 

WBEZ
— Illinois Tax Credits For Private Schools Expected To Be Claimed In Days – Linda Lutton (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.)
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/illinois-tax-credits-for-private-schools-expected-to-be-claimed-in-days/b329d4c6-0fc0-4e37-8d2d-099f8467553a

 

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats want more money to register Democrats to vote.
http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=257784

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Illinois taxpayers expected to snap up credits for scholarships – Pam Adams (DIERSEN: My outstanding parents saved Crete-Monee School District 201-U (http://www.cm201u.org/) lots of money during the 1950s and 1960s by sending my brother and me to Trinity Lutheran Grade School in Crete and then to Hope Lutheran Grade School in Park Forest to stay with the Missouri Synod.)
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171231/illinois-taxpayers-expected-to-snap-up-credits-for-scholarships

 

WAND
— Medicaid overhaul adds clients, bumps up cost
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37171533/medicaid-overhaul-adds-clients-bumps-up-cost

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— RAUNER TO SPEAK — The Lincoln Forum, which launched late last year as something of a foil to the City Club of Chicago, has booked Gov. Bruce Rauner as its first speaker of 2018. The event is at 5:30 p.m. January 22 in the Chicago Athletic Association’s historic Madison Ballroom, 12 S. Michigan Ave. Unless we’re mistaken, Rauner hasn’t spoken at the City Club, though Illinois First Lady Diana Rauner has. The Lincoln Forum was started in part by longtime Rauner ally Pat Brady. More details here: www.LincolnForum.org (DIERSEN: Of course, Pat Brady and all my other critics/opponents are overjoyed that TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois is dead.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/01/02/sizing-up-governor-candidates-fundraising-234247
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Natasha Korecki says “Happy New Year, Illinois! Great to be back after completely unplugging for two weeks.” Your GOPUSA Illinois Editor has never been completely unplugged, does not want to be completely unplugged, and will never be completely unplugging. GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails go out each and every morning and each and every evening.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/01/02/sizing-up-governor-candidates-fundraising-234247

 

DAILY CALLER
— Never Trumpers Check Their White Privilege – Scott Greer (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, the more that you are viciously demonized, viciously denigrated, and viciously condemned: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/01/never-trumpers-check-their-white-privilege/

 

FREE BEACON
— Trump Admin Throws Weight Behind Union Challenge Brief argues that government unions are inherently political – Bill McMorris (DIERSEN: GAO did not unionize until 2007. If GAO had been unionized in 1997, I might still be a GAO employee.)
http://freebeacon.com/issues/trump-admin-throws-weight-behind-union-challenge/

 

PUBLIUS FORUM
— Donald Trump Has Trimmed Thousands of Government Workers, But So Far it is Tens of Thousands Too Few – Warner Todd Huston (DIERSEN: Do you want all federal employees to be Democrats, minorities, females, and/or veterans? Jobs should not be trimmed at all agencies, for example, jobs should not be trimmed at GAO. Democrats run the federal government. When they trim jobs, they get rid of employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. Soon, all federal employees will be Democrats, minorities, females, and/or veterans.)
http://www.publiusforum.com/2018/01/01/donald-trump-trimmed-thousands-government-workers-far-tens-thousands/

 

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

 

CBN NEWS
— 5 Tips For Making Financial Resolutions For The New Year
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/finance/2018/january/5-tips-for-making-financial-resolutions-for-the-new-year

 

THE HILL
— Financial New Year’s resolutions that will pay off – JOHN PELLETIER
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/366820-financial-new-years-resolutions-that-will-pay-off

 

CBS NEWS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Recreational marijuana sales begin in California
https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/recreational-marijuana-sales-begin-in-california/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Recreational Pot Is Officially Legal in California – Thomas Fuller
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/us/legal-pot-california.html
— The Retreat to Tribalism – David Brooks (DIERSEN: Democrats used to promote integration, but now they promote segregation.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/opinion/the-retreat-to-tribalism.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR GRAPHIC: Caterpillar Clashes With IRS – Andrew Tangel and Michael Rapoport
http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2018/01/02/caterpillar-clashes-with-irs-wsj-2.html

 

USA TODAY
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot sales now legal in California – Colin Atagi
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2018/01/01/legal-california-pot/994263001/

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— Paying yourself first pays off – Mike Causey
https://federalnewsradio.com/mike-causey-federal-report/2018/01/paying-yourself-first-pays-off/

 

FINANCIAL EXPRESS
— Top 10 New Year resolutions for 2018 that will put your financial house in order – Sanjeev Sinha
http://www.financialexpress.com/money/top-10-new-year-resolutions-for-2018-that-will-put-your-financial-house-in-order/997103/

 

