December 22 Morning Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Federal shutdown begins; lawmakers fail to reach deal but ‘still talking’ – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/government-shutdown-border-wall-funding-deadline/
— Should the Dan Ryan Expressway be the Barack Obama Expressway? – Alexandra Arriaga (DIERSEN: Have you driven the Dan Ryan? I did 1966-1968 when I commuted to/from my parents’ home in Crete and classes at UIC, first in my 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint and then in my 1968 Oldsmobile 442.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/dan-ryan-expressway-renamed-barack-obama-expressway-bill-daley/

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Bartonville National Guard unit to deploy to Afghanistan – Andy Kravetz
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20181221/bartonville-national-guard-unit-to-deploy-to-afghanistan

 

JOURNAL COURIER
— Nearly all counties reportedly dodging work rules for food stamps – Greg Bishop (DIERSEN: The overwhelming reason why hypocritical Republican-haters move to DuPage County is to take advantage of the a) low unemployment, b) prosperity, and c) safety that Republicans created there. What do you say to those hypocritical Republican-haters?)
https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Nearly-all-counties-reportedly-dodging-work-rules-13485900.php
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Last month state officials said they requested a waiver from the federal work requirements for able-bodied adults without kids to get food stamps. The request was for all Illinois counties except DuPage. “All counties in Illinois are included in the waiver request with the exception of DuPage County due to low unemployment rates,” Illinois Department of Human Services spokeswoman Meghan Powers said. More than 1.7 million people in Illinois enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits in August, about 13.2 percent of the state’s population.)

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Jack Franks’ 2000 Campaign Manager Revealed as Researcher for Joe Tirio Smear Pieces
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/21/jack-franks-2000-campaign-manager-revealed-as-researcher-for-je-tirio-smear-pieces/

 

TOWNHALL
— Trump is Proving to Be One Tough Hombre at the Border – Nicholas Waddy
https://townhall.com/columnists/nicholaswaddy/2018/12/22/trump-is-proving-to-be-one-tough-hombre-at-the-border-n2537955
— I’m Not A Liar: Tempers Flare As DHS Secretary And House Dems Duke It Out Over Trump’s Immigration Agenda – Matt Vespa
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2018/12/21/im-not-a-liar-fireworks-fly-as-dhs-secretary-and-house-dems-duke-it-out-over-tr-n2537891

 

DAILY CALLER
— TRUDEAU BLAMES TRUMP FOR CANADA’S ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRISIS – David Krayden
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/21/trudeau-blames-trump-for-canadas-illegal-immigrant-crisis/
— HOW THE POLITICAL BLAME GAME WORKED IN 2013 SHUTDOWN VERSUS NOW – Evie Fordham (DIERSEN: Of course, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government always blamed Republicans for all negatives. In the organizations that you are/were a member of, who determines/determined which members get/got blamed for negatives? I should write a book about scapegoaters in the Milton Township Republican Central Committee, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Center Right Coalition, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter, etc. Of course, they always blame/blamed me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for all negatives.)
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/21/government-shutdown-2018-2013/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Democrats keep being wrong and keep demanding we believe them – Jack Hellner
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/12/democrats_keep_being_wrong_and_keep_demanding_we_believe_them.html

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— SENATOR BLOCKS VOTE ON EEOC COMMISSIONER WITH ‘RADICAL VIEWS ON MARRIAGE’ Opposes lesbian member of agency that handles discrimination complaints (DIERSEN: How has EEOC impacted you? What did you want when you were young? I wanted a successful career in the automotive industry. EEOC ended all that in 1971 when I was 22 when Oldsmobile withdrew a job offer that I had accepted saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. That made me unemployed because Firestone had fired me for accepting that offer. I had to get a job fast because I had a financial hardship draft deferment to help support my mother and brother. Because of the aforesaid, I accepted a job offer from IRS.)
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/senator-blocks-vote-on-eeoc-commissioner-with-radical-views-on-marriage/


— THERE IS SIMPLY NO REASONING WITH FOOLS Joseph Farah tells of run-in with news ‘guardian’ questioning his life’s work
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/there-is-simply-no-reasoning-with-fools/

 

FEDERALIST
— How Academia’s Unhealthy Obsession With Diversity Creates Social Unrest A new book by Heather Mac Donald, ‘The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandering Corrupt the University and Undermine Our Culture,’ provides evidence and underlines the causes behind campus radicalism to Judge Kavanaugh’s witchhunt. – Sumantra Maitra
https://thefederalist.com/2018/12/21/how-academias-unhealthy-obsession-with-diversity-creates-social-unrest/
— MSNBC Rolls Out Sexist, Anti-Christian Smears Against Female Trump Employees Because these women happen to work for the Trump administration, MSNBC hosts think it’s fair game to mock them in ways they’d scream about if applied to liberal women. – Kelsey Harkness
https://thefederalist.com/2018/12/21/msnbc-rolls-sexist-anti-christian-smears-female-trump-employees/

 

CANADA FREE PRESS
— With Liberty And Justice For Some There is no doubt that Democrats, liberals, progressives, and socialists will fight until they either achieve their purpose, are defeated, or self-destruct. But, if they win, they will win a broken country. – Ray DiLorenzo
https://canadafreepress.com/article/with-liberty-and-justice-for-some

 

THE HILL
— Shutdown begins as lawmakers wrestle over Trump’s border wall – JULIEGRACE BRUFKE AND MIKE LILLIS
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/422572-shutdown-set-to-begin-as-lawmakers-wrestle-over-trumps-border-wall

 

ABC NEWS
— The US Federal Government has shut down for the third time in a year, so what happens next? (DIERSEN: Are/were you an essential employee? If I sought any kind of government or political office, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would shout that I was a non-essential federal employee who worked for non-essential federal agencies.)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-22/what-happens-with-the-latest-us-federal-government-shutdown/10664104

 

NBC NEWS
— A Trump-approved government shutdown is a fitting end to Paul Ryan’s disappointing, hypocritical tenure Throughout his career, neither Ryan’s words nor his results have lined up with his self-image. – Seth Hanlon (DIERSEN: Does what you say and do line up with your self-image? What do you say to activists, to candidates, to elected officials, to party leaders, to major donors, and to political consultants in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who paint themselves as being religious, conservative, and/or Republican, but who focus on destroying religious, conservative, and Republican individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries?)
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-approved-government-shutdown-fitting-end-paul-ryan-s-disappointing-ncna951176
— As scandals mount, advertisers begin to question Facebook’s value One ad agency chief has said enough is enough, while others are questioning how much consumers trust the social network. – Claire Atkinson
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/all/scandals-mount-advertisers-begin-question-facebook-s-value-n951131

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump Stokes Fears in Pre-Shutdown Video” by declaring “We Need a Great Barrier.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/21/us/politics/trump-video-border-wall-shutdown.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Reliable Allies Refuse to Defend a President Content With Chaos.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/21/us/politics/donald-trump-syria-government-shutdown.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Tump-haters promote Trump-haters.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/21/opinion/mattis-resignation-foreign-policy-syria.html
— Where Government Is a Dirty Word, but Its Checks Pay the Bills The residents of Harlan County, Ky., depend heavily on federal assistance. That hasn’t deterred, and may explain, their swing to Republican voting. – Eduardo Porter (DIERSEN: From what I see, in Illinois, overwhelmingly, a) those who depend on federal assistance and b) those who promote federal assistance vote for Democrats.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/21/business/economy/harlan-county-republican-welfare.html
— ‘Dead Skunk’ Stench From Marijuana Farms Outrages Californians – Thomas Fuller
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/us/california-marijuana-stink.html

 

NEW YORK POST
— Shutdown leaves hundreds of thousands of federal workers in limbo for Christmas – Marisa Schultz and Bob Fredericks (DIERSEN: Do you know anyone who works/worked for the federal government? I worked for the federal government for almost 30 years – almost 3 years for the Post Office 1966-1969, almost 9 years for IRS 1971-1980, and almost 18 years for GAO 1980-1997.)
https://nypost.com/2018/12/22/shutdown-leaves-hundreds-of-thousands-of-federal-workers-in-limbo-for-christmas/

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Major parts of the federal government begin shutting down for an indefinite closure – Erica Werner and Damian Paletta and John Wagner
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-leans-on-mcconnell-to-pass-spending-bill-with-border-funding-in-senate/2018/12/21/31bb453a-0517-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html
— Who will Americans blame if the government shuts down? – Scott Clement and Emily Guskin (DIERSEN: Of course, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government always blamed Republicans for all negatives. In the organizations that you are/were a member of, who determines/determined which members get/got blamed for negatives? I should write a book about scapegoaters who determine/determined which members get/got blamed for negatives in the Milton Township Republican Central Committee, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Center Right Coalition, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter, etc. Of course, they always blame/blamed me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for all negatives.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/12/21/who-will-americans-blame-if-government-shuts-down/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— U.S. Government Shuts Down Over Border Wall Funding Negotiations between White House officials, congressional leaders to continue Saturday – Natalie Andrews and Kristina Peterson
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-pledges-long-government-shutdown-without-border-wall-funding-11545398044
— ‘The Great War in America’ Review: A Country at War With Itself A great many Americans felt that the war ‘over there’ had little to do with them. Others actively favored opposing sides. – Roger Lowenstein (DIERSEN: My grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans in WWI.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-great-war-in-america-review-a-country-at-war-with-itself-11545428594
— China Gets Its Message to Americans but Doesn’t Want to Reciprocate Beijing enjoys a big megaphone in America even as it blocks U.S. media outlets, hinders independent scholars and limits U.S. public diplomacy – Orville Schell and Larry Diamond (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents side with China, with Mexico, and with other foreign countries against America.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-gets-its-message-to-americans-but-doesnt-want-to-reciprocate-11545407490

 

FORBES
— How To Measure The ROI Of Diversity Programs – Janice Gassam (DIERSEN: Democrats use Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion a) to hire, to retain, and to promote young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females, b) to not hire Republicans, and c) to get rid of Republicans, and especially Republicans who are White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2018/12/21/how-to-measure-the-roi-of-diversity-programs/#4566a78624e7
— Facebook Just Keeps On Falling. What Comes Next? – Enrique Dans
https://www.forbes.com/sites/enriquedans/2018/12/21/facebook-just-keeps-on-falling-what-comes-next/#6c5cf17d1bde

 

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters crow about their success in making Evangelicals 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.

https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2018-12-22/surge-at-us-border-pushes-some-evangelicals-to-help-asylum-seekers

 

GUARDIAN
— It’s the demographics, stupid: party loyalties are shifting as 2020 looms – Lloyd Green (DIERSEN: Those who vote for Democrats are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/22/2020-election-republican-democrat-demographics-party-loyalties

December 21 Morning Edition

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Is the McHenry County GOP imploding? Some say party must rebuild Some Republican officeholders say party must rebuild – ED KOMENDA
https://www.nwherald.com/2018/12/19/is-the-mchenry-county-gop-imploding-some-say-party-must-rebuild/a9jduy0/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Chicago election board votes to refer nominating petition question in 13th Ward race to federal, county prosecutors – Gregory Pratt
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-david-krupa-marty-quinn-challenge-20181220-story.html
— Start an online post, then delete it? Many websites save it anyway. – Drew Harwell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-websites-recording-deleted-data-20181219-story.html
— U.S. Rep. Gutierrez releases videos, asks for help identifying man shown threatening Logan Square staff – Elvia Malagon (DIERSEN: When will the Chicago Tribune report on what Gutierrez said about The Wall?)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-gutierrez-logan-square-police-20181220-story.html
— Washington shutdown strife reawakens Wall Street’s debt-ceiling dread – Bloomberg
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-government-shutdown-wall-street-20181221-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Chaos. Confusion. Confrontation: No Christmas cheer as Trump rattles Washington – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/chaos-confusion-confrontation-no-christmas-cheer-donald-trump-rattles-washington/
— Most volunteers who got signatures for embattled Ald. Burke can’t vote for him – Tim Novak and Carlos Ballesteros
https://chicago.suntimes.com/?post_type=cst_article&p=1572334

 

DAILY HERALD
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Media is tougher on Trump because he fabricates more than his predecessors.”
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20181221/cokie-and-steve-roberts-media-is-tougher-on-trump-because-he-fabricates-more-than-his-predecessors
— Prairie State’s Low Income Tax Clinic receives $100,000 from IRS (DIERSEN: Who do you know who works/worked for IRS? I worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880. Who do you know who works/worked on audits of IRS? I worked for GAO on audits of IRS for 3 years at the GS-12 Step 1-3 levels, currently $96,403-$102,830. I should write a book about those who have done the most to waste my knowledge of IRS. They include my Democrat IRS and GAO superiors, my Republican U.S. Senators, my Republican U.S. Representatives, and their staffs.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20181219/prairie-states-low-income-tax-clinic-receives-100000-from-irs

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps glorify and praise “Undocumented immigrant couple sentenced to time served for using fake ID to work.”
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181220/undocumented-immigrant-couple-sentenced-to-time-served-for-using-fake-id-to-work

 

