pension Archives - Page 56 of 81

December 1 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Democrats must revisit the ‘deplorables’ if they want to stem Trumpism – Ron Grossman (DIERSEN: From what I see, ever-increasingly, Democrats do not want to revisit deplorables, they want to destroy deplorables. Deplorables 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-met-trumpism-deplorables-20171121-story.html
— Cover star: We’re imagining the conversation in the governor’s office this morning went something like this: Gov. Rauner, first the good news: You made the cover of a national conservative magazine. Now, the bad news: National Review’s headline was “The Worst Republican Governor in America.” And, well, the cover is, um, quite something. They drew you with a large cartoon head, and you’re wearing a leather jacket after just crashing your trademark motorcycle. You can read the piece here, but it’ll cost you two bucks unless you’re a subscriber (in which case you probably already knew about it). For the too long, didn’t read crowd: It’s your standard-issue coastal clip job. One tidbit: Rep. Jeanne Ives is called a “credible conservative challenger and wonky state representative.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-cook-county-soda-pop-tax-20171201-story.html
— Radio talk show host Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC put out a Speaker Madigan-themed attack mailer hitting House Republican leader Jim Durkin as he battles a primary challenge from Burr Ridge Village President Mickey Straub. Check it out here.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-cook-county-soda-pop-tax-20171201-story.html
— Supreme Court could let states allow sports bets – Phil Rosenthal (DIERSEN: Gambling is a vice. Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs promote vice. Republicans oppose vice.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-spt-sports-gambling-supreme-court-rosenthal-20171130-story.html
— The Taxpayer Hush Money Fund protects sex abusers in Congress – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-congress-sexual-harassment-hush-money-20171128-story.html
— Tax issues could become royal pain – Adam Taylor (DIERSEN: My wife and I have paid the marriage penalty big time since got married in 1978.SEE: https://www.fool.com/taxes/2017/11/25/will-tax-reform-get-rid-of-the-marriage-penalty.aspx)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20171201/281827169089198
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE IN THE NAPERVILLE SUN: Dan Rather warns Naperville audience of ‘dark’ times, need to heal country’s rift – David Sharos (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps do not want to heal any kind of rift. They want to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-dan-rather-naperville-st-1201-20171130-story.html
— GOP leader says they have enough votes to pass tax bill – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-senate-tax-bill-20171201-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Teaching and enforcing civility among public officials – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171130/editorial-teaching-and-enforcing-civility-among-public-officials
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURES: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who are anti-men crow over their success in turning women against men. Those who promote LGBTQ activity are overjoyed.
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171201/suburban-women-fired-up-about-new-wave-of-female-candidates

WTTW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DePaul glorifies and praises a) those who come to America illegally, b) those who stay in America illegally, and c) those who bring others to America illegally.
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/11/30/daca-repeal-puts-med-students-murky-waters

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— LGBT advocates seek to scuttle a vital Constitutional right – Travis Weber
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171130/counterpoint-lgbt-advocates-seek-to-scuttle-vital-constitutional-right

NORTHWEST HERALD
— McHenry County lawmakers, anti-abortion groups sue state over taxpayer-funded abortion measure – DAN McCALEB
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/11/30/mchenry-county-lawmakers-anti-abortion-groups-sue-state-over-taxpayer-funded-abortion-measure/aaw3tse/

SOUTHERN
— Once a skeptic, Sen. Durbin says he’s ‘impressed’ by HUD Secretary Carson’s early performance – MOLLY PARKER
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/acha/once-a-skeptic-sen-durbin-says-he-s-impressed-by/article_b9b11294-a5b5-5f66-be7a-fa873b9ea1bf.html

NORTHERN PUBLIC RADIO
— Gov. Rauner Pitches Cutting Taxes And Slashing Regulation In DeKalb Speech – SUSAN STEPHENS
http://northernpublicradio.org/post/gov-rauner-pitches-cutting-taxes-and-slashing-regulation-dekalb-speech

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Three Local State Legislators Join Pro-Life Groups to Delay Implementation of Tax Paid Abortions
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/12/01/three-local-state-legislators-join-pro-life-groups-to-delay-implementation-of-tax-paid-abortions/

CAPITOL FAX
— Another one of those weeks for Gov. Rauner
https://capitolfax.com/2017/12/01/another-one-of-those-weeks-for-gov-rauner/

GOPUSA
— Hush Fund: Make Congress’ harassment settlements public
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=34258

NEWSMAX
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps are overjoyed that Kinzinger says “Trump’s Anti-Muslim Retweets Didn’t Help Fight Terrorism.”
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/muslim-retweets-adam-kinzinger-terrorism/2017/11/30/id/829110/

DAILY CALLER
— Congress Paid Out $100K Of Taxpayer Money To Settle Male Staffers’ Harassment Claims Against Disgraced Democrat – Peter Hasson
http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/30/report-congress-paid-out-100k-of-taxpayer-money-to-settle-male-staffers-harassment-claims-against-disgraced-democrat/

THE HILL
— White House maintenance orders reveal cockroaches, ants and mice infestations – JOHN BOWDEN
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/362644-white-house-maintenance-orders-reveal-mice-infestations

NEW YORK TIMES
— Republican Tax Bill Hits Snag Over Deficit Concerns – Thomas Kaplan, Alan Rappeport and Jim Tankersley
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/us/politics/republican-tax-bill-moves-closer-to-senate-passage.html
— Generation Grumpy: Why You May Be Unhappy if You’re Around 50 The generation of people born 1962 to 1971, now in what are typically peak earning years, are finding they are not doing as well as they might have expected. – Robert Gebeloff (DIERSEN: How much money a) do you expect to earn, b) are you earning, or c) did you earn during your “peak earning years?” Since 1997 when I was 49 years old and my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer,” I have earned $1,454,723 less in today’s dollars, that is, my GAO salary would have been $2,480,319, but my Civil Service Retirement System pension has been only $1,025,596, or $1,454,723 less.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/upshot/income-us-generations-survey-satisfaction-wealth.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As people get older, they tend to become more at peace with their finances, survey research shows. But not the current crop of middle-aged Americans. Let’s call them the Grumpy Middle. They are unhappier than previous generations. And they’ve been this way for years. Typically, people 45 to 54 are more likely than others to say they are “pretty well satisfied” with their financial situation, according to the University of Chicago’s General Social Survey. Then the generation born between 1962 and 1971 started to reach their current age range — and bring their longstanding economic dissatisfaction with them. By 2016, as middle-aged Americans, they were 12 percent less likely to say they were satisfied financially, and 18 percent more likely to say they were unhappy.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps focus on turning Britain against Trump, that is, against America.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/opinion/britain-trump-tweets-visit.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: After Prejudice in Russia, Hope and Home in U.S. – Emily Palmer (DIERSEN: In the U.S., Illinois, DuPage County, Milton Township, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, and my precinct, members of Group A promote prejudice 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.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/nyregion/after-fleeing-anti-semitism-in-russia-finding-hope-and-a-home-in-the-us.html
— Without Obamacare Mandate, ‘You Open the Floodgates’ for Skimpy Health Plans – Reed Abelson (DIERSEN: Unless you are extremely wealthy, the less health, dental, and vision insurance that you have, the more that you force others to pay your major medical bills.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/30/health/health-insurance-obamacare-mandate.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Think of Tax Reform as the Trump Family’s Christmas List Billionaires will find extravagant goodies in their stockings. Everyone else gets lumps of coal. – Alan S. Blinder (DIERSEN: Are you going to get an extravagant goodie or a lump of coal?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/think-of-tax-reform-as-the-trump-familys-christmas-list-1512086885
— FRONT PAGE: China’s Tech Giants Have a Second Job: Helping Beijing Spy on Its People Tencent and Alibaba are among the firms that assist authorities in hunting down criminal suspects, silencing dissent and creating surveillance cities – Liza Lin and Josh Chin (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents want to “silence dissent.” They have lots of religious, government, political, and financial clout. They dominate the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Milton Township Republican Central Committee, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, Illinois, etc.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-tech-giants-have-a-second-job-helping-the-government-see-everything-1512056284

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Sexual harassment went unchecked for decades as payouts silenced accusers – Nathan Bomey and Marco della Cava
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2017/12/01/sexual-harassment-went-unchecked-decades-payouts-silenced-accusers/881070001/

FED SMITH
— House Votes to Double Probationary Period for New Feds – Ian Smith (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious that when I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, that because I had been under a probationary period at IRS, I was not under a probationary period at GAO. Nevertheless, they did everything that they could to get rid of me. They forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer. GAO audits IRS. They kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. They gave me unfair performance expectations and unfair performance appraisals. They assigned me to work for, to work with, and to supervise the office’s most problematic employees. 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 retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, and even worse things. In my defense, I completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, became a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a Certified Government Financial Manager in 1994, a Certified Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and a Forensic Accountant in 1997. In addition, I completed the requirements for a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/11/30/house-votes-double-probationary-period-new-feds/

MOTLEY FOOL
— Will Tax Reform Get Rid of the Marriage Penalty? Married couples with two working spouses often have to pay a higher tax rate than if they were single. – Matthew Frankel (DIERSEN: My wife and I have paid the marriage penalty big time since got married in 1978.)
https://www.fool.com/taxes/2017/11/25/will-tax-reform-get-rid-of-the-marriage-penalty.aspx

November 30 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Kill the tax bill – Robert Samuelson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-republican-tax-reform-20171129-story.html
— Why Bruce Rauner is ‘applaudin’ Congress’ – Monique Garcia (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, under Republican “tax plan,” the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-congress-taxes-20171130-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— Professional services need competitive bidding – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171129/professional-services-need-competitive-bidding

WGN RADIO
— “Can we at least write President Trump up for violating our country’s social media policy?” – PETER ZIMMERMAN
http://wgnradio.com/2017/11/29/the-carry-out-11-29-17-can-we-at-least-write-president-trump-up-for-violating-our-countrys-social-media-policy/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Pritzker doesn’t seek cash as he backs labor – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171129/bernard-schoenburg-pritzker-doesnt-seek-cash-as-he-backs-labor

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— In St. Charles speech, Trump says tax plan will bring back jobs, help Main Street – JOSEPH BUSTOS (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, under Republican “tax plan,” the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay. My and my wife’s 2016 federal income tax return shows that we had $30,890 in itemized deductions. We paid $21,433 in medical and dental expenses and we were able to deduct $13,859 of that, we paid $12,835 in real estate taxes, we paid $1,468 in state income taxes, and we made $2,728 in 501(c)(3) contributions. From what I see, outrageously, the proposed “tax reform” is designed to a) punish those who have high medical and dental expenses, b) discourage homeownership, and c) discourage taking job-related graduate courses. Government should encourage homeownership. The deductibility of mortgage interest and real estate taxes a) encouraged me to buy a new town home in 1972 when I was 24 years old, a studio condo in 1974, and a one bedroom condo in 1976 and b) encouraged my wife and I to buy a home in 1978 and to have one built in 1984. Further, government should encourage getting job-related education. The deductibility of job-related education encouraged me to take job-related graduate courses 1972-1983 and 1992-1997.)
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article187151903.html

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Third day of primary filing period sees three new candidates – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-11-30/third-day-primary-filing-period-sees-three-new-candidates.html

STATELINE
— America’s judiciary is whiter under Trump 8% of nominees are not white; similar to Reagan – JOAN BISKUPIC
http://www.mystateline.com/news/politics/americas-judiciary-is-whiter-under-trump/870453887

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Don’t give government last word on consolidation – Editorial
http://qconline.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-don-t-give-government-last-word-on-consolidation/article_00613109-605e-5b91-bcae-303905885dff.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— Campaign 2018: Rauner Vs. Madigan – CHARLES N. WHEELER III
http://nprillinois.org/post/campaign-2018-rauner-vs-madigan#stream/0

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump claims the GOP tax plan will ‘cost me a fortune’ ‘Believe me, believe me, this is not good for me’ – DAN MERICA AND JEANNE SAHADI (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, under Republican “tax plan,” the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/factcheck-trump-claims-the-gop-tax-plan-will-cost-me-a-fortune/869302450

WSIU
— Boosting the Illinois Economy With Workforce Education – BRAD PALMER (DIERSEN: 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.)
http://news.wsiu.org/post/boosting-illinois-economy-workforce-education#stream/0

WIRE POINTS
— $750 million in new borrowing: Who will watch how it’s spent? – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/750-million-in-new-borrowing-who-will-watch-how-its-spent-quicktake/

CHEROKEE TRIBUNE LEDGER NEWS
— Bipartisan concern in Springfield for rising pension costs – Cole Lauterbach
http://www.tribuneledgernews.com/extra/news/bipartisan-concern-in-springfield-for-rising-pension-costs/article_d52ae07f-6037-5d3b-bbfe-4044d18c87eb.html

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Illinois Association of School Boards’ Disturbing Document – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/illinois_association_schools_disturbing_document/
https://illinoisfamily.org/podcast/podcast-illinois-association-school-boards-disturbing-document/

THE HILL
— Lipinski v. Newman: Dems set for abortion showdown in Illinois – LISA HAGEN
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/362459-dems-set-for-abortion-showdown-in-illinois

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FORUM (DIERSEN: TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois would still be hosting such candidate forums if my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes had not succeeded in killing TAPROOT in 2012.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/11/30/rush-only-il-rep-who-hasnt-filed-reelection-petitions-gutierrez-testing-2020-228126
— Programming note: We will not publish Illinois Playbook on Friday but will be back Monday. (DIERSEN: GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have gone out each and every morning since 2004 and each and every evening too since 2015. Those emails included links to more than 288,000 articles and information on many upcoming events.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/11/30/rush-only-il-rep-who-hasnt-filed-reelection-petitions-gutierrez-testing-2020-228126

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Remembering Henry Hyde: Hero of the Pro-Life Movement Reflecting on the legacy of the Illinois congressman ten years after his death – Chuck Donovan
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/454169/henry-hyde-pro-life-hero-died-ten-years-ago

THE HILL
— Congress should represent Americans — not illegal aliens – IRA MEHLMAN (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps put illegal aliens over citizens of America.)
http://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/362375-congress-should-represent-americans-not-illegal-aliens

REUTERS
— Nearly half of Americans oppose Republican tax bill: Reuters/Ipsos poll – Amanda Becker, Chris Kahn
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax-poll/nearly-half-of-americans-oppose-republican-tax-bill-reuters-ipsos-poll-idUSKBN1DT3BX

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Buried in the Tax Bills, Multiple Unintended Consequences Republicans’ determination to pass overhaul magnifies risks in an already complicated system – Greg Ip (DIERSEN: Obviously, the tax bills a) discourage owning a home and taking job-related graduate courses and b) punish those who have high medical expenses.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/buried-in-the-tax-bills-multiple-unintended-consequences-1511975166
— Taxes: What Would Jesus Do? – Daniel Henninger (DIERSEN: According to anti-Trumps, Jesus 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. According to anti-Trumps, Jesus promotes dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, booze, gambling, pot and other vices, race and gender based preference giving, age discrimination, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, and even worse things.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/taxes-what-would-jesus-do-1511997571
— The Internet Is Dying. Repealing Net Neutrality Hastens That Death. – Farhad Manjoo (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout want to manipulate/dominate the internet. My critics/opponents have done, are doing, and will increasingly do everything that they can to a) stop me from putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS together and sending them out, b) stop everyone from reading those emails, and c) stop everyone from visiting www.gopillinois.com. My critics/opponents do not want me to a) know about their events and other activities, b) promote their events and other activities, c) attend their events and other activities, and d) report on their events and other activities.)

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: It Started as a Tax Cut. Now It Could Change American Life. More inequality likely. – Peter S. Goodman and Patricia Cohen (DIERSEN: The tax plan a) discourages owning a home and taking job-related graduate courses and b) punishes those who have high medical and dental expenses.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/business/republican-tax-cut.html
— The Senate Is Rushing to Pass Its Tax Bill Because It Stinks – Editorial
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/opinion/senate-tax-bill-problems-rush.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/technology/internet-dying-repeal-net-neutrality.html

— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Trump Shares Inflammatory Anti-Muslim Videos, and Britain’s Leader Condemns Them – Peter Baker and Eileen Sullivan (DIERSEN: Since 2000, ever-increasingly, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have focused on a) stopping me from putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out and b) stopping everyone from reading those emails. Failing that, they ever-increasingly punish me for including links in the emails to articles that they do not like. Ever-increasingly, they make it clear that they do not want me to a) know about their events and other activities, b) promote their events and other activities, c) attend their events and other activities, and d) report on their events and other activities. My critics/opponents have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout. They are moral relativists who believe that their end justifies their means. They are “rule or ruin” types who focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/us/politics/trump-anti-muslim-videos-jayda-fransen.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: President Trump touched off another racially charged furor on Wednesday by sharing videos from a fringe British ultranationalist group purportedly showing Muslims committing acts of violence, a move that was swiftly condemned by Britain’s prime minister as well as politicians across the spectrum.)

