WPSD
— Illinois Equal Pay Act amendment extends protections to African Americans – Logan Gay (DIERSEN: If I had not been denied my 7th Amendment rights in Diersen v. GAO, I would presented a jury with many examples in which GAO paid its employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or younger higher salaries than it paid its employees who were Republican, White, and/or older who had more work experience, education, professional certifications, and/or professional licenses.) https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/2018/12/28/illinois-equal-pay-act-amendment-extends-protections-to-african-americans/
EPOCH TIMES
— Democrats Commit Self-Sabotage by Dumping on Whites and Christians – Carol M. Swain (DIERSEN: What do you say to “Republicans” who dump on individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time? Are these “Republican” dumpers really Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, or RINOs?) https://www.theepochtimes.com/democrats-commit-self-sabotage-by-dumping-on-whites-and-christians_2750760.html
WASHINGTON POST
— Dozens of journalists were murdered in 2018. This is a crisis of press freedom. – Editorial (DIERSEN: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have charged me with disseminating “false” or “fake” news. Should I sue my critics/opponents? According to my critics/opponents, all news and commentary is “false” or “fake,” except for the news and commentary that they put out or bless.) https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/dozens-of-journalists-were-murdered-in-2018-this-is-a-crisis-of-press-freedom/2018/12/30/eab8ad2e-092d-11e9-88e3-989a3e456820_story.html (FROM THE ARTICLE: In Saudi Arabia, the same campaign against dissent that led to Mr. Khashoggi’s murder left 16 journalists imprisoned in December, according to the CPJ account, including four women who reported on women’s rights. Egypt had the dishonorable distinction of imprisoning the most people — 19 — on charges of disseminating “false” or “fake” news. The growing number of journalists jailed or attacked on that pretext is one illustration of the deleterious influence that President Trump has had on press freedom globally. His labeling of the U.S. media as the “enemy of the people” and charges of “fake news” have been imitated by regimes around the world. At the same time, his refusal to hold Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for Mr. Khashoggi’s murder, despite a CIA finding that he likely ordered it, has, as CPJ put it, “signaled that countries that do enough business with the United States are free to murder journalists without consequence.” It won’t be a surprise if 2019 produces another large body count.)
— If Democrats Were Shrewd . . . They’d divide and conquer, splitting Trump and his populist base from more conventional Republicans. – Bobby Jindal https://www.wsj.com/articles/if-democrats-were-shrewd-11546199954
— Retraining Programs Fall Short for Some Workers The goal was to help displaced workers gain skills in new industries. But studies show people are earning less or failing to find work – Eric Morath (DIERSEN: Between 1992 and 1997, I paid for my own “retraining.” In 1989, the Democrats who ran GAO’s Chicago office a) made it clear that they would never again assign me to audits of IRS and b) assigned me to audits of federal financial industry regulators. Between 1992 and 1997, I took graduate finance courses at IIT, and in 1997 earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading.) https://www.wsj.com/articles/retraining-programs-fall-short-for-some-workers-11546088401
WLS AM
— Sample letters the government suggests furloughed federal workers could send to their creditors (DIERSEN: How have federal government shutdowns impacted you? I was a federal retiree and Social Security recipient during shutdowns in 2013 and this year. I was an IRS employee during shutdowns in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. I was a GAO employee during shutdowns in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, and 1996.) http://www.wlsam.com/news/read-sample-letters-the-government-suggests-furloughed-federal-workers-could-send-to-their-creditors/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Didn’t Get the Job? The Robots May Not Have Liked Your Social Media Activity – Jason Bellini (DIERSEN: What could potential employers learn about you from the internet that they do not like? For me, it would include that I am a Trump supporter, Protestant (baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran), conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, old (70), non-poor, gun owner, 100% German American, draft avoider, my ancestors have been in America since 1844, Crete resident 1948-1972, Wheaton resident since 1978, former union member (almost 12 years), former federal employee (almost 30 years), federal retiree (more than 21 years), American-nameplate car owner, type 2 diabetes, obese, and I sued my former federal employer for political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.) https://www.wsj.com/video/didnt-get-the-job-the-robots-may-not-have-liked-your-social-media-activity/94228433-78FE-4BA3-939C-B6B15690FB58.html
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Government to furloughed workers: Ask landlords about doing chores to cover rent – Michael Brice-Saddler (DIERSEN: Employers, and just about everyone else, view the job skills that federal employees acquire as being WORTHLESS.) https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-government-shutdown-furloughed-workers-20181229-story.html (FROM THE ARTICLE: On Thursday, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management tweeted sample letters to help the roughly 800,000 affected workers negotiate with creditors and mortgage companies. One letter, meant for employees to send to their landlords, discussed a temporary reduction in rent payments and further suggests “the possibility of trading my services to perform maintenance (e.g. painting, carpentry work) in exchange for partial rent payments.” On CNN Saturday morning, Tony Reardon, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, called the suggestion about trading services for rent payments “laughable” and “unfortunate.” “I think it’s disgusting, candidly,” Reardon said on “New Day.” He added, “It’s wrong to treat human beings this way.”)
