January 7 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

DAILY HERALD
— Trump washes his hands of insurgency against GOP incumbents – AP (DIERSEN: Have you ever been an insurgent, that is, have you ever ran against an incumbent Republican? I have not.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180107/news/301079975/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Donald Trump says he’s done campaigning for insurgents challenging incumbent Republican members of Congress. Trump told reporters after meeting GOP House and Senate leaders at Camp David on Saturday that he’s planning a robust schedule of campaigning for the 2018 midterm elections and that includes involvement in the Republican primaries. He’ll campaign for incumbents, he said, and “anybody else that has my kind of thinking.” But after a stinging loss in Alabama, Trump said he’s done supporting challengers, declaring: “I don’t see that happening.” Trump had supported Roy Moore after he won the GOP primary. Moore’s defeat in the subsequent special election handed Democrats another seat in the Senate.)
— Trump’s furious response to tell-all book – Editorial (DIERSEN: When my attorney Walter T. Charlton filed Diersen v. GAO in 1998, GAO was not furious at all. Instead, GAO responded to the lawsuit like the lawsuit helped GAO hire, retain, and promote young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females. The lawsuit showed that GAO wastes the careers of and gets rid of its non-veteran White male employees who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20180107/editorial-trumps-furious-response-to-tell-all-book

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

January 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 Evening Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

WJBC
— Illinois ACLU: Trust Act not a substitute for Bloomington ‘welcoming city’ ordinance – Howard Packowitz (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, ACLU makes it clear that it is anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.wjbc.com/2018/01/02/illinois-aclu-trust-act-not-a-substitute-for-bloomington-welcoming-city-ordinance/

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

FOX NEWS
— ‘How MUCH is that federal salary?’ Now you (and all taxpayers) can help drain the swamp – Adam Andrzejewski (DIERSEN: Those who have represented me in Washington have acted like my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have shouted at them a) that the federal government has always overpaid me, b) that my Civil Service Retirement System pension is too generous, and c) that my federal health, dental, and vision subsidies are too generous. Of course, they protested a) when the Post Office hired me in 1966 and let me work there for almost 3 years, b) when IRS hired me in 1971 and let me work there for almost 9 years, c) when IRS promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974, d) when GAO hired me in 1980 and let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) when GAO promoted me in 1986. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/01/02/how-much-is-that-federal-salary-now-and-all-taxpayers-can-help-drain-swamp.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It’s past time to take on the governing elite and reform federal civil service compensation and you should feel that way too. The source of the problem is often not the employees themselves, who are spread across the country, but politicians in Washington who refuse to set priorities and make hard choices. You may feel like trying to put some reformist heat on them after checking out what’s happening in your own area. What will you find in your own backyard? Whatever it is, let Washington know. Call it entitlement reform for bureaucrats and the politicians who fund them.)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

January 1 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

January 1 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

THE HILL
— GOP establishment using Trump for its own ends – JUAN WILLIAMS
http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/366933-juan-williams-gop-establishment-using-trump-for-its-own-ends
— U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.): ‘We’re not talking about taking away benefits from those who deserve those benefits’ – JULIA MANCHESTER (DIERSEN: What federal “benefits” do you get? Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes paint my Civil Service Retirement System pension, my federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidies, and my Social Security as being “benefits” that I do not “deserve.” In my defense, I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years and I paid Social Security taxes for 10 years. I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/366919-republican-were-not-talking-about-taking-away-benefits-from-those-who-deserve
— With Franken’s fall, the ‘Trump effect’ could turn Minnesota red — if Republicans embrace him – JOHN GILMORE (DIERSEN: What if the Democrats got Duckworth and/or Durbin to resign? Illinois “Establishment Republicans” got U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald to not seek a second term in 2004. That directly resulted in a) Obama being elected U.S. Senator in 2004, b) Obama being elected U.S. President in 2008, and c) Obama being reelected U.S. President in 2012. “Establishment Republicans” are really Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, or RINOs.)
http://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/366897-with-frankens-fall-the-trump-effect-could-turn-minnesota-red-if-republicans

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

December 30 Evening Edition

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Armed robbers target passengers as they get off trains across Chicago
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/crime/armed-robbers-target-passengers-as-they-get-off-trains-across-chicago