MARKET WATCH
— The real reason why Americans can’t save any money (DIERSEN: What has helped you save money? For me, since 1964, it has been taking and keeping jobs that others do not want, being a homeowner rather than a renter, using public transportation, and spending little or nothing on restaurant meals, entertainment, vacations, clothing, booze, gambling, and other vices and immediate pleasures.)
https://www.marketwatch.com/video/the-real-reason-why-americans-cant-save-any-money/B0DDBECE-E0DB-4FD1-80F4-FE70F4C85BA7.html?mod=trending_now_video_1

MONEY MAGAZINE
— Here’s How to Make Sure You Have a Worry-Free Retirement – Walter Updegrave (DIERSEN: I have had and I will have for the rest of my life far less money because my Democrat superiors in the federal government wasted my career and forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old.)
http://time.com/money/5038703/retiree-fear-retirement-income/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: 1. Figure out how much income you’ll need each year. . .2. Understand how long you may live. . .3. Spend your money in a way that increases the odds that it will last.)

November 29 Morning Edition

CBS2
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Should Recreational Marijuana Be Legal? Travel Expert Rick Steves Pushes For Legalization
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/11/28/recreational-marijuana-rick-steves-legalization/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Gutierrez federal pension estimated at $62,000 a year – Katherine Skiba
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-luis-gutierrez-pension-20171129-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: When U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez moves on from Congress to whatever is next for him, he could qualify for a federal pension of about $62,000 per year, a Washington group estimates. Federal pension details aren’t made public as they are for state officials and teachers. The estimate comes from the National Taxpayers Union, which since the late 1970s has calculated congressional pensions based on available data. Pete Sepp, the organization’s president, said the estimate assumes Gutierrez elected for his wife to be paid an annuity upon his death. His annual payout would be higher if he didn’t. Members of Congress also may receive a 401(k)-style supplement to their pensions if they made contributions, Sepp said. The calculation takes into account how long a lawmaker was in office. When Gutierrez entered Congress in 1993, the annual pay was $133,600. He has been paid $174,000 a year since 2009, when members of Congress last had a raise, according to the Congressional Research Service. In announcing he won’t run for re-election, Gutierrez said his plans included traveling the country with his wife, Soraida. Since 2010, Gutierrez has paid her a total of nearly $400,000 from his campaign war chest for help on his re-election campaigns, Federal Election Commission records show. The figure does not include reimbursements for office supplies and other expenses. During the first nine months of this year, he paid her a total of $42,000 in seven increments of $6,000 each. Reports show she has been paid for acting as his treasurer or account manager and for management and fundraising.)
— Gutierrez tries to anoint Garcia successor in Chicago politics shake-up – Rick Pearson and Hal Dardick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-luis-gutierrez-congress-politics-20171128-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Tax reform: ‘Middle class’ is in eye of beholder – Lynn Sweet and Ashlee Rezin (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, under proposed “tax reform,” the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay. My and my wife’s 2016 federal income tax return shows that we had $30,890 in itemized deductions. We paid $21,433 in medical and dental expenses and we were able to deduct $13,859 of that, we paid $12,835 in real estate taxes, we paid $1,468 in state income taxes, and we made $2,728 in 501(c)(3) contributions. From what I see, outrageously, the proposed “tax reform” is designed to a) punish those who have high medical and dental expenses, b) discourage homeownership, and c) discourage taking job-related graduate courses. Government should encourage homeownership. The deductibility of mortgage interest and real estate taxes a) encouraged me to buy a new town home in 1972 when I was 24 years old, a studio condo in 1974, and a one bedroom condo in 1976 and b) encouraged my wife and I to buy a home in 1978 and to have one built in 1984. Further, government should encourage getting job-related education. The deductibility of job-related education encouraged me to take job-related graduate courses 1972-1983 and 1992-1997.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/tax-reform-middle-class-eye-beholder/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Complicating matters: For all the talk about giving the middle class tax breaks, Democrats are skeptical that repealing a variety of popular deductions — such as for state taxes, a big one for Illinois — will yield the promised relief. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said in CNN on Sunday, “the tax breaks for working families, half of them will see a tax increase, half a tax break. Those disappear, as Senator Graham just mentioned,” a Durbin reference to a provision that expires in 2027. “But the tax cuts for wealthiest people are permanent. That’s just unfair, and that’s why half of the American people are skeptical about this Trump tax plan,” Durbin said. . .Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., is on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee and in a recent Sun-Times interview was asked what he considered middle-class income. He had no specific number. Neither did Trump White House Council of Economic Advisers chair Kevin Hassett when asked several weeks ago. “This is so fascinating because when you talk about middle income, it’s a very broad description,” Roskam said. “When you talk about who is wealthy, it is generally people saying, well, ‘I’m not wealthy, it’s somebody else.’” “And, we’ve had a wide range of opinions,” with places in the country “where $80,000 of household income is a whole lot of money and you have other areas around the country where $80,000 is not a whole lot of money. So it really is in the eyes of the beholder.”)
— Gutierrez: From chopping up ‘pig innards’ to owning $1.1M second home – Dan Mihalopoulos
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/gutierrez-from-chopping-up-pig-innards-to-owning-1-1m-second-home/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Gutierrez, who turns 64 next month, reported investments worth a total of between $1,325,022 and $2,975,000 at the end of 2015. That amount — which did not include his home in his 4th Congressional District — ranked 147th among the 435 House members, the Center for Responsive Politics said. He cashed in more than $1 million of those assets in 2016, lowering his total investments to somewhere between about $662,000 and $1.56 million, according to his most recent disclosure statement, which was filed in August. Gutierrez said that money went toward the June 2016 purchase of the new house in Puerto Rico for $1.1 million. “It cost us another couple hundred thousand dollars to rehab,” he said. “I bought a house that was then under construction for all of 2016.” . . . Gutierrez — who is paid $174,000 a year as a congressman — said he’s been smart with his personal finances but always acted appropriately as an elected official. “I’ve been fighting for people, doing my job, and ain’t nobody ever questioned my integrity,” he said, predicting that this article would be a “negative story.” For years, Gutierrez invested heavily in Chicago’s residential real estate market, moving repeatedly as he made hundreds of thousands of dollars buying and selling homes in the city. Although he described himself as a “walking open book,” he added, “It’s not important to look at what somebody is doing and what they’re buying. Big deal.” Assuming Gutierrez completes this final term in Congress in January 2019, he would have served 25 years in Washington and be eligible for a full pension of about $67,860 per year. Gutierrez also is eligible for Social Security. His payment would depend on the age he decided to start drawing a Social Security check, with maximum benefits reached by waiting until the age of 70. Before becoming a congressman, Gutierrez was an alderman representing the 26th Ward, the heart of the city’s Puerto Rican community. Chicago pension fund officials wouldn’t immediately say if he’s getting retirement benefits from the city or what those payments would be. His Gutierrez for Congress political committee has paid his wife, Soraida, nearly $400,000 for fundraising and for serving as treasurer and manager for the campaign fund during the past eight years, according to Federal Election Commission records. She was paid $42,000 by the campaign between the start of this year and Sept. 30. From 2003 and 2009, Soraida Gutierrez lobbied state government. The couple’s 37-year-old daughter Omaira Figueroa worked as a staffer for the Chicago City Council and now is on the state of Illinois payroll, with a $68,208-a-year salary as a “consumer counselor” for the Illinois Commerce Commission. Gutierrez often has highlighted the long road between his humble origins and where he ended up as a political power player. “After all, I’m the Puerto Rican son of a cabdriver and a factory worker, a kid who chopped up pig innards and swept the floor of an unsuccessful restaurant, a guy who had to drive a cab on the night shift to make ends meet,” he wrote in his autobiography, “Still Dreaming: My Journey from the Barrio to Capitol Hill.”)

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR GRAPHIC: Suburban schools losing students but adding teachers – Jake Griffin (DIERSEN: As fewer and fewer and fewer students come from traditional families, it is harder and harder and harder to teach them.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171129/suburban-schools-losing-students-but-adding-teachers
— Palatine Township wants expert to referee board meetings – Bob Susnjara
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171129/palatine-township-wants-expert-to-referee-board-meetings

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner finalizes $15 billion Medicaid overhaul – KRISTEN SCHORSCH
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171129/NEWS03/171129897

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Feds sue Springfield over group home ordinance – Crystal Thomas
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171128/feds-sue-springfield-over-group-home-ordinance
— Candidates should release full tax returns – Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20171128/our-view-candidates-should-release-full-tax-returns

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Big-bucks Dems bare some income sources, but not all – Jim Dey (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes talk and act like they get lots of money from individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and/or from those that 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.)
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-11-29/jim-dey-big-bucks-dems-bare-some-income-sources-not-all.html

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Taxing bodies should follow McHenry County Board in cutting property tax levies by 10 percent – Editorial
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/11/16/our-view-taxing-bodies-should-follow-mchenry-county-board-in-cutting-property-tax-levies-by-10-percent/atvnxlw/

ALTON DAILY NEWS
— CEO’s Dislike Illinois – Cole Lauterbach
http://www.altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=255971#.Wh6U0svR-M8

STATELINE
— New Campaign Ads, New Opponents for Illinois Governor Rauner in Gubernatorial Race Governor Rauner target of new Gubernatorial Campaign Ad – Jerrica Valtierra
http://www.mystateline.com/news/new-campaign-ads-new-opponents-for-illinois-governor-rauner-in-gubernatorial-race/866752332

SAUK VALLEY
— In search of honesty among public servants With the example of an honest retired city clerk and the perseverance of an ancient philosopher as inspiration, voters should accept the challenge of finding honest men and women to vote for in the March primary. – Editorial (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents do not want honest people. They want people who they can manipulate/dominate, and yes, who will do dishonest things for them. I am overjoyed when my critics/opponents say about me that “You cannot tell him what to do.”)
http://www.saukvalley.com/2017/11/22/svm-editorial-in-search-of-honesty-among-public-servants/akv2n4/

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— People want alternative to Rauner, Ives says – Glenn Minnis
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511278535-people-want-alternative-to-rauner-ives-says

ILLINOIS HOMEPAGE
— Roy Moore scandal divides Illinois GOP Moore’s mega-donor revealed – Mark Maxwell
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/moore-scandal-divides-illinois-gop/868194166

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— CHICAGO BAKERY LOSES $21M AFTER 800 WORKERS CAUGHT UP IN IMMIGRATION RAIDS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/11/chicago-bakery-loses-800-illegal-aliens-from-workforce.html
— THORNER: BACHMANN IN CHICAGO TO RAISE ABSTINENCE EDUCATION FUNDS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/11/thorner-michelle-bachman-touts-the-beauty-of-marriage-as-priority-view-in-todays-society.html
— CEO SURVEY: ILLINOIS THIRD-WORST STATE TO DO BUSINESS IN SINCE GREAT RECESSION
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/11/ceo-survey-illinois-third-worst-state-to-do-business-in-since-great-recession.html
— ILLINOIS ON UNSUSTAINABLE PATH, 113TH DISTRICT CANDIDATE SAYS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/11/illinois-on-unsustainable-path-113th-district-candidate-says.html

GOPUSA
— Chuck & Nancy boycott WH meeting; Trump shames them with empty chairs
http://www.gopusa.com/chuck-trump-shames-them-with-empty-chairs/

DAILY CALLER
— CNN Boycotts The White House Christmas Party — Sarah Sanders’ Response Is FIRE – Benny Johnson (DIERSEN: Who has boycotted your events? Members of the following groups boycotted TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois events while I served as the organization’s chairman 2005-2012: anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and those who 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. The aforesaid also boycotted Wheaton’s 2004 and 2005 Patriot Day events that I organized.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/28/cnn-boycotts-the-white-house-christmas-party-sarah-sanders-response-is-fire/

BLAZE
— Schumer and Pelosi skipped a meeting with Trump because of this tweet – Aaron Colen (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who punish me for including links in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails to articles that they disapprove of. They punish me rather than punishing the authors of those articles. What do you think about that?)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/11/28/schumer-and-pelosi-skipped-a-meeting-with-trump-because-of-this-tweet

POLITICO
— Luis Gutiérrez’s totally abnormal retirement ploy The abruptness and timing of the congressman’s announcement raises questions about his motives. – NATASHA KORECKI
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/28/luis-gutierrez-retirement-chicago-illinois-267821

NEW YORK TIMES
— What the Tax Bill Would Look Like for 25,000 Middle-Class Families – QUOCTRUNG BUI and BEN CASSELMAN (FROM THE ARTICLE: The story is very different for the roughly one-quarter of middle-class families that itemize deductions. The Senate bill would eliminate some popular tax breaks, including deductions for state and local taxes. As a result, households that take those deductions now could lose out. In total, about 40 percent of households that itemize their deductions would pay more in 2018 under the Senate bill — in some cases a lot more.)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/11/28/upshot/what-the-tax-bill-would-look-like-for-25000-middle-class-families.html
— Senate Considers Making a Terrible Tax Bill Even Worse Dragging its abysmal standards lower, it may throw more money at billionaires to win two crucial votes. – Editorial
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/28/opinion/senate-tax-bill.html
— Millions Pay the Obamacare Penalty Instead of Buying Insurance. Who Are They? – K.K. REBECCA LAI and ALICIA PARLAPIANO (DIERSEN: During my lifetime, I have paid lots of money for insurance including life insurance, health, dental, and vision insurance, home insurance, and car insurance.)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/11/28/us/politics/obamacare-individual-mandate-penalty-maps.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump Shares Inflammatory Anti-Muslim Videos.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/us/politics/trump-anti-muslim-videos-jayda-fransen.html
— Retail Jobs Don’t Need to Be Bad. Here’s Proof. – Eduardo Porter (DIERSEN: What bad jobs have you had? According to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes, all the jobs that I had were bad. But nevertheless, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted that instead of me, Democrats, minorities, women, younger people, and veterans should have had the jobs that I had. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/28/business/economy/retail-work.html
— FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR PICTURE: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Pushed to Fringes, Needy New Yorkers Face a Long Slog to Work – Jim Dwyer (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, my Democrat IRS superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were beyond furious a) when I got promoted to a GS-12 (currently $79,563) job in the Loop in 1974, b) when I bought a studio condo in the Outer Drive East building in 1974 and walked to work and to graduate business classes at Loyola, and c) when I bought a one bedroom condo in that building in 1976 and walked to work and to graduate accounting classes at DePaul.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/28/nyregion/new-york-subway-funding-real-estate.html

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: “Trump retweets inflammatory and unverified anti-Muslim videos.” (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, my critics/opponents want me to “verify” all articles before I include links to them in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, that is, they want me to only include links to articles that they like.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/11/29/trump-retweets-inflammatory-and-unverified-anti-muslim-videos/
— Republicans had a big idea to give tax relief to the poor. Then it disappeared. – Jeff Stein (DIERSEN: If you are “poor,” you do not pay federal income tax.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/11/29/republicans-had-a-big-idea-to-give-tax-relief-to-the-poor-then-it-disappeared/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Where Chicago Isn’t the Second City Trains arrive on time, and the subway has 4G. This is the power of public investment. – William A. Galston
https://www.wsj.com/articles/where-chicago-isnt-the-second-city-1511913175
— Companies Foster Collaboration – Sue Shellenbarger (DIERSEN: The federal government fosters collaboration. It wants its employees to collaborate to get rid of their superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates who are Republican, and especially those who are White, male, non-veteran and who failed to make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/taking-one-for-the-team-companies-foster-collaboration-1511885844

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES
— Who Funds Conservative Campus Group Turning Point USA? Donors Revealed – ALEX KOTCH (DIERSEN: Who funds you? No one funds me. To discredit me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, my critics/opponent stress that Ed Bachrach, Henry Bradley, Richard DeVos, William Dixon, Stephen Einhorn, Vince Foglia, Foster Friess, Peter Huizenga, Vince Kolber, Mike Leven, Bernie Marcus, Virginia McCaskey, Mike Miller, Gary Rabine, Bruce Rauner, Richard Uihlein, Elizabeth Weiss, etc. HAVE NOT GIVEN ME ANY MONEY. They further stress that Bachrach, Kolber, McCaskey, and Rabine did not want to know about, to promote, to attend, or to report on their November 20 fundraiser for Ives.)
http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/who-funds-conservative-campus-group-turning-point-usa-donors-revealed-2620325

MOTLEY FOOL
— Will Tax Reform Get Rid of the Marriage Penalty? Married couples with two working spouses often have to pay a higher tax rate than if they were single. – Matthew Frankel (DIERSEN: My wife and I have paid the marriage penalty big time ever since we got married in 1978.)
https://www.fool.com/taxes/2017/11/25/will-tax-reform-get-rid-of-the-marriage-penalty.aspx

PILOT ONLINE
— Too late for training – Anamae Leon, Norfolk (DIERSEN: I was a federal employee for almost 30 years.)
https://pilotonline.com/opinion/letters/letter-too-late-for-training/article_349b45d2-70d2-5d48-9cdd-1206acb8bdfa.html
(FROM THE LETTER: I am a retired federal employee. I attended annual required classes on the prevention of sexual harassment for many years. The last few years I worked, an additional course on the prevention of sexual assault was required. Apparently, our esteemed members of Congress were exempt from this training and now must pass a bill so that they will be required to get such training. People in such positions know how to behave in the workplace. These men know exactly what they are doing. Years ago, when I was a teenager, my mother told me that it’s a man’s world. I protested at the time, but now, sadly, I know what she meant. We must do better as a nation. Our girls deserve better.)