SOUTHERN
— Assessing Rauner’s legacy as governor – Dan McCaleb
https://thesouthern.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-dan-mccaleb-assessing-rauner-s-legacy-as-governor/article_54bf834a-df85-52e1-b7d9-46d2bf41eba5.html

 

WQAD
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Illinois population falls for fifth straight year with decline of 45,000 (DIERSEN: To vote for a Democrat is to vote to get rid of individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older people, non-poor, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. In my precinct, in the November 6, 2018 election, 196 voted for Casten, that is, 196 voted to get rid of me.)
https://wqad.com/2018/12/20/illinois-population-falls-for-fifth-straight-year-with-decline-of-45000/

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Slashing townships wouldn’t cut taxes – Chuck Layer, supervisor, Blackhawk Township
https://qconline.com/opinion/letters/letter-slashing-townships-wouldn-t-cut-taxes/article_f4950d06-63c1-56d4-8323-28298a6280ed.html
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: People moving out of Illinois lowers state to 6th largest
https://qconline.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/people-moving-out-of-illinois-lowers-state-to-th-largest/article_6543efe9-ac96-5925-9312-33aebe67c99f.html

 

MDJ ONLINE
— Even with low unemployment, nearly all Illinois counties dodge work rules for food stamps – Greg Bishop (DIERSEN: If/when pot is legalized in Illinois, how many millions of Illinois residents will become stoners so that they can be disabled and not have to work?)
https://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor_newspapers/extra/news/even-with-low-unemployment-nearly-all-illinois-counties-dodge-work/article_ae07ade2-5957-501b-b0eb-b21d4dafbf4d.html

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: The SHRINKING congressional delegation – Shia Kapos
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/12/21/redistricting-at-lincoln-levels-rauner-not-giving-up-pritzkers-team-tracking-tickets-368498
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner sends thank-you letters to state employees. Any thank-you letters that Bowsher may have sent to GAO employees would have gone to those GAO employees who did the most to help him get rid of GAO’s employees like me who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who GAO had not promoted to GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/12/21/redistricting-at-lincoln-levels-rauner-not-giving-up-pritzkers-team-tracking-tickets-368498
— Candidate In 45th Ward Had Order Of Protection Issued Against Him Last Year By Ex-Girlfriend
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/12/21/redistricting-at-lincoln-levels-rauner-not-giving-up-pritzkers-team-tracking-tickets-368498

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— The Tight Noose of Leaders – Mike Madigan and Jack Franks
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/20/the-tight-noose-of-leaders/

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: EACH DAY, A PLANE FULL OF ILLINOISANS MOVING TO ANOTHER STATE It’s the fifth year in a row Illinois has lost people. And the fifth year in a row that the loss has gotten worse. No other state finds itself adrift in five consecutive years of worsening population decline. – Austin Berg
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/each-day-a-plane-full-of-illinoisans-moving-to-another-state/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— WATCH: ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN STORMS OUT OF HEARING AFTER CLAIMING TRUMP WOULD’VE HELPED KILL BABY JESUS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/watch-illinois-congressman-storms-out-of-hearing-after-claiming-trump-wouldve-helped-kill-baby-jesus.html
— FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ARE NOW OBTAINING GUILTY PLEAS FOR THINGS THAT ARE NOT CRIMES.
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/federal-prosecutors-are-now-obtaining-guilty-pleas-for-things-that-are-not-crimes.html

 

FOX NEWS
— Is That From the ‘Book of Obama’?: Tucker Blasts Gutierrez for Saying Trump Wall Would’ve Killed Jesus Christ (DIERSEN: According to Democrats, Gutierrez speaks for all Hispanics. In your neighborhood, in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois, how many of the Trump-haters agree with Gutierrez? What will those Trump-haters do to get rid of Trump and his supporters once and for all?)
http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/12/20/luis-gutierrez-slams-nielsen-says-trump-border-wall-would-kill-jesus

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Gutierrez: Trump’s border policies would have killed Jesus – Jessica Chasmar
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/20/luis-gutierrez-trumps-border-policies-would-have-k/

 

TOWNHALL
— Gutierrez Says Trump Administration Would Have Killed Baby Jesus – Lauretta Brown
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/laurettabrown/2018/12/20/rep-gutierrez-says-trump-administration-would-have-killed-baby-jesus-n2537883

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— Gutierrez: TRUMP’S BORDER POLICIES WOULD HAVE KILLED JESUS ‘Thank God there wasn’t a wall that stopped him from seeking refuge in Egypt’
https://www.wnd.com/2018/12/congressman-trumps-border-policies-would-have-killed-jesus/

 

GOPUSA
— Gutierrez: Trump’s border policies would have killed Jesus
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61476

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Trump Keeps His Promise – Congress In Disbelief
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/29357

 

THE HILL
— Bobby Rush calls on Facebook to fire Zuckerberg – TAL AXELROD (DIERSEN: GAO works for Congress. I would not be surprised at all to learn that Bobby Rush directed my GAO superiors a) to force me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, b) to give me unfair performance expectations and appraisals, c) to always rank me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, and d) to not promote me beyond GS-13.)
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/technology/422202-dem-rep-calls-on-facebook-to-fire-zuckerberg

 

CNS NEWS
— Gutierrez: Trump’s Border Wall Would Have Killed the Baby Jesus – Craig Bannister
https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/craig-bannister/rep-gutierrez-trumps-border-wall-would-have-killed-baby-jesus

 

RUSH LIMBAUGH
— Unhinged Gutierrez Rants About Trump Killing the Baby Jesus
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2018/12/20/unhinged-gutierrez-rants-about-trump-killing-the-baby-jesus/

 

DAILY WIRE
— Gutierrez Storms Out Of Hearing After Claiming Trump Would’ve Helped Kill Baby Jesus – RYAN SAAVEDRA
https://www.dailywire.com/news/39560/democrat-says-trump-wouldve-been-responsible-ryan-saavedra

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An America-hater says “None of Us Deserve Citizenship” and asks “On what moral grounds can we deny others rights, privileges and opportunities that we did not earn ourselves?” The more of the following that you are, the more that America-haters want to get rid of you once and for all: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time. Ever-increasingly, the aforesaid are buying firearms and ammunition for their self-defense.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/21/opinion/sunday/immigration-border-policy-citizenship.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Pope Francis tells priests guilty of sexual abuse that the church won’t shield them. ‘Hand yourself over to human justice.’ (DIERSEN: Democrat superiors in the federal government make it very clear to their supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates that they will be shielded if they discriminate against federal employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who did not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/world/wp/2018/12/21/pope-francis-tells-priests-guilty-of-sexual-abuse-that-the-church-wont-shield-them-hand-yourself-over-to-human-justice/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Lawyers Have Rights, Too In 18 states, they’re forced to pay fees to politicized bar associations. – Jacob Huebert and Timothy Sandefur
https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawyers-have-rights-too-11545350433
— FRONT PAGE: ‘Just Unbearable.’ Booming Job Market Can’t Fill the Retirement Shortfall Nearly eight million older Americans are out of work or stuck in low-quality jobs, denying them a crucial time to accumulate savings – Ruth Simon
https://www.wsj.com/articles/even-a-booming-job-market-cant-fill-retirement-shortfall-for-older-workers-11545326195
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Even though the official unemployment rate is just 3% for older workers, the actual jobs environment is surprisingly bleak. Nearly eight million older Americans are out of work or stuck in low-quality jobs that offer little opportunity to prepare for retirement, a Wall Street Journal analysis of government data shows. At Risk Nearly eight million older Americans are out of work or stuck in low-quality jobs that offer little opportunity to prepare for retirement. The figures include the nearly 2.1 million Americans who are out of work, working part time because they can’t find a full-time job or have stopped looking because they don’t think anyone will hire them. Another 5.8 million Americans—or 23% of full-time, year-round workers ages 55 and older—are employed in what economists describe as “bad jobs” that offer no health benefits and typically pay poorly. A decade ago, about 20% held these jobs, according to census data compiled by the Minnesota Population Center.)

 

USA TODAY
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: The maker of Budweiser is partnering with Tilray to explore pot-infused drinks – Ben Tobin
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/12/20/budweiser-maker-partners-tilray-explore-pot-infused-drinks/2373429002/
— Poll: Americans can agree that the nation is divided. Beyond that, they don’t agree on much. – Susan Page and Bill Theobald
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/20/poll-democrats-republicans-agree-us-divided-worry-trump-health-border-issues/2349589002/
— Facebook’s really bad, horrible 2018 can only improve next year, right? – Jefferson Graham
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2018/12/19/facebooks-really-bad-2018-can-only-improve-2019-right/2364211002/

 

ATLANTIC
— What the President Could Do If He Declares a State of Emergency From seizing control of the internet to declaring martial law, President Trump may legally do all kinds of extraordinary things. – ELIZABETH GOITEIN (DIERSEN: Obviously, Trump-haters want Trump to declare a state of emergency.)
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/01/presidential-emergency-powers/576418/

 

FCW
— Will Democrats revive the Office of Technology Assessment in 2019? – Chase Gunter (DIERSEN: In 1997, I was a “casualty of Republican cost-cutting.”)
https://fcw.com/articles/2018/12/07/2019outlook-ota-revival-gunter.aspx
(FROM THE ARTICLE: From 1972 to 1995, the Congressional office provided scientific and technological advice to lawmakers, penning more than 750 studies and, at its peak, supporting 140 staffers with a budget exceeding $30 million in today’s dollars. When Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the House, the office became a casualty of Republican cost-cutting. . .One alternative emerging among conservatives is to increase resources to offices with technological focuses that already receive funding, like the Government Accountability Office’s IT oversight arm. “There is this sort of natural skepticism of expert bureaucracies and the optics of recreating a new federal agency,” said Graves, who has also worked at R Street and Cato Institutes. “Republicans are going to be much naturally more favorable to doing this in GAO rather than OTA.” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who led this year’s Senate-side push to revive OTA, isn’t limiting the path for improving tech capacity in Congress just to OTA. Keith Chu, Wyden’s press spokesperson, said the senator will look at a range of options to bring tech expertise to Congress, “whether it’s through reviving the OTA, giving GAO additional resources, or encouraging programs like TechCongress fellowships.” But boosting funding for GAO without bringing back an agency with OTA’s mission comes with downsides, because the two have fundamentally distinct visions, said Schuman. “GAO is an agency that has a waste, fraud and abuse mission — that is the organizational culture approach, that is the way they think about things,” he said. “OTA is often about imagining what’s possible and not criticizing what currently exists.”)

 

GOVERNING
— All or Nothing: How State Politics Became a Winner-Take-All World – ALAN GREENBLATT
http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-state-politics-governors-2019.html

 

SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
— We’re in this together
https://www.spj.org/together.asp
(FROM THE POSTING: The Society of Professional Journalists is troubled by the continued layoffs and buyouts in journalism. Our members are the lifeblood of our organization, and it has been painful to watch as many of our friends, perhaps you, have lost their jobs as a result of dramatic industry changes. As the nation’s oldest professional journalism organization, we stand with you during these trying times, and we thank you for your vigilance in pursuit of truth.)

 

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— What do those who want Republicans to lose want Republican party leaders to do? – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

 

(THE ARTICLE: What percent of those individuals, organizations, and companies that are leaving Illinois, leaving DuPage County, and leaving Milton Township are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time – 98%, 99%, 100%?

 

Political parties exist to help elect candidates who can and will defend their platform. Those who want dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation, and even worse things ALWAYS VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS.

 

QUESTION: What do Democrats and Democrat plants, Libertarians and Libertarian plants, Greens and Green plants, and RINOs in Illinois, in DuPage County, and in Milton Township want Republican party leaders to do?

 

ANSWER: They want the Illinois Republican Party (IRP), DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and the Milton Township Republican Central Committee to downplay, to ignore, if not to strike the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and Second Amendment planks in the IRP platform and the illegal drugs and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks in the Republican Party platform. They know that downplaying, ignoring, and striking the aforesaid planks will drive individuals, organizations, and companies out of Illinois that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.

 

Further, those who want Republicans to lose want Republican party leaders to promote dependency on government, dependency on charity, LGBTQ activity, abortion, mass/illegal immigration, abolition of the First and Second Amendments, booze, gambling, pot, and other vices, patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.

