Tag: township

February 26 Morning Edition

ABC7
— Organized labor case from Ill. goes in front of Supreme Court – AP (DIERSEN: Are/were you a member of a government union? I was a union member 1966-1969 while worked for the Post Office and 1971-1980 while I worked for IRS. GAO did not unionize until 2007. If GAO had been unionized in 1997, I might still be a GAO employee. Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes hate unions, hate former union members, hate current union members, and hate future union members.)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/organized-labor-case-from-ill-goes-in-front-of-supreme-court/3141944/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois government employee Mark Janus says he has a constitutional right not to contribute anything to a union with which he disagrees. Janus and the conservative interests that back him contend that everything unions representing public employees do is political, including contract negotiations. The Trump administration is supporting Janus in his effort to persuade the court to overturn its 1977 ruling allowing states to require fair share fees for government employees. The unions argue that so-called fair share fees pay for collective bargaining and other work the union does on behalf of all employees, not just its members. People can’t be compelled to contribute to unions’ political activities. The American Civil Liberties Union is on the unions’ side against an individual’s free speech claims. ACLU Legal Director David Cole said fair share fees do not violate nonunion workers’ rights. Labor leaders fear that not only would workers who don’t belong to a union stop paying fees, but that some union members might decide to stop paying dues if they could in essence get the union’s representation for free.)

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner in DC: With Trump and at Supreme Court for Janus case – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/rauner-in-dc-with-trump-and-at-supreme-court-for-janus-case/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Mendoza says Madigan ‘has to do better’ on sexual harassment; Rauner vs. his campaign and himself – Rick Pearson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-susana-mendoza-michael-madigan-harassment-20180226-story.html
— The open office plan is a disaster – Jeff Pochepan (DIERSEN: In 1990, when GAO moved into new space in the new 200 West Adams building in the Loop (http://200westadams.com/), my Democrat GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates were beyond furious when I was able to get a preferred corner office a) because I had been promoted to GS-13 in 1986 and b) because I had more federal seniority because my almost 3 years at the Post Office and my almost 9 years at IRS was added to my 10 years at GAO. Extremely few of my GAO superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates had gained any of job-related work experience before GAO hired them.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/success/inc/tca-the-open-office-plan-is-backfiring-20180220-story.html

 

TIMES
— Speakers spark hope at GOP dinner – Kate Reynolds (DIERSEN: From what I see, if Ives loses the primary election, there is no hope for those in Illinois like me who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform. From what I see, if Rauner wins the primary election, to win the general election, he will officially banish from the IRP those like me who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the IRP platform. From what I see, if Rauner wins the primary election, he will use his money to elect IRP State Central Committee (SCC) members, IRP officers, county party officers, and township/ward party officers who reject the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the IRP platform. From what I see, those IRP SCC members will appoint members to the 2020 IRP Platform and Resolutions Committee who will strike the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks from the 2020 IRP platform. It is obvious that this is what Rauner’s wife wants to happen.)
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/speakers-spark-hope-at-gop-dinner/article_de34f118-a33e-5260-aa59-b3c86e1bcd6c.html

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Candidate Questionnaire: Jeanne Ives
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180225/candidate-questionnaire-jeanne-ives

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— For the GOP: Bruce Rauner – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-02-26/editorial-the-gop-bruce-rauner.html

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Mariotti promises to fight for working class people – SARAH HAYDEN (DIERSEN: Are/were you a member of the working class? Overwhelmingly, my critics/opponents despise members of the working class. I was a member of the working class 1962-1997. I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997.)
http://qconline.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mariotti-promises-to-fight-for-working-class-people/article_559a77c7-1eab-5cfe-a25a-36a555251ae9.html

 

OUR QUAD CITIES
— Pritzker: Rauner ‘genuinely doesn’t understand how government works’ Pritzker maintains he’s the right billionaire to be Illinois governor – Jim Niedelman
http://www.ourquadcities.com/news/4-the-record/pritzker-rauner-genuinely-doesnt-understand-how-government-works/991738774

 

CHICAGO ARGUS
— Race always manages to bring out the ‘stupid’ in our political people – Gregory Tejeda (DIERSEN: The more of the following that you are, the more that you are demonized, denigrated, and condemned as being a racist and as being even worse things: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://chicagoargus.blogspot.com/2018/02/race-always-manages-to-bring-out-stupid.html

 

BGA
— VOTER’S GUIDE: Ives v. Rauner
https://votersguide.bettergov.org/2018-primary/races/governor-gop/?candidate%5B%5D=8&candidate%5B%5D=7

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives on the Other Reason Madigan Should Resign: Kevin Quinn’s $750K pension
https://mailchi.mp/b9c33d690102/ives-on-the-other-reason-madigan-should-resign-kevin-quinns-750k-pension?e=985ad8c00b

 

CNS NEWS
— NRA: Companies Severing Ties With Us Are Punishing Law-Abiding Patriots – Susan Jones
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/nra-companies-severing-ties-us-are-punishing-law-abiding-patriots

 

NEWSMAX
— Conservative Columnist Mona Charen Writes New York Times Column on Defying CPAC’s Hypocrisy – Brian Freeman
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/mona-charen-cpac-booed-womens-rights/2018/02/25/id/845372/

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— CPAC celebration: Conservatives who doubted Trump now glad they were wrong – Seth McLaughlin and David Sherfinski
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/25/donald-trump-wins-over-cpac-doubters/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Boycotts Against NRA Have Backfire Effect, Galvanize Conservatives – Peter Hasson
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/25/nra-boycott-backfires/
— Top Clinton Aide Says Facebook Helped Trump Win, Demands Investigation – Chris White (DIERSEN: Why would Democrats help a Republican win?)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/25/facebook-russia-phillipe-reines-hillary-clinton-donald-trump/
— The Shocking History Of Sexual Misconduct Within James Comey’s FBI – Richard Pollock
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/25/fbi-sexual-misconduct-comey/

 

BREITBART
— Mainstream Media: Trump Victorious at CPAC, Economic Nationalist ‘Takeover of Conservatism is Complete’ – JOHN BINDER
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/25/mainstream-media-trump-victorious-economic-nationalist-takeover-complete/

 

BLAZE
— Mainstream media dutifully complies with Obama request to attend speech — but not report on it – Teri Webster (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents do not want me a) to know about their events or their other activities, b) to promote their events or their other activities, c) to attend their events, or d) to report on their events or their other activities. My critic/opponents a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid and/or they are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/02/25/mainstream-media-dutifully-complies-with-obama-request-to-attend-speech-but-not-report-on-it/

 

CBS NEWS
— California Senate to debate punishment for lawmaker accused of sexual misconduct – AP (DIERSEN: Should the Illinois Republican Party develop a) a list of forbidden words that Republicans (especially old White male Republicans who support Trump) should not speak or write in any kind of context and b) a schedule of punishments for speaking or writing those words?)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-senate-to-debate-punishment-for-lawmaker-accused-of-sexual-misconduct/

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats crow over their success in making women anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2018/02/26/januarys-womens-march-brought-out-more-than-a-million-people-and-many-more-also-protested-during-the-month/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Fidelity Rethinks Star Stock-Picker System Mutual-fund giant weighs shift to a team-based investing approach and changes to compensation system following sexual harassment complaints – Sarah Krouse and Kirsten Grind (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, if you are accused of sexual harassment, your career is over. Overwhelmingly, those accused of sexual harassment are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/fidelity-rethinks-star-stock-picker-system-1519641000
— FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR GRAPHIC: To Stay on the Land, American Farmers Add Extra Jobs A drop in agricultural income means side work in rural manufacturing and businesses takes on greater importance in funding food production – Jacob Bunge and Jesse Newman (DIERSEN: Way back in the 1970s, my uncle on my mother’s side, a farmer, had to take side work because farm income was low.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-stay-on-the-land-american-farmers-add-extra-jobs-1519582071

 

USA TODAY
— Raising a child costs $233,610. Are you financially prepared to be a parent? – Aimee Picchi (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who have demonized, denigrated, and condemned me the most because my wife and I gave up trying to have children, because we did not adopt, and because we did not become foster parents.)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2018/02/26/raising-child-costs-233-610-you-financially-prepared-parent/357243002/

 

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— The Wild Illinois Governors’ Race Shows Why the Midterms Remain Unpredictable – Ed Kilgore (DIERSEN: From what I see, if Ives loses the primary election, there is no hope for those in Illinois like me who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) platform. From what I see, if Rauner wins the primary election, to win the general election, he will officially banish from the IRP those like me who support the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the IRP platform. From what I see, if Rauner wins the primary election, he will use his money to elect IRP State Central Committee (SCC) members, IRP officers, country party officers, and township/ward party officers who reject the traditional family, right to life, and immigration planks in the IRP platform. From what I see, those IRP SCC members will appoint members to the 2020 IRP Platform and Resolutions Committee who will strike the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks from the 2020 IRP platform. It is obvious that this is what Rauner’s wife wants to happen.)
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/02/wild-il-governors-race-shows-midterms-remain-unpredictable.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rauner was thought to be an even more overwhelming favorite for his party’s nomination than Pritzker. But he has taken several recent steps that have enraged conservatives, including a deal to fund teacher pensions in Chicago, restrictions on the power of police to detain undocumented immigrants, and most of all, a flip-flop in favor of a bill to expand public funding of abortions. By last December National Review was calling Rauner “The Worst Republican Governor in America,” and a conservative challenger, anti-abortion state legislator and West Point graduate Jeanne Ives, began looking more serious. Ives certainly isn’t pulling any punches. She’s already run one of the most obnoxious attack ads of this or any other cycle, accusing Rauner of being the candidate not only of baby-killers and union teachers and tax-hikers but of transgender people and “criminal” immigrants. There haven’t been any polls taken since this nastygram hit the airwaves, but Rauner has reason to worry his early big lead over Ives might have shrunk. The question is whether he should spend some of the money he’ll need for a tough general election to beat back this conservative revolt. The Illinois race definitely shows why early handicapping of gubernatorial races isn’t easy this year. A Biss/Rauner contest might look and feel a lot different than a Pritzker/Rauner contest, and if Ives somehow wins the GOP nomination, all bets are off. Check back on this one on March 21.)

 

SAN FRANCISCO GATE
— Meet The Transgender Republicans At CPAC
https://www.sfgate.com/news/media/Meet-The-Transgender-Republicans-At-CPAC-1200737.php

 

DAILY MAIL
— University of Illinois professor publishes written theory explaining why mathematics coursework ‘perpetuates white privilege’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5018223/Professor-says-math-perpetuates-white-privilege.html

February 25 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Davis, Kennedy introduce legislation to increase taxes on guns, ammunition
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/davis-kennedy-introduce-legislation-to-increase-taxes-on-guns-ammunition/3139626/

 

CBS2
— Threat Made To Mundelein High School – Charlie De Mar
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/25/threat-made-to-mundelein-high-school/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— 3 killed, 14 men wounded, in shootings across Chicago since Friday night
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/crime/8-men-wounded-2-critically-in-shootings-across-chicago-since-friday-night
— Republicans call for immediate suspension of Broward Sheriff
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/law-enforcement-reaction-to-parkland-shooting-facing-increased-scrutiny

 

WGN TV
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats say: “Seven in 10 favor tighter gun laws in wake of Parkland shooting.”
http://wgntv.com/2018/02/25/seven-in-10-favor-tighter-gun-laws-in-wake-of-parkland-shooting-poll-finds/

 

WLS AM
— Sex-harassment, taxes, Rauner v. Madigan key in Illinois races – AP
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/02/25/sex-harassment-taxes-rauner-v-madigan-key-in-ill-races/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TINES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Someone who a) glorifies and praises those who come to America illegally, who stay in America illegally, and who bring others to America illegally and who b) promotes hatred of those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German Americans, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time says “Too cowardly to express raw hatred for immigrants, foes slur them as criminals.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/jeanne-ives-campaign-commercials-immigrants-fears/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— NRA rejects Trump’s call for raising the age limit to buy rifles – Laura King
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-nra-rejects-trump-rifles-20180225-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Mundelein High School taking extra precautions after social media post – Steve Zalusky
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180225/mundelein-high-school-taking-extra-precautions-after-social-media-post
— Two Mundelein High School students charged after social media post – Steve Zalusky
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180225/two-mundelein-high-school-students-charged-after-social-media-post
— Endorsements: For Lake County Board, GOP: Barr, Werfel, Bartels, Starkey
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20180225/endorsements-for-lake-county-board-gop-barr-werfel-bartels-starkey
— Grasso returns improper campaign contributions – Jake Griffin
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180225/grasso-returns-improper-campaign-contributions

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— PANTAGRAPH ENDORSEMENT: A reluctant nod for Rauner
http://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/editorial/pantagraph-endorsement-a-reluctant-nod-for-rauner/article_5d6b3c54-aada-5e90-a717-3e901332f5b5.html

 

OUR QUAD CITIES
— Pritzker working to shed Blagojevich baggage Republicans already targeting frontrunning Democrat in Illinois governor’s race – Jim Niedelman
http://www.ourquadcities.com/news/4-the-record/pritzker-working-to-shed-blagojevich-baggage/991140928

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives Release New TV Ad: Jeanne Ives Stands With Our Veterans
https://mailchi.mp/e93a656995a8/ives-release-new-tv-ad-jeanne-ives-stands-with-our-veterans
— Skillicorn: This is Not the Person We Voted for Three-and-a-Half Years Ago.
https://mailchi.mp/4f996d92d5e0/skillicorn-this-is-not-the-person-we-voted-for-three-and-a-half-years-ago

 

CHRISTIAN POST
— CPAC Crowd Boos Notion Mexicans Have More In Common With Conservatives Than Democrats – Samuel Smith
https://www.christianpost.com/news/cpac-crowd-boos-mexicans-more-in-common-conservative-democrats-219312/

 

DAILY CALLER
— Reporters Told To Not Report On Obama Speech – Thomas Phippen (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents do not want me to know about their events or their other activities, promote their events or their other activities, attend their events, or report on their events or their other activities. My critic/opponents a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid and/or they are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/23/barack-obama-massachusetts-institute-of-technology/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “Following the panel, the sharing or reporting of its contents on public platforms (including social media) will not be permitted,” the conference organizers typed in correspondence to media, according to The Boston Globe. “Those who fail to adhere to this policy will be subject to removal from the conference and denied tickets to future SSAC conferences.” An event spokesperson clarified “sharing or reporting of its contents” is forbidden when The Globe inquired further. “This policy applies to all attendees, credentialed media included,” the email availed.)