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Ex-mayor Henry Vicenik says Rep. Jim Durkin got involved in Broadview brouhaha – Dan Mihalopoulos
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/mihalopoulos-ex-mayor-says-rep-jim-durkin-broadview-strip-club/
— Governor’s veto of senior care program jeopardizes services – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/governors-veto-of-senior-care-program-jeopardizes-services/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Man’s Country, Chicago’s oldest gay bathhouse, closing after 44 years – Bill Daley
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-life-mans-country-bathhouse-closing-1230-story.html
— Mike Pence’s Colorado neighbors greet him with ‘Make America Gay Again’ banner – Kristine Phillips (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will those who promote LGBTQ activity brag that they can viciously destroy any individual, any organization, any company, any government, and any country that does not promote LGBTQ activity.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-mike-pence-neighbors-20171230-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Spread of fake news prompts literacy efforts in schools – AP (DIERSEN: 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. What helps you determine fact from fiction? 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.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171230/news/312309905/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Alarmed by the proliferation of false content online, state lawmakers around the country are pushing schools to put more emphasis on teaching students how to tell fact from fiction. Lawmakers in several states have introduced or passed bills calling on public school systems to do more to teach media literacy skills that they say are critical to democracy. The effort has been bipartisan but has received little attention despite successful legislation in Washington state, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Mexico.)
— Why your New Year’s resolution should be to spend more money – Suzanne Woolley (DIERSEN: What discourages you from spending more? For me, it is knowing that my Civil Service Retirement System pension is only 41% of what my ending salary was today’s dollars.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171230/why-your-new-years-resolution-should-be-to-spend-more-money
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “When we speak about spending resolutions, we usually speak about how to encourage people to spend less,” said Meir Statman, a behavioral finance professor at Santa Clara University. “This is right for most young people. But with many older people, the problem is too little spending because of a reluctance to dip into capital.”)

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Better Government Association: Demand government we deserve, use FOIA law – Jose Sanchez
http://www.pjstar.com/opinion/20171230/better-government-association-demand-government-we-deserve-use-foia-law
— Resolve to be an engaged citizen in 2018 – Editorial (DIERSEN: Who does not want you to be an engaged citizen? Those who do not want me to be an engaged citizen a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid and/or are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.pjstar.com/opinion/20171230/editorial-resolve-to-be-engaged-citizen-in-2018

 

TIMES
— Republican congressional candidate Jaye DeBates, whose petitions to get on the ballot were challenged by an opponent, withdrew his candidacy Friday. – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/congress-hopeful-leaves-race/article_d59a9308-4626-5935-9d66-9c8ae79cb939.html

 

LASALLE NEWS TRIBUNE
— Congressional candidate Jaye DeBates has withdrawn his candidacy from the March primary ballot. – Brett Herrmann
http://www.newstrib.com/free/pc-republican-coming-off-of-ballot/article_65cadc30-ecab-11e7-b48c-f3687e0741d9.html

 

  1. LOUIS TODAY
    — DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps make it clear that they are also 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.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/national/ruben-navarrette-it-s-no-surprise-when-racists-claim-the/article_7c44b735-bf8c-50c9-bc7f-6c504284e013.html

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— How the Left Became So Intolerant – Kim Holmes
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2017/12/how-the-left-became-so-intolerant/

 

GOPUSA
— AS Democrats say black female voters key to victory in South (DIERSEN: Democrats focus on turning everyone against Republicans, but Democrats especially focus on turning Black females against Republicans.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=36079

 

BREITBART
— Anchor Baby Population in U.S. Exceeds One Year of American Births – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/28/anchor-baby-population-in-u-s-exceeds-one-year-of-american-births/

 

BLAZE
— Media critics say BuzzFeed list of things ‘white people’ ruin is racist, bigoted – Teri Webster
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/12/30/media-critics-say-buzzfeed-list-of-things-white-people-ruin-is-racist-bigoted

 

THE HILL
— Republicans face an uphill climb in 2018 if they fail on immigration and ObamaCare – RACHEL BOVARD
http://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/366854-republicans-face-an-uphill-climb-in-2018-if-they-fail-on-immigration-and

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Polls show Americans distrust the media. But talk to them, and it’s a very different story. – Margaret Sullivan (DIERSEN: You can trust the mainstream media a) to promote the Democrat Party platform, the Libertarian Party platform, and the Green Party platform and b) to demonize, denigrate, and condemn the Republican Party platform.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/polls-show-americans-distrust-the-media-but-talk-to-them-and-its-a-very-different-story/2017/12/27/ed9bbabe-ce3b-11e7-81bc-c55a220c8cbe_story.html
— How the Trump era is changing the federal bureaucracy – Lisa Rein and Andrew Ba Tran (DIERSEN: All during the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, the agency shrank. It was almost always under hiring and/or promotion freezes. Further, it was always under tremendous pressure from Democrat politicians a) to hire, retain, and promote young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females and b) to make way for them by wasting the careers of and by getting rid of the agency’s employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-the-trump-era-is-changing-the-federal-bureaucracy/2017/12/30/8d5149c6-daa7-11e7-b859-fb0995360725_story.html

 

DAILY COMMERCIAL
— Affordability driving the 2018 housing projection – Don Magruder (DIERSEN: Limiting the deductibility of real estate taxes harms affordability.)
http://www.dailycommercial.com/news/20171230/around-house-affordability-driving-2018-housing-projection

 

CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
— Why Education Matters to Your Health – Karin Fischer
https://www.chronicle.com/article/Why-Education-Matters-to-Your/242123

 

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Trump Is Still Happily Mixing Government Affairs With His Private Businesses – Benjamin Hart
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/trump-still-mixing-government-affairs-with-private-business.html

 