 

Further, those who want Republicans to lose want Republican party leaders to banish individuals, organizations, companies, and governments that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, gun owners, German American, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)

December 20 Evening Edition

DONALD TRUMP
— Democrats, it is time to come together and put the SAFETY of the AMERICAN PEOPLE before POLITICS. Border security must become a #1 priority!
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075870519046610945

 

ABC7
— Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to step down after clashes with Trump – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/defense-secretary-mattis-leaving-after-clashes-with-trump/4938018/
— Trump defends move to risk government shutdown – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-defends-move-to-risk-government-shutdown/4935197/
— Trump pushing rule making work mandatory for food stamps – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/trump-proposes-rule-requiring-job-for-food-stamps/4937976/
— GoFundMe for Trump’s border wall has raised more than $6M
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/gofundme-for-trumps-border-wall-has-raised-more-than-$6m/4935637/

 

NBC5
— NBC 5 Sues for Documents From Federal Raids on Ald. Burke’s Offices The lawsuit follows the denial of a request to release search warrants and subpoenas – Carol Marin and Don Moseley
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/nbc-5-goes-to-court-seeking-documents-from-federal-raid-on-ald-burke-503246421.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker names three heavy-hitting deputy governors but mum on salaries – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pritzker-announces-heavy-hitters-deputy-governor-positions/
— U.S. says asylum-seeking migrants to wait in Mexico – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/asylum-migrants-mexico-us-border/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The abuse scandal: Next steps for Madigan and the church – Editorial
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-sexual-abuse-catholic-priests-chicago-archdiocese-20181220-story.html
— Trump administration moves to tighten work requirements for food stamps – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-food-stamps-snap-work-requirements-20181220-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Pritzker should set goal of making tollway more patronage-proof – Editorial (DIERSEN: All my critics/opponents, all their operatives, and all their dupes promote patronage and reject the decision in Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois (SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_v._Republican_Party_of_Illinois and http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/13/us/seeking-return-to-ways-of-patronage-in-politics.html). My Democrat IRS and GAO superiors treated me like I was part of a plot to stop them from hiring, retaining, and promoting young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females. They knew that my wife had helped elect Jim Thompson. They were fully aware of the arguments that Thompson and Jim Edgar made in Rutan that government employers should be allowed to engage in political affiliation discrimination.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20181220/editorial-pritzker-should-set-goal-of-making-tollway-more-patronage-proof
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: Today, we share our ideas for true tollway reform: Reduce political hiring. Patronage hiring is permitted in too many jobs, which are called “Rutan-exempt” in Illinois legal shorthand. That allowed the tollway to flood the agency with highly-paid top Republican insiders. More of these jobs needs to be designated as patronage free so they go to the most qualified, not the most connected.)

 

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Pritzker assembles strong team to make Illinois a winner – Editorial
https://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20181220/our-view-pritzker-assembles-strong-team-to-make-illinois-winner

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Trump tells GOP leaders he won’t sign bill to avoid shutdown – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/speaker-ryan-says-trump-will-not-sign-bill-to-keep-government-open
— Mattis leaving as Pentagon chief after clashes with Trump – AP
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/trump-announces-defense-secretary-mattis-to-retire-in-february

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Algonquin Township Road District Levy Drama – Cal Skinner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/20/algonquin-township-road-district-levy-drama/
— Algonquin Township Board to Undo Damage Done by Previous Refusals to Approve Road District Levy
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/20/algonquin-township-board-to-undo-damage-done-by-refusal-to-approve-road-district-levy/
— Appellate Court Denies Jack Franks’ Ally’s Printer’s Appeal to Stop Illinois Integrity Fund Identification Process
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/20/appellate-court-denies-jack-franks-allys-printers-appeal-to-stop-illinois-integrity-identification-process/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Reader comments closed until January 7th (DIERSEN: We are in a 12-hour news cycle. Ever-increasingly, people are busy, and they do not have time to read news and commentary articles that are more than 12 hours old. Overwhelmingly, since 2015, news and commentary articles linked in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have been less than 12 hours old. GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have gone out each and every morning and each and every evening since 2015. They went out every morning 2005-2015. Those emails have included links to more than 320,600 news and commentary articles.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/20/reader-comments-closed-until-january-7th/

 

FOX NEWS
— Gutierrez: Trump’s Border Wall Would Have Gotten Jesus Killed as Herod Intended
http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/12/20/luis-gutierrez-slams-nielsen-says-trump-border-wall-would-kill-jesus

 

BREITBART
— Luis Gutierrez: Trump Would Have Killed Jesus with Inhumane Border Policies – Pam Key
https://www.breitbart.com/video/2018/12/20/luis-gutierrez-trump-would-have-killed-jesus-with-inhumane-border-policies/

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Trump’s veto threat pays off: House approves $5.7B for border wall – Susan Ferrechio
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/trumps-veto-threat-pays-off-house-approves-5-7b-for-border-wall

 

DAILY CALLER
— E-VERIFY — THE IMMIGRATION SOLUTION CONGRESS IS LOOKING FOR – Ken Blackwell
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/20/e-verify-solution-to-immigration/
— TRUMP MOVES TOWARDS SHUTDOWN OVER WALL FUNDING – Saagar Enjeti
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/20/trump-shutdown-wall/
— GOFUNDME FOR TRUMP’S BORDER WALL SURPASSES $5 MILLION IN LESS THAN FOUR DAYS – Jason Hopkins
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/20/border-wall-gofundme-millions/

 

EAGLE ACTION REPORT
— Rand Paul: ‘The Deep State Needs More Oversight’ – Sean Moran (DIERSEN: All my critics/opponents, all their operatives, and all their dupes promote patronage and reject the decision in Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois (SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_v._Republican_Party_of_Illinois and http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/13/us/seeking-return-to-ways-of-patronage-in-politics.html). My Democrat IRS and GAO superiors treated me like I was a member of the deep state, that I was part of a plot to stop them from hiring, retaining, and promoting young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females. They knew that my wife had helped elect Jim Thompson. They were fully aware of the arguments that Thompson and Jim Edgar made in Rutan that government employers should be allowed to engage in political affiliation discrimination.)
https://eagleactionreport.com/articles/rand-paul-the-deep-state-needs-more-oversight
— Will We Ever Get A Wall? – Derek Hunter
https://eagleactionreport.com/articles/will-we-ever-get-a-wall

 

CAMPUS REFORM
— 5 most politically biased courses of 2018 – Grace Gottschling
https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11665

 

NEW AMERICAN
— Immigrationists Try to Wreck Tucker Carlson as Illegals Wreck Our Land – Selwyn Duke
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/immigration/item/30971-immigrationists-try-to-wreck-tucker-carlson-as-illegals-wreck-our-land

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Mexico Is Building Its Wall — and the U.S. Is Paying for It – KEVIN D. WILLIAMSON
https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/12/mexico-border-security-us-foreign-aid-good-idea/

 

CNN
— GUTIERREZ CALLS TRUMP OFFICIAL KIRSTJEN NIELSEN ‘LIAR,’ STORMS OUT
https://www.wthitv.com/content/national/503264361.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Planned Parenthood Is Accused of Mistreating Pregnant Employees – Natalie Kitroeff and Jessica Silver-Greenberg
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/business/planned-parenthood-pregnant-employee-discrimination-women.html
— For American Workers, 4 Key Retirement Issues to Watch in 2019 – Mark Miller
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/business/retirement-pensions-social-security-2019.html

December 20 Morning Edition

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Richard Porter was the fourth person Gov. Bruce Rauner approached to run for governor. The Chicago attorney who also serves as an Illinois RNC National Committeeman told POLITICO it wasn’t so gauche as to be an outright ask. “I would have described it as more of an aside in a strategy conversation focused more on how he could win (rather) than an offer,” Porter said of their telephone call. Rauner also approached state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, Cubs owner Todd Ricketts and then-GOP attorney general candidate Erika Harold. Rauner “was in to win,” Porter said. “He was never a quitter. To the contrary. He was always focused on finding the best path to winning. And if that meant he should fall on his sword, then he was willing to do that — and give millions of his money away to boot. I think Rauner’s comments on this have been misunderstood.” Porter’s referring to political watchers who say Rauner’s courting of others was a desperate act by a candidate who thought he’d lose. But Porter says Rauner just wanted to be assured of a win. – Shia Kapos
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/12/20/rauners-4th-pick-polls-show-its-mendoza-v-preckwinkle-cubs-shout-out-at-44th-ward-forum-367406
— PROGRAMMING NOTE: Illinois Playbook will not publish from Dec. 24 to Jan 1. It will be back in your inbox Jan. 2. (DIERSEN: We are in a 12-hour news cycle. Ever-increasingly, people are busy, and they do not have time to read news and commentary articles that are more than 12 hours old. Overwhelmingly, since 2015, news and commentary articles linked in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have been less than 12 hours old. GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails have gone out each and every morning and each and every evening since 2015. They went out every morning 2005-2015. Those emails have included links to more than 320,600 news and commentary articles.)
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2018/12/20/rauners-4th-pick-polls-show-its-mendoza-v-preckwinkle-cubs-shout-out-at-44th-ward-forum-367406

 

ABC7
— With Senate passage, bill to prevent shutdown goes to House – AP
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/with-senate-passage-bill-to-prevent-shutdown-goes-to-house/4935197/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: More than 500 priests accused of sexual abuse not yet publicly identified by Catholic church, Illinois attorney general finds – Elvia Malagon
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-illinois-attorney-general-catholic-priest-abuse-20181219-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In an editorial unethically made to look like a news article, anti-Trumps promote illegal immigration.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-ice-protest-portage-st-1220-story.html
— FRONT PAGE WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: In an editorial unethically made to look like a news article, LGBTQ promoters promote LGBTQ activity.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-met-barrington-rainbow-flag-theft-20181219-story.html
— It was always about the wall – Victor Davis Hanson
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/sns-201812191031–tms–vdhansonctnvh-a20181220-20181220-column.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— FRONT PAGE WITH BIG COLOR PHOTOS OF MADIGAN AND CUPICH: State AG: Church underreported number of priests with sex misconduct allegations – Robert Herguth
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/illinois-attorney-general-says-catholic-church-seriously-underreported-number-priests-sexual-misconduct-allegations/

 

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE WITH BIG COLOR PHOTOS OF MADIGAN AND CUPICH: Lisa Madigan: 500 more sex allegations against Illinois priests ‘have not been adequately investigated’ – Michelle Boorstein
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181219/lisa-madigan-500-more-sex-allegations-against-illinois-priests-have-not-been-adequately-investigated

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— AG: Catholic Church withheld names of more than 500 Illinois priests accused of abuse – Brenden Moore
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181219/ag-catholic-church-withheld-names-of-more-than-500-illinois-priests-accused-of-abuse
— Short-term senator gets committee leadership pay – Bernard Schoenburg
https://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20181219/bernard-schoenburg-short-term-senator-gets-committee-leadership-pay
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A Republican state senator appointed to the legislature to fill a 45-day gap is getting not only his base pay, but $1,270 extra to be minority spokesperson on a committee that hasn’t met since months before he took office and has no meetings planned. Sen. YADAV “NICK” NATHWANI of Glen Ellyn was sworn in Nov. 26 after being appointed to the vacancy left with the resignation of former Sen. CHRIS NYBO, R-Elmhurst, who lost the Nov. 6 election to Democrat SUZY GLOWIAK of Western Springs in the 24th Senate District. In addition to filling out Nybo’s term, Nathwani is listed as minority spokesman of the Senate’s financial institutions committee. That committee hasn’t met since May 23. Nathwani will be out of office when Glowiak is sworn in on Jan. 9. Base pay for legislators is $67,836 annually, and committee chairs and minority spokespeople get an extra $10,327 annually. For his 45 days, Nathwani will thus get about $8,360 in base pay and about $1,270 in pay for his committee position. I asked JASON GERWIG, spokesman for Senate GOP Leader BILL BRADY, R-Bloomington, if it was right for Brady to name Nathwani to the leadership post for such a short stint in the Senate and when the committee is apparently not meeting. “Unfortunately, we don’t control the scheduling process of when committees meet,” Gerwig responded. “Maybe if we get a fair map that’ll change someday.” Gerwig noted that Nathwani served the last three days of the veto session and will be there for session on Jan. 7 and 8, before the swearing in on Jan. 9 of the new General Assembly. A message left for at Nathwani’s Senate office went unanswered. He is chief financial officer of Professional Paving & Concrete Co. in Glen Ellyn, a Milton Township trustee and vice-chair of the Milton Township GOP. Nathwani came on my radar due to a something published on the Chicago Tribune website headlined: “From the community: New Senator seeks input from residents.” The author of the piece, which quotes Nathwani encouraging constituents to “reach out to me during this time to discuss the state and local issues important to them,” was listed only as “Community Contributor tbryers.” That would be TIM BRYERS of Elmhurst, who is on the Senate GOP communications staff. He said he is a community contributor to the Tribune, and said in this case, he posted a news release. He said other communications people, as well as representatives of local community groups, use that and similar sites to get out community information. The Trib website says that community contributors are registered users of TribLocal.com and Chicagotribune.com who have photos, articles, announcements and local events to share. The site is not for advertisers. Bryers also said that with many newspapers having fewer reporters than in the past, such openings for outside digital content allows information to get to the public. The Tribune used to have two reporters based in Springfield and there was one in recent years, but since MONIQUE GARCIA left in August to join a public affairs firm, nobody from the Trib is based in the capital city. MARISA KOLLIAS, spokeswoman for the Tribune, had no comment on the status of the Springfield opening, but did say the Tribune “is committed to state government coverage.” As to having a news release from a state staffer published on the Trib website as community news, Kollias had no comment.)