 

THE HILL
— CPAC speaker Mona Charen criticizes attendees for supporting ‘brainless, sinister, clownish thing called Trumpism’ – BRETT SAMUELS
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/375509-cpac-speaker-criticizes-attendees-for-supporting-brainless-sinister

 

POLITICO
— Trump’s Takeover of Conservatism Is Complete and Total At this year’s CPAC, the room for criticizing the president was vanishingly small. – TIM ALBERTA
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/02/25/donald-trump-conservatism-cpac-2018-217081

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Behind a Key Anti-Labor Case, a Web of Conservative Donors – Noam Scheiber and Kenneth P. Vogel (DIERSEN: GAO did not unionize until 2007. If GAO had been unionized in 1997, I might still be a GAO employee. No conservative donors backed Diersen in Diersen v. GAO. Conservative donors in Illinois are anti-union, pro-employer, and they have no problem with patronage, political affiliation discrimination, reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/25/business/economy/labor-court-conservatives.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The mailing, sent by a group called the Illinois Policy Institute, may have seemed like disinterested advice. In fact, it was one prong of a broader campaign against public-sector unions, backed by some of the biggest donors on the right. It is an effort that will reach its apex on Monday, when the Supreme Court hears a case that could cripple public-sector unions by allowing the workers they represent to avoid paying fees. One of the institute’s largest donors is a foundation bankrolled by Richard Uihlein, an Illinois industrialist who has spent millions backing Republican candidates in recent years, including Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, and Gov. Bruce Rauner of Illinois. Tax filings show that Mr. Uihlein has also been the chief financial backer in recent years of the Liberty Justice Center, which represents Mark Janus, the Illinois child support specialist who is the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case. And Mr. Uihlein has donated well over $1 million over the years to groups like the Federalist Society that work to orient the judiciary in a more conservative direction. They have helped produce a Supreme Court that most experts expect to rule in Mr. Janus’s favor.)

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Public-Sector Unions Illinois state worker challenges unions’ ability to collect fees from unwilling employees – Jess Bravin
https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-to-decide-fate-of-public-sector-unions-1519607316
— Rich Candidates Square Off in Democratic Party Primaries Party looks to build on sentiment against Trump, but slate of contenders may be hard for some voters to relate to Democrats running for Illinois governor, from left, J.B. Pritzker, Chris Kennedy, state Sen. Daniel Biss, Robert Daiber, Tio Hardiman and Robert Marshall, participated in a televised forum Jan. 23, 2018, in Chicago. – Reid J. Epstein
https://www.wsj.com/articles/rich-candidates-square-off-in-democratic-party-primaries-1519563601

 

FORBES
— Three Steps To Hire With Lower Education Requirements: Coping With The Tight Labor Market – Bill Conerly
https://www.forbes.com/sites/billconerly/2018/02/25/three-steps-to-hire-with-lower-education-requirements-coping-with-the-tight-labor-market/#7a139455e15d
(FROM THE ARTICLE: What will you, the employer, get if you hire the college dropout rather than college grad, or high school dropout rather than high school grad? You’ll probably get less of those three signaling elements: brains, persistence, acceptance of rules. Here’s how to work through the issues.)

February 22 Evening Edition

CAPITOL FAX
— STATEMENT FROM BURT MINOR, Candidate, 42nd House District
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/22/gop-township-chairman-alleged-to-have-directed-racist-homophobic-remarks-at-black-female-gop-candidate/
(THE STATEMENT: Last October, I met with Erika Harold in my capacity as Winfield Township Republican Chairman, at her request, to discuss the challenges she might face in her campaign for the Republican nomination for Attorney General. Our meeting has been greatly misrepresented. Not all Republican voters are comfortable discussing issues of race and sexual orientation. I wish it were different, but it is a reality those of us active in the Republican Party’s leadership confront, not infrequently. My discussion with Erika was an attempt to point out this unfortunate reality, it was in no way meant to be offensive. I honestly left our meeting unaware that our conversation might have made Erika uncomfortable. My apologies to Erika if she was in any way offended. Erika is a great candidate who has a bright future in the Republican Party. Throughout my 23 years in the military, I worked alongside people of all faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. We worked together to get the job done, and that is the way it should be. Period. Ironically, at the 2016 Illinois Republican State Convention I was vilified for defending fellow Republicans who were advocating for a more inclusive and tolerant Illinois Republican Party Platform. I was also upset with Gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives recent television advertisement. Interestingly, many of the individuals criticizing me over this misunderstanding remain silent about that disgustingly provocative television ad. The hypocrisy is stunning. Peter Breen and Kevin Fitzpatrick, who are attempting to capitalize on this misunderstanding for the benefit of one of my opponents, tried to bribe me months ago with the offer of a government job if I were to get out of this race. They told me that they wanted another candidate to win because Peter Breen would be able to control her. When I declined the offer, they said they would support my daughter if she were ever to run for higher office. This morning, when Peter sent his letter to the media he attempted to follow through on a promise to destroy my reputation. I completely understand the fierce reaction this misunderstanding has generated, but I wish those who rushed to judgment would have gotten all the facts first. I intend to discuss those facts and the many issues of importance to the residents of Illinois’ 42nd District in the days leading up to Election Day. So there is no further misunderstanding, let me be clear, I believe there is no place for racism or intolerance in the Republican Party and the State of Illinois.)
— Harold speaks to Sun-Times *** Schneider, Ives, Rauner campaign, Durkin call on Minor to withdraw *** GOP township chairman alleged to have directed racist, homophobic remarks at black female GOP candidate
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/22/gop-township-chairman-alleged-to-have-directed-racist-homophobic-remarks-at-black-female-gop-candidate/

 

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Illinois GOP contender Burt Minor called AG candidate racial, gay slurs, colleagues say – NATASHA KORECKI
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/22/illinois-republican-attorney-general-candidate-racial-slur-421732
(FROM THE ARTICLE: A Republican candidate for the Illinois state Legislature is under fire by his own party amid allegations that he asked an African American attorney general candidate if she were a “lesbo,” and used the N-word during a conversation with her. Now, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois’ Republican House floor leader, Peter Breen, are calling for the candidate, Burt Minor, to drop out of a race for state representative. “He’s not fit to be a Republican nominee for office, especially not the General Assembly,” Breen told POLITICO. “His conduct was outrageous.” At issue is a conversation that took place last fall between Minor and Republican attorney general candidate Erika Harold. Harold, the party-backed candidate for the GOP, who is also a Harvard Law graduate and former Miss America, was talking to Minor in his capacity as a Winfield Township chairman. “[Minor] asked Ms. Harold personal questions about her marital status, and even her sexual orientation, going so far as to inquire whether she was a ‘lesbo,’ Breen wrote in a letter to other Republicans this morning. “The chairman also used the full n-word repeatedly in front of Ms. Harold and her assistant, asking whether she found its usage offensive.” Breen told POLITICO that in a meeting with Minor, he admitted to using the N-word and had “tried to explain it away, saying that she wanted him to ask the question so she could get it on the record, which is obviously absurd.” The Harold campaign confirmed to POLITICO that the conversation did occur. According to the campaign, Minor asked Harold: “Are you a lesbo?” and she replied: “No, and that’s offensive.” The campaign also confirmed he used the N-word multiple times and she told him that was offensive. “Erika found it offensive and said it was offensive at the time,” her spokesman Jason Heffley said. Minor is running for the 42nd District state representative seat that is being vacated by Jeanne Ives, who is challenging Rauner in the March 20 primary. Also running in the primary is DuPage County Board member Amy Grant and Ryne Byrne. Minor did not respond to a request for comment from POLITICO today. But in a recent interview with POLITICO, Minor adamantly denied using the word “lesbo” or the N-word. “Absolutely not. No, no. I talked with Erika last night, in fact. We’re friends, we support and respect each other,” he told POLITICO. “There was never any inappropriate [conversation]. That word never came out of my mouth and it wouldn’t.” Another lawmaker, state Rep. Mark Batinick, said he was pushing for Minor’s removal from the ticket. “A few weeks ago, I became aware of very troubling statements made by township chairman Burt Minor who is a Republican State Representative candidate. I have since had those statements confirmed by multiple sources and have been working with party officials in an attempt to remove him from the race. It is my understanding that those attempts have been futile. This sort of conduct does not belong in our party and will not be tolerated. He needs to immediately withdraw,” Batinick said. Rauner’s campaign said Thursday that Minor should drop out. “Erika Harold is a star attorney and candidate who is a bright part of the future of the Republican Party of Illinois,” said Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison. “Burt Minor’s racist and demeaning language has no place in the GOP or our society. He should drop out of the race.”)

 

THE HILL
— Illinois GOP candidate Burt Minor pushed to drop out for allegedly using racial, gay slurs – AVERY ANAPOL
http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/375107-illinois-gop-candidate-urged-drop-out-of-race-for-allegedly-using-racial

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Ives Calls on Minor to Withdraw from State House Race
https://mailchi.mp/95dbd272a1b9/ives-calls-on-minor-to-withdraw-from-state-house-race
(FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT: Conservative reform Republican candidate for governor Jeanne Ives released the following statement following revelations about Burt Minor, a Republican candidate for the state legislative seat she currently holds. Based on the letter from my colleague Rep. Peter Breen and the corroboration of the accusations against Burt Minor, I join my colleagues in calling for Mr. Minor to withdraw from the primary election to be the nominee for the seat I currently hold. Mr. Minor’s alleged comments are inexcusable, indefensible and disqualifying. For more information or to book Jeanne Ives, contact Kathleen Murphy at 630-329-4680 or kathleenemurphy26@gmail.com.)

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Erika Harold to House candidate Burt Minor: Drop out for using n-word, lesbian slur – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ag-hopeful-harold-to-house-candidate-drop-out-for-using-n-word-lesbo-slurs/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Harold — a Harvard Law graduate and former Miss America — said it happened in early October as she was meeting with various people in DuPage County to introduce herself and get advice about how to campaign in the county. “We had a meeting with [Winfield Township Republican Chairman] Burt Minor, and during the course of the conversation he asked me if I had children. I said no. He asked me if I was married. I said no. He then asked me if I had ever been married. I said no. And then he said. ‘Well then are you a lesbo?’” Harold said she told him no. “But then I also made it clear that someone’s sexual orientation should not be used to disqualify them for running for office,” Harold said. Harold said Minor seemed “surprised” that she was standing up for herself. Within the same conversation, Minor also asked Harold whether it was ever appropriate to use the n-word, “but he said the full word,” she said. “I haven’t heard anyone use that word in a very long time, and I told him it was inappropriate for anyone to say that,” Harold said, adding he used the word “about three or four times and did not apologize for doing so.” Harold said she discussed the incident with fellow Republicans at the time, but did not go public because Minor was not running for office.)

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Illinois attorney general candidate Erika Harold says DuPage Republican official Burt Minor used N-word, asked if she was a ‘lesbo’ – Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-erika-harold-republican-racism-sexual-orientation-20180222-story.html
— Endorsements for the Illinois Senate
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-illinois-senate-endorsements-elections-20180218-story.html
— Disney workers accuse company of withholding their Trump tax cut bonuses – Danielle Paquette
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-disney-workers-bonuses-20180222-story.html
— Gov. Rauner drinks chocolate milk to demonstrate his commitment to diversity – Kim Janssen (DIERSEN: If you would ask my Democrat superiors in the federal government what demonstrates their commitment to diversity, a) my Democrat GAO superiors should respond that they forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) my Democrat IRS superiors should respond that they did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors should respond that they forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-met-rauner-chocolate-milk-0223-chicago-inc-20180222-story.html
— After Gov. Rauner’s chocolate milk incident, a handy guide to beverage politics – Steve Johnson
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-ent-rauner-chocolate-milk-beverage-politics-0224-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Breen: Minor used sexist, racist language during meeting – Burt Constable
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180222/lawmaker-candidate-used-sexist-racist-language-during-meeting
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican State Rep. Peter Breen is emailing party members asking them to withdraw support for Winfield Township Republican Chairman Burt Minor in the GOP primary for the 42nd Illinois House District because of comments Breen calls “outrageous,” sexist and racist. During a Republican Party meeting months ago between Minor and Erika Harold, 37, a candidate for Illinois attorney general, Minor “asked Ms. Harold personal questions about her marital status, and even her sexual orientation,” including asking whether she was a lesbian, said Breen, the Republican House floor leader who lives in Lombard and represents the 48th District. “The chairman also used the full N-word repeatedly in front of Ms. Harold and her assistant, asking whether she found its usage offensive.” Minor, 58, did not respond Thursday to requests for comment, but Harold spokesman Jason Heffley confirmed Minor’s choice of words.)
— Twitter suspends thousands of suspected bots, angering Trump boosters – Eli Rosenberg
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180222/twitter-suspends-thousands-of-suspected-bots-angering-trump-boosters

 

WHEATON PATCH
— State GOP Candidate Allegedly Used Racial Slur Against AG Hopeful State GOP candidate Burt Minor allegedly asked Harold if she was a “lesbo.” – Lisa Marie Farver
https://patch.com/illinois/wheaton/state-gop-candidate-allegedly-used-racial-slur-against-ag-hopeful

 

NBC5
— Bruce Rauner’s $95 Million Campaign – Carol Marin and Don Moseley
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Bruce-Rauners-95-Million-Campaign-474892873.html

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner aims to hit Ives—but undermines his integrity – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180222/NEWS02/180229943/rauner-aims-to-hit-ives-but-undermines-his-integrity

 

JOURNAL TOPICS
— Elk Grove Township Republicans Back Ives, Corrigan, Bernas, Studenroth – Tom Robb
https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/elk-grove-township-republicans-back-ives-corrigan-bernas-studenroth/

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— More Democrats want probe into misconduct at Madigan offices – AP
http://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/more-democrats-want-probe-into-misconduct-at-madigan-offices/article_768ede6a-1d0b-55f2-8792-a1b1a339db59.html

 

LINCOLN COURIER
— Recreational marijuana ballot question clears committee – Brenden Moore (DIERSEN If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.lincolncourier.com/news/20180221/recreational-marijuana-ballot-question-clears-committee

 

WQLZ
— Seven Republicans Calling on Rauner to Stop Misrepresenting Ives
http://www.wqlz.com/2018/02/22/seven-republicans-calling-on-rauner-to-stop-misrepresenting-ives/

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Governor Rauner comments on Florida shooting – Breanna Lea
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/governor-rauner-comments-on-florida-shooting/987301661

 

WAND TV
— Pot legalization question to appear on ballot (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
http://www.wandtv.com/story/37562424/pot-legalization-question-to-appear-on-ballot

 