REALTOR
— What Is ‘House Poor’? What It Means, and Whether You’re at Risk – Daniel Bortz
https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/what-is-house-poor/

 

MILLENNIUM POST
— INDIA: Driving out underemployment – Nantoo Banerjee (DIERSEN: Are/were you underemployed? While I worked for the federal government 1966-1969 and 1971-1997, I became increasingly underemployed. 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. If I had been a Democrat, minority, or female, the federal government would not have underemployed me.)
http://www.millenniumpost.in/opinion/driving-out-underemployment-277638

January 1 Evening Edition

ABC7
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: California pot shops ring in 2018, ring up first legal sales – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/california-pot-shops-ring-in-2018-ring-up-first-legal-sales/2848154/

 

NBC5
— Hastert Case Returns to Court Tuesday – Phil Rogers (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, if you have ever done anything that subjects you to blackmail, you should not seek or hold any kind of government or political office.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Hastert-Case-Returns-to-Court-Tuesday-467535533.html
— 2018 Brings Governor’s Race, Other Big Contests in Illinois – Sara Burnett
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/2018-Brings-Governors-Race-Other-Big-Contests-in-Illinois-467558543.html

 

CBS2
— Trump Rings In New Year At Mar A Lago Before the clock struck midnight, the President spoke with the press about his expectations for 2018. CBS 2’s Diane King Hall reports.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/category/spoken-word-wbbmtv/3785563-trump-rings-in-new-year-at-mar-a-lago/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: A ‘monumental moment’ for fully legal marijuana in California – Patrick McGreevy
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-california-legal-marijuana-20180101-story.html
— Keeping stoners from driving cars – John O’Halloran, DeKalb
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-keep-pot-heads-off-road-legalize-marijuana-20171228-story.html
(FROM THE LETTER: As a commercial driver, I don’t want to share the road with pot heads. But I do support legalization of marijuana in Illinois. The state legislature should pass a law that says a citizen who chooses to purchase marijuana may be issued a special drug-use license, but will first have to surrender their driver’s license. You can use drugs. Or you can drive. But you can’t do both safely.)

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— How to make regular folks’ $50 donations count in elections – Editorial (DIERSEN: Should I write a book about “Republican” candidates who hint/imply/argue/shout that unless I give them lots of money, a) they do not want me to know about their fundraisers, b) they do not want me to promote their fundraisers, c) they do not want me to attend their fundraisers, and d) they do not want me to report on their fundraisers? They hint/imply/argue/shout that I fraudulently claim to be a member of the news media to get information to intentionally/unintentionally use to harm them. They blame me for their problems. They blame me for your problems. They blame me for my problems. They blame me for everyone’s problems. They blame me for all the losses that Republicans have suffered in Illinois since 2000.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-how-to-make-average-voters-50-donation-count/
— Remember, rekindle the spirit of Emancipation Proclamation – Jesse Jackson (DIERSEN: When did your ancestors immigrate to America? What do you say to those who hint/imply/argue/shout that if you are an old White male Republican, the longer that your ancestors have been in America, a) the more that you have benefited from their discrimination against minorities and against women and b) the more that you should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion?)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/jackson-remember-rekindle-the-spirit-of-emancipation-proclamation/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Armed with new data, officials target ‘drug-dealing’ doctors – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180101/news/301019948/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— 2018 Brings Governor’s Race, Other Big Contests in Illinois The new year will be one of big decisions in Illinois. – SARA BURNETT
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180101/2018-brings-governors-race-other-big-contests-in-illinois
(FROM THE ARTICLE: All statewide offices will be on the ballot on Nov. 8, but no contest will be as fevered — or costly — as the governor’s race. Democratic candidates including billionaire J.B. Pritzker, wealthy businessman Chris Kennedy and state Sen. Daniel Biss are seeking their party’s nomination in the March 20 primary, when Rauner also faces a GOP primary challenge from conservative state Rep. Jeanne Ives. Already, the candidates are raising and spending money at a pace that could make this the most expensive governor’s race in U.S. history. Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s unexpected announcement that she won’t seek a fifth term created a crowded Democratic primary for that office. Some congressional races also will be closely watched. Several Democrats are vying for the seat held by U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Chicago, who’s retiring. And Republican Congressman Peter Roskam will try to hold his seat representing suburban Chicago, a district Democrats are eyeing as one of the party’s best chances to gain a seat in the U.S. House after voters there supported Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016.)
— Police seize $5 million in pot at Morgan Co. truck stop (DIERSEN: If the Democrats legalize pot for recreational use in Illinois, what percent of those in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois will become stoners, that is, what percent will become wards of the state?)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180101/police-seize-5-million-in-pot-at-morgan-co-truck-stop

