December 1, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Trump says he would ‘absolutely’ denaturalize some citizens if he had the power
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trump-says-he-would-absolutely-denaturalize-citizens-had-power/18233913/

WTTW
— Chicago Spent $212M on Police Overtime So Far This Year, 6% More Than New Limit Set for 2026
https://news.wttw.com/2025/11/28/chicago-spent-212m-police-overtime-so-far-year-6-more-new-limit-set-2026

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— ‘Stop the steal’: Hundreds rally against redistricting as Indiana GOP unveils map
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/stop-the-steal-hundreds-rally-against-redistricting-as-indiana-gop-unveils-map/
— What do Illinois’ woes tell us about the future of higher education in America?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/opinion-columbia-college-university-of-chicago-enrollment-decline/
— Wheaton-based ETF firm Innovator sells to Goldman Sachs for $2 billion
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/goldman-sachs-innovator-capital-management/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Occupying an office building emblazoned with its name on Front Street in Wheaton, Innovator has quietly been doing big business in the quaint county seat of DuPage County, perhaps best known as the academic launching pad for evangelist Billy Graham, who attended Wheaton College.)

SPRINGFIUELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Executive Ethics Commissioner Patricia “Patty” Ann Schuh cited for driving under the influence
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/accident/2025/12/01/the-ethics-commissioner-was-cited-for-an-incident-at-veterans-parkway/87455278007/

SHAW LOCAL
— DD: Soon, under the Democrats, everyone in Illinois will be a) handing out welfare and/or b) receiving welfare.
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2025/11/27/northern-illinois-food-bank-sees-25-increase-in-need-higher-than-pandemic-times-this-holiday-season/

KFVS
— Medical Aid in Dying bill worries Illinois coroners
https://www.kfvs12.com/2025/11/22/medical-aid-dying-bill-worries-illinois-coroners/

IPM NEWSROOM
— DD: How dependent on federal spending is your county, township, municipality, school district, and precinct?
https://ipmnewsroom.org/trump-cuts-could-shrink-illinois-economy-by-10b-report/

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/12/01/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-429/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— EV sales take a dive without taxpayer subsidies
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/dec/1/ev-sales-take-dive-without-taxpayer-subsidies/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Democrat ‘leaders’ everywhere are running businesses and residents out of their states—why would anyone want them for president?
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/democrat_leaders_everywhere_are_running_businesses_and_residents_out_of_their_states_why_would_anyone_want_them_for_president.html

BIZ PAC REVIEW
—  Elected officials among those obstructing ICE in NYC
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/12/01/well-do-it-every-single-time-elected-officials-among-those-obstructing-ice-in-nyc-1607269/

BLAZE
— Chicago school district lets children ditch class over ICE fears
https://www.theblaze.com/news/chicago-school-district-lets-children-ditch-class-over-ice-fears-report

DAILY WIRE
— Here Are Some Illegals Americans Can Be Thankful Are Off The Streets. Over 70% of ICE arrests have been of those with criminal histories.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/thanksgiving-arrests-here-are-some-illegals-americans-can-be-thankful-are-off-the-streets
— Mark Kelly Encourages Active Military To Question Orders In Real Time. Troops “may find out down the road that they did something that is illegal,” he claimed. DD: I always followed all my Democrat superiors’ many orders to give preference to my subordinates who were Democrat, minority, female, younger, veteran, disabled, etc. But that was not enough for them.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/mark-kelly-encourages-active-military-to-question-orders-in-real-time

NEWS BUSTERS
— DD: Democrat Leaders Promote Their Mob of Anti-ICE Activists Obstructing Enforcement in New York
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/brad-wilmouth/2025/12/01/ms-now-promotes-mob-anti-ice-activists-obstructing-enforcement

PJ MEDIA
— Over 7,000 Criminal Illegals in New York Jails
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/12/01/over-7k-criminal-illegals-in-new-york-jails-n4946588
— History of Jihad and Crusade
https://pjmedia.com/raymond-ibrahim/2025/12/01/the-history-of-jihad-and-crusade-with-victor-davis-hanson-n4946592

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— Federal review finds 44% of US trucking schools don’t comply with government rules
https://apnews.com/article/commercial-drivers-license-trucking-california-pennsylvania-96fee86df4f9bfb0ef65af20da878a57

NEW YORK TIMES
— A Councilwoman Intervened During an ICE Arrest. Then She Faced the Voters. Months before the election, Etel Haxhiaj, a councilwoman in Worcester, Mass., was charged with assaulting an officer when she stood between the police and an immigrant family.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/us/etel-haxhiaj-ice-immigration-election-massachusetts.html
— Fine-Tune Your Feed and Get News You Can Use. Apps from Google, Apple and other companies let you customize your content so you’re always up to date on the matters you care about most. DD: I have been a news aggregator since 2000. Since 2005, my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters have contained links to almost 530,000 political and government news and commentary articles of interest to Illinois Republicans. My critics/opponents have always demonized, denigrated, and condemned a) the aforesaid articles and b) my comments on those articles. I should write about my critics/opponents. They destroy those like me who they cannot manipulate or dominate, who refuse to glorify and paise them, who refuse to pander to them, who refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, who refuse to cover up their wrongdoing, and/or who refuse to give them money. They reject some, many, most, virtually all, if not all conservative principles and planks in the Republican Party platform. Most commonly, they reject its personal responsibility, traditional marriage and family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and/or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus on those who continue to have lots of clout and have had their operatives and their dupes take the most/biggest adverse actions against me lately.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/technology/personaltech/apple-google-news-customize.html

WASHINGTON POST
— DD: Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly make America more dependent on illegal labor.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/12/01/trump-chicago-immigration-economy/

BARRON’S
— The great majority of wealthy parents are giving their adult children financial support. DD: I had to work my way through college. After my father died suddenly when he was 47 and I was 21, I helped support my mother and brother.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/wealthy-parents-have-turned-into-banks-for-their-children-why-thats-a-problem-f6f1878b

BUSINESS INSIDER
— 5 ways rich parents can stop their kids from wasting the family fortune. DD: I had to work my way through college. After my father died suddenly when he was 47 and I was 21, I helped support my mother and brother.
https://www.businessinsider.com/kathleen-grace-family-fortune-generational-wealth-children-money-lessons-advice-2025-10

CAMPUS TIMES
— The problem with standardized testing. DD: What do you attribute your test taking success/failure to? Many if not most if not virtually all of those who failed the tests that I passed did not share my demographics. Because of that, according to my critics/opponents, the tests that I passed were biased against those who did not share my demographics. 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. I had to work my way through college. I passed all the tests needed to earn a job-related bachelor’s degree and three job-related master’s degrees. I passed the CPA and Certified Internal Auditor examinations on my first attempt. What should my test taking success be attributed too?
https://www.campustimes.org/2025/09/15/the-problem-with-standardized-testing/

FEDERAL NEWS NETWORK
— Congress faces a packed December agenda and big decisions including the search for a new Comptroller General as Gene Dodaro retires. DD: Comptroller Generals a) work for Congress and b) run GAO. GAO audits the federal government. Democrats do not want Republicans to audit Democrats. I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO 1980-1997. They wasted my career and forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. They forced me to take a $23,472 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. They kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. They delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13. They always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance.
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/congress/2025/12/congress-faces-a-packed-december-agenda-and-big-decisions-on-healthcare-subsidies/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Gerton: One thing that’s got to be on lawmakers’ minds in December is the retirement of the comptroller general, the head of the government accountability office. Gene Dodaro’s term ends at the end of the month. What are you hearing in terms of the maneuvering and the nomination for his replacement? Miller: Well, I think there’s actually a lot of nervousness right now about what is going to happen with him. He has been a steady hand on the rudder, as you know, for close to fifteen years now, and there’s really a lot of discussion about how they’re going to get a successor to him. And frankly, it’s not really clear what’s going to happen. You have this panel of lawmakers that are supposed to nominate the next person, but they’re also looking for some guidance from the White House because that will have a big role in the type of person that replaces him. And the fact that this is, you know, one of the most prominent unelected positions in the federal government, the fact that this person is really responsible for rooting out waste, which Republicans have said they want to do and that they tried to do with DOGE, how much of a leash is the new head of GAO going to have? Will the White House go along with Republicans? We’ve seen Republicans starting to assert their own voice a little bit more, saying that they want some independence here, or will the White House crush that and say, you know, President Trump says I want this person and we’re gonna put them in? So I think we’re going to see a lot of maneuvering here in the next few weeks because he will be gone, as you know, later in the month. Gerton: Do you think it’s an opportunity for Congress to push back or take back some of its authority? GAO is their oversight body. Miller: Right, exactly. I think there is because whether they’re Republican or Democrat, I think the institutionalists, at least, believe that this type of leadership is necessary. And there’s no question about it, whatever political stripe you’re from, this office does root out a substantial amount of waste. I mean, they talk about something along the lines of a $160 billion in the past year. And so also these lawmakers, let’s not forget, when they’re leading various committees or subcommittees, they rely on the GAO for investigations to try to find out what do we need to fix. Everybody’s talking about what needs to be done to make federal government better. Well, this is perfectly an example of where you find the areas where there are problems that the GAO identifies and then Congress can act and react and create legislation.)

REASON
— To the Socialists of All Parties. DD: My critics/opponents promote dependency on government, that is, they promote socialism.
https://reason.com/2025/12/01/to-the-socialists-of-all-parties/

NIEMAN LAB
— Why people choose not to share news. DD: I should write about a) my critics/opponents, b) the articles they do not want anyone to read, and c) why they do not want anyone to read them. I would focus on those who continue to punish me for my including links in my newsletters to articles that they do not like.
https://www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/why-people-choose-not-to-share-news/

BAIN & COMPANY
— Degrees are not destiny—nearly half of college graduates earn less than a living wage. DD: In today’s dollars, while I only had a bachelor’s degree in management, my salary increased from about $50,000/year to about $100,000/year. After I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt, earned master’s degree in accounting, passed the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt, became a licensed CPA, earned four more job-related professional certifications, and earned a master’s degree in finance, my salary increased to about $153,000year.
https://www.bain.com/insights/educated-but-underprepared-closing-the-career-readiness-gap/

POLITICO
— Indiana House releases draft congressional map that could net Republicans 2 seats
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/01/indiana-house-proposed-redistricting-map-00671228

November 29, 2025

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Kevin Coyne, Chairman, DuPage GOP: DuPage GOP wants election, vote-by-mail system review
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/letters-naperville-data-center-election-mcit-reopen/
(FROM THE LETTER: The DuPage GOP calls for an immediate public hearing on the topic of election integrity, our voter rolls and the process by which vote-by-mail ballots are being distributed, collected and counted. We believe the DuPage County clerk’s office should make itself available to participate and to answer respectful questions about election integrity. We welcome the participation of the League of Women Voters and DuPage County’s Democratic Party in this public hearing should it proceed. Confidence in the integrity of our elections is at an all-time low. It’s abundantly clear there are a great many DuPage voters who do not trust vote-by-mail and who believe games are being played with how these ballots are distributed, collected and counted. General questions about our voter rolls also continue to persist. Let’s talk about these concerns openly, transparently and publicly. We will keep all questions respectful and sincere. We hope this call is accepted by the clerk’s office. We also hope the other mentioned stakeholders participate. We call on this hearing to take place within 90 days and before the 2026 primary.)
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: McHenry County takes on an old client in court: ICE
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/29/mchenry-county-court-ice-lawsuit/

CBS2
— Northwestern University to pay $75 million to federal government to settle antisemitism claims, restore frozen funds
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/northwestern-university-trump-administration-settlement-antisemitism-investigation/

WRAL
— Northwestern to pay $75 million in deal with Trump administration to restore federal funding
https://www.wral.com/news/ap/d6465-northwestern-to-pay-75-million-in-deal-with-trump-administration-to-restore-federal-funding/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— If the Pilgrims Had a Lawyer
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/28/if-the-pilgrims-had-a-lawyer/
— Seeing President Truman
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/28/seeing-president-truman/
— Reminding Me of My Favorite Oberlin
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/28/reminding-me-of-my-favorite-oberlin-college-professor/
— Postal Inflation Since 1968
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/27/postal-inflation-since-1968/
— How Bad Is Chicago’s Financial Situation?
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/how-bad-is-chicagos-financial-situation/
— Schools and Socialism
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/14321/
— Dems Authorize More Subsidies for Illegal Aliens
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/dems-authorize-more-subsidies-for-illegal-aliens/
— Two More from Illinois Make “Worst of the Worst” List
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/two-more-from-illinois-make-worst-of-the-worst-list/
— Hit Your Mom, No Longer Get Arrested, No House or Senate Votes in Opposition
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/hit-your-mom-no-longer-get-arrested-no-house-or-senate-votes-in-opposition/
— The End of Lincoln
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/the-end-of-lincoln/
— Pritzker’s Polling above 50%
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/pritzkers-polling-above-50/
— Rocio Cleveland Gains More Free Publicity in Quest to Win GOP Nomination in Jan Schakowsky’s 9th Congressional District
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/rocio-cleveland-gains-more-free-publicity-in-quest-to-win-gop-nomination-in-jan-schakowskys-9th-congressional-district/
— Pritzker’s Star Wars’ Delusion
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/pritzkers-star-wars-delusion/
— A Permanent Accomplishment of Governor Dan Walker
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/a-permanent-accomplishment-of-governor-dan-walker/
— Mayor Richard J. Daley’s Cary Speeding Ticket
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/26/mayor-richard-j-daleys-cary-speeding-ticket/

ILLINOIS FAMILY ACTION
— Evict Dangerous Illegals Before the Next Attack
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2025/11/deport-dangerous-illegals-before-the-next-terror-attack/
— Bethany Magee’s Critical Condition Was Preventable
https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/2025/11/bethany-magees-critical-condition-was-preventable/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Vallas: Chicago needs education reform to curb youth violence epidemic
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/vallas-chicago-needs-education-reform-to-curb-youth-violence-epidemic/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— New legislation would crack down on hiring illegal immigrant workers and ‘sanctuary unions.’ DD: My critics/opponents despise/hate unions. They have never forgiven me for my being a union member for almost 12 years. According to them, my salary would never had increased from $19.37/hour (GS-4) to $112,280/year (GS-12 Step 5) in today’s dollars if I had not been a union member. But during that time, I earned a bachelor’s degree in management, I earned an MBA, I passed the CPA examination on my first attempt, and I earned a master’s degree in accounting.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/new-legislation-would-crack-hiring-illegal-immigrant-workers/

AMERICAN THINKER
— The Whiteness Pandemic
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/11/the_whiteness_pandemic_is_there_a_mask_for_that.html

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Disturbing poll shows majority of young voters want ‘Democrat socialist’ in the White House. DD: My critics/opponents want socialism. They focus on promoting dependency on government.
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/11/28/disturbing-poll-shows-majority-of-young-voters-want-democrat-socialist-in-the-white-house-1606448/

BLAZE
— If conservatives will not defend capitalism, who will? DD: My critics/opponents want socialism. They focus on promoting dependency on government.
https://www.theblaze.com/columns/opinion/if-conservatives-will-not-defend-capitalism-who-will

BUSINESS WIRE
— Citizens Against Government Waste Names Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson November 2025 Porker of the Month
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/citizens-against-government-waste-names-201300831.html