SUBURBAN CHICAGOLAND
— Liz Gorman named as new Illinois Tollway director
https://suburbanchicagoland.com/2018/02/22/liz-gorman-new-illinois-tollway-director/

 

CHICAGO MAGAZINE
— Can the Parkland Teens Organize a Political Movement? Sure, Just Look at Chicago Survivors of last week’s deadly shooting have taken the lead on political activism in its wake. It’s surprised a lot of adults, but they have plenty of company, now and in the past. – WHET MOSER (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Which individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries will support this movement? ANSWER: Those that are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/January-2018/Can-the-Parkland-Teens-Organize-a-Political-Movement-Sure-Just-Look-at-Chicago/

 

UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Ives: Nobody Trusts Rauner
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/ives-nobody-trusts-rauner

 

MORNING ANSWER
— Illinois State Representative Jeanne Ives
http://morninganswerchicago.com/2018/02/22/illinois-state-representative-jeanne-ives-2/

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Paying married Rauner staffers with state, political funds ‘blurs important line,’ reform group director says – W.J. Kennedy
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511348321-paying-married-rauner-staffers-with-state-political-funds-blurs-important-line-reform-group-director-says

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Lawmakers move ahead with advisory referendum on recreational marijuana – Cole Lauterbach (DIERSEN: If you promote pot, you promote destruction.)
https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/lawmakers-move-ahead-with-advisory-referendum-on-recreational-marijuana/article_52a3652c-1795-11e8-a9d2-876afbe4c29e.html

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Trump Mocks School Gun Free Zones, Urges “Hardened” Schools, Armed Trained Teachers
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/02/22/trump-mocks-school-gun-free-zones-urges-hardened-schools-armed-trained-teachers/

 

BLAZE
— Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner chose a very awkward way to show his commitment to diversity – Aaron Colen
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/02/22/illinois-gov-bruce-rauner-chose-a-very-awkward-way-to-show-his-commitment-to-diversity

 

DAILY CALLER
— Illinois Gov Drinks Chocolate Milk To Show How Much He Loves Diversity – Amber Randall
http://dailycaller.com/2018/02/22/illinois-governor-rauner-chocolate-milk-diversity/

 

FOX NEWS
— VP Mike Pence at CPAC: ‘Make No Mistake, We’re Going to Build That Wall’
http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/02/22/mike-pence-cpac-make-no-mistake-were-going-build-wall

 

GOPUSA
— While Trump Listens, CNN Pushes ‘Scripted,’ Agenda-Driven Townhall
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=40020
— Parkland shooting survivor slams media for ‘politicizing this tragedy’
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=39956
— Gun control groups, leftist leaders behind ‘student-led’ protests
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=39951

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Twitter’s War On Conservatives – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/27452

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Illinois governor drinks chocolate milk to show he’s committed to diversity – Caitlin Yilek
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/illinois-governor-drinks-chocolate-milk-to-show-hes-committed-to-diversity/article/2649768

 

POLITICO
— At CPAC, NRA chief LaPierre singles out Democrats for politicizing school shooting – CRISTIANO LIMA
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/22/wayne-lapierre-cpac-2018-421685

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Illinois governor toasts diversity — with chocolate milk – Marwa Eltagouri
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/02/22/illinois-governor-toasts-diversity-with-chocolate-milk/?utm_term=.b5da5640406a

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Officer at Florida School Waited Outside Instead of Confronting Shooter, Sheriff Says Deputy should have ‘addressed the killer, killed the killer,’ Sheriff Scott Israel says – Jon Kamp
https://www.wsj.com/articles/officer-at-florida-school-waited-outside-instead-of-confronting-shooter-sheriff-says-1519341298
— Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens Indicted for Invasion of Privacy Former Navy SEAL accused of taking photos of his mistress to conceal relationship – Shayndi Raice
https://www.wsj.com/articles/grand-jury-indicts-missouri-governor-for-felony-invasion-of-privacy-1519339306?mod=djemalertNEWS

 

NEWSWEEK
— ILLINOIS GOVERNOR DRINKS CHOCOLATE MILK TO SHOW DIVERSITY IS ‘REALLY GOOD’ – GREG PRICE (DIERSEN: If you would ask my Democrat superiors in the federal government what demonstrates their commitment to diversity, a) my Democrat GAO superiors should respond that they forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980; b) my Democrat IRS superiors should respond that they did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974; and c) my Democrat Post Office superiors should respond that they forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://www.newsweek.com/illinois-governor-chocolate-milk-video-816911
— AN EDGIER CPAC REFLECTS FRACTURES ON THE RIGHT – ALEXANDER NAZARYAN
http://www.newsweek.com/edgier-cpac-reflects-fractures-right-816407

 

ATLANTIC
— A Retirement-Savings Crisis Is Creating Lives of Never-Ending Work The predicament of many seniors is a worrying preview of what could befall millions in the coming decades. – ALANA SEMUELS
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/02/pensions-safety-net-california/553970/

 

COLDWELL BANKER
— FOR SALE: 408 West Elm Street, Wheaton – $399,000
https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/il/wheaton/408-west-elm-street/pid_23115785/

February 15 Evening Edition

CBS2
— Window Closing For Trump Infrastructure Plan, RTA Boss Dillard Warns – Bob Roberts
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/15/window-closing-for-trump-infrastructure-plan-rta-boss-warns/

 

ABC7
— Cartoon of J.B. Pritzker stirs controversy – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/cartoon-of-jb-pritzker-stirs-controversy/3090621/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— President Trump making plans to visit Florida following deadly school shooting – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/president-trump-addresses-nation-following-florida-school-shooting

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Slow-walked investigation is the excuse Madigan needs to step down – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-madigan-hampton-quinn-delay-0216-20180215-story.html
— Berrios property tax assessments for Cook County homeowners are flawed and unfair, study confirms – Jason Grotto, Hal Dardick
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-met-cook-property-tax-study-berrios-20180215-story.html
— Berrios primary challenger for Cook County assessor removed from ballot, vows court fight – Hal Dardick and John Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-assessor-joe-berrios-raila-kaegi-20180215-story.html
— Who’s up to the job of digging Illinois out of the pension hole it’s in? – Randy Blaser
http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-ppn-column-blaser-tl-0222-20180214-story.html
— Your paycheck will probably get bigger this month because of the new tax law – Samantha Bomkamp
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-tax-reform-bigger-paycheck-20180216-story.html
— ‘Dreamers’ left in limbo as Senate rejects bipartisan immigration bills – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-immigration-plan-20180215-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Lipinski seeks IRS probe of think tank leaders after Sun-Times-ProPublica report – Tina Sfondeles and Mick Dumke
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lipinski-seeks-irs-probe-of-think-tank-leaders-after-sun-times-propublica-report/
— The craziness inside a campaign bubble – Lance Trover
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/inside-campaign-bubble-lance-trover-illinois-mark-kirk-bruce-rauner/
— Berrios challenger loses another round in ballot battle – Alexandra Arriaga
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/berrios-challenger-loses-another-round-in-ballot-battle/
— Black Caucus chairman bemoans Shakman decree that killed patronage system – Fran Spielman (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always promoted patronage. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a Black in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a Black in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted Blacks in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a Black in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a Black in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a Black could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/black-caucus-chairman-bemoans-shakman-decree-that-killed-patronage-system/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Chicago’s once-vaunted patronage system “helped build many middle-class black communities” and the Shakman decree that banned political hiring and firing “destroyed those same communities,” an influential alderman said Thursday. Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus, used a luncheon address to the City Club of Chicago to harken back to the good old’ days that reined under his father, former alderman and Acting Mayor Eugene Sawyer.)
— Emanuel likens gun violence in America to Vietnam War – Fran Spielman
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/emanuel-likens-gun-violence-in-america-to-vietnam-war/
— Cook County assessments ‘more variable, more regressive,’ review concludes – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/cook-county-assessments-more-variable-more-regressive-review-concludes/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats say that you are complicit in murder if you support the Second Amendment.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-we-are-complicit-in-murder-when-we-let-the-nra-call-the-shots/

 

DAILY HERALD
— Speaker defends expanding concealed gun permits – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180215/news/302159914/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Blockbuster report: How Cook County tax system shafts the little guy – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180215/BLOGS02/180219919/blockbuster-report-how-cook-county-tax-system-shafts-the-little-guy

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Independent investigation needed in harassment case – Editorial
http://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-independent-investigation-needed-in-harassment-case/article_0219a7f4-ea37-597b-8052-cbd01b5c1bf4.html

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Budget undercuts Trump focus on mental health, school safety – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/budget-undercuts-trump-focus-on-mental-health-school-safety/975913320

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Morrison: The Last Three-Years Demonstrate Who Rauner Is. That’s Why I’m Supporting Ives.
https://mailchi.mp/c3410454ac20/morrison-the-last-three-years-demonstrate-who-rauner-is-thats-why-im-supporting-ives?e=985ad8c00b
— First He Betrayed Social Conservatives. Then He Betrayed Fiscal Conservatives. And the Betrayals Continue…
https://mailchi.mp/408923f92821/first-he-betrayed-social-conservatives-then-he-betrayed-fiscal-conservatives-and-the-betrayals-continue

 

PRAIRIE STATE WIRE
— Ives and Skillicorn find fault with Rauner’s budget address – Angela Underwood (DIERSEN: Who finds fault with what you do? Of course, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have found fault with everything that I have ever done. They are especially critical of my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails and they were especially critical of what I did as a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc.)
https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511344637-ives-and-skillicorn-find-fault-with-rauner-s-budget-address

 

KANE COUNTY REPORTER
— Republicans in the 49th District question Zito’s Democratic ties – W.J. Kennedy
https://kanecountyreporter.com/stories/511345563-republicans-in-the-49th-district-question-zito-s-democratic-ties
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The 28-year-old Nic Zito has more Democratic connections than just his father, Greg Zito, a former Democratic senator with whom he still lives, to explain to Republican voters in the 49th District. Nic Zito voted in the Democratic primary in 2008. And in October he received a donation from old-time Chicago machine Democrat Alderman Ed Burke through a campaign fund, the Burnham Committee. Other Burnham Committee beneficiaries this political cycle include Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson), Michael Cabonargi, Democratic Cook County Board of Review member; Ed Moody, Democratic Cook County commissioner and top aide to Madigan (D-Chicago); and Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board president.)

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Sawyer on Reader cover: “The equivalent of putting gasoline on a fire”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/15/sawyer-on-reader-cover-the-equivalent-of-putting-gasoline-on-a-fire/
— “I have never experienced sexism or racism as explicitly as I did on the campaign trail”
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/15/i-have-never-experienced-sexism-or-racism-as-explicitly-as-i-did-on-the-campaign-trail/

 

FEDERALIST
— New York Times Struggles Over Whether Any Conservatives Are Fit To Print This week, two New York Times writers drew outrage from progressives. Will the paper succumb to criticism, or continue its new commitment to conservative voices? – David Marcus (DIERSEN: What do you say to “conservative” and “Republican” leaders in Illinois, in DuPage County, in Milton Township, in Glen Ellyn, and in Wheaton who deem me to be not fit to print? At best, they paint me as being too conservative, that is, I support too many planks in the Republican Party platform and Illinois Republican Party platform.)
http://thefederalist.com/2018/02/15/new-york-times-struggles-whether-conservatives-fit-print/

 

GOPUSA
— Liberal groups urge Democrats to reject DACA bills with ‘nativist’ demands (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, individuals, organizations, companies, governments, and countries that promote immigrants a) viciously demonize you, viciously denigrate you, and viciously condemn you if you do not promote immigrants and b) make it clear that they want to get rid of citizens of America and replace them with citizens of foreign countries.)
http://www.gopusa.com/liberal-groups-urge-democrats-to-reject-daca-bills-with-nativist-demands/

 

BARBWIRE
— CPAC 2018: ‘COWARDLY’ POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE REJECTS MASSRESISTANCE – Arthur Schaper
https://barbwire.com/2018/02/15/cpac-2018-cowardly-political-action-committee-rejects-massresistance/

 

LIFESITE NEWS
— CPAC bans pro-family group, approves pro-LGBT – Doug Mainwaring
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/top-u.s.-conservative-conference-bans-pro-family-group-approves-pro-lgbt

 

ABC NEWS
— Immigration bills fail in the Senate, fate of Dreamers murkier than ever – MARIAM KHAN
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/immigration-bills-fail-senate-fate-dreamers-murkier/story

 

REUTERS
— Senate rejects immigration bills, leaves Dreamers in limbo – Richard Cowan, Susan Cornwell
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration/senate-rejects-immigration-bills-leaves-dreamers-in-limbo-idUSKCN1FZ1XF

 

BLOOMBERG
— BEYOND UNACCEPTABLE: White House Pulling Back on E-Verify to Get Democratic Votes
https://www.bna.com/white-house-pulling-n57982088776/

 

GAO
— GAO Unable to Render an Opinion on the U.S. Government’s Annual Financial Statements
https://www.gao.gov/press/opinion_2018_financial_statement.htm
(FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT: GAO cited shortcomings that have plagued the financial statements in past years, including persistent problems with the Department of Defense’s (DOD) financial management and auditability, the federal government’s inability to account for and reconcile certain transactions, and an ineffective process for preparing the consolidated financial statements. Such deficiencies undermine the federal government’s ability to accurately report much of its financial information. “It’s essential that the federal government be able to adequately track all revenues and expenses, along with its assets and liabilities. It is critical to improving the accountability, effectiveness and efficiency of government operations,” said Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the GAO. “GAO’s audit report makes clear the continuing challenges to providing policymakers with the accurate and complete financial information needed for ensuring accountability and making difficult policy decisions.” For 2017, with few exceptions, all of the 24 Chief Financial Officers Act agencies received unmodified or “clean” opinions on their respective individual entities’ fiscal year 2017 financial statements. However, about 38 percent of the federal government’s reported total assets as of September 30, 2017, and approximately 20 percent of the federal government’s reported net cost for FY 2017, involved federal entities that were unable to issue audited financial statements, unable to receive audit opinions on the complete set of financial statements, or unable to receive an opinion on their FY 2017 financial statements. Notably, DOD, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Agriculture have continuing impediments to receiving a clean opinion on their financial statements.)