— What I learned by not drinking for 2 years – Andy Boyle (DIERSEN: Virtually all of my nastiest critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes are/were heavy drinkers.) https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-sober-alcohol-drunk-booze-perspec-1231-20151230-story.html
FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Trump, Democrats play the blame game in 2nd shutdown weekend – AP (DIERSEN: Who blames you and for what? Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have blamed me for all the losses that Republican candidates have suffered in Wheaton, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois. They blame me even though I have never been a Milton Township Republican Central Committee officer, a DuPage County Republican Central Committee officer, an Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee member, or an IRP officer.) http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/national/trump-democrats-play-the-blame-game-in-2nd-shutdown-weekend
CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Champaign begins certifying female-, minority-owned businesses – Adalberto Toledo (DIERSEN: GAO hired me in 1980 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job. IRS hired me in 1971 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job. The Post Office hired me in 1966 because it could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, or veteran who would take the job.) http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-12-29/champaign-begins-certifying-female-minority-owned-businesses.html
ASSOCIATED PRESS
— US retailers hope higher pay will buy more efficient workers – CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO (DIERSEN: How efficient are you? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes paint themselves as being far more efficient than I am. They hint/imply/argue/shout that they could put GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails together and send them out in far less time than it takes me.) https://www.apnews.com/94aeb5b5c5fa48f7a0d6629ee51a8674
NBC NEWS
— Trump shirks blame for migrant child deaths in federal custody – AP (DIERSEN: Who blames you and for what? Since 2000, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have blamed me for all the losses that Republican candidates have suffered in Wheaton, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois. They blame me even though I have never been a Milton Township Republican Central Committee officer, a DuPage County Republican Central Committee officer, an Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee member, or an IRP officer.) https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-shirks-blame-migrant-child-deaths-federal-custody-n952976
NEW YORK TIMES
— ‘You Control Nothing’: House Republicans Brace for Life in the Minority – Carl Hulse (DIERSEN: In what ways are you a minority where you live – race, gender, age group, income level, net worth level, religion, national origin, political affiliation, veteran status, gun ownership status, length of time your ancestors have been in America, etc.?) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/29/us/politics/house-republicans-minority.html
DAILY MAIL
— Trump issues executive order freezing pay for 2.1 million federal workers in 2019 as thousands remain furloughed under government shutdown The order issued Friday will block a 2.1% blanket pay raise scheduled for January It comes as 800,000 federal employees remain furloughed or working without pay due to the partial government shutdown The order has been met with intense backlash from workers’ advocates – MEGAN SHEETS https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6538411/Trump-issues-executive-order-freezing-pay-2-1-million-federal-workers-2019.html
— Data shows military women and female veterans are shifting away from the Republican party, despite veterans in general voting largely for the GOP in the midterm election Long seen as a bastion of support for the GOP, the face of the US military and its veterans is changing – and as that happens, perhaps so is their politics Both current and former female service members were more likely to vote in the 2018 midterm elections for Democrats than Republicans That margin was 60 percent to 36 percent, according to the data from VoteCast Men with military backgrounds voted Republican by roughly the same margin A record number of female veterans – four – were elected to the House, all as Democrats, and three won in political swing districts – STEPHANIE HANEY https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6537963/Female-veterans-defy-vote-trend-oppose-Trump-seek-office.html
HUFFINGTON POST
— Jeff Flake Won’t Rule Out 2020 Run: ‘Somebody Needs To’ Challenge Trump “Like I said, I haven’t ruled it out,” he said. “I’m a long way from there, but somebody needs to and I think that the country needs to be reminded of what it means to be conservative.” – Amy Russo https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jeff-flake-2020_us_5c2740e4e4b08aaf7a90cd27
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— High-Tax State Exodus Growth-friendly states gain population, and it isn’t just the weather. – EDITORIAL https://www.wsj.com/articles/high-tax-state-exodus-11546037709 (FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois’s population has declined by 157,000 over the past five years, which is equivalent to the mid-sized city of Rockford. According to research outfit Wirepoints, more than 114,000 residents left the state on net in 2018 and nearly 1.5 million people since 2000. Cold weather? While Illinois’s population has declined by 0.8% since 2010, Indiana’s has grown 3.1% and Wisconsin’s by 2.2%.)
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
— 8 Painless Ways to Downsize Your Lifestyle in Retirement – Rachel Hartman https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/baby-boomers/articles/8-painless-ways-to-downsize-your-lifestyle-in-retirement (FROM THE ARTICLE: Get involved with what’s close to your heart. Charities and nonprofit organizations are often looking for volunteers. Visit places that line up with your values or are related to the line of work you were in. If you spent decades in health care, you might find fulfillment donating several hours each week at a children’s hospital. If you had leadership roles, ask about local boards looking to add new members. You could find satisfaction helping others, and you probably won’t be spending money while you are volunteering. . .Take on tasks you enjoy.)