November 27 Morning Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— 38 candidates were in line at the DuPage County Election Commission by 8:00 AM this morning to file nominating petitions. Cantore was first in the line followed by Wiley, McGowen, Mendrick, Almiron, Covert, Tully, Selmon, Rutledge, Hart, Zay, Eckhoff, Tornatore, Painter, Hinds, Holz, Moretti, Dabrowski, Suratwala, Grant, Zaruba, Nero, Bibbiano, Orsianger, Chaplin, Qayyum, Schultz, Kaczmarek, Anderson, Falbo, Murphy, Ruscitti, Cooper, Renehan, Fisher, Demichele, Prater, and Abbott.

Since 2000, I have gathered signatures on nominating petitions for all the candidates who seek to be on Republican primary ballots in my precinct. For the March 20, 2018 Republican primary, I gathered 667 signatures from 19 households in my precinct for the following candidates:

U.S. CONGRESS: Peter Roskam;
STATE OF ILLINOIS: Bruce Rauner, Governor and Evelyn Sanguinette, Lieutenant Governor; Jeanne Ives, Governor and Rich Morthland, Lieutenant Governor; William Kelly, Governor and Brian Leggero, Lieutenant Governor; Erika Harold, Attorney General; Jason Helland, Secretary of State; Jim Dodge, Treasurer; and Darlene Senger, Comptroller;
ILLINOIS SENATE: Michael Connelly;
ILLINOIS HOUSE: Amy Grant, Jeanne Ives; Burt Minor
DUPAGE COUNTY: Dan Cronin, Board Chairman; James Mendrick and Frank Bibbiano, Sheriff; Paul Hinds, Clerk; Gwen Henry, Treasurer; Darlene Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent of Schools;
DUPAGE COUNTY BOARD District 4: Ron Almiron, Grant Eckhoff, Amy Grant, Paula McGowen, Thommen Poozhikunnel, Beth Tatro, and Chris Zaruba;
DUPAGE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE: Joseph Cantore, President;
CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE: Jeff MacKay, Richard Russo, Karen Wilson
https://gopillinois.com

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives says she won’t file petitions today
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/27/ives-says-she-wont-file-petitions-today/
— Pritzker, others file petitions
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/27/pritzker-others-file-petitions/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Senate GOP tax bill hurts the poor more than originally thought, CBO finds – Heather Long
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-senate-gop-tax-bill-cbo-analysis-20171126-story.html
— Guns were Black Friday must-haves, going by the FBI’s record 203,086 background-check requests – Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-guns-black-friday-20171126-story.html
— College grads, it’s time to start repaying your loans – Steve Rosen (DIERSEN: Because I graduating debt-free from NIU in 1970 and owning a 1969 Dodge Charger SE when I was 21 years old, I had more money to help support my mother and brother 1970-1972, buy a new 1972 Corvette in 1971, pay for tuition and books for graduate business courses at Loyola 1972-1976, buy a new town home in 1972, buy a studio condo in 1974, buy a one bedroom condo in 1976, etc.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/sns-201711171511–tms–kidmoneyctnsr-a20171117-20171117-story.html
— Scholarships are free money for the taking – Terry Savage (DIERSEN: Did you apply for scholarships? I did not. When you in high school, were you “college material?” While I attended Crete-Monee High School 1962-1966, I took college preparatory courses notwithstanding the fact that many, if not most, if not virtually everyone at the time viewed me as NOT being “college material.” Neither of my parents had attended college. My father was the first of his ancestors to earn a high school diploma. My mother never attended high school. I spent my junior and senior years and the summer in between washing dishes for the minimum wage in the basement of the S.S. Kresges in Chicago Heights. I just barely made into the top 20% of my class, my ACT score was only 24, I was draft bait, my eyesight could not be corrected to 20/20, I had partial red/green color blindness, and I had Osgood-Schlatter disease (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osgood%E2%80%93Schlatter_disease).)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-201711172143–tms–savagectnts-a20171117-20171117-column.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— No ‘easy task’ recouping $1M Rush owes Trump pal’s firm, feds for loan – Sandy Bergo and Chuck Neubauer
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/no-easy-task-recouping-1m-rush-owes-trump-pal-feds-for-church-loan/

DAILY HERALD
— Ballots to take shape as Illinois candidates begin filing today
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171127/ballots-to-take-shape-as-illinois-candidates-begin-filing-today
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: Three members of tollway board have links to contractor seeking 10-year deal – Marni Pyke
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171127/3-members-of-tollway-board-have-links-to-contractor-seeking-10-year-deal

ABC7
— 6 dead, 30 wounded in Thanksgiving weekend shootings across Chicago
http://abc7chicago.com/6-dead-30-wounded-in-thanksgiving-weekend-shootings-across-chicago/2697946/

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Lakewood trustees to talk censure of Village President Paul Serwatka Trustee alleges board was kept out of the loop on recent hires – MIKE MALLORY
http://www.nwherald.com/2017/11/24/lakewood-trustees-to-talk-censure-of-village-president-paul-serwatka/avynkao/

EVANSTON NOW
— Aldermen to vote on 3 percent property tax hike – Bill Smith
http://evanstonnow.com/story/government/bill-smith/2017-11-26/78777/aldermen-to-vote-on-3-percent-property-tax-hike

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Algonquin Township – Clerk demands control over meetings – KIRK ALLEN
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/11/algonquin-township-clerk-demands-control-over-meetings/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— DEMS DO NO GOOD WHEN THEY KICK HISPANIC REPUBLICANS TO CURB
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/11/dems-do-no-good-when-they-kick-hispanic-republicans-to-curb.html
— GOODBYE NET NEUTRALITY; HELLO COMPETITION (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, “companies” act like they are not in business to make a profit, but instead, to defend and advance the Democrat, Libertarian, and Green platforms.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/11/goodbye-net-neutrality-hello-competition.html

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Tax reform puts blue-state Republicans in difficult spot – S.A. Miller
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/26/tax-reform-puts-blue-state-republicans-in-difficul/

AMERICAN THINKER
— The Myth of White Privilege – John Meinhold (DIERSEN: In 1971, Oldsmobile withdrew its job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.)
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/11/the_myth_of_white_privilege.html

BLAZE
— Black Friday posts new all-time record for number of background checks in single day, FBI says – Chris Enloe
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/11/26/black-friday-posts-new-all-time-record-for-number-of-background-checks-in-single-day-fbi-says
— The NFL and its TV partners are on track to lose $500 million this year alone as ratings plunge – Chris Enloe
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/11/26/the-nfl-and-its-tv-partners-are-on-track-to-lose-500-million-this-year-alone-as-ratings-plunge

CONSERVATIVE AMERICAN
— Don’t Blame Donald Trump for Eclipsing the State Department The real culprit is a much older one: our militaristic foreign policy. – PETER VAN BUREN
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/dont-blame-donald-trump-for-eclipsing-the-state-department/

FOX BUSINESS
— Military overhauls retirement system in biggest shift since World War II – Brittany De Lea
http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/11/22/military-overhauls-retirement-system-in-biggest-shift-since-world-war-ii.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— Diplomats Sound the Alarm as They Are Pushed Out in Droves – GARDINER HARRIS (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the agency’s top priority was to get rid of its employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran. If my Democrat GAO superiors had not succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old, I might still be a GAO employee and paying 7% of my salary into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) instead of the CSRS pension paying me a pension. In today’s dollars, since September 30, 1997, I would have paid $173,622 into the CSRS instead of the CSRS paying me $1,025,596.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/24/us/politics/state-department-tillerson.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Comey tweeted about freedom of the press — minutes after Trump attacked CNN – Kristine Phillips (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents oppose “freedom of the press.” My critics/opponents have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout. They a) glorify and praise, pander to, serve as operatives or dupes for, and/or give money to “reporters” and to “journalists” who they manipulate/dominate and b) viciously demonize, viciously denigrate, viciously condemn, and blacklist reporters and journalists like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate. They refuse to keep diersen@aol.com on their press advisory and press release lists. They do not want me to know about their events or other activities. They do not want me to promote their events or other activities. They do not want me to attend their events or other activities. They do not want me to report on their events or other activities. They focus on a) stopping me from putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out and b) stopping everyone from reading those emails.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/11/26/james-b-comey-tweeted-about-freedom-of-the-press-minutes-after-trump-attacked-cnn/James B.
— Time to take baby boomers off the ticket – David Von Drehle (DIERSEN: All my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always promoted age discrimination, most commonly to get promoted or to curry favor with those who are younger.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/time-to-take-baby-boomers-off-the-ticket/2017/11/24/7b4aa97c-d154-11e7-81bc-c55a220c8cbe_story.html

USA TODAY
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: For many, a leisurely retirement is a long shot Fewer older American think they’ll be able to afford trips, survey finds – Paul Davidson (DIERSEN: How much money do you have to go on trips? Since 1997, in today’s dollars, I have had $1,454,723 less dollars to go on trips, that is, $72,135 less a year, $6,011 less a month, $1,403 less a week, and $200 less a day. In 1997, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” In 1997, in today’s dollars, my GAO salary was $122,991/year. But my Civil Service Retirement System pension is only $50,856/year, or 41% of that.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/11/26/retirees-dream-more-travel-less-health-care-tough-achieve/890562001/
— Hijab Barbie: Perfect Christmas gift for non-Muslim parents who want to stick it to Trump – James S. Robbins
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/11/24/hijab-barbie-perfect-christmas-gift-non-muslim-parents-who-want-stick-trump-james-robbins-column/884583001/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Why Immigrants Make Great Entrepreneurs – Adrian Furnham (DIERSEN: Are you an immigrant and/or an entrepreneur? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes shout that I am neither. My ancestors have been in America since 1844 and I was a lowly wage earner 1964-1997. I washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-immigrants-make-great-entrepreneurs-1511752261

NEWSWEEK
— REX TILLERSON IS MAKING THE STATE DEPARTMENT A LOT MORE WHITE – CARLOS BALLESTEROS (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the agency’s top priority was to get rid of its employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran. If my Democrat GAO superiors had not succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old, I might still be a GAO employee and paying 7% of my salary into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) instead of the CSRS pension paying me a pension. In today’s dollars, since September 30, 1997, I would have paid $173,622 into the CSRS instead of the CSRS paying me $1,025,596.)
http://www.newsweek.com/rex-tillerson-diversity-state-department-foreign-service-722653
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rex Tillerson is ousting many of the State Department’s high-ranking women diplomats and diplomats of color. On Friday, the New York Times revealed how Tillerson’s State Department is pushing out scores of career diplomats from the agency, offering them buyouts and early retirement in the hopes of getting them out the door. “Among those fired or sidelined were most of the top African-American and Latino diplomats, as well as many women, difficult losses in a department that has long struggled with diversity,” reported the Times. The drastic reduction in senior staff is part of Tillerson’s plan to slash the State Department’s expenses by 31 percent. Former officials warn that Tillerson is worsening America’s image abroad and compromising the country’s foreign policy agenda. “These people either do not believe the U.S. should be a world leader or they’re utterly incompetent,” former ambassador to Qatar Dana Shell Smith, who retired from the service in June, told the Times. Tillerson has put a stop to most hiring at the State Department and hopes to push out some 2,000 career diplomats by this time next year, according to the Times. Tillerson plans on doing so by arbitrarily denying posts and assignments to certain diplomats, as well as offering $25,000 contract buyouts for many of the agency’s senior staff. His aides have also simply fired many diplomats whose vision does not align with that of the Secretary of State. Senior non-male and non-white diplomats have been among those targeted by Tillerson. The State Department’s level of diversity has historically been low: In 2016, 5.4 percent of career diplomats were black, 6.9 percent were Asian, and 5.6 percent Hispanic, according to Foreign Policy. The Obama administration made an effort to increase the number of diplomats of color in order to create a Foreign Service that “looked more like America.” But Tillerson’s plans are much different. Instead of recruiting a more diverse pool of talent, the State Department is in the process of substantially reducing its staff, all but ending the drive to diversify the agency.)

November 25 Morning Edition

CBS2
— City To Feds: ‘Stop Playing Games,’ Or Face Lawsuit – Bob Roberts (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the Democrats who run Chicago put illegals ahead of citizens of America.)
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/11/24/city-to-feds-stop-playing-games-or-face-lawsuit/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The city of Chicago is threatening to sue the U.S. Justice Department, which has slapped conditions on a new grant the city hopes to use to hire additional police officers. In a statement, Mayor Rahm Emanuel contended that complying with conditions for the $3.1 million grant would force the city to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and end its status as a sanctuary city. Emanuel said in doing so, the city would “abandon its values” but added they “are not for sale.”)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Time magazine says Trump’s got it wrong on ‘Person of the Year’ rejection – Jenna Johnson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-time-person-of-year-20171124-story.html
— Universities revoke journalism awards given to Charlie Rose – AP (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, I will never get any journalism awards. My critics/opponents stress a) that I state that I am conservative and Republican, b) that I do not have a degree in journalism, c) that no one pays me for what I do as your GOPUSA Illinois Editor, d) that GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails go out free of charge and without any advertising, and e) that certain activists, certain candidates, certain elected officials, certain party leaders, certain major donors, and certain political consultants in Illinois who state that they are conservative and/or Republican treat me like I am not a journalist except when they do treat me like I am a journalist to bar me from their events.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-charlie-rose-journalism-awards-revoked-20171124-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— SIU begs for a bold reinvention — or there will be no SIU – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/siu-chancellor-bold-reinvention-editorial/

DAILY HERALD
— AT&T suit shows web has enough rules, say foes of open internet – Bloomberg (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents a) do not want an “open internet,” b) are moral relativists who believe that their end justifies their means, c) are disciples of Saul Alinsky, d) want to stop everyone from visiting www.gopillinois.com, e) want to stop everyone from reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, f) do not want me to know about their events or their other activities, g) do not want me to promote them, their events, or their other activities, h) do not want me to attend their events or their other activities, and i) do not want me to report on them, their events, or their other activities. Far too many of the aforesaid claim to be conservative and/or Republican.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171125/att-suit-shows-web-has-enough-rules-say-foes-of-open-internet
— Islamic Center of Wheaton open doors to build better relationships and build bridges – Syed Ullah (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps demonize you, denigrate you, and condemn you if you do not promote Islam.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20171124/islamic-center-of-wheaton-open-doors-to-build-better-relationships-and-build-bridges
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Open Mosque was attended by many guests and public officials from the community. The officials who attend are Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk, Congressman Peter Roskam, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Governor of Illinois Evelyn Pacino Sanguinetti.)