DAILY SIGNAL
— 4 Ways Trump Has Forced DEI Out of Higher Education. 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/2025/11/28/4-ways-trump-has-successfully-pressured-higher-ed-abandon-dei/

FOX BUSINESS
— Middle-income Americans pessimistic about their financial future amid persistent inflation
https://www.aol.com/articles/middle-income-americans-pessimistic-financial-180015299.html

FOX NEWS
— Trump unveils ‘reverse migration’ plan to halt ‘Third World’ immigration, revoke Biden-era entries. DD:  All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have. All the colleges that admitted me would have admitted noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://noticias.foxnews.com/politics/trump-unveils-reverse-migration-plan-halt-third-world-immigration-revoke-biden-era-entries.print

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Trump Plans to Suspend Third World Immigration after National Guard Shooting. DD:  All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have. All the colleges that admitted me would have admitted noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/trump-suspends-third-world-immigration-after-national-guard-shooting/

PJ MEDIA
— The War Within the Democratic Party Is Over — and AOC and Mamdani Have Won. DD: My critics/opponents want socialism. They focus on promoting dependency on government.
https://pjmedia.com/scott-pinsker/2025/11/28/apocalypse-democrat-the-war-within-the-democratic-party-is-over-and-aoc-and-mamdani-have-won-n4946496
— Socialism Continues Its Beautiful Decline in the Western Hemisphere. DD: My critics/opponents want socialism. They focus on promoting dependency on government.
https://pjmedia.com/sarah-anderson/2025/11/28/socialism-continues-its-western-hemisphere-decline-n4946498

TOWNHALL
— DD: The Democrats who run the College of DuPage ever-increasingly make it clear that they do not want those who are the following to apply: conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2025/11/28/il-college-will-punish-students-who-report-illegals-to-ice-n2667103

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— Majority of voters say they’ve made sacrifices in past year to make ends meet. DD: Of course, Democrats blame Republicans for that.
https://thehill.com/business/economy/5585832-financial-sacrifices-survey-voters/

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— DACA recipients are being arrested despite deportation protection
https://www.wane.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-some-daca-recipients-have-been-arrested-in-the-trumps-immigration-crackdown/amp/

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DD: Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly a) glorify and praise citizens of foreign countries. All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have. All the colleges that admitted me would have admitted noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/us/politics/trumps-response-to-shooting-shows-intensified-anti-migrant-stance.html

SEATTLE TIMES
— Workers sue WA’s biggest employers over limits on taking a second job. DD: My IRS superiors approved my working part-time for a Firestone Store in Chicago Heights 1971-1972. The money I earned helped me pay for a) a new 1972 Corvette in 1971, b) graduate evening business courses at Loyola during 1972, and c) a new townhome in University Park in 1972.
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/workers-sue-was-biggest-employers-over-limits-on-taking-a-second-job/

FORTUNE
— Billionaire MacKenzie Scott once needed her college roommate’s help with a $1,000 loan. DD: Where did the money come to pay for your college degrees? DD: To pay for my undergraduate degree and for cars, 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. I worked on an automotive assembly line in 1970. To pay for my graduate degrees, I worked for Firestone Stores 1970-1972, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997.
https://fortune.com/2025/11/28/mackenzie-scott-college-roommate-jeannie-tarkenton-father-loan/
— DD: My critics/opponents despise/hate DINKs. I should write about my critics/opponents. According to them, my wife and I have what we have because we gave up trying to have children, because we did not adopt, and because we did not become foster parents.
https://fortune.com/2025/11/13/are-you-richer-as-a-dink-double-income-no-kids-wealth/

BANKING RATES
— 7 Signs You’re Way Above Average Financially
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rachel-cruze-7-signs-way-120053445.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: You’re Debt-Free. . .You Have Money Saved. . .You’ve Planned for Retirement. . .You’re a Homeowner. . .You Can Celebrate Other People’s Wins. . .You Earn the Median Income. . .You Practice Generosity)

METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY
— Do You Need a College Degree for Career Advancement? Here Are 5 Reasons You Do. DD: My father often decried his not having a college degree. If I had not had a bachelor’s degree in management, Firestone Stores would not have hired me in 1970 and IRS in 1971. If I had not been taking graduate business courses, IRS would not have promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. If I had not had an MBA, GAO would not have hired me in 1980. If I had not earned master’s degrees in accounting and finance, I would not have survived at GAO until 1997.
https://www.msudenver.edu/do-you-need-a-college-degree-for-career-advancement-here-are-5-reasons-you-do/

ROLLING STONE
— DD: Under the Democrats, soon, everyone will be a) handing out welfare and/or b) receiving welfare.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/snap-recipients-struggle-trump-food-assistance-1235473080/

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

TIMES OF INDIA
— Americans are reconsidering the college ladder: 63% say the climb isn’t worth the price. DD: If I had not earned a bachelor’s degree in management in 1970, Firestone Stores would not have hired me in 1970 and IRS in 1971. If had not been taking graduate evening business courses, IRS would not have promoted me in 1972, 1973, and 1974. If I had not been taking graduate evening accounting courses, I would not have passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. If I had not earned an MBA in 1976 and passed the CPA examination, GAO would not have hired me in 1980. I had not taken undergraduate and graduate internal auditing courses, I would not have passed the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) examination on my first attempt in 1981. If I had not passed the CPA examination, earned a master’s degree in accounting, and passed the CIA examination, I would not have become a licensed CPA in 1981.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/americans-are-reconsidering-the-college-ladder-63-say-the-climb-isnt-worth-the-price/articleshow/125636272.cms

November 25, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— City of Chicago employee accused of threatening Republican Illinois senator
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/city-chicago-employee-accused-threatening-235906336.html

CBS2
— Volunteers keep McCormick Place kitchen busy preparing Thanksgiving meals for thousands in need. DD: Under the Democrats, more and more and more people are in need.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/fight2feed-volunteers-mccormick-place-thanksgiving-meals/

FOX32
— CPS advises immigrant parents to plan child care amid arrest fears. DD: What percent of CPS parents and students are in America illegally?
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1746794

WTTW
— For Some People With Criminal Records, Illinois’ Clean Slate Act Could Offer a New Beginning. DD: When I was 49 years old in 1997, I knew that there would be no new beginnings for my career. My Democrat GAO superiors had forced me to retire. Previously, they had delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take a $23,472/year (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO. Previously, my Democrat IRS superiors had never promoted me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions, and disallowed my travel vouchers. Previously, my Democrat Post Office superiors had disallowed my sick leave requests and forced me to resign.
https://news.wttw.com/2025/11/25/some-people-criminal-records-illinois-clean-slate-act-could-offer-new-beginning

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FBI seeks interviews with Democrats who urged US troops to defy illegal orders
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/25/democrats-urged-troops-defy-orders/
— AI: The death of American education
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/25/opinion-education-teachers-artificial-intelligence/
— Readers share what is making them thankful. DD: I am thankful that my critics/opponents in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois have let me serve as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000 and as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999. I am thankful that they let me serve as the Republican fundraiser for Wheaton Independence Day parades and fireworks 2005-2021, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman 2005-2012, the Milton Township Republican Organization webmaster 2008-20210 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004. I am thankful that they let me stop video gambling in Wheaton in 2009 and the sale of pot in Wheaton in 2019. Obviously, the aforesaid is sarcastic. I should write about my critics/opponents.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/25/letters-112525-thankful/

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage County Clerk censured by county board
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251125/local-politics/dupage-county-clerk-censured-by-county-board/

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE & WCIA & CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— More people are addicted to marijuana, but fewer of them are seeking help. Cannabis use among young adults has reached historic levels, with nearly 18 million Americans using marijuana daily in 2022. DD: Pot is poison. If not stopped, it will destroy America.
https://www.news-gazette.com/news/nation-world/more-people-are-addicted-to-marijuana-but-fewer-of-them-are-seeking-help-experts-say/article_274f1ddd-2ac8-52ac-96c6-c3d9d2834df9.html
https://www.wcia.com/health/ap-health/ap-more-people-are-addicted-to-marijuana-but-fewer-of-them-are-seeking-help-experts-say/
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/health-news/ap-more-people-are-addicted-to-marijuana-but-fewer-of-them-are-seeking-help-experts-say/amp/

FOX ILLINOIS
— Millions of illegal migrants got jobs in US due to being paid under the table. DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/millions-of-illegal-migrants-got-jobs-in-us-due-to-being-paid-under-the-table-report-donald-trump-manufacturing-citizenship-fraud

WAND TV & CENTRAL ILLINOIS PREOUD & WCIA
— They relied on marijuana to get through the day. But then days felt impossible without it. As daily cannabis use rises to historic levels in the U.S., some longtime users are finding it harder to quit. DD: Pot is poison. If not stopped, it will destroy America.
https://www.wandtv.com/news/national/they-relied-on-marijuana-to-get-through-the-day-but-then-days-felt-impossible-without/article_a6f1d658-1d2e-525d-954f-6e41bf9784f9.html
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/health-news/ap-they-relied-on-marijuana-to-get-through-the-day-but-then-days-felt-impossible-without-it/
https://www.wcia.com/health/ap-health/ap-they-relied-on-marijuana-to-get-through-the-day-but-then-days-felt-impossible-without-it/

NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly focus on getting Latinos to blame their problems on Republicans.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-11-25/new-poll-shows-latino-support-for-trump-is-slipping

DUPAGE COUNTY
— DuPage County Board Censures Clerk Jean Kaczmarek
https://www.dupagecounty.gov/county_board/dupage_county_board_censures_clerk_jean_kaczmarek_1590.php

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— GOP senator introduces bill to protect Netanyahu from arrest in New York
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/25/gop-senator-introduces-bill-protect-netanyahu-arrest-new-york/
— Trump’s comments on H-1B visa program drops hard truth about American education. Uncomfortable truth about failing public schools and teachers unions blocking reform. DD: Graduate accounting courses at DePaul and the Becker CPA Review course helped me pass the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979. Undergraduate and graduate internal auditing courses at Roosevelt and Institute of Internal Auditors Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) review courses helped me pass the CIA examination on my first attempt in 1981.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/25/trumps-comments-h-1b-visa-program-drops-hard-truth-american-education/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Chicago leaders have let teenage criminals take over the city
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3898690/chicago-leaders-have-let-teenage-criminals-take-over-the-city/
— The road to the Chicago train fire attack
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/daily-memo/3898591/road-to-chicago-train-fire-attack-lawrence-reed-arrests/
— Bessent says Mamdani is ‘clearly’ a leader in Democratic Party after ‘great campaign’
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3898241/scott-bessent-mamdani-clearly-leader-democratic-party-after-great-campaign/
— Marjorie Taylor Greene embodies the inanity of populism
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/in_focus/3898513/marjorie-taylor-greene-embodies-inanity-populism/
— DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/patriotism-unity/3897813/republicans-against-illegal-immigration-not-legal-immigration/

NEW YORK POST
— After a 40-year hiatus, the Communist Party USA is back on the ballot — and already has three people in office.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/25/us-news/communist-party-wins-big-in-local-elections-after-40-year-break/
— Trump brutally mocks ‘big, fat slob’ Pritzker during White House turkey pardon ceremony
https://nypost.com/2025/11/25/us-news/trump-mocks-big-fat-slob-j-b-pritzker-at-white-house-turkey-pardon-event/

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Biden team pressured airports to house migrants despite safety warnings
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/11/25/biden-team-pressured-airports-to-house-migrants-despite-safety-warnings-bombshell-report-states-1605609/

BREITBART
— University of Minnesota Offers ‘Whiteness Pandemic’ Resources for ‘Antiracist’ Parenting
https://www.breitbart.com/education/2025/11/25/university-of-minnesota-offers-whiteness-pandemic-resources-for-antiracist-parenting/

CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE
— This Week In Waste. DD: My Democrat superiors in the federal government wasted my career and forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. So far, they have forced the Civil Service Retirement System to pay me $1.9 million in today’s dollars to stop me from coming to work.
https://www.cagw.org/this-week-in-waste-november-21-2025/

FOX NEWS
— Scott Bessent declares Zohran Mamdani is ‘clearly’ leader of the Democratic Party
https://www.foxnews.com/media/scott-bessent-declares-zohran-mamdani-clearly-leader-democratic-party-leader-cnbc-interview.amp
— University of Minnesota site warns of a ‘whiteness pandemic,’ urges White parents to ‘re-educate.’ DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly focus on getting non-Whites to blame their problems on Republicans.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/university-minnesota-site-warns-whiteness-pandemic-urges-white-parents-re-educate

NATIONAL REVIEW
— Federally Funded University of Minnesota Lab Dedicated to Combatting ‘White Pandemic’
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/university-of-minnesota-paper-calls-white-families-most-powerful-systems-involved-in-systemic-racism/

PJ MEDIA
— Biden Admin Pressured Airports to House Illegal Aliens
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/11/25/biden-admin-pressured-us-airports-to-house-illegal-aliens-n4946387

POST MILLENNIAL
— Trump slams Illinois officials over train arson: ‘A man arrested 72 times—and they let him out again’
https://thepostmillennial.com/trump-slams-illinois-officials-over-train-arson-a-man-arrested-72-times-and-they-let-him-out-again

TOWNHALL
— Remember All the Illegals Sleeping in Airports? The Biden Administration Was Behind It All.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2025/11/25/biden-admin-housing-illegals-in-airports-n2666972
— New Yorkers Should Be Scared of Mamdani’s Pro-Crime, Anti-Police Appointees
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2025/11/25/mamdani-criminal-legal-committee-wants-to-empty-jails-n2666978

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— Bessent: Mamdani ‘clearly the leader of the Democratic Party’
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5622112-treasury-secretary-bessent-mamdani/

CBS NEWS
— FBI opens inquiry into 6 Democrats appearing in video that urged defying illegal orders
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fbi-inquiry-six-democrats-illegal-orders-video/

NEW YORK TIMES
— Indiana Lawmakers Are Poised to Vote on Redistricting After All
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/us/indiana-redistricting-republicans.html

NEW REPUBLIC
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly focus on getting Blacks to blame their problems on Republicans.
https://newrepublic.com/article/203615/anti-blackness-isnt-part-trump-agenda-it-heart

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

MEAWW
— DHS links 1,150% spike in ICE assaults to ‘sanctuary politicians’ rhetoric. DHS said the spike in assaults reflected a broader rise in threats against immigration officers and warned that rhetoric from several leaders had intensified risks.
https://news.meaww.com/dhs-links-1-150-spike-in-ice-assaults-to-sanctuary-politicians-rhetoric

November 21, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Trump, Mamdani promise to work to help NYC and tackle affordability amid cordiality
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trump-mamdani-meet-oval-office-mayor-elect-pushes-affordability-agenda/18185786/
— Durbin: Trump’s deployment of National Guard in Illinois cost taxpayers nearly $20M
https://abc7chicago.com/post/president-donald-trumps-deployment-national-guard-illinois-cost-taxpayers-20m-sen-dick-durbin/18186965/
— Judge prohibits IRS from sharing sensitive taxpayer data with ICE to aid its immigration crackdown
https://abc7chicago.com/post/judge-prohibits-irs-sharing-sensitive-taxpayer-data-ice/18187113/

NBC5
— Trump and Mamdani go from adversaries to allies after White House meeting
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/trump-mamdani-washington-dc-meeting/3854391/