 

JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
— How to Properly Use Internships to Find Employees – Daniel B. Kline (DIERSEN: GAO audits IRS. When I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates did not want me to transfer, but failing that, they wanted me to transfer as a GS-4 Step 1 (currently $32,978/year) Intern, that is, to suffer a $58,902/year (64%) pay cut in today’s dollars. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. They viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned the fact a) that I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880/year, b) that much of what IRS Revenue Officers do is similar to what GAO Analysts do, c) that I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, d) that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and e) that I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. They were furious that I transferred with me almost 12 years of federal seniority, 30 days of unused vacation days, and 130 unused sick days.)
https://jg-tc.com/business/investment/personal-finance/how-to-properly-use-internships-to-find-employees/article_bfd5f85b-d90a-5388-9b5a-59eff7f7c2a1.html

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/piece-pot-money-and-weed-illinois#stream/0
— Judge Who Invalidated Obamacare Has Been A ‘Go-To Judge’ For Republicans, Critics Say
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/judge-who-invalidated-obamacare-has-been-go-judge-republicans-critics-say#stream/0

 

BOLINGBROOK PATCH
— Bolingbrook Hate Crime Convict Back In Will County’s Jail Rachel Tuszynski of Bolingbrook is back in the Will County Jail again. -John Ferak
https://patch.com/illinois/bolingbrook/woman-guilty-hate-crime-mayor-claars-house-jail-again

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— The Land of Lincoln is losing 313 residents per day to other states. – Bryce Hill and Robert Teresi
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-population-loss-worsens-for-5th-straight-year/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— “Trans” Madness: De-Sexing the World – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamily.org/homosexuality/trans-madness-de-sexing-the-world/

 

CAPITOL FAX
— The 2018 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best elected statewide official goes to Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/18/question-of-the-day-golden-horseshoe-awards-78/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Although her office doesn’t have any specific duties outside of being 2nd in line and doing what the governor wants, Sanguinetti and her staff have done a lot on the issue of local government consolidation, reducing LLC fees (she took the lead on that before Rauner), rural education and healthcare, and aggressively working to fight against and recommend the best policies that help those suffering from opioids. She may not get most attention due to the position or administration, but the Lt. Gov has done good work she can be proud of during her 4 years of service. Sanguinetti only received one nomination, but it was so strong that it convinced me.)
— Richard Porter was fourth person Rauner asked to run in his place
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/20/richard-porter-was-fourth-person-rauner-asked-to-run-in-his-place/
— AG Madigan finds 500 additional allegations of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and clergy
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/20/ag-madigan-finds-500-additional-allegations-of-child-sexual-abuse-by-catholic-priests-and-clergy/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— It was always about the wall – Victor Davis Hanson
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/19/for-democrats-a-successful-border-wall-means-bad-p/
— Trump’s push on prison reform called ‘goodwill’ to minorities President scores win that eluded Barack Obama in reducing long mandatory minimum sentences – S.A. Miller
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/19/first-step-act-prison-reform-called-trump-goodwill/

 

AMERICAN GREATNESS
— Immigration Is Making U.S. Poorer and Dirtier – Pedro Gonzalez

Immigration Is Making U.S. Poorer and Dirtier


(FROM THE ARTICLE: As a matter of fact, immigration is making our country poorer—save for those who profit from cheap labor—for one simple reason: we are absorbing masses of poor people who remain concentrated in lower-skilled, low-paying jobs. Many of those poor, whether they arrive illegally or by chain migration, happen to be minorities, and in particular Latinos. Latinos experience the third-highest rate of poverty behind blacks and Native Americans—but as the second-largest ethnic group in the United States, they constitute a greater number of poor than blacks and Native Americans combined (10.8 million, 9 million, 700,000, respectively), according to the Center for American Progress. So, yes, immigration is bringing in disproportionate numbers of poor people and making America poorer.)

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Why We’re Divided – Jeffrey Folks
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/12/why_were_divided.html

 

NEWSMAX
— White House Rips Asylum Ruling as ‘Judicial Activism’ – Jason Devaney
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/asylum-liberal-activism-immigration-law-open-borders/2018/12/19/id/895209/

 

BREITBART
— Gutless President in Wall-Less Country – Ann Coulter
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/19/coulter-gutless-president-in-wall-less-country/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Paul Ryan promotes open borders, that is, Paul Ryan promotes the end of America.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/19/paul-ryan-immigration-rules-should-offer-jobs-to-anyone/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Retiring Paul Ryan today lamented his failure to deliver a global supply of migrant labor to businesses and investors — regardless of ordinary Americans’ desire for decent wages. Ryan’s failure was ensured by Donald Trump’s 2016 election — and so Trump’s “Hire American” policy is now allowing Americans’ wages to rise amid a shortage of blue-collar workers and protests by business leaders. Ryan’s lament came as his final efforts to outsource more Americans jobs to foreign workers were discarded in the confused negotiations over Congress’s failure to pass a 2019 budget for the Department of Homeland Security. That defeat for Ryan was missed by media coverage over funding for the border wall.)

 

DAILY CALLER
— LAURA INGRAHAM, JIM JORDAN CRITICIZE TRUMP, REPUBLICANS ON BORDER WALL RETREAT – Scott Morefield
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/19/laura-ingraham-jim-jordan-border-wall/
— TUCKER ADDRESSES AND CLARIFIES IMMIGRATION COMMENT BACKLASH – Mike Brest
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/19/tucker-dershowitz-immigration-backlash-tijuana/
— CNN’S 2014 JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR RESIGNS AFTER ADMITTING TO FALSIFYING STORIES – Mike Brest
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/19/cnn-journalist-der-spiegel-resigns/

 

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Pro-life law firm asks Illinois Supreme Court to stop taxpayer funding of abortion
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pro-life-law-firm-asks-illinois-supreme-court-to-stop-taxpayer-funding-of-a

 

PJ MEDIA
— Merry Christmas, Mexico! Here’s Five Billion Dollars! – MEGAN FOX
https://pjmedia.com/trending/merry-christmas-mexico-heres-five-billion-dollars/

 

COLLEGE FIX
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Those who promote LGBTQ activity crow about their successes.
https://www.thecollegefix.com/christian-college-group-formally-endorses-lgbt-protections-in-federal-law/

 

THE HILL
— White House slams judge’s ruling on Trump asylum policy: ‘The latest example of judicial activism’ – EMILY BIRNBAUM
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/422207-white-house-slams-judges-ruling-on-trump-asylum-policy-the-latest

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— Paul Ryan Played Dumb On Donald Trump All The Way To The End The departing GOP House speaker leaves a legacy of willful ignorance. – Hayley Miller
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/paul-ryan-donald-trump-legacy_us_5c17d212e4b05d7e5d84cf99

 

POLITICO
— Ryan’s legacy can’t escape Trump The retiring House speaker touted a series of accomplishments in his farewell address, but Trump will loom over his tenure. – RACHAEL BADE and JOHN BRESNAHAN
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/19/paul-ryan-legacy-trump-congress-1070782
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Indeed, when Trump won the presidential election, the hard-line Freedom Caucus stood at the ready to push Ryan out of office for jabbing Trump on the campaign trail. The only reason Trump kept him around was because Vice President Mike Pence and other pro-Ryan Republicans argued in favor of having a true legislative tactician and wonk shepherding his priorities through a convoluted Congress. Had Ryan forcefully criticized Trump during his presidency, the leader of the party might have come after him, Ryan’s allies say. “That’s the toughest job in American politics,” said former Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), an Illinois Republican who lost in the midterm election.)

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE: Catholic Church in Illinois Withheld Names of at Least 500 Priests Accused of Abuse, Attorney General Says – Laurie Goodstein and Monica Davey
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/us/illinois-attorney-general-catholic-church-priest-abuse.html
— Senate Passes Stopgap Spending Bill That Would Avert Shutdown – Emily Cochrane
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/us/politics/government-shutdown-threat.html
— ‘The Effects Cannot Be Overstated’: When Tech Invaded Media Jim Rutenberg reflects on the convergence of technology with media, and how that has changed his consumption habits and coverage.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/technology/personaltech/media-tech-effects.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Trump administration reaches deal that will force asylum seekers to wait in Mexico as cases are processed, DHS’s Nielsen says – Nick Miroff and Nick Miroff
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/dhs-secretary-kirstjen-nielsen-to-face-questions-from-lawmakers/2018/12/20/f7d2ffea-0460-11e9-8186-4ec26a485713_story.html

 

THE WIRE
— Caravans – the New Face of Migration to the US, With No End in Sight Thousands of mostly Honduran migrants have become a symbol of US President Donald Trump’s tough policies on immigration. – Reuters
https://thewire.in/world/caravans-the-new-face-of-migration-to-the-us-with-no-end-in-sight

 

FLORIDA WATCHDOG
— Proposed 2019 E-Verify bills likely to revive bitter feud among Republicans – John Haughey (DIERSEN: Obviously, those individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that oppose E-Verify illegally benefit from illegally employing illegals.)
https://www.watchdog.org/florida/proposed-e-verify-bills-likely-to-revive-bitter-feud-among/article_a593c45c-03b2-11e9-84b3-f7729c3b20b8.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Women Who Love Trump His approval among female Republicans is 93%—higher than among GOP men. – Daniel Henninger
https://www.wsj.com/articles/women-who-love-trump-11545264804
— The Lamest Lame Duck Trump’s shutdown folly has cost the GOP any last-ditch victories. – Editorial
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-lamest-lame-duck-11545265379
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: In a front page editorial unethically made to look like a news article, anti-Trumps and those who want cheap labor argue for open borders for Hispanic women.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/it-is-better-not-to-have-a-daughter-here-latin-americas-violence-turns-against-women-11545237843

 

BUSINESS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats shout at women that Republicans cause all the problems that women have in the workplace.
https://www.business.com/articles/workplace-culture-gender-equality/

 

INC.
— The Top 50 Best Places to Live in America Right Now. Quality of life, affordability, and ease of living were all taken into account. – Betsy Mikel (DIERSEN: Wheaton is ranked 27th.)
https://www.inc.com/betsy-mikel/the-top-50-best-places-to-live-in-america-right-now-spoiler-not-a-single-big-city-made-list.html
http://time.com/money/collection/2018-best-places-to-live/5361480/wheaton-illinois/

December 19 Evening Edition

ABC7
— FBI investigating fraudulent signatures in 13th Ward race – Craig Wall
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/abc7-exclusive-fbi-investigating-fraudulent-signatures-in-13th-ward-race/4931368/

 

NBC5
— Nearly 187K Register to Vote Using New Illinois System The state’s new automatic voter registration system went into effect July 1
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/nearly-187k-register-to-vote-using-new-illinois-system-503149241.html

 

CBS2
— Nearly 187K Register To Vote Using New Illinois System
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/12/19/nearly-187k-register-to-vote-using-new-system/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— GoFundMe page to fund border wall has raised over $1M in 2 days
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/national/gofundme-page-to-fund-border-wall-has-raised-over-1-million-dollars-in-2-days
— Chick-fil-A will soon be the No. 3 fast-food chain in America, research firm claims
http://www.fox32chicago.com/facebook-instant/chick-fil-a-will-soon-be-the-no-3-fast-food-chain-in-america-research-firm-claims

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois declines in population for fifth year in a row with more than 45,000 fewer residents With exodus continuing, Illinois could lose a congressional seat after next census- Angie Leventis Lourgos
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-census-illinois-population-20181219-story.html
— How bad does the ‘Illinois Exodus’ have to get? – Editorial (DIERSEN: Democrats believe that for every Republican individual, organization, and company that they drive out of Illinois, one or more Democrat individuals, organizations, and companies will move into Illinois.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-illinois-population-loss-madigan-exodus-20181219-story.html
— Senate poised to vote to keep government running into 2019, with no wall funding in sight – AP
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-government-shutdown-20181219-story.html
— Liberal startup reports on brands’ political spending, hopes shoppers opt for blue Christmas – Rachel Siegel
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-shopping-corporate-political-spending-20181219-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— The war against the trolls: We must reassert humanity in the face of cruelty – S. E. Cupp
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/the-war-against-the-trolls-we-must-reassert-humanity-in-the-face-of-cruelty/
— Feds eye move to regulate legal sports betting nationwide – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/sports-gambling-regulation-bill-united-states/

 

DAILY JOURNAL
— Contested council races in store for several DuPage communities – Robert Sanchez and Marie Wilson
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181219/contested-council-races-in-store-for-several-dupage-communities

 

JOURNAL TOPICS
— Town Hall On Recreational ‘Pot’ Set For Jan. 4
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/town-hall-on-recreational-pot-set-for-jan-4/

 

WQAD
— Anti-abortion group asks Illinois Supreme Court to nullify abortion law
https://wqad.com/2018/12/19/anti-abortion-group-asks-illinois-supreme-court-to-nullify-abortion-law/

 

SUBURBAN CHICAGOLAND
— Tax Raisers ready for massive Gas Tax increase
https://suburbanchicagoland.com/2018/12/19/tax-raisers-ready-for-massive-gas-tax-increase/

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Ives speaks out against proposed gas tax increase – Kyla Asbury
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511684828-ives-speaks-out-against-proposed-gas-tax-increase

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Assessing Rauner’s legacy as governor – Dan McCaleb
https://www.ilnews.org/opinion/op-ed-assessing-rauner-s-legacy-as-governor/article_abd32a7a-030c-11e9-8030-7be48a6ab0ab.html