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Legal Recreational Marijuana Sales Begin In California
http://nprillinois.org/post/legal-recreational-marijuana-sales-begin-california#stream/0

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Californians line up to legally buy recreational pot Seen as another milestone of mainstreaming weed – THERESA WALDROP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/business/californians-line-up-to-legally-buy-recreational-pot/895012072

 

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Help make your Government accountable in 2018! – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2018/01/help-make-your-government-accountable-in-2018/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— INCUMBENTS FACE PRIMARY CHALLENGES IN ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/incumbents-face-primary-challenges-in-illinois-congressional-districts.html
— THORNER & INGOLD: DAY OF RECKONING FOR GOP TAX BILL NAYSAYERS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/thorner-ingold-day-of-reckoning-for-gop-tax-bill-naysayers.html
— PETITION SIGNATURE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO 16TH CD GOP CANDIDATE WITHDRAWING
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/marter-investigation-into-petition-signatures-leads-to-16th-cd-candidate-withdrawing.html
— CHICAGO 2017 MURDERS AVERAGED 2 A DAY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/chicago-2017-murders-averaged-2-a-day.html
— DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE MAKES ILLINOIS FIRST IN BANNING LIVE ELEPHANT SHOWS (DIERSEN: The elephant is the symbol of the Republican Party. In 2007, I had the honor of raising $2,000 from DuPage Republicans on short notice to sponsor an elephant that walked behind Congressman Peter Roskam in Wheaton’s Independence Day parade. Outstandingly, Roger Claar contributed $500 of that $2,000. SEE: http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2007/07/photos-from-the.html)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/democrat-controlled-legislature-makes-illinois-first-in-banning-live-elephant-shows.html

 

NEWSMAX
— Blue States Look to Blunt Tax Law by Legal Challenges – Jeff Rodack (DIERSEN: Did you prepay your real estate taxes? Will the Democrats try to get all those who prepaid their real estate taxes to join in a class action lawsuit against the Republicans? What percent of those who prepaid their real estate taxes are Democrats and what percent are Republicans?)
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/blue-states-california-new-york-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act/2018/01/01/id/834551/

 

GOPUSA
— Obama worried about rollback of his so-called ‘legacy’ (DIERSEN: Obama condemned my 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX V-8 as being a clunker. SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_Allowance_Rebate_System Will Trump pardon my 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX V-8? It gets 24 MPG on the highway.)
http://www.gopusa.com/obama-worried-about-rollback-of-his-so-called-legacy/
— Bloody Chicago: It took 2 hours to record city’s first homicide of 2018
http://www.gopusa.com/bloody-chicago-it-took-2-hours-to-record-citys-first-homicide-of-2018/
— Chain migration concerns grow as millions enter US with legal status
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36066
— Fighting for religious liberty proving costly for average Americans (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are members of the following groups force individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries to promote LGBTQ activity: 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.gopusa.com/?p=36153

 

FOX NEWS
— Hillary Clinton backer paid $500G to fund women accusing Trump of sexual misconduct before Election Day, report says – Robert Gearty
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/31/hillary-clinton-backer-paid-500g-to-fund-women-accusing-trump-sexual-misconduct-before-election-day-report-says.html

 

BREITBART
— California Ushers in 2018 with Ammunition Control – AWR HAWKINS
http://www.breitbart.com/california/2018/01/01/california-ushers-2018-ammunition-control/
— Weak 17: A Frozen Wasteland of Empty Seats on the Final Week of the NFL Year – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2017/12/31/weak-17-frozen-wasteland-empty-seats-final-week-nfl-year/

 

BLAZE
— Republicans and Democrats open 2018 by arguing over how much to grow the size of government – Leon Wolf
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/01/republicans-and-democrats-open-2018-by-arguing-over-how-much-to-grow-the-size-of-government

 

DAILY CALLER
— Trump Really Is Draining The Swamp – ROBERT DONACHIE (DIERSEN: One could say that Trump supporters promote hatred of past, present, and future federal employees. How should past, present, and future federal employees react to that?)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/31/trump-really-is-draining-the-swamp/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The federal workforce grew sizably under both former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, ballooning from roughly 1.8 million employees in 2000 to 2.14 million at the height of Obama’s presidency. Trump’s administration is moving at a historically slow pace in filling political positions at federal agencies, whether it be part of his “draining the swamp” promise or a slow movement on the part of the Senate is unclear. The Senate has only confirmed 240 of the over 600 political appointments that are supposed to help carry out the administration’s agenda.)