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Cities want cut in Illinois’ sales tax collection fee – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171124/cities-want-cut-in-illinois-sales-tax-collection-fee

ROCK RIVER TIMES
— Judge voids former NIU president’s $600K severance package – Jim Hagerty
http://rockrivertimes.com/2017/11/24/judge-voids-former-niu-presidents-600k-severance-package/

JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
— Time to take democracy back from 1 percent – Ellen Wolcott, Charleston (DIERSEN: What does the 1 percent think of you? My critics/opponents stress to members of the 1 percent in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Milton Township, DuPage County, Cook County, Chicago, and Illinois a) that my Civil Service Retirement System pension is only $50,856/year and that my Social Security is only $2,028/year, b) that I do not have a degree in journalism, c) that no one pays me for what I do as your GOPUSA ILLINOIS Editor, d) that GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails go out free of charge and without any advertising, e) that certain activists, certain candidates, certain elected officials, certain party leaders, certain major donors, and certain political consultants in Illinois who state that they are conservative and/or Republican treat me like I am not a journalist except when they do treat me like I am a journalist to bar me from their events, and f) that I am no longer a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc.)
http://jg-tc.com/opinion/letters/letter-time-to-take-democracy-back-from-percent/article_80f2d261-6d9f-58f8-abe4-70c167fd520b.html

GOPUSA
— Obama loyalists undermine immigration law
http://www.gopusa.com/obama-loyalists-undermine-immigration-law/

NEW YORK TIMES
— Save the SALT Deduction – Nicole Gelinas (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/24/opinion/taxes-salt-deduction.html
— Some Women Attain an Enviable Status: 401(k) Millionaire – Tara Siegel Bernard (DIERSEN: From what I see, if you do not have at least $1 million saved for your retirement or if you are not on track to have at least $1 million saved for your retirement, you are in big trouble financially. From what I see, the operatives and dupes who work for my critics/opponents have saved little or nothing for their retirement. Because they are in big trouble financially, they have done and they will do just about anything that my critics/opponents tell them to do. Operatives and dupes who work for my critics/opponents talk and/or act like my critics/opponents have promised them lots of money, a new home, a new car, a sweetheart job, a sweetheart contract, favorable legislation, and lots more if they succeed in stopping me from putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and sending them out and/or succeed in stopping everyone from reading those emails.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/24/your-money/some-women-attain-an-enviable-status-401-k-millionaire.html
— Bridging the Canyon Across the Holiday Table – Timothy Egan (DIERSEN: On one side of the holiday table are those who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HOLIDAY TABLE ARE THOSE WHO ARE Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/24/opinion/thanksgiving-trump-party-divisions.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Senate Republicans Will Huddle With Trump Ahead of Tax Vote The full chamber is scheduled to take up legislation later next week – Kristina Peterson (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-republicans-will-huddle-with-trump-ahead-of-tax-vote-1511559060
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, the more that you are presumed to be a sexual harasser who should be gotten rid of: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, non-veteran, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-sexual-harassment-racket-is-over-1511470096
— Licenses to Kill Opportunity A new study shows how state licensing rules block upward mobility. – Editorial (DIERSEN: I became a licensed CPA in 1981 when I was 32 years old. Of course, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious about that just like they were furious when I earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, earned a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, became a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, became a Certified Government Financial Manager in 1994, became a Certified Financial Services Auditor in 1996, became a Forensic Accountant in 1997, and earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading in 1997. To keep their jobs and to get promoted, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates promoted Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion, that is, they focused on wasting the careers of and getting rid of federal employees like me who were Republican, and especially those like me who were White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/licenses-to-kill-opportunity-1511561031
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Trusting the People to Make Mistakes Should we defend democracy even when voters’ decisions take an unwise or illiberal turn? – Barton Swaim (DIERSEN: Who votes for who? Voters who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WHO ARE anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors. What percent of the voters in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, in Illinois, and in America are the aforesaid?)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/review-barton-swaim-on-political-books-1511558855
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Police See Social Media Fuel Crime Police departments in Chicago and other cities see platforms as an ‘accelerant’ for violence – Shibani Mahtani
https://www.wsj.com/articles/social-media-emerges-as-new-frontier-in-fight-against-violent-crime-1511528400

ARIZONA CENTRAL
— ‘The State of Aging’: The challenges of working past 65 – Christina Estes (DIERSEN: In the federal government, if you are a non-veteran White male, you face age discrimination if you do not make GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40.)
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2017/11/25/challenges-working-past-65/882293001/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: But many older workers in the workforce are facing discrimination. During the EEOC meeting in June to mark the 50th anniversary of the ADEA, Patrick Button, assistant professor at Tulane University, shared results of a large scale hiring study for entry level jobs. Using similar resumes and changing ages and sex, his team compared job offer rates. “We found there’s definitely age discrimination, particularly at age 65,” he said. “For older women, we actually see there’s an earlier onset of age discrimination.”)

SARASODA HERALD TRIBUNE
— Will tax reform kill housing market? – Ilyce Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin
http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20171125/real-estate-matters-will-tax-reform-kill-housing-market

CNET
— Net neutrality could spur the next big political movement As the FCC tries to dismantle net neutrality rules, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii says internet-savvy, young people could become a political force. – MARGUERITE REARDON (DIERSEN: Since 2000, those who dominate the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Milton Township Republican Central Committee, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Center Right Coalition, American Association of Political Consultants, etc. have made it very clear that because they cannot manipulate/dominate me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, they a) want to stop everyone from visiting www.gopillinois.com, b) want stop everyone from reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails, c) do not want me to know about their events or their other activities, d) do not want me to promote them, their events, or their other activities, e) do not want me to attend their events or their other activities, and f) do not want me to report on them, their events, or their other activities.)
https://www.cnet.com/news/net-neutrality-could-spur-the-next-big-political-movement/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The Federal Communications Commission’s effort to repeal net neutrality regulations should be a rallying cry for internet-loving voters. That’s the message Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, is promoting following news this week that the FCC is planning to vote next month on rolling back most of the Obama-era regulations that prevent broadband providers from messing with your internet access. Because Republicans control the FCC, the rollback is expected to happen.)

November 20 Evening Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— OCTOBER 5, 2017 FLASHBACK: Mike Connelly and Pat Hughes spoke very highly of Jeanne Ives at her outstanding fundraiser Thursday evening, October 5, 2017, at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton. Hughes presented Ives with a $10,000 check from Illinois Liberty Pac. The 50+ attendees included Ron Almiron, Janice Anderson, Mike Barbier, Bob Biggins, Liam Brennan, Denise Cattoni, Lori Carlson, John Curran, Sal Falbo, Jay Fisher, Suzanne Fitch, Bob Grogan, Heidi Holan, Tonia Khouri, Chris LeVan, John Millner, Burt Miner, Nicole Prater, Mike Prueter, Richard Russo, Jan Shaw, Phil Suess, Dave Tornga, Karen Wilson, Jim Zay, and Stan Zegel. – Dave Diersen
https://gopillinois.com/uncategorized/october-5-evening-edition-2/

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Ives heads to Downers Grove for a powerhouse fundraiser – Hoang Tran (DIERSEN: Sadly, there will be no GOPUSA ILLINOIS report on this event like there was for Ive’s October 5, 2017 event (see above). Since 2000, I have attended many such events in my roles as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor and as a DuPage County Milton Township Republican Precinct Committeeman, and previously, as a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman (2005-2012) and as an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member (2003-2007). Spokespersons for the event hosts talked and acted like had never heard of me or of my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. I had left a message with Ive’s House campaign that I wanted to attend the event and to let me know if there was any problem, but I learned after the event that the message did not get through. They stressed that the event was “closed to the media” and that the event hosts did not want any members of the news media at the event. Notwithstanding my appeals, spokespersons for the event hosts would not allow me to speak with any of the event hosts and succeeded in evicting me from the event. When I arrived early at the event, I learned that I had not been invited to attend a press conference that was in progress. I was offered the opportunity to attend the press conference and to ask Ives questions, but that was not why I was there. I was there to get information to post a report on the event similar to what I did for her October 5, 2017 event (see above). I stressed that my “attendees included” lists in such reports has always been limited to Republican elected officials, candidates, and party leaders, but that did not change their minds. At least my trip to the event was not a complete waste of my time. I got to meet Rich Morthland and I brought in a notarized petition for Ives. Previously, I had provided Ives with three notarized petitions for her House race. I might have been allowed to attend the event if had if I had contributed $1,000 to her campaign or if I had brought in petitions containing 200 signatures, but probably not because I am a member of the news media. GOPUSA ILLINOIS email subscriptions are worth at least $1,000/year and I hope that the Ives campaign reads the emails. Needless-to-say my nasty critics/opponents, their nasty operatives, and their nasty dupes are “rolling in the isles” with laughter because since 2000, they have shouted that I am NOT a member of the news media and that my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are worthless.)
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511273902-ives-heads-to-downers-grove-for-a-powerhouse-fundraiser
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Continuing her tour of Illinois, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is stopping in Downers Grove on Monday night to attend a private campaign fundraiser being hosted by several influential powerhouses. Ives has been campaigning rigorously for a run at the 2018 gubernatorial election, petitioning to challenge incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner, whom she believed has failed as a Republican leader after he went against the party on important measures such as taxpayer funded abortions and property tax reform. “He has basically discredited himself as a Republican,” Ives said in an interview on “Chicago Tonight” on WTTW. “He’s signed into law very extreme measures. The man who said he had no social agenda ended up having only a social agenda.” The hosts of the Downers Grove fundraiser include Vince Kolber, Ed Bachrach, Virginia McCaskey and Gary Rabine. Kolber is an entrepreneur and civic leader and was a candidate for the 5th Congressional District in 2016. Bachrach is the former chairman and CEO of Bachrach Clothing Inc., a national retail chain of men’s clothing stores. McCaskey is the matriarch of the Chicago Bears NFL team. Rabine is the CEO and founder of the Rabine Group, which is involved in asphalt and parking lot development. The people of Illinois deserves another option for governor, Ives contended. “We’re traveling the state to let people know that they have a real option in the governor’s race,” Ives told Rock Island Today. “They feel betrayed by both Gov. Rauner and the longtime political ruling class in Springfield. Places like Rock Island and like Decatur have become the forgotten places in Illinois by the Chicago Democrats who have run this state into the ground. This campaign is committed to helping every Illinoisan and their family succeed.” The campaign has previously visited Decatur, Rock Island County, the Quad Cities area, Troy, Glen Carbon and Springfield.)
— Wheatland Township GOP sees Ives as state’s future – Glenn Minnis
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511269816-wheatland-township-gop-sees-ives-as-state-s-future

FOX NEWS
— Trump puts North Korea back on blacklist (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who blacklist me because I refuse to carry out their blacklist orders? Should I publish a list of those who blacklist me because I refuse to carry out their blacklist orders?)
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/11/20/latest-terror-designation-way-to-hike-nkorea-pressure.html

ABC7
— Judge permanently blocks Trump sanctuary cities order – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/judge-permanently-blocks-trump-sanctuary-cities-order/2676112/

NBC5
— Hastert Scores Victory in One of Two Abuse-Related Lawsuits – Phil Rogers
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Hastert-Scores-Victory-in-One-of-Two-Abuse-Related-Lawsuits-458873243.html

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Divided vote keeps Illinois in Crosscheck voter database – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-politics-crosscheck-20171120-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Kendall County judge dismisses sex abuse suit against Dennis Hastert – Mitch Dudek
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/kendall-county-judge-dismisses-sex-abuse-suit-against-dennis-hastert/
— 3 tame referendums to crowd more controversial questions off ballot – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/three-tame-referenda-to-crowd-more-controversial-questions-off-ballot/

DAILY HERALD
— College of DuPage holds line on property taxes – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171120/college-of-dupage-holds-line-on-property-taxes

— McHenry County reduces levy 11.2%, asks other taxing bodies to follow – Lauren Rohr
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171120/mchenry-county-reduces-levy-112-asks-other-taxing-bodies-to-follow-
— Will your taxes go up or down? The five biggest questions on the GOP plan – Heather Long (DIERSEN: From what I see, Republican leaders want those who itemize their deductions to take the biggest tax hit. I itemized 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized since 1978. Government should encourage homeownership and taking job-related graduate courses. The deductibility of mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and job-related education a) encouraged me to take job-related graduate courses 1972-1983 and 1992-1997, b) encouraged me to buy a new town home in 1972, a studio condo in 1974, and a one bedroom condo in 1976, and c) encouraged my wife and I to buy a home in 1978 and to have one built in 1984.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171120/will-your-taxes-go-up-or-down-the-five-biggest-questions-on-the-gop-plan

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— UIC may absorb John Marshall Law School – LYNNE MAREK
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171120/NEWS13/171129992/uic-may-absorb-john-marshall-law-school
— Why Crain’s is no longer allowing comments (DIERSEN: Many, if not most, if not virtually all of the operatives and dupes who work for my critics/opponent operate anonymously. They know that I am litigious.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171120/OPINION/171129996/why-crains-is-no-longer-allowing-comments
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The editors of Crain’s Chicago Business are pulling the plug on our website’s comments section. Since we launched ChicagoBusiness.com more than 20 years ago, we have employed a variety of tools-most recently a discussion platform called Disqus-to facilitate reader commentary. Inevitably, however, the trolls leave their trails of slime before we know it. Simply put, we do not have the personnel to manage this commentary, to keep it civil and fair and to halt the back and forth before it devolves into invective, name-calling and, in too many cases, outright hate speech. We’d rather not play host to these often anonymous commenters. They drive out more civil readers and potential commenters. They sully our content, our brand and our sponsors. So, to borrow a phrase, we’re draining the swamp.)
— Should the upper middle class take the biggest tax hit? – Bloomberg (DIERSEN: From what I see, Republican leaders want those who itemize their deductions to take the biggest tax hit. I itemized 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized since 1978. Government should encourage homeownership and taking job-related graduate courses. The deductibility of mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and job-related education a) encouraged me to take job-related graduate courses 1972-1983 and 1992-1997, b) encouraged me to buy a new town home in 1972, a studio condo in 1974, and a one bedroom condo in 1976, and c) encouraged my wife and I to buy a home in 1978 and to have one built in 1984.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171120/NEWS02/171129990/should-the-upper-middle-class-take-the-biggest-tax-hit
— Illinois to stay in controversial voter database for now – AP
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171120/NEWS02/171129986/illinois-to-stay-in-controversial-voter-database-for-now

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— What’s the blueprint to political success? – Editorial (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, the “blueprint to political success” is to determine who has the most religious, government, political, and financial clout and then glorify and praise them, pander to them, serve as one of their operatives or dupes, and give them money.)
http://www.daily-journal.com/opinion/editorials/what-s-the-blueprint-to-political-success/article_76857b69-c880-59bf-a2af-ea201ee60a92.html

STATELINE
— Gov. Rauner Primary Opponent Jeannie Ives to Appear at Rockford Pro-Trump Event Tuesday Event will feature candidates, authors and talk show hosts among others
http://www.mystateline.com/news/gov-rauner-primary-opponent-to-appear-at-rockford-pro-trump-event-tuesday/860821348

ST. LOUIS TODAY
— House Republicans target medical expense deductions for elderly, disabled – Editorial (DIERSEN: Last year, my and my wife’s medical and dental expenses were $21,433, of which $13,859 was deductible. Last year, my aunt’s medical and dental expenses were $78,213, of which $74,050 was deductible. From what I see, Republican leaders want those who itemize their deductions to take the biggest tax hit. I itemized 1972-1977 and my wife and I have itemized since 1978. Government should encourage homeownership and taking job-related graduate courses. The deductibility of mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and job-related education a) encouraged me to take job-related graduate courses 1972-1983 and 1992-1997, b) encouraged me to buy a new town home in 1972, a studio condo in 1974, and a one bedroom condo in 1976, and c) encouraged my wife and I to buy a home in 1978 and to have one built in 1984.)
http://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-house-republicans-target-medical-expense-deductions-for-elderly-disabled/article_ec1ba530-6dee-5260-9c30-2828c072f126.html