ALTERNET
— How the GOP Tax Cut Will Also Shrink Your Paycheck When Republicans cut taxes, wages go down or stay flat for working people. – Thom Hartmann
https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/how-gop-tax-cut-will-also-shrink-your-paycheck

December 27 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD IN NAPERVILLE SUN: Change in property tax deduction affects thousands in Naperville – Erin Hegarty (DIERSEN: From what I see, under “tax reform,” the less federal income tax that you have paid because you itemized your deductions, the more federal income tax that you will pay in the future. Those who promote envy and class warfare have always shouted at those who take the standard deduction (typically, those who are younger, who are not married, who rent, who do not pay much state income tax, who do not have high medical and dental expenses, who do not pay for job-related education, and/or who do not give much money to 501(c)(3) organizations) that those who itemize their deductions (typically, those who are older, who are married, who are homeowners, who pay more state income tax, who have high medical and dental expenses, who pay for job-related education, and/or who give more money to 501(c)(3) organizations) are undeservedly rich and should pay much more federal income tax.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/news/ct-nvs-property-tax-overhaul-st-1227-20171226-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Thousands of Naperville homeowners pay more than $10,000 a year in property taxes and will be impacted by limits to deductions in a new federal income tax plan set to kick in after Jan. 1. In Lisle Township, 3,221 City of Naperville property owners — or about 21.5 percent of city residents in Lisle Township — paid at least $10,000 in property taxes based on last year’s assessed values. In Naperville Township, 2,447 property owners in the City of Naperville paid at least $10,000 in property taxes. The new tax plan includes a $10,000 cap on the amount taxpayers can deduct in property tax and local and state income tax while nearly doubling standard deductions of $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for married couples who file jointly. This means many people who have historically itemized to deduct things like property taxes or mortgage interest will get more by claiming the standard deduction. But those who pay their property taxes ahead of time can use the uncapped deduction one more time, local financial experts said.)

 

DAILY HERALD
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: False news is everywhere Sorting fake from fact is ‘new basic skill’ required in our era – Editorial (DIERSEN: Of course, according to my critics/opponents, all news is false/fake except for the news that they publish. My critics/opponents not only do not want me to include links to articles written by those on their blacklists, they “punish” me for including links to articles written by those on their blacklists. Should I write an article about those who “punish” me because I refuse to carry out their blacklist orders?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171227/editorial-without-diligent-readers-fake-news-spreads-like-wildfire
— O’Hare western access is road to opportunity – John Carpenter
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171227/ohare-western-access-is-road-to-opportunity
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: Why the legal age to buy tobacco isn’t going up to 21 everywhere – Russell Lissau (DIERSEN: Many if not most of my Democrat superiors and supervisors in the federal government who worked the hardest against me were big smokers and big drinkers. They vehemently disapproved of my conservatism.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171227/why-the-legal-age-to-buy-tobacco-isnt-going-up-to-21-everywhere

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— When meetings are secret, reporters lose. So does the public. – KRISTEN SCHORSCH (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents do not want me to know about their events or their other activities, do not want me to promote their events or their other activities, do not want me to attend their events, and do not want me to report on their events or their other activities. They refuse to keep diersen@aol.com on their press advisory and press release lists. They pander to Rich Miller and to the rest of the Democrat news media in Illinois. They a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid and/or they are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171227/OPINION/171229969#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccb-morning10&utm_campaign=ccb-morning10-20171227

 

TIMES
— Through supporters, candidate James Marter, of Oswego, has filed objections to the petitions of opponent Jaye DeBates, of Putnam County’s McNabb. – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/campaign-accused-of-petition-forgeries/article_8bbe2ca7-6eca-5092-a687-a6d64e207416.html
— A complaint over Democratic congressional candidate Neill Mohammad’s residency has been withdrawn. – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/voter-pulls-complaint-against-candidate/article_075d0a1a-0944-5603-99fc-e5c558ad2e5a.html

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— What Illinois needs from lawmakers in 2018 – Orphe Divounguy
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171226/orphe-divounguy-what-illinois-needs-from-lawmakers-in-2018

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Obama warns of divisive social media use Obama conducts BBC interview with Prince Harry – LAURA SMITH-SPARK (DIERSEN: QUESTION: What do divisive people do? ANSWER: They turn members of Group A against members of Group B. Members of Group A are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/obama-warns-of-divisive-social-media-use/889130378

 

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— Political Analysts Foresee Aggressive Democratic Challengers in 2018 – MARK SCHULTZ
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/political-analysts-foresee-aggressive-democratic-challengers-2018#stream/0

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— The Tax Law’s New Way Of Measuring Inflation Could Take A Toll On Taxpayers – JIM ZARROLI
http://nprillinois.org/post/tax-bills-new-way-measuring-inflation-could-take-toll-taxpayers#stream/0

 

