FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
ABC7
— Bailey speaks out after helicopter crash kills family members
https://abc7chicago.com/post/republican-illinois-governor-candidate-darren-bailey-speaks-montana-helicopter-crash-kills-family-members/18236452/
NBC5
— Bailey reflects on tragedy, his decision to continue gubernatorial run
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/darren-bailey-reflects-on-tragedy-his-decision-to-continue-gubernatorial-run/3857553/
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— FRONT PAGE WITH BIG PICTURE: Bailey resumes his quest for Illinois governor
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/darren-bailey-resumes-quest-after-personal-tragedy/
— Before blaming CPD for overtime, look what this city has demanded of cops. DD: What overtime have you worked? While I worked for the Park Forest Post Office 1966-1969, I worked lots of overtime. I always volunteered to work Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/12/chicago-police-overtime-snelling-cpd-staffing/
— More CPS students are graduating high school, but finishing college is a challenge. DD: What helped you finish college? For me it included my parents’ providing me with room and board in their home in Crete and my part-time Park Forest Post Office job.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/cps-graudate-high-school-college/
SOUTHERN & NPR ILLINOIS
— DD: Fired federal employee sues Trump in a case that could upend civil rights laws. In Diersen v. GAO, the 7th Circuit ruled that my Democrat GAO superiors had the power to force me to retire, that is, that they had the power to fire me, when I was 49 years old in 1997, because I was an active member in a class action lawsuit that charged them reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation.
https://southernillinoisnow.com/2025/12/01/immigration-judge-fired-by-trump-administration-files-lawsuit-claiming-discrimination/
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-12-01/fired-worker-sues-government-in-a-case-that-could-upend-civil-rights-laws
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Tania Nemer is one of dozens of immigration judges fired by the Trump administration this year. But a new lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., suggests what happened to Nemer — and why — has the potential to scramble the federal workforce and upend foundational civil rights laws. Nemer alleges that despite top performance reviews, she was dismissed from her job because of her gender, her status as a dual citizen of Lebanon and the fact that she once ran for municipal office in Ohio as a Democrat. Those reasons, she says, are all in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the First Amendment. The government has responded by arguing that the president’s power to oversee the executive branch under Article II of the U.S. Constitution essentially overrides that core civil rights law, Nemer’s attorney said.)
CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE & ST. LOUIS TODAY & STATELINE
— DD: Democrat leaders crow about their success in making Illinois dependent on federal spending.
https://www.news-gazette.com/business/economy/capitol-news-illinois-report-trump-cuts-could-shrink-illinois-economy-by-10-billion/article_33b37a79-045d-4896-8fb2-09d88fee242b.html
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/article_c248bb2a-58c3-4ea0-b4f9-1cac8656261a.html
https://www.mystateline.com/news/illinois-faces-up-to-10b-in-losses-due-to-trump-budget-cuts/amp/
POLITICO ILLINOIS
— Dabrowski and the business crowd
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2025/12/02/dabrowski-draws-business-donors-00672368
CAPITOL FAX
— Morning briefing
https://capitolfax.com/2025/12/02/isabel%e2%80%99s-morning-briefing-639/
FROM ILLINOIS CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
CHICAGO MORNING STAR
— Jeanne Ives Warns Chicago Is ‘Bankrupt’ Amid Debt Strain
https://chicagomorningstar.com/jeanne-ives-warns-chicago-is-bankrupt-amid-debt-strain/amp
ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— When the Left Can’t Win Arguments… They Send Glitter
https://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/when-the-left-cant-win-arguments-they-send-glitter/
CHICAGO CONTRARIAN
— Chicago’s Billion-Dollar “Reform” Industry
https://www.chicagocontrarian.com/blog/chicago-billion-dollar-reform-industry
GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly glorify and praise citizens of foreign countries. According to Democrat and RINO leaders, citizens of foreign countries come to America and stay in America only for good reasons. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— To vote for Democrats in Illinois is to drive out of Illinois, out of your county, out of your township, out of your municipality, out of your school district, and out of your precinct those who are conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, non-poor, Protestant, German American, and/or have ancestors who have been in America for a long time. I am all of the aforesaid. I have lived in Illinois since 1948 and in DuPage County, Milton Township, Wheaton, and Wheaton-Warrenville School District 200 since 1978. I have lived in my precinct since 1984. My ancestors have been in America since 1844. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Who has been promoted over you? All my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats who were minority, female, younger than me, and/or veteran. They all had less work experience than I had, less education than I had, no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or had no professional license like the one I had. When I was 49 years old in 1997, they forced me to retire and gave my job and my preferred corner office to my Black subordinate who had less work experience than I had, who had less education than I had, who had one professional certification while I had six, and had no CPA license like the one I had. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— My critics/opponents want socialism. According to them, if had spent my career in the capitalist private sector instead of the socialist federal government, I never would have made $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. What if I had spent my career in the capitalist private sector? I earned a bachelor’s degree in management. I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I earned a CPA license. To advance in the socialist federal government, you have to be a Democrat. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— What performance reviews have you gotten? In Diersen v. GAO, I entered into the court record all the many performance reviews that my Democrat superiors gave me 1980-1997. Not one of them came close to justifying the many adverse actions that they took against me. They forced me to take a $23,472 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. They kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. They delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13. They always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance. They forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— The director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, says that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) should not exist. I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO for almost 18 years. If Gingrich had reformed GAO instead of gutting it, there would be no need for DOGE. A reformed GAO would not have wasted my career and forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. It would not have forced me to take a $23,472 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. It would not have kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. It would not have delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13. It would not have always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
— Have you been fired? In Diersen v. GAO, the 7th Circuit ruled that my Democrat GAO superiors had the power to force me to retire, that is, that they had the power to fire me, when I was 49 years old in 1997, because I was an active member in a class action lawsuit that charged them reverse discrimination, age discrimination, and retaliation. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-RIGHT SOURCES
WASHINGTON EXAMINER
— Socialism is popular, but government is still the problem. DD: According to my critics/opponents, they would be much better off under socialism.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/equality-not-elitism/3902494/socialism-popular-government-still-problem/
— The affordability panic is real. Republicans worsen it.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/courage-strength-optimism/3902785/affordability-panic-real-republicans-worsen-it/
NEW YORK POST
— Mamdani, Bernie Sanders join striking Starbucks workers
https://nypost.com/2025/12/01/us-news/zohran-mamdani-bernie-sanders-join-striking-starbucks-workers-as-city-approves-39m-deal/
— Trump says he would feel comfortable living in socialist Mamdani’s NYC. DD: According to my critics/opponents, they would be much better off under socialism.
https://www.aol.com/articles/trump-says-feel-comfortable-living-214542137.html
— New York released 7,000 illegal migrant criminals onto streets this year alone — including a machete-wielding maniac, a rapist and an attempted killer
https://nypost.com/2025/12/01/us-news/dhs-demands-leticia-james-hand-over-7000-illegal-migrant-criminals-new-york-is-holding/
BREITBART
— DHS: Sanctuary New York City Is Harboring 7,169 Criminal Illegal Aliens
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/12/01/dhs-sanctuary-new-york-city-is-harboring-7169-criminal-illegal-aliens/
FOX NEWS
— We have no idea how many illegals the Biden administration let in. DD: Democrat and RINO leaders do not just let illegals in, they invite them in.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6385828061112
— Elite NYC private schools may offer financial aid to parents earning up to $800,000
https://www.foxnews.com/media/elite-nyc-private-schools-may-offer-financial-aid-parents-earning-up-800000-report
— DD: Mamdani is the new face of the Democratic Party
https://www.aol.com/articles/republicans-push-mamdani-face-democratic-173838479.html
— DHS launches ‘Cyber Monday deal’ in retro 90s holiday ad: $1,000 for illegal immigrants who self-deport. CBP Home App allows immigrants to arrange free travel home along with $1,000 bonus. DD: Yes, but what about those who will immediately come back?
https://www.foxnews.com/us/dhs-launches-cyber-monday-deal-retro-90s-holiday-ad-1000-illegal-immigrants-self-deport
POST MILLENNIAL
— Trump admin fires 8 immigration judges in New York City
https://thepostmillennial.com/trump-admin-fires-8-immigration-judges-in-new-york-city
FROM NATIONAL CENTER-LEFT SOURCES
THE HILL
— White House doubles down on mass deportation pledge in wake of National Guard shooting
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5628455-mass-deportations-trump-pledge/
— The director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, says that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) should not exist. DD: I worked for the Democrats who ran GAO for almost 18 years. If Gingrich had reformed GAO instead of gutting it, there would be no need for DOGE. A reformed GAO would not have wasted my career and forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997. It would not have forced me to take a $23,472 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. It would not have kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. It would not have delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13. It would not have always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance.
https://www.aol.com/russ-vought-says-government-accountability-024659336.html
CNN
— Religious leaders sue to block ICE raids at houses of worship. DD: Democrat leaders ever-increasingly turn religious leaders against America.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/01/world/video/religious-leaders-sue-to-block-ice-raids-at-houses-of-worship
CBS NEWS
— DD: Democrat and RINO leaders ever-increasingly paint Rahmanullah Lakanwal as being an exception.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rahmanullah-lakanwal-national-guard-shooting-suspect-vetting-immigration/
ABC NEW YORK
— Mamdani and Sanders join Starbucks picket line in Brooklyn
https://abc7ny.com/post/nyc-mayor-elect-zohran-mamdani-bernie-sanders-join-starbucks-picket-line-brooklyn/18236841/
NEW YORK DAILY SUN
— Two protestors who blocked ICE in lower Manhattan charged with felony assault as cops injured
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/01/two-protestors-who-blocked-ice-in-lower-manhattan-charged-with-felony-assault-as-cops-injured/
WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Performance reviews. DD: In Diersen v. GAO, I entered into the court record all the many performance reviews that my Democrat superiors gave me 1980-1997. Not one of them came close to justifying the many adverse actions that they took against me. They forced me to take a $23,472 (21%) pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. They kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO. They delayed my promotions and never promoted me beyond GS-13. They always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance. They forced me to retire when I was 49 years old in 1997.