NORTHWEST INDIANA TIMES
— Why Don’t More People Wait Until They’re 70 to Claim Social Security? – Brian Stoffel (DIERSEN: My $2,028/year Social Security is dramatically less because I get a $50,856/year Civil Service Retirement Srstem pension. I earned Social Security credits during the 1960s and 1970s when I did yard work, washed dishes, cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, pumped gasoline, delivered mail, worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard, and sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances.)
http://www.nwitimes.com/business/investment/markets-and-stocks/why-don-t-more-people-wait-until-they-re-to/article_02cd189e-374e-5ec9-a1dd-c6457bc895a4.html

WILLIAM J. KELLY
— Ives campaign doing damage control on fake Bannon story (DIERSEN: I oppose blacklisting because my critics/opponents blacklist me. Those who want me to blacklist William J. Kelly and/or others should go public with their requests.)
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/ives-campaign-doing-damage-control-on-fake-bannon-story

WIRE POINTS
— Pending Federal Tax Changes Would Lower Illinois Home Values And Deepen Property Tax Rage – Mark Glennon (DIERSEN: Mortgage interest and real estate taxes being deductible a) encouraged me to buy a new town home in 1972 when I was 24 years old, a studio condo in 1974, and a one bedroom condo in 1976 and b) encouraged my wife and I to buy a home in 1978 and to have one built in 1984.)
http://www.wirepoints.com/pending-federal-tax-changes-would-lower-illinois-home-values-and-inflame-property-tax-issues-wirepoints-original/

WILL COUNTY NEWS
— State employee health insurance accounts for vast majority of Illinois’ 2017 deficit spending – Greg Bishop
http://willcountynews.com/2017/11/20/state-employee-health-insurance-accounts-for-vast-majority-of-illinois-2017-deficit-spending/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Congressman Randy Hultgren Introduces Parental Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – John Biver
https://illinoisfamily.org/education/congressman-randy-hultgren-introduces-parental-rights-amendment-u-s-constitution/

CAPITOL FAX
— After claiming Madigan was on a “descent into madness,” Ives now pledges different approach
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/20/after-claiming-madigan-was-on-a-descent-into-madness-ives-now-pledges-different-approach/
— Rauner’s Madigan schtick wearing thin with the… Kankakee Daily Journal?
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/20/rauners-madigan-schtick-wearing-thin-with-the-kankakee-daily-journal/
— New sexual harassment laws derided as toothless
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/20/new-sexual-harassment-laws-derided-as-toothless/

GOPUSA
— Calif. officials crack down on ‘churches’ selling marijuana
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=33688

WESTERN JOURNAL
— Latino Congressman Denied Membership in Hispanic Caucus – The Reason Why Is Surprising – Jason Hopkins (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries treat me like I am not a member if the news media? ANSWER: Those that are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and those that 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.)
https://www.westernjournal.com/lawmaker-denied-membership-congressional-hispanic-caucus-hes-republican/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The congressman made his case for membership in the CHC last week. However, there was one major problem plaguing his chances. Curbelo is a Republican.)

COLLEGE FIX
— University of Illinois instructor assaults conservative students – DANIEL PAYNE
http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/39174/

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Illinois to stay in controversial voter database for now
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Illinois-to-stay-in-controversial-voter-database-12371770.php

FED SMITH
— Extending Federal Employee Probation to Two Years? – Ralph R. Smith (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious that when I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, because I had been under a probationary period at IRS, I was not under a probationary period at GAO. Nevertheless, they did everything that they could to get rid of me. GAO audits IRS. They kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. They gave me unfair performance expectations and unfair performance appraisals. They assigned me to work for, to work with, and to supervise the office’s most problematic employees. And even worse things. In my defense, I completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, became a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a Certified Government Financial Manager in 1994, a Certified Financial Services Auditor in 1996, and a Forensic Accountant in 1997. In addition, I completed the requirements for a master’s degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997.)
https://www.fedsmith.com/2017/11/20/extending-federal-employee-probation-two-years/

November 20 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Transit leader Kirk Dillard says CTA fare hike justified; McCarter backing Ives; Harold says as AG she wouldn’t support or oppose Trump; Mazeski gets leg up in Roskam race – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-cta-fare-hike-20171120-story.html
— Who benefits from House tax plan? – Jill Schlesinger (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20171120/281865823771370
— You can get a good job without a bachelor’s degree – Chauncy Lennon and Anthony P. Carnevale (DIERSEN: 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.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-degree-college-jobs-1120-20171114-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Black aldermen realizing strength in numbers – Laura Washington (DIERSEN: As they gain in numbers, members of the following groups realize their strength: 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. Ever-increasingly, they realize that soon, if not already, they will have the strength to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/washington-black-aldermen-working-together-what-a-concept/

DAILY HERALD
— Most employers don’t think bans on asking about salary history will work – Jena McGregor (DIERSEN: For government employees, salary history is public record. Since the beginning of time, government employees have been viciously demonized, viciously denigrated, and vicious condemned as being overpaid. Many do not seek jobs 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, and/or g) because they cannot take the demonization, denigration, and condemnation that comes with being a government employee or a government retiree.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20171119/most-employers-dont-think-bans-on-asking-about-salary-history-will-work
— Tax plan more backward than forward – Dennis Dedmond, Glen Ellyn
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171120/tax-plan-more-backward-than-forward
— #MeToo movement is heartening – Jane Cox, Wheaton
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171120/metoo-movement-is-heartening

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— House task force to review sexual harassment – Doug Finke (DIERSEN: Have you ever been a member of an organization that has been charged with sexual harassment? I have not. Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that the more of the following that you are, the more of a sexual harasser that you are: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171119/house-task-force-to-review-sexual-harassment

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Where’s pay equity in government? – ADAM ANDRZEJEWSKI (DIERSEN: Andrzejewski should look at GAO. During the 1980s and 1990s, to hire, to retain, and to promote young Democrat women and young Democrat minorities, GAO wasted the careers of and got rid of its employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran. GAO uses Affirmative Action, Diversity, Inclusion, and its “up-or-out” policy to waste the careers of and to get rid of its employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who GAO does not promote to 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. IRS did the same thing while I worked for it 1971-1980 and the Post Office did the same thing while I worked for it 1966-1969.)
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/guest-commentary/2017-11-19/guest-commentary-wheres-pay-equity-government.html

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Trump calls on NFL to suspend Raiders’ Marshawn Lynch RB stands for Mexican anthem, sits for US anthem – MAEGAN VAZQUEZ (DIERSEN: What do you say to the many millions of citizens of Mexico who are in America? You can only be loyal to one country at a time.)
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/sports/trump-calls-on-nfl-to-suspend-raiders-marshawn-lynch/860669614

WILLIAM J KELLY
— Ives Campaign Promotes Fake Steve Bannon Page Endorsement
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/ives-campaign-promotes-fake-steve-bannon-page-endorsement

CHEROKEE TRIBUNE LEDGER NEWS
— State employee health insurance accounts for vast majority of Illinois’ 2017 deficit spending – Greg Bishop (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been beyond furious that the federal government a) paid 75% of my health insurance 1971-1997 and b) has paid 75% of my and my wife’s health, dental, and vision insurance since 1997. Currently, we pay $5,763/year and the federal government pays $17,288/year.)
http://www.tribuneledgernews.com/extra/news/state-employee-health-insurance-accounts-for-vast-majority-of-illinois/article_edfc1eb1-a77d-5fcd-a0bf-38fd313420a6.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Local 150 and Dan Proft: The enemy of my enemy is my friend
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/20/local-150-and-dan-proft-the-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend/
— Southern publishes scathing editorial on “bizarre” Rauner press conference
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/20/southern-publishes-scathing-editorial-on-bizarre-rauner-press-conference/

BLAZE
— Jeff Flake predicts what will happen if the GOP becomes defined by Donald Trump & Roy Moore – Chris Enloe (DIERSEN: One could say that the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) is defined by Rauner and a) NOT by the IRP platform, b) NOT by the IRP State Central Committee members, c) NOT by the IRP county party chairmen, d) NOT by the IRP township/ward party chairmen, and e) certainly NOT by the IRP precinct committeemen.)
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/11/19/jeff-flake-predicts-what-will-happen-if-the-gop-becomes-defined-by-donald-trump-roy-moore

THE HILL
— Sasse: Republican Party ‘unpersuasive’ and vulnerable – BRETT SAMUELS (DIERSEN: The Republican Party, Illinois Republican Party (IRP), DuPage County Republican Central Committee (DCRCC), and Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) are headed for oblivion if they do not stop letting people hold leadership positions who reject planks in Republican Party platform and the IRP platform. Most commonly, they reject the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, and/or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks. These “the platform is the problem” leaders are Democrat Party plants, Libertarian Party plants, or Green Party plants who a) focus on getting rid of those like me who support the aforesaid planks and b) focus on destroying the Republican Party, DCRCC, and MTRCC. Political parties exist to help elect candidates who can and will defend and advance their platform.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/361111-sasse-republican-party-unpersuasive-and-vulnerable
— On Capitol Hill, few name names on sexual harassment – CRISTINA MARCOS
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/361128-on-capitol-hill-few-name-names-on-sexual-harassment?rnd=1511153211

POLITICO
— Alabama newspaper chain calls for voters to reject Moore in front-page editorial (DIERSEN: Who calls for others to reject you? I should write a book about activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, etc. in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who call for everyone to reject me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They crow that I am no longer the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, a GAO employee, etc.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2017/11/19/alabama-newspaper-chain-calls-for-voters-to-reject-moore-in-front-page-editorial-boston-globe-goes-to-new-zealand-to-catch-up-with-scott-brown-palm-beach-prepares-for-trump-sasse-in-iowa-sunday-best-224833

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: What do you say to men who demonize, denigrate, and condemn other men to curry favor with those who are anti-men, anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors?
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/19/opinion/sexual-harassment-men-.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: A One-Mab Legal Factory Fights Harvard Over Affirmative Action – Anemona Hartocollis (DIERSEN: What if during the 1980s and 1990s, Blum had represented GAO’s White male employees who GAO had not promoted to 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.nytimes.com/2017/11/19/us/affirmative-action-lawsuits.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A former mayor of Poway, a small city in Southern California, wrote a column in August in his local newspaper with this headline: “A gun to my head.” He was upset about how a state law had forced Poway to redo its voting districts so Latinos would have a better chance of winning elections. Reading the piece on his computer 3,000 miles away, Edward Blum knew he had found his newest case. Seeing one of his bêtes noires — racial gerrymandering — at work, Mr. Blum recruited the former mayor, Don Higginson, as a plaintiff, and on Oct. 4 filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act. Mr. Blum is not a lawyer. But he is a one-man legal factory with a growing record of finding plaintiffs who match his causes, winning big victories and trying above all to erase racial preferences from American life. Mr. Blum, 65, has orchestrated more than two dozen lawsuits challenging affirmative action practices and voting rights laws across the country. He is behind two of the biggest such cases to reach the Supreme Court: one attacking consideration of race in admissions at the University of Texas, which he lost; the other contesting parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, widely considered one of this country’s most important pieces of civil rights legislation, which he won. Now, in his most high-profile cause of the moment, he has asserted that Harvard University’s affirmative action policies amount to an illegal quota system that denies high-achieving Asian-American students admission in numbers commensurate with their qualifications. He has already forced Harvard to turn over, under court seal, years of highly sensitive data about demographics, test scores and even some personal essays, and he now has a powerful ally in the Justice Department, which is looking into a similar complaint. Mr. Blum said he was acting on a pure principle — that people should never be judged by the color of their skin.)
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Subsidies Keep Many Insured, And Satisfied – Kate Zernike and Abby Goodnough (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been beyond furious that the federal government a) paid 75% of my health insurance 1971-1997 and b) has paid 75% of my and my wife’s health, dental, and vision insurance since 1997. Currently, we pay $5,763/year and the federal government pays $17,288/year.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/19/health/tax-plan-obamacare-mandate.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Key GOP Senator Susan Collins Cites Concerns Over Senate Tax Bill Raising pressure on party leadership to make changes to secure passage – Harriet Torry and Gabriel T. Rubin (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/key-gop-senator-cites-concerns-over-senate-tax-bill-1511113253
— GOP Faces Pressure to Slow Tax Bill’s Progress in Senate
https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2017/11/20/capital-journal-160/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, pot pushers push pot to “Alleviate the Opioid Crisis.” If you push pot, you push destruction.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-marijuana-alleviate-the-opioid-crisis-1511104543
— What Will Tax Reform Do for Puppies? The IRS shouldn’t favor Child Moms over Dog Moms. – Adam O’Neal (DIERSEN: If I sought a government office or political office or any kind of job, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would a) shout that my wife and I have ever owned a dog and b) shout that we gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-will-tax-reform-do-for-puppies-1511071482
(FROM THE ARTICLE: As tax reform snakes its way through the legislative process, it’s becoming clear that one critical group could come out behind: dog families. This inequity must be remedied. I suggest Republicans cancel their proposed Child Tax Credit expansion and instead offer a fully refundable Canine Tax Credit worth at least $500 a dog. Congress is preparing to maybe even double the Child Tax Credit. But what about couples who opted for dogs instead of children? Or those who are preparing for parenthood by taking on a cuddly critter for a couple of years? It’s as if the Child Tax Credit’s biggest boosters are stuck in 1997, when Congress first approved the handout. I hate millennials as much as any op-ed writer, but conservatives need their support to keep tax reform viable. And millennials love pets. Forty-four percent see Fluffy as practice for real offspring. Why privilege Child Moms over Dog Moms? No one is dumb enough to believe that small subsidies for having children encourage more births. Imagine telling your other half, “Sweetheart, I’m ready for another child. Let’s just wait until we can deduct an extra $600.” While some finance-conscious Wall Street Journal readers might not find that absurd, America’s declining birth rate suggests few outside our rarefied readership agree. The Child Tax Credit instead exists to transfer wealth to a preferred group (human families) from an undesirable one (childless superconsumers). No doubt a child’s life is infinitely more precious than a dog’s, but a puppy’s owner deserves economic security as much as a human parent. Maybe subsidizing only families with small humans made sense 20 years ago, but preferences change. Republicans must ask themselves: What do we really have to offer a farmer in Fargo with four French Spaniels? Expanding the Child Tax Credit might excite a few Senate staffers or think-tank fundraisers. But today there are about 90 million dogs in the U.S., spread over some 60 million households, according to the American Pet Products Association. Millions more languish in shelters, as economically insecure Americans hesitate to adopt. Two-thirds of pet owners consider their animals “part of the family,” data from Mintel shows. That’s probably why Americans, who spent nearly $67 billion on their pets in 2016, want relief. The Canine Tax Credit would do more than pad the bank accounts of dog owners. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says having a pet can help decrease blood pressure, cholesterol and feelings of loneliness. Perhaps the Congressional Budget Office could work lowered medical costs into its score? If the Canine Tax Credit passes, loyal voters could finally point to a material benefit provided by the GOP. There’s only one problem: Democrats, always eager to one-up Republican giveaways, could counter with a Feline Tax Credit. Maybe they’d include ferrets too, Rudy Giuliani be damned. Democrats could even target the millions of families with turtles, rabbits, horses, lizards and tarantulas. It’s almost as if it’d be easier just to eliminate all the exemptions and credits and cut tax rates accordingly.)