WSIL TV
— How tax reform could impact Illinoisans – Andrew Feather (DIERSEN: From what I see, under “tax reform,” the less federal income tax that you have paid because you itemized your deductions, the more federal income tax that you will pay in the future. Those who promote envy and class warfare have always shouted at those who take the standard deduction (typically, those who are younger, who are not married, who rent, who do not pay much state income tax, who do not have high medical and dental expenses, who do not pay for job-related education, and/or who do not give much money to 501(c)(3) organizations) that those who itemize their deductions (typically, those who are older, who are married, who are homeowners, who pay more state income tax, who have high medical and dental expenses, who pay for job-related education, and/or who give more money to 501(c)(3) organizations) are undeservedly rich and should pay much more federal income tax.)
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37143321/how-tax-reform-could-impact-illinoisans

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— “Things You Don’t Hear About Gender Dysphoria” – Laurie Higgins and David Smith
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/podcast/things-you-dont-hear-about-gender-dysphoria-spotlight-074/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Planned Parenthood Losing Some Big Donors – Charlie Butts
https://illinoisfamily.org/life/planned-parenthood-losing-big-donors/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— TRUMP AND THE GOP’S MASSIVE TAX VICTORY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/trump-and-the-gops-massive-tax-victory.html
— ENDING NET NEUTRALITY WILL SAVE THE INTERNET, NOT DESTROY IT
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/12/ending-net-neutrality-will-save-the-internet-not-destroy-it.html

 

GOPUSA
— Muslim refugees spur rife anti-Semitism in Europe
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35966

 

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— THE OBAMA YEARS: A LEGACY OF SCANDAL AND DECEPTION Joe Biden’s bizarre disconnect regarding his scandal-ridden former boss. – Ari Lieberman
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/268842/obama-years-legacy-scandal-and-deception-ari-lieberman

 

FOX NEWS CHANNEL
— VIDEO: Massive Federal Spending on Government Salaries – Adam Andrzejewski (DIERSEN: 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.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GXlM3iRodc
— The movement to impeach Trump is just beginning – Michael Goodwin
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/12/26/michael-goodwin-movement-to-impeach-trump-is-just-beginning.html

 

LIFEZETTE NEWS
— Washington’s Wealthiest Bureaucrats Will Get Even Richer in 2018 Federal locality pay system rewards already-affluent government workers living in the nation’s capital region – Mark Tapscott (DIERSEN: 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.)
https://www.lifezette.com/polizette/washingtons-wealthiest-bureaucrats-will-get-even-richer-in-2018/

 

TOWNHALL
— Educational Rot – Walter E. Williams (DIERSEN: In 1979, my Democrat IRS superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt. Very few of them had taken the examination and even fewer of them had passed it on their first attempt. In 1981, my Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious when I passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt. Very few of them had taken the examination and even fewer of them had passed it on their first attempt.)
https://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2017/12/27/educational-rot-n2426293
(FROM THE ARTICLE: There’s another educational issue that’s neither flattering nor comfortable to confront. That’s the low academic quality of so many teachers. It’s an issue that must be confronted and dealt with if we’re to improve the quality of education. Most states require prospective teachers to pass a certification test. How about a sample of some of the test questions.)
— Federal Employees Will Be Getting a Raise in 2018 – Leah Barkoukis (DIERSEN: 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.)
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2017/12/27/federal-workers-salaries-n2427348

 

OPEN THE BOOKS
— Mapping The Swamp, A Study of the Administrative State
https://www.openthebooks.com/openthebooks_oversight_report_-_mapping_the_swamp_a_study_of_the_administrative_state/
https://www.openthebooks.com/map/?Map=5874&MapType=Pin

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— GOP lawmaker: Federal agencies need to be ‘purged’ of ‘deep state’ bias – Sally Persons
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/26/francis-rooney-says-some-federal-agencies-need-be-/
— Republicans care about voter fraud; Democrats want to come out ahead, says study – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/26/republicans-care-about-voter-fraud-democrats-want-/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Nearly 450,000 People Fled These Three Deep Blue States (New York, Illinois, and California) In 2017 – Will Racke
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/26/nearly-450000-people-fled-these-three-deep-blue-states-in-2017/

 

DAILY WIRE
— ONE-THIRD Of U.S. Homicide Spike Coming From 5 Chicago Neighborhoods Murders in the U.S. rose as a whole last year, thanks in large part to a Windy City crime wave. – JARED SICHEL
https://www.dailywire.com/news/25092/one-third-us-homicide-spike-coming-just-few-jared-sichel#

 

