September 1, 2026 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Voters deserve to know when influencers are being paid to sell candidates. DD: I am a conservative Republican. All the money that I spend putting my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters together and sending them out comes from my Civil Service Retirement System pension, my Social Security, and my retirement savings. My direct competitors continue to be furious that I have the money, time, motivation, ability, and experience to put my newsletters together and to send them out every day free of charge and without any advertising or donation requests and post copies of them on a website with no paywall, advertising, or donation requests. According to my critics/opponents, “You can’t tell Diersen what to do.” Of course, I take that as a badge of honor. What do you say to my direct competitors who blame me and who blame my newsletters for the defeats that Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct have suffered since 2000?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/01/josh-greene-bernie-sanders-zohran-mamdani-brandon-johnson-politics-social-media-david-axelrod

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage County Board members Tuesday approved another $665,000 for election-related printing and postage expenses, even though the county clerk’s office could not guarantee the money would be spent as intended by the board.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260901/news/no-guarantee-dupage-clerk-wont-commit-to-using-665000-for-election-printing-and-postage/

ABC7
— Mayor Brandon Johnson responds to President Donald Trump’s comments on Chicago violence.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-shootings-mayor-brandon-johnson-responds-president-donald-trump-comments-violence/19775272/

WGN9
— A new poll aims to measure how public employees like police officers, teachers, and municipal workers feel six months ahead of the upcoming mayoral election in Chicago.
https://wgntv.com/news/politics/wgn-the-point-politics-chicago-illinois/new-poll-gauges-public-employee-support-ahead-of-2027-election/

PEORIA JOURNL STAR
— Bailey splits from Trump on data centers.
https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/politics/2026/09/01/darren-bailey-splits-from-donald-trump-on-data-centers/91559752007/

INDY100
— DD: RINOs and Democrat plants use the Republican Party’s Big Tent policy to destroy the Republican Party.
https://www.indy100.com/politics/vance-republican-party-michigan-big-tent

CHICAGO PARENT
— Where your family can observe the 25th anniversary of 9/11 across Chicagoland. DD: I organized Wheaton’s 2003 and 2004 9/11 remembrance ceremonies.
https://www.chicagoparent.com/things-to-do/25th-anniversary-chicago-9-11-ceremonies/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Wheaton Remembrance Ceremony. Hosted by the City of Wheaton and the Wheaton Park District, this ceremony draws a big community crowd under the Memorial Park bandshell. Expect remarks from the mayor, an honor guard from the Wheaton police and fire departments, live music from the Wheaton Municipal Band, and a bagpiper. This year’s ceremony will mark the 25th anniversary specifically. Date: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026  Time: 10:30 a.m. Location: Memorial Park bandshell, 225 Karlskoga Ave., Wheaton)

CWB CHICAGO
— 42 people shot across Chicago, marking the second-worst weekend of the year.
https://cwbchicago.com/2026/08/42-people-shot-across-chicago-marking-the-second-worst-weekend-of-the-year.html

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup.
https://capitolfax.com/2026/09/01/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-586/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Pritzker rejects Trump’s offer to send federal law enforcement to Chicago.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/1/jb-pritzker-rejects-donald-trumps-offer-send-federal-law-enforcement/
— Lawyers defending accused assassin of Charlie Kirk cite victim’s ‘hateful’ speech.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/1/lawyers-defending-tyler-robinson-accused-assassin-charlie-kirk-cite/
— Kirk assassination suspect must stand trial for murder, face death penalty, Utah judge rules.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/1/tyler-robinson-face-death-penalty-assassination-charlie-kirk-judge/
— Fewer Democrats back anti-socialism resolution than did last year, as DSA gains clout in their party.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/1/fewer-democrats-back-anti-socialism-resolution-last-year-dsa-gains/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— The five Republicans who defected on House rule condemning socialism.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/4708857/five-republicans-defected-house-rule-condemn-socialism/
— Asylum denial rates reach all-time high under Trump.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/4708277/asylum-denial-rates-all-time-high-trump/

NEW YORK POST
— Why the DSA’s agenda actually promises misery for all.
https://nypost.com/2026/09/01/opinion/why-the-dsas-agenda-actually-promises-misery-for-all/

FOX NEWS
— Corey Brooks: Gary, Indiana, can’t blame racism for every failure exposed by its catastrophic blackout. Rooftop Revelations: Gary is one of those places where the streak of bad luck never seems to run out.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/gary-indiana-cant-blame-racism-every-failure-exposed-catastrophic-blackout

PJ MEDIA
— Retired Port Authority Officers Urge Mayor Mamdani And Gov. Hochul To Skip 25th Anniversary 9/11 Ceremony.
https://pjnewsletter.com/hochul-mamdani-911/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described U.S. supporters of socialism Tuesday as “underachievers” who are “jealous” of others.  DD: My Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government earned far fewer job-related college degrees, professional certifications, and professional licenses than I did and they were full of envy.
https://thehill.com/business/6063570-treasury-scott-bessent-socialism-underachievers/

CBS NEWS
— House adopts resolution condemning socialism, with 8 Democrats joining Republicans. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-vote-condemns-socialism-supports-save-act/
— IRS audit revenue plunged following workforce reductions. DD: I worked for the Democrats who ran IRS 1971-1980. They promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. But they would not have if Republicans had cut IRS’s budget at that time.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/irs-audit-revenue-decline-worker-cuts/
— Whistleblower warns Postal Service’s new mail ballot system has “potentially catastrophic problems.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whistleblower-postal-service-new-mail-ballot-system/

WASHINGTON POST
— DD: Sooner or later, all my critics/opponents who claim to be Republican will officially announce that they really always have been Democrats.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/30/meet-ex-republicans-running-democrats-2026-midterms/

FORBES
— Trump Warns Of Federal Intervention In Chicago, Claiming ‘Unchecked’ And ‘Record’ Violence.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2026/09/01/trump-warns-of-federal-intervention-in-chicago-claiming-unchecked-and-record-violence/

POLITICO
— Markey defies age concerns, defeats Moulton in Massachusetts. The 80-year-old senator fended off the 47-year-old representative in a primary that offered a twist on anti-incumbent clashes this cycle.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/01/markey-wins-massachusetts-senate-primary-01061047

August 29, 2026

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— DD: FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG PICTURE: DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight efforts to fight voter fraud.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/28/mail-in-voting-rule/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-march-on-washington-rally-draws-attention-to-voting-rights-with-jeffries-sanders

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Illinois prosecutors fed ICE information about immigrants, leading to arrests and deportations.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/08/28/ice-trump-immigration-illinois-prosecutor

WTTW
— Pritzker to Trump: Don’t Force Illinois Farmers to ‘Pick Up the Tab’ for Iran War.
https://news.wttw.com/2026/08/28/pritzker-trump-don-t-force-illinois-farmers-pick-tab-iran-war

WGLT
— U.S. has entered deal with Venezuela to take control of 65 billion barrels of oil reserves.
https://www.wglt.org/2026-08-28/trump-says-u-s-has-entered-deal-with-venezuela-to-take-control-of-65-billion-barrels-of-oil-reserves

WFIW
— Illinois election officials are reviewing how a recent U.S. Supreme Court order could affect mail-in ballots ahead of the November 3 election.
https://www.wfiwradio.com/2026/08/29/illinois-election-officials-reviewing-mail-ballot-impact-after-supreme-court-order/

NPR ILLINOIS
— Experts warn more flooding might hit Nepal. DD: Of course, Democrat leaders blame that on “global warming” caused by Trump.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-08-28/experts-warn-more-flooding-might-hit-nepal-and-fed-chairman-to-give-key-address

CHICAGO MAROON
— Career Advancement Report Appears to Overstate Post-Graduation Student Outcomes. DD: After you earned your bachelor’s degree, how fast did your career advance? I earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU when I was 21 in 1970. In today’s dollars, working for IRS, I earned $56,409/year when I was 22, $68,999/year when I was 23, $83,482/year when I was 24, $100,059/year when I was 25, and $113,402/year when I was 30. Working for GAO 1980-1997, earned $89,703/year when I was 31, $118,964/year when I was 38, and $154,682/year when I was 49. I earned job-related master’s degrees when I was 27 (business-Loyola), 31 (accounting-DePaul), and 48 (finance-IIT). I earned job-related professional certifications when I was 30 (public accounting), 32 (internal auditing), 41 (fraud examination), 45 (government financial management), 47 (financial services auditing), and 48 (forensic accounting). I earned a job-related professional license (CPA) when I was 32.
https://chicagomaroon.com/52872/news/career-advancement-appears-to-overstate-post-graduation-student-outcomes/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism. Socialist leaders hint/imply/argue/shout that under socialism, all you need to do to advance is to be a socialist. Democrat leaders hint/imply/argue/shout that under Democrats, all you need to do to advance is to be a Democrat. That destroys motivation and meritocracy. None of my Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO coworkers came close to doing what I did to advance. I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree. I earned three job-related master’s degrees. I earned six job-related professional certifications. I earned a job-related professional license. All my coworkers who my Democrat superiors promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less education than I had, had less work experience than I had, had no professional certification or fewer than I had, and/or had no professional license like the one I had and/or b) who were minority, female, younger, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Ever-increasingly, in Democrat states, counties, townships, municipalities, and school districts, to be accepted, you have to be a Democrat. Democrats are liberal/moderate, minority, female, younger, unmarried, LGBTQ, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time. To be accepted, you cannot change your race, gender, age, national origin, or ancestors, but you can become a Democrat, liberal/moderate, LGBTQ, unmarried, and/or non-Protestant. In your county, township, municipality, school district, and precinct, to be accepted, how many have become Democrat, liberal/moderate, LGBTQ, unmarried, and/or non-Protestant? – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Socialism and Antipathy.
https://illinoisfamily.org/marriage/poisonous-lips-socialism-and-antipathy-2/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Champagne socialism: Far-left movement brimming with affluent leaders. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism. Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents are wealthy. I should write about my critics/opponents and their operatives and their dupes.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/28/champagne-socialism-far-left-movement-brimming-affluent-leaders/
— Recall petition for Seattle’s socialist mayor withdrawn. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/28/recall-petition-katie-wilson-seattles-socialist-mayor-withdrawn/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— House will vote to denounce socialism. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq8Bqy4Fyyw
— Americans care more about healthcare affordability than gas or groceries. DD: The federal government paying 72% of my healthcare insurance since 1966 and then also paying 72% of my wife’s healthcare insurance since 1978 helped me endure tremendous efforts by my Democrat superiors in the federal government to waste my career and to get rid of me.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/healthcare/4704431/americans-care-healthcare-affordability-gabrielle-etzel/

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Socialist Senate Nominee Angie Nixon’s ‘Cafe Resistance’ Features Wall Glorifying Black Power Militants—Including Convicted Cop-Killers. The café held a dance lesson where participants were asked to wear Black Panther attire, and, shortly after Charlie Kirk’s murder, hosted a professor ‘targeted’ by Kirk.  DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/exclusive-socialist-senate-nominee-angie-nixons-cafe-resistance-features-wall-glorifying-black-power-militants-including-convicted-cop-killers/

AMERICAN MIND
— The Disparity Obsession. Attempting to eliminate every unequal outcome inevitably produces discrimination.  DD: My critics/opponents want equal outcome. According to them, when Whites and males do better at something than minorities and females, it is because Whites and males discriminate against minorities and females. Overwhelmingly, those who earned college degrees, professional certifications, and a professional license with me were Whites and males.
https://americanmind.org/salvo/the-disparity-obsession/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: We are living through a decade of wokeism in which racial favoritism has graduated from an ostensibly temporary thumb on the scale for the almost-qualified to the kind of unqualified frenzy that attracts grifters and con artists. And, correspondingly, the discrimination against the disfavored has gone from ambient to so intense as to bar advancement in culturally prestigious industries. Contra to dismissive talking points from purveyors like AOC, Woke 1 has done real damage to many lives.)

AMERICAN THINKER
— The Big Secret about Teen Takeovers. There’s something big the mainstream media don’t want to tell you about these disruptive and dangerous events. The fact that these takeovers involve mostly black teens is rarely if ever mentioned in media accounts. DD: What is your municipality doing to stop Democrat teen takeovers?
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/08/the-big-secret-about-teen-takeovers/

BREITBART
— Mayor Karen Bass: Hands Off Thousands of Migrant Food Vendors Operating Illegally in L.A.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/08/28/mayor-karen-bass-hands-off-thousands-migrant-food-vendors-operating-illegally-l-a/
— Socialist Positions: Trans ‘Rights’ for Children, Crushing 2nd Amendment.  DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/08/28/dem-gubernatorial-candidate-david-jolly-shares-socialist-positions-trans-rights-for-children-crushing-2nd-amendment/
— Milo Yiannopoulos Could Be Deported Without a Chance to Return.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/08/28/milo-yiannopoulos-couldbe-deported-without-chance-return/amp/

CAMPUS REFORM
— NIU hosts socials connecting students with gender, sexuality programs.
https://www.campusreform.org/article/niu-hosts-socials-connecting-students-gender-sexuality-programs/30489

DAILY SIGNAL
— Major Companies Are Rebranding DEI or Sticking With It. DD: Democrat and RINO employers use DEI a) to not hire Republicans and b) to get rid of their Republican employees.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/08/28/woke-alert-major-companies-are-rebranding-dei-sticking-with-it/
— Democrats Are Running From Hasan Piker—and He’s Exposing Their Socialist Agenda. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KI0kaDxgv48

DAILY WIRE
— Meet Democrat Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy Who Says Americans Are More Dangerous Than Illegals. The leftist Democrat argued that communities with large immigrant populations are safer than those with more native-born Americans.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/meet-the-dem-senator-who-says-americans-are-more-dangerous-than-illegals
— Why Democrat leaders want America To Be Racist. Because they can’t run on the issues, they run against pretend racism and bigotry.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-democrats-need-america-to-stay-racist
— Why We Can’t Let The Left Make Dolly Their Socialist Mascot. Parton embodied the reality that a person can be adored by the entire country not in spite of staying out of the political fray but because of it. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-we-cant-let-the-left-make-dolly-their-socialist-mascot

FEDERALIST
— American Culture, Not Mass Migration, Made America Great.
https://thefederalist.com/videos/davis-american-culture-not-mass-migration-made-america-great/

FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
— All Quiet on the Southern Front, but Congress Will Need to Act to Keep it that Way.
https://www.fairus.org/opinion/all-quiet-southern-front-congress-will-need-act-keep-it-way

FOX BUSINESS
— Socialists have taken over the Democratic Party. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6404207223112

FOX NEWS
— The keys to the Democratic Party have been handed to the socialists. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaC4zDvGiaE
— Socialism creates ruination and depravation. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7duOWdEH2K0
— Right behind AOC is an army of ‘socialist foot soldiers.’ DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism. My Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government were foot soldiers in the Democrat Party. They did everything that they could to waste my career and to get rid of me.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6404236805112

NEWSMAX
— Dems DC Socialist rally is a flop. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/dems-dc-socialist-rally-flop-021738404.html
— House to Vote on Resolution Denouncing Socialism. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/house-vote-resolution-denouncing-socialism/2026/08/28/id/1267655/

PJ MEDIA
— Democrats Can’t Ignore Their Socialism Problem Much Longer. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/08/28/democrats-cant-ignore-their-socialism-problem-much-longer-n4956660
liberal/moderate, Democrat, minority, female, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or had ancestors who have not been in America for a long time.
REAL CLEAR MARKETS
— DD: According to my critics/opponents those who are liberal/moderate, Democrat, RINO, noncitizen, minority, female, younger, veteran, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time are victims of those who are conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-veteran, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time. My critics/opponents paint themselves as being champions for victims.
https://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2026/08/28/victimization_is_cancer_forgiveness_heals_responsibility_triumphs_1202977.html

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Democrats Try to Brush Aside ‘Woke 1.’ DD: My critics/opponents have always been woke, are woke, and always will be woke. To be woke is to be anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-Christian, anti-German American, and/or anti-those who have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/08/28/democrats_try_to_brush_aside_woke_1_154451.html

SALEM NEWS CHANNEL
— Democrats Love Socialism. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://salemnewschannel.com/watch/democrats-love-socialismwhy-6a92092ae3495825d7a339a8

TOWNHALL
— Everyone Knows Why Educational Declines Are Happening. DD: Democrat teachers ever-increasingly crank out good little Democrats.
https://townhall.com/news/amy-curtis/2026/08/28/educational-declines-n2681897
— Fetterman Calls Out His Party’s Socialism Problem. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://townhall.com/news/jeff-charles/2026/08/28/john-fetterman-says-democrat-party-has-a-socialism-problem-n2682072

WESTERN JOURNAL
— The Psychology Behind Republicans Who Support Amnesty for Illegals. Amnesty Republicans typically suffer from two dark malign personality traits: an unsavory need for approval from elites and a desire for intimacy with the Chamber of Commerce. DD: My critics/opponents want amnesty for illegals.
https://www.westernjournal.com/psychology-behind-republicans-support-amnesty-illegals/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— Mamdani socialism and Trump socialism — reject them both. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/6051425-rejecting-left-right-socialism/
— Hegseth blocks promotions of 4 Army officers with ties to sacked generals. DD: To get rid of me, my Democrat IRS superiors got rid of the IRS manager who had promoted me when I was 23, 24, and 25. To get rid of me, my Democrat GAO superiors got rid of the GAO manager who had arranged for my transfer from IRS when I was 31 and was finally able to assign me audits of IRS when I was 37 and to promoted me when I was 38.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/6058699-hegseth-blocks-army-promotions-ousted-generals/

CBS NEWS
— Far-right political commentator and deportation advocate Milo Yiannopoulos is in ICE custody facing a final removal order. Yiannopoulos came to the U.S. legally in 2019 but “chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/milo-yiannopoulos-ice-custody-agency-records/