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— GAS TAX HIKE RUMORS STIR OPPOSITION FROM CONSERVATIVE STATE LAWMAKERS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/gas-tax-hike-rumors-stir-opposition-from-conservative-state-lawmakers.html
— MEDIA AIDS DEMOCRATS IN EASING TAXPAYER CONCERNS ABOUT STATE’S FINANCES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/media-aids-democrats-in-easing-taxpayer-concerns-about-states-finances.html
— THORNER & O’NEIL: TRUMP FIGHTS BACK AGAINST UNHINGED MEDIA AND OUTRAGED GLOBALIST ELITES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/thorner-oneil-trump-fights-back-against-unhinged-media-and-outraged-globalist-elites.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— More controversy over Satanic Temple display in Rotunda
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/19/more-controversy-over-satanic-temple-display-in-rotunda/
— The hollowing-out of state government
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/19/the-hollowing-out-of-state-government-4/
— Quit the union and use that cash for Christmas shopping!
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/19/quit-the-union-and-use-that-cash-for-christmas-shopping/
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON ILLINOIS TIGHTENS: Illinois lost 45,116 people in one year
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/19/illinois-lost-45116-people-in-one-year/

 

GOPUSA
— Trump impeachment countdown is on
http://www.gopusa.com/trump-impeachment-countdown-is-on/
— Judge: Cops, schools had no duty to protect Parkland students from shooting
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61273
— Boston mayor doubles down on support for illegal aliens after plea from ICE to rid communities of public safety threats
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61277
— Time to finish the Wall
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61198

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— New York Times tries and fails to paint Trump administration as racist – Rick Esenberg
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/new-york-times-tries-and-fails-to-paint-trump-administration-as-racist

 

BREITBART
— Chicago Tribune: Gun Control Not the Solution for American Firearm Deaths – Awr Hawkins
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/19/chicago-tribune-gun-control-not-the-solution-for-american-firearm-deaths/
— Poll: One Third of Republicans Would Pitch in to Build Wall – Penny Starr
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/19/poll-one-third-of-republicans-would-pitch-in-to-build-wall/

 

DAILY CALLER
— JEWISH PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF WALLS – Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/19/jews-traditionally-pro-wall/
— JUDGE THWARTS TRUMP BID TO LIMIT ASYLUM ELIGIBILITY – Kevin Daley
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/19/trump-asylum-domestic-violence/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Gaming the system: Two congress members escort favored illegals into the U.S. – Monica Showalter
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/12/gaming_the_system_two_congress_members_escort_favored_illegals_into_the_us.html

 

LIBERTY NEWS NOW
— Chick-fil-A Is Now America’s #3 Fast Food Chain – Jessica Cambridge
https://libertynewsnow.com/chick-fil-a-is-now-americas-3-fast-food-chain/article10327

 

THE HILL
— Conservatives blast GOP, Trump over spending deal – NIV ELIS
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/422123-conservatives-blast-gop-trump-over-spending-deal
— Michelle Malkin, other conservatives rip Trump over border wall funding – JOE CONCHA
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/422116-michelle-malkin-other-conservatives-rip-trump-over-border-wall-funding
— Why Americans are so tired of Trump news – JOE CONCHA
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/422080-why-americans-are-so-tired-of-trump-news

 

NBC NEWS
— Times Square billboard calls out migrant deaths, slams border wall – Nicole Acevedo
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/times-square-billboard-calls-out-migrant-deaths-slams-border-wall-n950121
— Asylum seekers ‘elated’ after judge strikes down Trump rules – Daniella Silva
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/asylum-seekers-elated-after-judge-strikes-down-trump-rules-n950116

 

WASHINGTON POST
— How to save the jobs of GM workers Opponents of General Motors’ immoral moves need a strategy that reflects the company’s history – Jason Weixelbaum (DIERSEN: In 1970, I lost my part-time job working for Chrysler in Belvidere when Chrysler suspended production there.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/pb/outlook/2018/12/19/how-save-jobs-gm-workers/

 

SUN TIMES NEWS
— OUTSTANDING: Dexter Township Looking to Prohibit Commercial Marijuana Establishments – Lonnie Huhman
https://thesuntimesnews.com/dexter-township-looking-to-prohibit-commercial-marijuana-establishments/

 

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Most Voters Consider a Cyberattack an Act of War (DIERSEN: Acts of war include a) illegally sending many millions of your citizens into another country illegally, b) illegally keeping many millions of your citizens illegally in another countries illegally, and c) illegally sending many mountains of illegal drugs into another country illegally.)
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/december_2018/most_voters_consider_a_cyberattack_an_act_of_war

 

USA JOBS
— GAO Intern announcement: Chicago (DIERSEN: GAO audits IRS. When I transferred from IRS to GAO in 1980 when I was 31 years old, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates did not want me to transfer, but failing that, they wanted me to transfer as a GS-4 (currently $32,978/year) Intern, that is, to suffer a $58,902/year (64%) pay cut in today’s dollars. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. They viciously demonized, denigrated, and condemned the fact a) that I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880/year, b) that much of what IRS Revenue Officers do is similar to what GAO Analysts do, c) that I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, d) that I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and e) that I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul. They were furious that I transferred with me almost 12 years of federal seniority, 30 days of unused vacation days, and 130 unused sick days.)
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/518365800

 

NEWSWEEK
— GOFUNDME PAGE FOR DONALD TRUMP’S BORDER WALL RAISES MORE THAN $900K IN 3 DAYS – CHRISTINA ZHAO
https://www.newsweek.com/gofundme-page-trumps-border-wall-raises-over-800k-3-days-1265744
— ANN COULTER SAYS TRUMP MAY HAVE BEEN ‘SCAMMING VOTERS’ WITH WALL PROMISE, PREDICTS HE WON’T BE RE-ELECTED – TIM MARCIN
https://www.newsweek.com/ann-coulter-donald-trump-border-wall-1265332

 

THE WEEK
— Ann Coulter predicts Trump will be the last Republican president
https://theweek.com/speedreads/813647/ann-coulter-predicts-trump-last-republican-president

December 18 Evening Edition

ABC7
— State Rep. Ives throws support behind aldermanic candidate David Krupa
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/state-rep-ives-throws-support-behind-aldermanic-candidate-david-krupa-/4924256/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: During an election board hearing last Monday, Krupa and his attorney said only 187 of the people who signed a revocation affidavit actually signed his nominating petitions, meaning 2,600 were fraudulent. “I think they’re intimidated by someone who hasn’t backed down to them. Their whole game is do anything possible to make the person intimidated enough to back away either by their support or bully them out,” Krupa said Saturday. He also addressed an old order of protection against him from a previous relationship. Krupa said allegations made in the order were false and filed by the girl’s family and the order has been vacated. Krupa believes the order resurfacing was an attempt to mislead voters away from his campaign efforts.)

 

NBC5
— The $100,000 Question – How One Check Can Produce Millions for Politicians While it is all legal, critics argue the $100,000 rule is just another example of how the campaign finance law in Illinois can benefit the politically powerful and wealthy. – Carol Marin and Don Moseley
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/how-one-check-can-produce-millions-for-politicians-503070041.html

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Shutdown talk recedes after White House eases border wall threat – AP (DIERSEN: The border wall is a threat to those 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 for a long time.)
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/white-house-says-trump-is-willing-to-work-with-congress-to-avert-a-partial-shutdown

 

WLS AM
— Ives unloads on Rauner, Madigan and a possible gas tax hike. – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/12/18/ives-unloads-on-rauner-madigan-and-a-possible-gas-tax-hike/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Jeanne Ives trying to raise money for 19-year-old challenging Madigan lieutenant – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/jeanne-ives-marty-kevin-quinn-david-krupa-michael-madigan-13th-ward-ballot-petition-challenges-alaina-hampton-2019-election/
— Watchdog to oversee complaints involving lawmakers –– after four year gap – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/watchdog-to-oversee-complaints-involving-lawmakers-after-four-year-gap/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Lake County: Aaron Lawlor on addiction, mental health problems: ‘I have found belonging, purpose, inspiration and accountability’ – Frank Abderholden
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-lawlor-talks-addiction-st-1218-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “I was a gay Republican in the suburbs for heaven’s sake, and if you look up self-loathing in the dictionary it should read ‘gay Republican,’” he said, eliciting laughs from the crowd. “So the story I told was that I was a lonely, alcohol- and drug-addicted, HIV positive, gay, elected official, Republican in the suburbs,” he said. “I was an egomaniac with a raging inferiority complex.”)
— Elk Grove Village says $300K sponsorship of Bahamas Bowl has already paid off, though some residents are skeptical – John Keilman
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/ct-met-bahamas-bowl-college-football-elk-grove-village-makers-wanted-20181213-story.html
— Illinois lawmakers to get new top watchdog with ‘strong background in sexual harassment’ – Mike Riopell
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-legislature-watchdog-sexual-harassment-20181218-story.html
— Trump relents on $5 billion for border wall, but shutdown still possible after Democrats reject new GOP offer – Erica Werner, Damian Paletta and John Wagner
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-border-wall-government-shutdown-20181218-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Opportunity is here to set a new tone for the tollway – Editorial
https://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20181218/editorial-opportunity-his-here-to-set-a-new-tone-for-the-tollway
(FROM THE EDITORIAL: The tollway, managed by a board of supervisors appointed by the governor, has long been criticized as a body with too much patronage and too little responsiveness to the hundreds of thousands of us who travel its roadways every day. The tollway’s defenders are not helped by the types of activities our transportation expert Marni Pyke has uncovered. These include a $157 million contract that went to a company that has contributed to two board members’ charities and employs the daughter of the tollway board chairman; the hiring of the Republican House minority leader’s sister-in-law for an engineering management position even though she had no engineering experience; hiring three public relations companies for various projects despite having its own in-house PR team; and including among those three deals a $6.6 million subcontract with a communications company whose CEO is married to a GOP Chicago lawmaker. Tollway leaders suggest each of these cases is isolated by specific circumstances, and they repeated them at a state Senate hearing in Chicago last summer. What they don’t seem to understand is that at some point an accumulation of isolated circumstances adds up to a trend. And the trend that appears to be developing here is that Republican political connections helped get jobs and contracts for those doing business with a tollway board put in place by a Republican governor. The absolute worst response that could follow is that a year from now Pyke finds herself reporting on how Democratic political connections are helping get jobs and contracts for those doing business with a tollway board put in place by a Democratic governor.)
— After Senate reports, Facebook and Twitter face wave of criticism – Hamza Shaban and Taylor Telford
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181218/after-senate-reports-facebook-and-twitter-face-wave-of-criticism

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Former judge, Menard Co. state’s attorney named legislative inspector general
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181218/former-judge-menard-co-states-attorney-named-legislative-inspector-general

 

WJBC
— Illinois political pundit Rich Miller says Gov. Rauner will not be missed – Dave Dahl
http://www.wjbc.com/2018/12/17/illinois-political-pundit-says-gov-rauner-will-not-be-missed/

 

JEANNE IVES
— Representatives Allen Skillicorn and Jeanne Ives hold yellow jacket rally to oppose gas increase
http://www.jeanneives.org/2018/12/representatives-allen-skillicorn-and.html

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Anti-abortion group asks Illinois Supreme Court to nullify abortion law – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/justice/anti-abortion-group-asks-illinois-supreme-court-to-nullify-abortion/article_349d988c-0316-11e9-b8f2-535e02574892.html
— Committee nominates retired judge for legislative watchdog post – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/committee-nominates-retired-judge-for-legislative-watchdog-post/article_cf7fe302-0314-11e9-8542-6bcff78b3342.html
— Illinois law enforcement groups eye teen marijuana use trends – Greg Bishop
https://www.ilnews.org/news/justice/illinois-law-enforcement-groups-eye-teen-marijuana-use-trends/article_7b6b3e7c-02ee-11e9-afbc-7b610697160c.html

 

HEARTLAND INSTITUTE
— PRESIDENT URGED TO DECLARE ‘WAR ON WASTE,’ GOVERNMENT SPENDING – Jeff Reynolds (DIERSEN: The federal government wasted me and wasted my federal career. If I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran, the federal government would not have done that. It would have promoted me into its Senior Executive Service long before I was 40 years old. The federal government uses Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion a) to hire, retain, and promote young Democrat minorities and young Democrat females and b) to get rid of its employees who are Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who it does not promote to GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
https://www.heartland.org/news-opinion/news/president-urged-to-declare-war-on-waste-government-spending
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Andrzejewski says it was difficult to pick just 100 examples of government waste to highlight. “Examples of waste could fill every page of every newspaper in the country,” Andrzejewski said.)