BREITBART
— Entire Palm Springs City Council Is Now Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer (LGBTQ) – JOEL B. POLLAK
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/26/entire-palm-springs-city-council-now-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-andor-queer-lgbtq/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— To the Chicago Police, Any Black Kid Is in a Gang – Tamar Manasseh
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/25/opinion/chicago-police-black-kids-gangs.html
— Incomes Grew After Past Tax Cuts, but Guess Whose – Eduardo Porter (DIERSEN: One could argue that if you do not qualify yourself for better paying jobs, you should not expect your income to grow. What did you do to qualify yourself for better paying jobs? I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/26/business/economy/tax-cuts-incomes.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— White nationalists built a memorial for the white woman fatally shot by a Minneapolis policeman – Marwa Eltagouri
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/12/26/white-nationalists-built-a-memorial-for-the-white-woman-fatally-shot-by-a-somali-cop/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Homeowners Rush to Prepay 2018 Property-Tax Bills Filers line up at municipal offices before the GOP law kicks in; ‘It’s been insane here’ – David Harrison and Jennifer Levitz
https://www.wsj.com/articles/homeowners-rush-to-prepay-2018-property-tax-bills-1514335989
— Both Parties Are Deft at Ignoring Deficit Each party pretends to care about rising federal deficits and accumulating national debt only when that suits its interests – Gerald F. Seib
https://www.wsj.com/articles/both-parties-are-deft-at-ignoring-deficit-1514212971
— Murder in America: What Makes Cities More Dangerous Neighborhoods where killings have gone up share deepening poverty, lots of vacant properties and police pullbacks following officers’ shootings of young black men – Max Rust, Scott Calvert in Baltimore and Shibani Mahtani in Chicago
https://www.wsj.com/articles/murder-in-america-what-makes-cities-more-dangerous-1514293200
— Anti-Trumps say “Haitians Should Stay” because “These longstanding residents are valuable assets to the U.S.” According to anti-Trumps, members of the following groups are deplorable and should be gotten rid of: 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.wsj.com/articles/why-the-haitians-should-stay-1514331750

 

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Not only those who are anti-White oppose Trump, but those who are anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, 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 also oppose Trump.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/navarrette/article/It-s-no-surprise-when-racists-claim-the-name-12456353.php

 

USA TODAY
— Self-control proves key to financial health, wealth – Peter Dunn (DIERSEN: What do your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes attribute your “financial health, wealth” to? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes attribute my “financial health, wealth” to a) my being born with a silver spoon in my mouth, b) my having always been privileged, c) my being grossly overpaid by the federal government, d) my avoiding the draft, e) my getting married, f) my wife and I giving up trying to have children, our not adopting, and our not becoming foster parents, g) my federal pension and health, dental, and vision insurance subsidies being much too generous, and h) my not giving lots of money to churches like they do.)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/usa-today-us-edition/20171227/281827169137916

 

FEDERAL TIMES
— Motivated by mission – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: The importance of GAO’s mission was a major reason why I agreed to take an $18,847/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old. The importance of GAO’s mission helped me endure my Democrat GAO superiors’ tremendous efforts to waste my career and to get rid of me. They always gave me unrealistic performance expectations and unfair performance appraisals. They assigned me to work for, to work with, or to supervise all the office’s disabled and problematic employees. They kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. In 1987, they got rid of the manager who had hired me, who had gotten me assigned to audits of IRS in 1986, and who had promoted me to GS-13 in 1986. They did not promote me beyond GS-13. They always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes. They forced me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/management/hr/2017/12/26/motivated-by-mission/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: According to Donald Kettl, professor of public policy at the University of Maryland, where baby boomers often sought out federal service for the stability it provided, millennials are more concerned with making a difference in the work that they do. “Most don’t imagine that they will work in the same job for five or 10 years, let alone for their entire careers,” said Kettl. “That means traditional benefit programs — like pensions — matter relatively little. Having jobs where they feel valued and can make an impact matters much more. That puts far more focus on employee engagement, development opportunities and networking than was the case in the past.” The federal government is one of few sectors that still offers pension benefits to its employees, and retirement benefits have recently been a sticking point in congressional budget negotiations. “From a personal perspective, a lot of federal jobs are pretty high scope, and they’re very, very responsible positions,” said Wynn. “And while it’s hard to have a public-sector equivalent, I think that one of the things that the government should do reasonably is make sure that when you’re giving up a portion of pay […] offering them security and some retirement benefits and health care will give them a better employee. We want the best and brightest, and if we can’t compete on salary then we ought to compete on giving them a more stable life.” However, according to Kettl, this focus on pensions and benefits may be a moot point for new employees entering federal service. He questioned how much risk the government was taking on if it assumed that millennials would adapt to current policy, rather than policy adapting to them. “And it’s a case where the emerging battle over changing employee pensions, something that the Republicans are pushing and Democrats are fiercely opposing, might be a case of fighting the last war,” said Kettl. “The big, important and often overlooked question is how best to get the next generation of government employees into the workforce — how the environment will have to change to do so — and the new contributions that the new generation of workers will make.”)

 

WINDY CITY TIMES
— 2017: Local LGBT news highlights – Matt Simonette (DIERSEN: Soon, if not already, everyone will be barred from getting an education, from getting a job, from etc. unless they promote LGBTQ activity.)
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/2017-Local-LGBT-news-highlights/61477.html

December 26 Morning Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Abuse claims of Human Services residents up, reviews slower – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/abuse-claims-of-human-services-residents-up-reviews-slower/
— How solid local journalism delivered in Chicago in 2017 – Madeleine Doubek (DIERSEN: Many in Illinois first learn of what investigative journalists deliver by reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/chicago-illinois-failed-people-2017-doubek/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Those are just some of the gifts we got this year from the investigative journalists at the Better Government Association where I work.)