 

LGBTQ  NATION
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Trump hater says “Trump will address hate group leaders & far right activists for second time.”
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/02/trump-will-address-hate-group-leaders-far-right-activists-second-time/

February 14 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Rauner proposes education spending boost, $50M for Quincy home fix – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/rauner-proposes-education-spending-boost-$50m-for-quincy-home-fix/3082673/

 

NBC5
— Read Governor Bruce Rauner’s Full Budget Address Gov. Rauner unveiled his 2019 budget proposal to a General Assembly expecting to hear him explain how he’ll erase a $9 billion deficit
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/read-governor-bruce-rauners-full-budget-address-474084483.html
— Petitions to Save Only Downstate Debate of Governor’s Race Collect Thousands of Signatures – Brendan Pedersen
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/wcia-debate-illinois-governor-candidates-biss-kennedy-petition-474077533.html
— Rauner’s Budget Calls For Reduced Spending, Pension Reform Promises $1 billion tax cut – Brendan Pedersen
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/rauner-budget-calls-for-reduced-spending-pension-reform-474082603.html

 

CBS2
— Rauner’s Budget Sets Sights On State’s Pension Costs – Craig Dellimore,
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/14/rauner-budget-proposal/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Rauner wants $1 billion tax cut with pension fix – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/rauner-wants-1-billion-tax-cut-with-pension-fix

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner re-election budget takes aim at two favorite targets: CPS and unionized state workers – Monique Garcia, Kim Geiger
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-bruce-rauner-illinois-budget-20180214-story.html
— Primary voters face increasingly wacky ballot lineup – Charles Selle
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/opinion/ct-lns-selle-lake-county-primary-ballot-st-0215-20180214-story.html
— Time to be retirin’ the FolksyMeter? – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-time-to-be-retirin-the-folksymeter-20180214-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps promote anti-Trumps.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/glencoe/news/ct-gln-womens-march-anniversary-tl-0215-20180214-story.html
— Gun-rights hysteria doesn’t sell in the Trump era – Steve Chapman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-remington-gun-sales-obama-20180214-story.html
— Rauner’s budget message fits trend — Make the other guy pay – Ted Slowik
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-rauner-budget-shift-st-0215-20180214-story.html
— Oberweis: Governor presents balanced budget
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/wheaton/community/chi-ugc-article-sen-oberweis-governor-presents-balanced-bud-3-2018-02-14-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner urges pension changes, ‘spend only the money we have’ in budget address – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/bruce-rauner-state-budget-address-shortfall-health-care-income-tax/
— 11th Congressional District GOP candidate: Constant G. “Connor” Vlakancic
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/11th-congressional-district-republican-candidate-constant-connor-vlakancic-2018-illinois-primary/
— 11th Congressional District GOP candidate: Nick Stella
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/11th-congressional-district-gop-candidate-nick-stella-2018-illinois-primary/
— ENDORSEMENT: Nick Stella for Congress in 11th District Republican Primary
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/11th-congressional-district-republican-primary-nick-stella-endorsement-2018-illinois-primary/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “The women of the White House care so little about women.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/the-women-of-the-white-house-care-so-little-about-women/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner’s big budget idea: Passing the tab to local governments – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180214/BLOGS02/180219947/rauners-big-budget-idea-passing-the-tab-to-local-governments
— Tolls on expressways? Trump plan says yes. – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180214/BLOGS02/180219954/tolls-on-expressways-trump-plan-says-yes

 

DAILY HERALD
— Some Kane County Board members question Lauzen’s reimbursement request – James Fuller (DIERSEN: To discredit me, my Democrat IRS superiors disallowed my partial day per diem requests in 1974. They hinted/implied that my requests were fraudulent. However, GAO upheld an arbitrator’s ruling in my favor in 1977. SEE: https://www.gao.gov/products/463866. To discredit me, Money Magazine and my Democrat IRS superiors disallowed my education deductions in 1978. However, I took IRS to Tax Court and won a split decision.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180214/some-kane-county-board-members-question-lauzens-reimbursement-request
— AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S STRANGLEHOLD ON THE ELGIN COMMUNITY TIGHTENS: Elgin community gathers to protest rape culture – Madhu Krishnamurthy
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180214/elgin-community-gathers-to-protest-rape-culture
— Naperville not certain pedal pubs fit with ‘downtown culture’ – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20180214/naperville-not-certain-pedal-pubs-fit-with-downtown-culture

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Reactions to Gov. Rauner’s budget address
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180214/reactions-to-gov-rauners-budget-address

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Ives: Madigan should step down over handling of sexual harassment complaint
https://madisonrecord.com/stories/511344579-ives-madigan-should-step-down-over-handling-of-sexual-harassment-complaint

 

  1. LOUIS POST GAZETTE
    — ‘Progressive’ income tax may be hot topic in Illinois campaign – Pat Gauen
    http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/gauen-progressive-income-tax-may-be-hot-topic-in-illinois/article_e0855002-5b64-5018-82f4-00b6006e9d4e.html

 

CHAMBANA SUN
— Caulkins says lottery chairman violated ‘unspoken oath’ – Glenn Minnis
https://chambanasun.com/stories/511332963-caulkins-says-lottery-chairman-violated-unspoken-oath

 

WILLIAM J. KELLY
— Ives must cancel Thursday’s speech by #MeToo Denier Dan Proft
http://www.williamjkelly.org/news/kelly-ives-must-cancel-thursdays-speech-by-metoo-denier-dan-proft

 

IVES FOR GOVERNOR
— Rauner Budget Makes Income Tax Increase Permanent and Raises Property Taxes
https://mailchi.mp/b553560a01a0/ives-rauner-budget-to-make-the-income-tax-increase-permeant-and-raise-property-taxes
— Rauner Sits Out Infrastructure Meeting with President Trump
https://ivesforillinois.com/rauner-sits-out-infrastructure-meeting-with-president-trump/

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Rauner Proposes Shifting Teacher Pension Payments to Local Taxpayers
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/02/14/rauner-proposes-shifting-teacher-pension-payments-to-local-taxpayers/
— Franks Endorses Casten to Run Against Roskam
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/02/14/franks-endorses-casten-to-fun-against-roskam/
— Anna May Miller Took Home $31,146 in “Misc” Income since 2013
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/02/14/anna-may-miller-took-home-31146-in-misc-income-since-2013/

 

REAL GOP ILLINOIS
— Conservatives 2nd Nybo’s call to investigate Rauner-funded Illinois Policy Institute
https://realgopillinois.com/2018/02/13/investigate-rauner-illinois-policy-institute-pals/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— RETAILERS ABOUT RAUNER BUDGET SPEECH: RAZOR THIN MARGINS BLAMED ON REGS, MANDATES AND TAXES
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/retailers-about-rauner-budget-speech-razor-thin-margins-blamed-on-regs-mandates-and-taxes.html
— DEMOCRAT GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION: RAUNER DROVE ILLINOIS’ FINANCES INTO THE GROUND; MAKES MIDDLE CLASS PAY
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/democrat-governors-association-rauner-drove-illinois-finances-into-the-ground-makes-middle-class-pay.html
— IL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION DISSES RAUNER’S WORKERS’ COMP REFORM PROPOSAL
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/il-trial-lawyers-association-disses-rauners-workers-comp-reform-proposal.html
— IL MUNICIPAL LEAGUE ABOUT RAUNER BUDGET: LOCAL GOVT FUND CUT WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT CITIZENS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/il-municipal-league-about-rauner-budget-speech-local-govt-fund-cut-would-negatively-impact-citizens.html
— IMA ON RAUNER BUDGET SPEECH: MANUFACTURING GROWTH LAGS DUE TO FAILED TAX AND REG POLICIES
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/ima-on-rauner-budget-speech-manufacturing-growth-lags-due-to-failed-tax-and-reg-policies.html
— CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON RAUNER BUDGET SPEECH: STAND READY TO WORK ON NEEDED BUSINESS REFORMS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/chamber-of-commerce-on-rauner-budget-speech-stand-ready-to-work-on-needed-business-reforms.html
— GOVERNOR RAUNER SEEKS BILLION DOLLAR INCOME TAX CUT IN WEDNESDAY’S BUDGET SPEECH
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/governor-rauner-seeks-billion-dollar-income-tax-cut-in-wednesdays-budget-speech.html
— THORNER: SENATOR ALTHOFF CALLS ON IL GOP FAITHFUL TO “HOLD THE PARTY TOGETHER” AT LINCOLN DAY DINNER
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/thorner-senator-calls-on-il-gop-faithful-to-hold-the-party-together-at-lincoln-day-dinner.html

 

CBN NEWS
— Tea Party Anger Mounts as Congress ‘Puts the Cart Before the Horse’ on Immigration – Paul Strand
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2018/february/tea-party-anger-mounts-as-congress-puts-the-cart-before-the-horse-on-immigration

 

GOPUSA
— Gregg Popovich, Spurs coach, says U.S. ‘racist country’ (DIERSEN: Those who hint/imply/argue/shout that American is a racist county have always hinted/implied/argued/shouted a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a minority in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a minority could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a minority in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted minorities in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a minority in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a minority in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a minority could have my job and my preferred corner office.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=39338

 

BLAZE
— Men across the country are fighting the quiet, unbearable war of the falsely accused – Natasha Pascetta (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, if you are charged with anything bad, the more of the following that you are, the more that you are presumed to be guilty: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owner, German American, draft avoider, and/or if your ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/02/14/commentary-men-across-the-country-are-fighting-the-quiet-unbearable-war-of-the-falsely-accused/

 

POLITICO
— Third White House official resigns after being told he wouldn’t qualify for full clearance National Economic Council official George David Banks departed amid increasing scrutiny of the Trump administration’s decision to let multiple staffers work on interim clearances. – ANDREW RESTUCCIA
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/14/third-white-house-official-resigns-after-being-told-he-wouldnt-qualify-for-full-clearance-409246

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— It’s Not As Easy As You Think To Spot A Gerrymandered Map Our electoral districts have really weird shapes. Figuring out if they’re gerrymandered takes some deeper digging. – Sam Levine (DIERSEN: I should write a book about the 2015 gerrymandering of my DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 9 in Wheaton.)
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gerrymandering-strange-maps_us_5a848498e4b0ab6daf454f1e

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Threatens to Veto Immigration Bills that Don’t Meet His Demands – Michael D. Shear and Sheryl Gay Stolberg
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/14/us/politics/trump-immigration-veto-threat.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “The Trump administration is abandoning McDonald’s workers — and everyone else.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/02/09/the-trump-administration-is-abandoning-mcdonalds-workers-and-everyone-else/

 

DAILY MAIL
— Wheaton College ‘punished’ football players who ‘kidnapped, beat and sexually assaulted’ freshman in brutal hazing ritual by asking them to write an eight-page essay and complete community service – JENNIFER SMITH
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5392317/Light-punishment-Christian-college-gave-boys-hazing.html

February 11 Evening Edition

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Some who helped Arthur Jones get on the ballot say they didn’t know his politics – Frank Main (DIERSEN: Who are the Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains in the precincts in which Jones gathered petition signatures? Do the Republican voters in those precincts keep their Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains posted on what is going on in their precincts? Who are the officers of the Republican township parties in the townships in which Jones gathered petition signatures? Do the Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains in those townships keep the officers of their Republican township parties posted on what is going on in their precincts? I have been gathering petition signatures in my DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 9 in Wheaton since 1999 for myself and for all the Republican candidates who seek to be on Republican primary ballots in my precinct. I would hope that if a Jones-type candidate sought petition signatures from Republicans in my precinct, they would let me know. I would certainly let the Milton Township Republican Central Committee officers know.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/arthur-jones-nominating-petitions-bridgeview-holocaust-denier-anti-semitic-views/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: On an unusually warm afternoon last fall, residents in Bridgeview opened their doors to a stranger. Arthur Jones was going house to house in the southwest suburb on Oct. 5, rounding up signatures for his primary election petition for Congress. Voters signed it after Jones told them he was hoping to run as a Republican against Democrat Rep. Dan Lipinski in the 3rd Congressional District. What Jones didn’t say is that he’s an avowed anti-Semite, Holocaust denier and the former leader of the New American Nazi Party. “He seemed like a nice guy,” said Michal Bodyziak, whose wife, Anna, signed her name to the petition. Now Jones is the sole GOP candidate in the 3rd District on the primary ballot March 20, which means he is on track to be the Republican Party nominee in the November general election. On a 10-degree evening last week, residents in Bridgeview opened their doors once again to tell a Chicago Sun-Times reporter how Jones went about collecting some of the 603 signatures he needed. Of the six people who agreed to be interviewed, none had heard of Jones until he rang their doorbells. Jones, 70, of Lyons, is now the subject of national and international news after the Sun-Times reported on Feb. 4 that the he was poised to clinch the nomination. In an interview with the Sun-Times, Jones has said he’s in charge of an organization called the American First Committee, whose membership is limited to “any white American citizen of European, non-Jewish descent.” But while he was collecting signatures, Jones didn’t mention any of that. “He just told us he was all about the people,” Michal Bodyziak said. Bodyziak said he and his wife are immigrants from Poland. Jones didn’t say that he denies there was a Holocaust in which 6 million Jews died, many of them in Poland. “No, he said none of that,” Anna Bodyziak said. According to her husband, Jones said he “wanted to help the state make everything better, lower taxes and that. Yes, it was very positive.” When a reporter showed the couple video snippets of Jones’ controversial statements on Jews, they winced. They said they could never support Jones for Congress after seeing that. A neighbor down the block also gave Jones his signature. The man said he’d never heard of Jones, either, but he agreed to sign the petition “because I want people to run for office. If I knew he stood for any of that, I wouldn’t have signed.” About a mile away, Medardo Elizalde was sitting on his couch when his son opened the door to a reporter. The son said his father mostly speaks Spanish and translated for him. He asked his dad if he remembered signing Jones’ petition. Jones had said people wanted to keep him off the ballot, Elizalde recalled. Elizalde said he gave his signature so Jones would go away. Jones managed to collect 834 signatures in Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Chicago Ridge, Countryside, Hickory Hills, Homer Glen, Justice, La Grange, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos Hills, Stickney, Summit and Worth — but none in Chicago. “I waited on the last day, Dec. 4, to file my signatures. I turned them in, fully expecting for an objection or that there would be a candidate that they’re putting up against me,” he has told the Sun-Times. Though GOP officials in his own party have now repudiated Jones and his candidacy, he still thinks he’s got a shot even though the district is overwhelmingly Democratic. Lipinski, of Western Springs, faces Marie Newman, of LaGrange, in the Democratic primary. Said Jones, “Listen, I don’t go to all this damn trouble if I didn’t believe I had a chance to win.”)
— 2 Cook County commissioners missed over 40 percent of Forest Preserve meetings – Rachel Hinton and Dan Mihalopoulos (DIERSEN: Since 1999, I have the best record by far for attending Milton Township Republican Central Committee monthly meetings and fundraisers.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/cook-county-forest-preserve-meetings-missed-jerry-butler-bridget-gainer/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump demonizes, denigrates, and condemns Fox News Channel.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-military-parade-tweets-fox-news-donald-trump-fiasco/
— GOP candidate for attorney general: Gary Grasso
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/gop-candidate-for-attorney-general-gary-grasso-2018-illinois-primary/
— GOP candidate for attorney general: Erika Harold
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/gop-candidate-for-attorney-general-erika-harold-2018-illinois-primary/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— McCarthy offers campaign preview during fundraiser: Emanuel’s Chicago ‘a mess’ – Bill Ruthhart and John Byrne
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-garry-mccarthy-campaign-fundraiser-20180211-story.html
— Real estate market unfazed by changes to tax law – Kenneth R. Harney (DIERSEN: My wife and I have paid the marriage penalty big time since we got married in 1978. Under the new Republican tax law, if there was no marriage penalty, instead of $10,000, the SALT cap would be $20,000 for married filing jointly.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-re-0211-kenneth-harney-20180206-story.html
— Yes, you: Lawmakers, put the remap amendment on the ballot – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-remap-amendment-illinois-gerrymandering-20180208-story.html
— Waukegan approves new video gambling regulations – Emily K. Coleman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-waukegan-video-gaming-st-0209-20180211-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— DuPage GOP candidates tout experience in county board District 3 race – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180211/dupage-gop-candidates-tout-experience-in-county-board-district-3-race
— What the Porter accusations say about the White House – Kathleen Parker
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20180211/what-the-porter-accusations-say-about-the-white-house