— 22 Best Cars From American Brands – Nick Kurczewski https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-american-cars
NBC5
— 4 Candidates for Chicago Mayor Removed From Ballot The Chicago Board of Elections ruled that Conrein Hykes Clark, Sandra Mallory and Richard Mayers will not be on the ballot, while Ja’Mal Green filed to withdraw from the ballot and run instead as a write-in candidate – Shelby Bremer https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/chicago-mayor-petition-challenges-503623461.html
CHICAGO NOW
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Dennis Byrne demonizes, denigrates, and condemns Trump as being a “draft dodging hypocrite” because he avoided the draft. Byrne would demonize, denigrate, and condemn me as being a “draft dodging hypocrite” because I got four student draft deferments 1966-1970 and a financial hardship draft deferment 1970-1971. I should write a book about those who have punished me the most for my doing that. http://www.chicagonow.com/dennis-byrnes-barbershop/2018/12/donald-trump-draft-dodging-hypocrite/
HUFFINGTON POST
— The Government Shutdown Is The Latest Chapter In Trump’s Fight With Federal Workers. He’s been sticking it to them pretty much since he took office. – Dave Jamieson (DIERSEN: What about you would your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress to Trump? Mine would stress to Trump that I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and that I have been a federal retiree for more than 21 years. They would hint/imply/argue/shout that I was grossly overpaid and that my retirement benefits are much too generous. In my defense, I would stress that I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 32. I would explain why I became a federal employee in 1971 because of EEOC.) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-government-shutdown-is-the-latest-chapter-in-trumps-fight-with-federal-workers_us_5c251181e4b0407e9080abab
BALTIMORE SUN
— Is your business offering any special discounts for federal employees during the government shutdown? (DIERSEN: Is your business offering any special discounts for federal employees who were forced to take early retirement “offers?” My retirement income is only 43% of what my federal salary was in today’s dollars.) https://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-md-callout-for-federal-employee-discounts-during-shutdown-20181227-htmlstory.html (FROM THE ARTICLE: With the latest government shutdown expected to continue through the beginning of 2019, some Baltimore-based businesses have begun to offer relief in the form of discounts, special offers and price-reductions for the many Maryland employees feeling the blow. Is your workplace offering support for federal employees affected by the shutdown at this time? We want to hear from you.)
HOT CARS
— Watch A 1968 Charger Take On A 2018 Charger In Drag Race Action – SEAN MURRAY (DIERSEN: I owned a medium blue 1969 Charger SE 1968-1971 and a medium blue 1968 Charger R/T 1994-2005. I have owned a red 2013 Charger R/T Max since 2012.) https://www.hotcars.com/1968-charger-2018-charger-drag-race/
THE HILL
— Democrats worry: Top three candidates in polls are all white men – AMIE PARNES (DIERSEN: How bad are your demographics? According to anti-Trumps, the following are bad demographics: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, draft avoider, German American, and if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.) https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/422545-dems-worry-top-three-candidates-in-polls-are-all-white-men
CBS NEWS
— “We do live paycheck by paycheck”: Federal workers struggle as shutdown continues – ROB LEGARE (DIERSEN: Have you ever lived “paycheck by paycheck?” I have never lived “paycheck by paycheck,” and of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always been furious about that. They stress a) that my parents provided me with room and board 1966, 1967, 1968, weekends during my first semester at NIU in 1969, and the summer of 1969, b) that I got student draft deferments 1966-1970 and a financial hardship draft deferment 1970-1971, c) that I got married in 1978, d) that my wife had savings and income, and e) that we gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents.) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federal-workers-struggle-as-shutdown-continues-through-christmas-2018-12-25/
ABC NEWS
— ABC Sneers: ‘Without Any Proof,’ Trump Cites Federal Workers Who Back Him on Border Wall – Tim Graham (DIERSEN: Some of my Democrat superiors and supervisors in the federal government disapproved of their having to waste the careers of and to get rid of their employees like me who were 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. That is, they disapproved of having to carry out political affiliation, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation orders.) https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2018/12/26/abc-without-any-proof-trump-cites-federal-workers-who-back-him-border
SEATTLE TIMES
— As labor market tightens, women are moving into male-dominated jobs – CLAIRE CAIN MILLER and Jed Kolko (DIERSEN: Women did not want the jobs that I had because they were male-dominated jobs. Women did not want the jobs that I had because they were bad jobs. Because the jobs that I had were bad jobs, my superiors had an extremely hard time hiring women to take 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.) https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/careers/as-labor-market-tightens-women-are-moving-into-male-dominated-jobs/
BLOOMBERG
— Hot Labor Market Brought Full-Time Perks to Part-Time Employees – Rebecca Greenfield (DIERSEN: I got full-time Civil Service Retirement System credit while I worked part-time for the Post Office 1966-1969. My Democrat IRS and GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were furious about that. They would not have been furious about that if I had been a Democrat, a minority, a female, or a veteran.) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-24/hot-labor-market-brought-full-time-perks-to-part-time-employees
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
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
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/
(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.)
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.)
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.)
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/
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
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
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.”)
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.)
— 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
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/