AOL
— How Inflation Hits Retirees Differently Than Everyone Else. Social Security ‘Raises’ Do Not Keep Up With Inflation. DD: I have been retired since I was 49 in 1997.
https://www.aol.com/articles/inflation-hits-retirees-differently-everyone-130011000.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— Hegseth Blocks Promotions of Four Army Officers as Purge Widens. DD: I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO for almost 18 years 1980-1997. They gave all their Democrat managers who they sent to run their Democrat Chicago office lists of their employees who they wanted them to purge. Of course, I was on all those lists if not at the top of all those lists not only because I was a Republican, but because I was conservative, White, male, older, non-veteran, German American, and I had ancestors who had been in America for a long time. I never would have survived until I was 49 in 1997 if I had not a) earned an MBA when I was 27, b) passed the CPA examination on my first attempt when I was 30, c) earned a master’s degree in accounting when I was 31, d) passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination and became a licensed CPA when I was 32, e) earned four more job-related professional certifications when I was 41, 45, 47, and 48, and f) earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading when I was 48.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/28/us/politics/hegseth-blocks-army-promotions.html

WASHINGTON POST
— The ugly truth about ‘merit’ promotion in the federal government. DD: My Democrat superiors in the federal government used the subjectivity in their performance appraisal procedures to waste my career and to force me to retire when I was 49 in 1997. My Democrat Post Office superiors used that subjectivity to not promote me beyond GS-4 and to force me to resign when I was 20 in 1969.  My Democrat IRS superiors used that subjectivity to not promote me beyond GS-12.  My Democrat GAO superiors used that subjectivity a) to force me to take a $23,699/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS when I was 31, to delay my promotions back to GS-12, to delay my promotion to GS-13, to never promote me to GS-14, and to force me to retire when I was 49 in 1997.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/22/federal-jobs-compost-toilets-potomac/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Busting the ABA’s Accreditation Monopoly. The bar association’s power over law schools gets a useful Trump challenge.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/aba-accreditation-trump-administration-education-department-626d3d11

NEWS PRESS
— DD: According to Democrats, when Republicans do better on tests than Democrats, it is because Republicans discriminate against Democrats.
https://www.news-press.com/story/opinion/2026/08/29/correlation-between-test-scores-and-actual-learning-is-weak-opinion/91486742007/

FORBES
— 4 Useful Tips For When Your Manager Is Sabotaging Your Career Growth. DD: My Democrat superiors in the federal government sabotaged my career. My Democrat Post Office superiors disallowed my sick leave requests when 19 and 20 and forced me to resign when I was 20. My Democrat IRS superiors a) got rid of the IRS manager who had promoted me when I was 23 in 1972, 24, and 25, b) disallowed my travel vouchers when I was 25, c) ignored/dismissed/belittled my earning an MBA when I was 27, d) disallowed my education deductions when I was 29, e) ignored/dismissed/belittled my passing the CPA examination on my first attempt when I was 30, and f) made it clear that they would never promote me to GS-13. My Democrat GAO superiors a) forced me to take a $23,699/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS when I was 31, b) ignored/dismissed/belittled my earning master’s degree in accounting when I was 31 and my passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt and becoming a licensed CPA when I was 32, c) delayed my promotions back to GS-12, d) got rid of the GAO manager who had arranged for my transfer from IRS and had finally been able to assign me to audits or IRS when I was 37 and to promote me to GS-13 when I was 38, e) made it clear that they would never promote me to GS-14, f) always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, and g) forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2021/08/19/4-useful-tips-for-when-your-boss-is-sabotaging-your-career-growth/

EXECUTIVE GOV
— OPM Urges Federal Agencies to Advance AI Use in Hiring Process. DD: Democrats run the federal government. Anticipate/expect that they will use AI to not hire those who are conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-veteran, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://www.executivegov.com/articles/opm-ai-use-federal-hiring

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Trump formally proposes pay freeze for most federal workers, 3.8% increase for law enforcement. DD: As an IRS Revenue Officer 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 Levels, currently $100,059-$113,402/year, I enforced federal tax laws.
https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2026/08/trump-formally-proposes-pay-freeze-most-federal-workers-38-increase-law-enforcement/415707/

FEDERAL TIMES
— College grads shunning federal jobs. DD: Federal employees and federal retirees are looked down on if not despised if not hated. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for almost 29 years. I would not have become a postal employee in 1966 if my high school friend had not asked me to join him in taking the postal employment test. Further, I would not have become an IRS employee in 1971 if Oldsmobile had not withdrawn a job offer that I had accepted because it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. I had taken and passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination while I was a NIU student as an employment backup because I had been a federal employee for almost 3 years and because federal employees are viewed negatively.
https://www.federaltimes.com/management/2022/08/26/few-recent-college-grads-are-considering-government-work-study-finds/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Less than half of recent graduates said they would consider federal employment. . .Very few recent college graduates are considering federal government jobs. According to the Qualtrics study, 20% of graduate respondents said they were not aware of federal jobs and 30% said the hiring process is too complicated. . .Minority graduates were even less likely to consider federal employment – only 40% said they would. Among minority students, 34% said they would consider federal employment and 37% were undecided.)

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— Office of Personnel Management is touting new raining opportunities its Senior Executive Service (SES) members. DD: If I had been a Democrat, and even though I was not a minority, female, or veteran, the Democrats who ran the federal government would have promoted me into their SES long before I was 40 in 1988. I had earned a job-related bachelor’s degree (management) when I was 21 and job-related master’s degrees (business and accounting) when I was 27 and 31. I had earned job-related professional certifications (accounting and internal auditing) when I was 29 and 32. I had earned a job-related professional license (CPA) when I was 32. But because I was not a Democrat, they did not promote me to GS-12 until I was 25 and to GS-13 until I was 38 and never promoted me to GS-14.
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/ses/2025/08/opm-launches-radically-different-training-program-for-federal-executives/

FED MANAGER
— Trump’s Budget Proposes Major Cuts to Federal Retirement System. Specifically, the budget calls for cutting the COLA by 0.5 percent for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)  participants of what the typical formula currently allows. DD: My critics/opponents are furious that I get $18,712/year Social Security in addition to a $68,640/year Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension. But I paid into Social Security for 10 years and I paid into CSRS for almost 30 tears.
https://www.fedmanager.com/news/president-trumps-budget-proposes-major-cuts-to-federal-retirement-system

LEXOLOGY
— DD: Democrat and RINO employers use disparate impact a) to not hire Republicans and b) to get rid of their Republican employees.
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=bf4f03b2-c94a-4fc1-a730-6d2f0e4116d4

INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION
— When Career Advancement Feels Impossible. Many Americans feel stuck professionally and don’t buy in to potential of education to change their career circumstances. DD: What did you do to advance? I earned a bachelor’s degree in management in when I was 21 in 1970. I earned an MBA in 1976. I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. I earned a master’s degree in accounting in 1980. I passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt and became a licensed CPA in 1981. I earned four more job-elated professional certifications in 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997. I earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading in 1997. Nevertheless, notwithstanding all the aforesaid, I never earned more than $154,682/year in today’s dollars. My critics/opponents use that to imply/hint/argue/shout it proves that I am a career failure because I am a very bad person. They know full-well that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran, the federal government would have promoted me into its Senior Executive Service long before I was 40 in 1988.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/11/17/survey-many-americans-feel-powerless-over-ability-advance-professionally

ATLANTIC
— DD: My critics/opponents have always been woke, are woke, and always will be woke. To be woke is to be anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-Christian, anti-German American, and/or anti-those who have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://www.theatlantic.com/books/2026/08/claudia-rankines-new-post-woke-book/688436/

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

DAILY MAIL
— Lyons Township Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg, 51, forced to release surveillance video of her KISSING mayor on lips for two seconds in back office, as she insists it was ‘non-romantic peck.’
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16087231/elyse-hoffenberg-mayor-steven-landek-kiss-illinois.html

MEAWW
— Fetterman says Democrats have a ‘socialism problem’, names candidates dragging them to the left. DD: To vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://news.meaww.com/fetterman-says-democrats-have-a-socialism-problem-names-candidates-dragging-them-to-the-left

August 27, 2026 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America’ in the United States. Trump cannot force Canada to follow his preferred naming convention.
https://abc7chicago.com/story/trump-signs-order-renaming-lake-ontario-america-united-states/19745641/

CITIES 92.9
— $34.9M Chicago development provides ‘affordable’ homes. DD: What enabled you to afford your first home? I bought a new townhome in University Park when I was 24 in 1972. SEE: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/774-Sunset-Ct-5-University-Park-IL-60484/5451474_zpid/ . In today’s dollars, I paid about $180,000 for it and the down payment would have been about $36,000. In today’s dollars, my IRS Revenue Officer salary had just increased from $56,409/year to $68,999/year. The down payment came from what I had earned working for IRS for 15 months and for a Firestone Store part-time for 18 months and full-time for 7 months before that. According to Zillow, the townhome is currently worth $94,600. That says worlds about real estate values in University Park.
https://www.cities929.com/2026/08/27/illinois-quick-hits-34-9m-chicago-development-provides-affordable-homes/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Parent group raises concerns over Glenbrook North course.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_267d4ee4-a227-4448-85d4-3734c384cbc9.html

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— How can CPS address its 54% of underused buildings?
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-public-schools-underutilized-academic-impact/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— George Washington University Medical School intentionally and illegally gives Black and Hispanic applicants an advantage in admissions, the Justice Department said Thursday.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/27/george-washington-university-med-school-illegally-discriminates/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Charlie Kirk’s murder is a basic ethical litmus test.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/patriotism-unity/4702870/charlie-kirk-murder-basic-ethical-litmus-test/
— Democrats try to brush aside ‘Woke 1.’
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/4702376/democrats-try-brush-aside-woke-1/

AMERICAN THINKER
— ‘It Can’t Happen Here’? Are You Sure? Why do young people love communism so much nowadays?
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/08/it-can-t-happen-here-are-you-sure/

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— AOC rejoins DSA as socialist diva mulls 2028 White House bid.
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/08/27/aoc-rejoins-dsa-as-socialist-diva-mulls-2028-white-house-bid-1656535/

BLAZE
— America’s young are being recruited into socialism — one dance party at a time.
https://www.theblaze.com/lifestyle/americas-young-are-being-recruited-into-socialism-one-dance-party-at-a-time

CAMPUS REFORM
— New Jersey course teaches that ‘white supremacy,’ ‘white privilege’ remain ‘institutionalized.’ DD: Under the Democrats, hatred against Republicans is institutionalized, and especially against Republicans who are White, male, older, non-veteran, non-poor, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://www.campusreform.org/article/new-jersey-course-teaches-white-supremacy-white-privilege-remain-institutionalized/30487

CENTER SQUARE
— Majority of voters concerned with rise of socialism, communism.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_3d1d2d52-4cad-4a2d-907b-0ed3f57c0fd9.html
https://www.aol.com/articles/poll-majority-voters-concerned-rise-133000000.html

DAILY SIGNAL
— When the Left Ignores Federal Law and Sounds Like Neo-Confederates.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/08/27/hanson-left-ignores-federal-law/
— Housing Affordability Crisis Results From ‘Too Much Socialism,’ Not Too Little.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/08/27/housing-affordability-crisis-results-from-too-much-socialism-not-too-little-report/

FEDERALIST
— Democrats’ Racial Grievances Are Just A Cynical Grift.
https://thefederalist.com/2026/08/27/democrats-racial-grievances-are-just-a-cynical-grift/

FOX BUSINESS
— Democrats’ socialist agenda will make affordability worse.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6404130506112

FOX NEWS
— AOC’s socialist credentials face fresh scrutiny after glaring 7-year gap surfaces: ‘Very convenient’
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aocs-socialist-credentials-face-fresh-scrutiny-after-glaring-7-year-gap-surfaces-very-convenient

LEGAL INSURRECTION
— Gary, Indiana’s Power Outages Aren’t Because Of Racism.
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/08/gary-indianas-power-outages-arent-because-of-racism/

PJ MEDIA
— As Islamic Socialism Rises, a Dem Congressman Says the Real Enemy Is… Christian Nationalism?
https://pjmedia.com/scott-pinsker/2026/08/27/as-islamic-socialism-rises-a-dem-congressman-says-the-real-enemy-is-christian-nationalism-n4956611

REAL CLEAR MARKETS
— 100 Million Reasons To Support Capitalism.
https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2026/08/27/100_million_reasons_to_support_capitalism_1202662.html

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Laura Ingraham: Republican Candidates Have Not Been Effective In Taking On Democrats And Their Tilt Toward Socialism.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2026/08/27/laura_ingraham_republican_candidates_have_not_been_effective_in_taking_on_democrats_and_their_tilt_toward_socialism_comments.html

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— Mamdani socialism and Trump socialism — reject them both.
https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/6051425-rejecting-left-right-socialism/

CBS NEWS
— Fired Stars and Stripes journalists sue Hegseth and Pentagon spokesperson. DD: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have not succeeded in getting a registered Republican voter in my precinct to run against me for Precinct Committeeman.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fired-stars-and-stripes-journalists-sue-hegseth-and-pentagon-spokesperson/
— Fed’s Lisa Cook pushes back on Trump firing threat, says she “never committed mortgage fraud.” DD: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have not succeeded in getting a registered Republican voter in my precinct to run against me for Precinct Committeeman.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lisa-cook-denies-trump-mortgage-fraud-allegations/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-arrests-record-high-july-new-data/

NBC NEWS
— The job market for new college grads keeps getting worse. DD: When you graduated from college, what harmed your job search? When I graduated from NIU with a bachelor’s degree in management when I was 21 in 1970, potential employers saw me as being draft bait. They did not believe that my application for a financial hardship draft deferment to help support my mother and brother would be approved. Further, potential employers were under tremendous pressure to hire minorities and females. Consequently, I accepted the only job offer that I got, to be the Retail Sales Manager in a Firestone Store, a job that not really require a college degree. Because my future there was bleak, I accepted a job offer from Oldsmobile in 1971. But Oldsmobile withdrew that offer saying it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. My Firestone Store boss rudely fired me because I had accepted that offer. Because I had to have a job, I accepted a job offer that I got from IRS to be a Revenue Officer. I had taken and passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination while I was a NIU student as a backup because I had been a federal employees for almost 3 years and because federal employees are viewed negatively.
https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/job-market-new-college-grads-keeps-getting-worse-2026-rcna588700

NEWS24
— Democrats brainwashing impressionable voters into socialism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y6Gc4H0F2Y

INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION
— Student indoctrination. DD: For Democrat leaders, education exists to crank out good little Democrats.
https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2023/07/18/we-couldnt-indoctrinate-students-if-we-wanted-opinion

BROOKINGS
— Public schools. DD: For Democrat leaders, education exists to crank out good little Democrats.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/perceptions-of-us-public-schools-political-leanings-and-the-federal-role-in-education/

PBS
— Systemic racism continues. DD: To get more votes from non-Whites, females, younger people, etc., Democrat leaders ever-increasingly shout at them that Republicans cause all their problems.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/annual-report-shows-systemic-racism-continues-to-bring-down-black-peoples-quality-of-life

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN
— What Women’s Equality Day Means NOW. DD: To get more votes from women, non-Whites, younger people, etc., Democrat leaders ever-increasingly shout at them that Republicans cause all their problems.
https://now.org/media-center/press-release/what-womens-equality-day-means-now/

ALTER NET
— White-collar jobs crisis comes home to roost in Trump’s America. DD: When you graduated from college, what harmed your job search? When I graduated from NIU with a bachelor’s degree in management when I was 21 in 1970, potential employers saw me as being draft bait. They did not believe that my application for a financial hardship draft deferment to help support my mother and brother would be approved. Further, potential employers were under tremendous pressure to hire minorities and females. Consequently, I accepted the only job offer that I got, to be the Retail Sales Manager in a Firestone Store, a job that not really require a college degree. Because my future there was bleak, I accepted a job offer from Oldsmobile in 1971. But Oldsmobile withdrew that offer saying it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint. My Firestone Store boss rudely fired me because I had accepted that offer. Because I had to have a job, I accepted a job offer that I got from IRS to be a Revenue Officer. I had taken and passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination while I was a NIU student as a backup because I had been a federal employees for almost 3 years and because federal employees are viewed negatively.
https://www.alternet.org/trump-white-collar-unemployment/

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

ECONOMIC TIMES
— DD: Pritzker ever-increasingly promotes more hatred against Trump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_cZLX_Z_3c

August 26, 2026 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Pritzker kicks off statewide bus tour as part of reelection campaign against Bailey.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/il-democratic-gov-jb-pritzker-kicks-off-statewide-bus-tour-governor-election-race-republican-darren-bailey-continues/19739557/
— Federal judge lifts all blocks on Trump mail-in ballots executive order.
https://abc7chicago.com/story/federal-judge-lifts-blocks-trump-mail-ballots-executive-order/19739846/
— State Department preparing to cancel tens of thousands of visas held by asylum seekers.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/state-department-preparing-cancel-tens-thousands-visas-held-asylum-seekers-officials/19738439/

NBC5
— Mayor Brandon Johnson defends administration’s approach to teen takeovers. DD: What is your municipality doing to stop Democrat teen takeovers? When you were a teen, what did you do when you were not in school? I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivered mail 1966-1969.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/mayor-brandon-johnson-defends-administrations-approach-to-teen-takeovers/3980831/

CBS2
— Grocery stores in Gary, Indiana, restocking after weeks without power. DD: The more that overhead lines bring power to your home, the more that those lines are near trees, the more that I recommend getting a whole-house backup electric generator.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/gary-crocery-stores-short-supply/

WBEZ
— Mayor’s executive order targets companies helping with deportation campaign. A national group behind the order says the city holds $3.19 billion in contracts with 42 companies doing business with ICE.
https://www.wbez.org/city-hall/2026/08/26/mayor-brandon-johnson-executive-order-contracts-city-business-deportation-campaign