CBS2
— Detained protesters accuse feds of using them as props for Kristi Noem’s visit to Broadview ICE facility
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/protesters-arrested-broadview-ice-kristi-noem-gregory-bovino-promotional-video/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison ends reelection bid, leaving Republican primary uncontested
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/cook-county-sean-morrison-drops-out/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, a Republican, announced Thursday he will not run for reelection next year, leaving former Commissioner Elizabeth Doody Gorman as the only Republican candidate for his seat. Morrison has represented the 17th District, which includes a wide swath of the southwest suburbs including Orland Park, Palos Heights and Lemont, since 2015. He was appointed to replace Gorman, who held the position from 2002 to 2015 before resigning to accept a job at an accounting firm in the private sector. Gorman supported Morrison as her successor. . .Morrison was reelected in 2018 and 2022. Gorman ran to unseat Morrison once before in 2022, but lost in the primary. With Morrison dropping out and the filing deadline past, she will run uncontested in the primary. Gorman has been on the Regional Transportation Authority board since 2021, and was formerly executive director of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. “I was probably just as surprised as anybody else, and, you know, wish him and his wife and kids well in their next chapter,” Gorman said Friday.)
— Takeaways from Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani visit: Both men get something they want, GOP loses a punching bag
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/takeaways-trump-mamdani-visit/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Landscapers hit hard by ICE blitz, ‘accused of the crime of working’  “Operation Midway Blitz” teams might have scaled back in Chicago, but the fear — and defiance — remains. DD: The son of one of my GAO superiors started a landscaping business. But he was driven out of business by his competitors who used cheap illegal labor.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2025/11/21/operation-midway-blitz-ice-landscapers-human-impact
— Cook County townships to reopen property tax appeals window. DD: Republican officials in Wheaton, Milton Township, and DuPage County were furious when I appealed the assessment of the newly built 915 Cove Court in Wheaton ( https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/915-Cove-Ct-Wheaton-IL-60189/4447887_zpid/ ) because of construction defects and unrecorded easements. They all denied my appeal. But the Illinois Property Tax appeal Board ( https://www.ptab.illinois.gov/ ) approved it. The home had been built by an extremely powerful major Republican donor. Since then, he and his supporters have done everything that they could to destroy me.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2025/11/20/township-property-tax-bill-appeal

DAILY HERALD
— Immigration agencies deny responsibility for mysterious drones spotted in Wheeling
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251121/local-politics/immigration-agencies-deny-responsibility-for-mysterious-drones-spotted-in-wheeling/

WAND TV
— ‘Claytons’ Law’ calls for English requirement, citizenship verification for Illinois licenses
https://www.wandtv.com/news/illinois/claytons-law-calls-for-english-requirement-citizenship-verification-for-illinois-licenses/article_e2576645-efc2-44f0-88a9-665f27a5d6f9.html

WGN RADIO
— Karen Conti: SAFE-T Act, man charged in CTA burning charges
https://wgnradio.com/lisa-dent/karen-conti-safe-t-act-man-charged-in-cta-burning-charges/

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/11/21/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-428/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Trump says Mamdani will be ‘great mayor’ as they exchange praise in White House meeting
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/21/trump-says-mamdani-great-mayor-exchange-praise-white-house-meeting/
— House votes to oppose socialist policies
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/21/house-votes-oppose-socialist-policies-mamdani-meets-trump/
— Texas asks Supreme Court to allow use of new GOP-friendly map
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/21/texas-asks-supreme-court-allow-use-new-gop-friendly-map/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— House Democrats split on vote denouncing socialism
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/3894870/house-democrats-split-denouncing-socialism-trump-mamdani-meeting/
— Top teachers union warns educators about Republicans’ ‘arsenal of racist dog whistles’ and ‘transphobic tropes’
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3895275/national-educators-association-warns-educators-republicans-transphobic-tropes/

NEW YORK POST
— Trump and Mamdani ‘giddy’ during ‘love fest’ first White House meeting, body language expert says
https://nypost.com/2025/11/21/us-news/trump-and-mamdani-look-giddy-during-first-wh-meeting-body-language-expert/
— Trump-Mamdani — the start of a beautiful friendship?
https://nypost.com/2025/11/21/opinion/trump-mamdani-the-start-of-a-beautiful-friendship/
— Trump jokes it’s OK for Mamdani to call him a ‘fascist’: ‘You can just say yes’
https://nypost.com/2025/11/21/us-news/trump-runs-cover-for-mamdani-after-mayor-elect-asked-to-explain-if-he-still-thinks-president-is-a-fascist-you-can-just-say-yes/
— Mamdani, Trump’s expected slugfest turns into a lovefest as president says socialist will make NYC ‘greater than ever before’
https://nypost.com/2025/11/21/us-news/mamdani-trumps-expected-slugfest-turns-into-a-lovefest-as-president-says-socialist-will-make-nyc-greater-than-ever-before/
— Trump says Zohran Mamdani is not a ‘jihadist’ in warm exchange during NYC mayor-elect’s White House visit
https://nypost.com/2025/11/21/us-news/trump-breaks-with-elise-stefanik-says-zohran-mamdani-is-not-a-jihadist-in-warm-exchange-during-nyc-mayor-elects-white-house-visit/
— House resolution condemning socialism splits Democrats
https://nypost.com/2025/11/21/us-news/house-passes-resolution-condemning-socialism-as-zohran-mamdani-arrives-for-trump-meeting/
— Body language expert reveals what happened during Trump and Mamdani’s meeting: ‘I was surprised’
https://nypost.com/video/body-language-expert-reveals-what-happened-during-trump-and-mamdanis-meeting-i-was-surprised/

BREITBART
— Trump Meets with Mamdani at the White House
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/11/21/watch-donald-trump-meets-with-zohran-mamdani-at-the-white-house/
— ICE Operation in Charlotte Exposes Huge Scale of Illegal Migration Across Construction Industry
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/11/21/ice-operation-in-charlotte-exposes-huge-scale-of-illegal-migration-across-construction-industry/amp/

DAILY CALLER
— Nearly 100 Democrats Refuse To Condemn Socialism In Party-Shattering Vote
https://dailycaller.com/2025/11/21/democrats-split-house-resolution-condemn-socialism/

DAILY SIGNAL
— 127 Democrats Refuse to Vote to Condemn ‘Horrors of Socialism’
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/11/21/127-democrats-refuse-to-vote-to-condemn-horrors-of-socialism/

DAILY WIRE
— House Passes Anti-Socialism Resolution
https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-passes-anti-socialism-resolution-as-mamdani-visits-white-house

FOX BUSINESS
— Mamdani’s charm may be the most ‘dangerous’ thing about him
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6385423453112

FOX NEWS
— ‘Just say yes’: Trump cuts in as NYC mayor-elect Mamdani dodges on calling him a ‘fascist’ at Oval Office. Democratic socialist discusses housing crisis and public safety cooperation with president.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/just-say-yes-trump-cuts-nyc-mayor-elect-mamdani-dodges-calling-him-fascist-oval-office
— 86 Dems vote with Republicans to condemn socialism
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/86-dems-republicans-condemn-socialism-wake-mamdanis-mayoral-victory
— DOJ sues Newsom over California giving illegal immigrants college tuition benefits. Justice Department lawyers called it ‘unequal treatment’ that was ‘squarely’ at odds with federal law.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/doj-sues-newsom-over-california-measure-giving-illegal-immigrants-college-tuition-benefits
— Big Paychecks, Bigger Problems: How a bloated bureaucracy exposes Congress’ funding failure. DD: According to my critics/opponents, the federal government grossly overpaid me, my employment benefits were far too generous, my Civil Service Retirement System pension is far too generous, and my federal retirement benefits are far too generous. In today’s dollars, my federal salary increased from $19.37hour when I was 16 in 1966 to $153,151/year when I was 49 in 1997. In my defense, during that time, 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://www.aol.com/articles/big-paychecks-bigger-problems-bloated-003400110.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A new report from a government watchdog group begs the question of why — with nearly 800,000 federal bureaucrats drawing six-figure salaries and the average payroll of the federal workforce far outpacing its size — is Washington still unable to fund the basics of government? Open The Books, a project of American Transparency, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan charitable organization, closely tracks government spending and released an expansive report Wednesday ahead of a looming agreement between Republicans and Democrats to reopen the government, showing the swamp has gotten bigger, richer and more secretive since 2020. The report, which analyzed all publicly disclosed federal salaries for fiscal year 2024, found a total of 2.9 million civil service employees with a total payroll of $270 billion, plus an additional 30% for benefits. While the total number of employees rose by 5% since 2020, payroll grew nearly five times as much. The current federal workforce is costing American taxpayers $673,000 per minute, $40.4 million per hour and just under $1 billion per day, according to Open The Books. This includes almost 1,000 workers who are making more than the president’s $400,000 per year salary, 31,452 non-War Department federal employees who made more than every governor of all 50 states and 793,537 people making $100,000 or more. Those making $300,000 or more have seen an 84% increase since 2020, while there has similarly been an 82% increase in those earning $200,000 or more, the report points out. During Open The Book’s investigation, the fiscal watchdog group also found that the names of 383,000 federal workers across 56 different agencies were redacted, amounting to a total of $38.3 billion in pay. According to Open The Books CEO John Hart, “You can’t have accountability without visibility.” “The Trump administration has a historic opportunity to bring much-needed transparency to the administrative state. While federal employees don’t add as much to the debt as safety net programs, defense and overall agency spending, they are an indicator of government’s growth,” Hart said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Our investigators found far too many redactions and blind spots that DOGE should have already fixed. You can’t have accountability without visibility. Taxpayers need a much clearer picture of the federal workforce than they have today.” U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has been working with Open The Books to fight for greater transparency. In a letter sent in September to Scott Kupor, the director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Ernst said she had identified “numerous examples” of full-time federal employees earning two salaries while moonlighting for other agencies or government contractors, something typically prohibited under the law. Ernst pointed out that this was being done without the approval or knowledge of these workers’ managers. “The Trump administration has a historic opportunity to bring much-needed transparency to the administrative state. While federal employees don’t add as much to the debt as safety net programs, defense and overall agency spending, they are an indicator of government’s growth,” Hart said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Our investigators found far too many redactions and blind spots that DOGE should have already fixed. You can’t have accountability without visibility. Taxpayers need a much clearer picture of the federal workforce than they have today.” U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has been working with Open The Books to fight for greater transparency. In a letter sent in September to Scott Kupor, the director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Ernst said she had identified “numerous examples” of full-time federal employees earning two salaries while moonlighting for other agencies or government contractors, something typically prohibited under the law. Ernst pointed out that this was being done without the approval or knowledge of these workers’ managers. “From 2021 to 2024, a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employee held multiple other full-time government contractor jobs, frequently billing taxpayers for more than 24 hours of work in a single day,” Ernst chronicled in her letter. “In addition to HUD, she was paid by AmeriCorps and the National Institutes of Health. Since she teleworked in all three positions, she was able to hide her overlapping jobs and get away with billing taxpayers $225,866 for hours she never worked. She claimed she worked 26 hours on 13 of the 21 workdays in a single month.” Ernst also described a second example of a human resources official at the Peace Corps who was caught falsifying time cards submitted to different agencies, which led to the employee double-billing taxpayers for tens of thousands of dollars. She laid out several other examples in the letter as well. “Until recently, outside of death and taxes, the expanding Washington bureaucracy was one of the few certainties in life,” said Ernst. “I am proud to have partnered with the Trump administration and DOGE to successfully downsize the bloated bureaucracy, but there is much more work to be done to make Washington more efficient.” One can “look no further” than the “failed Schumer shutdown,” Ernst said, pointing out that taxpayers will be on the hook for more than $12 billion in back pay for 750,000 non-essential federal employees who did not work for a month and a half. In October, Ernst introduced the Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act, aimed at providing the public with an exact accounting of how much back pay the government will be required to fork over in the case of a shutdown. The bill would require executive agencies to submit detailed reports to Congress within 30 days of a lapse in appropriations that must include the total number of employees and contractors employed by the agency at the time of the shutdown, the total salaries paid by the agency during the prior fiscal year, the number of furloughed during the lapse and their annual pay, the number of employees not furloughed and the sum of their pay and a requirement that all this information be posted publicly on the agencies’ websites.)

NEWSMAX
— Dozens of House Dems Join GOP to Denounce Socialism
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/socialism-house-mamdani/2025/11/21/id/1235535/

ONE AMERICA NEWS
— House votes to condemn the ‘horrors of socialism’
https://www.oann.com/newsroom/house-votes-to-condemn-the-horrors-of-socialism-ahead-of-trumps-meeting-with-mamdani/

POST MILLENNIAL
— Jeffries votes to denounce ‘horrors’ of socialism after backing socialist Mamdani for NYC mayor
https://thepostmillennial.com/jeffries-votes-to-denounce-horrors-of-socialism-after-backing-socialist-mamdani-for-nyc-mayor

TOWNHALL
— House Votes to Condemn Socialism
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/dmitri-bolt/2025/11/21/house-debates-resolution-denouncing-socialism-n2666828
— Big Dem Donor Had Major Stake in Pot Company Busted Using Illegals, Kids in Operation
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/tomknighton/2025/11/21/big-dem-donor-had-major-stake-in-pot-company-busted-using-illegals-kids-in-operation-n2666830

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— Warren: Trump ‘trying to take a little of the shine that Zohran Mamdani has’
https://thehill.com/homenews/5618262-warren-trump-mamdani-meeting/

NEWSWEEK
— Full List of Democrats Voting to Condemn Socialism
https://www.newsweek.com/full-list-of-democrats-voting-to-condemn-socialism-as-mamdani-comes-to-town-11088383
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote sedition.
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-democrats-video-executed-seditious-11089044

ABC NEWS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote sedition.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/president-trump-accuses-democratic-lawmakers-seditious-behavior-127755514

NBC NEWS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote sedition.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-democrats-sedition-death-threat-military-rcna245156

CBS NEWS
— Trump praises Mamdani after White House meeting: “I want him to do a great job”
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-updates/trump-mamdani-meeting-white-house-new-york/
— Full video of Trump-Mamdani meeting as president says they “agree on a lot more” than he thought
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/watch-full-video-trump-mamdani-meeting/
—  Top 4 takeaways from the Trump-Mamdani meeting
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/trump-mamdani-white-house-meeting-takeaways/

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Heaps Praise on Mamdani and New York’s Future
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11/21/us/trump-news

USA TODAY
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote socialism
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/11/20/katie-wilson-seattle-mayor-mamdani-socialism-democrats/87323706007/
— DD: Compared to our peers, my wife and I spent far less of our income for immediate pleasures and saved far more of our income for our retirement. My critics/opponents stress that we would not have been able save as much for our retirement if we had children.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2018/09/12/retirement-savings-4-tips-save-more-spend-less/1201342002/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote sedition.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/21/trump-threatens-death-six-democrats-sedition/87397313007/
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/politics/2025/11/21/trump-claims-sedition-post-not-threatening-democrats/87401336007/

TAMPA FREE PRESS
— Affordability Crisis Deepens: 7 In 10 Americans Say Raising Kids Is Unaffordable, Driving Down Birth Rates. DD: According to my Democrat GAO superiors, if my wife and I had children, a) I would not have been able to pass the CPA examination on my first attempt, earn a master’s degree in accounting, pass the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt, become a licensed CPA, earn four more professional certifications, or earn a master’s degree in financial markets and trading, b) my wife would not have been able to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance, and c) we would not have been able to have a new home built, save lots of money for our retirement, buy collector cars. etc.
https://www.aol.com/news/affordability-crisis-deepens-7-10-194250298.html