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives backs Krupa even after allegations emerge
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/18/ives-backs-krupa-even-after-allegations-emerge/
— Representatives Allen Skillicorn and Jeanne Ives hold yellow jacket rally to oppose gas increase
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/18/live-coverage-133/

 

BREITBART
— Nancy Pelosi: Democrats Will Act ‘Boldly’ to Criminalize Private Gun Sales – AWR Hawkins
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/18/nancy-pelosi-democrats-will-act-boldly-to-criminalize-private-gun-sales/
— Tucker Carlson Defiant After Losing Three More Advertisers to Left-Wing Blacklisting Campaign (DIERSEN: Which individuals, organizations, companies, and governments blacklist you? I should write a book about those individuals, organizations, companies, and governments that blacklist me and why they do that.)
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2018/12/18/tucker-carlson-defiant-after-losing-three-more-advertisers-to-left-wing-blacklisting-campaign/

 

BLAZE
— More than a dozen advertisers quit Tucker Carlson show over immigration comment — here’s his defiant response – Carlos Garcia
https://www.theblaze.com/news/more-than-a-dozen-advertisers-quit-tucker-carlson-show-over-immigration-comment-heres-his-defiant-response

 

CNBC
— Democrats are going to attack the GOP tax law from several angles, including SALT caps and breaks for corporations – Ylan Mui
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/18/democrats-are-going-to-attack-trump-gop-tax-law.html

 

CBS NEWS
— How does federal judges’ health insurance stack up? – WALECIA KONRAD
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-does-federal-judges-health-insurance-stack-up/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Like the vast majority of federal employees of all ranks, the government’s judges have the option of enrolling in plans offered by the Federal Employee Health Benefits system. It includes hundreds of plan choices throughout the U.S. — far more than even the largest private employers. Many plan options also have broad networks of providers, often nationwide. So finding coverage for specialists and out-of-network services isn’t as tough a problem for judges as it can be in the often narrow networks ACA enrollees rely on. And federal employees have the option of keeping their coverage into retirement, unlike many private employer plans. Still, the insurance isn’t as comprehensive as one might imagine a federal judge or Supreme Court justice would get. Unlike the so-called Cadillac plans that top corporate executives often enjoy that fully cover a host of health care expenses, the federal plans have deductibles, premium costs, co-pays and other out-of-pocket expenses. Like any employer offering health insurance, the federal government pays a good portion of employees’ premiums. Except for some negotiated union contracts with postal workers, the feds generally pay about 72 percent of premium costs. But that’s less than the average 80 percent that private sector employers kick in. Even judges pay premiums That means judges who opt into the system pay premiums, just like the rest of us. They may even pay a bit more than the average private-sector employee. In addition, depending on what type of plan judges pick, like private-sector employees they may have high deductibles or high co-insurance for certain services. As in the marketplaces, it’s all about what plan they choose.)

 

FORBES
— Who Wants To Be A Millionaire On Mayor Bill De Blasio’s New York City Workforce? – Adam Andrzejewski
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2018/12/18/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-on-mayor-bill-de-blasios-new-york-city-workforce/#2cd8e1376a99

 

NEWSWEEK
— Trump Caves on Border Wall Funding – RAMSEY TOUCHBERRY
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-government-shutdown-republicans-confused-1263050


— HOW RICH ARE THE RICH? FAR MORE THAN YOU THINK – GIL B. MANZON JR.
https://www.newsweek.com/how-rich-tax-poverty-inequality-trump-chris-rock-1263157

 

ATLANTIC
— COVER STORY: The Real Roots of American Rage The untold story of how anger became the dominant emotion in our politics and personal lives—and what we can do about it. – CHARLES DUHIGG (DIERSEN: Members of Group A promote anger 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 for a long time and members of Group B are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older people, rich people, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/01/charles-duhigg-american-anger/576424/

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Is the Federal Workforce Reaching Its Breaking Point? – Howard Risher
https://www.govexec.com/excellence/management-matters/2018/12/federal-workforce-reaching-its-breaking-point/153616/

December 17 Evening Edition

CBS2
— Illinois Has The Highest Cell Phone Taxes In The Nation
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/12/17/cell-phone-taxes-illinois/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Get ready, Illinois, for the government you chose – Kristen McQueary (DIERSEN: On November 6, 2018, I voted for all the Republicans on the ballot in my precinct.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-mcqueary-taxes-pritzker-rahm-emanuel-pensions-1218-20181217-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: New year, new governor, new legislature. Among Illinois Democrats, there’s a thrill of excitement only Chris Matthews’ leg during a Barack Obama speech could appreciate. In January, Democrats will increase their control of Illinois, Cook County and suburban governments. In the Illinois House, Democrats will hold 74 seats to Republicans’ 44. In the Senate, Democrats will hold 40 seats to the GOP’s 19. For the most part, voters swept out the suburban Republicans who have often served as the General Assembly’s only fiscal disciplinarians. So please, suburbanites. Stifle your complaints about high taxes. This is the government you chose. The majority party also took every statewide office including governor. And on the Cook County Board, only two of 17 seats remain in Republican hands. That is if you consider Commissioner Peter Silverstri of Elmwood Park a Republican, and no one really does. Democrats, you dominated. Spike the ball in the end zone. Body surf House Speaker Michael Madigan across a sea of pink hats. Treat the start of the spring legislative session like a locker room victory party. Champagne hairspray, everyone. The Democrats already are rolling out plans for higher taxes, more gambling, legalized dope and additional borrowing, particularly if it’s the risky pension bond-sale variety. Mayor Rahm Emanuel called for a change to the Illinois Constitution’s pension clause to control pension costs. But the most likely action at the city and state levels will be can-kicking and borrowing — exactly what got us here.)

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Donald Trump’s border wall demand is dressed up with more lies about immigrants.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/donald-trump-border-wall-mexico-immigration-reform-policy/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Trump-haters use children as cannon fodder.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/migrant-girl-7-years-old-dies-border-donald-trump-terrorists/

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— OUTSTANDING: Peoria doctor Raymond Bertino opposes the proposed legalization of marijuana in Illinois for recreational purposes – Dean Olsen
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20181215/peoria-doctor-raymond-bertino-opposes-proposed-legalization-of-marijuana-in-illinois-for-recreational-purposes

 

OUR QUAD CITIES
— Pritzker minimum wage deal might work for Democrats & Republicans Next Illinois governor proposes small business tax credits – Jim Niedelman
https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/4-the-record/pritzker-minimum-wage-deal-might-work-for-democrats-republicans/1663683024

 

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
— Chicago Booth’s Marianne Bertrand examines the ‘glass ceiling’ phenomenon (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors would stress to women that to help retain and advance women, they forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, gave me unfair performance expectations and appraisals, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take a $19,203 (26%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors would stress to women that to help retain and advance women, they did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Democrat Post Office superiors would stress to women that to help retain and advance women, they forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://news.uchicago.edu/story/whats-holding-women-back-top-paying-jobs

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— Batinick addresses Rauner concerns: Republicans must unite to win – Glenn Minnis
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511683546-batinick-addresses-rauner-concerns-republicans-must-unite-to-win
— 82.3 percent of Crete-Monee teachers stay put; average earns $59,303.62 per year
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511677692-82-3-percent-of-crete-monee-teachers-stay-put-average-earns-59-303-62-per-year

 

SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS NEWS
— Bailey says Rauner just trying to save face – Glenn Minnis
https://seillinoisnews.com/stories/511683540-bailey-says-rauner-just-trying-to-save-face

 

CHAMBANA SUN
— Caulkins says Rauner not helping GOP cause – Glenn Minnis
https://chambanasun.com/stories/511683535-caulkins-says-rauner-not-helping-gop-cause

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— THORNER/O’NEIL: IS A “WELL-INFORMED ELECTORATE” A THING OF THE PAST, OR HAS IT EVER EXISTED? (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents discourage everyone from reading GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They discourage voters, activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, and everyone else from reading the emails. My critics/opponents want everyone to know only what they tell them, no more and no less.)
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/thorneroneil-is-a-well-informed-electorate-a-thing-of-the-past-or-has-it-ever-existed.html

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are members of the following groups want America to surrender to Mexico and surrender to the rest of the foreign countries: 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, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/leading-gop-pollster-trumps-focus-on-immigration-sunk-house-majority

 

DAILY SIGNAL
— Retiring Republicans May Not Show Up to Vote, Threatening Border Wall Vote – Rachel del Guidice
https://www.dailysignal.com/2018/12/17/retiring-republicans-may-not-show-up-to-vote-threatening-border-wall-vote/

 

NEW AMERICAN
— Democrats and Trump Agree: Shutdown Is Coming Over Wall – R. Cort Kirkwood
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/30944-dems-and-trump-agree-shutdown-is-coming-over-wall

 

GOPUSA
— Schumer, Democrats: Trump should understand ‘he is not going to get the wall in any form’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=61143
— Open Borders, Build the Wall Groups Meet in San Diego
http://www.gopusa.com/open-borders-build-the-wall-groups-meet-in-san-diego/

 

HOT AIR
— Log Cabin Republicans Plan To “Push” Trump On LGBT Rights
https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2018/12/log-cabin-republicans-plan-push-trump-lgbt-rights/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Obama said illegal alien parents put their children’s ‘lives at risk’ – Keith Edwards
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/12/obama_said_illegal_immigrant_parents_put_their_childrens_lives_at_risk_.html

 

CAMPUS REFORM
— Feds shell out $10 million for STEM diversity – Sergei Kelley
https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11648

 

NBC NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “Trump’s latest big immigration bet is looking like a loser.”
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-s-latest-big-immigration-bet-looking-loser-n948981
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Americans don’t think Trump got message from midterms.”
https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/12/17/poll-americans-dont-think-trump-got-message-from-midterms/23620694/

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Politicians have caused a pay ‘collapse’ for the bottom 90 percent of workers, researchers say – Christopher Ingraham
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/12/17/politicians-have-deliberately-eroded-workers-power-resulting-collapse-pay-bottom-percent-researchers-say/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump-hater says “The signs are mounting: Trump has been badly weakened. It will get worse for him.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2018/12/17/signs-are-mounting-trump-has-been-badly-weakened-it-will-get-worse-him/

 

BOSTON HERALD
— Traditional values strengthen society – Star Parker
https://www.bostonherald.com/2018/12/17/traditional-values-strengthen-society/

 

BLOOMBERG
— How Democrats Can Thrive in the Age of Trump A Q&A with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel about tactics for expanding on this year’s electoral victories. – Albert R. Hunt
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-12-16/rahm-emanuel-q-a-how-democrats-can-thrive-in-the-age-of-trump

 

MONEY MAGAZINE
— These Are the 10 Best Colleges for Transfer Students – KAITLIN MULHERE (DIERSEN: I transferred from UIC to NIU in 1969.)
http://time.com/money/5479015/2018-best-colleges-transfer-students/

 

EDITOR & PUBLISHER
— New Report on Russian Disinformation, Prepared for the Senate, Shows the Operation’s Scale and Sweep – Craig Timberg and Tony Romm (DIERSEN: According to my critics/opponents, a) I spread disinformation with my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and b) all information is disinformation except for the information that they spread or bless.)
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/new-report-on-russian-disinformation-prepared-for-the-senate-shows-the-operations-scale-and-sweep/
— The Future of the Deepfake—And What It Means For Fact-Checkers – Tim Hwang  (DIERSEN: What are your qualifications to be a fact checker? While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports. I worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880. My other fact checking qualifications include my becoming a Forensic Accountant in 1997, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, and a CPA in 1979.)
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/the-future-of-the-deepfake-and-what-it-means-for-fact-checkers/

December 16 Evening Edition

NBC5
— Trump Tweets Sympathy for Ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Trump urged his Twitter followers to watch a recent Fox News interview with Blagojevich’s wife, Patti, and called the situation “very sad.”
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Trump-tweets-sympathy-for-ex-illinois-gov-rod-blagojevich-502885381.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— White House digs in on border wall demand, risking shutdown – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/white-house-border-wall-government-shutdown/
— Sen. Durbin: ‘The Republicans have no alternative to the Affordable Care Act’ – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/sen-durbin-the-republicans-have-no-alternative-to-the-affordable-care-act/

 

DAILY HERALD
— How tech workers are fueling a new employee activism movement – Jena McGregor (DIERSEN: My Democrat GAO superiors hinted/implied/argued/shouted that their employees who were Democrat, minority, female, younger, and/or veteran wanted them to get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20181215/how-tech-workers-are-fueling-a-new-employee-activism-movement

 

WILL
— In Trying To Replace Himself On Ballot, Critics Say Rauner ‘Cheated Republicans’ – BRIAN MACKEY
https://will.illinois.edu/news/story/in-trying-to-replace-himself-on-ballot-critics-say-rauner-cheated-republica

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Morrison, Ives urge rebuilding GOP after Rauner confesses election apathy – Robert Hadley
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511682716-morrison-ives-urge-rebuilding-gop-after-rauner-confesses-election-apathy
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The next step for the Illinois GOP should be to call for a leadership overhaul at the top, both Morrison and Ives suggested. “Sean Morrison holds a very important position as state central committeeman, so it’s within his power to put in new leadership at the head of IL GOP, and that’s what needs to be done,” Ives said in a telephone interview with the Prairie State Wire. On his web page, Morrison said the governor’s “betrayal and deception” were grounds for a shakeup, and he pledged to call a meeting of the GOP’s central committee to begin “rebuilding the party.”)