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Pritzker pounces on President Donald Trump in campaign bus tour kickoff.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/26/gov-jb-pritzker-pounces-on-president-donald-trump-in-campaign-bus-tour-kickoff/
— Illinois joins lawsuit to block Postal Service from deciding mail-in voting eligibility.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/26/illinois-mail-in-ballot-lawsuit/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/26/chicago-immigration-court/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/26/immigration-enforcement-contracts/
— Arab American activists rally outside Oak Lawn Village Hall, say police placed 14-year-old in chokehold.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/26/arab-american-activists-rally-oak-lawn/
— Today in Chicago History: 1968 Democratic National Convention begins with ‘the whole world watching.’ What did you do during August of 1968? I lived with my parents and brother in Crete. I delivered mail full-time for the Park Forest Post Office. I drove my 1968 Oldsmobile 442.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/26/august-26-chicago-history/

DAILY HERALD
— ‘Our contingency plans have contingency plans’: Officials preparing for potential changes ahead of Election Day.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260826/nation-and-world-politics/our-contingency-plans-have-contingency-plans-suburban-officials-preparing-for-potential-changes-a/
— Bailey implores GOP to improve turnout as campaign’s focus shifts to suburbs. DD: I hope that each of the 18 Republican candidates on the November 3, 2006 ballot in my precinct will provide enough of their campaign pieces to the Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO) so that I can pick them up 400 pieces and hand-deliver them to the 400 residences in my DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 59 in Wheaton that have at least one registered Republican or Independent voter. That is 7,200 pieces (400 X 18). So far, I have placed 660 DuPage County Election Division-provided mailing labels on 400 DuPage County GOP-provided envelopes. I have split them into five batches and put them in walk order. I want to start stuffing those envelopes with MTRO-provided outstanding Voter Guides and the literature pieces ASAP. I want to start stuffing as soon as I have at least 100 pieces from each of the candidates. As soon as the sample ballot for my precinct is available, I will make 400 photocopies, stuff them, and head out the door. The 18 candidates are Tracy, Bailey/Del Mar, Fioretti, Solomon, Harris, Drew, Soloman, Oakley, Lewis, Vrankovich, Grasso, Noonan, Schiappa, Henry, Eckhoff, Michaud, Schultz, Quirk, and Helland.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260826/illinois-state-politics/bailey-implores-gop-to-improve-turnout-as-campaigns-focus-shifts-to-suburbs/
— Clerk’s tantrum doesn’t justify elections ‘blank check.’
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260826/letters-to-the-editor/clerks-tantrum-doesnt-justify-elections-blank-check/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Johnson puts city contractors on notice over ties to ICE.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics-policy/ccb-brandon-johnson-ice-executive-order-20260826/
— Illinois joins renewed push to stop Trump mail-ballot curbs.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics-policy/ccb-mail-ballots-lawsuit-supreme-court-20260826/

QUAD CITY TIMES
— Bailey speaks at Tyson plant.
https://qctimes.com/news/local/business/article_526f3c45-1c05-4d84-8e7f-0f48a8efdc1e.html

CITY OF WHEATON
— Community Invited to September 11 Remembrance Ceremony. DD: I organized Wheaton’s 2003 and 2004 9/11 remembrance ceremonies.
https://page.alertsense.com/content/1745/196982
(ALSO FROM WHEATON: Wheaton Car Show Draws Thousands to Memorial Park. The Wheaton Concours Car Show was a tremendous success, with an estimated 5,000 attendees gathering at Memorial Park on August 22. The free event, hosted in partnership with the Wheaton Police Department and The Hamilton Collection, brought the community together to see an impressive collection of exotic cars, supercars, classics and American muscle cars while supporting Special Olympics Illinois. Thank you to everyone who attended, participated and helped make the event such an incredible day in Wheaton!)

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Pritzker record: Illinois loses tens of thousands of residents during his tenure.
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-population-loss-pritzker/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Half of America’s power plants are sitting idle while your electric bill soars.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op-eds/4691404/building-transmission-lines-impact-electricity-prices-bottlenecks-cost-allocation/

BREITBART
— Trump Pauses Immigrant Visas Globally for Training to Avoid Deadbeats, Troublemakers.
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/08/26/nolte-trump-pauses-immigrant-visas-globally-for-training-to-avoid-deadbeats-troublemakers/

NATIONAL REVIEW
— It’s No Mystery Why Young Men Are Leaving the Workforce. DD: If I had been a woman, the Democrats who ran the federal government would have promoted me into their Senior Executive Service long before I was 40 in 1988. While I worked for them, I earned a bachelor’s degree in management, an MBA, and master’s degrees in accounting and in financial markets and trading. I passed the CPA and Certified Internal Auditor examinations on my first attempt. I became a licensed CPA. I earned professional certifications in fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. But they delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13. None of my Democrat coworkers who were women who my Democrat superiors promoted over me came close to doing what I did.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/08/its-no-mystery-why-young-men-are-leaving-the-workforce/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “American women now hold 176,000 more payroll jobs than American men,” according to the Wall Street Journal and July data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For many years under progressive administrations and in major companies, the DEI regime has reigned. A lot of firms had either official or unofficial gender and/or race targets they were striving to meet. The NASDAQ, which includes more than 3,000 major companies, had rules requiring its listees to publicly disclose diversity statistics and to have — or explain why they did not have — at least two directors who are minorities, including one who self-identifies as female. Though not a strict numerical quota, such forced diversity disclosure served as a moral litmus test for companies. Though a court eventually struck down the rules, the exchange for over three years signaled that females should be privileged in C-suites. That and other virtue-signaling memos trickled down through the culture to this generation of young men. In college, I remember a male friend’s frustration as he and other finance undergrads competed for a small pool of jobs while big banks clamored to fill spots with females, despite their having, in his telling, less impressive applications. Before President Trump issued executive orders prohibiting DEI in the federal government, affirmative action in the awarding of government contracting was widespread, effectively a different kind of cronyism. The message was the same in college admissions. Before the Supreme Court declared affirmative action in admissions unconstitutional in 2023, colleges participated in discrimination against white men by applying racial preferences. Even now, some schools, including Duke Law, have tried to circumvent the Supreme Court’s Harvard ruling via proxy discrimination, developing mechanisms to flag for ostensibly marginalized backgrounds in admissions essays and usher in minority candidates. As for women, their rising numbers in colleges were aided by the lifting of artificial caps on female enrollment. Before the 1970s, schools such as Yale University limited female enrollment to a small fraction of the class. With affirmative action and Title IX, universities dropped these ceilings and invited many new female students. However, some STEM institutions didn’t just open the doors — they gave favorable consideration to women to counter underrepresentation. “Girls are twice as likely as boys to get into Caltech or MIT, to make up for the fact that they are half as likely to apply,” the Washington Post wrote in 2024. To be fair, now that females make up nearly 60 percent of all college students nationwide, some colleges have allegedly practiced gender balancing in the other direction. Dubbed “affirmative action” for men, this isn’t the way, either. But even if female enrollees didn’t technically steal spots that would otherwise go to men, the disproportionate number changed the constitution of the average college. It is not a coincidence that gender studies, which is based on the idea that the patriarchy is the root of evil in society, has exploded as a discipline across academia in the past decade. With women dominating, colleges have evolved to focus on women’s concerns, as Helen Andrews wrote in her essay “The Great Feminization.” Gee, maybe that was a deterrent to men? If colleges are increasingly adopting an ideological tone that treats maleness as problematic, that might chase men out or keep men away. A conscious policy choice that has displaced young men in the workforce involves legal immigration programs such as H-1B, which, aside from being a corrupt labor arrangement, takes jobs from young men in technical fields. For those who would argue that these immigrants bring special genius and expertise that Americans cannot provide, there is no highly skilled worker shortage in the United States. Rather, it is more likely that the infusion of foreign labor depresses wages for Americans, disincentivizing them from putting their STEM degrees to use or pursuing them in the first place. That being said, there is a whole sector begging for young men to join. An analysis this year found that nearly 1.4 million trade jobs across seven essential industries will be unfilled by 2030. Since the turn of the century, labor force participation has steadily declined across the board. As tradesmen retire, new apprentices aren’t replacing them fast enough. For every five tradesmen who leave the workforce, only two younger workers step up. There is incredible financial opportunity for young men in vocations if they want it. It’s true that for many years, young men have repeatedly run into walls erected by politicians and corporate partners who determined that the appearance of equity was more important than fairness. The trend of the stay-at-home boyfriend is partly a consequence of a workforce now dominated by women, which was not so much an organic development as one that was socially engineered. Their disengagement from American life did not happen in a vacuum. Young men feel defeated, and they cannot be entirely blamed for that. But the answer is not to grovel to despairing young men or treat them with kid gloves. The Trump administration has done the foundational work of ripping up the institutional barriers standing against men, though some remain. We, as a culture, must continually affirm that young men are valuable parts of our economy and our future. And entrepreneurship and getting your hands dirty are still paths welcome to young men who desire to build.)

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— The Cost of California’s ‘Sanctuary’ Policies – In Human Lives.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/2026/08/26/the_cost_of_californias_sanctuary_policies_-_in_human_lives_709063.html

WHITE HOUSE
— Trump Delivers: 14 Recent Wins You May Have Missed.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/08/trump-delivers-14-wins-you-may-have-missed/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS NEWS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-arrests-record-high-july-new-data/

NEW YORK TIMES
— Stop Trying to Make Everyone Go to College. DD: My father often decried his not having a college degree. That motivated me to earn not only four college degrees, but a six professional certifications, and a professional license even though no one saw me as being college material. My ACT score was only 24 and I only just barely made it into the upper 20% of my class.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/opinion/college-technical-vocational-education.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— States Face Election Confusion as Trump Administration Upends Mail-Ballot Rules. With clock ticking and litigation raging, new Trump-favored postal regulations threaten to disrupt midterms.
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/states-face-election-confusion-after-postal-service-upends-mail-ballot-rules-6525fe7d

FORBES
— There Are 5 Mentors Your Career Needs. How Many Do You Have? DD: To get rid of me, my Democrat IRS superiors got rid of the IRS manager who had promoted me when I was 23, 24, and 25. To get rid of me, my Democrat GAO superiors got rid of the GAO manager who had arranged for my transfer from IRS when I was 31 and was finally able to assign me audits of IRS when I was 37 and to promoted me when I was 38.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andymolinsky/2026/04/20/there-are-5-mentors-your-career-needs-how-many-do-you-have/
— Job Ads Deter Applicants Age 40 And Older.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sheilacallaham/2022/09/26/new-research-shows-job-ads-deter-applicants-age-40-and-older/

LAW
— Discouragement. DD: To get rid of me, my Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO superiors discouraged me from earning job-related college degrees, professional certifications, and professional licenses. Nevertheless, I earned a bachelor’s degree in management, an MBA, and master’s degrees in accounting and in financial markets and trading. I passed the CPA and Certified Internal Auditor examinations on my first attempt. I became a licensed CPA. I earned professional certifications in fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. None of my Democrat coworkers who my Democrat superiors promoted over me came close to doing what I did.
https://www.law.com/2026/08/24/how-i-made-law-firm-leadership-do-not-let-being-underestimated-discourage-you-says-hillary-nappi-of-awk-survivor-advocate-attorneys/

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

TIMES OF INDIA
— Generac has a $1.6 billion data-center order backlog.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/wisconsin-based-generator-company-has-a-1-6-billion-data-center-order-backlog-ceo-says-the-question-is-/articleshow/133455798.cms

August 24, 2026

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— An ethics watchdog, such as our state’s legislative inspector general, should know when to say ‘no comment.’ Former judge Michael McCuskey has been talking too much.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/22/patrick-pfingsten-michael-mccuskey-legislative-inspector-general-harry-benton/
— Recall referendum issue seems like Laesch vs. Irvin round two.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/23/column-recall-referendum-issue-seems-like-laesch-vs-irvin-round-two/
— Data centers near O’Hare win nearly $100M in local tax breaks, leaving suburban homeowners to cover the gap.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/23/special-report-data-centers-taxes/
— Mandatory service can renew young people’s faith in America. DD: My initial plan was to enlist and to earn a bachelor’s degree with the GI Bill. But then I saw that my high school neighbor friend in Crete was on track to get accepted by UIC and to commute to/from classes there from his parents’ home. I adopted that plan, I took college preparatory classes, got an ACT score of 24, and I graduated in the upper 20% of my 1966 Crete-Monee High School class. My high school neighbor friend commuted in a new 1965 base Chevelle that his father bought for him. I commuted in a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint that I paid for with money that I earned washing dishes for 28 hours a week during my junior and senior years 1964-1966 and for 40 hours a week during the summer of 1965.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/24/opinion-national-service-renew-faith-america-patriotism/
— For tens of thousands in northwest Indiana, power outages mean much of August has been hell. ComEd took a few days to restore power after Aug. 11 storms. NIPSCO is taking two weeks. DD: The more that overhead lines bring power to your home, the more that those lines are near trees, the more that I recommend getting a whole-house backup electric generator.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/24/editorial-nipsco-commonwealth-edison-electricity-outages-storms/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ALL OF THE FRONT PAGE: ‘Why is this OK?’  With no power and a spotty generator, every day is a struggle for a family of seven as they approach two weeks without electricity in Northwest Indiana. DD: The more that overhead lines bring power to your home, the more that those lines are near trees, the more that I recommend getting a whole-house backup electric generator.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/graphics/weather/powerless/12-nights-without-power-in-Gary-Indiana/

DAILY HERALD
— Geneva Concours highlights rare, unusual vehicles. DD: There were three 1972 Corvettes in the concours. I have owned my 1972 Corvette since October 14, 1971.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260823/festivals-and-fairs/a-fashion-show-for-cars-geneva-concours-highlights-rare-unusual-vehicles/
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/great-lakes/5008067-genevais-concours-dielegance-car-show-pics-lots.html

ABC7
— At least 17 shot, 4 fatally, in weekend gun violence across Chicago.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-shootings-weekend-least-16-shot-4-fatally-gun-violence-city-police-department-says/19722721/

NBC5
— A $25-per-hour minimum wage? Some Illinois lawmakers are pushing for it. DD: I did not start earning $25/hour in today’s dollars until I had a) passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from NIU when I was 21 in 1970 and b) got hired by IRS in 1971.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/a-25-per-hour-minimum-wage-some-illinois-lawmakers-are-pushing-for-it/3931575/

CBS2
— Frustration mounts for thousands still without power after deadly Indiana storms. DD: The more that overhead lines bring power to your home, the more that those lines are near trees, the more that I recommend getting a whole-house backup electric generator.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/deadly-indiana-storms-frustration-mounts-thousands-still-without-power/
— Illinois politics are to blame for failure to secure stadium for Chicago Bears in state.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/expert-illinois-politics-blame-failure-secure-stadium-chicago-bears/

WGN9
— Indiana Gov. Mike Braun criticizes NIPSCO over ongoing outages; more than 15K remain without power. DD: The more that overhead lines bring power to your home, the more that those lines are near trees, the more that I recommend getting a whole-house backup electric generator.
https://wgntv.com/northwest-indiana/nipscos-latest-outage-numbers-gary-mayor-provides-update-at-wgn/

WBEZ
— DD: Democrat leaders fight standardized testing because those who have demographics that vote for Democrats get lower test scores than those who have demographics that vote for Republicans. I passed many standardized tests a) to earn a job-related bachelor’s degree, b) to earn three job-related master’s degrees, c) to earn six job-related professional certifications, d) to earn a job-related professional license, and e) to get hired by the Post Office, IRS, and GAO. Overwhelmingly, those who took and passed standardized tests with me had demographics that vote for Republicans. The Democrats who ran the Post Office in 1966, IRS in 1971, and GAO in 1980 hired me because they could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, or veteran who would take the job.
https://www.wbez.org/say-more-with-mary-dixon-patrick-smith/2026/08/18/should-colleges-and-universities-require-standardized-test-scores-for-admission

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Trump store in Crystal Lake is closing, owner announces – but then seemingly takes it back.
https://www.shawlocal.com/northwest-herald/2026/08/22/trump-store-in-crystal-lake-is-closing-owner-announces/

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— What income is needed to live comfortably in Illinois: $244,109 for a family of 4 and $101,587 single
https://www.pjstar.com/story/business/economy/2026/08/24/salary-needed-to-live-comfortably-in-illinois-smartasset/91409434007/

ILLINOIZE
— Will there be gubernatorial debates?
https://www.theillinoize.com/articles/will-there-be-gubernatorial-debates

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Ocasio-Cortez endorses Massachusetts Senate incumbent Ed Markey. DD: I remember attending a meeting with Markey when I worked for GAO in the early 1980s.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4694506/ocasio-cortez-endorses-massachusetts-senate-incumbent-ed-markey-green-new-deal/
— California school district’s curriculum cites Osama bin Laden’s manifesto as proof US ‘targeted Muslim communities.’ DD: Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly give more preference to Muslims.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/education/4696334/california-school-districts-curriculum-cites-osama-bin-ladens-manifesto-as-proof-us-targeted-muslim-communities/

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
— Inflation Pressures. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly blame Trump for inflation and for everything else that is bad.
https://www.aei.org/featured_data/inflation-pressures/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Colorado to constituents — no guns for you. Colorado leftists attempt an end run around the 2nd Amendment. DD: Colorado today, Illinois tomorrow.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/08/colorado-to-constituents-no-guns-for-you/

CATO
— Ten Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Arguments for Socialism and Why They’re Wrong.  DD: What were you able to do under capitalism? I was able to buy a 1958 Chevy BeAir when I was 16 in 1964 with money I earned doing yard work and delivering newspapers. I was able buy a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint in 1966 with money I earned washing dishes for the minimum wage. I was able buy a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in 1967 and a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE in 1968 with money I earned delivering mail. I was able to graduate debt-free from NIU in 1970 owning that Charger with money I earned delivering mail. I was able to buy a new 1972 Corvette in 1971 with money I earned working for Firestone Stores and IRS. I was able to buy a new townhome in 1972 with money I earned working for Firestone Stores and IRS.
https://www.cato.org/blog/ten-democratic-socialists-america-dsa-arguments-socialism-why-theyre-wrong