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Generation Grumpy is frustrated – Editorial (DIERSEN: What did you do during your “prime earning years” age 45-54? When I was 49 years old in 1997, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” My ending salary in today’s dollars was $122,991. My Civil Service Retirement System pension is only $50,856.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-grumpy-20171212-story.html
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: Look around. At year’s end markets are up, this nation’s rate of economic growth is rising and paychecks are about to get bigger. Americans 45 to 54 years old see all of this, sure. But they also have economic war stories to mull. In their adult lives they’ve experienced a remarkable mix of boom and bust, pleasure and pain. Yes, their income and net worth have grown, but this group also has endured several recessions and stock market crashes, plus the upheaval of globalization and the arrival of the internet. Now they’re in prime earning years, with retirement on the horizon, unhappy with their economic state of being. They are grumpy, in fact. “Let’s call them the Grumpy Middle,” data analysis reporter Robert Gebeloff writes in The New York Times. “They are unhappier than previous generations. And they’ve been this way for years.” This rings true. We know some fine people in their 50s still shaking off the effects of the 2007-09 Great Recession. The value of their homes declined, their retirement accounts went backward and they took pay cuts or missed out on better raises. They are worried because they need to make up for those lost years before they’re handed gold (or maybe tin?) watches.)
— Lessons learned from coming out at work (DIERSEN: From what I see as those who promote LGBTQ activity take over the world, if you do not promote LGBTQ activity, those who promote LGBTQ activity, their operatives, and their dupes will get rid of you.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/success/fastcompany/tca-lessons-learned-from-coming-out-at-work-20171110-story.html
— 4 myths about safe spaces at NU and other campuses – Morton Schapiro (DIERSEN: Those who promote safe places are filled with hatred of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries 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/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-safe-spaces-snowflake-myths-pc-university-universities-northwestern-university-morton-schapiro-1226-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Stocking full of coal: Illinois shrinkage poses major problems – Austin Berg
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171226/stocking-full-of-coal-illinois-shrinkage-poses-major-problems
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “As the year ends, the moral authority of the presidency is in tatters.”
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171226/as-the-year-ends-the-moral-authority-of-the-presidency-is-in-tatters
— FRONT PAGE: You can’t overstate power of information – Editorial (DIERSEN: Since 2000, according to my critics/opponents, everything in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails has been “fake news.” According to my critics/opponents, the only government and political news and commentary that is not fake is that which they publish.)
http://e-edition.dailyherald.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?edid=3d07b42a-29db-4211-8017-3f990e817c62
— PAGE 6: The heart of the threat facing free press The ongoing dangerous assault on the media demands constant, staunch response – Editorial (DIERSEN: Since 2000, according to my critics/opponents, everything in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails has been “fake news.” According to my critics/opponents, the only government and political news and commentary that is not fake is that which they publish.)
http://e-edition.dailyherald.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?edid=3d07b42a-29db-4211-8017-3f990e817c62

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond, and Aaron DeGroot, communications director for the Illinois Republican Party, took to Twitter on Christmas Day to announce some personal news. “We’re getting married!,” Bourne tweeted.
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171225/state-rep-avery-bourne-aaron-degroot-engaged
— Ex-administrators fault management in nursing home closure fallout – Dean Olsen
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171226/ex-administrators-fault-management-in-nursing-home-closure-fallout
— Promises made, promises kept – Darin LaHood (DIERSEN: Government should encourage homeownership and paying for job-related education. The tax bill discourages homeownership and paying for job-related education. QUESTION: Who wants itemized deductions to be cut if not eliminated? ANSWER: Those who do not itemize. Overwhelmingly, those who do not itemize a) are younger, b) are not married, c) are not homeowners, d) do not pay lots of state income tax, e) do not have high medical and dental expenses, f) do not give lots of money to 501(c)(3) organizations, and/or g) do not pay for job-related education. I itemized 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized since we got married in 1978. I have have been a homeowner since 1972 and my wife and I since 1978. I paid state income tax 1964-1997 and my wife 1966-2017. Increasingly, our medical and dental expenses have increased. We have always given money to 501(c)(3) organizations. I deducted job-related my job-related education expenses 1972-1983 and 1992-1997.)
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171225/darin-lahood-tax-relief-promises-made-promises-kept

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— ‘Trust us’ policies no way to combat corruption – Editorial
http://qconline.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-trust-us-policies-no-way-to-combat-corruption/article_cb58f800-6f3a-598e-9b7c-7d9a58743ed6.html

 

PEORIA PUBLIC RADIO
— Illinois Gets Tougher On Hate Crimes – RACHEL OTWELL (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage hate crimes against those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-gets-tougher-hate-crimes#stream/0
— Illinois Agencies Will Have To Disclose All Their Bills – BRIAN MACKEY
http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/illinois-agencies-will-have-disclose-all-their-bills#stream/0