USA TODAY
— Vacations for retirees on a budget – Larry Bleiberg (DIERSEN: Vacations are expensive. Your GOPUSA Illinois Editor and his wife are not planning any kind of vacation. My $50,856/year pension is only 41% of the $122,991/year salary that I earned in 1997 in today’s dollars. Because my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old, we have at least $72,135 less each year or $6,011 less each month or $1,387 less each week or $198 less each day to spend on vacations. I went on vacations in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977. My wife and I went on many vacations, typically four each year, 1978-1992 in connection with her business trips to luxury resorts all across America. Of course, my Democrat IRS and GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were beyond furious about that.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2017/11/20/vacations-retirees-budget/853649001/
— Senators make bipartisan breakthrough on background check bill – Nicole Gaudiano (DIERSEN: Many millions have not and will not seek a job with the federal government a) because they cannot pass a background check, b) because the pay and benefits are terrible, c) because the advancement opportunities are terrible, d) because they lack required education, work experience, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses, e) because they cannot pass an employment examination, 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.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/16/senators-make-bipartisan-breakthrough-background-check-bill/869906001/

CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
— Yes, You Have Implicit Biases, Too – David Gooblar (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps promote 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.chronicle.com/article/Yes-You-Have-Implicit-Biases/241797

FORBES
— Illinois Government’s Gender Hypocrisy Gap – Adam Andrzejewski (DIERSEN: What would Andrzejewski say to my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who hint/imply/argue/shout a) that GAO’s Chicago office hired me in 1980, promoted me in 1986, and let me work there until 1997 BECAUSE IT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST WOMEN, b) that IRS’s Chicago office hired me in 1971, promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974, and let me work there until 1980 BECAUSE IT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST WOMEN, and c) that the Park Forest Post Office hired me in 1966 and let me work there until 1969 BECAUSE IT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST WOMEN?)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2017/11/20/illinois-governments-gender-hypocrisy-gap/#154c8a60350e
— Why Indian Americans Were Among The Biggest Winners In The U.S. State & Local Elections – Ronak D. Desai
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ronakdesai/2017/11/19/why-indian-americans-were-among-the-biggest-winners-in-the-u-s-state-local-elections/#232c94a75f02

CATO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, CATO 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 longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.cato.org/blog/border-patrol-checkpoints-do-not-work-end-them

November 17 Evening Edition

NBC5
— Illinois’ 6th Congressional District No Longer Leans Solely Republican: Report – Mary Ann Ahern (DIERSEN: Ahern should interview members of the following groups about why they moved into Illinois’ 6th Congressional District: 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. A major reason why my wife and I moved into Illinois’ 6th Congressional District in 1978 was that it was solid Republican.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/6th-congressional-district-republican-toss-up-report-458285683.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The rating for the 6th Congressional District moves from leaning Republican to Toss Up by the non-partisan Cook Political Report. The 2018 6th District election is considered one to watch as Democrats nationally focus on what they see as flippable districts. The Cook Political Report notes “Roskam has been a party loyalist since 2006, narrowly losing a bid for GOP whip in 2014.” For the Democrats, the leading candidate in terms of campaign cash is Democrat Kelly Mazeski with $343,000. Roskam however has $1.35 million in the bank. Today Mazeski received the endorsement of two Democratic Illinois Congresswomen: Cheri Bustos and Jan Schakowsky. There are eight Democrats who are gathering petitions to run in the primary to face Roskam.)

CBS2
— Newly Appointed Special Legislative Inspector General Discusses Investigation Process – Craig Dellimore
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/11/17/special-legislative-inspector-general-investigation-process/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Ken Griffin’s Palm Beach tax bill trumps Trump’s – Kim Janssen (DIERSEN: What if the Republicans would allow real estate taxes to be deducted up to $15,000, $20,000 or $25,000? At 2% or market value, that would be a $300,000, $400,000, or $500,000 home.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-ken-griffin-1119-chicago-inc-20171117-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Griffin hasn’t even completed construction on his longer-than-a-football-field oceanfront home on the island’s Billionaires Row, according to the Palm Beach Daily News, which says the 49-year-old was socked with a $2.74 million tax bill on his $195 million pile. That’s $900,000 more than the tax bill received by Griffin rival Peltz, who will have to choke for the fifth straight year on the ignominy of being only the second-highest-taxed part-time resident of Palm Beach.)
— After Trump’s election, more students consider law school, hoping to make a difference – Corilyn Shropshire (DIERSEN: I started working for IRS in 1971 when I was 22 years old as a GS-7 (currently $44,853/year) Revenue Officer. IRS gives its newly-hired Revenue Officers 6 months of classroom and on-the-job training. IRS encourages its Revenue Officers to take graduate law, business, and accounting courses. One reason why I started out taking graduate business courses in 1972 at Loyola was that tuition and books were deductible for business and accounting courses, but not for law courses.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-lsat-registration-up-trump-bump-20171116-story.html
— Don’t resign, Sen. Franken — at least not yet – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-franken-trump-resign-1119-20171117-story.html
— A national moment of reckoning for abusers and creeps – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-franken-moore-weinstein-gropers-20171117-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Allegations dividing GOP women as Roy Moore refuses to quit Alabama Senate race.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-roy-moore-alabama-senate-20171117-story.html
— FOIA fight will cost College of DuPage, foundation $500,000 – Stacy St. Clair
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/cod/ct-college-of-dupage-foia-fight-20171117-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— A big Illinois union looking for payback jumps into GOP primary – Rich Miller
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/miller-a-big-illinois-union-looking-for-payback-jumps-into-gop-primary/
— Truly patriotic billionaires would share America’s burden – Robert Reich
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/reich-truly-patriotic-billionaires-would-share-americas-burden/
— Flatter Trump a little and he rolls over like a lost puppy – Gene Lyons
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/lyons-flatter-trump-a-little-and-he-rolls-over-like-a-lost-puppy/

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage County Board could limit number of sheriff’s deputies – Robert Sanchez (DIERSEN: When GAO’s budget came under pressure from Republicans during the 1980s and 1990s, the Democrats who ran GAO back then saw it as an opportunity to get rid of their employees who they had not promoted to GS-13 (currently $94,610) by age 25, to GS-14 (currently $111,801) by age 30, to GS-15 (currently $131,508) by age 35, and to Senior Executive Service (currently $161,900) by age 40 and especially those employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171117/dupage-county-board-could-limit-number-of-sheriffs-deputies
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The idea of limiting the number of sworn deputies doesn’t have universal support. Some county board members oppose it. “My concern is that we’re kind of handcuffing an elected countywide officeholder,” board member Pete DiCianni said. But board member Robert Larsen said the sheriff’s office is an enormous part of the county’s operating budget. He said Zaruba should explain why he needs a certain number of deputies assigned to patrol, jail and courthouse duty.)
— Suburbanites gather to talk about racial divide in U.S. – Russell Lissau (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps want minorities to be 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.dailyherald.com/news/20171117/suburbanites-gather-to-talk-about-racial-divide-in-us
— College of DuPage Board Approves $81.7 million 2017 Tax Levy Request
http://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20171117/college-of-dupage-board-approves-2017-tax-levy-request

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Wise up: Government budgets in Illinois are not balanced – MARK GLENNON
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171117/ISSUE07/171119884/wise-up-government-budgets-in-illinois-are-not-balanced
— Illinois politics is like Thanksgiving without turkey this year – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171117/ISSUE05/171119901/illinois-politics-is-like-thanksgiving-without-turkey-this-year
— What to ask when decades-old harassment surfaces – MEGAN McARDLE
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171117/OPINION/171119890/what-to-ask-when-decades-old-harassment-surfaces
— Why do people give? Not for the tax break. – LISA BERTAGNOLI (DIERSEN: A major reason why my wife and I contribute more money to 501(c)(3) organizations is that the contributions are deductible. The contributions are deductible because we have large medical and dental, real estate, and state income tax deductions.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171117/ISSUE01/171119883/why-do-people-give-not-for-the-tax-break

WTTW
— Roskam on GOP Tax Bill: ‘Best Way to Grow Economy’ – Paris Schutz (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/11/17/roskam-gop-tax-bill-best-way-grow-economy

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Fact check: Are Gov. Rauner’s grandparents immigrants? – Bob Secter and Matt Dietrich (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the longer that your ancestors have been in America, the more that anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that you have benefited from their discrimination against minorities and against women and the more that you should pay the price of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171117/fact-check-are-gov-rauners-grandparents-immigrants

TIMES
— Politics shouldn’t override decency in cases of Roy Moore, Bill Clinton – John Kass
http://www.mywebtimes.com/opinion/columnists/kass-politics-shouldn-t-override-decency-in-cases-of-roy/article_84430772-ec96-5216-afda-e8c4834413c5.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— More than 100 protestors turn out for Roskam appearance at GOP fundraiser in Downers Grove
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2017/11/17/more-than-100-protestors-turn-out-for-roskam-appearance-at-gop-fundraiser-in-downers-grove/dg63lsa/

ROCK RIVER TIMES
— Rauner-linked firm gets $12M in new deal, months after being cut out of $12M deal
http://rockrivertimes.com/2017/11/17/rauner-linked-firm-gets-12m-in-new-deal-months-after-being-cut-out-of-12m-deal/

WQLZ
— Ives Calls For ‘Austerity Budget’ During Springfield Meet & Greet
http://www.wqlz.com/2017/11/16/rep-ives-calls-for-austerity-budget-at-springfield-meet-and-greet/

WJBC
— Reps. Davis, LaHood praise passage of GOP tax plan – Eric Stock (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
http://www.wjbc.com/2017/11/17/reps-davis-lahood-praise-passage-of-gop-tax-plan/

WJBC
— Congressman John Shimkus Likes Tax Cuts and Jobs Act That Passed House on Thursday It now moves to the U.S. Senate for debate starting after the Thanksgiving break. (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus will work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
http://www.wjbdradio.com/local-news/2017/11/17/congressman-john-shimkus-likes-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-that-passed-house-on-thursday

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Germany supplants US as the country with the best global reputation” and “America falls to No. 6 under Trump.”
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/world-news/germany-supplants-us-as-the-country-with-the-best-global-reputation/859247851

TRIBUNE LEDGE NEWS
— Data, not politics, to be focal point of Illinois voter crosscheck hearing – Benjamin Yount
http://www.tribuneledgernews.com/extra/news/data-not-politics-to-be-focal-point-of-illinois-voter/article_9c127fa8-7062-51de-b13c-7beb6114d117.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— Are Voters Thinking About 2018? – SEAN CRAWFORD, BRIAN MACKEY & CHARLES N. WHEELER III
http://nprillinois.org/post/state-week-are-voters-thinking-about-2018#stream/0

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Experts: Not many options to fix Illinois’ worst in the nation pension problem – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/experts-not-many-options-to-fix-illinois-worst-in-the/article_df85baa4-cbbd-11e7-9917-e3466d31e01a.html

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Do you know the story behind your rising property taxes?
http://secure.illinoispolicy.org/property-tax-truths/

REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— Hot Air: Sad GOP attempt to repeal Rauner’s sanctuary state bill stalls
https://realgopillinois.com/2017/11/17/attempt-repeal-rauner-sanctuary-state-bill-stalls/

CAPITOL FAX
— Brady makes some unusual appointments to discrimination and harassment task force (DIERSEN: The Republican GOPUSA ILLINOIS did not receive this press release, but the Democrat Capitol Fax did. Ever-increasingly, the more of the following that you are, the less likely that you will be appointed to anything: 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://capitolfax.com/2017/11/17/brady-makes-some-unusual-appointments-to-discrimination-and-harassment-task-force/
— Rauner refuses to weigh in on federal tax legislation (DIERSEN: I certainly hope that Rauner asks Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, and Shimkus to work hard in conference with the Senate to keep all the current itemized deductions and the personal exemption.)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/17/rauner-refuses-to-weigh-in-on-federal-tax-legislation/

BREITBART
— Hispanic Caucus Builds Wall Against GOP Latino Representative – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/17/hispanic-caucus-rejects-gop-latino/

DAILY SIGNAL
— Democrats’ Move to Impeach Trump Seen as Political Theater – Fred Lucas
http://dailysignal.com/2017/11/17/democrats-move-to-impeach-trump-seen-as-political-theater/

GOPUSA
— Should a jury know a person’s immigration status? Washington’s high court says no. (DIERSEN: What about a person’s political affiliation and “race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information?”)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=33501
— Mattel makes Barbie doll of hijab-wearing Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=33406

DAILY CALLER
— Congress Spent $17 Million Paying For Its Sexual Harassment Settlements – Henry Rodgers
http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/16/congressional-office-of-compliance-releases-breakdown-of-harassment-settlements/

THE HILL
— Class warfare fight erupts over tax bills – NAOMI JAGODA (DIERSEN: From what I see, the tax bills benefit the lower class and the upper class at the expense of the middle class.)
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/360966-class-warfare-fight-erupts-over-tax-bills
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Tensions over class warfare and whether GOP tax plans help the rich over the middle class and poor are building in Congress as Republicans march forward with their legislation. Democrats have been forcefully and repeatedly arguing that the GOP wants to cut taxes for wealthy individuals and corporations at the expense of everyone else. Republicans, annoyed with the attacks, have pushed back, saying their focus is on the middle class. . .Republicans have long accused Democrats of engaging in class warfare for their attacks on the rich. But Democrats have also accused Republicans of attacking the middle class. Brown, who has focused on the working class in his time in the Senate and is up for reelection next year in a state President Trump carried, said on MSNBC in 2011 that when Republicans accuse Democrats of class warfare, Democrats “point out the class warfare [Republicans have] wagged against the middle class.” GOP lawmakers have highlighted elements of their bills that they say benefit the middle class, including the increases in the standard deduction and child tax credit. The Senate’s bill zeros out ObamaCare’s individual mandate penalty for those who don’t have health insurance, and Republicans have also highlighted that most people who pay the penalty make under $50,000. . .But Democrats have argued that the corporate tax cuts are more likely to benefit wealthy shareholders than workers. They have highlighted parts of the bills that seem to be geared to helping the rich, such as their scaling back of the estate tax and the repeal of the alternative minimum tax. They have also put a spotlight on tax breaks benefitting the middle class that would be eliminated. . .Republicans have pointed to data that shows people across the spectrum would win tax cuts from the plan, particularly in the short term, while Democrats have highlighted that millions of low- and middle-income families would see their taxes go up, especially in later years.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump job approval hits new low.”
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/360786-poll-trump-job-approval-hits-new-low

HUFFINGTON POST
— Former DOJ Official Accuses Trump Judicial Pick Of Misleading Senate About Past Work – Sam Levine (DIERSEN: Would you mislead anyone about your past work? I certainly would not. I would stress a) that my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $18,847 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) that my Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) that my Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/thomas-farr-voter-intimidation-senate_us_5a0f0c98e4b0e97dffed03a2

NEW YORK TIMES
— A Great Migration From Puerto Rico Is Set to Transform Orlando – Lizette Alvarez
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/17/us/puerto-ricans-orlando.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Illinois Governor: 2018’s most important, expensive and strange election – George Will
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2018s-most-important-expensive-and-strange-election/2017/11/17/69181a8e-cafe-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html
— ‘Biggest tax cut in American history’ isn’t popular with many Americans – Tory Newmyer
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-finance-202/2017/11/17/the-finance-202-biggest-tax-cut-in-american-history-isn-t-popular-with-many-americans/5a0de1c330fb045a2e0030ab/
— Roy Moore’s approval rating with women has dropped. But so did candidate Trump’s. – Eugene Scott
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/11/17/roy-moores-approval-rating-with-women-has-dropped-but-so-did-candidate-trumps/
— The media is giving up its place in our democracy – Chris Wallace (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, “the media” serves as operative or as dupes for the Democrat Party.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-is-assaulting-our-free-press-but-he-also-has-a-point/2017/11/17/b3b8ec24-c8b2-11e7-b0cf-7689a9f2d84e_story.html
— In towns and cities nationwide, fears of trickle-down effects of federal tax legislation – Renae Merle and Peter Jamison Nov
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/in-towns-and-cities-nationwide-fears-of-trickle-down-effects-of-federal-tax-legislation/2017/11/17/d72b6164-c957-11e7-aa96-54417592cf72_story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: It took the city of Pataskala, Ohio, nine ballot measures before its 15,000 residents agreed to a new 1 percent tax to pay for repairs to its crumbling roads and to buy new police cruisers. The mostly rural community was finally won over by a century-old hallmark of the tax code: The $5 million local levy could be deducted from their federal taxes. “There is a severe sensitivity to more taxes here,” said James M. Nicholson, the city’s finance director. “At the end of the day, you get a tax break was the thing that convinced people.” But now, in small towns and thriving cities, in Republican- and Democratic-leaning states, local leaders are warning that the $1.5 trillion tax legislation moving through Congress threatens to undermine their ability to raise money for government services, including police and schools. The Republican measures would eliminate or severely curtail taxpayers’ ability to lower their federal tax bill by deducting the cost of their state and local taxes. Without that offset, local leaders say, taxpayers will begin to seek relief closer to home, potentially making it more difficult to provide basic services.)