CRISIS MAGAZINE
— In Defense of Private Property: Repelling the Rise of Socialism. DD: What were you able to do under capitalism? I was able to buy a 1958 Chevy BeAir when I was 16 in 1964 with money I earned doing yard work and delivering newspapers. I was able buy a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint in 1966 with money I earned washing dishes for the minimum wage. I was able buy a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in 1967 and a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE in 1968 with money I earned delivering mail. I was able to graduate debt-free from NIU in 1970 owning that Charger with money I earned delivering mail. I was able to buy a new 1972 Corvette in 1971 with money I earned working for Firestone Stores and IRS. I was able to buy a new townhome in 1972 with money I earned working for Firestone Stores and IRS.
https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/in-defense-of-private-property-repelling-the-rise-of-socialism

DAILY SIGNAL
— Immigration Under the New Left.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/08/23/immigration-under-the-new-left/
— Why Are So Many Young People Drawn to Communism?
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/08/23/why-are-so-many-young-people-drawn-to-communism/

EPOCH TIMES
— Why Are So Many Young People Drawn to Communism?
https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/why-are-so-many-young-people-drawn-to-communism-6077478

FOX NEWS
— Socialists don’t believe in liberty of any kind.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6403937012112
— Billions spent by key federal agency hasn’t made American dream of homeownership any easier. DD: I bought a new townhome in University Park when I was 24 in 1972. SEE: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/774-Sunset-Ct-5-University-Park-IL-60484/5451474_zpid/ . In today’s dollars, I paid about $180,000 for it and the down payment would have been about $36,000. In today’s dollars, my IRS Revenue Officer salary had just increased from $56,409/year to $68,999/year. The down payment came from what I had earned working for IRS for 15 months and for a Firestone Store part-time for 18 months and full-time for 7 months before that. According to Zillow, the townhome is currently worth $93,700. That says worlds about real estate values in University Park.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/billions-spent-key-federal-agency-hasnt-made-american-dream-homeownership-any-easier-report

NATIONALREVIEW
— Democratic Socialists of America Hate Billionaires — Except Fidel Castro.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/08/the-democratic-socialists-of-america-hate-billionaires-except-fidel-castro/

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— We Need To Remind Americans Why Capitalism’s Important.  DD: What were you able to do under capitalism? I was able to buy a 1958 Chevy BeAir when I was 16 in 1964 with money I earned doing yard work and delivering newspapers. I was able buy a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint in 1966 with money I earned washing dishes for the minimum wage. I was able buy a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in 1967 and a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE in 1968 with money I earned delivering mail. I was able to graduate debt-free from NIU in 1970 owning that Charger with money I earned delivering mail. I was able to buy a new 1972 Corvette in 1971 with money I earned working for Firestone Stores and IRS. I was able to buy a new townhome in 1972 with money I earned working for Firestone Stores and IRS.
https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2026/08/24/we_need_to_remind_americans_why_capitalisms_important_1201914.html
— DEI Refuses To Die.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/08/24/dei_refuses_to_die_154439.html

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

AOL
— Curfews, drones, and criminal charges: Cities differ on approaches to ‘teen takeovers.’  DD: What is your municipality doing to stop Democrat teen takeovers?
https://www.aol.com/articles/curfews-drones-criminal-charges-cities-140006000.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— Moving to Florida. DD: More and more and more of those who are the following are moving to Florida: conservative, Republican, White, male, older, non-poor, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/realestate/florida-retirement-residency-taxes.html

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: The Democrat Party platform is extremely anti-religious. How successful have Democrats been taking over your church?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/08/22/democrats-use-faith-to-challenge-red-state-gop/91340610007/

USA HERALD
— California Wants Corporations to Confess Their Ties to Slavery — Under Oath. DD: According to Democrat leaders, the more of the following that you are, the more that you are tied to slavery: conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, non-veteran, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time. I am all of the aforesaid. In my defense, I stress that even though all my ancestors immigrated during the 1840s and 1850s, they always lived in northeast Illinois, they never were in a position to discriminate against anyone, and they never did discriminate against anyone.
https://usaherald.com/california-wants-corporations-to-confess-their-ties-to-slavery-under-oath/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— A Socialist Surprise in Florida.
https://www.wsj.com/video/wsj-opinion-a-socialist-surprise-in-florida/7780BE57-7ACC-4DD7-A963-30D1C441AB05

FORBES
— Unfair Advantages. DD: What unfair advantages do your critics/opponents say you have? According to my critics/opponents, the following are unfair advantages and I have them: White, male, Protestant, German American, and my ancestors have been in America since 1844. In addition, a) my parents sent me to Missouri Synod Lutheran grade schools 1953-1962, b) my parents provided me with room and board while I attended UIC 1966-1968, weekends during my first semester at NIU in 1969, and the summer of 1969, and c) I avoided the Vietnam War draft. In my defense. neither of my parents attended college, my father was only the first of my ancestors to earn a high school diploma, my mother never attended high school, and I had to work my way through college.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ruthgotian/2022/07/19/you-might-be-overlooking-your-unfair-advantage-heres-how-to-find-it/

MARKETPLACE
— Americans are retiring earlier than they’d like to. And not because they can afford to. DD: The more of the following that you are, the more that you should anticipate/expect that you will be forced to retire early: conservative, Republican, White, male, older, non-poor, non-veteran, Protestant, German American, and/or if you have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/07/24/why-some-americans-are-forced-to-retire-too-soon

NEWS BREAK
— Sen. Duckworth Tells Hegseth to “Find a New Job and Let the Press Do Theirs” After Stars and Stripes Editor’s Firing. DD: Since 2000, my critics/opponents have hinted/implied/argued/shouted at the following that because I am a Republican Precinct Committeeman, they can and they should dictate the content of my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters: the leaders of the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization. I should write about the many big adverse actions that the aforesaid have taken against me since 2000.
https://www.newsbreak.com/combat-rated-361333999/4845203759286-sen-duckworth-tells-hegseth-to-find-a-new-job-and-let-the-press-do-theirs-after-stars-and-stripes-editor-s-firing

ATLANTIC
— High-School Reunions. Social media should have killed them. Instead, they’re popular again. DD: I just learned that my 1966 Crete-Monee High School class is going to have a reunion. Sadly, my interactions with my classmates was dramatically less during my junior and senior years because I spent 28 hours a week during the school years and 40 hours a week during the summer in between washing dishes in the basement of the SS Kresge in Chicago Heights. Sadly, that job did not paint me as being college material. Further, my not being able to run because I had a bone disease kept out of sports.
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2025/09/high-school-reunion-attendance/684097/

August 22, 2026

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ALL OF THE FRONT PAGE: Gary storm victims fill generators at a gas station, watch DVDs in their car, eat hot lunch at a school. A historic power outage in northwest Indiana has left 52% of Gary’s NIPSCO customers without power for 11 days. We spoke with people about their experiences as they wait for electricity to be restored and debris to be cleared. DD: The more that overhead lines bring power to your home, the more that those lines are near trees, the more that I recommend getting a whole-house backup electric generator.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2026/08/21/gary-storm-victims-fill-generators-at-a-gas-station-watch-dvds-in-car-eat-hot-lunch-at-a-school
https://chicago.suntimes.com/weather/northwest-indiana-gary-no-power-storm-recovery
— Many Trump-endorsed candidates landing with a thud.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/08/21/trump-endorsed-candidates-loss-voters-republicans-midterms-s-e-cupp
— Tollway hike will improve infrastructure, save commute time, boost economy. DD: What section of the tollway do you use the most? For me, it is the I-88 section between Naperville Road and Route 59.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-the-editor/2026/08/22/illinois-tollway-airplane-toilets-roosevelt-trump-india-israel-animal-cruelty-ice-term-limits

FOX32
— What Illinois voters can expect on the 2026 general election ballot.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-ro8xjcgk3nqfxfrd

WGEM
— U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy makes stop in Quincy.
https://www.wgem.com/2026/08/22/us-senate-candidate-don-tracy-makes-stop-quincy/

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DD: To vote for Democrats is to promote LGBTQ.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/25-6-million-lgbtq-adults-in-us-transgender-population-twice-prior-estimates-study/

ELMHURST UNIVERSITY
— Four Career Benefits to Completing Your Degree. DD: If I had not earned a job-related bachelor’s degree in 1970, job-related master’s degrees in 1976, 1980, and 1997, job-related professional certifications in 1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997, and a job-related professional license in 1981, I never would have earned $154,682/year in today’s dollars in 1997. IRS would not have hired me in 1971 or promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. GAO would not have hired me in 1980 or promoted me in 1986.
https://www.elmhurst.edu/blog/four-career-benefits-to-completing-your-degree/

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/08/21/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-584/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

JOHN KASS
— Vallas: Anti-Semitism and the Unholy Alliance Between the Far Left and Radical Islam.
https://johnkassnews.com/anti-semitism-and-the-unholy-alliance-between-the-far-left-and-radical-islam/

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— According to Google AI, campaign literature pieces cost roughly $290 per 5,000 from specialized political printers. I hope that each of the 17 Republican candidates on the November 3, 2006 ballot in my precinct will provide 400 of their pieces to the Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO) that I can pick them up and hand-deliver them to the 400 residences in my DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 59 in Wheaton that have at least one registered Republican or Independent voter. That is 7,200 pieces (400 X 17). So far, I have placed 660 DuPage County Election Division-provided mailing labels on 400 DuPage County GOP-provided envelopes. I have split them into five batches and put them in walk order. I want to start stuffing those envelopes with MTRO-provided outstanding Voter Guides and the literature pieces ASAP. I want to start stuffing as soon as I have at least 100 pieces from each of the candidates. As soon as the sample ballot for my precinct is available, I will make 400 photocopies, stuff them, and head out the door. The 18 candidates are Tracy, Bailey/Del Mar, Fioretti, Solomon, Harris, Drew, Soloman, Oakley, Lewis, Vrankovich, Grasso, Noonan, Schiappa, Henry, Eckhoff, Michaud, Schultz, Quirk, and Helland. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Bread lines or bread winning? The Democratic Party’s fatal leftward drift.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/4692671/democrats-socialism-vs-capitalism-economic-shift/
— Capitalism: The system Gen Z loves to roast but actually needs most. DD: What were you able to do under capitalism? I was able to buy a 1958 Chevy BeAir when I was 16 in 1964 with money I earned doing yard work and delivering newspapers. I was able buy a new 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint in 1966 with money I earned washing dishes for the minimum wage. I was able buy a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in 1967 and a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE in 1968 with money I earned delivering mail. I was able to graduate debt-free from NIU in 1970 with money I earned delivering mail. I was able to buy a new 1972 Corvette in 1971 with money I earned working for Firestone Stores and IRS. I was able to buy a new townhome in 1972 with money I earned working for Firestone Stores and IRS.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/equality-not-elitism/4680934/capitalism-system-generation-z-needs-most/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: At its core, capitalism is about private ownership and incentives. You have a right to own your property or ideas. You have the freedom to negotiate in your self-interest and engage in mutually beneficial agreements. Profit and competition motivate you to innovate. No one forces you to. . .Socialism relies on coercion as central planners decide what gets made, how much, and who gets it. Private ownership of land, factories, or businesses is limited or taken over. The government needs taxes, rules, or force to do that. Take Venezuela. History shows that top-down socialist directives and nationalization produced hyperinflation, shortages of food and medicine, poverty, and the collapse of public services. Under socialism, where private ownership and property rights do not exist, outcomes get worse, and innovation suffers. This is the classic tragedy of the commons problem. Imagine public transit: filled with litter, graffiti-covered cars, and slow. No private individual cleans it because “it’s the government’s problem,” and government workers are slow to do so because they get paid regardless. When the state or collective controls public services, resources are misallocated, and quality deteriorates.)

NEW YORK POST
— Democrats now overwhelmingly have a more favorable view of socialism than capitalism. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.aol.com/articles/dems-now-favor-socialism-over-205152000.html
— Why 58% of California Democrats lust after socialism. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/21/opinion/why-california-democrats-like-socialism/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Socialism, after all, is an ideology of oppression that’s brought mass death, forced labor, famine and executions to a long list of nations, including China, Cambodia, Vietnam, North Korea, and the former USSR. So … what gives in the Golden State?. . .Socialism (with a smile!) sells in blue enclaves in part because it’s faddish, on trend, of the moment. It’s a shiny object glorified on social media to an audience too young to remember the Cold War –– or the ghoulish history of socialist and communist regimes. It taps into disgruntlement, class envy, entitlement. And it sells utopian fantasies about, when it comes down to it, taking other people’s stuff.)

AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE
— We Must Save America’s Students from the False Promises of Socialism.  DD: I avoided Democrat indoctrination by majoring in business, accounting, and finance.
https://aclj.org/radical-left/we-must-save-americas-students-from-the-false-promises-of-socialism

AMERICAN THINKER
— Illegitimate Elections Will Destroy the United States. ‘Sanctuary city’ secession is tearing the Union apart.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/08/illegitimate-elections-will-destroy-the-united-states/

BREITBART
— Chicago Threw $640M in Tax Dollars at Illegal Migrants Over Two Years.
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/08/21/chicago-threw-640m-in-tax-dollars-at-illegal-migrants-over-two-years/amp/

COLLEGE FIX
— Education Dept. ends disparate impact, dropping requirement to balance racial outcomes.  DD: When Whites and males do better on tests than minorities and females, Democrats and RINOs blame Republicans.
https://www.thecollegefix.com/education-dept-ends-disparate-impact-dropping-requirement-to-balance-racial-outcomes/
— Education Department praised for ending outcome-based discrimination rules.  DD: When Whites and males do better on tests than minorities and females, Democrats and RINOs blame Republicans.
https://www.thecollegefix.com/bulletin-board/in-washington-post-education-department-praised-for-ending-outcome-based-discrimination-rules/

DAILY SIGNAL
— Ending the Welfare State as We Know It.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/08/21/ending-the-welfare-state-as-we-know-it/

DAILY WIRE
— Socialist Senate Nominee Called Charlie Kirk Supporters Tools ‘Of White Supremacy.’ DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/socialist-senate-nominee-called-charlie-kirk-supporters-tools-of-white-supremacy

FOX BUSINESS
— Virginia removes over 6,000 noncitizens from voter rolls.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6403805538112

FOX NEWS
— Socialism surges among Democrats as party leaders reject DSA agenda. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/socialism-surges-among-democrats-party-leaders-reject-dsa-agenda-pack-fools
— Democrats have built a ‘COALITION OF TRIBAL GRIEVANCES.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQd2F3IEJM8

NATIONAL REVIEW
— The Path Ahead for Welfare Reform.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/08/the-path-ahead-for-welfare-reform/

PJ MEDIA
— Hegseth Used Slang for Transgender-Identifying Lefties.
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/08/21/pete-hegseth-used-slang-for-transgender-identifying-lefties-and-wokies-lost-their-marbles-n4956398

PRESS BANNER
— Planning Your Financial Future Under Socialism. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://pressbanner.com/finance-planning-your-financial-future-under-socialism/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Bernie Sanders won Santa Cruz County primaries twice and now Ocasio-Cortez, Mandami, El-Sayed and Flanagan gain power. DSA friendly candidates threaten moderate Democrats and independent votes enough to give MAGA a fighting chance in November. Democratic Socialists of America claim 95,000 members. Would socialism look more like DSA dreams, Republican nightmares or Nordic compromises? With threats from right and left, can personal financial planning survive? The DSA Program. In “What is Democratic Socialism,” the DSA proclaims: “We want a democracy that creates space for us all to flourish not just survive and answers the fundamental questions of our lives with the input of all. We want to collectively own the key economic drivers that dominate our lives, such as energy production and transportation.” On the site program.dsausa.org, the DSA shamelessly prophesies: “You work as much as you are able and no more than needed…You have no debt. You don’t need health insurance. You don’t pay a mortgage or have a landlord, because comfortable housing is a human right. Your retirement is publicly funded. Food, education, energy, medicine, and transportation aren’t for-profit businesses; they are common goods and utilities.” DSA would “Expand public resources to support recreation, learning, and social spaces accessible to all.” Sustainable publicly owned transit and energy replace fossil fuels. Investment, insurance and estate planning here is a question for government, not individuals. Mao’s Ideological Purity. The specter of Maoism transformed Chinese agricultural society down “the road of socialism under the leadership of the party.” So government controlled not only politics and religion, but production, borders, the arts and education. Peasants ate from common kitchens and married according to party needs. Individuals couldn’t even plan their daily dress. Estates of landlords — even poor landlords — and entrepreneurs were confiscated. Seized housing guaranteed housing “rights.” There were no stock or insurance markets and security was greatest for peasants who denounced neighbors publicly and worked harder and longer even when government horribly mismanaged steel production with backyard furnaces. To collectivize agriculture, the party appropriated food to starve tens of millions. Nordic Socialism? In UN World Happiness Reports, Nordics rank the happiest people and surely honest democracy, subsidized education and healthcare contribute. Unicameral legislatures and proportional representation model the DSA’s critique of America’s independent presidency and judiciary. Roughly 30% of the people work in health care, education and government and workers are highly unionized with government settling disputes. Unemployment insurance and government childcare are regular. But Deng Xiaoping brought markets back to China and the Swedish Social Democrats deregulated banking and currency in the 1980s. The financial crisis of 1990-94 resulted in deregulation. Socialists beware: Swedes get vouchers for educational choice and save in subsidized mutual fund accounts. Scandification.com says: “Sweden is a highly liberalized and competitive open-market economy. The country happily trades with countries all around the globe. Most Swedish enterprises are privately owned and pay quite low taxes compared to other parts of the globe.” The Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom ranks Sweden ahead of the United States! Questions for Socialists. What happens when socialism meets Amazon.com variety with bleak lifestyle choices? Canadians already venture abroad for delayed healthcare and Moscow bread lines were infamous. And we don’t all enjoy paying for solar panels on dull housing projects. F.A. Hayek says that the task of providing for everyone’s needs or wants while knowing all the human and natural resources is too much for any planning committee without the invisible hand of pricing. Mandami is already challenged delivering free buses. Poor worker motivation challenged Mao to lead constant rallies with art glorifying low-paid production — not short work and environmental purity. The DSO admittedly seeks “…aggressive wealth taxes on the richest individuals and corporations to spend on public goods and infrastructure.” Nordic countries tax over 40% of GDP versus OECD averages of 33.9%. Like our income tax, burdens start with the rich, but El-Sayed admitted that “you paid a little more in taxes” for free healthcare. Planning is impossible in Maoist China where planners would be lynched. Sweden’s welfare state hosts CFPs and tax planning with market investments flourishes. If Socialism — or Fascism — conquers America, we won’t have so many choices.)