 

DAILY CALLER
— WE WATCH CNN’S TERRIBLE MEDIA SHOW SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO – Betsy Rothstein
https://dailycaller.com/2018/12/16/cnn-terrible-media-show/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Time to finish the Wall – Editorial
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/16/editorial-time-to-finish-the-wall/
— Democrats defy Trump shutdown threat: ‘He is not going to get the wall in any form’ – Alex Swoyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/16/chuck-schumer-democrats-defy-trump-government-shut/

 

BREITBART
— Washington Post Op-Ed: Girl’s Death Shows Americans Are a Threat to Migrants – Neil Munro
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2018/12/16/washpost-op-ed-americans-threat-migrants/

 

NEWS BUSTERS
— Atlantic Mag Compares Trump to Sexist Dictators, Saw ‘Red-Faced Diatribes’ for Kavanaugh – Clay Waters
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/clay-waters/2018/12/16/atlantic-mag-compares-trump-sexist-dictators-saw-red-faced-diatribes

 

NEWSMAX
— WSJ: Shut Out Migrants Taking Jobs, Claiming Asylum in Mexico – Eric Mack
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/migrants-asylum-manufacturing-nafta/2018/12/16/id/894651/

 

CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWS
— Did Paul Ryan Propose Raising The Retirement Age To 70? – Brad Sylvester
https://www.conservativedailynews.com/2018/12/did-paul-ryan-propose-raising-the-retirement-age-to-70/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Ryan announced earlier this year that he will be retiring from Congress once his term is complete. He will receive an annual pension of about $85,000, according to Business Insider. Republican Bryan Steil was elected in November to fill Ryan’s seat in Wisconsin’s first congressional district for the 116th Congress. Ryan told CBS’s John Dickerson on “Face The Nation” that he plans to use his retirement to “hunt, fish, mountain climb and ski” with his family and hinted that he may remain active in political advocacy.)

 

THE HILL
— Vicente Fox blasts Trump over migrant girl’s death – JUSTIN WISE
https://thehill.com/latino/421622-vicente-fox-blasts-trump-over-migrant-girls-death

— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, under the Democrats, society demonizes, denigrates, and condemns Whites, and especially Whites who are not successful. Are/were you successful? In the federal government, if you are White, you are NOT SUCCESSFUL unless you make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40. Extremely few White federal employees make the aforesaid promotion deadlines.
https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/421509-the-myth-of-white-supremacy

 

ABC NEWS
— Sen. Dick Durbin: Obamacare ruling ‘once again puts Republicans in Washington on the spot’ – KRIS SCHNEIDER
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen-dick-durbin-obamacare-ruling-puts-republicans-washington/story?id=59839455
— Donald Trump slams Saturday Night Live after sketch imagining world without him as President
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-17/donald-trump-slams-saturday-night-live-after-comedy-sketch/10626034

 

WASHINGTON POST
— New report on Russian disinformation, prepared for the Senate, shows the operation’s scale and sweep The report, a draft of which was obtained by The Washington Post, is the first to study the millions of posts provided by major technology firms to the Senate Intelligence Committee – Craig Timberg and Tony Romm (DIERSEN: If true, the Russian efforts failed miserably in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, and in my precinct.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/12/16/new-report-russian-disinformation-prepared-senate-shows-operations-scale-sweep/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— With Migrants Stalled at U.S. Doorstep, Mexico Offers a Fresh Start Border city aims to fill thousands of manufacturing roles with Central American migrants and asylum seekers unable to enter U.S. – Santiago Pérez
https://www.wsj.com/articles/with-migrants-stalled-at-u-s-doorstep-mexico-offers-a-fresh-start-11544972421

 

MOTLEY FOOL
— DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/12/16/5-things-that-really-matter-when-investing-in-mari.aspx

 

LGBTQ NATION
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, you are demonized, denigrated, and condemned if you do not promote LGBTQ activity.
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/12/president-anti-lgbtq-hate-group-tired-people-calling-hater/

December 16 Morning Edition

NBC5
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Investigations Look at Trump’s Life From All Angles. Five people in Trump’s orbit have pleaded guilty to charges in the continuing Mueller probe.”
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/Investigations-Look-At-Trumps-Life-From-All-Angles-502870181.html

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— White House prepares for government shutdown as GOP lawmakers struggle for alternative – Erica Werner, Damian Paletta, Lisa Rein
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-government-shutdown-spending-white-house-border-wall-20181215-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Trump has led a lot of organizations. Nearly all of them are now under investigation.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-oganization-investigations-20181215-story.html
— Sears gets Bankruptcy Court approval for up to $25.3 million in bonuses to top employees – Lauren Zumbach (DIERSEN: Working for GAO during the 1980s and 1990s was very similar to working for Sears today. Starting in 1989, to retain its employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or young, GAO used the extreme subjectivity in its pay-for-performance system to give bonuses to its employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or young.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-sears-bonuses-bankruptcy-court-1215-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Hoffman Estates-based Sears Holdings Corp., which filed for bankruptcy protection in October, said it needs to able to offer the extra cash to encourage key employees to stick with the company as it attempts to restructure, according to court filings. . .“Under these circumstances, it would be understandable if many key employees are asking themselves whether they should be seeking other opportunities,” Sears said in a court filing last month. However, the retailer “cannot afford this uncertainty — however understandable it may be,” according to the filing. The company has already “suffered significant employee attrition” in the past month, including the departure of the chief operating officer of its Sears Home Services business and five other employees who would have been eligible for bonuses, Sears said in a separate court filing this week.)
— ‘Saturday Night Live’: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro and Alec Baldwin return for ‘It’s A Wonderful Trump’ – Danielle Turchiano
https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-snl-it-s-a-wonderful-trump-20181216-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Petition challenges: Where 11 mayoral hopefuls stand in fight to stay on ballot – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/petition-challenges-11-chicago-mayoral-candidates-fight-to-stay-on-ballot/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Investigations look at Trump’s life from all angles.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/donald-trump-investigation-personal-life/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Kasich would prefer competing for presidency as a Republican – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181213/news/312139823
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: What are “favorable demographics?” Does your school district have “favorable demographics?”
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181215/butler-elementary-district-53-uses-teamwork-personalization-to-achieve-growth

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Rauner baffles to the end – Doug Finke
https://www.pjstar.com/news/20181215/statehouse-insider-rauner-baffles-to-end

 

BELLVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— In a year Republicans did well in Southern Illinois, why does the St. Clair County GOP struggle? – JOSEPH BUSTOS
https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article222944235.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Brennan said, however, she got “zero” help from the St. Clair County Republican Central Committee in her unsuccessful run for the county board. . .However, some Republicans point to issues within the local party itself as to why the GOP couldn’t gain ground in the county. Sources with ties to the party said most of the local efforts went toward pushing for the re-election efforts of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost and Gov. Bruce Rauner, which left little to no resources to help with the local races. Ed Cockrell is among the local Republican County Board candidates to say the local party didn’t help local candidates, such as with raising money or sending out mailers. . .Duane Henson, a Republican who ran for county clerk, and has served as a precinct committeeman, said some worked harder than him, and he worked harder than other candidates, but candidates who ran countywide all did about the same. “At the end of the day, we were all a couple thousand votes of each other,” said Henson, who chose to self fund his campaign. Henson wouldn’t comment on the leadership of the party. He did say he also has heard the suggestion of putting efforts into smaller races to develop candidates. “You focus on the smaller races and if you could get into some of the school boards and so forth and make some effective changes there, then you could get your message out and work your way up, (but) that takes several election cycles,” Henson said. Henson said there was brainstorming sessions among the candidates during the campaign and the party organized participation in parades leading up to the election. “Could we be better organized? Sure. I think there’s always room for improvement.” Party leaders however, are looking to see what can be done better the next go-around. “I know they’re doing a lot of analysis, some people who are a little higher up in party that me, have been discussing … what’s our path moving forward, what can we do different, what have we done wrong? You do that after anything,” Henson said.)

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: DISGUSTING, TRAGIC: Pot pushers push pot.
https://qconline.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-make-illinois-pot-law-model-for-nation/article_e4c6ca64-fbc4-5ebb-9c90-bba0cfbb7cb0.html

 

WAND TV
— Illinois cities receive $13.7M to reduce lead in homes – Jessica Dobson
http://www.wandtv.com/story/39650575/illinois-cities-receive-137m-to-reduce-lead-in-homes

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— High On The Highway: Challenges With Marijuana DUIs – MADELYN BECK
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/high-highway-challenges-marijuana-duis#stream/0

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Investigations undermine Trump presidency: ‘It weakens your friends and emboldens your enemies’- AP (DIERSEN: To get rid of me, my Democrat IRS superiors opened investigations of my expense vouchers in 1974 and my income tax returns in 1978. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran.)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/16/donald-trump-investigations-undermine-presidency/
— ‘Democrat spin machines’: Trump says one-sided news coverage should be tested in courts – Alex Swoyer
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/dec/16/donald-trump-says-one-sided-news-coverage-should-b/

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Rudy Giuliani: Any Trump payoffs to women were aimed at protecting his children and marriage – Caitlin Yilek
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/rudy-giuliani-any-trump-payoffs-to-women-were-aimed-at-protecting-his-children-and-marriage

 

BREITBART
— Bill: Lawmakers Must Pay Sexual Misconduct Settlements Out-of-Pocket – Penny Starr
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/15/bill-lawmakers-must-pay-sexual-misconduct-settlements-out-of-pocket/

 

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE
— PARENTS WHO TAKE CHILDREN THROUGH THE DESERT, NOT THE BORDER PATROL, ENDANGER THEIR LIVES – Daniel Greenfield
https://www.frontpagemag.com/point/272253/parents-who-take-children-through-desert-not-daniel-greenfield

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Stop Equating Every Immigration Situation with the Holocaust! – Rabbi Aryeh Spero
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/12/stop_equating_every_immigration_situation_with_the_holocaust.html

 

THE HILL
— Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine): Nothing wrong with Republicans challenging Trump in 2020 – ALICIA COHN
https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/421576-gop-senator-nothing-wrong-with-republicans-challenging-trump-in

 

CNN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “His worst nightmare: Trump’s life under a legal microscope.”
https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/15/politics/donald-trump-robert-mueller-investigations-russia/index.html

 

ABC NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Investigations look at Trump’s life from all angles.”
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/part-trumps-life-investigation-59842548

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Mulvaney Called Trump a ‘Terrible Human Being’ in 2016 – Maggie Haberman
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/15/us/politics/mulvaney-trump-terrible-human-being.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Americans are divided according to political party on their views of the economy and the Trump presidency, a new WSJ/NBC News poll found. – Aaron Zitner
https://www.wsj.com/articles/americans-have-mixed-feelings-about-economy-trump-presidency-wsj-nbc-news-poll-finds-11544968800
— Fight Over Voter Data Roils Democrats Ahead of Election The party is trying to catch up with Republican efforts to collect and store voter data – Julie Bykowicz
https://www.wsj.com/articles/fight-over-voter-data-roils-democrats-ahead-of-election-11544899956

 

CLARION LEDGER
— Family breakdown explains social unrest – Star Parker
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/columnists/2018/12/16/family-breakdown-explains-social-unrest/2302739002/

 

TUCSON DAILY STAR
— Immigration Attitudes: Americans’ deep political divide creates fraught territory – Perla Trevizo
https://tucson.com/news/state-and-regional/americans-deep-political-divide-creates-fraught-territory/article_e3b280a2-fd6d-11e8-8fe0-57a88b1a7958.html

 

FOX 8
— South Carolina pastor defends decision to buy wife $200,000 Lamborghini SUV, says ‘not a penny’ was used from church (DIERSEN: If you might buy a new SUV, what might you buy? I might buy a new Jeep Cherokee Limited FWD ($30,950) with V6 ($1,745), Luxury Group ($1,195), Floor Matts ($220), Block Heater ($115), and Destination Charge ($1,495).)
https://myfox8.com/2018/12/14/south-carolina-pastor-defends-decision-to-buy-wife-200000-lamborghini-says-not-a-penny-was-used-from-church/

 

ATLANTIC
— America Needs to Restore Dignity of Work – Marco Rubio (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes look down on wage earners. I was a lowly wage earner 1964-1997. 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.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/12/help-working-class-voters-us-must-value-work/578032/

 

MOTLEY FOOL
— 2 in 5 Americans Spend More Money in Retirement Than Expected In doing so, they risk running out of savings down the line. – Maurie Backman
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2018/12/15/2-in-5-americans-spend-more-money-in-retirement-th.aspx
(FROM THE ARTICLE: We’re often told to expect our expenses to go down in retirement, and generally speaking, retirees do spend less than their nonretired counterparts. While the average working American over 40 spends $2,993 a month on discretionary expenses, the average retiree spends just $2,008, according to data from Global Atlantic Financial Group. That said, nearly two out of five retirees are spending more money during their golden years than expected, so they risk prematurely depleting their nest eggs and struggling to keep up with expenses in the future. If you’d rather not land in a similar boat once it’s your turn to retire, the solution is simple: Understand what sort of lifestyle your savings will buy you in the future, and save more before retiring if it isn’t enough.)