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— As Bannon Readies for ‘War’ on GOP, Finding Donors May Be the First Battle Two big GOP backers of past disruptive campaigns have distanced themselves from the former White House official – Julie Bykowicz and Gregory Zuckerman (DIERSEN: Which individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries have never been close to you or have distanced themselves from you? For me, it is those that are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors and those that 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.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-bannon-readies-for-war-on-gop-finding-donors-may-be-the-first-battle-1510952472?mod=djemalertNEWS

NEWSWEEK
— REPUBLICAN TAX BILL GIVES PRIVATE JET OWNERS A TAX BREAK – CHRISTAL HAYES
http://www.newsweek.com/republican-tax-bill-gives-private-plane-owners-tax-break-714381

THE DRIVE
— Taco Bell Employees Are Eligible for Discounts on Corvettes and Cadillacs – CHRIS TSUIN (DIERSEN: While I have never bought a Cadillac, I bought a new 1972 Corvette in 1971 when I was 23 years old and a new IRS employee earning $44,853/year in today’s dollars and working part-time for Firestone Stores.)
http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/16200/taco-bell-employees-are-eligible-for-discounts-on-corvettes-and-cadillacs

MOTOR AUTHORITY
— Working at Taco Bell gets you a $4,385 discount on a Chevy Corvette – Sean Szymkowski
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1113881_working-at-taco-bell-gets-you-a-4385-discount-on-a-chevy-corvette

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
— Major Brands Blacklisting Media is Detrimental to Publishers- Rusty Coats (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries blacklist GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails? ANSWER: Those that 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.editorandpublisher.com/columns/shoptalk-major-brands-blacklisting-media-is-detrimental-to-publishers/

November 15 Evening Edition

ABC7
— House Dems introduce impeachment articles against Trump
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/house-dems-introduce-impeachment-articles-against-trump/2651808/

NBC5
— Rep. Gutierrez Among Sponsors of Impeachment Articles vs. President Trump – James Neveau
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/rep-gutierrez-joins-democrats-in-filing-articles-of-impeachment-of-president-trump-457794433.html

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— House Dems introduce impeachment articles against Trump – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/house-dems-introduce-impeachment-articles-against-trump

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Five House Democrats introduce impeachment articles against Trump – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-impeachment-articles-20171115-story.html
— Democratic lawmakers urge end to controversial cross-state voter check – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-elections-crosscheck-20171115-story.html
— Justice Department: New Illinois immigration law could endanger grant funding – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-jeff-sessions-20171115-story.html
— So the unions and the giant rat don’t want more Illinois jobs? – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-mcauliffe-rat-protest-chicago-20171115-story.html
— Roy Moore’s lawyer challenges Alabama woman’s claim of sexual assault – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-roy-moore-accusations-20171115-story.html
— Reckless conduct trial set for DuPage judge Patrick O’Shea who fired gun inside his home – Clifford Ward
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-met-dupage-judge-in-court-as-defendant-20171113-story.html
— Illinois’ giant pacifier tastes like SALT – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-deductions-trump-tax-illinois-20171114-story.html
— FROM THE ARTICLE: BEYOND OUTRAGEOUS: Commissioner Timothy Schneider, a Bartlett Republican, introduced a resolution to reconsider the ban on video gambling in unincorporated areas of the county.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-toni-preckwinkle-budget-cut-comments-20171115-story.html

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— U.S. Justice Department questions Illinois’ new immigration bill – Jon Seidel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/donald-trump-jeff-sessions-question-illinois-sanctuary-cities-illlinois-trust-act/
— Former legislative IG sets his sights on Madigan and Quinn – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/former-legislative-inspector-general-faisal-khan-michael-madigan-marty-quinn/
— Gutierrez among House Democrats to introduce impeachment articles against Trump – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171115/gutierrez-among-house-democrats-to-introduce-impeachment-articles-against-trump
— Trump impeachment effort too little, too soon – Mark Brown
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/brown-trump-impeachment-effort-too-little-too-soon/
— Trump’s judicial picks reflect racially biased agenda – Mary Mitchell
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/mitchell-trump-judicial-picks-reflect-racially-biased-agenda/
— Liberals must face facts of what Clintons did to sex-assault accusers – S. E. Cupp
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/cupp-liberals-must-face-facts-of-what-clintons-did-to-sex-assault-accusers/

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage County might consider boosting property tax levy – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171115/dupage-county-might-consider-boosting-property-tax-levy
— January trial set for DuPage judge Patrick O’Shea accused of reckless conduct – Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171115/january-trial-set-for-dupage-judge-accused-of-reckless-conduct

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Gutierrez moves to impeach Trump – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: Who has moved against you? I should write a book about the Gutierrez-types who a) ended my TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairmanship in 2012 and ended TAPROOT in 2012, b) ended my Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee membership in 2011, c) ended my service as a Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster in 2010 and 2004, d) ended my Illinois Center Right Coalition (ICRC) Steering Committee membership in 2006, e) tried to get ICRC to censure me at its 2006 Annual Convention, f) ended my American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board membership in 2004, g) ended my GAO employment in 1997, h) etc.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171115/BLOGS02/171119931/gutierrez-moves-to-impeach-trump
— Truth in Accounting, the group that ripped Emanuel, loses prominent board member – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171115/BLOGS02/171119922/group-that-ripped-emanuel-loses-prominent-board-member

WLS AM
— Emanuel: Too soon to say a CTA fare increase is needed – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2017/11/15/emanuel-too-soon-to-say-a-cta-fare-increase-is-needed/

WBEZ
— How 3 Women Want To Make Illinois’ Political Future Female – Tony Arnold
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/how-3-women-want-to-make-illinois-political-future-female/03d3d70d-5544-4097-b0f6-5fbcb75b721

STATELINE
— Republican Primary Challenger Calls Gov. Rauner ‘Dishonest’ IL Rep. Jeannie Ives challenging Governor for party nomination – Mark Maxwell
http://www.mystateline.com/news/republican-primary-challeger-calls-gov-rauner-dishonest/857943440

HERALD NEWS
— Wheatland Township Republicans endorse Jeanne Ives for governor – ALEX ORTIZ
http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/11/15/wheatland-township-republicans-endorse-jeanne-ives-for-governor/a37jwak/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Electric cars, better fuel efficiency spell doom for Illinois gas tax – BGA
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20171115/electric-cars-better-fuel-efficiency-spell-doom-for-illinois-gas-tax

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Misinterpreted tweet about Davis ruffles feathers – Tom Kacich
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-11-15/tom-kacich-misinterpreted-tweet-about-davis-ruffles-feathers.html

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Is your town breaking state law? Could be, and Queen of Hearts jackpots may be in jeopardy. – KALEY JOHNSON AND KARA BERG
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article184706643.html
— OUTRAGEOUS: Rauner says he would be open to gaming expansion to help Fairmount Park – JOSEPH BUSTOS
http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article184765533.html

WJBC
— Dan Brady opponent David Paul Blumenshine backs Ives to oust Rauner – Howard Packowitz
http://www.wjbc.com/2017/11/15/brady-opponent-backs-ives-to-oust-rauner/

WGLT
— Dan Brady Explains Votes To Override Rauner On Debt Transparency, Student Loan Bills – RYAN DENHAM
http://wglt.org/post/brady-explains-votes-override-rauner-debt-transparency-student-loan-bills#stream/0

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Chicago taxpayers on hook for $41,700 each to cover city’s debt – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/statewide/chicago-taxpayers-on-hook-for-each-to-cover-city-s/article_eb36552c-c981-11e7-a968-73490e1c277f.html

ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Overwhelming Majority of McHenry County Board urge Gov Rauner to veto HB-171 – JOHN KRAFT
http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2017/11/overwheling-majority-of-mchenry-county-board-urge-gov-rauner-to-veto-hb-171/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Tell Corporations to Stop Funding the Far Left-wing Southern Poverty Law Center – David E. Smith
https://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/tell-corporations-stop-funding-far-left-wing-southern-poverty-law-center/

CAPITOL FAX
— PPP poll: Roskam has 53 percent disapproval rating, trails generic Dem 51-41
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/15/ppp-poll-roskam-has-53-percent-disapproval-rating-trails-generic-dem-51-41/
— Two unions, inflatable rat show up at Rep. Michael McAuliffe’s house
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/15/two-unions-inflatable-rat-show-up-at-rep-michael-mcauliffes-house/
— Because… Madigan!
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/15/because-madigan-41/
— Cook County to have more annuitants than employees in two years, or less (DIERSEN: If my Democrat GAO superiors had not succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old, I might still be a GAO employee and paying 7% of my salary into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) instead of the CSRS pension paying me a pension. In today’s dollars, since September 30, 1997, I would have paid $173,622 into the CSRS instead of the CSRS paying me $1,025,596.)
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/15/cook-county-to-have-more-annuitants-than-employees-in-two-years-or-less/

TOWNHALL
— Yes, Virginia, Immigration Is Turning The Country Blue – Ann Coulter (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps want immigrants to be 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://townhall.com/columnists/anncoulter/2017/11/15/yes-virginia-immigration-is-turning-the-country-blue-n2410060

GOPUSA
— NYT Asks ‘Can My Children Be Friends With White People?’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=33436
— CA gunman had violent history, feuded with neighbors, grew pot
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=33471
— Paul Ryan orders mandatory anti-harassment training for House
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=33439

FOX NEWS
— House Dems file impeachment articles against Trump, over party leaders’ objections – Joseph Weber
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/15/house-dems-file-impeachment-articles-against-trump-over-party-leaders-objections.html

PJ MEDIA
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps hint/imply/argue/shout that GOD 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 American, and anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/house-dem-leader-pass-dream-act-christmas-judeo-christian-tradition/

BREITBART
— Zuckerberg, U.S. Chamber Bring DACA Illegals to Capitol Hill to Push Year-End Amnesty – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/15/zuckerberg-chamber-of-commerce-bringing-daca-illegal-aliens-to-capitol-hill-to-push-year-end-amnesty/
— Round 2: Jeff Sessions Demands Compliance from 29 More Sanctuary Jurisdictions – IAN MASON
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/15/round-2-jeff-sessions-demands-compliance-from-29-more-sanctuary-jurisdictions/
— Establishment Leaders Urge Rush to Huge, Expensive, Open-Ended Amnesty – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/15/establishment-leaders-urge-rush-to-huge-expensive-open-ended-amnesty/
— U.S. Chamber: ‘Dreamers’ Make America, Americans Have No Role – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/11/15/chamber-dreamers-make-america-americans-have-no-role/

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
— A tax cut, but for whom? Republican plans favor business. – Mark Trumbull
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2017/1115/A-tax-cut-but-for-whom-Republican-plans-favor-business

THE HILL
— House Dems introduce articles of impeachment against Trump – MIKE LILLIS AND JOHN BOWDEN
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/360455-house-democrats-introduce-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump
— Voter fraud panel member rips DOJ for not pursuing voter fraud cases – BRETT SAMUELS
http://thehill.com/homenews/360507-voter-fraud-panel-member-rips-doj-for-not-pursuing-voter-fraud-cases-enough

POLITICO
— Six Democrats demand Trump impeachment hearings – NOLAN D. MCCASKILL
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/15/trump-impeachment-democrats-244927

WINDY CITY TIMES
— Community groups to boycott the Magnificent Mile on Black Friday
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Community-groups-to-boycott-the-Magnificent-Mile-on-Black-Friday/61100.html

November 14 Morning Edition

ABC7
– Illinois governor’s race: Biss likens Pritzker to Trump on release of tax returns – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/illinois-governors-race-biss-likens-pritzker-to-trump-on-release-of-tax-returns/2645965/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: On the Republican side, State Representative Jeanne Ives, who is mounting a primary challenge to Governor Bruce Rauner, is set to have her first big fundraiser with a Chicago Bears connection. Virginia McCaskey, the matriarch of the ownership family, is listed as a $10,000 table host for an Ives fundraiser next Monday.)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey to help Rauner primary opponent Jeanne Ives raise money – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-chicago-bears-jeanne-ives-20171114-story.html
— Family finances: Trim your taxes – Sandra Block (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay under the GOP tax plans. The GOP tax plans discourage homeownership, discourage charitable contributions, discourage taking job-related graduate courses, and punish those who have high medical and dental expenses.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-201710261041–tms–kplngmpctnkm-a20171114-20171114-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: One final incentive for beefing up your 2017 itemized deductions: If the proposal to double the standard deduction comes to fruition, this could be the last year that you and millions of other taxpayers benefit from itemizing.)
— Digging into Rand Paul’s ‘trivial’ dispute – Virginia Postrel
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-neighbors-rand-paul-1114-20171113-story.html
— Are political polls flawed — or do we just misread them? – Margaret Sullivan
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-polls-gillespie-northam-trump-1114-20171113-story.html

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Analysis says Senate bill would hike taxes for 13.8 million – AP (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay under the GOP tax plans. The GOP tax plans discourage homeownership, discourage charitable contributions, discourage taking job-related graduate courses, and punish those who have high medical and dental expenses.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171113/news/311139775/
— We have to keep fighting for our home – Bruce Rauner (DIERSEN: What do you fight for? I fight to defend and to advance the Republican Party platform, the Illinois Republican Party platform, and the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling. Consequently, those who reject the aforesaid fight against me.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171114/bruce-rauner-we-have-to-keep-fighting-for-our-home
— Property tax freeze is politics, not a solution – Steven Strack, Hainesville, President of the Community Consolidated School District 46 Board of Education
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171114/property-tax-freeze-is-politics-not-a-solution
— Tax bill cynical, dishonest and harmful – William S. Hicks, Carpentersville
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171114/tax-bill-cynical-dishonest-and-harmful
(FROM THE LETTER: First, the elimination of deductions for state income tax will place an enormous political burden on state and local taxing bodies, especially with the recent state income tax increase. Illinois’ financial crisis may significantly worsen if there are efforts to roll back that increase. At a time when schools and municipalities are struggling to meet their budgets, the public will be clamoring for them to do with even less. Similarly, the cap on mortgage interest and property tax deductions will have a smothering effect on Illinois real estate, especially for those who own homes in areas that are heavily taxed, or where home values have dramatically increased. Retirees who have lived in the same home for decades may suddenly discover that their property is much less desirable to prospective buyers. There is also the sobering reality that this bill will add $1.5 trillion to the national debt over the next ten years, and in spite of the fuzzy math that supporters are using to sell this bill, it still flies in the face of the rhetoric Republican lawmakers have been spouting for the past decade. The bill is cynical, dishonest, and harmful to the citizens of Illinois. As President Trump is fond of saying, “Somebody oughta do something.”)
— Metra must do more to show it has hold on the future – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20171113/editorial-metra-must-do-more-to-show-it-has-hold-on-the-future

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Looking to sue a law firm for discrimination? Good luck. – CLAIRE BUSHEY (DIERSEN: One could also ask “Looking to sue the federal government for political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation?” and say “Good luck.”)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171110/ISSUE01/171119985
— Why more employers are saying a two-year degree will do – LISA BERTAGNOLI (DIERSEN: 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.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171110/ISSUE01/171119986

TIMES
— Kinzinger’s voting record shows true motives – BILL BECKER, Roscoe
http://www.mywebtimes.com/opinion/letters/becker-kinzinger-s-voting-record-shows-true-motives/article_e95f69cf-e421-51f5-9fee-588846fb52f3.html
(FROM THE LETTER: Most recently he has voiced ardent support for the House version of the Republican tax plan. This tax plan would eliminate many deductions that are used by thousands in the 16th Congressional District. One of these deductions, the state and local tax deduction, allows District 16 residents to deduct the cost of their state income taxes from the taxable income. This amounts to an average of $4,261 for District 16 residents. Another of these deductions is for the interest paid on student loans. This deduction makes college education more affordable for lower and middle income families throughout District 16. This deduction can save District 16 tax payers thousands of dollars every year. However, a deduction that was not cut is a deduction for wealthy individuals to deduct the cost of private schools for their children.)