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Woke 2.0 and the False Promise of Socialist Division.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/08/21/woke_20_and_the_false_promise_of_socialist_division_154432.html

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— Democrats hold more favorable view of socialism than capitalism. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.aol.com/articles/democrats-hold-more-favorable-view-172421000.html
— Gen Z turns against capitalism as DSA takes off. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/6042507-gen-z-capitalism-socialism-sports-betting-gender-political-divide/

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
— Republicans Must Stop Being Democrat-Lite.
https://www.usnews.com/debate-club/is-the-gops-problem-in-its-strategies-or-its-policies/republicans-must-stop-being-democrat-lite

CNN
— DD: I often served as a fact checker while I worked for GAO 1986-1997 at the GS-13 Step 1-10 Levels, currently $118,984-$154,682/year.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/17/politics/fact-check-trump-south-korea-cost-sharing-biden

AOL
— How Much Income You Need To Join the Top 10% in Every State. In Illinois it is $296,443/year.
https://www.aol.com/articles/much-income-join-top-10-142011000.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— The Socialist, a Million-Dollar Rowhouse and Unanswered Questions. Differing accounts of where Gustavo Gordillo, a leader of the Democratic Socialists of America, lives are raising doubts about whether the city’s left-wing organizers are ready for prime time. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for Democrats is to vote for socialism.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/22/nyregion/nyc-gustavo-gordillo-democratic-socialist.html
— Journalism and Paywalls. An increasingly hostile environment for independent reporting in the United States and elsewhere has made our job harder, and more expensive. DD: My direct competitors continue to be furious that I have the money, time, motivation, ability, and experience to put together and send out my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletter every day without a paywall, without any advertising, and without any donation requests. All the money that I spend putting the newsletters together and sending them out comes from my Civil Service Retirement System pension, my Social Security, and my retirement savings. Far too many of my direct competitors destroy those like me a) who they cannot manipulate or dominate, b) who refuse to glorify or praise them, c) who refuse to pander to them, d) who refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, e) who refuse to cover up their wrong doing, and/or f) who refuse to give them money. I should write about them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/world/journalism-us-colombia-quake.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Some of you have written in, surprised and sometimes annoyed at the prospect of hitting the paywall. I get it. So in today’s newsletter, I want to explain why we need people who can afford it to pay for our journalism. Many of you already do. Thank you.)

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— College Enrollments Are Expected to Plunge. DD: Under the Democrats, anticipate/expect that fewer and fewer and fewer Whites and males will earn college degrees.
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/why-college-enrollments-are-expected-to-plunge-a8e00d7d

FORBES
— Employee Engagement. DD: I was far more engaged than my Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO coworkers. While I worked for the Democrats who ran the Post Office 1966-1969, I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree in management. While I worked for the Democrats who ran IRS 1971-1980, I earned an MBA, passed the CPA examination on my first attempt, and almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting. While I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO 1980-1997, I earned a master’s degree in accounting, passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt, became a licensed CPA, served on the Association of Government Accountants Executive Committee for 12 years, served on the Illinois CPA Society Membership Committee for 8 years, earned professional certifications in fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting, and earned a master’s degree in financial markets and trading. None of my Democrat coworkers came close to doing what I did. To get promoted, all they had to do was to be “good little Democrats.”
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2026/08/20/12-employee-engagement-strategies-that-are-working-now/
— Career Slowdown. DD: My Post Office career more than slowed down, it crashed when my Democrat superiors disallowed my sick leave requests when I was 19 in 1968 and 20 and forced me to resign when I was 20 falsely claiming that I was not available to work enough part-time hours. My IRS career more than slowed down, it crashed when I was 25 when my Democrat superiors succeeded in getting rid of the manager who had promoted me when I was 23 (GS-9), 24 (GS-11), and 25 (GS-12). They disallowed my travel vouchers when I was 25. They ignored/dismissed/belittled my earning an MBA when I was 27. They disallowed my education expenses when I was 29. They ignored/dismissed/belittled my passing the CPA examination on my first attempt when I was 30. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. My GAO career more than slowed down, it crashed when I was 31 when my Democrat GAO superiors forced me to take a $23,699 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS, disempowering the GAO manager who had arranged that transfer, gave me bad job assignments and unfair performance expectations and performance appraisals and kept me off audits of IRS. They ignored/dismissed/belittled my earning a master’s degree in accounting when I was 31 and my passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination and becoming a licensed CPA when I was 32. GAO finally did promote me to GS-13 when I was 38, but that was only because the manager who arranged my transfer got back into power, assigned me to audits of IRS, and promoted me to GS-13. But when I was 39, they forced him to retire and things when from bad to worse. When I was 40, my career really crashed. They threw me off audits of IRS, gave me a very bad job assignment, very unfair performance expectations, and performance appraisal and ranked me at the bottom of my coworkers for pay-for-performance (PFP). They ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for PFP from then on. They ignored/dismissed/belittled my earning four more professional certifications when I was 41, 45, 47, and 48 and my earning a master’s degree in financial markets and training when I was 48. They forced me to retire when I was 49.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2026/02/21/4-tips-to-keep-up-when-your-coworkers-careers-move-faster/

KEISER UNIVERSITY
— Which College Majors Offer the Best Work-Life Balance? DD: My not majoring in accounting from the beginning was one of my biggest mistakes. I erroneously thought that I could never pass the CPA examination. I did pass the CPA examination on my first attempt when I was 30 in 1979, but by then it was too late. The accounting profession saw me as being far too old to have a successful career in accounting. On top of that, the profession was under tremendous pressure to hire, retain, and promote young minorities and young females.
https://www.keiseruniversity.edu/articles/careers-with-best-work-life-balance/

STANDARD EXAMINER
— DD: When Whites and males do better on tests than minorities and females, Democrats and RINOs blame Republicans.
https://www.standard.net/opinion/national-commentary/2026/aug/21/stossel-racist-tests/

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE
— Affordability For All. DD: What did you do to afford things? I took jobs that my peers would not stoop to take. I worked my way through college. I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree. I earned three job-related master’s degrees. I earned six job-related professional certifications. I earned a job-related professional license.
https://nul.org/news/affordability-all-its-time-rescue-american-dream

FROM OTHER SOURCES

MAYO CLINIC
— Type 2 diabetes over time: What to expect as you age. DD: My prescribed type 2 diabetes pills are: Glimepiride (2), Jardiance, Metformin, and Ozempic. I am using Stelo ( https://www.stelo.com/ ) to monitor my glucose levels.
https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-over-time-what-to-expect-as-you-age/

TOPSPEED
— 10 Affordable Cars That Make Perfect Daily Drivers. DD: Chevy Malibu is one of them. My 2021 Chevy Malibu Premier will me my daily driver if my 2018 Chevy Cruze LT is totaled or stolen.
https://www.topspeed.com/affordable-new-cars-for-daily-driving/

August 17, 2026 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— New recruits joining military in big numbers, but not for reason Hegseth says. The economy is driving young Americans’ enlistments, according to Pentagon data.
https://abc7chicago.com/story/us-military-news-new-recruits-enlisting-big-numbers-not-reason-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-says/19693144/
— Dramatic decline in people becoming new citizens in Chicago area this year. DD: Democrat leaders give tremendous benefits to noncitizens.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-area-naturalizations-drop-dramatically-more-80-2026-federal-citizenship-data-shows/19599022/
— Bailey calls for ending tolls; Pritzker questions funding plan. Toll revenues fund construction projects.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/republican-illinois-governor-candidate-darren-bailey-calls-ending-tolls-gov-jb-pritzker-questions-funding-plan/19694196/

NBC5
— Wheaton ZIP code 60187 named among America’s hottest housing markets for 2026.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/suburban-chicago-zip-code-named-among-americas-hottest-housing-markets-for-2026/3976579/

CBS2
— Some NIPSCO customers in northwest Indiana frustrated after nearly week without power. DD: The more that overhead lines bring power to your home, the more that those lines are near trees, the more that I recommend getting a whole-house backup electric generator.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/northwest-indiana-power-outage-nipsco/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois spent big during COVID and the migrant crisis. Who was watching the bills?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/17/favorite-staffing-covid-migrants-contractor-chris-meister/
— Northwest Indiana communities frustrated with extended NIPSCO outages. DD: The more that overhead lines bring power to your home, the more that those lines are near trees, the more that I recommend getting a whole-house backup electric generator.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/17/northwest-indiana-frustrated-extended-nipsco-outages/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/17/ice-legal-insurance-local-officers/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Thousands of Gary residents still without power after last week’s deadly storms. As of Monday afternoon, more than 100,000 Indiana residents were without electricity, according to utility company NIPSCO, after over 300,000 people lost power because of the storms. DD: The more that overhead lines bring power to your home, the more that those lines are near trees, the more that I recommend getting a whole-house backup electric generator.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2026/08/17/gary-indiana-residents-without-power-deadly-storms
— DD: To get more votes from Blacks, Democrat leaders ever-increasingly shout at non-Whites that Republicans cause all the problems that non-Whites have.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2026/08/17/anti-dei-trump-chicago-cps-firefighters-black-brown-equity-donathan-brown

DAILY HERALD
— Geneva’s annual Concours d’Elegance returns Aug. 23 with 200 vintage cars.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260817/submitted-content/genevas-annual-concours-delegance-returns-aug-23-with-over-200-vintage-cars/

SAUK VALLEY
— Tri-County GOP candidates’ meet-and-greet event set for 3 counties at 3 locations at 3 times Sept. 24.
https://www.shawlocal.com/sauk-valley/2026/08/17/tri-county-gop-candidates-meet-and-greet-event-set-for-3-counties-at-3-locations-at-3-times-sept-24/

BURR RIDGE PATCH
— Burr Ridge Park District Bars Patricia Kladis-Schiappa’s Event. The candidate is asking the agency to reconsider. She says she cannot accept “the suppression or cancellation” of a community discussion.
https://patch.com/illinois/burrridge/burr-ridge-agency-wont-allow-local-politicians-event

IPM NEWS
— Bailey on SAFE-T Act, budget, and Illinois schools.
https://ipmnewsroom.org/republican-gubernatorial-candidate-darren-bailey-on-safe-t-act-budget-and-illinois-schools/

CAPITOL FAX
—  Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/08/17/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-580/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— What is your Republican Precinct Committeeman going to do to get out the vote? As the Republican Precinct Committeeman for DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 59 in Wheaton, I will hand-deliver to the 400 residences in my precinct that have at least one Republican or one Independent registered voter a copy of the sample ballot, campaign literature from all the candidates who provide their literature to the Milton Township Republican Organization (MTRO), and a MTRO voter guide. I have obtained a PDF file from the DuPage County Election Division mailing with labels for the 660 Republican and Independent registered voters in my precinct. I have printed out those labels and I am in the process of affixing them to envelopes provided by MTRO and putting them into five batches in walk order. I will be stuffing those envelopes with MTRO’s voter guide, literature that candidates provided MTRO, and the sample ballot. The Republican candidates on the ballot in my precinct are: Tracy, Bailey/Del Mar, Fioretti, Harris, Drew, Soloman, Oakley, Lewis, Vrankovich, Grasso, Noonan, Schiappa, Henry, Eckhoff, Michaud, Schultz, Quirk, and Helland. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— New Law Allows Veterans Second Set of Special License Plates
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/15/new-law-veterans-second-set-of-special-license-plates/
— State Believes It Can Create and Preserve Affordable Housing
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/15/state-believes-it-can-create-and-preserve-affordable-housing/
— Steve Willson’s Letter Blasting Proposed Rockford-Chicago Passenger Trains Make Front Page of Rockford Register-Star Email
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/15/steve-willsons-letter-blasting-proposed-rockford-chicago-passenger-trains-make-front-page-of-rockford-register-star-email/
— Running for Chicago Mayor, Mike Quigley Willing to Risk His Future to Save Chicago, Is Trump Willing to Do the Same to Beat Iran?
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/15/running-for-chicago-mayor-mike-quigley-willing-to-risk-his-future-to-save-chicago-is-trump-willing-to-do-the-same-to-beat-iran/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote voters who are anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-Christian, anti-German American, and/or anti-those who have ancestors who have been in America for a long time. That is, Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote the Democrat Party’s base.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/17/catholic-league-warns-massachusetts-legislation-would-give/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Democrats are embracing socialism. Americans aren’t.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op-eds/4687755/democrats-embracing-socialism-polling/

NEW YORK POST
— Shoplifting isn’t need, it’s just plain greed.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/17/opinion/hey-progressives-shoplifting-isnt-need-its-just-plain-greed/

DAILY SIGNAL
— The DSA Has a Diversity Problem.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/08/17/the-dsa-has-a-diversity-problem-dsa/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

FLORIDA POLITICS
— Millions were spent in CD 19 GOP Primary, but will a late Donald Trump endorsement decide the race?
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/814362-millions-were-spent-in-cd-19-gop-primary-but-will-a-late-donald-trump-endorsement-decide-the-race/

PEW RESEARCH
— Refugee admissions to the U.S. are dropping sharply in Trump’s second term.
https://www.pewresearch.org/publications/

FROM OTHER SOURCES

REALTOR
— FOR SALE IN MY WHEATON PRECINCT:
25W451 Plamondon Road – $3,300,000
25W471 Plamondon Road – $2,400,000
1021 Greenwood Drive – $1,000,000
1160 Midwest Lane – $1,000,000
1028 Lodalia Court (lot) – $415,000
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/60189/sby-2

HOMES
— FOR SALE IN MY WHEATON PRECINCT: 25W328 Plamondon Road (lot) – $299,900
https://www.homes.com/property/25w328-plamondon-rd-wheaton-il/n6npjnwsm9jnz/

August 12, 2016

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois and Chicago campaigns defy conventional monied wisdom.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/12/column-illinois-chicago-campagins-defy-convention-washington/
— Backlash against Meta’s smart glasses grows. DD: Republican Precinct Committeemen should consider wearing them to document threats against them when they hand-deliver sample ballots, campaign literature, and voter guides in their precinct.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/11/meta-smart-glasses/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The social media giant dominates the market for smart glasses, which allow people to capture photos and videos, listen to music, take phone calls and ask questions to an artificial intelligence assistant. Some people are using the glasses — which look like a pair of regular spectacles — to record people without their knowledge and publish the videos on social media. The users secretly videotape and share what happens when they try to pick up women. Now, a growing number of people are worried they could be covertly recorded at the gym or even during sex. The backlash has prompted Meta to update its glasses to address privacy concerns, and some places have banned them, adding to the angst surrounding technology that’s rapidly evolving. It’s too early to tell whether the criticism will dent sales of smart glasses, said Jitesh Ubrani, a director at the market research company IDC.)
— If you’re not wealthy, you’re making concessions on big-ticket purchases. Consumers are OK with not getting the fancy car. Homes? That’s a bigger problem.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/12/jd-power-zillow-auto-cars-homebuyers-housing-rich/

DAILY HERALD
— The persecution of Anthony Fauci, a public servant. DD: I should write about federal employees who have had big adverse actions taken against them, what those adverse actions were, who took those adverse actions against them, and those who could/should have come to their defense but did not, and why.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260812/syndicated-columnists/the-persecution-of-a-public-servant/

FOX32
— USDA: SNAP enrollment drops by 5.3 million following new work rules – State-by-state breakdown. DD: Democrat leaders want as many people as possible on SNAP because people on SNAP vote for Democrats.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/snap-fewer-recipients-after-new-rules-implemented

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Tracy labels Iran war costs ‘required sacrifices.’
https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/politics/2026/08/11/don-tracy-calls-iran-war-costs-required-sacrifices/91263175007/

EVANSTON NOW
— Uihlein family giving $35M to NU football.
https://evanstonnow.com/uihlein-family-giving-35m-to-nu-football/

FOX ILLINOIS
— DD: While I worked for the Democrats who ran the federal government for almost 30 years, their top priority was hiring, retaining, and promoting Democrats who were minority, female, younger, and/or veteran.
https://www.foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/researchers-advocates-rail-against-governments-efforts-to-end-workforce-data-collection/article_36c0db76-e1b3-51f4-9ca6-0c160b2045d6.html

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trump-backed Mike Lindell loses primary for Minnesota governor to Lisa Demuth.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-08-11/trump-backed-mike-lindell-loses-primary-for-minnesota-governor-to-lisa-demuth

WGLT
— New Illinois law empowering sexual assault survivors runs into shortage of female officers.
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-08-11/new-illinois-law-empowering-sexual-assault-survivors-runs-into-shortage-of-female-officers

WFMD
— Chicago’s South Side is drowning in excuses, dependency and decay.
https://www.wfmd.com/2026/04/28/chicagos-south-side-is-drowning-in-excuses-dependency-and-decay/

RACE AND EQUITY PROJECT
— Nowhere to go: Chicago teens on ‘takeovers,’ curfews, and lost community spaces. DD: What is your municipality doing to stop Democrat teen takeovers? When you were a teen, what did you do when you were not in school? I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivered mail 1966-1969.
https://www.raceandequityproject.org/article/chicago-teen-takeover-police-hyde-park-community-spaces

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— DNC plans a Chicago bootcamp.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/08/12/dnc-plans-a-chicago-bootcamp-01034396

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2026/08/12/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-789/
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/08/11/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-576/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

JOHN KASS
— Democrat Socialist of America: The Threat is Real.
https://johnkassnews.com/democrat-socialist-of-america-the-threat-is-real/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— 10 Criminal Complaints Filed Against Federal Agents Over Operation Midway Blitz as DHS Calls Effort a ‘Political Stunt’
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2026/08/10-criminal-complaints-filed-against-federal-agents-over-operation-midway-blitz-as-dhs-calls-effort-a-political-stunt.html
— Why Are the Courts Clogged? Ask the Democrats Who Created the Crisis.
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2026/08/why-are-the-courts-clogged-ask-the-democrats-who-created-the-crisis.html