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Middle Class Is Buckling Under Almost Five Years of Persistent Inflation. Workers growing tired of economy in which everything seems to get more expensive.
https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/the-middle-class-is-buckling-under-almost-five-years-of-persistent-inflation-4d783aee

FORBES
— Speaker Johnson Says He’s ‘Very Interested In Raising The Threshold’ To Censure Members. DD: I should write about my critics/opponents who almost succeeded in getting their operatives and dupes to get the Illinois Center Right Coalition to censure me for my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters in 2006. I would focus on my critics/opponents who continue to have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEcB9RiaAzA

FORBES
— House Passes Resolution To Denounce Socialism’s ‘Horrors’ With 98 Dems Voting Against
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvUr17ulnwM

ATLANTIC
— Gas-Station Weed Is Fighting for Its Life. DD: Weed is poison.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/2025/11/thc-marijuana-hemp-loophole/685016/

POLITICO
— House votes to denounce ‘horrors’ of socialism
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/11/21/congress/house-denounces-horrors-of-socialism-00664412

ACLU
— DD: According to my critics/opponents, I owe all my successes in life to my benefitting from discrimination against those who do not share my demographics.
https://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/trumps-attempt-to-roll-back-key-civil-rights-enforcement-tool

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

INDIAN EXPRESS
— Trump-Mamdani Meeting Live Updates: Trump praises NYC mayor-elect Mamdani in Oval Office meeting, says they ‘agreed on a lot’
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/live-updates-donald-trump-is-set-to-meet-with-zohran-mamdani-at-white-house-10378890/

November 19, 2025

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

NBC5
— Pritzker holds private meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Rome. “You can feel his humanity,” Pritzker said in an interview with NBC 5. “It was a special moment, even for this Jewish boy.” DD: What complaints do the Pope and Pritzker share against Trump?
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/nbc-5-exclusive-pritzker-holds-private-meeting-with-pope-leo-xiv-in-rome/3853221/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Dabrowski: Illinois Republicans want their party to make arguments, not excuses
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/opinion-illinois-republicans-power/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight deportation of their illegals.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-sun-times/20251119/281711210930928

NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: What percent of illegals want/need/demand public assistance?
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-11-18/trump-administration-rule-could-further-penalize-immigrants-for-using-benefits

BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Little Village’s 26th Street Slowly Comes Back To Life After Months Of Immigration Raids. Business owners celebrated a noticeably more lively weekend after Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino and many of his agents left town. “There’s feeling of a brotherhood now, of people coming out to the community to be supportive,” one business manager said. DD: How dependent on their illegals have Democrat and RINO leaders made your county, your township, your municipality, your school district, and your precinct?
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/18/little-villages-26th-street-slowly-comes-back-to-life-after-months-of-immigration-raids/

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Where’s JB: Meeting the Pope
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2025/11/19/wheres-jb-at-the-vatican-with-the-pope-00658696

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/11/19/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-635/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WIREPOINTS
— Glennon on Chicago’s property tax bills
https://wirepoints.org/wirepoints-mark-glennon-on-chicagos-property-tax-bills-youtube-am560/

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would have earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— The Washington Post decries the money that baby boomers have. I am a baby boomer. Are you a baby boomer? If so, where did your money come from? My money came from what I earned doing yard work 1962-1964, delivering newspapers 1962-1966, washing dishes 1964-1966, cleaning golf shoes, chipping slag, and pumping gasoline in 1966, delivering mail 1966-1969, working on an automotive assembly line in 1970, selling tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971, pumping more gasoline 1971-1972, collecting delinquent federal taxes 1971-1980, auditing federal agencies 1980-1997, my Civil Service Retirement System pension since 1997, my Social Security since 2010, and more recently, three inheritances. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— What opinions on socialism do your critics/opponents have? My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that I benefitted big time by working for the federal government for almost 30 years and that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— How has antisemitism impacted you? My Democrat superiors in the federal government forced my many Jewish superiors and supervisors to take many big adverse actions against me. They stressed that I was conservative, Republican, Protestant, German American, and that I lived in Crete 1948-1972 and in Wheaton since 1978. In my defense, I stressed that my grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans in WWI, that my uncles on my mother’s side fought the Germans in WWII, and that my father would have fought the Germans in WWII if he had not been 4-F. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Trump administration accuses Illinois officials of inciting ICE protests
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/supreme-court/3890533/trump-administration-accuses-illinois-officials-of-inciting-ice-protests/
— National conservatism isn’t the future of the GOP
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/in_focus/3890772/national-conservatism-not-gop-future/
— Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani 2028 ticket: Don’t laugh, socialism rising. DD: My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that I benefitted big time by working for the federal government for almost 30 years and that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/washington-secrets/3890760/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-zohran-mamdani-2028-ticket-dont-laugh-socialism-rising/

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Mamdani Throws Support Behind State Assembly Candidate Who Blamed 9/11 on America. DD: Will Mamdani succeed in uniting non-Christians against Christians?
https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/socialists-unite-mamdani-throws-support-behind-behind-state-assembly-candidate-who-blamed-9-11-on-america/
— Cal State Schools Require Students To Take DEI Classes To Graduate. Options Include ‘Queer Crip Lit’ and ‘Decolonize Your Diet.’
https://freebeacon.com/campus/cal-state-schools-require-students-to-take-dei-classes-to-graduate-options-include-queer-crip-lit-and-decolonize-your-diet/

AMAC
— Government Shutdown Exposes Massive Illegal Alien Welfare Fraud
https://amac.us/newsline/economy/government-shutdown-exposes-massive-illegal-alien-welfare-fraud/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Why young Americans support democratic socialism. DD: My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would have earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/11/why_young_americans_support_democratic_socialism.html
— The running gag, the leftist lie: ‘Socialism has never been tried before.’  DD: My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would have earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/11/the_running_gag_the_leftist_lie_socialism_has_never_been_tried_before.html

BLAZE
— Charlotte school district attendance plummets after immigration raid, sparking concerns about illegal alien numbers
https://www.theblaze.com/news/charlotte-school-district-attendance-plummets-after-immigration-raid-sparking-concerns-about-illegal-alien-numbers
— Bill Maher warns Democrats the radical left is leading party to ruin. DD: My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would have earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA.
https://www.theblaze.com/news/socialism-will-f-k-you-bill-maher-warns-democrats-the-radical-left-is-leading-party-to-ruin

BREITBART
— States Illegally Issued 194,000 Commercial Driver’s Licenses to Foreign Truckers
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/11/18/sean-duffy-states-illegally-issued-194000-commercial-drivers-licenses-to-foreign-truckers/
— Majority of Democrats Have Favorable View of Socialism. DD: My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would have earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/11/18/poll-majority-of-democrats-have-favorable-view-of-socialism/amp/
— Trump urged GOP-led states to redraw US House districts. Now other states also are gerrymandering.
https://www.breitbart.com/news/trump-urged-gop-led-states-to-redraw-us-house-districts-now-other-states-also-are-gerrymandering/amp/

DAILY CALLER
— How America’s Biggest Socialist Group Could Get A Million Mamdanis Elected. DD: My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would have earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA.
https://www.aol.com/articles/america-biggest-socialist-group-could-215027342.html
— Socialist Mamdani Won’t Stop Asking His Supporters To Redistribute Wealth … To Him
https://dailycaller.com/2025/11/18/zohran-mamdani-supporters-money/

DAILY WIRE
— Millions Of Illegals Are Receiving Food Stamps
https://www.dailywire.com/news/yes-millions-of-illegals-are-receiving-food-stamps

FOX BUSINESS
— Republicans prepare for post-Trump era with a new generation of conservative leaders
https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6385262875112

FOX NEWS
— Sanctuary states need crackdown as Americans pay price for illegal immigrant truckers
https://www.foxnews.com/us/sanctuary-states-need-crackdown-americans-pay-price-illegal-immigrant-truckers-gop-lawmaker

NEWSMAX
— Pope Backs US Bishops in Blasting Trump Immigration Crackdown. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly succeed in getting religious leaders to do their bidding.
https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/pope-leo-xiv-bishops-donald-trump/2025/11/18/id/1235102/
— DHS Moves to Deny Migrants ‘Primarily Dependent’ on Govt Assistance
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/dhs-green-cards-snap/2025/11/18/id/1235042/

REAL CLEAR MARKETS
— Affordable Housing Fixes Hide Socialist Wish-Lists
https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/19/affordable_housing_fixes_hide_socialist_wish-lists_1148276.html
— AI-Touting Technocrats Sell Socialism As Solution. DD: When my critics/opponents aren’t blaming their problems on discrimination against those who share their demographics, they blame their problems on capitalism.
https://www.realclearmarkets.com/2025/11/18/ai-touting_technocrats_sell_socialism_as_solution_1147989.html

TOWNHALL
— As Religion Weakens, Socialism Strengthens. DD: My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would have earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA.
https://townhall.com/columnists/starparker/2025/11/19/as-religion-weakens-socialism-strengthens-n2666640

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— The right battles to define the post-Trump GOP, just 1 year into his presidency
https://thehill.com/newsletters/the-movement/5609862-trump-future-republican-party-squabbles/amp/
— Ben Shapiro warns young people to flee New York City, socialism
https://www.aol.com/articles/opinion-ben-shapiro-warns-young-184716819.html

CNN
— Senate unanimously agrees to send Epstein bill to Trump’s desk
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-presidency-epstein-files-house-vote-11-18-25
— DD: Under the Democrats, fewer and fewer and fewer become productive members of society.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/18/business/prices-economy-tariff-small-business

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE: Democrat leaders have declared a Second Civil War against Republicans. Their illegals are their soldiers in their Democrat Army.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/us/immigrants-survey-trump.html
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly get religious leaders to do their bidding.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/us/catholic-church-immigration-trump.html
— DD: Under the Democrats, fewer and fewer and fewer become productive members of society.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/us/politics/trump-mcdonalds-affordability-inflation.html

WASHINGTON POST
— How baby boomers got so rich and why their kids are unlikely to catch up. DD: I am a baby boomer. Are you a baby boomer? If so, where did your money come from? My money came from what I earned doing yard work 1962-1964, delivering newspapers 1962-1966, washing dishes 1964-1966, cleaning golf shoes, chipping slag, and pumping gasoline in 1966, delivering mail 1966-1969, working on an automotive assembly line in 1970, selling tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971, pumping more gasoline 1971-1972, collecting delinquent federal taxes 1971-1980, auditing federal agencies 1980-1997, my Civil Service Retirement System pension since 1997, my Social Security since 2010, and more recently, three inheritances.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/11/18/baby-boomer-wealth/

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG PICTURE: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote socialism.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/15/zohran-mamdani-victory-nyc-democratic-socialism/87231501007/
— DD: Under the Democrats, fewer and fewer and fewer become productive members of society.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/11/18/mcdonalds-lower-income-customers/87334177007/

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
— The federal takeover of New York City has begun
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/19/the-federal-takeover-of-new-york-city-has-begun/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— FRONT PAGE: Trump’s Grip on Republicans Shows First Signs of Slipping
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trumps-grip-on-republicans-shows-first-signs-of-slipping-794e3c51
— Gen Z, Socialism and the ‘Memes’ of Production. Students discuss the popularity of the far left among young people. DD: My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would have earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/gen-z-socialism-and-the-memes-of-production-db3af34c
— Antisemitism Betrays America’s Heritage. DD: My Democrat superiors in the federal government forced my many Jewish superiors and supervisors to take many big adverse actions against me. They stressed that I was conservative, Republican, Protestant, German American, and that I lived in Crete 1948-1972 and in Wheaton since 1978. In my defense, I stressed that my grandfather on my father’s side fought the Germans in WWI, that my uncles on my mother’s side fought the Germans in WWII, and that my father would have fought the Germans in WWII if he had not been 4-F.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/antisemitism-betrays-americas-heritage-3fd6d3d1

BARRON’S
— DD: Under the Democrats, fewer and fewer and fewer become productive members of society.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/trump-economy-prices-consumers-affordability-40464997

FORBES
— Republicans & Dems Spar Over Resolution ‘Denouncing The Horrors Of Socialism’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGo527KDfMM
— DD: Republicans urge Democrats to denounce socialism. DD: My critics/opponents who have less money than I have want socialism. They blame their problems on capitalism. They hint/imply/argue/shout that if I had spent my career in the private sector instead of government, I never would have earned $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. How much would I have been earning in 1997 if I had spent my career in the private sector? I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting, and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I became a licensed CPA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20hneB6DbLs

WESTLAW
— Trump is close to implementing a rule that would end long-standing legal protections for whistleblowers among senior federal employees. DD: For Democrats, the federal government exists to hire Democrats, to retain Democrats, and to promote Democrats.
https://today.westlaw.com/Document/I317e0d90c4d811f08e72ef1396201407/View/FullText.html

FED WEKK
— NTEU Sues for Release of Positions Recommended for Schedule Policy/Career. DD: For Democrats, the federal government exists to hire Democrats, to retain Democrats, and to promote Democrats.
https://www.fedweek.com/fedweek/nteu-sues-for-release-of-positions-recommended-for-schedule-policy-career/amp/

HUFFINGTON POST
— Senate Republicans Want To Charge Federal Workers Thousands Of Dollars For Job Security. DD: For Democrats, the federal government exists to hire Democrats, to retain Democrats, and to promote Democrats.
https://www.aol.com/senate-republicans-want-charge-federal-163110256.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Senate Republicans are pursuing a plan through their “big, beautiful bill” that would force new federal employees to pay for traditional job protections, a major reform that unions have decried as “extortion.” The measure put forth late last week by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee mirrors a similar one House Republicans included in their version of the reconciliation bill that passed last month. It would require federal workers to pay thousands of additional dollars into their government retirement plans each year unless they choose to be “at-will” employees who can be fired without cause. The cost to workers is even steeper in the Senate legislation. Whereas the House version would require new hires to pay an additional 5% of their salary to avoid being at-will, the Senate version hikes it to a whopping 10%. Even those who forgo civil service protections would still have to chip in another 5% — a measure not included in the House bill. In other words, a new federal worker on a $50,000 salary would be paying an extra $2,500 into the retirement plan compared to a veteran employee. And if that new worker wanted the same job protections as the veteran, they would have to pay an extra $5,000 instead.)