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Illinoisans score pair of major wins in Springfield – Editorial
http://www.qconline.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-illinoisans-score-pair-of-major-wins-in-springfield/article_3065946f-7767-551a-bff6-2424679106b8.html

SAUK VALLEY
— Harassment, the Legislature, and accountability If the legislative Democratic majority can portray itself as having acted to halt sexual harassment under the Capitol dome, and is perceived by the public as having done so, its leaders likely believe they’ll ride out the storm. Women across Illinois will be the losers if ethics reform and accountability fail to become a reality. – Editorial
http://www.saukvalley.com/2017/11/12/svm-editorial-harassment-the-legislature-and-accountability/awhgozi/

NEWS CHANNEL 20
— Governor Rauner has yet to sign the sexual harassment bill
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/governor-rauner-has-yet-to-sign-the-sexual-harassment-bill

WIFR
— Opioid task force visits Dixon
http://www.wifr.com/content/news/Opioid-task-force-visits-Dixon-457340593.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— Reporter Kerry Lester Says #MeToo & Recaps Sexual Harassment Developments At Statehouse – RACHEL OTWELL
http://nprillinois.org/post/reporter-kerry-lester-says-metoo-recaps-sexual-harassment-developments-statehouse#stream/0

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps worry that Trump might “rashly launch nuclear strike.”
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/politics/lawmakers-allies-seek-assurance-trump-wont-rashly-launch-nuclear-strike/857090392
— GQ names Kaepernick citizen of the year
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/sports/nfl/gq-names-kaepernick-citizen-of-the-year/856700630

WILLIAM J KELLY
— We need to fight the Rauner Swamp
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-we-need-to-fight-the-rauner-swamp

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— LESTER RESIGNS FROM DAILY HERALD – Natasha Korecki
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2017/11/14/kennedy-on-tv-gop-no-moore-chorus-grows-roskam-defends-tax-plan-223327
(FROM THE ARTICLE: This story posted on one of the web sites run by conservative operative and radio host Dan Proft: “Lester, 35, worked as a reporter for the Daily Herald from 2006-2013 before joining the Associated Press as a Springfield correspondent … she rejoined the Daily Herald in July 2015 as a ‘columnist and senior writer.’ Sources tell North Cook News that Lester has been dating Chicago lawyer Michael Kasper, former top aide and longtime lawyer to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) … In an NPR Illinois story, Lester complained of ‘come on requests by campaign managers’ to interviewer Rachel Otwell and claimed she has been harassed herself. In the NPR interview, Lester cited legislation introduced by Madigan that she said would address Springfield’s sexual harassment problem. She also noted that, for nearly three years, there has been no legislative inspector general in place to investigate sexual harassment complaints. She neglected to mention that it was Madigan had chosen not to fill the position.” More here While that story seems to ominously cite “sources” about the Kasper relationship, it was something Lester was open about, including on social media, posting photos of the two in Italy and referring to him at one point on Facebook as “my lover and friend.” Not exactly a secret. However, that did then raise some behind-the-scenes buzz when Lester began reporting on Cook County soda tax stories at the same time that Kasper served in a role for the opposition movement. (We reached out to Lester late last night but did not hear back). Lester’s statement on Facebook: “Facebook friends, before the rumor mill gets ahead of me, I wanted to let you know I’ve decided to leave my post at the Daily Herald to pursue some other opportunities in and outside the news business. The paper’s a place where I cut my teeth, and as a suburban native, something that will always have a piece of my heart. Thanks so much for reading, and for all of your tips and insights. I hope you’ll stay tuned.”)

NORTH COOK NEWS
— Politics columnist Kerry Lester resigning from Daily Herald
https://northcooknews.com/stories/511268442-politics-columnist-kerry-lester-resigning-from-daily-herald
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Sources tell North Cook News that Lester has been dating Chicago lawyer Michael Kasper, former top aide and longtime lawyer to House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago). The Chicago Tribune described Kasper, 53, as a “henchman” who is “doing Michael Madigan’s dirty work” in a 2014 editorial that chronicled his lawsuit to stop a statewide ballot initiative. It would have taken the job of drawing legislative district maps out of Madigan’s control. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Lester recently changed her voter registration from a home in Arlington Heights to one in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood. She voted in Arlington Heights in the 2016 Democrat primary. Lester recently joined about 150 others in signing a letter alleging “rampant sexual harassment within the system of state politics.” In an NPR Illinois story, Lester complained of “come on requests by campaign managers” to interviewer Rachel Otwell and claimed she has been harassed herself. In the NPR interview, Lester cited legislation introduced by Madigan that she said would address Springfield’s sexual harassment problem. She also noted that, for nearly three years, there has been no legislative inspector general in place to investigate sexual harassment complaints. She neglected to mention that it was Madigan had chosen not to fill the position.)

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Roskam still awaiting justice over IRS debacle, not sure if he will support Rauner re-election bid – Giovanni Whaley (DIERSEN: How has Congress “manipulated” you? Congress uses IRS to “manipulate” people. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would hint/imply/argue/shout that Congress successfully used tax deductions a) to “manipulate” me into taking job-related graduate courses 1972-1983 and 1992-1997, b) to “manipulate” me into owning a town home in University Park 1972-1984, c) to “manipulate” me owning condos in downtown Chicago 1974-1978, and d) to “manipulate” my wife and I into owning 1017 East Harrison in Wheaton 1978-1984 and owning 915 Cove Court since 1984.)
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511256906-roskam-still-awaiting-justice-over-irs-debacle-not-sure-if-he-will-support-rauner-re-election-bid
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Roskam said one of the reasons the IRS is so powerful is because they’ve got 70,000 pages of the internal revenue code that they are able to manipulate against people. “If the code were clearer, if it were easier, if it were simpler, they would have fewer tools with which to manipulate and that’s why we’ve got to reform the tax code,” Roskam said. He said he believes a tax reform bill will be on President Donald Trump’s desk by the end of the year. Turning to Illinois politics, Roskam wouldn’t say whether or not he plans to support Gov.r Bruce Rauner’s re-election bid. “The governor was too cavalier in my view and very dismissive of a lot of concerns of a lot of people, so it’s not surprising to me that he finds himself in some level of isolation right now,” Roskam said. “I’m interested in seeing who’s on the ballot. There’s a long way to go before the 2018 election.”)
— Long-vacant legislative inspector general post may contribute to state liability in lawmaker sexual harassment cases – Karen Kidd (DIERSEN: Obviously, muti-million, multi-billion, and multi-trillion dollar sexual harassment settlements and jury awards may very well cause Illinois to file for bankruptcy.)
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511268401-long-vacant-legislative-inspector-general-post-may-contribute-to-state-liability-in-lawmaker-sexual-harassment-cases

ILLINOIS HOME PAGE
— Fact check: Governor Rauner exaggerates job growth Fact checking the governor’s jobs numbers – Mark Maxwell
http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/local-news/fact-check-governor-rauner-exaggerates-job-growth/857012821

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL RESTRICTING MUNICIPALITIES’ ABILITY TO REGULATE PLACEMENT OF SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES – Amy Korte
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-general-assembly-passes-bill-restricting-municipalities-ability-to-regulate-placement-of-small-wireless-facilities/

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Whackapedia? – Robert Knight
https://illinoisfamily.org/uncategorized/whackapedia/

NEWSMAX
— Senate Bill Would Hike Taxes for 13.8 Million Middle-Class Americans (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay under the GOP tax plans. The GOP tax plans discourage homeownership, discourage charitable contributions, discourage taking job-related graduate courses, and punish those who have high medical and dental expenses.)
https://www.newsmax.com/Finance/StreetTalk/tax-senate-house-donald-trump/2017/11/13/id/825861/

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— How Tax Reform Would Simplify Taxes for Tens of Millions – Rachel Greszler (DIERSEN: “Simplify taxes” is code for making those who itemize their deductions pay more federal income tax.)
http://www.heritage.org/taxes/commentary/how-tax-reform-would-simplify-taxes-tens-millions

AMERICAN THINKER
— Attacking Judge Moore’s Morality Is a Dirty Leftist Trick – Lloyd Marcus
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/11/attacking_judge_moores_morality_is_a_dirty_leftist_trick.html
— The triumph of Bill Ayers – Monica Showalter
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/11/the_triumph_of_bill_ayers.html

CITIZENS’ VOICE
— Keep SALT deductions – Editorial
http://citizensvoice.com/opinion/keep-salt-deductions-1.2267594

DAILY CALLER
— Hannity Loses Two More Advertisers Over Moore – JUSTIN CARUSO (DIERSEN: No company has pulled ads from GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails because I have never sought advertising revenue nor would I accept advertising revenue. He who pays the piper calls the tunes and I do not want any individual, organization, company, government, or country to call my tunes.)
http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/13/hannity-loses-two-more-advertisers-over-moore/?utm_medium=email

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— TAX OVERHAUL MOVES CLOSER TO THE FINISH LINE Failure is not an option for the GOP. – Joseph Klein (DIERSEN: If a political party wants to dump a demographic, that party makes that demographic pay more federal income tax. Obviously, the Republican Party wants to dump the demographic that itemizes their deductions. Overwhelmingly members of that demographic are homeowners and older.)
http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/268411/tax-overhaul-moves-closer-finish-line-joseph-klein
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Both bills will hit those taxpayers especially hard who itemize their deductions and are from states with high income and property taxes. They are accustomed to deducting such state and local taxes on their federal tax returns. That will no longer be the case for state and local income taxes under either bill as presently written. The House bill would allow a property tax deduction up to $10,000, as a compromise to secure the votes of at least some Republican House members from high tax states such as New York and California. The Senate bill would not even do that, based on the political calculation that such high tax states all have Democrat senators who would not vote for the Republican-written tax bill in any case.)

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Who Will Vote for Republicans Next Year? – A.B. Stoddard (DIERSEN: The answer should be those who are: Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. But anti-Trumps want the Republican Party to dump the aforesaid and to pander to those who are: anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/11/14/who_will_vote_for_republicans_next_year_135533.html

ECONOMIST
— How Cook County’s Democratic machine works The symbiotic relationship between property-tax lawyers and elected politicians
https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21731195-symbiotic-relationship-between-property-tax-lawyers-and-elected-politicians-how-cook

CAMPUS REFORM
— Profs publish book on pushing ‘social justice’ in class – Toni Airaksinen
https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=10132

THE HILL
— America has seen enough tragedies result from its open borders – BRIAN LONERGAN
http://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/360108-america-has-seen-enough-tragedies-come-as-a-result-of-open-borders

POLITICO
— Federal law enforcement has a woman problem Police agencies are the most male-dominated part of the federal government — and that undermines their mission. – AMANDA RIPLEY (DIERSEN: Federal law enforcement agencies should look at what Charles Bowsher accomplished at GAO during the 1980s and 1990s. He was extremely successful in replacing the agency’s employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or older with employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or younger. It is called Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion, that is, it is called political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/14/women-federal-law-enforcement-male-dominated-244649

NEW YORK TIMES
— Robbing Blue States to Pay Red – Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson (DIERSEN: What is Roskam’s position on this?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/opinion/tax-plan-states-gop.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Taking a Knee for Diversity ‘Trying is not the same as doing,’ said one corporate leader, invoking Colin Kaepernick in a call to action. – Alina Tugend (DIERSEN: Employers should look at what Charles Bowsher accomplished at GAO during the 1980s and 1990s. He was extremely successful in replacing the agency’s employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or older with employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or younger. It is called Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion, that is, it is called political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, and age discrimination.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/14/business/dealbook/mellody-hobson-corporate-diversity.html
— Trump Is Making China Great Again – Susan Rice
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/opinion/susan-rice-trump-china-trip.html
— House and Senate Are ‘Among the Worst’ for Harassment, Representative Says – Yamiche Alcindor and Katie Rogers (DIERSEN: Obviously, muti-million, multi-billion, and multi-trillion dollar sexual harassment settlements and jury awards may very well cause the United States to file for bankruptcy.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/us/politics/sexual-harassment-congress-capitol-hill.html

WASHINGTON POST
— Why are Republicans rushing tax reform through? So voters don’t find out who loses. – Helaine Olen (DIERSEN: From what I see, outrageously, the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay under the GOP tax plans. The GOP tax plans discourage homeownership, discourage charitable contributions, discourage taking job-related graduate courses, and punish those who have high medical and dental expenses.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2017/11/13/why-are-republicans-rushing-tax-reform-through-so-voters-dont-find-out-who-loses/?utm_term=.0e5cc538b604
— Trump to visit House GOP for in-person tax push – Damian Paletta and Mike DeBonis (DIERSEN: I hope that Trump calls for keeping all itemized deductions and condemns the tax increases that cutting itemized deductions would cause.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/11/13/trump-makes-late-push-to-include-partial-obamacare-repeal-in-tax-bills/
— “Defending sexual assault is never worth it. Really” – Alyssa Rosenberg (DIERSEN: 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.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2017/11/13/defending-sexual-assault-is-never-worth-it-really/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Great Progressive Tax Escape IRS data show an accelerating flight from high-tax states. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-great-progressive-tax-escape-1510614707
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: Between 2012 and 2015 (the most recent data), a net $8.5 billion in adjusted gross income left New Jersey while $6.2 billion poured out of Connecticut—4% of the latter state’s total income. Illinois lost $13.6 billion. During that period, Florida with no income tax gained $39.3 billion in AGI. (See the nearby table.) . . . The prospect of future tax hikes appears to have propelled an exodus of high earners from Illinois, which has a relatively low and flat 4.99% income tax. Democrats raised the rate from 3% in 2010, but the tax hike lapsed in 2015 after Bruce Rauner became Governor. House Speaker Michael Madigan finally this summer secured GOP legislative support to override the Governor’s veto and reinstate the higher rate. But the tax increase won’t raise enough money to finance the state’s $250 billion unfunded pension liability, and the long-time goal of unions has been to enact a graduated income tax. The affluent know they’ll get soaked eventually and are seeking shelter. Top earners made up 47% of Illinois’s income flight in 2015 compared to 33% four years earlier. Income taxes from the 306 Cook County denizens who decamped to Palm Beach in 2015 with $258 million of income could have paid 200 teacher salaries. Alas. This millionaires’ diaspora has harmed income and economic growth. Real GDP between 2011 and 2016 grew annually at a paltry 0.2% in Connecticut, 1% in Illinois and 1.2% in New Jersey, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. These states were the slowest growing in their respective geographic regions, though other high tax states in the Northeast didn’t fare much better. As a result, revenues have repeatedly fallen short of projections in New Jersey, Illinois and Connecticut while budget deficits have ballooned. Democratic lawmakers have cut public services and funds to local governments, which have responded by raising property taxes. The Tax Foundation says New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, New York and Illinois have the highest property taxes in the country. Over the last two years, the average Chicago homeowner’s property taxes have risen by roughly $1,000. Higher property taxes hit middle-class earners especially hard and are another incentive to leave a state.)
— Higher Education’s Deeper Sickness Political imbalance causes intellectual degradation. Riots against free speech are only a symptom. – John M. Ellis
https://www.wsj.com/articles/higher-educations-deeper-ailment-1510615185

FORBES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Forbes should stress that outrageously, the more that your itemized deductions have been, the more federal income tax that you will pay under the GOP tax plans. The GOP tax plans discourage homeownership, discourage charitable contributions, discourage taking job-related graduate courses, and punish those who have high medical and dental expenses.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanellis/2017/11/13/virtually-all-middle-class-taxpayers-to-see-tax-cut-in-senate-tax-plan/#4424b6818d14
— Here Is Why The Proposed Tax Reform Bill Perpetuates Systemic Bias Against Disadvantaged Groups – Paolo Gaudiano
https://www.forbes.com/sites/paologaudiano/2017/11/13/here-is-why-the-proposed-tax-reform-bill-perpetuates-systemic-bias-against-disadvantaged-groups/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: On the level of individuals, certain provisions seem favorable (such as increasing the standard deduction) while others are clearly unfavorable (such as removing deductions for medical expenses, interest on home equity loans, state and local income taxes, and – at least in the House version – interest on student loans). One could argue that these changes will have the greatest negative impact on those with lower income levels, especially people with disabilities and the elderly, whose medical bills are likely to exceed the current threshold (10% of Adjusted Gross Income for taxpayers under 65 and 7.5% for taxpayers over 65), as well as those who have to borrow for education.)

REASON
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-conservatives and anti-Republicans say “Roy Moore and the End of Republican Credibility” and ask “Can the conservative movement survive the election of a possible child molester?”
http://reason.com/blog/2017/11/13/judge-roy-moore-and-the-end-of-republica