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Pritzker record: He added $300 million last year to Chicago pension woes.
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/pritzker-added-300-million-last-year-to-chicago-pension-woes/

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Double-Dipping, Something Illinois Legislators Won’t Stop. DD: My critics/opponents have always been furious a) that I earned both Civil Service Retirement System and Social Security credits a) while I worked for the Post Office 1966-1969 and b) for IRS and Firestone Stores 1971-1972.
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/11/double-dipping-something-illinois-legislators-wont-stop/

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Under socialism, all you need to do to advance is be a socialist. Under Democrats, all you need to do to advance is be a Democrat. If I had listened to socialists, I would have become a Democrat. That would have discouraged me from doing what I did to advance. To advance, a) I worked my way through college, b) I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree (management), c) I earned three job-related master’s degrees (business, accounting, and finance), d) I earned six job-related professional certifications (accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting), and e) I earned a job-related professional license (CPA). All of my coworkers who my Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO superiors promoted over were Democrats. None of them came close to doing what I did to advance. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Who do your critics/opponents blame problems on? My critics/opponent blame problems on conservatives who are White, male, older, non-veteran, Protestant, German American, have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time, have more money than they do, and/or have more professional credentials than they do. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Men (not) at work: Social instability looms as men shun the labor force. DD: Since the 1960s, Democrat and RINO employers have ever-increasingly focused on hiring, retaining, and promoting women, and especially women who are minority and/or younger.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/12/men-not-work-social-instability-looms-men-shun-labor-force-analysts/
— Blame colleges for the socialist conquest. They recruit and tolerate Jew-hating professors, students.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/11/blame-colleges-socialist-conquest/

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Abdul El-Sayed Proclaimed ‘Obligation’ To Follow Sharia Law Until the Day He Dies.
https://freebeacon.substack.com/p/abdul-el-sayed-proclaimed-obligation

NEW YORK SUN
— Abdul El-Sayed’s Success Is Owed to Western Values and American Meritocracy That He Seeks To Abolish. He is one of the luckiest people to ever live, and an extremist by choice.
https://www.nysun.com/article/abdul-el-sayeds-success-is-owed-to-western-values-and-american-meritocracy-that-he-seeks-to-abolish

AMERICAN THINKER
— Learn to listen, listen to learn. Leftists today aren’t interested in respectful exchanges of viewpoints, or in offering rationales for their own ideas. Socialism is but a step toward communist oppression. Among the dangers it promotes is the abolition of popular dissent. DD: Under socialism, all you need to do to advance is be a socialist. Under Democrats, all you need to do to advance is be a Democrat. If I had listened to socialists, I would have become a Democrat. That would have discouraged me from doing what I did to advance. To advance, a) I worked my way through college, b) I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree (management), c) I earned three job-related master’s degrees (business, accounting, and finance), d) I earned six job-related professional certifications (accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting), and e) I earned a job-related professional license (CPA). All of my coworkers who my Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO superiors promoted over me were Democrats. None of them came close to doing what I did to advance.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/08/learn-to-listen-listen-to-learn/
— The Diversity Blindspot. The Arday illusion: academia’s shameful infatuation with the diversity poster boy.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/08/the-diversity-blindspot/

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY
— The Upward Mobility Act is a Step Forward on Welfare Reform. DD: The Democrat Party platform a) discourages personal responsibility and b) promotes dependency on government.
https://americansforprosperity.org/policy-corner/the-upward-mobility-act-is-a-step-forward-on-welfare-reform/

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Trump administration has lost nearly 17,000 immigration rulings. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/08/11/report-trump-administration-has-lost-nearly-17000-immigration-rulings-1654342/

BLAZE
— DEI’s favorite trick: Failure proves discrimination.  DD: Democrats shout at those who fail that Republicans caused their failures.
https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/deis-favorite-trick-failure-proves-discrimination

BREITBART
— Pritzker: Trump ‘Put People in Harm’s Way to Save Himself’
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/08/11/pritzker-trump-put-people-in-harms-way-to-save-himself/amp/

CAMPUS REFORM
— University of Illinois Chicago offers clinicians $5K stipend, abortion training fellowship. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more abortion.
https://www.campusreform.org/article/university-illinois-chicago-offers-clinicians-5k-stipend-abortion-training-fellowship/30380

CENTER FOR IMMIGRATION STUDIES
— The Biggest Myth About H-1B Is That It’s ‘Broken.’ DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have. My critics/opponents cannot say that because they had wealthy parents. Noncitizens work for less money and they are easier to exploit.
https://cis.org/Miano/Biggest-Myth-About-H1B-Its-Broken

DAILY WIRE
— David Crowley Stuns Socialist Frontrunner In Wisconsin Dem Governor Primary. The result marked a dramatic reversal from pre-election polling.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/david-crowley-stuns-socialist-frontrunner-in-wisconsin-dem-governor-primary

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
— What’s Wrong with Personal Responsibility? DD: The Democrat Party platform a) discourages personal responsibility and b) promotes dependency on government.
https://www.aei.org/commentary/whats-wrong-with-personal-responsibility/

FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
— A License to Kill on American Highways. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.fairus.org/opinion/license-kill-american-highways

FEDERATION FOR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
— Why States Should Ban Universal Basic Income Schemes. DD: The Democrat Party platform a) discourages personal responsibility and b) promotes dependency on government.
https://thefga.org/research/why-states-should-ban-universal-basic-income-schemes/

FOX BUSINESS
— A working-class party without workers. Why are leading Democrats welcoming socialists into their big tent.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/larry-kudlow-working-class-party-without-workers
— Socialists are going to give the GOP the Senate.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6403227460112

FOX NEWS
— Democrat establishment strikes back as socialist candidate downed in battleground primary. Milwaukee County Executive backed by Gov. Tony Evers will face Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in the general election.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wisconsin-governor-primary-crowley-hong
— Socialists are preparing to come for EVERYTHING you have. DD: The more that you have, the more that you should fight socialism.  Anticipate/expect that the less that people have, the more that they will fight for socialism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcEeda5C8Ug
— Socialism has failed everywhere it has been tried.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6403230468112

HERITAGE FOUNDATION
— Why the U.S. Has a Culture of Dependency. DD: The Democrat Party platform a) discourages personal responsibility and b) promotes dependency on government.
https://www.heritage.org/poverty-and-inequality/commentary/why-the-us-has-culture-dependency

LEGAL INSURRECTION
— FAA’s Gamer Recruitment Campaign Scores Over 2,000+ Air Traffic Controller Candidates. Hopefully, the rest of the FAA’s air traffic control enhancement plan will prove as successful.
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/08/faas-gamer-recruitment-campaign-scores-over-2000-air-traffic-controller-candidates/

MINDING THE CAMPUS
— America’s Universities Are Still Shutting Out Conservative Faculty. Campuses are ideologically imbalanced, hostile to dissent, and unwilling to reform. Secretary McMahon’s call for accountability is much needed.
https://mindingthecampus.org/2026/08/11/americas-universities-are-still-shutting-out-conservative-faculty/

PJ MEDIA
— DSA on Illegals: ‘You Don’t Have to Have Papers to Have Power.’ DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://pjmedia.com/vodkapundit/2026/08/11/dsa-on-illegals-you-dont-have-to-have-papers-to-have-power-n4956025
— Can Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ride the socialist wave to lead Democrats in 2028 amid party shifts?
https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/08/11/is-there-one-democrat-who-can-ride-the-socialist-wave-to-2028-n4956039

REASON
— Americans Grow Increasingly Dependent on Government Payments. Many citizens of the land of the free are hooked on government checks. DD: The Democrat Party platform a) discourages personal responsibility and b) promotes dependency on government.
https://reason.com/2024/10/04/americans-grow-increasingly-dependent-on-government-payments/

TOWNHALL
— Democratic Socialists Are Officially Part of the Democratic Party.
https://townhall.com/columnists/jtyoung/2026/08/12/democratic-socialists-are-officially-part-of-the-democratic-party-n2681026

U.S. HOUSE
— More Americans Dependent on Welfare Checks, at the Expense of Work. DD: The Democrat Party platform a) discourages personal responsibility and b) promotes dependency on government.
https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2025/01/08/new-report-shows-more-americans-dependent-on-welfare-checks-at-the-expense-of-work/
— Growth of the Welfare State. DD: The Democrat Party platform a) discourages personal responsibility and b) promotes dependency on government.
https://oversight.house.gov/release/grothman-opens-second-hearing-on-examining-the-growth-of-the-welfare-state/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC NEWS
— Charlotte police chief proposes expanding curfew to combat ‘teen takeovers.’  DD: What is your municipality doing to stop Democrat teen takeovers? When you were a teen, what did you do when you were not in school? I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivered mail 1966-1969.
https://abcnews.com/US/charlotte-police-chief-proposes-expanding-curfew-combat-teen/story?id=135544849

NEW YORK TIMES
— If you’re single and unemployed, it may make sense to prioritize job hunting. But that doesn’t have to mean putting your life on pause. DD: I met my outstanding wife at a Presbyterian singles event. She is Catholic and I am Missouri Synod Lutheran. What helped you become marriage material? By the time I got married when I was 29 in 1978, I had worked for IRS for almost 7 years and my salary was $110,066/year in today’s dollars. I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976 and I was taking graduate evening accounting courses at DePaul. I lived in a one bedroom condo in the Outer Drive East building that I had bought in 1976. I was renting out a town home in University Park that I had bought new in 1972. I owned a 1972 Corvette that I had bought new in 1971. See Money Magazine’s 4-page February 1978 article on my wife and I at https://gopillinois.com/documents/ Things that impressed me about my outstanding wife included that her first job after high school was working for the FBI. She soon became the Corporate Secretary of the U.S. League of Savings Institutions. She did much to help elect Big Jim Thompson governor in 1976. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from DePaul in 1986.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/11/business/dating-unemployed.html
— Optimizing your life. Instead of focusing solely on retirement savings balance, workers should figure out how they want to spend their time. DD:  I spent a tremendous amount of my time and my money a) working my way through college, b) earning a job-related bachelor’s degree (management), c) earning three job-related master’s degrees (business, accounting, and finance), d) earning six job-related professional certifications (accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting), and e) earning a job-related professional license (CPA). My wife and I focused on saving money for child raising expenses, but when our fertility problems ended that, we focused on saving for our retirement.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/18/business/retirement-plan.html

WASHINGTON POST
— How today’s generation is turning homebuying on its head. DD: Extremely few of my peers did what I did. I bought a new townhome when I was 24 in 1972. SEE: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/774-Sunset-Ct-5-University-Park-IL-60484/5451474_zpid/ . In today’s dollars, I paid about $180,000 for it and the down payment would have been about $36,000. In today’s dollars, my IRS Revenue Officer salary had just increased from $56,409/year to $68,999/year. The down payment came from what I had earned working for IRS for 15 months and for a Firestone Store part-time for 18 months and full-time for 7 months before that. According to Zillow, the townhome is currently worth $93,200. That says worlds about real estate values in University Park.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/brand-connect/nar/how-todays-generation-is-turning-home-buying-on-its-head/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump vs. Socialism: Which Do Voters Revile More? The midterms were the Democrats’ to lose. With candidates like Abdul El-Sayed, they just might.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trump-vs-socialism-which-do-voters-revile-more-2d0d0d10
— The GAO Precedent for Fed Independence. DD: GAO is not independent. GAO is non nonpartisan. Virtually all, if not all GAO employees are Democrats. When I was 31 in 1980, I was one of the last Republicans GAO hired. GAO wasted my career and forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997. GAO would not have done that if I had been A democrat, minority, female, or veteran.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-gao-precedent-for-fed-independence-b7b37cc4
— AOC for President? Don’t Rule It Out. As Democrats flirt with socialism, she’s a serious candidate.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/aoc-for-president-dont-rule-it-out-084f5619

FORBES
— Millennials Want Workplace Diversity. Why Don’t They Ask For It? DD: To promote diversity is to dump meritocracy.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adiaharveywingfield/2026/08/12/millennials-want-workplace-diversity-why-dont-they-ask-for-it/

FLORIDA POLITICS
— Kat Cammack, Greg Steube line up behind Catalina Lauf in contentious CD 19 Primary.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/812950-kat-cammack-greg-steube-line-up-behind-catalina-lauf-in-contentious-cd-19-primary/

FLORIDA CAPITOLIST
— Early turnout builds ahead of Florida primary. Catalina Lauf is the founder of Defense of Freedom PAC and has two previous runs for congress in Illinois. Jim Oberweis previously served in the Illinois Senate from 2013 to 2021 and has several unsuccessful runs under his belt in Illinois.
https://thecapitolist.com/early-turnout-builds-ahead-of-florida-primary/

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTION
— DD: To promote Affirmative Action and DEI is to dump meritocracy.
https://www.hcamag.com/us/specialization/diversity-inclusion/us-boardrooms-are-rapidly-dropping-diversity-rules-hr-cant-ignore-the-fallout/585762

EDUCATION NEWS
— Merit or seniority? Teachers question TSC promotion scoring. Teachers are calling for greater emphasis on merit, competence and measurable performance in TSC promotions. DD: All my coworkers who my Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO superiors promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less education than I had, b) who had less work experience than I had, c) who had no professional certification or fewer than I had, and/or d) who had no professional license like the one I had.
https://educationnews.co.ke/merit-or-seniority-teachers-question-tsc-promotion-scoring/

EDUCATION NEXT
— DD: The Democrat Party platform a) discourages personal responsibility and b) promotes dependency on government.
https://www.educationnext.org/whats-wrong-with-personal-responsibility/

JD SUPRA
— Illinois’ Menopause Equity and Care Act Expands Employment Protections.
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/illinois-menopause-equity-and-care-act-9912689/

August 7, 2026

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Trump signs executive orders that target birthright citizenship. One of the orders bans “birth tourism.”
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trump-signs-executive-orders-target-birthright-citizenship/19637385/

NBC5
— Data shows costly CPS program fails to make the grade.
https://www-nbcchicago-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/nbc-5-investigates-costly-cps-program-fails-to-make-the-grade/3971089/

CBS2
— Chicago-based DJ Tunjo and partner in ICE custody after arrest at Midway Airport.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-dj-tunjo-ice-arrest-midway-airport/
— Trump issues new executive orders aimed at birthright citizenship after Supreme Court ruling.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/trump-new-executive-orders-birthright-citizenship/
— Feds threaten to prosecute Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart if ICE can’t access jail.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cook-county-sheriff-tom-ice-jall-prosecution-threat/

FOX32
— Why some of Gen Z is embracing socialism. DD: To embrace socialism is to reject capitalism. Capitalism is what made America great. How strongly are the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot in your precinct speaking out against socialism?
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-xj16ea8s8zh2p1ki
— Dr. Fauci held in contempt of Congress by Senate committee.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/dr-fauci-held-contempt-congress-senate-committee

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Feds threatened Sheriff Tom Dart with criminal charges over access to jail for immigration enforcement.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/06/cook-county-sheriff-tom-dart-ice-threat/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ICE threatens to file criminal charges against Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart for not turning over inmates. The Trump administration sent similar threats to the sheriff of Minnesota’s Hennepin County, which was targeted in an aggressive deportation campaign after Operation Midway Blitz rocked the Chicago area.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2026/08/06/ice-tom-dart-trump-immigration

WSIU
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise their illegals and b) fight their deportation.
https://www.wsiu.org/politics-elections/2026-08-06/trump-administration-adds-roadblocks-for-people-seeking-asylum-in-the-u-s

POLITICO ILLINOIS
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/08/07/why-rhymefest-hit-the-brakes-01028419

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2026/08/06/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-573/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

AWAKE ILLINOIS
— Girls Have Civil Rights. Defend Them: Launch Of Title IX Resource Hub, Yesterday’s Chicago Press Conference, and the Federal Appeal to Protect Female Students
https://www.awakeil.com/profile/3b879406-9747-41d2-862b-0b7a049c31d4/profile

MCHENRY COIUNTY BLOG
— Ness Scores National Legislative Position
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/01/ness-scores-national-legislative-position/
— Governor Signs Human Rights Bill He Says Provides Protections Federal Law Does Not
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/01/governor-signs-human-rights-bill-he-says-provides-protections-federal-law-does-not/
— Lake in the Hills Police Continue Helping State Police with FOID Cards
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/01/lake-in-the-hills-police-continue-helpingstate-police-with-foid-cards/
— Trump’s Corporate Welfare
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/02/trumps-corporate-welfare/
— Fauci vs. DeSantis: The Florida Governor Gets the Last Laugh
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/02/fauci-vs-desantis-the-florida-governor-gets-the-last-laugh/
— “Best States” Ranking: Illinois vs. Florida
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/02/best-states-ranking-illinois-vs-florida/
— Democrats Quarter Percent Sales Tax for Mass Transit Has Taken Effect
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/02/democrats-quarter-percent-sales-tax-for-mass-transit-went-into-effect-yesterday/
— Is This the Worst Prison in Illinois?
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/03/is-this-the-worst-prison-in-illinois/
— Kirk Donald, Vice Chairman of the McHenry County Republican Party, Writes To His Precinct
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/03/kirk-donald-vice-chairman-of-the-mchenry-county-republican-party-writes-to-his-precinct/
— Corbett Critiques Pritzker’s 10-Day Sales Tax Holiday
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2026/08/03/21521/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Nearly half of Americans see nothing good in socialism. DD: To embrace socialism is to reject capitalism. Capitalism is what made America great. How strongly are the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot in your precinct speaking out against socialism?
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/6/nearly-half-americans-see-nothing-good-socialism-poll/
— DOGE exaggerated its savings; GAO audit questions 96% of Musk office’s claims. DD: If Gingrich had reformed GAO instead of gutting it, there would have been no need for DOGE and my Democrat GAO superiors would not have been able to take the many big adverse actions against me that they did.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/6/doge-exaggerated-savings-gao-audit-questions-96-elon-musk-offices/
— Marijuana’s lies are endangering Americans. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly push more pot.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/6/marijuanas-lies-endangering-americans/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Post-woke America? Think again. DD: Democrats and RINOs will always use Affirmative Action, DEI, and wokeness/wokeism to get rid of Republicans.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/in_focus/4677564/post-woke-america-think-again/
— Conservatives must embrace personal responsibility and reject victimhood. DD: Because I refused to become a Democrat, my Democrat superiors wasted my career and forced me to retire when I was 49 in 1997. Because I refused to become a RINO, RINO leaders of the Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Illinois Republican wasted me and got rid of me.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/in_focus/4563730/conservatives-must-embrace-personal-responsibility-reject-victimhood/