 

THE HILL
— Most key federal agencies have cut staff under Trump: report – JULIA MANCHESTER (DIERSEN: Democrats run the federal government. They use budget cuts to get rid of their employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/366925-most-key-federal-agencies-have-cut-staff-under-trump-report

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Winners and losers from 2017, the year in politics – Aaron Blake (DIERSEN: One could argue that those who have itemized their deductions are losers, and especially those who pay lots of mortgage interest, real estate taxes, state income taxes, medical and dental expenses, 501(c)(3) contributions, and/or job-related education.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/01/01/winners-and-losers-from-2017-the-year-in-politics/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Congress’s Gift to Blue-State Taxpayers Limiting the SALT deduction will enforce fiscal discipline. – Alfredo Ortiz (DIERSEN: Those who dominate Illinois talk and/or act like they want to drive out of Illinois those who itemize their deductions. Most commonly, those who itemize their deductions spend lots of money on mortgage interest, real estate tax, state income tax, medical and dental expenses, contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations, and/or job-related education.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/congresss-gift-to-blue-state-taxpayers-1514823290
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The great American migration out of high-tax states like New York and Illinois may be about to accelerate. The tax reform enacted last month caps the deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT, at $10,000. This means millions of people will finally feel the full tax burden imposed by state and local politicians. When the SALT shield shrinks, so may people’s willingness to put up with these high taxes. Such states already are losing population, and new Census Bureau data—released the same day tax reform passed the House and Senate—shows the continued migration. Of the seven states that grew the fastest between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017, four (Nevada, Washington, Florida and Texas) have no income tax, and the other three (Idaho, Utah and Arizona) have low taxes. On the flip side, high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois and Rhode Island either lost residents or stagnated. Pennsylvania quietly became the fifth-most-populous state in the nation, displacing Illinois. When people move, they take their money with them. The five high-tax states listed above have lost more than $200 billion of combined adjusted gross income since 1992, according to the website HowMoneyWalks.com, which aggregates IRS data. In contrast, Nevada, Washington, Florida and Texas gained roughly the same amount. If politicians in high-tax states want to prevent this migration from becoming a stampede, they will have to deliver fiscal discipline.)
— What New Tax Law? Caterpillar Fights to Protect Its Swiss-Made Profits American manufacturing icon pays little on parts sales outside U.S., so the IRS wants $2 billion – Andrew Tangel and Michael Rapoport
https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-new-tax-law-caterpillar-fights-to-protect-its-swiss-made-profits-1514834745
— California Poses Problem for GOP as 2018 Dawns Party policies ranging from taxes to immigration cast a shadow over midterm prospects – Gerald F. Seib
https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-poses-problem-for-gop-as-2018-dawns-1514819328
— In Cities With Low Unemployment, Wages Finally Start to Get Bigger Ending an economic riddle, pay is moving higher and could point to improved incomes nationally in 2018 – Shayndi Raice and Eric Morath (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents want cheap labor.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-cities-with-low-unemployment-wages-finally-start-to-get-bigger-1514808001

 

USA TODAY
— Trump rings in new year at glitzy Mar-a-Lago party, predicts ‘fantastic 2018’ – AP
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/01/trump-rings-new-year-glitzy-mar-lago-party-predicts-fantastic-2018/994015001/
— Retirement planning: Here’s how much money you should have saved at every age – Kathleen Elkins (DIERSEN: How much had you saved for your retirement when you were 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65. I was 65 in 2013. In today’s dollars, my salary in 1997 when I was 49 years old was $122,991. Eight times $122,991 is $983,928.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2018/01/01/retirement-planning-heres-how-much-money-you-should-have-saved-every-age/990172001/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: In your 20s: Aim to save 25% of your overall gross pay, Greene tells CNBC. “That 25% is the combination of 401(k) withholdings, matching funds from your employer and any cash savings that you have,” she notes. “It can also include debt repayment. “Just make sure your lifestyle expenses don’t exceed 75% of your gross income.” By age 30: Have the equivalent of your annual salary saved, Greene says. If you earn $50,000 a year, aim to have $50,000 in savings when you hit 30. Again, this includes any retirement account contributions, matching funds from your company, cash savings, or money you have invested elsewhere, in index funds or robo-advisers. By age 35: Have twice your annual salary saved. By age 40: Have three times your annual salary saved. By age 45: Have four times your annual salary saved. By age 50: Have five times your annual salary saved. By age 55: Have six times your annual salary saved. By age 60: Have seven times your annual salary saved. By age 65: Have eight times your annual salary saved.)

 

OAKLAND PRESS
— Financial advisor suggests couples try to live like a retired person before retiring – Debra Kaszubski (DIERSEN: My Civil Service Retirement System pension is only 41% of my ending salary in today’s dollars.)
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/lifestyle/20171226/financial-advisor-suggests-couples-try-to-live-like-a-retired-person-before-retiring

December 31 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

POLITICO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps are furious that candidates who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors do not get more votes.
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/31/trump-white-working-class-history-216200

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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