AXIOS
— Pope Leo denounces “extremely disrespectful” treatment of immigrants in U.S. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly succeed in getting religious leaders to do their bidding.
https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/pope-leo-trump-immigration-crackdown-us-bishops-message

ACLU
— DD: Democrat leaders crow about their success getting in veterans to protest Trump.
https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/dozens-of-veterans-descend-on-capitol-hill-to-oppose-military-deployments-to-u-s-cities

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

NTD
— ICE to Target Employers Hiring Illegal Immigrant Workers
https://www.ntd.com/ice-to-target-employers-hiring-illegal-immigrant-workers-says-director_1108749.html

TELEGRAPH
— DD: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters ever-increasingly use Epstein to promote more hatred against Trump.
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/why-maga-is-obsessed-with-epstein-and-why-the-21195160.php

November 18, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Protest area outside Broadview ICE facility expanding
https://abc7chicago.com/post/protest-area-outside-ice-facility-village-broadview-il-expanding-mayor-katrina-thompson-declares-civil-emergency/18170790/
— House reprimands Democrat Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García, accused of subverting election
https://abc7chicago.com/post/house-reprimands-rep-jesus-chuy-garcia-holds-chicago-seat-allegedly-subverting-election-chief-staff/18170723/
— Congress acts swiftly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill to Trump
https://abc7chicago.com/post/house-vote-full-epstein-files-release-move-johnson-fought-months/18168857/

CBS2
— House approves bill to force release of Epstein files in 427-1 vote
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/live-updates/epstein-files-vote-2025/

WBEZ
— Broadview ICE facility population dwindles as feds shift focus from Chicago. A Justice Department lawyer told a judge Tuesday that only four people were being held inside the west suburban immigration holding facility; last week 20 people were there.
https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2025/11/18/broadview-ice-facility-population-dwindles-as-feds-shift-focus-from-chicago

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Sharp drop in detainees at ICE facility in Broadview follows temporary restraining order
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/18/broadview-population-decrease/
— Pritzker’s Accountability Commission still ramping up as federal immigration surge starts to subside. Panel to probe immigration raids lacks public reporting system as feds pose for photos at the Bean.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/17/pritzker-immigration-accountability-commission/
— Illinois elections board remains deadlocked on Senate President Don Harmon fundraising case, drops $9.8M fine
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/18/elections-board-drops-harmon-fine/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Election board deadlock sinks $9.8M campaign fine against Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. A partisan vote from the Illinois State Board of Elections means the Oak Park Democrat’s political committee won’t be hit with a massive fine for allegedly accepting donations beyond campaign financing law.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/springfield/2025/11/18/don-harmon-campaign-fine-illinois-state-election-board-deadlock
— 23 House Dems join GOP in condemning Chuy Garcia’s last-minute ballot maneuver. The vote happened a day after House leaders tried unsuccessfully to kill the resolution, which ripped wide open a split in the Democratic Party trying to unite against President Donald Trump’s policies.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2025/11/18/jesus-chuy-garcia-ballot-maneuver-congressional-primary-patty-garcia-marie-gluesenkamp-perez-resolution
— Broadview ICE facility population dwindles as feds shift focus from Chicago. A Justice Department lawyer told a judge Tuesday that only four people were being held inside the west suburban immigration holding facility; last week 20 people were there.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/11/18/broadview-ice-facility-population-dwindling-as-feds-shift-focus-from-chicago

DAILY HERALD
— Suburban congressional candidate who posted antisemitic views knocked off 2026 ballot
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251118/us-congress-politics/suburban-congressional-candidate-who-posted-antisemitic-views-knocked-off-2026-ballot/
— Palatine passes resolution answering residents’ concerns about federal immigration enforcement
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251118/news/palatine-passes-resolution-answering-residents-concerns-about-federal-immigration-enforcement/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— House censures Chuy Garcia over late retirement move
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/chuy-garcia-censured-house-over-late-retirement-move

NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight deportation of their illegals.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-11-18/poll-finds-that-immigrants-are-fearful-of-trumps-crackdown-but-still-resolved-to-stay-in-u-s

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/11/18/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-425/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Illinois truckers back federal pause on non-domiciled CDLs, hope state follows suit
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_5d532d72-3cee-4656-ba22-ff4c14b390e1.html

BREAKTHROUGH IDEAS
— From NYC to Seattle Democratic Socialists Are Stinkin’ Up the Joint
https://www.breakthrough-ideas.com/read/2025/11/18/from-nyc-to-seattle-democratic-socialists-are-stinkin-up-the-joint

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Taxpayers pay $23.6M for Chicago Public Schools vacations
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/taxpayers-pay-23-6m-for-chicago-public-schools-vacations/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TMES
— Democrats squirm amid mounting evidence of the party’s Epstein connections
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/18/democrats-squirm-amid-mounting-evidence-partys-epstein-connections/
— Democratic lawmakers urge U.S. service members to defy ‘illegal orders’ from Trump administration
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/18/democratic-lawmakers-urge-us-service-members-defy-illegal-orders/
— New York, New York, it’s a socialist town. Mamdani is up, and the centrists are down.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/18/new-york-new-york-socialist-town/
— Electorate’s misguided middle finger to GOP puts radicals in office. Get ready for ‘no-go zones.’
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/18/electorates-misguided-middle-finger-gop-puts-radicals-office/

NEW YORK POST
— Muslim group CAIR cutting $1,000 checks for anti-Israel agitators who have been disciplined by colleges
https://nypost.com/2025/11/18/us-news/muslim-group-cair-cutting-1000-checks-for-anti-israel-agitators-who-have-been-disciplined-by-colleges/
— Dems’ Epstein obsession is a scandalmongering charade
https://nypost.com/2025/11/18/opinion/dems-epstein-obsession-is-a-scandalmongering-charade/

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Public schools spent 70 million dollars on illegals last year in Miami-Dade ALONE!
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/11/18/public-schools-spent-70-million-dollars-on-illegals-last-year-in-miami-dade-alone-1601121/


PJ MEDIA
— Sec.
Duffy Slams ‘CDL Mills’, Woke Judges Saving Trucking Jobs for Illegals
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/11/18/sec-duffy-slams-cdl-mills-woke-judges-saving-trucking-jobs-for-illegals-n4946127

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

NPR
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight deportation of their illegals.
https://www.npr.org/2025/11/17/nx-s1-5611168/doj-records-show-hundreds-of-immigrants-arrested-in-chicago-had-no-criminal-histories

November 16, 2025

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DD: Federal immigration agents accused of racial profiling. What percent of illegals are non-White?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/latino-us-citizens-racially-profiled-immigration-chicago/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use Epstein to destroy Trump.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/16/column-jeffrey-epstein-files-maga-page/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG PICTURE: DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly blame Republicans for high health insurance rates. DD: My critics/opponents ever-increasingly demonize, denigrate, and condemn the 72% health insurance subsidy a) that I got when I was federal employee 1966-1997, b) that my wife got when she was a federal employee 1968-1970, c) that I will always get as a federal retiree, and d) that my wife has gotten since we got married in 1978 and will always get. My critics/opponents either a) would never have stooped to take a federal job and/or b) failed/refused to qualify themselves for federal jobs. In my defense, I would not become a postal employee when I was 18 in 1966 if my high school friend had not asked me to take the postal employment test with him. I would not have become an IRS employee in 1971 if my Firestone Store boss had not fired me because I had accepted a job offer from Oldsmobile. But Oldsmobile withdrew that job offer saying that it had just agreed to stop hiring Whites to settle an EEOC complaint.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/16/health-insurance-obamacare-subsidies-aca/

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH PICTURE: DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly glorify and praise their illegals.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251115/local/they-were-just-arresting-people-family-seeks-release-of-longtime-des-plaines-resident-detained-by/
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH PHOTOS AND GRAPHIC: Why do so many Democratic U.S. House members in the suburbs have primary challengers?
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251115/us-congress-politics/why-do-so-many-democratic-u-s-house-members-in-the-suburbs-have-primary-challengers/
— Families in need line up early for distribution of 1,000 holiday meals in Elgin. DD: Under the Democrats, more and more and more people are “in need.”
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251115/news/families-in-need-line-up-early-for-distribution-of-1000-holiday-meals-in-elgin/
— FRONT PAGE WITH PICTURE: Advocates celebrate Glen Ellyn affordable housing development
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251115/news/a-fundamental-issue-advocates-celebrate-glen-ellyn-affordable-housing-development/

NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: If you cannot afford something, Democrats want you to blame Trump.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-11-15/white-house-pivots-to-affordability-as-president-trump-confronts-voter-discontent

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— What do you say to those who demand blind loyalty? My critics/opponents demand blind loyalty. They destroy those like me who they cannot manipulate or dominate, who refuse to glorify and paise them, who refuse to pander to them, who refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, who refuse to cover up their wrongdoing, and/or who refuse to give them money. I should write about my critics/opponents. I would focus on those who have had their operatives and their dupes take the most/biggest adverse actions against me lately. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— In what ways are you becoming a minority in Illinois, in your county, in your township, in your municipality, and in your precinct? I am increasingly becoming a minority in the aforesaid because I am conservative, Republican, Protestant, German American, and my ancestors have been in northeast Illinois for a long time.  My ancestors have lived in northeast Illinois since 1844. I have lived in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978. I have lived in my precinct since 1984. Ever-increasingly, those who share my demographics are not moving to where I live, they are moving away from where I live, or they are passing away. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Syverson Interviewed on Chicago Fox about Blasting Dems for Providing Health Care for Illegals
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/15/syverson-interviewed-on-chicago-fox-about-blasting-dems-for-providing-health-care-for-illegals/
— Reick Wonders If AI Excitement Has Overheated the Economy & Resulted in Excessive Taxpayer Subsidies
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/15/reick-wonders-if-ai-excitement-has-overheated-the-economy-resulted-in-excessive-taxpayer-subsidies/
— UPDATE: Dog Sex Arrests in Huntley MAKES ABC, NBC & WGN
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/14/dog-sex-arrests-in-huntley/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

NEW YORK POST
— Mamdani taps ‘Defund the Police’ champion to head team steering his transition to NYC mayor
https://nypost.com/2025/11/15/us-news/mamdani-taps-defund-the-police-champion-to-head-team-steering-his-transition-to-nyc-mayor/
— Jewish New Yorkers rushing to buy guns for protection after anti-Israel Mamdani’s victory
https://www.aol.com/articles/jewish-yorkers-rushing-buy-guns-134514602.html
— Mamdani setting up NYC for violence with resistance to immigration enforcement
https://nypost.com/2025/11/15/opinion/zohran-mamdani-risking-nyc-violence-with-immigration-enforcement-resistance/
— Trump admin begins massive crackdown on violent illegal migrants in Charlotte
https://nypost.com/2025/11/15/us-news/ice-raids-underway-in-charlotte-in-trumps-latest-immigration-sweep/
— Katie Wilson — a 43-year-old socialist who still lives off parents’ money — wins Seattle mayoral race. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party? How much money did your parents have? My father never earned more than $50,000/year in today’s dollars. in 1969, he died suddenly when he was 47 and I was 21. My mother had never worked outside the home before then.
https://www.aol.com/news/katie-wilson-43-old-socialist-180222056.html
— AOC raises ‘impressive’ $11.8M — setting socialist lawmaker up for potential 2028 Senate run. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.aol.com/articles/aoc-raises-impressive-11-8m-133436890.html
— Champagne Socialist Zohran Mamdani slammed for hogging $2,300 apartment — despite six-figure salary, wealthy family. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.aol.com/cuomo-bashes-rich-person-zohran-125945960.html

BIZ PAC REVIEW
— Seattle mayor-elect Katie Wilson broadcasts socialist wish list. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2025/11/15/utopia-seattle-mayor-elect-katie-wilson-broadcasts-socialist-wish-list-1600562/

CENTER FOR IMMIGRATION STUDIES
— H-1B – Designed for Cheap Labor. DD: Employers want cheap labor. All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://cis.org/Miano/H1B-Designed-Cheap-Labor

DAILY CALLER
— Socialist Katie Wilson Wins Seattle Mayor’s Race Thanks To Ballot Dumps Over A Week After Election Day. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.aol.com/articles/socialist-katie-wilson-wins-seattle-024312231.html

DAILY SIGNAL
— Socialism Has Failed Everywhere. Mamdani’s NYC Will Be No Different.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/11/12/mayor-mamdanis-socialist-vision-is-setting-nyc-up-for-failure/

EPOCH TIMES
— How Trump Broke GOP Orthodoxy and Built a New Working-Class Party. DD: I was a member of the working class 1964-1997, that is, I was a wage earner 1964-1997. My critics/opponents a) look down on, if not despise, if not hate wage earners, b) have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, Milton Township, DuPage County, and Illinois, and/or c) had wealthy parents who bought them cars, paid for their college expenses, and got them jobs. I should write about my critics/opponents.
https://lists.theepochtimes.com/archive/u6lrbCAwEN/RontmvJPy/1tiNbjq0PdJ

FOX NEWS
— Socialist wave goes coast-to-coast as historic wins shake up the 2025 mayoral elections. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democratic-socialists-win-mayoral-races-new-york-city-seattle-historic-victories
— Seattle elects socialist Katie Wilson as mayor. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6385147150112
— Meet the socialist Mamdani-style mayor just elected to run West Coast’s 5th largest city. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/meet-socialist-mamdani-style-mayor-just-elected-run-west-coasts-5th-largest-city
— Bill Maher tears into socialism and begs Democrats to embrace moderate candidates. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.foxnews.com/media/bill-maher-tears-socialism-begs-democrats-embrace-moderate-candidates.amp
— Will Election Day 2025 be remembered as the rise of the socialists? DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.aol.com/news/election-day-2025-remembered-rise-150042352.html
— Seattle elects democratic socialist Katie Wilson as mayor. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6385147150112

LAW ENFORCEMENT TODAY
— ICE Busts Duckworth Senate Aide for Bogus Lawyer Ruse to Release Criminal Migrant
https://lawenforcementtoday.com/ice-illinois-fake-lawyer-tammy-duckworth
— America’s Roads Just Got More Dangerous Thanks to Radical Judges. DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://lawenforcementtoday.com/rogue-federal-judges-trump-americas-roadways-

NEWSMAX
— Staten Island Leaders Renew Secession Push After Mamdani Election
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/staten-island-new-york-city-mayor/2025/11/15/id/1234693/

POST MILLENNIAL
— Seattle’s new socialist mayor looks forward to ‘coast to coast partnership’ with Mamdani. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://thepostmillennial.com/seattles-new-socialist-mayor-looks-forward-to-coast-to-coast-partnership-with-nycs-zohran-mamdani
— Staten Island sees renewed NYC secession push after Mamdani victory
https://thepostmillennial.com/staten-island-sees-renewed-nyc-secession-push-after-mamdani-victory

ZERO HEDGE
— The Foreign Worker Scam Exposes Trump’s Economic Achilles Heel
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/foreign-worker-scam-exposes-trumps-economic-achilles-heel
(FROM THE ARTICLE: To bring our nation back to legitimate self reliance would require a total reformation of our society and the removal of the political left (including globalists) from the equation. Part of this long term reformation demands a reversal of open borders ideology and multiculturalism, which has ravaged the west. Migrants view our economy as a “global commons”, a wealth pool they are all entitled to access. They don’t see it is a privilege, they see it as a “right”. This is something that Trump does have the capacity to fix in the three years he has left in office, but he has a tendency to get sidetracked by minutia and bad advice. I have been warning since before Trump was re-elected that the economy was going to be his Achilles Heal. From past examples it seems that Trump delegates a lot of his policy ideas to advisers and among these advisers (he has dozens of them, official and unofficial) there are always people who give him suicidal arguments and terrible talking points. His lack of concrete planning for economic repair is putting conservatives on edge and handing immense social influence over to Democrats and woke activists. All they have to do is point at the lack of a clear strategy and suggest that they can do better (they can’t, but it won’t matter to voters living paycheck to paycheck). Trump has done some things right. His tariff policies are absolutely necessary to counter the wealth gap created by corporate globalism. The US has been turned into a consumer nation that continuously takes on debt in order to create ever depreciating wealth. That wealth is then siphoned from the public by international conglomerates, banks and foreign interests. We are being slowly drained of our lifeblood by a nest of vampires. Tariffs are one of the few measures at Trump’s disposal to unilaterally stop the bleeding and force corporations to bring the wealth and jobs back to the US. This is done through new domestic manufacturing and the end of general outsourcing using third world labor. Globalism is NOT the free market, it is the opposite. It is forced interdependency of nations and economies to the benefit of a tiny handful of ultra-wealthy elites. The tariff fight is direct and Trump’s reasons are evident. The average Joe wants more American jobs with higher salaries for the middle class instead of wallowing in low-wage retail and service sector hell. But Trump can’t say he’s fighting for this end result through tariffs and then turn around and let an army of migrants take middle class jobs. The President stumbled into multiple forehead slapping blunders this past week. He called for 600,000 Chinese students to prop up US colleges. He called for 50-year mortgages to offset plunging home ownership, and he argued that America doesn’t have the talent pool to fill jobs taken by H1B foreigners.)