 

CHICAGO NOW
— No, Chicago Reader, Mount Greenwood is one of Chicago’s best – not worst – neighborhoods – William J. Kelly (DIERSEN: I should write a book about vile, mean-spirited, intolerant, and bigoted people in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who attack, demonize, denigrate, and condemn my hometown Crete.)
http://www.chicagonow.com/kelly-truth-squad/2017/12/no-chicago-reader-mount-greenwood-is-best-not-worst/

 

WILLIAM J. KELLY
— Kelly Responds to Chicago Reader’s Attack on Mount Greenwood (DIERSEN: I should write a book about vile, mean-spirited, intolerant, and bigoted people in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who attack, demonize, denigrate, and condemn my hometown Crete.)
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-responds-to-chicago-readers-attack-on-mount-greenwood

 

POLITICO
— Universities fear a violent 2018 – KIMBERLY HEFLING (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps want to get rid of Trump supporters.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/26/white-nationalists-antifa-university-violence-305014

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DAILY HERALD HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: ‘Words can build up or tear down’ Trumps hear homily on power of speech – Kayla Epstein (DIERSEN: I should write a book about religious, government, political, and financial “leaders” in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who use abuse their elected or appointed positions to tear down those like me a) who they cannot manipulate/dominate, b) who do not glorify and praise them, c) who do not pander to them, d) who do not serve as one of their operatives or dupes, and/or e) who do not give them money.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/12/25/trump-hears-christmas-homily-about-the-power-of-words/?utm_term=.cabca12059a9

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Uncharitable Charities The philanthropy lobby wins big but still trashes tax reform. – Editorial (DIERSEN: Starting next year, for joint filers, if their itemized deductions other than charitable contributions do not exceed $24,000, they will be discouraged from making charitable contributions.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-uncharitable-charities-1514237452

 

OBSERVER
— The 5 Tightest Gubernatorial Races to Watch in 2018 – John A. Tures (DIERSEN: Will Rauner use Ives to paint himself as being a “good” Republican, that is, a Republican who rejects the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and many other planks in the Illinois Republican Party platform?)
http://observer.com/2017/12/races-to-watch-for-governor-in-2018-illinois-california-ohio/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois: The Land of Lincoln has a Republican governor, but perhaps not for long. Not only has he attracted several tough Democratic opponents, but he also faces some primary opponents who could either oust him or drain his support. Bruce Rauner, a former businessman who defeated Democratic Governor Pat Quinn four years ago, has struggled to make in-roads the way the GOP has in state houses in Maryland and Massachusetts. He has feuded frequently with the state legislature, as well as members of his own party. He faces TV producer and media strategist William Kelly, as well as State Representatives Jeanne Ives and Richard Morthland, in the GOP primary. Should Rauner survive, he’ll face a strong Democratic opponent; the only question is who it will be. Will it be the son of Robert F. Kennedy, businessman and University of Illinois Trustee Chris Kennedy? Or Hyatt heir J. B. Pritzker? Or perhaps Dan Biss, a veteran of the state legislature and the college classroom? Or will Bob Daiber, the Madison County Superintendent of Schools, prevail against them all? While the state’s Democratic leanings and Rauner’s approval ratings should help the Democrats, a nasty primary could cost the party unless they find a way to unite around the nominee.)

 

FORBES
— Make 2018 the Year to Improve Your Employees’ Experience – William Craig (DIERSEN: What did your superiors do to damage your employee experience? My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamcraig/2017/12/26/make-2018-the-year-to-improve-your-employees-experience/#4584f8624fc2

December 24 Morning Edition

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

 

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

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Trump criticizes FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe as he plans retirement – AP (DIERSEN: While I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years, my Democrat superiors always wanted to replace me with a Democrat, and especially with a Democrat who was minority, female, and/or younger. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-reacts-to-reports-of-fbi-deputy-directors-retirement/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: McCabe plans to retire in about 90 days, when he becomes fully eligible for pension benefits, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the situation. Trump and his Republican allies have made it clear that they want McCabe out of the FBI. But McCabe is a civil service employee who cannot be fired without clear evidence of wrongdoing.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In an all-of-the-front page editorial unethically made to look like a news article, anti-Trumps glorify and praise a) those who come to America illegally, b) those who stay in America illegally, and c) those who bring others to America illegally.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/maria-no-documents-no-health-insurance-cancer-fight-angels-rush/

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

December 23 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Lax oversight of Ill. nuclear power plants – BGA
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/weekend-watch-lax-oversight-of-ill-nuclear-power-plants/2812679/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Miss America leadership resigns in email shaming scandal – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-miss-america-leadership-resigns-email-scandal-20171223-story.html
— 10 things you might not know about fingerpointing – Mark Jacob and Stephan Benzkofer
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-10things-1231-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— 3 Miss America officials resign, 1 apologizes to ex-winner – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/3-miss-america-officials-resign-1-apologizes-to-ex-winner/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Rauner’s top 2017 achievement is school funding reform? Really? – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171223/statehouse-insider-rauners-top-2017-achievement-is-school-funding-reform-really
— Will the 2018 elections be about Trump or peace and prosperity? – Ed Rogers
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171222/ed-rogers-will-2018-elections-be-about-trump-or-peace-and-prosperity
— Tax bill will be big issue in 2018 elections – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171223/bernard-schoenburg-tax-bill-will-be-big-issue-in-2018-elections