 

ROLLING STONE
— Paul Ryan Wants More Immigrants, as Long as They Look Like Him Ryan has championed a bill that would allow more Irish immigrants to come to America – PETER WADE
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/paul-ryan-irish-immigration-769807/

 

DAILY MAIL
— Paul Ryan under fire for rushing out more than 10,000 visas to Irish nationals before leaving office when refugees and asylum seekers are being detained and rejected from the border – MICHAEL NAM
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6500413/Paul-Ryan-attacked-rushing-10-000-visas-Irish-nationals-leaving-office.html

December 14 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Illinois Republicans stunned after Gov. Rauner admits to recruiting 4 others to run in November gubernatorial race – Craig Wall
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/illinois-gop-stunned-after-rauner-admits-to-recruiting-4-others-to-run-for-governor/4900233/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, a leading state Republican, is now calling for an emergency meeting of the State Central Committee to address what the Rauner revelation, which he and others are calling a deeply troubling matter. In a statement, he said: “I personally asked the Governor on two separate occasions before the Primary if he was committed to his re-election. Both times, to my face, he made clear that he was all in – not only for himself but for all statewide candidates…this private surrender by Bruce Rauner shows a lack of loyalty, integrity, and character.” Rauner is being accused of betraying the party. “Stunned and even more disappointed, I didn’t think I could be more disappointed or betrayed because I think that the Governor really betrayed everybody in the party and by extension everyone in the state,” said Chris Robling, a Republican strategist. Sources said that Rauner approached his attorney general candidate Erika Harold the day after the state fair in August, less than three months before the election, and asked her to take his place on the ballot. “It appears in this case he wasn’t really into it and he got more and more out of it the longer the campaign went on,” Robling said. Rauner had also asked then-state Sen. Karen McConnaughay to do the same in April. McConnaughay said first lady Diana Rauner approached her with a similar request the year before. The fallout has Republicans frustrated and angry. “What happened at the top of the ticket brought us down across the whole state, we lost a whole lot of state legislative seats because of what he did and that’s what really hurts, because now Madigan has a super majority and we can’t stop him,” said Chris Cleveland, chairman of the Chicago Republican Party. The chairman of the state Republican Party Tim Schneider said in a statement that “Neither myself nor the staff at the Illinois Republican Party had any knowledge of the discussions Governor Rauner had regarding his candidacy.” Other Republicans are not only shocked by what the governor did, but that he publicly admitted it.)

 

DAILY HERALD
— McConnaughay told Rauner he couldn’t pick his own replacement on ballot – Jake Griffin (DIERSEN: What if Rauner had withdrawn and Ives had been selected to fill the vacancy? The Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee (SCC) fills vacancies by weighted vote when candidates withdraw in statewide races. In the 2004 Illinois U.S. Senate race, I attended all the IRP SCC meetings that were open to the press that resulted in the IRP SCC selecting Alan Keyes to replace Jack Ryan who had withdrawn. I unsuccessfully urged the IRP SCC to select Jim Oberweis because Oberweis had received the second most votes in the primary. Steve Rauschenberger had received the third most votes and Andy McKenna the fourth most. SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_United_States_Senate_election_in_Illinois At that time, I was the GOPUSA Illinois Editor, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Vice-Chairman, a Republican Precinct Committeeman, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181214/mcconnaughay-told-rauner-he-couldnt-pick-his-own-replacement-on-ballot
— New DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek drops lawsuit to get records from election commission – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181214/new-dupage-county-clerk-drops-lawsuit-to-get-records-from-election-commission
— District 304 board approves five-year contract with teacher raises totaling 19.6 percent – Justin Kmitch (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1986-1997 as a GS-13 Analyst, in today’s dollars, because of step increases, my salary increased from $96,403 to $125,325, or by 30%. During that time, became 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 1997, after taking graduate courses since 1992, I earned a masters’ degree in financial markets and trading from IIT. I worked on audits of a) IRS 1986-1988, b) Department of Defense and Railroad Retirement Board in 1989, and c) federal financial industry regulators 1990-1997.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181214/district-304-board-approves-five-year-contract-with-teacher-raises-totaling-196-percent
– Wheaton middle schooler charged with false threat to the school – Justin Kmitch
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181213/wheaton-middle-schooler-charged-with-false-threat-to-the-school
— Chicago man held on $500,000 bail in Wheaton carjacking – Justin Kmitch
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181214/chicago-man-held-on-500000-bail-in-wheaton-carjacking

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Sensing defeat, Rauner admits seeking other candidates to replace him on ballot – Alexandra Arriaga
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/sensing-defeat-rauner-admits-seeking-other-candidates-to-replace-him-on-ballot/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Indeed, officials said if Rauner had relinquished the nomination, the GOP state central committee would have had eight days to name a replacement, according to State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich. “Obviously, he could have recommended a preferred replacement, but the decision would have had to be made by the Republican state central committee,” Dietrich said. McConnaughey said Rauner’s tactic was similar to his style of governing. “He tried to end his career as governor the same way he got into it — always this idea he would strong-arm it,” she said. “He never respected the fact that there’s a process to governing. Never accepted responsibility for mistakes he made, always [House Speaker Michael] Madigan or someone else’s fault.” She added: “The Republicans could have and should have had a better candidate. He didn’t bring the kind of energy to the race that was necessary.” During the interview, Rauner also blamed President Trump as a “contributing factor” in his 16-point loss to Pritzker. He believes his chances to stay in office would have been better if Democrat Hillary Clinton had won.)

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Under the Dome Podcast: Rauner tried to drop out of governors race
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20181214/under-dome-podcast-rauner-tried-to-drop-out-of-governors-race

 

WGLT
— Barickman: Rauner Bailout Attempt Tried To Cheat Voters – CHARLIE SCHLENKER
http://www.wglt.org/post/barickman-rauner-bailout-attempt-tried-cheat-voters#stream/0
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Barickman said the report just makes you scratch your head and shake it negatively. “First of all, it’s not the way the process works. Incumbent governors don’t get to select their replacement,” said Barickman. Rauner reportedly asked four different people to take the job of running for governor as late as August. “It’s disingenuous at best. Most importantly it cheats Republican voters from their opportunity to have a say in this. And that’s their voice that gets shut out,” said Barickman. Barickman said this shows Rauner’s failure to understand the political and legislative processes.)

 

WSPY NEWS
— Karen McConnaughay, Former St. Charles Sen., Kane Board Chair Among 4 That Rauner Sought to Replace Himself With Projecting Re-Election Loss
http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/former-st-charles-sen-kane-board-chair-among-that-rauner/article_ea118366-ffa8-11e8-8a84-bfe47379964b.html
— McConnaughay on Declining Rauner Request for Gubernatorial Run: ‘Process is Everything in Government, Politics’
http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/mcconnaughay-on-declining-rauner-request-for-gubernatorial-run-process-is/article_ea118366-ffa8-11e8-8a84-bfe47379964b.html

 

SUBURBAN CHICAGOLAND
— Sean Morrison slams Governor Rauner for abandoning GOP
https://suburbanchicagoland.com/2018/12/14/sean-morrison-slams-governor-rauner-for-abandoning-gop/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Cook County Commissioner and County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison issued the following statement: To learn yesterday that Bruce Rauner secretly tried to abdicate his candidacy – on several occasions – is an affront to everyone in the Illinois Republican Party and the entire State of Illinois. It is an egregious betrayal of trust that countless members of the Republican Party placed in him, and that 1.7 Million residents of Illinois had when they cast their vote for him in November. I personally asked the Governor on two separate occasions before the Primary if he was committed to his re-election. Both times, to my face, he made clear that he was all in – not only for himself but for all Statewide candidates. We now know, by his own admission, that he deceived me and others. Evidently, the deception didn’t end there. After the primary, Bruce explicitly promised a statewide absentee ballot and early voting program to boost Republican turnout. Was the program ever implemented? No. And his answer to questions about this program’s failure was nothing more than continued excuses. . .As a Republican elected official and a member of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee, this kind of betrayal and deception is totally unacceptable and has no place within our party. For this reason, I will call for an emergency meeting of the Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee to address this deeply troubling matter and to immediately forge a plan forward to rebuild our party as one that will fight for the working families of Illinois and will challenge Illinois Democratic Party policies that have forced our state into economic peril.)

 

WINNETKA PATCH
— Gov. Rauner Says He Tried To Drop Out Of Race, Handpick Successor The outgoing governor said he tried to recruit four Republicans to replace him on the ballot but they all rejected him. – Jonah Meadows
https://patch.com/illinois/winnetka/gov-rauner-says-he-tried-drop-out-race-handpick-successor

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Rauner ‘tried to get out of being the governor,’ sought replacements post-primary – Greg Bishop & Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/opponents-slam-rauner-following-revelation-he-sought-others-to-take/article_4e5136ca-ffca-11e8-a62a-37ef9654d541.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: While such a move would have been unusual, the Illinois State Board of Elections said it’s possible to replace a candidate on the ballot if they want to step down, as Rauner indicated earlier this week he wanted to do. “If Rauner had relinquished the nomination, the GOP state central committee would have had eight days following his withdrawal to name a replacement,” ISBE spokesman Matt Dietrich said. “And this would need to happen at least 15 days before the general election for Rauner’s name to be removed and replaced with the new candidate’s name.” State Rep. Jeanne Ives, who lost to Rauner in the March primary by 2.8 percent, said there was talk about a switch in some GOP circles. She said radio host Dan Proft, a former Republican candidate for governor, had mentioned it. She also said she’d be surprised if party officials didn’t know Rauner had considered leaving the race. “They knew that Rauner was not in for the fight,” said Ives, R-Wheaton. “There’s no doubt in my mind that they knew he asked others to run. [Schneider] can say what he wants to all day long, I do not believe him.” McConnaughay said she didn’t know if GOP officials were aware Rauner wanted someone else to take over in the race against Pritzker. “I only know what I know and I’m not interested in engaging in conspiracy theories, I’ll leave that to Representative Ives,” McConnaughay said. Ives called for Schneider to step down as the party’s leader. She said the GOP leadership “has failed to provide a necessary contrast to the horrible policies of the Democrats and their corrupt dealings.”)

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— COOK COUNTY GOP CHAIRMAN RESPONDS TO RAUNER’S POST-ELECTION COMMENTS; CALLS FOR EMERGENCY IL GOP MEETING
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/cook-county-gop-chairman-responds-to-rauners-post-election-comments-calls-for-emergency-il-gop-meeti.html


— RAUNER REVEALS HE DIDN’T WANT TO RUN AGAIN IN 2018, BEGGED FOUR OTHERS TO TAKE HIS PLACE
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/12/rauner-reveals-he-didnt-want-to-run-again-in-2018-begged-four-others-to-take-his-place.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Morrison wants emergency meeting of ILGOP – McConnaughay explains – Schneider responds *** Rauner says he tried to drop out of race after primary
https://capitolfax.com/2018/12/14/rauner-says-he-tried-to-drop-out-of-race-after-primary/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider: Neither myself nor the staff at the Illinois Republican Party had any knowledge of the discussions Governor Rauner had regarding his candidacy.)

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Chicago’s next mayor is key to political fate of South Suburban Airport – Ted Slowik
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-slowik-south-suburban-airport-st-1216-story.html

 

WLS AM
— Pritzker: Emanuel’s pension plan is not “viable” – Bill Cameron
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/12/14/pritzker-emanuels-pension-plan-is-not-viable/

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Attorney for Jack Franks’ Ally’s Printer Refuses to Follow Court Order to Reveal Identities of Originators of Smear Mail, But Admits She Now Represents “s/he/the[m]”
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/14/attorney-for-jack-franks-allys-printer-refuses-to-follow-court-order-to-reveal-identities-of-originators-of-smear-mail/
— Capitol Fax Picks McSweeney as GOP State Rep. of the Year
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/12/13/capitol-fax-picks-mcsweeney-as-gop-state-rep-of-the-year/

 

WILL COUNTY GAZETTE
— State Board of Elections asked to investigate Underwood’s voting history – W.J. Kennedy
https://willcountygazette.com/stories/511669527-state-board-of-elections-asked-to-investigate-underwood-s-voting-history

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Ives predicts rise in Geneva property taxes to meet teacher demands – Robert Hadley
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511669612-ives-predicts-rise-in-geneva-property-taxes-to-meet-teacher-demands

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— As Labor Market Tightens, Women Are Moving Into Male-Dominated Jobs Widening opportunities do not automatically translate into better pay or a decline in gender discrimination. – Jed Kolko and Claire Cain Miller (DIERSEN: As all of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes will attest to, all the jobs that I had were BAD jobs, jobs that were so BAD that qualified Democrats, qualified minorities, qualified women, qualified younger people, and qualified veterans did not want them. 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. 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.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/upshot/as-labor-market-tightens-women-are-moving-into-male-dominated-jobs.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters say “Trump routinely says things that aren’t true. Few Americans believe him.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/politics/political-knowledge-poll-trump-falsehoods/

 

FORBES
— The Federal Employee Pay Penalty: 31% Less Than State and Local Government Workers. Really? – Andrew Biggs (DIERSEN: Are/were you accused of being overpaid? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always accused me of being overpaid. In my defense, I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewbiggs/2018/12/14/the-federal-employee-pay-penalty-31-less-than-state-and-local-government-workers-really/#449726c562e5

 

INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
— 86% Of Government Spending Is Now On Autopilot
https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/federal-spending-budget-deficits/