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

THE HILL
— How to reverse the dumbing down of American higher ed
https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/education/5606843-how-to-reverse-the-dumbing-down-of-american-higher-ed/amp/
— DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.aol.com/articles/opinion-mamdani-victory-shows-democrats-190000084.html

MSN
— Mamdani says to boycott Starbucks during worker strike
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/mamdani-says-to-boycott-starbucks-during-worker-strike/ar-AA1QuYYS

AOL
— AI may be hurting entry-level jobs. DD: What entry-level jobs did you have? I earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU when I was 21 years old in 1970. My first entry-level was Retail Sales Manager for a Firestone Store. My salary was about $50,000/year in today’s dollars for a 44-hour workweek. In 1971, my second entry-level job was a GS-7 IRS Revenue Officer. The salary was $55,850/year in today’s dollars. To get that job, I had passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination. My taking graduate evening business courses at Loyola helped me get promoted to GS-9 ($68,315/year) in 1972, to GS-11 ($82,655/year) in 1973, and to GS-12 ($99,069/year) in 1974. I earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976.
https://www.aol.com/articles/powell-says-ai-may-hurting-210440564.html
— Mamdani Wasted No Time In Quoting Socialist Eugene Debs During Victory Speech. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.aol.com/news/zohran-mamdani-wasted-no-time-144553426.html
— College Graduates Put Socialism Back on the Ballot. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.aol.com/news/college-graduates-put-socialism-back-195526625.html

ABC NEWS
— Congress reopens government, but leaves healthcare subsidies in limbo. DD: While I worked for the Democrats who ran the Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, the federal government paid 72% of my health insurance premiums. That helped me endure my Democrat superiors’ tremendous efforts to get rid of me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFXpfhYDBU8

NBC DC
— Unprecedented surge of federal retirement claims. DD: My Democrat GAO superiors used Gingrich budget cuts to make my coworkers like me who had 25 years of federal service eligible to retire when I was 45 year old in 1993, that is, they used Gingrich budget cuts to get rid of my coworkers like me who had 25 years of federal service in 1993. Overwhelmingly, my coworkers who were eligible were White male males like me who had not made GS-15, currently $163,749-$195,200/year.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/surge-federal-retirement-claims-delays-frustration/4016344/

NEW YORK TIMES
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use Fuentes against Republicans
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-john-ganz.html
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote more abortion.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/opinion/abortion-pills.html
— What Even Is a ‘Good’ Job? DD: According to my critics/opponents, a) all the jobs that I had were bad jobs that they would never have stooped to take and b) I was always grossly overpaid and my employment benefits were always far too generous.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/opinion/good-jobs-policy.html

WASHINGTON POST
— DD: Will Mamdani succeed in uniting Muslims and Jews against Christians?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/11/16/sadiq-khan-london-zohran-mamdani/
— Seasonal hiring weakest since the Great Recession.  DD: When I was 18 years old, the Post Office hired me in November of 1966 because it got a budget increase to deal with 1966 Christmas rush.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/11/12/holiday-hiring-slowdown-ai-great-recession/

USA TODAY
— DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/15/zohran-mamdani-victory-nyc-democratic-socialism/87231501007/

FORTUNE
— If you proletarianize the young people, don’t be surprised they end up communist
https://www.aol.com/finance/billionaire-peter-thiel-warns-proletarianize-235603503.html

NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly succeed in getting religious leaders to promote illegal immigration.
https://www.ncregister.com/cna/bishops-of-new-york-condemn-deportations-of-migrants-with-refugee-status

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

SOCIALIST WORKER
— Should we condemn violence or embrace it? DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://socialistworker.co.uk/teach-yourself-marxism/should-we-condemn-violence-or-embrace-it/

ECONOMIC TIMES
— ‘No contract, no coffee!’: Mamdani calls for Starbucks boycott as union workers strike nationwide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYuUtQT647U

NTD NEWS
— DHS Drives Historic Drop in US Foreign-Born Population. DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://www.ntd.com/dhs-drives-historic-drop-in-us-foreign-born-population_1108104.html

TIMES OF INDIA
— JD Vance challenges Donald Trump over H-1B visas. DD: All my employers would have hired noncitizens instead of me if they could have.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/jd-vance-challenges-donald-trump-over-h-1b-visas-how-it-happens-and-what-it-reveals-about-policy/articleshow/125349490.cms

NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
— Mamdani’s multitudes and India’s soft power. Mamdani’s unapologetic embrace of his layered identities is soft power as the persuasion of authenticity, not propaganda. He may not represent India formally, yet he reflects some of its finest possibilities—pluralism, intellectual curiosity, and the capacity to juggle contradictions. DD: How soon will the Democratic Party officially change its name to the Socialist Party?
https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2025/Nov/15/zohran-mamdanis-multitudes-and-indias-soft-power

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
— The forever-renter generation: they’re ones who voted Mamdani. DD: Back in the good old days, that is, back when I was 24 years old in 1972, I was able to buy a new townhome. But I would not have been able to do that if I had not a) passed the Federal Service Entrance Examination in 1970, b) earned a bachelor’s degree in management from NIU in 1970, c) worked for IRS for 15 months, and d) worked part-time for a Firestone Store for 18 months and full-time for 7 months before that.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-forever-renter-generation-they-re-ones-who-voted-teal-and-mamdani-20251114-p5nfka.html

November 14, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— 21 arrested outside Broadview ICE detention center as protesters clash with police; 4 officers hurt
https://abc7chicago.com/post/village-broadview-il-protest-several-detained-outside-ice-facility-protesters-push-designated-area-live/18154986/
— Trump calls for DOJ probe into other Epstein ties, including Clinton
https://abc7chicago.com/post/trump-calls-doj-probe-other-epstein-ties-including-clinton/18155350/

CBS2
— 21 arrested, 4 officers injured as protesters, police clash outside Broadview ICE facility during faith vigil Friday
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/broadview-ice-facility-protesters-clash-police/
— Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino leaves Chicago
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/border-patrol-commander-gregory-bovino-leaves-chicago/
— DD: Democrats do not want any of their illegals to be deported, and especially those who do not have criminal records.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-area-ice-arrests-600-criminal-histories-high-public-safety-risk/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use Epstein against Trump
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/jeffrey-epstein-trump-emails-texts-inner-circle/

WGN9
— 4 law enforcement officers injured, 21 protestors arrested during clash outside Broadview ICE facility
https://wgntv.com/news/operation-midway-blitz/at-least-10-detained-amid-protests-outside-broadview-ice-facility/

FOX32
— Syverson blasts Pritzker’s immigration and healthcare policies
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1741155
— More Americans living paycheck to paycheck. DD: What did you do to qualify yourself for better paying jobs? I earned a job-related bachelor’s degree, three job-related master’s degrees, six job-related professional certifications, and a job-related professional license. To pay for the aforesaid, I took bad jobs that my peers would not stoop to take. 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. I worked on an automotive assembly line in 1970. I sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1971-1972. I pumped more gasoline 1971-1972. I collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980. I audited federal agencies 1980-1997. According to my critics/opponents, I was grossly overpaid for those jobs and my pension and retirement benefits are much too generous.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/more-americans-living-paycheck-paycheck-data-bank-america

WBEZ
— Tear gas, car crashes, chokeholds: Risky tactics have driven Trump’s Chicago deportation ‘blitz.’  Law enforcement experts say federal agents have displayed a lack of training and restraint. “They’re out of control,” ex-police Supt. Garry McCarthy says.
https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2025/11/14/ice-bovino-border-patrol-homeland-security-chicago-police-department

WGN RADIO
— USDA head says ‘everyone’ on SNAP will now have to reapply
https://wgnradio.com/news/usda-head-says-everyone-on-snap-will-now-have-to-reapply/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— 21 arrested, police officers injured at protest outside ICE processing center in Broadview
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/broadview-protest-arrests/
— Illinois Democratic Senate hopefuls target Trump’s immigration policies at labor forum
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/us-senate-race-illinois-union-forum/
— Chicago police release redacted video of ICE Brighton Park shooting
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/chicago-police-release-redacted-video-of-ice-brighton-park-shooting/
— Durbin says controversial shutdown vote could highlight partisan divisions on health care. DD: The federal government paying 72% of my health insurance helped me endure my Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO superiors’ tremendous efforts to get rid of me.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/dick-durbin-shutdown-vote-highlight-health-care/
— DD: Democrats do not want any of their illegals to be deported, and especially those who do not have criminal records.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/only-2-5-on-list-of-614-operation-midway-blitz-arrestees-had-criminal-histories-doj-records-show/
— Spas, suites, safaris and shopping: Who wouldn’t want to work at CPS?  CPS’s travel tab reads like a vacation brochure — Hawaii, Vegas, Egypt — all on the taxpayer’s dime. The district must freeze the perks and enforce accountability.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/13/cps-chicago-public-schools-travel-abuse-oig-inspector-general-expenses/
— On dangerous synthetic hemp, Washington comes to Illinois’ rescue.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/12/editorial-hemp-congress-federal-shutdown-brandon-johnson-pritzker/
— Activists rally outside Morton Grove board meeting, calling for ICE-free rules in town.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/13/indivisible-wants-ice-free-zone-witko-says-no/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Cops, protesters injured and 21 arrested after scuffles erupt during Broadview ICE facility protest. Yelling and shoving broke out an hour after the protest began Friday against immigration “abductions” in the Chicago area.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2025/11/14/scuffles-erupt-during-broadview-protest-several-arrested
— Tear gas, car crashes, chokeholds: Risky tactics have driven Trump’s Chicago deportation ‘blitz.’  Law enforcement experts say federal agents have displayed a lack of training and restraint. “They’re out of control,” ex-police Supt. Garry McCarthy says.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2025/11/14/ice-bovino-border-patrol-homeland-security-chicago-police-department
— World Diabetes Day. DD: My ever-increasingly doing more to help elect Republican candidates contributed to my coming down with type 2 diabetes, if not caused it. I have ever-increasingly spent more time putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters together and sending them out instead of paying attention to my health.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2025/11/14/ald-emma-mitts-tough-love-message-healthy-eating-world-diabetes-day

DAILY HERALD
— Protesters arrested after clashing with police outside Chicago-area immigration facility
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251114/chicago/protesters-arrested-after-clashing-with-police-outside-chicago-area-immigration-facility/
— ‘We need to act now’: DuPage County to shift funds to help food pantries amid SNAP crisis. DD: Under DuPage County Democrats, soon, everyone in DuPage County will be a) handing out welfare and/or b) receiving welfare.
https://www.dailyherald.com/20251113/news/we-need-to-act-now-dupage-county-to-shift-funds-to-help-food-pantries-amid-snap-crisis/

KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
— DD: Democrats push pot in Elburn
https://www.shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle/2025/11/14/cannabis-dispensary-coming-to-elburn/

NPR ILLINOIS
— She criticized President Trump during the shutdown. Now she’s been put on leave. DD: My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997 because I was an active member in a class action lawsuit that charged them with reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-11-14/she-criticized-president-trump-during-the-shutdown-now-shes-been-put-on-leave

WCIA
— DD: Democrats want to abolish the Second Amendment.
https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-county/new-gun-legislation-looking-to-make-a-difference-in-illinois/

BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— DD: Democrats ever-increasingly push intoxicating hemp
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/14/federal-bill-banning-intoxicating-hemp-a-death-sentence-for-many-chicago-businesses/

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/11/14/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roudnup/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Dog Sex Arrests in Huntley
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/14/dog-sex-arrests-in-huntley/
— U.S. Attorney Reports on Approach to Violent Crime
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/14/u-s-attorney-reports-on-approach-to-violent-crime/
— Fox River Grove Apartment Building Being Demolished Near Train Station May Be Reason for the Rat in Town
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/14/fox-river-grove-apartment-building-being-demolished-near-train-station-may-be-reason-for-the-rat-in-town/

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Anti-Trump bluster hides Illinois vulnerability to federal control
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/anti-trump-bluster-hides-illinois-vulnerability-to-federal-control/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Bondi taps acting U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to probe Democrats’ ties to Epstein
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/14/bondi-taps-acting-us-attorney-jay-clayton-probe-democrats-ties/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Democrats are less likely to be friends with Republicans
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/3887330/republicans-more-likely-than-democrats-close-friends-other-party-poll/
— Failing cities turn to failed socialism
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3887542/failing-cities-turn-failed-socialism/

NEW YORK POST
— Border Patrol gets shot at, rammed with cars and hit with bricks in Chicago: ‘Violence here is off the charts’
https://nypost.com/2025/11/14/us-news/border-patrol-chief-greg-bovino-says-chicago-violence-is-off-the-charts/
— College kids’ math skills worse than ever — blame our pass-the-buck public schools
https://nypost.com/2025/11/13/opinion/college-kids-math-skills-worse-than-ever-blame-pass-the-buck-schools/

AMERICAN THINKER
— Mamdani, Pied Piper of the Big Apple
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/11/zohran_mamdani_pied_piper_of_the_big_apple.html

BRIETBART
— Vance: Young Americans Can’t Afford Homes Because Joe Biden Flooded the Country with Millions of Illegal Aliens
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/11/14/jd-vance-young-americans-cant-afford-homes-because-joe-biden-flooded-the-country-with-millions-of-illegal-aliens/

TOWNHALL
— Chaos Breaks Out in Broadview After Anti-ICE Protesters Clash With Police
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/jeff-charles/2025/11/14/chaos-breaks-out-in-this-city-after-anti-ice-protesters-clash-with-police-n2666478

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

AOL
— Nearly Two Dozen Arrested As Faith Leaders Protest Outside Chicago-Area ICE Facility
https://www.aol.com/articles/nearly-two-dozen-arrested-faith-003502397.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly fight deportation of their illegals.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/us/trump-deportations-families.html

AMERICA MAGAZINE
— DD: Under the Democrats and under the RINOs, dependency on government and charity ever-increasingly increases.
https://www.americamagazine.org/weekly-dispatch/2025/11/14/the-government-shutdown-has-ended-but-americas-hunger-crisis-continues/

HR DRIVE
— Front-line workers are more difficult to find, train and retain. Employers’ previous assumptions about how easily workers can be hired or replaced have become increasingly unreliable. DD: 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.hrdive.com/news/front-line-workers-more-difficult-to-find-train-and-retain/805408/