 

BELLVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Twas the night before public pension reform, when we sold our house – Editorial
http://www.bnd.com/opinion/editorials/article190896499.html

 

TIMES
— We need more talk about school consolidation – Scott Reeder
http://www.mywebtimes.com/opinion/columnists/statehouse-reeder-we-need-more-talk-about-school-consolidation/article_03c6fd10-879f-5b2a-9ba1-9f854100e2d3.html

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— BEYOND TRAGIC: Statewide test results: 90 percent of Whittier students failed math
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511290167-statewide-test-results-90-percent-of-whittier-students-failed-math
— BEYOND TRAGIC: Statewide test results: 80 percent of Whittier failed English language arts
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511288811-statewide-test-results-80-percent-of-whittier-failed-english-language-arts
— BEYOND TRAGIC: Analysis: 85 percent of Whittier students fail annual tests
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511292755-analysis-85-percent-of-whittier-students-fail-annual-tests

 

WIREPOINTS
— Bridgeview, Like Chicago, Sells Its Future To Back Bonds. Many More Will Follow. – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/bridgeview-like-chicago-sells-its-future-to-back-bonds-many-more-will-follow-wirepoints-original/

 

FOX NEWS
— Media warn about a tax apocalypse and other outlandish journalistic offenses – Dan Gainor
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/12/23/media-warn-about-tax-apocalypse-and-other-outlandish-journalistic-offenses.html

 

GOPUSA
— Patriotism in U.S. driven by faith, politics
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=35799

 

DAILY CALLER
— After Close Elections, Why Isn’t Meticulous Scrutiny Of The Vote Routine? – Alan Keyes
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/23/after-close-elections-why-isnt-meticulous-scrutiny-of-the-vote-routine/

 

NEWSMAX
— Wealthy Americans Flood Advisers to Take Advantage of Tax Law
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/wealthy-americans-tax-law/2017/12/22/id/833414/

 

TOWNHALL
— WSJ: The Democratic Party Is Rooting Against The American Worker And Our Country’s Success – Matt Vespa
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2017/12/22/wsj-the-democratic-party-is-rooting-against-the-american-worker-and-our-countrys-success-n2426254

 

LIFEZETTE NEWS
— Border Hawks Scoff at Durbin’s ‘Compromise’ on DACA Democrat DREAM Act sponsor from Illinois hopes opponents accept token provisions of proposed immigration security law – Brendan Kirby
https://www.lifezette.com/polizette/border-hawks-blast-durbins-compromise-on-daca/

 

THE HILL
— Trump’s tax law creates new challenges for IRS – NAOMI JAGODA
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/366252-trumps-tax-law-creates-new-challenges-for-irs
— Republicans, fearing midterm disaster, seek course correction – ALEXANDER BOLTON
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/366229-republicans-fearing-midterm-disaster-seek-course-correction
— Democrats see tax bill as giving them midterm advantage – AMIE PARNES
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/366152-dems-see-tax-bill-as-giving-them-midterm-advantage
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, members of the following groups a) glorify and praise citizens of foreign countries and b) demonize, denigrate, and condemn citizens of America: 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://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/366175-give-me-your-tired-your-poorand-they-will-create-jobs

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Could Save More Than $11 Million Under the New Tax Plan – JESSE DRUCKER and AUDREY CARLSEN
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/22/us/politics/trump-tax-savings.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— A preview of the U.S. without pensions – Peter Whoriskey
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/i-hope-i-can-quit-working-in-a-few-years-a-preview-of-the-us-without-pensions/2017/12/22/5cc9fdf6-cf09-11e7-81bc-c55a220c8cbe_story.html
— Extreme poverty returns to America The U.N. finds growing numbers of Americans are living in the most impoverished circumstances. How did we get here? – Premilla Nadasen
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/made-by-history/wp/2017/12/21/extreme-poverty-returns-to-america/
— Will Americans punish Republicans for cutting taxes for the rich? Maybe not: Voters often hope to become rich themselves. – Stephanie Leiser
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2017/12/22/will-americans-punish-republicans-for-cutting-taxes-for-the-rich/

 

FORBES
— Mass Exodus From States Run By Top Democratic Governors Continues – Patrick Gleason
https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickgleason/2017/12/23/mass-exodus-from-states-run-by-democratic-machines-continues/#5488a7456d6a

 

BLOOMBERG
— Wealthy Americans Are Already Trying to Exploit the New Tax Law The legislation changes incentives on homeownership, commuting, and even marriage and divorce. – Ben Steverman
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-22/wealthy-americans-are-already-trying-to-exploit-the-new-tax-law