NEW YORK POST
— The GOP has wrapped itself in a silly burrito beef while ignoring cheesed-off voters.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/06/opinion/the-gop-has-wrapped-itself-in-a-silly-burrito-beef-while-ignoring-cheesed-off-voters/
— Why some of America’s most desirable women only want to date older men. DD: What helped you become marriage material? By the time I got married when I was 29 in 1978, I had worked for IRS for almost 7 years and my salary was $110,066/year in today’s dollars. I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976 and I was taking graduate evening accounting courses at DePaul. I lived in a one bedroom condo in the Outer Drive East building that I had bought in 1976. I was renting out a town home in University Park that I had bought new in 1972. I owned a 1972 Corvette that I had bought new in 1971. See Money Magazine’s 4-page February 1978 article on my wife and I at https://gopillinois.com/documents/ Things that impressed me about my outstanding wife included that her first job after high school was working for the FBI. She soon became the Corporate Secretary of the U.S. League of Savings Institutions. She did much to help elect Big Jim Thompson governor in 1976. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from DePaul in 1986.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/06/lifestyle/sugar-babies-are-rebranding-themselves/

AMAC
— The Bold New Proposal to Stop Socialism and Save the American Family. The Young American Family Act would end federal income taxes for married couples under 35 raising children. DD: My Democrat GAO superiors 1980-1997 a) decried the time and money that they spent raising their children and b) decried the little or no income that their spouses had. In anticipation of our having children, when my wife and I got married in 1978, we lived on just one of our salaries and saved as much as we could. But because we both had major fertility problems, we gave up trying to have children without trying IVF. We did not adopt or become foster parents. My Democrat GAO superiors used that against me viciously. According to them, if we had children, I would not have been able a) to pass the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, b) to take a $23,699/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980, c) to earn a master’s degree in accounting in 1980, d) to pass the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981, e) to become a licensed CPA in 1981, f) to have a home built in Wheaton in 1984, and g) to buy a collector car in 1989. My Democrat GAO superiors ever-increasingly demonized, denigrated, and condemned my wife and I as being disgusting selfish rich DINKs. They would not have done that if I had been a Democrat, minority, female, or veteran. They knew full-well that both my wife and I had major fertility problems. Should I write about my Democrat GAO superiors?
https://amac.us/newsline/the-bold-new-proposal-to-stop-socialism-and-save-the-american-family

BREITBART
— Homeland Security and Transportation Departments Remove Hundreds More Illegal Migrant Truckers in Midwest.
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/08/06/homeland-security-and-transportation-departments-remove-hundreds-more-illegal-migrant-truckers-in-midwest/amp/

CAMPUS REFORM
— Socialist candidate Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan primary despite losing all counties with low shares of college degrees. DD: Everyone knows that to advance, you need a college degree. What were the reasons why you earned a college degree? For me, the main reason was my father’s often decrying his not having one. He had brittle type 1 diabetes from childhood. His doctors discouraged him from seeking a college degree because of the stress that would cause him. He often decried his being passed over for promotions. He often decried his not being able to keep up with Jones. He died suddenly in 1969 when he was 47 and I was 21. He never earned more than $50,000/year in today’s dollars. The aforesaid motivated me to work my way through college and earn a college degree.
https://www.campusreform.org/article/socialist-candidate-abdul-el-sayed-wins-michigan-primary-despite-losing-counties-low-shares-college-degrees/30387

DAILY CALLER
— If Republicans Want To Beat Socialists, They Need To Acknowledge A Hard Truth. DD: Ever-increasingly, since the 1960s, because of Affirmative Action and DEI, it has been harder and harder and harder for White males to advance. Employers have ever-increasingly given more and more and more preference to minorities and to females. All my many coworkers who were minority and/or female who my superiors promoted over me were a) had less education than I had, b) had less work experience than I had, c) had no professional certification or fewer than I had, and/or d) no professional license like the one I had.
https://dailycaller.com/2026/08/06/opinion-republicans-socialists-hard-truth-michael-collins/

DAILY SIGNAL
— Americans Are Embracing Communism.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/08/06/communism-jin-felt-iron-fist/

FOX BUSINESS
— Democratic leaders decline to rebuke party’s socialist wing. DD: To embrace socialism is to reject capitalism. Capitalism is what made America great. How strongly are the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot in your precinct speaking out against socialism?
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6402948356112
— Affordability crisis fuels support for Democratic Socialists of America. DD: When you were young, what did you do to afford things? I worked my way through college. I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970; job-related master’s degrees in 1976, 1980, and 1997; job-related professional certifications in 1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997; and a job-related professional license in 1981. I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivering mail 1966-1969. I worked on an automotive assembly line in 1970. I sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971. I pumped more gasoline 1971-1972. I collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980. I audited federal agencies 1980-1997.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/larry-kudlow-democratic-party-socialism-unaffordable.amp
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6402925402112
— Why have Democratic socialists suddenly gotten ‘POWER?’ DD: To embrace socialism is to reject capitalism. Capitalism is what made America great. How strongly are the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot in your precinct speaking out against socialism?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUYwGstzBJc
— Here’s the income needed to afford the typical American home. DD: What did you do to buy your first home? I bought a new townhome in University Park ( https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/774-Sunset-Ct-5-University-Park-IL-60484/5451474_zpid/ ) when I was 24 in 1972. In today’s dollars, I paid about $180,000 for it and the down payment would have been about $36,000. In today’s dollars, my IRS Revenue Officer salary had just increased from $56,409/year to $68,999/year. The down payment came from what I had earned working for IRS for 15 months and for a Firestone Store part-time for 18 months and full-time for 7 months before that. According to Zillow, the townhome is currently worth $92,200. That says worlds about real estate values in University Park.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/heres-income-needed-afford-typical-american-home.amp

FOX NEWS
— Radical socialists had seized control of Democratic Party. DD: Moderates, that is, anti-conservatives, have seized control of the Illinois Republican Party, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, and Milton Township Republican Organization.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6402964526112

NEW AMERICAN
— Far-left Think Tank: $2K-plus to Deport an Illegal Is Too Much. Data: Illegals Cost Taxpayers $150B Annually.
https://thenewamerican.com/us/immigration/far-left-think-tank-2k-plus-to-deport-an-illegal-is-too-much-data-illegals-cost-taxpayers-150b-annually/

NEWSMAX
— El-Sayed Win Exposes Dems’ Socialist Shift.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/greg-steube-abdul-el-sayed-michigan/2026/08/06/id/1265311/
— How the Socialist Tail Will Wag the Democrat Dog in the House.
https://www.newsmax.com/morris/dsa-house-jeffries/2026/08/06/id/1265321/
— Making Merit Great Again. DD: All my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who were minority, female, younger than me, and/or veteran and/or b) who had less education than I had, had less work experience than I had, had no professional certification or fewer than I had, and/or d) had no professional license like the one I had.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/making-merit-great-again-211350005.html

PJ MEDIA
— Socialism Keeps Returning Because America Keeps Forgetting.
https://pjmedia.com/david-manney/2026/08/06/socialism-keeps-returning-because-america-keeps-forgetting-n4955876

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— One Third of Democrats Now Call Themselves Socialists. DD: To embrace socialism is to reject capitalism. Capitalism is what made America great. How strongly are the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot in your precinct speaking out against socialism?
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2026/08/06/schweizer_one_third_of_democrats_now_call_themselves_socialists.html
— Socialism is Evil, But Why Is Socialism So Appealing To People With Less Money? DD: Under socialism, all you need to do to advance is to be a socialist. Under Democrats, all you need to do to advance is be a Democrat. All my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats a) who had less education than I had, b) who had less work experience than I had, c) who had no professional certification or fewer than I had, and/or d) who had no professional license like the one I had.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2026/08/06/vance_socialism_is_evil_but_we_have_to_ask_why_is_socialism_so_appealing_to_people_with_lower_assets_comments.html

TOWNHALL
— Testimonies From People Who Have Lived Under Socialism. DD: I have not lived under socialism, but I have lived under Democrats and under RINOs. They have no use for conservatives, if not despise conservatives, if not hate conservatives.
https://townhall.com/columnists/calthomas/2026/08/06/testimonies-from-people-who-have-lived-under-socialism-n2680743
— This Is How to Stop the Socialist Juggernaut. The victory of Abdul El-Sayed in the Democratic Party primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan confirms that socialism is gaining a foothold in America. Never mind that El-Sayed coyly claims that he is a “capitalist,” not a socialist nor a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). His policy platform reveals the truth. DD: Far too many falsely claim to be Republican to get leadership roles in Republican organizations and/or to get elected. Once in, they destroy the Republican Party. They have had great success in destroying the Republican Party in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, and in Wheaton. I should write about them.
https://townhall.com/columnists/christalgo/2026/08/07/this-is-how-to-stop-the-socialist-juggernaut-n2680828

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS NEWS
— GAO: DOGE’s “wall of receipts” riddled with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims. DD: If Gingrich had reformed GAO instead of gutting it, there would have been no need for DOGE and my Democrat GAO superiors would not have been able to take the many big adverse actions against me that they did.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doge-wall-of-receipts-elon-musk-government-accountability-office/
— Trump denies U.S. running low on some munitions, says vast resupplies being produced. DD: I worked for GAO on an audit of the Department of Defense FY 1990 ammunition budget request. SEE: https://www.gao.gov/assets/nsiad-90-23.pdf
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-us-munitions-shortages-iran-war/
— Democratic Socialist organizer says people “have been feeling left out.” DD: Because I am much too conservative for them, the following have left me out: past and present a) leaders of the Milton Township Republican Organization, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Illinois Republican Party, TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois, and Illinois Center Right Coalition, b) Republican leaders of Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois, c) Republican candidates on ballots in my precinct, d) conservative leaders, e) religious leaders, and d) my Democrat superiors in the federal government.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/democratic-socialist-people-have-been-feeling-left-out/

NEW YORK TIMES
— Moderate Democrats Prepare for ‘War’ Against an Ascendant Left. One moderate group says the progressive wins are “deeply troubling” and is planning a $15 million effort against democratic socialism. DD: To embrace socialism is to reject capitalism. Capitalism is what made America great. How strongly are the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot in your precinct speaking out against socialism?
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/us/politics/democratic-party-socialists-moderates.html
— Gen Z Fell Out of Love With Work. DD: What generation are you? I worked my way through college. I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970; job-related master’s degrees in 1976, 1980, and 1997; job-related professional certifications in 1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997; and a job-related professional license in 1981. I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivering mail 1966-1969. I worked on an automotive assembly line in 1970. I sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971. I pumped more gasoline 1971-1972. I collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980. I audited federal agencies 1980-1997.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/opinion/gen-z-ambition-millennials-career.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Socialism Is Here—and It’s Serious. As religion recedes, politics takes its place. As confidence fades, political movements grow radical. DD: To embrace socialism is to reject capitalism. Capitalism is what made America great. How strongly are the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot in your precinct speaking out against socialism?
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/socialism-is-hereand-its-serious-2b3fc422
— Can Democrats Resist Socialism? The signs aren’t good. Schumer backs El-Sayed and touts the party’s ‘big tent-ism.’ DD: To embrace socialism is to reject capitalism. Capitalism is what made America great. How strongly are the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot in your precinct speaking out against socialism?
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/can-democrats-resist-socialism-20092dff
— Why Democratic Socialism Feels Good. DD: To embrace socialism is to reject capitalism. Capitalism is what made America great. How strongly are the Republican candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot in your precinct speaking out against socialism?
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/free-expression/why-democratic-socialism-feels-good-10adfbbe

BLOOMBERG
— Watch Affordability is Top Issue for Midterms. DD: When you were young, what did you do to afford things? I worked my way through college. I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970; job-related master’s degrees in 1976, 1980, and 1997; job-related professional certifications in 1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997; and a job-related professional license in 1981. I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivering mail 1966-1969. I worked on an automotive assembly line in 1970. I sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971. I pumped more gasoline 1971-1972. I collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980. I audited federal agencies 1980-1997.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-08-06/affordability-is-top-issue-for-midterms-rep-clark-video

AFGE
— Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed for Election to U.S. Senate.
https://www.afge.org/publication/largest-federal-employee-union-endorses-michigans-abdul-elsayed-for-election-to-us-senate/

PHOENIX
— The myth of personal responsibility. DD: What do your critics/opponents attribute your successes to? My critics/opponents attribute my success to my benefitting tremendously from tremendous discrimination against those who do not share my demographics: liberal/moderate, Democrat, RINO, minority, female, younger, parent, unmarried, LGBTQ, veteran, poor, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time.
https://swarthmorephoenix.com/2016/09/15/the-myth-of-personal-responsibility/

GRIO
— More than 25 million young adults now live with their parents as affordability worsens. Experts say soaring rents, home prices and everyday costs are making independent living harder to afford. The financial pressures facing younger Americans are reshaping living arrangements across the country, with a record number of adults under 35 now living with their parents, according to new housing data. DD: What did you do to buy your first home? I bought a new townhome in University Park ( https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/774-Sunset-Ct-5-University-Park-IL-60484/5451474_zpid/ ) when I was 24 in 1972. In today’s dollars, I paid about $180,000 for it and the down payment would have been about $36,000. In today’s dollars, my IRS Revenue Officer salary had just increased from $56,409/year to $68,999/year. The down payment came from what I had earned working for IRS for 15 months and for a Firestone Store part-time for 18 months and full-time for 7 months before that. According to Zillow, the townhome is currently worth $92,200. That says worlds about real estate values in University Park.
https://thegrio.com/2026/08/06/record-young-adults-living-with-parents-housing-costs/

August 3, 2026

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS2
— FRESH Illinois program provides food benefits to those who lost SNAP.  DD: According to Google AI, “able-bodied” means an adult is physically and mentally fit for work, is aged 18 through 64, and does not have a dependent child under age 14 in their household. You are automatically exempt from these strict rules if you meet any of the following conditions: You receive federal or state disability benefits (like SSI or SSDI). A doctor or medical professional verifies that you are physically or mentally unable to work. You are pregnant. You live with a child under 14, even if that child isn’t yours or isn’t on your SNAP case. You are experiencing homelessness, are a veteran, or are a young adult aging out of foster care.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/fresh-illinois-program-food-benefits-those-who-lost-snap/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A new Illinois program launched this weekend, providing food benefits to people who lost their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits because of federal changes. The Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger, or FRESH, program kicked off on Saturday. State lawmakers put aside $70 million in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget for the program. On May 1, as many as 150,000 Illinois SNAP participants were set to lose their benefits due to new, stricter eligibility rules in the Trump Administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill requires all able-bodied adults 64 or younger to meet new work requirements to keep their food stamp benefits by either working, volunteering, or going to school for at least 80 hours a month. The new requirements apply to people ages 18 to 64, including veterans and unhoused people. Now, households that lost their SNAP benefits have been automatically enrolled to get to receive a $400 payment from the state.)