 

NBC5
— Democratic Candidates Attend Church Services to Shore Up African-American Support – Mary Ann Ahern (DIERSEN: Do you attend church services? I do not. Should I write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who viciously demonize me, who viciously denigrate me, who viciously condemn me because I am not a member of any church, because I do not attend church services, and because I do not give money to a church? The aforesaid not only paint themselves as being far superior to you and I, they focus on destroying those like me who do not glorify and praise them, who do not pander to them, who do not serve as their operatives or dupes, and who do not give them money.)
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/candidates-for-governor-attend-church-services-to-shore-up-african-american-support-473737063.html

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Registered sex offender in small Pennsylvania town elected fire chief
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/registered-sex-offender-in-small-pennsylvania-town-elected-fire-chief

 

SAUK VALLEY
— Marter: It’s time to take our money back Congressional candidate talks spending, immigrant and education funding during Dixon visit – BOB TOMASZEWSKI
http://www.saukvalley.com/2018/02/10/marter-its-time-to-take-our-money-back/aq7bb1g/

 

BREITBART
— Jeanne Ives Targets Illinois ‘Sanctuary State’ Law in Republican Primary – Warner Todd Huston
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/11/jeanne-ives-sanctuary-state-becoming-major-issue-il-governor-primary/

 

NEWS BUSTERS
— New York Times Revels In Chicago Nazi’s GOP Nod, Skips Democrat Hugs of Farrakhan – Tim Graham
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2018/02/11/ny-times-revels-chicago-nazis-gop-nod-skips-democrat-hugs-farrakhan

 

FOX NEWS
— Fast food workers set to protest in push for $15 minimum wage – Matthew Kazin
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/11/fast-food-workers-set-to-protest-in-push-for-15-minimum-wage.html

 

HOT AIR
— Rob Porter Is A National Security Scandal, Too (DIERSEN: If you have ever done anything that subjects you to blackmail, you should not seek or hold any kind of government or political office.)
https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2018/02/rob-porter-national-security-scandal/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— The ‘Manly’ Jobs Problem – Susan Chira (DIERSEN: Were the jobs that you held “manly?” I did yard work and delivered newspapers 1962-1964; washed dishes 1964-1966; cleaned golf shoes, chipped slag, and pumped gasoline in 1966; delivered mail 1966-1969; worked on an automobile assembly line and as a security guard in 1970; sold tires, automotive services, and major appliances 1970-1971; pumped gasoline 1971-1972; collected delinquent taxes 1971-1980; and audited federal agencies 1980-1997. Because very few qualified women or minorities wanted the bad jobs that I had, it was very difficult for my superiors to meet their Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion quotas, goals, and targets.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/08/sunday-review/sexual-harassment-masculine-jobs.html

 

GOPUSA ILLINOIS

— NOVEMBER 27, 2017 MORNING EDITION FLASHBACK: Nominating Petitions
https://gopillinois.com/uncategorized/november-27-morning-edition-2/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Since 2000, I have gathered signatures on nominating petitions for all the candidates who seek to be on Republican primary ballots in my precinct. For the March 20, 2018 Republican primary, I gathered 667 signatures from 19 households in my precinct for the following candidates:

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

— OCTOBER 7, 2017 MORNING EDITION FLASHBACK: Nominating Petitions (DIERSEN: Subsequently, I circulated nominating petitions in my precinct for Ives/Morthland, Kelly/Leggero, Dodge & Senger, Helland, Minor, Almiron, MacKay, and Russo.)
https://gopillinois.com/uncategorized/october-7-morning-edition-2/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: So far, from 19 homes in my DuPage County Milton Township Precinct 9 in Wheaton, I have gathered 559 signatures from registered Republican voters on 56 nominating petition sheets for the 19 announced candidates who will be on the March 20, 2018 Republican primary ballot in my precinct. The candidates are: U.S. CONGRESS: Peter Roskam; STATE OF ILLINOIS: Bruce Rauner, Governor and Evelyn Sanguinetti, Lieutenant Governor and Erika Harold, Attorney General; ILLINOIS SENATE: Michael Connelly; ILLINOIS HOUSE: Jeanne Ives; DUPAGE COUNTY: Dan Cronin, Board Chairman; James Mendrick and Frank Bibbiano, Sheriff; Paul Hinds, Clerk; Gwen Henry, Treasurer; Darlene Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent of Schools; DUPAGE COUNTY BOARD District 4: Grant Eckhoff, Amy Grant, Paula McGowen, and Beth Tatro; DUPAGE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE: Joseph Cantore, President; CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE: Richard Russo and Karen Wilson; and REPUBLICAN PRECINCT COMMITTEEMAN: Dave Diersen. Outstandingly, yesterday evening, my State Farm Insurance Agent Mark Prutzman notarized the aforesaid 56 nominating petitions and my Statement of Candidacy, Oath of Registration Officer, and Loyalty Oath. Ever since I was first elected Republican Precinct Committeeman in 2000, my policy has been to gather signatures on nominating petition sheets for all the candidates who will be on Republican primary ballots in my precinct.)

February 5 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Jeanne Ives defends controversial ad: ‘What’s so offensive?’ – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/jeanne-ives-defends-controversial-ad-whats-so-offensive-/3039035/
— Chicago area could see nearly 2-week delay of early voting – AP
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/chicago-area-could-see-nearly-2-week-delay-of-early-voting/3038116/

 

NBC5
— Who Is Dick Uihlein, Ives’ Bankroller in the GOP Race for Governor? – Mary Ann Ahern
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/dick-uihlein-illinois-governor-primary-ives-rauner-472781953.html

 

CBS2
— Rep. Jeanne Ives Defends Controversial Campaign Ad
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/05/jeanne-ives-controversial-ad/

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Chicago area could see nearly 2-week delay of early voting – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/politics/chicago-area-could-see-nearly-2-week-delay-of-early-voting

 

WGN TV
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: RINOs who want the Illinois Republican Party to dump the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in its platform “slam Rep. Jeanie Ives’ new campaign ad attacking Rauner.”
http://wgntv.com/2018/02/05/illinois-republicans-slam-rep-jeanie-ives-new-campaign-ad-attacking-rauner/

 

WLS AM
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: RINOs who want the Illinois Republican Party to dump the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in its platform “slam Ives’ TV ad.”
http://www.wlsam.com/2018/02/05/republicans-slam-ives-tv-ad/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner primary rival Ives won’t be silenced despite ‘hysteria’ over TV ad – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/rauner-primary-rival-ives-wont-be-silenced-despite-hysteria-over-tv-ad/
— Rauner condemns Republican Illinois candidate who is a Holocaust denier – Lynn Sweet
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/gop-gov-rauner-condemns-republican-illinois-candidate-who-is-a-holocaust-denier/
— Trump calls Democrats not applauding him ‘un-American’ – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/trump-unamerican-treasonous-applaud-state-of-the-union/
— Chicago area could see nearly 2-week delay of early voting – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/early-voting-delayed-chicago-board-elections-candidate-challenges-appeals/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: The anti-Trump Jesse Jackson says “Tax cut will widen the racial wage gap.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/tax-cut-will-widen-the-racial-wage-gap/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner challenger Ives says she’s ‘a little bit surprised’ about ‘hysteria’ around controversial TV ad – Kim Geiger
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jeanne-ives-city-club-20180205-story.html
— Jeanne Ives responds to criticisms of her attack ad – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-jeanne-ives-responds-to-criticisms-of-her-attack-ad-20180205-story.html
— New Pritzker-Blagojevich audio from FBI wiretaps sheds light on race issue in governor contest – Rick Pearson and Jeff Coen
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-illinois-democratic-governor-race-20180205-story.html
— Early voting may be delayed for millions in Chicago area due to ballot challenges, election officials say – AP
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-chicago-early-voting-delay-20180205-story.html
— In the primary, don’t accidentally vote for the neo-Nazi – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-holocaust-jones-republican-denier-20180205-story.html

 

WGN RADIO
— City Club of Chicago: Jeanne Ives, Republican Candidate for Governor
http://wgnradio.com/2018/02/05/city-club-of-chicago-jeanne-ives-republican-candidate-for-governor/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Rauner, Ives on different paths to woo GOP voters – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: Rauner woos RINOs who want the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) to dump the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in its platform. Ives woos Republicans who want the IRP to defend and advance all the planks in its platform.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180205/BLOGS02/180209947/rauner-ives-on-different-paths-to-woo-gop-voters
— Legalizing recreational pot a bad idea for Illinois employers – KEVIN SABET (DIERSEN: Legalizing recreational pot is a bad idea for everyone.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180205/OPINION/180209950/why-legalizing-recreational-pot-is-a-bad-idea-for-illinois-employers
— Ives says TV ad ‘not offensive’—and hints at more to come – GREG HINZ
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180205/BLOGS02/180209944/ives-says-tv-ad-not-offensive-and-hints-at-more-to-come
— Stocks sink most since 2011 – BLOOMBERG (DIERSEN: Of course, those who refuse to give Trump credit for stock gains will blame him for stock losses.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180205/NEWS01/180209946/stocks-plummet-erasing-gains-for-the-year

 

DAILY HERALD
— Rauner slams Ives ad as ‘shameful,’ criticizes legalizing marijuana for recreational use – Mani Pyke
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180205/rauner-slams-ives-ad-as-shameful-criticizes-legalizing-marijuana-for-recreational-use
— GOP candidates square off in crowded race for DuPage County District 4 – Robert Sanchez
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180205/gop-candidates-square-off-in-crowded-race-for-dupage-county-district-4–
— Ives: ‘Edgy’ ad ‘accurate representation’ of Rauner policies – AP
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180205/ives-edgy-ad-accurate-representation-of-rauner-policies
— All three Republican candidates for the Lake County Board’s 17th District seat say they want to reduce residents’ property taxes — but they have different ideas for accomplishing that task. – Russell Lissau
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180203/republican-county-board-candidates-want-to-slash-spending-cut-taxes
— Cook County: Tax, pot referendums on Northwest suburban ballots – Eric Peterson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180205/tax-pot-referendums-on-northwest-suburban-ballots
— The Republican primary election for the Lake County Board’s 10th District seat features two experienced politicians from Mundelein. – Russell Lissau
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180205/lake-county-board-primary-features-two-experienced-politicians

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Jeanne Ives: ‘Edgy’ ad ‘accurate representation’ of Rauner policies – AP
http://www.nwherald.com/2018/02/05/jeanne-ives-edgy-ad-accurate-representation-of-rauner-policies/az1szhw/

 

ALTON TELEGRAPH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Ives campaign ad a new low, even for Illinois politics.”
http://www.thetelegraph.com/opinion/117141/editorial-ives-campaign-ad-a-new-low-even-for-illinois-politics

 

WQAD
— Ives’s running mate says “in your face” ad is “not racist” – CHRIS MINOR
http://wqad.com/2018/02/05/ivess-running-mate-says-in-your-face-ad-is-not-racist/

 

WJBC
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: RINOs who want the Illinois Republican Party to dump the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in its platform “condemn Ives’ ad.”
http://www.wjbc.com/2018/02/05/rauner-gop-leaders-condemn-ives-ad/

 

SPRINGFIELD PATCH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Racist, Sexist, Homophobic Jeanne Ives TV Ad Provokes Backlash.”
https://patch.com/illinois/springfield-il/racist-sexist-homophobic-jeanne-ives-tv-ad-provokes-backlash

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— DUPAGE COUNTY HOMEOWNERS: WHERE DO YOUR PROPERTY TAXES GO? DuPage County billed property tax payers $2.74 billion for 2016; this meant owners of a median-valued home in Naperville worth $388,000 had a $9,000 property tax bill. – Amy Korte
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/dupage-county-homeowners-where-do-your-property-taxes-go/
— HOUSE OF PAIN: ILLINOIS PROPERTY TAXES UP, BUT HOME PRICES LAG – Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/reports/house-of-pain-illinois-property-taxes-up-but-home-prices-lag/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Post-Christian America Needs Radical Help – Tami Jackson
https://illinoisfamily.org/faith/post-christian-america-needs-radical-help-stat/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— IVES DEFENDS CAMPAIGN AD, INSIDERS SAY AD ALL ABOUT NAME RECOGNITION
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/ives-publicly-replies-to-campaign-ad-criticism.html
— “RAUNER PARTY SLATE” CALLS TO PULL IVES AD IGNORED
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/rauner-party-slate-criticizes-social-conservative-positions-in-ives-ad.html
— BREEN PROPOSES SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS BE ALLOWED TO FUND PARENTAL LEAVE
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/02/breen-proposes-social-security-benefits-be-alllowed-to-be-used-for-parental-leave.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Ives threatens higher ed funding cuts
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/05/ives-threatens-higher-ed-funding-cuts/
— Rauner condemns “in the strongest possible terms” *** Perennial Nazi candidate finally gets a free pass in GOP primary
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/05/perennial-nazi-candidate-finally-gets-a-free-pass-in-gop-primary/
— Rauner on guy who’s suing him: “He said a lot of things that were not true” (DIERSEN: This lawsuit has been referred to arbitration. I have been an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority since 1998. While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, the last 11 years of which at GS-13 Step 1-10 levels, currently $96,403-$125,325, I increasingly worked as a referencer, that is, as a fact checker. That work required assuring the accuracy and support for each and every word, number, table, graph, chart, conclusion, opinion, and recommendation in GAO reports. I worked for IRS 1971-1980, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880. My other fact checking qualifications include becoming a Forensic Accountant in 1997, a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1990, a licensed CPA in 1981, a Certified Internal Auditor in 1981, and a CPA in 1979.)
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/05/rauner-on-guy-whos-suing-him-he-said-a-lot-of-things-that-were-not-true/
— Biss campaign rejoices at being attacked by Pritzker
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/05/biss-campaign-rejoices-at-being-attacked-by-pritzker/
— Ives “misunderstood the question” – Endorsed Cruz *** Ives says no campaign outreach to President Trump that she knows of
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/05/ives-says-no-campaign-outreach-to-president-trump-that-she-knows-of/
— Ives supporter McSweeney wants her to take ad off the air
https://capitolfax.com/2018/02/05/ives-supporter-mcsweeney-wants-her-to-take-ad-off-the-air/