November 13, 2025 Evening Edition

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

ABC7
— Chicago treasurer boycotting US Treasury Bonds; some aldermen concerned. She’s protesting what she calls the ‘authoritarian regime’ of President Donald Trump.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-treasurer-melissa-conyears-ervin-boycotting-us-treasury-bonds-saying-she-back-trump-aldermen-concerned/18152624/
— Federal services, agencies slowly returning after government shutdown ends
https://abc7chicago.com/post/federal-services-agencies-slowly-returning-government-shutdown-ends/18151925/
— Mamdani calls Pritzker for advice on issues, dealing with Trump
https://abc7chicago.com/post/new-york-city-mayor-elect-zohran-mamdani-calls-illinois-governor-jb-pritzker-advice-issues-president-donald-trump-sources/18152542/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use Epstein against Trump.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/epstein-offered-reporter-photos-donald-girls-bikinis-kitchen/18151509/

CBS2
— Judge tours Broadview ICE processing facility amid claims of inhumane conditions
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/judge-broadview-ice-facility-tour/

WGN9
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly protect Clinton from Epstein.
https://wgntv.com/news/epstein-in-new-email-said-bill-clinton-was-never-on-the-island/

FOX32
— Federal budget deal bans hemp-derived THC products in Illinois and nationwide
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/federal-budget-deal-bans-hemp-derived-thc-products-illinois-nationwide

WTTW
— DD: Johnson and Pritzker take credit for crime reduction in Chicago.
https://news.wttw.com/2025/11/13/trump-deserves-no-credit-continued-drop-crime-chicago-johnson-pritzker

WGN RADIO
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly champion an illegal day care teacher
https://wgnradio.com/news/chicago-teacher-released-from-ice-detention-a-week-after-arrest-at-day-care-center/

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Aurora City Council approves measure banning federal immigration enforcement on city property. DD: One more reason to avoid/leave Aurora.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/13/aurora-city-council-approves-measure-banning-federal-immigration-enforcement-on-city-property/
— Chris Getty: Democracy matters, until it becomes inconvenient — as US Rep. Garcia’s exit shows
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/12/opinion-jesus-chuy-garcia-retirement-congress-primary-election/
— DD: Under the Democrats, more and more and more people will need/want/demand SNAP.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/12/snap-beneficiaries-community-assistance-federal-shutdown/
— Multiple immigration agents detained a man on Wednesday outside Cook County’s main criminal courthouse on the Southwest Side in a chaotic struggle that broke a fence and left blood on the pavement, according to video footage provided to the Tribune by the Cook County public defender’s office.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/13/immigration-arrest-courthouse/

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Protest hours at Broadview ICE facility too restrictive, lawyer suing village says. “The First Amendment isn’t something that has a time clock,” Robert Held argues in push to broaden 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. protest hours in western suburb.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/11/13/lawyer-seeking-preliminary-injunction-in-lawsuit-against-broadview-over-protest-hours-appears-outside-ice-facility
— Judge plans March trial over feds’ use of force in Chicago deportation push. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis is aiming to begin the trial ahead of a possible surge of immigration agents in the spring.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/11/13/gregory-bovino-border-patrol-immigration-trump-sara-ellis-judge-planning-march-trial-over-feds-use-of-force-in-chicago

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— MAGA offers fresh pushback on Trump’s immigration policies
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/hill-politics/maga-offers-fresh-pushback-on-trumps-immigration-policies/

FOX ILLINOIS & NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly blame Trump for inflation.
https://foxillinois.com/news/nation-world/are-trump-and-voters-on-the-same-page-over-affordability-concerns
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/2025-11-13/white-house-scrambles-to-address-voters-affordability-concerns-as-trump-dismisses-it

NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: My employers were frustrated recruiting women and minorities for the jobs that I had because all the jobs that I had were bad jobs.  Because of Affirmative Action and because of DEI, women and minorities could get better jobs working for other employers.
https://www.npr.org/2025/11/12/nx-s1-5599090/some-labor-unions-remain-committed-to-recruiting-women-despite-policy-rollbacks

BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO
— Protesters Keep Getting Arrested At Broadview By State Police Despite Promise To Protect Free Speech. About 80 protesters have been arrested at the ICE facility since barricades went up. Protesters and legal observers say the arrests run counter to the state’s stated goals of ensuring public safety and protesters’ rights. DD: Democrats ever-increasingly fight ICE.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/12/protesters-keep-getting-arrested-at-broadview-by-state-police-despite-promise-to-protect-free-speech/

CHICAGO REPORTER
— Separate and Unequal: Chicago’s Schools 70 Years Later. DD: Democrats run Chicago Schools.
https://www.chicagoreporter.com/separate-and-unequal-chicagos-schools-70-years-later/

CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— DD: Democrats ever-increasingly fight ICE.
https://www.chicagomag.com/news/chicago-and-its-suburbs-unite-against-ice/

ILLINOIS HOUSE DEMOCRATS
— Manley Appointed to Legislative Audit Commission, Tapping CPA Experience  DD: Illinois/DuPage County/Milton Township Republican leaders ignored/dismissed/belittled the government audit experience that I gained a) working for GAO for almost 18 years, the last 11 years of which at the GS-13 Level Step 1-10 Levels, currently $117,807-$153,151/year and b) becoming a licensed CPA and a Certified Internal Auditor, Fraud Examiner, Government Financial Manager, Financial Services Auditor, and Forensic Accountant.
https://ilhousedems.com/2025/11/12/manley-appointed-to-legislative-audit-commission-tapping-cpa-experience/

CAPITOL FAX
— Afternoon roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2025/11/13/isabel%e2%80%99s-afternoon-roundup-423/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/scores-down-absences-up-for-chicago-low-income-minority-students/
— Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/over-2-in-5-chicago-teachers-chronically-absent/
— American Federation of Teachers place politics, leader priorities over members
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/american-federation-of-teachers-place-politics-leader-priorities-over-members/

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— Biden-Appointed Judge Orders Release of Hundreds of ICE Detainees in Chicago as Public Safety Concerns Mount
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2025/11/biden-appointed-judge-orders-release-of-hundreds-of-ice-detainees-in-chicago-as-public-safety-concerns-mount.html
— Gov. Pritzker Is More Vulnerable Than Ever: Here’s How Republicans Can Defeat Him in 2026
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2025/11/opinion-gov-pritzker-is-more-vulnerable-than-ever-heres-how-republicans-can-defeat-him-in-2026.html

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Appeals court blocks Trump’s rules to stop illegal immigrants from getting truck driver permits
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/13/appeals-court-blocks-trumps-rules-stop-illegal-immigrants-getting/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly blame Republicans for skyrocketing health care costs.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/13/congress-pressure-lower-skyrocketing-health-care-costs/
— DOJ joins lawsuit to stop California’s new anti-GOP congressional map
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/13/doj-joins-lawsuit-stop-californias-new-anti-gop-congressional-map/
— Dismantle the teachers union cartel. Government school system indoctrinates millions of young minds into socialism.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/13/dismantle-teachers-union-cartel/

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Mamdani is a warning for Western civilization
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/faith-freedom-self-reliance/3884219/zohran-mamdani-warning-western-civilization/

BREITBART
— Chicago Judge Orders Release of Hundreds of Criminal Illegal Aliens Arrested by ICE
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/11/13/chicago-judge-orders-release-of-hundreds-of-criminal-illegal-aliens-arrested-by-ice/amp/

CENTER SQUARE
— Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America says it will reach 10.5 million voters by its newly announced investment of $80 million into the 2026 midterm election, the investment being to help ensure a pro-life majority is maintained in the U.S. House and Senate.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_c2b9692b-e9f1-4c63-96eb-daaae9bbd823.html

FOX NEWS
— House Democrat accuses fellow Dem of violating a ‘free and fair election’ in stunning public move. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is moving to force a vote condemning her fellow Democrat
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-democrat-accuses-fellow-dem-violating-free-fair-election-stunning-public-move
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., unexpectedly rose during House votes on an unrelated issue Wednesday night to demand a vote on condemning Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, D-Ill., for unexpectedly dropping his re-election bid, which effectively made way for his chief of staff to run in his place. As is the custom for forcing a House vote via a “privileged resolution,” Gluesenkamp Perez read her legislation out loud.)

NEWSMAX
— Federal Judge in Chicago Rebukes DHS, Orders Release of Dozens of Illegals
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/judge-dhs-rebukes/2025/11/13/id/1234483/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

CBS NEWS
— Transgender service members sue Trump administration over denial of retirement benefits
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transgender-service-members-lawsuit-trump-administration-retirement-benefits/

FORTUNE
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly use Epstein against Trump.
https://fortune.com/2025/11/13/trump-epstein-devastating-war-with-venezuela-distraction-pritzker/

November 10, 2025

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

NBC5
— Illinois’ US senators split over tentative deal to end government shutdown. Duckworth voted against the funding bill, saying, “This is the time to keep fighting to bring costs down and protect the American people.”
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-us-senators-split-over-tentative-deal-to-end-government-shutdown/3849489/

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSIBESS
— Federal shutdown nears end as Durbin joins Senate deal
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/shutdown-nears-end-durbin-joins-senate-deal

SOUTHERN
— Trump says he’ll issue $2,000 tariff dividend to all except ‘high-income people’
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/11/09/trump-says-hell-issue-2000-tariff-dividend-to-all-except-high-income-people/
— Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani, other key figures allegedly involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/11/10/trump-pardons-rudy-giuliani-other-key-figures-allegedly-involved-in-efforts-to-overturn-the-2020-election/

SHAW LOCAL
— DD: Under the Democrats and under the RINOs, dependency on government and on dependency on charity ever-increasingly increase.
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/state/2025/11/09/northern-illinois-food-pantries-see-spike-in-visits-in-recent-weeks-as-leaders-decry-snap-cuts-devastating/

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— ICE tactics worry Republicans, too
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2025/11/10/ice-tactics-worry-republicans-too-00644207

ILLINOIZE
— Why Are Congressional Dems Still Pushing Redistricting?
https://www.theillinoize.com/articles/why-congressional-dems-still-redistricting

CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/11/10/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-629/

FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— If Mamdani would be on the March 17, 2026 Democrat primary ballot in Illinois, in your county, in your township, in your municipality, in your school district, and/or in your precinct, how many votes would he get? One could argue that because of Mamdani’s election, all candidates on March 17, 2026 ballots in Illinois should compare and contrast themselves with Mamdani. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Fifty Years Later, Same Unaccomplished Mass Transit Promise Resurfaces
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/10/fifty-years-later-same-unaccomplished-mass-transit-promise-resurfaces/
— Snow More Powerful Than Senate Democrats
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/10/snow-more-powerful-than-senate-democrats/
— Legislators Makes Sure They and State Employees Can Fly Between Chicago and Springfield
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/10/legislators-makes-sure-they-and-state-employees-can-fly-between-chicago-and-springfield/
— Tax Levy Info To Be Discussed by Lakewood Village Board on Veterans Day Up 3.57% to About $2 Million
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/10/tax-levy-info-to-be-discussed-by-lakewood-village-board-on-veterans-day-up-3-57-to-aboit-2-million/
— LaHood Speaking in Park Ridge, Maybe He’d Be McHenry County’s Lincoln Day Dinner, If Invited
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/09/lahood-speaking-in-park-ridge-maybe-hed-be-mchenry-countys-lincoln-day-dinner-if-invited/
— Bison Now Roam on Conservation District Land, District Could Allow Public Viewing
https://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2025/11/09/bison-now-roam-on-conservation-district-land-district-could-allow-public-viewing/

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Red states rush to open doors to New Yorkers fleeing Mamdani’s socialist takeover
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/9/red-states-rush-open-doors-new-yorkers-fleeing-mamdanis-socialist/

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Taxpayer Money Flows to Vicious Anti-Israel Nonprofit. Plus, Ohio’s largest county funds black-only medical program that experts say is illegal.
https://freebeacon.substack.com/p/taxpayer-money-flows-to-vicious-anti?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=4715391

NEW YORK POST
— Boca Raton makes serious pitch to NYC businesses to head south after Mamdani win
https://nypost.com/2025/11/09/us-news/boca-raton-makes-serious-pitch-to-nyc-businesses-to-head-south-after-zohran-mamdani-win/
— Top NYC rabbi issues dire warning on Mamdani: ‘Does not believe in coexistence’
https://nypost.com/2025/11/09/us-news/nycs-chief-rabbi-issues-dire-warning-on-mamdani-does-not-believe-in-coexistence/
— Boca Raton aiming to lure more Wall Street companies after Mamdani win
https://nypost.com/2025/11/09/business/boca-raton-aiming-to-lure-more-wall-street-companies/
— Democrats’ premature victory lap, old Leninism in a new suit
https://nypost.com/2025/11/09/opinion/democrats-premature-victory-lap-old-leninism-in-a-new-suit-and-other-commentary/
— Middle school teacher allegedly had sex with underage student, allowed him to sleep at her Wheaton home
https://nypost.com/2025/11/10/us-news/middle-school-teacher-allegedly-had-sex-with-underage-student-allowed-to-sleep-over-at-her-home/

FOX NEWS
— Even some legal immigrants don’t ‘assimilate’ into America. DD: Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly discourage assimilation.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6384070789112

PJ MEDIA
— Chicago Gang Orders Hits on Border Patrol
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2025/11/09/shoot-on-sight-chicago-gang-orders-hits-on-border-patrol-n4945792

PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
— Who Buried the Investigation of Charlie Kirk’s Murder?
https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2025/10/20/who-buried-the-investigation-of-charlie-kirks-murder/

POST MILLENNIAL
— Mamdani not concerned by police exodus, vows to fix it by replacing cops with social workers
https://thepostmillennial.com/mamdani-not-concerned-by-police-exodus-vows-to-fix-it-by-replacing-cops-with-social-workers

FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES

NBC NEWS
— Some new ICE recruits have shown up to training without full vetting. DD: In my defense, my Democrat Post Office, IRS, and GAO superiors fully vetted me. But they hired me only because they could not find a qualified Democrat, minority, female, younger person, and/or veteran who would take the job. I qualified myself for my Post Office job by passing the postal employment examination and earning a high school diploma. I qualified myself for my IRS job by passing the Federal Service Entrance Examination and earning a bachelor’s degree in business. I qualified myself for my GAO job by earning an MBA and passing the CPA examination on my first attempt.
https://www.aol.com/articles/ice-recruits-showed-training-without-200053967.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: ICE officials only later discovered that some of the recruits failed drug testing, have disqualifying criminal backgrounds or don’t meet the physical or academic requirements to serve, the sources said. Staff members at ICE’s training academy in Brunswick, Georgia, recently discovered one recruit had previously been charged with strong-arm robbery and battery stemming from a domestic violence incident, the current DHS official said. They’ve also found as recently as this month that some recruits going through the six-week training course hadn’t submitted fingerprints for background checks, as ICE’s hiring process requires, the current and former DHS officials said. Per ICE policy, applicants are required to pass drug tests and undergo security vetting through ICE’s human resources office before they show up for the training course. The former officials said the process was more strictly adhered to before a hiring surge that began this summer. The process was meant to weed out disqualified candidates before they would be sent to training. Since the surge began, ICE has dismissed more than 200 new recruits while they were in training for falling short of its hiring requirements, according to recently collected internal ICE data reviewed by NBC News. The majority of them failed to meet ICE’s physical or academic standards, according to the data. Just under 10 recruits were dismissed for criminal charges, failing to pass drug tests or safety concerns that should have been flagged in background checks before they arrived at training, the data indicated and the current and former DHS officials confirmed. The officials said there is growing concern that in the Trump administration’s race to expand the number of ICE agents to 10,000 by the end of the year, the agency could miss red flags in the backgrounds of some new recruits and inadvertently hire them. “There is absolutely concern that some people are slipping through the cracks,” the current DHS official said. The official said many of the issues that have been flagged during training surface only because the recruits admitted they didn’t submit to fingerprinting or drug testing before they arrived. “What about the ones who don’t admit it?” the official said. The Department of Homeland Security told NBC News in a statement that most of its new recruits are former law enforcement officers and former ICE officers who go through a different process. . .The Atlantic reported this week on the struggle some ICE recruits have had with meeting the agency’s physical fitness requirements. The broader scope of issues and specific data haven’t been previously reported. ICE has been under pressure from the White House to increase hiring with the funding Congress designated in the sweeping tax and spending bill that Trump signed into law on July 4. It has frequently lagged behind the White House’s arrest goal of 3,000 per day, which it has attributed to a lack of staffing. As part of the effort, ICE shortened the training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia from 13 weeks to eight. The training was later shortened to six weeks, the DHS official said. Recruits also are supposed to attest that they can pass ICE’s physical fitness test, which includes setups, pullups and running 1½ miles in under 14 minutes, 25 seconds. Darius Reeves, who recently left his position as ICE field office director in Baltimore, said he believes the agency’s Aug. 6 decision to waive age limits so older people can join has led to more recruits’ failing the physical test. “These new recruits are dropping like flies,” Reeves said in an interview after having spoken with colleagues seeking to bring new hires into the agency. “And rightly so; it makes sense. We’re going to drop the age requirements, of course this was going to happen.” Nearly half of new recruits who’ve arrived for training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center over the past three months were later sent home because they couldn’t pass the written exam, according to the data. The academic requirement includes an exam in which officers are allowed to consult their textbooks and notes at the end of a legal course on the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Fourth Amendment, which outlines when officers can and can’t conduct searches and seizures. A slightly smaller group were dismissed because they failed the physical fitness test or had medical challenges; some of those sent home had made it clear on their applications that they couldn’t meet ICE’s physical requirements but were sent to training anyway, the current and former DHS officials said. Fewer than 10 of the new recruits were dismissed because ICE training leaders learned from them during the training program that they had pending criminal charges or failed their drug tests or were otherwise considered safety concerns, the officials said. The three sources said ICE’s human resources office is overwhelmed with more than 150,000 new applicants who have applied since ICE began offering $50,000 signing bonuses in August. The HR office is rushing to clear new recruits, which they believe is leading to mistakes. “They are trying to push everyone through, and the vetting process is not what it should be,” said one of the former DHS officials with knowledge of the agency’s hiring. The current DHS official likened the pressure on ICE’s human resources employees to clear recruits to “asking them to pull a rabbit out of a hat.”)
— Democrats seek GAO investigation into agency messages blaming Democrats for the shutdown
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democrats-push-investigation-trump-messages-blaming-democrats-shutdown-rcna242591

CBS NEWS
— DD: Democrat leaders have their operatives and their dupes boo Trump
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/trump-booed-during-commanders-game-at-northwest-stadium/

MSNBC
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote socialism.
https://www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/watch/explaining-america-s-housing-affordability-crisis-251643461534

NEW YORK TIMES
— Six Takeaways From the Senate Deal to End the Shutdown. For 40 days, Senator Chuck Schumer kept his caucus unified. But an end approached without Democrats achieving an extension of expiring health insurance subsidies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/us/politics/takeaways-senate-democrats-shutdown.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: How the Trump Administration Is Giving Even More Tax Breaks to the Wealthy. DD: Since 1972, my critics/opponents have been furious that I paid less federal income tax because I itemized. They have been especially furious that I deducted education expenses, mortgage interest, and real estate taxes. I deducted tuition and books for graduate evening a) business courses at Loyola 1972-1976, b) accounting courses at DePaul 1976-1980, and c) finance courses at IIT 1992-1997. According to my critics/opponents, I was always grossly overpaid, my employee benefits were much too generous, my federal pension is much too generous, and my federal retirement benefits are much too generous.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/business/trump-administration-tax-breaks-wealthy.html

WASHINGTON POST
— What’s the best place to raise kids? See how your county ranks. Find where to move based on your priorities. DD: What scores did your county get?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2025/best-places-raise-children-america/

USA TODAY
— The next mayor of New York City is also the son of an acclaimed filmmaker, who has worked with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. DD: My mother never attended high school.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/11/09/mira-nair-director-zohran-mamdani-mom/87182803007/
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote socialism.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/11/08/universal-basic-income-affordability-crisis-ai/87129001007/
— DD: To promote affordability is to promote socialism
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/politics/2025/11/09/virginia-voters-urge-democrats-to-prioritize-affordability-and-youth/87155399007/

BOSTON GLOBE
— DD: To promote affordability is to promote socialism
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/09/opinion/letters-mamdani-jews-support/

THE CITY
— Voter Turnout Highest in Half Century as Mamdani Phenomenon Galvanizes Electorate. More than 2 million New York voters cast ballots, the most in a mayoral race since 1969.
https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/record-voters-ballots-cast-mamdani-cuomo-sliwa/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Grade Inflation Produced Mamdani’s Proletariat. Unemployable college grads blame capitalism, but the real culprit is higher-ed subsidies.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/grade-inflation-produced-mamdanis-proletariat-d2807aea

FORBES
— DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote socialism.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardfowler/2025/11/09/affordability-not-ideology-drove-the-2025-elections–and-democrats-listened/

BARRON’S
— More Adult Kids Are Moving Back Home. DD: My father died suddenly when he was 47 and I was 21. After I graduated from NIU in 1970, I lived with and helped support my mother and brother until September of 1972.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/adult-children-parents-home-retirement-3cb0f041

BLOCKCHAINN NEWS
— US First-Time Homebuyer Share Plunges to Record-Low 21% as Housing Affordability Hits All-Time Worst. DD: I was a first-time home buyer when I was 24 years old in 1978. According to my critics/opponents, I was able to do that only because I avoided the Vietnam War draft and because I was grossly overpaid. In today’s dollars, my IRS salary had increased from $55,850/year to $68,315/year.
https://blockchain.news/flashnews/us-first-time-homebuyer-share-plunges-to-record-low-21-as-housing-affordability-hits-all-time-worst-trading-takeaways

CHALKBEAT
— Democrat leaders ever-increasingly promote illegal immigration.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/immigration-enforcement-could-hurt-student-test-scores-study-finds/

POLITICO
— Jeffries Confident Democrats Will Retake House In Midterms As Democrats Continue Focus On Affordability Concerns. DD: To promote affordability is to promote socialism.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/09/jeffries-democrats-win-back-house-2026-00643967
— Bill funding Congress would bolster member security, spare GAO from steep cuts. DD: The Democrats who ran GAO 1980-1997 used Gingrich budget cuts to get rid of their employees who were Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran. I never would have survived during that period if I had not a) earned three job-related master’s degrees, b) earned six job-related professional certifications, and c) earned a job-related professional license.
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/11/09/congress/bill-text-summary-released-for-legislative-branch-spending-compromise-00644040
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The GAO is the nation’s chief investigator of wrongdoing at federal agencies, but GOP House members and the Trump White House have attempted to undercut its independence and legal conclusions. A court recently determined that the head of the GAO, the U.S. Comptroller General, is the only official who can sue the administration over alleged impoundment, or the illegal withholding of funds appropriated by Congress. The agency is set to enter a new era in the coming months as Comptroller General Gene Dodaro hits the end of his 15-year term in late December and will be forced to vacate the post.)

PBS
— Vance calls for legal immigration reduction during Turning Point event at University of Mississippi. DD: If there had been as many immigrants when I was young as there are now, they would have gotten the jobs that I got. My critics/opponents cannot say that because their parents had lots of money.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-vance-calls-for-legal-immigration-reduction-during-turning-point-event-at-university-of-mississippi
— Mamdani tells Trump that New York is ready to fight after president’s threats fail to thwart voters
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/mamdani-tells-trump-that-new-york-is-ready-to-fight-after-presidents-threats-fail-to-thwart-voters

FROM FOREIGN SOURCES

NDTV
— Mamdani’s Last Name Reflects Centuries Of Trade, Cultural Exchange. Mamdanis in Uganda belong to the Khoja community, a South Asian Muslim merchant caste, that shaped economic development across western Indian Ocean. DD: 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. I had to work my way through college.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/new-york-mayor-polls-zohran-mamdanis-last-name-reflects-centuries-of-trade-cultural-exchange-9579690

TELEGRAPH
— Americans can’t afford their cars anymore and Wall Street is worried. DD: Back in the good old days, that is, during the 1960s and 1970s, a) I bought a 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air in 1964 with money I earned delivering newspapers and doing yard work, b) I bought a new 1966 Pontiac Sprint in 1966 with money I earned washing dishes, c) I bought a new 1968 Oldsmobile 442 in 1967 with money I earned delivering mail, d) I bought a new 1969 Dodge Charger SE in 1968 with money I earned delivering mail, and e) I bought a new 1972 Corvette in 1971 with money I earned working for IRS and pumping gasoline.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/10/20/americans-cant-afford-cars-any-more-wall-street-worried/

DAILY MAIL
— America’s top banker Jamie Dimon pledges to help newly-elected socialist Mamdani
https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/america-s-top-banker-jamie-dimon-pledges-to-help-newly-elected-socialist-zohran-mamdani/ar-AA1PTQ87

GUARDIAN
— DD: Democrats and RINOs ever-increasingly promote identity politics.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/10/new-york-zohran-mamdani-identity-politics-win-elections

NEW LINES MAGAZINE
— What Mamdani’s Campaign Says About the Quiet Erasure of Caste in US Politics. As temples become key sites for candidates’ visits, New York’s mayoral race has revealed broader tensions between Dalit advocates and the rising Hindu right.
https://newlinesmag.com/argument/what-zohran-mamdanis-campaign-says-about-the-quiet-erasure-of-caste-in-us-politics/

KOREA TIMES
— DD: To promote affordability is to promote socialism
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/editorial/20251110/mamdanis-election

ECONOMIC TIMES
— Is Mamdani Muslim, American or Gujarati?
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/latest-updates/is-zohran-mamdani-muslim-american-or-gujarati/articleshow/125170685.cms
(FROM THE ARTICLE: With the victory of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City, a man with a Muslim name, an African past and an Indian lineage, the American-Christian establishment suddenly feels threatened. Not because of what Mamdani will do, but because of what his name suggests he should be. His name is Persian for ‘bloom’, his surname is how the medieval Gujarati trade would articulate ‘Muhammadan’. In today’s America, “Christian” has quietly become a code word for “white”.  And white Christianity fears color, migration and complexity-the very things that built America. For them “Muslim” is the great enemy who took Jerusalem away from Christians and Jews. Mamdani’s victory is thus not a municipal event; it is a mythic disruption. What bothers people even more is that Mamdani refuses to fit into neat boxes. He campaigns with gay, lesbian and trans groups. His partner doesn’t wear a hijab. He is comfortable in queer spaces and openly progressive. So, what kind of Muslim is he? A devout one? A cultural one? Or an unbeliever with Muslim heritage? Even his co-religionists are confused. Many left-wing Muslim sympathizers claim to be progressive but remain proudly homophobic “because Allah demanded so”. Yet Mamdani’s life mocks that contradiction. He acts as if faith and freedom can coexist-a thought too heretical for both Islamists and Christian fundamentalists. When asked what he would do after his victory, his rivals said they would visit Israel to thank God. Mamdani said he would stay in New York and do his job. That one sentence separated performative faith from professional integrity. To better understand Mamdani, we must go beyond theology and look at caste and commerce. His surname reveals his roots: Gujarat. Specifically, the Khoja world-mercantile Muslim communities that trace descent from the Prophet through the Shia line but function socially like Hindu caste trade guilds. These groups originated when sea trade was booming around 1000 AD with Fatimid Egypt, and around 1600 AD with Safavid Persia, both Shia empires. These unique trade groups, with a religious head binding them together, make sense if we appreciate how caste groups of Bharat responded to Islam after its rise and spread, 1,400 years ago. This is when Mecca became a major hub of trade connecting the sea from Arabia to Java. India stood in the middle. The monsoon winds favored this trade. Hindus and Jains avoided travelling by sea, for fear of loss of caste. But a few Gujarati trading guilds realized that they could remain community loyal even if they converted provided they were guided by a guru-like figure with connections to the prophet. Thus rose the Khojas and the Bohras. Theoretically, Islam believes all humans are equal. But like all religions there are divisions and boundaries, controlled by who marries whom. Simplistically put, the first split happened shortly after the death of the founder-prophet who did not leave behind a will or sons. So Islam split into the Arab (Sunni) and Persian (Shia) schools-the former claiming consensus should determine leadership of the Islamic world, the latter preferring bloodline, through the prophet’s grandsons born to his daughter. The Shia group is split further. The Twelvers who believe the twelfth Imam remains hidden and will reveal himself at the end of time. The Bohras and Khojas however insist their respective leaders are Imams with a continuous bloodline. But the American media doesn’t care for these details. To them, every Muslim is an “Islamist”. The subtleties of sect, history, or geography vanish. Mamdani thus becomes a cartoon villain: a bearded Muslim who somehow survived liberal America’s tolerance tests. The Khojas and Bohras evolved from old gana-sangha traditions-republican merchant orders from Buddha’s time. They had their own systems of law, credit and charity, independent of kings and clerics. Mobility was their weapon. When trade dried up, they simply migrated: from Gujarat to Zanzibar, from Africa to London, and now to New York. They owed allegiance not to a nation but to a network. Mamdani inherits that legacy of cosmopolitan capitalism-pragmatic, mobile and skeptical of rigid authority. Incidentally, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, came from the same Khoja lineage (both publicly claimed to be Twelver though). Jinnah’s ancestors were Gujarati Hindus, probably from the Lohana caste, who turned to Islam when they were expelled from their guilds for trading in forbid den goods like fish. Even at his death, nobody knew whether Jinnah was Sunni or Shia. Both sects claimed him, each performing its own funeral rites. That ambiguity, born of Gujarati mercantile pragmatism, defines the global Muslim elite-from Karachi to Kampala to Queens.)

TIMES OF INDIA
— Shutdown breakers: Eight Democrats join Republicans to end deadlock and they all have something in common
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/shutdown-breakers-eight-democrats-join-republicans-to-end-deadlock-and-they-all-have-one-thing-in-common/articleshow/125215520.cms
— Republicans seek to revoke Mamdani’s citizenship
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/put-him-on-first-flight-back-to-uganda-republicans-seek-to-revoke-mamdanis-citizenship-is-it-legally-possible/articleshow/125215629.cms
— DD: What do you say to those who equate non-White immigrants with native Americans?
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/the-haunting-legacy-of-native-american-boarding-schools-carlisle-and-the-struggle-for-truth/articleshow/125137312.cms

SKY NEWS
— Mamdani’s election win could have ‘large implications’ on US midterms
https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/united-states/zohran-mamdanis-election-win-could-have-large-implications-on-us-midterms/video/79eedef0190b7be1f4b942331f6917a6
— Mamdani’s affordability message ‘driving Republicans crazy’ DD: To promote affordability is to promote socialism
https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/united-states/zohran-mamdanis-affordability-message-driving-republicans-crazy/video/1f05764aed1cba3e397bacb68f2cc320