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/workplace/performance-review-history-future-43f6f1a7
FORBES
— Why Goldman Sachs Is Paying $2 Billion To Buy Wheaton Based Bubble Protection Firm Innovator Capital
https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2025/12/01/why-goldman-sachs-is-paying-2-billion-to-buy-bubble-protection-firm-innovator-capital/
POLITICO
— Poll: Capitalism is out … and socialism is in. DD: My critics/opponents want socialism. According to them, if had spent my career in the capitalist private sector instead of the socialist federal government, I never would have made $153,151/year in today’s dollars when I was 49 years old in 1997. What if I had spent my career in the capitalist private sector? I earned a bachelor’s degree in management. I earned master’s degrees in business, accounting and finance. I earned professional certifications in accounting, internal auditing, fraud examination, government financial management, financial services auditing, and forensic accounting. I earned a CPA license. To advance in the socialist federal government, you have to be a Democrat.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/15/is-socialism-going-mainstream-a-new-poll-suggests-it-might-be-00564167
REASON
— Republican Socialism: Trump Is Taking Federal Stakes in Private Companies. The Trump administration’s pivot toward socialism did not come without warning. DD: Charles Bowsher came from Arthur Andersen to run GAO 1981 to 1996. According to his critics, he wanted to replace GAO with Arthur Andersen.
https://reason.com/2025/12/02/republican-socialism/
— Is Economic Anxiety Driving People to Socialism? DD: According to my critics/opponents, they would be much better off under socialism.
https://reason.com/podcast/2025/12/01/is-economic-anxiety-driving-people-to-socialism/
DAILY REPUBLIC
— Questioning military orders raises concerns. DD: I always followed all my Democrat superiors’ many orders to give preference to my subordinates who were Democrat, minority, female, younger, veteran, disabled, etc. But that was not enough for them.
https://www.dailyrepublic.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-questioning-military-orders-raises-concerns/article_6aa73254-469d-43ef-a0e4-27ec2be10118.html
PEOPLE
— Meet the Kids of Billionaire Tech Titans: From Steve Jobs’ Model Daughter to Jeff Bezos’ Rarely-Seen Son. DD: My critics/opponents had wealthy parents. I should write about them. I had to work my way through college.
https://www.aol.com/meet-kids-billionaire-tech-titans-153046325.html
PSYCHOLOGY TODAY
— Who gets hired and promoted in your company? DD: All my coworkers who my Democrat superiors in the federal government promoted over me were Democrats who were minority, female, younger than me, and/or veteran. They all had less work experience than I had, less education than I had, no professional certifications or fewer than I had, and/or had no professional license like the one I had. When I was 49 years old in 1997, they forced me to retire and gave my job and my preferred corner office to my Black subordinate who had less work experience than I had, who had less education than I had, who had one professional certification while I had six, and had no CPA license like the one I had.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/platform-for-success/202512/the-meritocracy-paradox-pervades-most-companies
FROM FOREIGN SOURCES
OXFORD ACADEMIC
— Too scared to share? Fear of social sanctions for political expression on social media. DD: I should write about my critics/opponents and the biggest adverse actions that they have taken against me because of my GOPUSA ILLINOIS newsletters.
https://academic.oup.com/jcmc/article/29/1/zmad041/7394121
(FROM THE ARTICLE: While social media provide opportunities for political expression, many people may be reluctant to share their opinions if they fear personal or professional repercussions for posting political views. Fear of social sanctions (FOSSs) therefore represents a promising approach to investigate why people often avoid expressing political opinions online. Using panel survey data collected during the 2020 U.S. election, this study examines the predictors of FOSSs, as well as its relationship with several forms of online political expression. Results indicate that the ideological diversity of people’s online networks fosters their FOSSs, which in turn is associated with decreases in several types of online political expression. Thus, FOSSs may be an important determinant in individuals’ calculations to express political opinions online and may also hinder lower commitment forms of political engagement. Social media allow people to publicly express their political views, but many say they do not take advantage of this opportunity because they are afraid that sharing their political opinions online could lead to negative consequences in their personal or professional lives, such as damaging their relationships with friends and family or jeopardizing their job. This study has two goals. First, we examine whether characteristics of people’s social media environments impact their fears about sharing their political views online. Second, we test whether fears about the social and professional consequences of sharing political views online actually make it less likely that people express their political opinions on social media. We find that people who have more politically diverse social media environments are more fearful of sharing their political views online. We also find that people who are more afraid of the social and professional consequences of sharing their political views on social media often engage in self-censorship, becoming less likely to share news or their political opinions online, including liking or commenting on political posts made by others. This suggests that fears about the negative consequences of sharing political views on social media can limit political expression online.)