 

GOPUSA
— Holy Cross will keep the name ‘Crusaders’ after accusations that it was offensive (DIERSEN: By way of contrast, Wheaton College surrendered to the anti-Christians in 2000.)
http://www.gopusa.com/holy-cross-will-keep-the-name-crusaders-after-accusations-that-it-was-offensive/
— Austin, TX to ban border wall contractors from future city contracts (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout and who use that clout to ban those a) who do not glorify and praise them, b) who do not pander to them, c) who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) who refuse to serve as one of their operatives or dupes, and/or e) who refuse to give them money.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38436

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Identity Politics and the End of Meaning – Bruce Robinson
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/02/identity_politics_and_the_end_of_meaning.html

 

BLAZE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters slam Ives saying her ad is cowardly and homophobic.
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/02/05/illinois-gop-governor-candidate-slammed-for-this-cowardly-homophobic-attack-ad

 

BREITBART
— Americans Turning Off Super Bowl in Droves: Bars, Bowling Alleys, Veterans Boycotting – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2018/02/04/americans-turning-off-super-bowl-droves-bars-bowling-alleys-veterans-boycotting/
— At Least Three Eagles Say They Will Not Visit the White House – WARNER TODD HUSTON
http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2018/02/05/at-least-three-eagles-say-will-not-visit-white-house/

 

MILITARY
— West Point Grad Sets the Illinois Governor’s Race on Fire
https://www.military.com/undertheradar/2018/02/05/west-point-grad-sets-illinois-governors-race-fire.html

 

THE HILL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “Illinois GOP rips candidate’s ad mocking transgender people, feminists.”
http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/372318-illinois-gop-chief-rips-gop-governor-candidate-for-ad-mocking

 

POLITICO
— Incendiary ad fuels primary challenge to Illinois governor – NATASHA KORECKI
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/05/illinois-governor-rauner-ives-ad-392258

 

CNN
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner supporters and other anti-Republicans “slam GOP gubernatorial hopeful’s campaign ad.”
https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/05/politics/illinois-governor-jeanne-ives-campaign-ad/index.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— L.A.’s homelessness surged 75% in six years. Here’s why the crisis has been decades in the making – Gale Holland
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-homeless-how-we-got-here-20180201-story.html

 

NEW YORK POST
— A male backlash against #MeToo is brewing – Kyle Smith
https://nypost.com/2018/02/03/a-male-backlash-against-metoo-is-brewing/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Dow Drops More Than 1,100 Points in Stock-Market Rout Blue chips post biggest one-session point decline on record as indexes around the world give up 2018 gains – Akane Otani and Riva Gold (DIERSEN: Of course, those who refuse to give Trump credit for stock gains will blame him for stock losses.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/asia-pacific-stocks-fall-to-kick-off-the-week-1517790854

 

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO
— New tool to help agencies request bigger incentive payouts – Eric White (DIERSEN: GAO audits IRS. In 1980, when I was 31 years old, if I had been a Democrat, a minority, and/or a female, the Democrats who ran GAO would have offered me a recruitment incentive to transfer from IRS to GAO. Instead, they forced me to take a $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO. In 1980, a) I had worked for IRS for almost 9 years, the last 5 1/2 years of which at the GS-12 Step 1-5 levels, currently $81,071-$91,880, b) I had almost completed the requirements for a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul, c) I had passed the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979, d) I had earned an MBA from Loyola in 1976, and e) I had earned a bachelor’s degree in management in 1970.)
https://federalnewsradio.com/federal-newscast/2018/02/new-tool-to-help-agencies-request-bigger-incentive-payouts/

 

LGBTQ NATION
— Compare & contrast: Take a look at these two Republican politicians from Illinois – Bil Browning (DIERSEN: Rauner woos RINOs who want the Illinois Republican Party (IRP) to dump the traditional family, right to life, immigration, and other planks in its platform. Ives woos Republicans who want the IRP to defend and advance all the planks in its platform.)
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2018/02/compare-contrast-take-look-two-republican-politicians-illinois/

 

GAY STAR NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Rauner promoters say “People are furious about this Republican’s transphobic ad” and “Jeanne Ives’ ad also mocks feminists and immigrants.”
https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/republican-transphobic-ad/

January 29 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner, Ives to spar live online at 11 a.m. (DIERSEN: One would expect that far more Republican incumbents, rather than their Republican primary challengers, wanted to get rid of TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois. If I was still the TAPROOT chairman, the organization would be hosting debates for a) Rauner v. Ives, b) Sanguinetti v. Morthland, c) Illinois Republican Party (IRP) State Central Committee candidates, and d) many other races. Those who wanted to get rid of TAPROOT were furious when I asked candidates if they would defend and advance all the planks in the IRP platform if they were elected. From what I see, protecting Republican incumbents is a top priority for the IRP, DuPage County Republican Central Committee, Milton Township Republican Central Committee, etc. Of course, there are exceptions. The IRP succeeded in getting Peter Fitzgerald to not seek a second term. That brought us Jack Ryan, Alan Keyes, and Obama.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-jeanne-ives-editorial-board-20180129-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and primary challenger state Rep. Jeanne Ives will appear before the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board at 11 a.m. Monday for an endorsement session that will be streamed online at chicagotribune.com. It’s the first time since Ives announced her campaign that voters will have a chance to see the two candidates together. And it might be the last. No televised debates between the two are scheduled, and Rauner has been careful not to talk about Ives much, once suggesting she is a “fringe” candidate. Rauner’s position is a common one for well-heeled incumbents: If your opponent isn’t well-known and doesn’t have a lot of money to remedy that, don’t raise his or her profile. (A Republican-aligned pollster this month suggested the governor has a big early lead.) Ives, though, has criticized Rauner at every turn. She hit him when he said “I am not in charge” late last year. A West Point graduate, Ives has slammed Rauner over veterans’ deaths in Quincy. And as recently as last week, she continued to criticize the governor’s signature of a law to expand the availability of taxpayer-funded abortions. That last issue, of course, is the one that sparked Ives’ candidacy in the first place. Ives is a third-term lawmaker from Wheaton, and Rauner is seeking a second term as governor. The Tribune Editorial Board, which operates separately from the newsroom, will use the session to help decide on its endorsement.)
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps use Duckworth’s pregnancy to promote Duckworth.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-jeanne-ives-editorial-board-20180129-story.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH BIG COLOR PICTURE: Arrest linked to Chief Illiniwek dispute leads to renewed calls for new U. of I. mascot – John Keilman
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-chief-illiniwek-controversy-continues-20180126-story.html

 

ABC7
— 1967 blizzard: Nearly 2 ft. of snow falls on Chicago – John Garcia (DIERSEN: I worked part-time for the Park Forest Post Office in 1967. I drove the first mail truck from Park Forest that got through to Monee and to Peotone after the blizzard.)
http://abc7chicago.com/weather/1967-blizzard-nearly-2-ft-of-snow-falls-on-chicago/2992203/

 

NBC5
— Candidates Call on Rep. Roskam to Return Reported Campaign Donations From Steve Wynn   Wynn stepped down as RNC Finance Chair this weekend over allegations of sexual misconduct
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/democratic-candidates-call-on-peter-roskam-to-return-donations-from-steve-wynn-471576083.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Wynn contributed to a host of Republican campaigns in 2016, including Senator Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign and Political Action Committee, but did not appear to make any individual contributions to Roskam, according to a Federal Election Commission database. Kenneth Vogel of the New York Times did include Roskam on his list of politicians, committees, and 527 groups that received contributions from Wynn, saying that the “Roskam for Congress Committee” received $1465, according to FEC and IRS data.)

 

WGN RADIO
— Rick Pearson talks with Republican State Rep. David McSweeney about the debt that IL is in and the pressure that he is applying on the Governor in order to have a more detailed budget moving forward.
http://wgnradio.com/2018/01/28/the-sunday-spin-politics-with-rick-pearson-full-show-1-28-18/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— ALL OF THE FRONT PAGE: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps promote foreign countries, their citizens, and Islam.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/travel-ban-immigration-protests-chaos/
— Chicago’s former top fed Patrick Fitzgerald swept up in Michigan State’s Larry Nassar fallout – Jon Seidel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicagos-former-top-fed-swept-up-in-michigan-states-larry-nassar-fallout/

 

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Tollway denies patronage in hiring state lawmaker’s relative, but won’t release resume – Marni Pyke (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have always promoted patronage. Because I have always been a Republican, were it not for federal civil service protections, a) the Post Office would NOT have hired me in 1966 or let me work there for almost 3 years, b) IRS would NOT have hired me in 1971 or let me work there for almost 9 years, c) IRS would NOT have promoted me in 1972, 1973, or 1974, d) GAO would NOT have hired me in 1980 or let me work there for almost 18 years, and e) GAO would NOT have promoted me in 1986.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180129/tollway-denies-patronage-in-hiring-state-lawmakers-relative-but-wont-release-resume
— FRONT PAGE WITH COLOR PICTURE: OUTRAGEOUS: After a naloxone revival, hospital protocol is to just let opioid addicts go – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180129/after-a-naloxone-revival-hospital-protocol-is-to-just-let-opioid-addicts-go
— Stigma still stopping opioid users from seeking naloxone – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180129/stigma-still-stopping-opioid-users-from-seeking-naloxone

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Ives is a real Republican – Jim Young, Mount Sterling
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180128/letter-ives-is-real-republican

 

JOURNAL GAZETTE TIMES COURIER
— Rauner set to give State of the State – DEREK BEIGH
http://jg-tc.com/news/local/state-and-regional/rauner-set-to-give-state-of-the-state/article_846bfe8b-368d-5ce3-b795-77c591d26e64.html

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Lawmakers Consider More Property Tax Breaks For Seniors – SAM DUNKLAU (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those in my precinct, in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who want my wife and I to pay more real estate tax. They stress that my wife and I gave up trying to have children, that we did not adopt, and that we did not become foster parents. They stress that I avoided the draft, that I am not a member of a church, that I do not attend church services, and that I do not give money to a church. They hint/imply/argue/shout that the federal government grossly overpaid me and that my federal pension and my federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidies are much too generous. They side with the developer of our subdivision, the City of Wheaton, Milton Township, and DuPage County that argue that our home and the subdivision it was built in never had any defects.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/lawmakers-consider-more-property-tax-breaks-seniors#stream/0
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Democratic state Senator Laura Murphy of Des Plaines said the cost of owning a home in her suburban district is getting too pricey for older people. “It’s a very common concern of seniors anxious about how they’re gonna remain in their homes,” she said. She wants more seniors to be able to claim a homestead exemption on their property taxes — raising the maximum annual income from $65,000 to $75,000. Another proposal would allow seniors in downstate communities to cut their tax by $7,000, up from the current $5,000. But Carol Portman, president of the Taxpayers’ Federation of Illinois, calls that problematic. “By reducing the taxes of those folks a little bit, then you’re raising it for the next door neighbors and the people across the street. Where you draw the line of who gets the benefit and who has to pay the taxes for them, it gets really tough to draw.” Property taxes have become a top political issue in the 2018 elections, from the race for governor on down the ballot.)

 

WIRE POINTS
— Snake oil, the budget impasse and Illinois’ $1 billion in late payment penalties – Mark Glennon
http://www.wirepoints.com/snake-oil-the-budget-impasse-and-illinois-1-billion-in-late-payment-penalties-wirepoints-original/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— ONLY A FEW MORE HOURS ON IR POLL: DO YOU SUPPORT LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IN ILLINOIS? (DIERSEN: If you support legalizing marijuana in Illinois, you support the destruction of Illinois.)
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/01/only-a-few-more-hours-on-ir-poll-do-you-support-legalizing-marijuana-in-illinois.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— Rauner, Ives meet today at 11
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/29/rauner-ives-meet-today-at-11/
— Rauner ends crisis he created by cutting a deal with people he appointed
https://capitolfax.com/2018/01/29/rauner-ends-crisis-he-created-by-cutting-a-deal-with-people-he-appointed/

 

GOPUSA
— DOJ: Crime rate higher among illegal aliens (DIERSEN: By definition, if you are in America illegally, you are a law breaker.)
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38046
— Illiterates, no-shows, all seniors graduate at DC high
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=37402
— Military court throws out rape conviction because jury was packed with female activists
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=38054

 

DAILY CALLER
— President Trump Has NOT Stopped Federal Contractors From Offshoring American Jobs. Will He Start? – GEORGE FARADAY
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/29/president-trump-has-not-stopped-federal-contractors-from-outsourcing-american-jobs-will-he-start/
— Trump: It Was ‘Getting Too Cold,’ So Now They Say Climate Change – Michael Bastasch
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/28/donald-trump-piers-morgan/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— DACA: What is Trump doing? – James Simpson
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/01/daca_what_is_trump_doing.html

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— Outsiders vs. Insiders: How Trump masterfully set the stage for a SOTU address for the ages – Jeffrey A. Rendall (DIERSEN: Most, if not virtually all of the operatives and the dupes who work for my critics/opponents paint themselves as being operatives or dupes for a) insiders and/or b) those who have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois.)
http://www.conservativehq.com/article/27286-outsiders-vs-insiders-how-trump-masterfully-set-stage-sotu-address-ages

 

WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Sessions sanctuary city crackdown hits Calif., Ore., NYC, Chicago, LA hardest, lose $53 million – Paul Bedard
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sessions-sanctuary-city-crackdown-hits-calif-ore-nyc-chicago-la-hardest-lose-53-million/article/2647071
— Republican donors happy with Trump’s policy successes but worry his demeanor will cost GOP in the midterms – David M. Drucker (DIERSEN: Is your precinct “upscale,” that is, do many, most, or virtually all its residents pay more than $10,000 a year in real estate taxes and state income taxes? What percent of the voters in your precinct are “educated white women.” What do they think of Trump?)
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republican-donors-happy-with-trumps-policy-successes-but-worry-his-demeanor-will-cost-gop-in-the-midterms/article/2647353
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Roskam holds a suburban Chicago district, the sort where educated white women are prevalent. Despite the booming economy, they don’t like Trump. Additionally, the Republican tax bill has been a hard sell in upscale suburban strongholds in blue states that usually vote for Republicans but believe the new law could raise their taxes. “Educated suburban white women have decided that they’re not interested,” DeBlasio said. “People tend to react in a sense they want to protect themselves…Trump doesn’t give people a sense of security, particularly that demographic.”)