WGN9
— Chicago church holds lakefront baptisms to reach young adults after summer of teen takeovers. DD: What is your municipality doing to stop Democrat teen takeovers?
https://wgntv.com/news/features/chicago-church-holds-lakefront-baptisms-to-reach-young-adults/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvEzeUWpiJg

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Joining mayor’s race, Giannoulias casts himself as a coalition builder, says Johnson ‘has not met the moment.’ Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias enters the race as a presumed frontrunner, with a political target on his back after raising $22 million from business leaders and building trade unions.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2026/08/02/alexi-giannoulias-chicago-mayor-candidate-2027-february-election-secretary-of-state

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES & WBEZ
— Many women with high-risk pregnancies can’t get abortions in their home states. Illinois welcomes them. More people travel to Illinois than to any other state for an abortion. A program helps the small percentage who need care in a hospital.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/health/2026/08/03/many-women-with-high-risk-pregnancies-cant-get-abortions-in-their-home-states-illinois-welcomes-them
https://www.wbez.org/health-medicine/2026/08/03/many-women-with-high-risk-pregnancies-cant-get-abortions-in-their-home-states-illinois-welcomes-them

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Special interests have dropped more than $4 million on suburban congressional races.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260802/us-congress-politics/special-interests-have-dropped-more-than-4-million-on-suburban-congressional-races/
— Residents submit nearly 9,000 signatures seeking Aurora recall referendum.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20260802/local-politics/residents-submit-nearly-9000-signatures-seeking-aurora-recall-referendum/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is running for mayor.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics-policy/ccb-alexi-giannoulias-mayoral-campaign-20260802/

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight efforts to stop voter fraud.
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/08/03/illinois-pushes-back-on-federal-voter-roll-threats/91098671007/

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Illinois launches new program to provide food benefits to people who lost SNAP. DD: According to Google AI, “able-bodied” means an adult is physically and mentally fit for work, is aged 18 through 64, and does not have a dependent child under age 14 in their household. You are automatically exempt from these strict rules if you meet any of the following conditions: You receive federal or state disability benefits (like SSI or SSDI). A doctor or medical professional verifies that you are physically or mentally unable to work. You are pregnant. You live with a child under 14, even if that child isn’t yours or isn’t on your SNAP case. You are experiencing homelessness, are a veteran, or are a young adult aging out of foster care.
https://pantagraph.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_f6368e6b-604d-5f5a-89b6-a6f2c5de1bd9.html

CHICAGO CRUSADER
— Just 14 percent of Chicago voters want Mayor Johnson to run again.
https://chicagocrusader.com/poll-says-just-14-percent-of-chicago-voters-want-mayor-johnson-to-run-again-2/

NPR ILLINOIS
— Trust in public health institutions is eroding.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2026-08-02/trust-in-public-health-institutions-is-eroding-what-can-officials-do

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— DD: Democrat leaders say Senate Republicans see Trump as a growing political liability.
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/hill-politics/senate-republicans-see-trump-as-a-growing-political-liability/

HINSDALE PATCH
— Bailey Campaign Tied To Hinsdale Woman Who Bashed Blacks, ‘Mexican Parades.’  The lieutenant governor candidate says the woman would have been his running mate had he sought the top job.
https://patch.com/illinois/hinsdale/bailey-campaign-tied-hinsdale-woman-who-bashed-blacks-mexican-parades
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A Hinsdale woman who has criticized Black people, Muslims, the LGBTQ community and “Mexican parades” could have been the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. Kristina McCloy, who founded the conservative Concerned Parents of Illinois, introduced Republican lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Del Mar during a campaign launch event last fall in Oak Brook. It was for Del Mar and GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey, who chose Del Mar. During the event, McCloy, a former Republican Downers Grove Township trustee, introduced Del Mar. After reaching the podium, Del Mar called McCloy “a woman of integrity, courage and deep conviction.” “Kristina stood ready to run alongside me when I was preparing to launch my own campaign for governor,” Del Mar said, adding that he shares her values. Afterward, McCloy said it was a pleasure to speak at the Bailey-Del Mar event. “When Aaron Del Mar explored a run for governor, he asked me to be his running mate, and I was truly honored,” she wrote on the Concerned Parents social media page. More than a week ago, Patch asked McCloy about her past statements and her ties to the Bailey campaign. In response, McCloy said she had retained legal counsel in the matter. She also sent a link to a piece in the conservative DuPage County Policy Journal that she published after she received the Patch inquiry. In it, McCloy lays out a case that she says shows that the local Patch reporter is biased against conservatives. Del Mar and the Bailey campaign did not return messages for comment over the last week. ‘Mexican parades’ In 2024, McCloy asserted on the Concerned Parents’ Facebook page that schools are hiding the issue of African American children attacking white children. “Black children on white children attacks are frequently trending on social media,” McCloy said. “Schools, parents and towns have been downplaying and even hiding it.” She said some are scared to be at the forefront of the issue for fear of being labeled a racist. Lately, she has been criticizing Greg Hart, who became Hinsdale’s village president last year. He is a former Republican member of the DuPage County Board. On her Concerned Parents social media page, McCloy criticized Hart for “participation in LGBTQ community events, Mexican parades, Muslim events, public support for (Black Lives Matter), publicly complimenting the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), and thanking Joe Biden for his service.” ‘Illegal aliens’ In a DuPage Policy Journal piece, she also said Hart has not been aggressive enough in opposing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s housing proposal, known as the BUILD Act, which would reduce local zoning powers. (Hart said on social media that he has let legislators and regional leaders know that Hinsdale opposes less local control. That effort has included his visiting Springfield, he said.) McCloy said Pritzker’s proposal would open the door to “increased Section 8 affordable housing” and more crime. As for crime, she said a Hinsdale robbery suspect did not speak English and lives in an area with a lot of Section 8 housing full of “illegal aliens.” Also in the DuPage Policy Journal, she denounced Hinsdale Republican Kari Galassi, a District 3 member of the DuPage County Board. She said Galassi backed giving money for Section 8 housing, the social services arm of the Islamic Circle of North America and “illegal alien assistance.” McCloy also posted a photo of Galassi wearing a headscarf while attending a Muslim community event, an appearance that McCloy said brought Galassi accusations of political pandering. On social media, McCloy posted a meme saying that no foreign-born people should hold powerful elected positions in the United States. She was referring to a President Joe Biden-appointed federal judge, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago. As it turns out, President Donald Trump appointed at least one foreign-born judge, James Ho, who is from Taiwan. At one point, Ho was under consideration for the Supreme Court. ‘Won’t apologize’ Recently, Village President Greg Hart responded on social media to McCloy’s criticism. He said he would work with Republicans, Democrats and independents whenever it advances Hinsdale. “I won’t apologize for believing our community should be welcoming, safe and full of opportunity for every law-abiding resident,” he said. Hart also pointed to McCloy’s passage about Mexican parades, Muslim events, LGBTQ functions and the NAACP. “In reading this op-ed, it seems like the views of the Concerned Parents founder belong in 1826,” he said. “I’ll keep governing in 2026.” In a social media response, Galassi said McCloy, whom she did not name, was criticizing her service for something she considers a strength – working with people of different perspectives to get things done. She said she invited McCloy to meet for “a respectful conversation to discuss our differences.” “Unfortunately, those invitations have been repeatedly denied,” Galassi said. ‘Certified young racist’ Among those responding to Galassi was Hinsdale conservative Jeff Waters, a member of the Hinsdale High School District 86 board. “That commentary is gum on your shoes, Kari – long on criticism and short on solutions,” Waters said. “Keep being you, KG. Since you stepped up to serve your friends and neighbors, the community has benefited greatly. Those who throw stones without ever picking up a shovel contribute zero, zilch, nada. And that’s no mystery to anyone.” In June, Zoe Marsh-Leigh, who is an African American conservative from Chicago, called McCloy “a certified young racist.” She applied the same label to Del Mar. She pointed to Patch’s 2024 story about McCloy’s warning of black children attacking white ones. “Black Chicago, we’re going to have to sit this out until Del Mar voluntarily withdraws,” Marsh-Leigh said on social media. Marsh-Leigh is a co-founder of Chicago Flips Red, which supports GOP candidates.)

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Giannoulias makes it official
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2026/08/03/giannoulias-makes-it-official-01021972

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2026/08/03/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-783/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS
— Pritzker’s Worship Of Fauci Led To The Covid Bafoonery In IL.
https://www.breakthrough-ideas.com/read/2026/08/02/pritzkers-worship-of-fauci-led-to-the-covid-bafoonery-in-il

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Grocery store closures reignite debate over taxpayer-funded food access
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_00a0a83a-e71f-4103-8530-caf85e502c9e.html

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Stacy Davis Gates: The scandal-plagued leadership of a teachers union president
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/stacy-davis-gates-the-scandal-plagued-leadership-of-a-teachers-union-president/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Republicans should make Democrats own the radical agenda they refuse to reject. Voters deserve to know what the Democratic Party’s ‘big tent’ now includes. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for a Democrat is to vote for socialism.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/2/republicans-make-democrats-radical-agenda-refuse-reject/
— A federal appeals court has given the go-ahead for an Oregon school system to fire a social worker who displayed books defending the idea that there are only two sexes. DD: Democrats ever-increasingly promote more LGBTQ.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/1/court-says-school-employee-punished-displaying-books/
— Democrats’ anti-ICE fervor eclipses Laken Riley’s murder by illegal immigrant, the law named for her.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/2/democrats-anti-ice-fervor-eclipses-laken-rileys-murder-illegal/

WASHINGTO.N EXAMINER
— Bernie Sanders says he’s confident socialists can win in purple states
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4672307/bernie-sanders-confident-socialist-win-purple-states/

NEW YORK POST
— Asylum-fraud crackdown is another key step in fixing the US immigration system. DD: What percent claim asylum falsely?
https://nypost.com/2026/08/02/opinion/asylum-fraud-crackdown-is-another-key-step-in-fixing-the-us-immigration-system/
— California Democrats need more spine to stop the socialists.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/02/opinion/california-democrats-need-more-spine-to-stop-the-socialists/
— Members of Mamdani’s DSA pledge to ‘support’ and ‘defend’ China: ‘Survival of Chinese socialism is a crucial matter’
https://www.aol.com/articles/members-mamdani-dsa-pledge-support-224305000.html

AMERICAN THINKER
— Boomer-era Democrats’ growing concerns about the socialist monster they created do not resonate with the young people they’ve trained to love socialism and communism. DD: What generation are you? What percent of them are Democrats?
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/08/older-dems-ok-boomer-problem-with-communism-in-their-party/

BLAZE
— Credentialed jobs are treated as precious, low-wage jobs are kept cheap, and working-class Americans are expected to disappear from the equation entirely. The left suddenly fears that artificial intelligence will replace American workers. It showed far less concern when illegal immigration undercut wages and jobs. The double standard reveals a larger economic vision: protection for the credentialed class, cheap labor at the bottom, and little concern for the working Americans caught between them. DD: If I had not earned an MBA when I was 27 in 1976 and passed the CPA examination on my first attempt when I was 30, the Democrats who ran GAO would not have hired when I was 31 because I was not a Democrat, minority, female, younger, or veteran. If had not earned a master’s degree in accounting when I was 31, passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt and became a licensed CPA when I was 32, earned four more professional certifications when I was 41, 45, 47, and 48, and earned a master’s degree in finance when I was 48, my Democrat GAO superiors would have gotten rid of me much sooner than they did because I was not a Democrat, minority, female, younger, or veteran.
https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/americas-two-tier-economy-is-working-exactly-as-planned

BREITBART
— Donna Brazile to Dems: Don’t Get Caught in This ‘Socialist Wave’
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/08/02/donna-brazile-democratic-party-cant-get-caught-in-this-socialist-wave/amp/

FOX BUSINESS
— The rise of ‘Gen Z affordability socialism,’ why younger voters are embracing government intervention to address the cost-of-living crisis. DD: When you were young, what did you do to afford things? I did not seek government intervention. I worked my way through college. I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970; job-related master’s degrees in 1976, 1980, and 1997; job-related professional certifications in 1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997; and a job-related professional license in 1981. I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivering mail 1966-1969. I worked on an automotive assembly line in 1970. I sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971. I pumped more gasoline 1971-1972. I collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980. I audited federal agencies 1980-1997.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aCddPoh6WQ

FOX NEWS
— Socialism’s war on success. DD: Under socialism, to be successful, all you need to do is be a socialist. Under Democrats, to be successful, all you need to do is be a Democrat. For Democrats, the federal government exists to hire, retain, and promote Democrats who are minority, female, younger, veteran, disabled, non-Protestant, non-German American, and/or have ancestors who have not been in America for a long time. I worked for the Democrats who ran the federal government for almost 30 years. All my coworkers who my Democrat superiors promoted over me were Democrats who a) had less education than I had, b) had less work experience than I had, c) had no professional certification or fewer than I had, and/or d) had no professional license like the one I had and/or were a) minority, b) female, c) younger, d) veteran, e) non-Protestant, f) non-German American, and/or g) had ancestors who had not been in America for a long time.
https://www.aol.com/articles/socialisms-war-success-champion-running-090055000.html
— Entire Squad endorses Abdul El-Sayed days before Michigan Democratic Senate primary.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/squad-endorses-abdul-el-sayed-days-before-michigan-democratic-senate-primary.amp
— Trump targets Biden-era billion-dollar Smithsonian budgets amid anti-‘woke’ push.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-targets-biden-era-billion-dollar-smithsonian-budgets-amid-anti-woke-push

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
— Candidate Vulnerability Assessment
https://leadershipinstitute.org/event/701VL00000xvu8MYAQ
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Identify the Problem Before Your Opponent Does. Every candidate enters a race with potential vulnerabilities. These may include previous statements, professional history, financial records, social media activity, personal relationships, policy positions, or inconsistencies in the candidate’s public record. Campaigns often devote significant time and resources to researching their opponents while failing to conduct the same level of research on their own candidate. This can leave a campaign unprepared when a reporter, opponent, activist, or social media account uncovers damaging information. Join Tom Jones and the Leadership Institute’s Advanced School of Politics for a one-hour online workshop exploring how campaigns can identify, evaluate, and prepare for candidate vulnerabilities before they become public crises. This workshop will provide a practical introduction to internal candidate research and help participants understand how successful campaigns uncover potential problems early, determine the seriousness of each issue, and prepare accurate and defensible responses.)

NEWSMAX
— Mamdani’s Grocery Plan Is Socialist.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/fernando-mateo-mamdani-nyc/2026/08/02/id/1264806/
— ICE Detentions Hit Trump 2nd-Term High.
https://www.newsmax.com/us/ice-migrants-detention/2026/08/02/id/1264826/

PJ MEDIA
— How Noncitizen Voters Sway Presidential Election Results.
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/08/02/presler-shows-how-noncitizen-voters-can-sway-presidential-election-results-n4955729

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— The Election Questions Democrats Won’t Answer.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/08/03/the_election_questions_democrats_wont_answer_154384.amp.html

TOWNHALL
— All the Democrats Are Marxists.
https://townhall.com/columnists/allenwest/2026/08/03/dont-be-fooled-all-the-democrats-are-marxists-n2680492
— Democrats Want to Close the Prisons, Except Not for People Like You.
https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2026/08/03/democrats-want-to-close-the-prisons-except-not-for-people-like-you-n2680504
— For people who scream about wanting affordability, Democrats have yet to deliver on any of it. They have made education, housing, and healthcare costs skyrocket thanks to government intervention under the guise of “lowering costs.” DD: When you were young, what did you do to afford things? I did not seek government intervention. I worked my way through college. I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 in 1970; job-related master’s degrees in 1976, 1980, and 1997; job-related professional certifications in 1979, 1981, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997; and a job-related professional license in 1981. I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivering mail 1966-1969. I worked on an automotive assembly line in 1970. I sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971. I pumped more gasoline 1971-1972. I collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980. I audited federal agencies 1980-1997.
https://townhall.com/news/amy-curtis/2026/08/02/sun-vip-ny-dems-nuke-affordability-10-percent-discount-on-self-checkout-n2680469
— The Trump Administration Just Prosecuted Another Case of Election Fraud.
https://townhall.com/news/josephchalfant/2026/08/02/the-trump-administration-just-prosecuted-another-case-of-election-fraud-n2680527

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS NEWS
— ICE detentions set Trump-era high in July, as immigration crackdown widens. DD: How many illegals are Democrats harboring in Illinois, in your county, in your township, in your municipality, in your school district, and in your precinct?
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-detentions-trump-high-july-2026-immigration-crackdown-widens/

NEW YORK TIMES
— ‘Comradely’ Talks and a ‘Deer Leader’ Mascot: Scenes From the D.S.A. Summit. At a national meeting of the Democratic Socialists of America, nervous energy and a sprawling tableau of sometimes-competing interests were on display.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/us/politics/democratic-socialists-america-convention.html
— What the Crackup of the Heritage Foundation Says About the Post-Trump Right. The bastion of American conservatism best known for Project 2025 has been consumed by an ideological — and generational — civil war.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/magazine/heritage-foundation-trump-republicans.html

WASHINGTON POST
— A democratic socialist in the White House? Activists are thinking big. The Democratic Socialists of America summit was abuzz about whether to endorse a presidential candidate, potentially Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. DD: Ever-increasingly, to vote for a Democrat is to vote for socialism.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/02/democratic-socialists-are-already-eyeing-2028-with-aoc-mind/

USA TODAY
— Democratic Socialists of America propose radical overhaul of US govt. The Democratic Socialists of America want to fight for working-class Americans by offering free healthcare and abolishing the U.S. Senate. What else does their “Workers Deserve More” platform say? DD: For non-Republicans, government exists to take opportunities, money, and everything else away from Republicans and to give it all to non-Republicans.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/08/02/democratic-socialists-america-platform/91092595007/
— What Trump’s asylum change means for people seeking protection.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/08/03/what-trumps-new-asylum-policy-means-for-migrants-the-excerpt/91125161007/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Trump Team Feuds Over Whether Reflecting Pool Was Hit by Vandals or Botched Work. President criticizes Jeanine Pirro, his appointee as U.S. attorney, for dropping vandalism charge.
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/trump-team-feuds-over-whether-reflecting-pool-was-hit-by-vandals-or-botched-work-4c02ed6b
— Will Michigan’s Democrats Choose Socialism? Abdul El-Sayed looks headed for a victory.
https://www.wsj.com/video/series/journal-editorial-report/wsj-opinion-will-michigan-democrats-choose-socialism/21F80F90-77B4-4882-8196-656E2F5ABE43
— Socialist Chic and the ‘Medicare for All’ Sham. What Abdul El-Sayed proposes is a single-payer system nothing like the program for the elderly.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/socialist-chic-and-the-medicare-for-all-sham-ceb05ab4

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Who watches the watchdogs? GAO finds flaws in inspector general oversight system. President Donald Trump has fired nearly 20 IGs, and his administration last year put a hold on funding for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. DD: While I worked for GAO for almost 18 years and served on the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter Executive Committee for 13 years, I had lots of interactions with IG employees. I worked for GAO on an audit of EPA’s IG office in 1985.
https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2026/06/who-watches-watchdogs-gao-finds-flaws-inspector-general-oversight-system/414195/

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
— How College Impacts Salary and Future Earning Potential. DD: If I had not earned a bachelor’s degree in business, Firestone Stores would not have hired me when I was 21 in 1970. If I had not passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination, IRS would not have hired me when I was 22. If I have not been taking graduate evening business courses, IRS would not have promoted me when I was 23, 24, and 25. If I had not earned an MBA when I was 27 and passed the CPA examination on my first attempt when I was 30, GAO would not have hired me when I was 31. If I had not I earned a master’s degree in accounting when I was 31 and passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt and became a licensed CPA when I was 32, GAO would not have promoted me when I was 38.
https://www.umassglobal.edu/blog-news/how-college-impacts-salary-and-future-earning-potential

PHILLY VOICE
— With school out, Philly teens say they need more places to build community and stay safe. Young people feel overpoliced and misunderstood when gathering in public and say they want more spaces dedicated just for them. DD: When you were a teen, what did you do when you were not in school? I did yard work 1962-1964. I delivered newspapers 1962-1966. I washed dishes 1964-1966. I cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966. I delivered mail 1966-1969.
https://www.phillyvoice.com/philly-teens-public-gatherings-third-spaces-school-summer/