 

POLITICO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Someone named “Marc Short” says “Conservatives support Trump’s immigration plan.” Who are these “conservatives?”)
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/28/trump-immigration-plan-conservatives-373829
— Both parties face dissent over handling of #MeToo Some Democrats regret rush to judgment, while some in GOP say their party needs to take allegations more seriously. – MAGGIE SEVERNS and MARIANNE LEVINE (DIERSEN: Of course, those who are anti-men will use #MeToo to destroy men. The will hint/imply/argue/shout that all men are sexual harassers.)
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/29/congress-sexual-harassment-metoo-372855

 

CNN
— Reality sets in that DACA deal might not get done – Tal Kopan
https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/29/politics/daca-deal-reality/index.html
— Bruno Mars and politics play big at Grammys – Lisa France
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/28/entertainment/grammys-2018-recap/index.html

 

CBS NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps use Duckworth’s pregnancy to promote Duckworth.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sen-tammy-duckworth-pregnant-face-the-nation/

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote Islam. How soon, if not already, will the Democrats try to make Islam the official religion of America? How open are you to becoming a Muslim?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/01/29/why-the-trump-administration-is-trying-to-make-muslim-immigrants-seem-dangerous/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Harassment Training for Lawmakers: Where’s the Line? As sexual-harassment accusations draw scrutiny, state officials are learning to adjust their behavior – Dan Frosch and Nour Malas
https://www.wsj.com/articles/harassment-training-for-lawmakers-wheres-the-line-1517221801
— Koch Groups Move On From Health-Care Fight Network of pro-GOP donors shifts focus to tax law, protecting Republicans in midterm elections – Julie Bykowicz (DIERSEN: What are your demographics? How does the tax law help those who share your demographics? Republicans should not expect those who are not helped by the tax law to promote the tax law and they certainly should not expect those who are harmed by the tax law to promote it. Those who pay more than $10,000 a year in real estate tax and state income tax are harmed the most.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/koch-groups-move-on-from-health-care-fight-1517172843
Steve Wynn Fallout Ripples as Republicans Seek Distance
— Casino mogul steps down as RNC finance chairman and some GOP officials redirect donations – Kristina Peterson, Chris Kirkham and Chris Gordon
https://www.wsj.com/articles/steve-wynn-fallout-ripples-as-republicans-seek-distance-1517188851

 

DALLAS NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Immigrants aren’t ‘pouring’ across the border, as Trump says in pitching the wall.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2018/01/29/immigrants-pouring-across-border-trump-says-pitching-wall

 

AXIOS
— MAY 23, 2017 FLASHBACK: How Google and Facebook drive internet traffic by topic – Sara Fischer (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents are beyond furious that my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails drive far more internet traffic than their emails do.)
https://www.axios.com/how-google-and-facebook-drive-internet-traffic-by-topic-1513302486-57f12c0b-c248-4f2c-ac44-76e4d8b616ca.html

 

DAILY BEAST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A Republican hating Democrat says “It’s Still 1965 in Donald Trump’s Mind on Immigration Until Trump, politicians who staked their careers on xenophobia and nativism were losers. Maybe even he is beginning to realize this.” Beyond overwhelmingly, immigrants vote for Democrats. Since 1965, ever-increasingly, Democrats make it clear that they want to use immigrants to get rid of Republicans once and for all.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/its-still-1965-in-donald-trumps-mind-on-immigration
(FROM THE ARTICLE: There are two Americas when it comes to attitudes toward immigration, and the numbers tell the story. In 1960, 5.4 percent were foreign born; in 1970, it was 4.7 percent. Today it’s 13.5 percent. And the newcomers are not spread evenly across the country. Trump lost 16 of the 20 states with the most immigrants, with California the most obvious, and he won 26 of the 30 states with the least number of immigrants. Thanks to incendiary comments by politicians with a vested interest in stoking fears, people in states with the fewest immigrants are the most frightened of what they believe is an “invasion.” Surveys find that people think there are far more immigrants than there actually are, mirroring their belief that government devotes a vast amount of money to foreign aid, when it’s less than 1 percent of the federal budget. The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965, which Ted Kennedy shepherded through the Senate, opened the door to the modern wave of immigrants from around the world. Before that, they came mainly from Northern Europe. Family unification, which Trump derides as “chain migration,” was put in place as a way to insure the flow of largely white and European immigrants would continue. Now that immigrants from other places are the beneficiaries, Trump wants to end it.)

January 28 Morning Edition

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— New Naperville Park District budget includes property tax, fee increases – Gary Gibula
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-naperville-park-district-budget-st-0128-20180126-story.html
— Socially responsible investing gets a Trump bump – AP (DIERSEN: Of course, anti-Trumps invest in companies that are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-socially-responsible-investing-20180125-story.html
— Bye, bye, boomers — banks are looking toward millennials – Terry Savage
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-201801232133–tms–savagectnts-a20180123-20180123-column.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “The Trump economy is no great success.” How does the Trump economy help retired people? Interest rates continue to be far below inflation. Retirement savings in fixed income accounts continue to lose purchasing power.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman/ct-perspec-chapman-trump-economy-growth-jobs-128-20180126-story.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Vallas mayoral bid would shine light on his record. Potential challenger to Emanuel has liabilities as well as experience. — Bill Ruthhart, John Byrne and Patrick M. O’Connell (DIERSEN: If you sought a government office or a political office, what would your critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes stress? My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes would stress that even though I have been an elected Republican Precinct Committeeman since 2000, those who continue to dominate the Milton Township Republican Central Committee (MTRCC) have never asked me to be an MTRCC committee chairman let alone a MTRCC officer. They would stress that they rudely dumped me as MTRCC webmaster in 2004 and 2010. They would stress that I got only 13 votes when I ran for MTRCC Treasurer in 2004. They would stress their success a) in closing a nearby polling place that served my precinct and b) in gerrymandering my precinct. They would stress that I am no longer a TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois chairman, Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member, American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member, GAO employee, etc. They would stress the activists, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, major donors, political consultants, etc. who could/should have come to my defense, but failed/refused to do so. They would stress that they blame me for all the problems that MTRCC has had, is having, and will have. They would stress that they blame me for all the problems that they have, that you have, that I have, and that everyone has. They reject most, if not virtually all of the planks in the Republican Party platform and in the Illinois Republican Party platform. They reject the MTRCC resolution against video gambling.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-paul-vallas-rahm-emanuel-mayor-challenge-20180126-story.html
— Military service isn’t required for public office – Paul Bloustein, Cincinnati, Ohio (DIERSEN: What does Duckworth think of you and what does she think of those who share your demographics? From what I see, she wants to get rid of me and she wants to get rid of those who share my demographics.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/ct-duckworth-trump-draft-military-20180126-story.html
(FROM THE LETTER: U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois recent labeled President Donald Trump a draft dodger and implied that not serving in the military renders one incapable of insight on budgetary matters related to the Defense Department. Yes, Trump was deferred from military service when we had a draft, as were erstwhile President Bill Clinton and Vice President Dick Cheney. Our immediate past president, also from the Land of Lincoln, chose not to serve. Does Duckworth believe then that we should amend the Constitution so that only presidents who have worn the uniform can bear the commander-in-chief title? Animus directed at the orange-maned man in the Oval Office has reached manic proportions when senators can make ad hominem statements in lieu of addressing the issue of the moment. Duckworth may curry favor with other sufferers of Trump Distemper with her intemperate and illogical insults, but she leaves this disabled military veteran who did not vote for Trump displeased.)
— ‘Saturday Night Live’: Will Ferrell reprises George W. Bush to skewer Trump – Debra Birnbaum
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-snl-will-ferrell-20180128-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Amid turmoil, Trump seeking a reset with State of the Union – AP (DIERSEN: How disrespectful do you anticipate that the anti-Trumps will be during the State of the Union?)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/amid-turmoil-trump-seeking-a-reset-with-state-of-the-union/
— To get at reasons for street crime, we need to look at black youth unemployment – Mary Mitchell (DIERSEN: Did you get jobs and promotions that young Blacks should have gotten? Do you agree with my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes who hint/imply/argue/shout that a) that instead of me, the Post Office should have hired a young Black in 1966, b) that the Post Office should gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a young Black could have my job, c) that instead of me, IRS should have hired a young Black in 1971, d) that instead of me, IRS should have promoted young Blacks in 1972, 1973, and 1974, e) that instead of me, GAO should have hired a young Black in 1980, f) that instead of me, GAO should have promoted a young Black in 1986, and g) that GAO should have gotten rid of me much sooner than it did so that a young Black could have my job and my preferred corner office?)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/to-get-at-reasons-for-street-crime-we-need-to-look-at-black-youth-unemployment/

 

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PICTURE: Opioid antidote saves lives, but overdose survivors still need help. Dr. Dipul Patadia says naloxone might save overdose patients from dying, but it doesn’t cure their addiction. – Marie Wilson
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180127/opioid-antidote-saves-lives-but-overdose-survivors-still-need-help
— Kochs to spend $20 million to promote tax overhaul – AP (DIERSEN: What do the Kochs say to those undeservedly filthy rich retired people who pay more than $10,000 a year in real estate taxes and state income tax?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180127/business/301279858/
— Blue states’ tax workarounds could mean $154B lost to Treasury – Bloomberg (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will those who promote the Republican tax bill demonize, denigrate, and condemn those who pay more than $10,000 a year in real estate and state income tax as being undeservedly filthy rich people who should pay more federal income tax?)
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20180128/blue-states-tax-workarounds-could-mean-154b-lost-to-treasury

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Catholic bishops side with AFSCME in Supreme Court case – JACK JENKINS
http://www.sj-r.com/entertainmentlife/20180127/catholic-bishops-side-with-afscme-in-supreme-court-case
— Most governor candidates favor new tax system – AP (DIERSEN: “New tax system” is code for making everyone pay more taxes and especially those who have more income.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180127/most-governor-candidates-favor-new-tax-system
— Here’s hoping for a sense of decorum at this week’s speeches – Editorial
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180127/our-view-heres-hoping-for-sense-of-decorum-at-this-weeks-speeches
— Renewed focus on bipartisanship from both sides necessary for country to move forward – Rodney Davis (DIERSEN: Bipartisanship always harms Republicans because Republican elected officials fail/refuse to defend/advance the Republican Party platform. That is why Trump got elected.)
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180127/rep-rodney-davis-renewed-focus-on-bipartisanship-from-both-sides-necessary-for-country-to-move-forward
— Daiber suggests taxing retirement income to help pay for pensions – Brenden Moore (DIERSEN: Since 1997, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been beyond furious that my Civil Service Retirement System pension, currently $51,864/year, is not subject to state income tax. Since 2010, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have been beyond furious that my Social Security, currently $2,064/year, is not subject to state income tax.)
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180126/daiber-suggests-taxing-retirement-income-to-help-pay-for-pensions

 

QUAD CITIES ONLINE
— Illinois among states on road to ruin – Editorial
http://qconline.com/opinion/columnists/illinois-among-states-on-road-to-ruin/article_73183291-e175-586f-a93b-ffba63786a39.html

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
— Rauner faces hard year – Editorial
http://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-rauner-faces-hard-year/article_ba792fda-acec-5f34-90f6-5c88c9553d60.html
— State of the State 2018: Governor or candidate? – Derek Beigh
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/government-and-politics/state-of-the-state-governor-or-candidate/article_b531cd7b-068d-5d6d-837c-280d721f9c5b.html

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Mismanaged managed care – Editorial
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018-01-28/mismanaged-managed-care.html

 

MORTON TIMES NEWS
— Time for another State of the State. Try to remain calm – Doug Finke
http://www.mortontimesnews.com/news/20180127/statehouse-insider-time-for-another-state-of-state-try-to-remain-calm

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Women’s Heavy Disapproval Of Trump May Not Cut So Deep Against GOP In 2018 Midterms – DANIELLE KURTZLEBEN (DIERSEN: Ever increasingly, anti-Trumps shout at women and at everyone else that Republicans are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/womens-heavy-disapproval-trump-may-not-cut-so-deep-against-gop-2018-midterms#stream/0
— State Of The Federal Workforce: Low – BRIAN NAYLOR (DIERSEN: While I worked for GAO 1980-1997, morale was always low, especially for its employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or non-veteran who had not made GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/state-federal-workforce-low#stream/0
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The past year has been a tough one for the federal workforce. There was a hiring freeze at many agencies. For three days earlier this month, there was a government shutdown, leaving many workers to wonder when their next paycheck would arrive. Now, as President Trump prepares his first State of the Union address, one issue he is expected to take up, if not there then in his soon-to-follow proposed budget for fiscal year 2019, is reorganizing the federal bureaucracy. It’s a prospect that many in the federal workforce are dreading. Already, the state of the federal workforce is described as low. Morale “is the lowest that I have ever seen it in my just shy of 40 years” being a federal employee and working with federal employees, said J.David Cox Sr., president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents some 700,000 federal workers. Agencies, he says, are already short-staffed, with vacancies unfilled, and Cox worries pay will be frozen. “We are concerned,” Cox says, “because reorganization means let’s figure out a way to cut or do more with less and do away with services that the American people want.”)

 

AMERICANS FOR TRUTH ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY
— LaBarbera, Mefferd Assail Millennial Conservative Guy Benson’s ‘Prager U’ Video Claim to Be ‘Gay Christian’
https://americansfortruth.com/2018/01/26/radio-labarbera-mefferd-assail-millennial-conservative-guy-bensons-prager-u-video-claim-to-be-gay-christian/

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— Why Illinois Needs a Spending Cap Spending has consistently outpaced state tax revenues in Illinois for more than a decade. To avoid future tax hikes, Illinois must impose real fiscal discipline on state lawmakers. – Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/why-illinois-needs-a-spending-cap/

 

BREITBART
— Ronald Reagan’s Biggest Regret Was Granting Amnesty and Trusting Congress on Border Security – ROBERT KRAYCHIK
http://www.breitbart.com/radio/2018/01/27/kelli-ward-ronald-reagans-biggest-regret-was-granting-amnesty-and-trusting-congress-on-border-security/

 

BLAZE
— Pelosi again says Republican tax cuts offer ‘crumbs’ for middle class workers – Teri Webster (DIERSEN: Are/were you a worker? I was a worker 1964-1997. One could argue that I did not become a middle class worker until 1986 when I got promoted to GS-13, currently $96,403/year.)
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/01/27/pelosi-again-says-republican-tax-cuts-offer-crumbs-for-middle-class-workers

 

DAILY CALLER
— D.C. Protesters Shut Down Streets — Have No Clue What They’re Protesting – Julia Nista
http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/27/d-c-protesters-shut-down-streets-have-no-clue-what-theyre-protesting/

 

HOT AIR
— How DREAMers Came To Dominate U.S. Politics (DIERSEN: Democrats count on Dreamers to get rid of Republicans once and for all.)
https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2018/01/dreamers-came-dominate-u-s-politics/

 

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Pelosi Tries to Extend $137,000 Tax Break for Two of Her Multi-Million-Dollar Homes Congress’s wealthiest woman plays the tax game too: Pelosi rushed to pre-pay property taxes after decrying GOP tax overhaul as middle-class tax hike and corporate giveaway – Susan Crabtree (DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will the definition of being undeservedly filthy rich will paying more than $10,000 a year in combined real estate taxes and state income taxes?)
http://freebeacon.com/politics/pelosi-tries-extend-tax-break-two-multi-million-dollar-homes/
— CNN’s Jim Acosta Frustrated He Wasn’t Called on During White House Press Briefing – Haris Alic (DIERSEN: I should write a book about those a) who do not want me to know about their press conferences, b) who do not want me to attend their press conferences, c) who do not want me to ask questions at their press conferences, and d) who do not want me to report on their press conferences. They blame me for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems. They are scapegoaters to be polite.)
http://freebeacon.com/politics/cnns-jim-acosta-frustrated-wasnt-called-press-briefing/
— Wasserman Schultz Slams $1,000 Bonuses Due to Tax Reform, Says They Won’t Go ‘Very Far’ – Cameron Cawthorne (DIERSEN: $1,000 would not go very far at all to cover my out-of-pocket expenses (nine home delivery and internet access newspaper subscriptions, Constant Contact, ISP expenses, etc.) to put together send out GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails every morning and every evening.)
http://freebeacon.com/issues/wasserman-schultz-slams-1000-bonuses-tax-reform-says-wont-go-far/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Male journalists love gender-based pay cut – Ed Straker
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/01/male_journalists_love_genderbased_pay_cut.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: What is it that makes liberal journalists happy? Sexually harassing their coworkers? Creating fake news stories about Donald Trump? Pushing the liberal agenda day after day? Well, it turns out that what makes male journalists the happiest is a pay cut, at least at the BBC. The BBC said on Friday that it was reducing the salaries of several of its most prominent male journalists following Carrie Gracie’s decision this month to leave her position as the British broadcaster’s China editor to protest unequal pay between men and women at the organization. Among those receiving pay cuts are the presenters Jeremy Vine, Huw Edwards and John Humphrys. Mr. Vine described his decision to take a wage cut as a “no-brainer.”)

 

CBN NEWS
— How Much Do You Need To Retire? Learn how to Calculate your Retirement Income Needs (DIERSEN: My $51,864/year Civil Service Retirement System pension is only 41% of ending salary of $125,325 in today’s dollars.)
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/finance/2018/january/how-much-do-you-need-to-retire-learn-how-to-calculate-your-retirement-income-needs
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The next step is to determine what net annual income will be necessary upon retirement. The easiest method I have seen is simply to review a current pay stub and use the “net income” on the pay stub as a good starting point to know how much money is needed in retirement to maintain your lifestyle. I recommend this because some expenses may go up in retirement and some may go down. Many clients might not want to change their lifestyle in retirement, i.e., they want to live off the same income pre- and post-retirement. It’s all part of the discovery process, but I err on the side of overestimating these needs initially.)

 

THE HILL
— Republicans hope for calm amid storm at State of the Union – NIALL STANAGE (DIERSEN: How disrespectful do you anticipate that the anti-Trumps will be during the State of the Union?)
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/371000-the-memo-republicans-hope-for-calm-amid-storm-at-state-of-the-union

 

NBC NEWS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats want criminals to vote.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/felony-disenfranchisement-bars-millions-voting-might-be-about-change-n841566

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Why Is Hollywood So Liberal? – Neil Gross
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/27/opinion/sunday/hollywood-liberal.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump demonizes, denigrates, and condemns Trump.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/26/opinion/sunday/trump-davos-speech.html
— Are Corporate Tax Cuts Raising Pay? Yes, for Bosses – Editorial
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/27/opinion/corporate-tax-cuts-salaries.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Fox News host’s hyperbolic take on the ‘war’ between Trump and the press – Margaret Sullivan (DIERSEN: QUESTION: Who has been at war against GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails since 2000? ANSWER: Those who a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid and those who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-patriotic, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/fox-news-hosts-hyperbolic-take-on-the-war-between-trump-and-the-press/2018/01/25/264f8eba-0156-11e8-bb03-722769454f82_story.html
— CHICAGO TRIBUNE ARTICLE TITLE: Advocates petitioning to allow use of food stamps to feed pets – Caitlin Dewey
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/01/23/the-surprising-argument-for-extending-food-stamps-to-pets/?utm_term=.8d47c5a5c3be

 

USA TODAY
— Too much in retirement savings? Not possible – Peter Dunn
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/columnist/2018/01/27/pete-planner-too-much-retirement-savings-not-possible/1035009001/

 

NEWS & OBSERVER
— Is Trump in ‘love’ with Dreamers again? – Editorial
http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article196876709.html

 

CPA JOURNAL
— FROM THE ARTICLE: The Conference Committee adopted the seven-bracket approach of the Senate bill and adopted rates ranging from 10% on taxable income not over $9,525 for individuals ($19,050 for married couples filing jointly (MFJ) to a maximum of 37% for taxable income over $500,000 for individuals ($600,000 for MFJ). The Conference Committee bill therefore imposes a marriage penalty on married couples filing jointly. (DIERSEN: My wife and I have been paying the marriage penalty big time since we got married in 1978.)
https://www.cpajournal.com/2018/01/22/tax-act-first-look-complex-new-world-qualified-business-deduction-rule/

January 27 Evening Edition

ABC7
— Illinois school districts – BGA
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/weekend-watch-illinois-school-districts/2992817/

 

NBC5
— Rauner Announces Compromise on School Tax-Credit Program
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/rauner-announces-compromise-on-school-tax-credit-program-471442084.html

 

FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Steve Wynn resigns as RNC finance chair amid sex assault allegations – AP
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/wynn-resigns-rnc-finance-chair

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Fine over campaign contributions prompts assessor Berrios to sue ethics board – Rachel Hinton
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/fine-over-campaign-contributions-prompts-assessor-berrios-to-sue-ethics-board/
— Illinois will start accepting state tax returns Monday – AP
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/illinois-will-start-accepting-state-tax-returns-monday/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Ald. Burke under ethics board investigation for possible conflict of interest – Hal Dardick (DIERSEN: Who wants you to pay more taxes and why? I should write a book about those in my precinct, in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who want me to pay more a) real estate tax, b) state income tax, c) federal income tax, d) etc. and why.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-ed-burke-ethics-conflict-20180126-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: City ethics officials are looking into whether longtime Ald. Ed Burke, 14th, violated ethics rules when he sidelined an effort to increase the property taxes paid by the owners of two buildings his law firm represents, according to the alderman whose effort he blocked.)
— In wake of #MeToo movement, sex education evolves – Vikki Ortiz Healy
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-sex-ed-after-metoo-20180125-story.html
— Porn industry once braced for a crackdown, but annual expo enjoys Trump-size spotlight – Frances Stead Sellers
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-trump-porn-expo-stormy-daniels-jessica-drake-20180127-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Why evangelicals made a deal with the devilish Donald Trump.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/page/ct-perspec-page-trump-evangelicals-tony-perkins-0128-20180126-story.html
— Bad boy, Ira – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-ethics-illinois-silverstein-rotheimer-harassment-20180126-story.html
— Mixed verdict in state sex-harassment investigation a victory for process – Eric Zorn
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-perspec-zorn-silverstein-rotheimer-sex-harassment-verdict-0128-20180126-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— No wonder Rauner opposed debt transparency – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/discuss/20180127/editorial-no-wonder-rauner-opposed-debt-transparency
— The trouble with Facebook’s plan to rate media credibility
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20180127/analysis-the-trouble-with-facebooks-plan-to-rate-media-credibility
— Thomas More Society applauds ruling in District 211 transgender suit
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180126/thomas-more-society-applauds-ruling-in-district-211-transgender-suit
— Former Elgin deputy chief will pay $20K for hacking email of girlfriend’s husband – Harry Hitzeman
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180125/former-elgin-deputy-chief-will-pay-20k-for-hacking-email-of-girlfriends-husband

 

WLS AM
— Outraged by Trump, these candidates of color are now running for office – CNN (DIERSEN: Anti-Trumps shout at minorities and at everyone else that Trump and his supporters are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, and even worse things.)
http://www.wlsam.com/news/outraged-by-trump-these-candidates-of-color-are-now-running-for-office/

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— Kennedy says his family always fought party when needed – Bernard Schoenburg
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20180127/bernard-schoenburg-kennedy-says-his-family-always-fought-party-when-needed

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Lawmakers brace for another dysfunctional year in Springfield – TOM LISI
http://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lawmakers-brace-for-another-dysfunctional-year-in-springfield/article_194ed442-4838-5621-b474-5bcce3cc1a45.html
— A look at where Illinois governor candidates stand on taxes – AP
http://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/a-look-at-where-illinois-governor-candidates-stand-on-taxes/article_5464a0b9-754d-526c-a05f-f6bebbd8c0f0.html

 

BELLEVILLE NEWS DEMOCRAT
— Lose two U.S. House seats, gain a fairer map? – Editorial
http://www.bnd.com/opinion/editorials/article196457874.html

 

BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH
– Pedigreed, but not ready – Rich Miller
http://www.pantagraph.com/opinion/columnists/rich-miller-pedigreed-but-not-ready/article_fff8f0cc-926f-5d87-8693-697841ce809d.html

 

NORTHWEST HERALD
— Illinois agency picks Boston company for opioid helpline – AP
http://www.nwherald.com/2018/01/26/illinois-agency-picks-boston-company-for-opioid-helpline/affzq50/

 

ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
— Consider Republican women running for office
http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20180127/my-view-consider-republican-women-running-for-office

 

KANKAKEE DAILY JOURNAL
— Ives supporter disappointed in Rauner – Ron Hansen
http://www.daily-journal.com/opinion/letters/ives-supporter-disappointed-in-rauner/article_a758d0a5-604b-5bc4-b5f0-c9a015971053.html

 

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— Tillerson seeks to show ‘America First’ isn’t America alone – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/tillerson-seeks-to-show-america-first-isnt-america-alone/941680525
— Justice Ginsburg signals her intent to work for years more – AP
http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/justice-ginsburg-signals-her-intent-to-work-for-years-more/941740859

 

UPSTREAM IDEAS
— Trump Trickbags Dems On DACA
http://upstream-ideas.com/upstream-ideas/ideas/trump-trickbags-dems-on-daca

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Illegals commit crimes at double the rate of native-born – Stephen Dinan
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jan/26/illegals-commit-crimes-double-rate-native-born-stu/

 

GOPUSA
— Supporters of illegal aliens respond to Trump’s DACA proposal
http://www.gopusa.com/supporters-of-illegal-aliens-respond-to-trumps-daca-proposal/
— Susan Collins and Her Stupid Stick
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=37833

 

BREITBART
— Trump’s Draft Amnesty: Unlimited, Forever, and Before a Wall Is Built – NEIL MUNRO
http://www.breitbart.com/2018-elections/2018/01/27/trump-draft-amnesty-unlimited-forever/

 

DAILY WIRE
— Betrayal? Trump Unveils Immigration Plan, Republican Hawks Start Burning MAGA Hats – BEN SHAPIRO
https://www.dailywire.com/news/26376/betrayal-trump-unveils-immigration-plan-republican-ben-shapiro#exit-modal

 

THE HILL
— Some State Dept. employees retaining lawyers amid career concerns – MAX GREENWOOD (DIERSEN: I should write a book about the adverse actions that my Democrat superiors in the federal government took against me. My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/370944-some-state-dept-employees-retain-lawyers-amid-career-concerns-report
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Several State Department employees are retaining lawyers amid concerns that their careers are now being stalled because of past work on policies and initiatives championed by former President Obama. According to a Friday CNN report, frustration is growing among some at the department, who returned to Foggy Bottom from high-level assignments only to be put on low-level jobs such as responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Many of the workers who have been reassigned under the Trump administration previously worked in the offices of special envoys created during the Obama administration. But Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has over the past year moved to do away with some of the special offices created by Obama. Other offices were absorbed by regional bureaus, and some responsibilities were folded into the State Department’s Policy Planning Office, CNN reported. Officials who previously worked in those offices have been assigned to clerical tasks they say do not match up with their ranks. Some allege that they may be victims of political retribution.)

 

CNN
— Frustrated State Department employees hire attorneys, charging ‘political retribution’ – Elise Labott (DIERSEN: I should write a book about the adverse actions that my Democrat superiors in the federal government took against me. My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/26/politics/state-department-employees-hire-attorneys-political-retribution/index.html

 

CNBC
— These companies are paying bonuses with their tax savings – Nick Wells, Helen Zhao, and Fred Imbert (DIERSEN: One could point out that retired people do not get bonuses.)
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2018/01/26/us-companies-that-have-announced-bonuses-investments-after-tax-cut.html

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Celebrities, athletes, pundits and politicians have millions of fake followers. The world’s social media platforms are struggling to respond. – NICHOLAS CONFESSORE, GABRIEL J.X. DANCE, RICHARD HARRIS and MARK HANSEN
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/01/27/technology/100000005704904.app.html

 

BOSTON GLOBE
— Celebrities to attend ‘The People’s State of the Union’ – AP
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2018/01/26/mark-ruffalo-alyssa-milano-attend-the-people-state-union/IJF7p3ZpDAAcger7Jrs1KP/story.html

 

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Most Americans agree with Trump about letting Dreamers stay.”
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/columnists/grieder/article/Most-Americans-agree-with-Trump-about-letting-12530840.php